Chapter 67: I’m Canceling the Engagement!

Will raised his right hand, turning it slightly for the audience below to see. He didn’t expect them to catch every detail; it was more of a dramatic gesture.

“Our engagement was likely decided a month ago. In that time, I’ve been attacked by a witch with a grudge against the elves and subjected to baseless bullying at school. Look at my hand—these strange burn scars are proof, and I’m sure you can guess they were left by a witch.”

“An attack? By a witch?”

“Wasn’t it said that the young master of the Hysterm family was attacked on his way to Entark First Academy?”

“Well, she’s a half-elf, so it’s not surprising witches would get involved. But what about the bullying?”

“Entark First Academy… could this also involve the royal family?”

“The royal family is known for these things, trying to assert their status by—”

“Shh, don’t forget where you are.”

“Heh, this is going to be fun to watch.”

…

As Will expected, the news of his attack and bullying wasn’t entirely sealed off; it had already begun to spread. Many of the influential merchants and nobles present were aware of it.

As for who leaked the information, it was most likely Eugenie.

She wanted to embarrass both Treya’s side and the Hysterm family while provoking the “foolish and uncontrollable” young master of the Hysterm family.

She ensured the room was filled with people who knew about the incidents and even had Mike Branton feed Will misleading information beforehand.

Everything, from the environment to the people, was orchestrated to put Treya at a disadvantage.

The once-celebratory engagement ceremony now carried an air of tension, with the two main figures at its center becoming objects of scrutiny and amusement.

Even Treya, who was usually calm and composed, showed rare signs of unease in her gaze.

For the first time, the typically oblivious Treya felt the external pressure in the room.

She knew she had to say the right thing in a social setting she was least adept at navigating.

The air seemed filled with sharp, cold, gray wires. Every move she made, every word she spoke, had to avoid these cutting edges if she wanted to escape this unknown trap unscathed.

The once-bright world in her eyes was now cast in shades of gray, reflecting the glint of those sharp wires.

Treya had never faced anything like this before.

Was this “dark” man guiding the atmosphere in this direction?

But why?

Why would someone she was engaged to bring such misfortune?

A witch’s attack?

Bullying at school?

These terms were so foreign to her.

“So, Miss Treya, my question is…”

Will turned to face Treya, casually rotating his right wrist and lightly brushing the scar on his hand—though it had healed well and didn’t hurt at all.

He looked at her with a pitiful expression.

“Has our engagement brought me nothing but misfortune?”

Treya froze.

Was this… was this the kind of question a fiancé should ask?!

Will, looking every bit like a pampered young master who couldn’t handle hardship, spoke with tears glistening in his eyes.

His words silenced the entire hall. Everyone knew that such a negative statement would likely derail the engagement.

This was shaping up to be a spectacle no one wanted to miss.

All the earlier gossip paled in comparison to what might become the biggest scandal in recent memory, unfolding right before their eyes.

“I…”

Treya didn’t know how to respond.

She looked up at Will, who stood far away, as if on the outer edge of those sharp wires, unreachable.

He seemed shrouded in a dark mist.

“It’s clear that an engagement with the royal family—especially with a half-elf—has brought many risks. If… if Princess Treya cannot demonstrate her strength, this imbalance between us…”

Will deliberately paused, shifting his gaze from Treya, who avoided eye contact, to Eugenie in the audience.

She was fanning herself, clearly enjoying the sight of her dear sister being questioned on stage. She didn’t even bother hiding her amusement.

“I cannot accept this engagement!”

Eugenie closed her fan and began making her way toward the stage.

Perfect. She had taken the bait.

[Task 84 (Revised): Cancel the engagement, cancel the engagement, cancel the engagement, cancel the engagement, cancel the engagement, cancel the engagement!]

Canceling the engagement wasn’t the issue.

After all, there was no way he could actually marry Treya. Whether or not the engagement was canceled wasn’t the point. The key was how to deal with the person pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Besides, if Treya truly wanted to marry him, she could eliminate her chaotic royal siblings, crown herself queen, and have the royal guards drag him to the wedding bed. At that point, Will would surrender with both hands and feet.

“Um… Sir, I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“In other words, I want to cancel the engagement.”

“Huh?”

“After all, I’m just a frail and delicate young master. Not only am I naturally weak, but my magical talent is also at the bottom. I simply don’t have the strength to fight witches or get involved in royal disputes.”

Will stood tall, but his tone was soft and weak, making him sound like someone who could be easily pushed around.

Treya, meanwhile, seemed completely out of it.

“I… I don’t know…”

She appeared stuck, as if her mind had frozen. Aside from a few murmured words, she couldn’t say anything else. Even her movements were limited to just standing there.

“Young Master of the Hysterm family, I suggest you stop this nonsense. This is a formal occasion, and such antics have no place here,” Anna finally intervened.

Perhaps Will’s exaggerated performance had gone too far. Anna, who hadn’t interrupted earlier, decided to step in when he described himself as “frail and delicate.”

“That’s enough. It was just a joke. Everyone, don’t take it seriously. Let’s move on.”

As queen, Anna’s commanding presence was undeniable. She attempted to brush off the serious matter as a mere jest.

But…

“Mother. I think since the young master of the Hysterm family has such doubts, it wouldn’t be good for these grievances to fester in the future, now that we’re all family.”

Eugenie interjected.

She extended her “black-stockinged” foot.

Caught you off guard, didn’t I, Queen Anna?

Your own daughter just stabbed you in the back!

Eugenie twirled her fan, stepping forward just as it seemed the matter might be smoothed over.

“Sister…”

As Eugenie ascended the stage, Treya felt a sense of relief.

She looked up from the “darkness” Will had brought and saw the reassuring red of her sister.

It was her sister.

As long as her sister was here… as long as she was here… everything would be fine.

Everything would be okay.

“Our dear Treya is recognized within the royal family as a skilled swordswoman. She has dedicated herself to becoming a dungeon swordsman and is now a legitimate inheritor of the Entark Demon Swordsmanship.”

—Her sister was praising her.

—Her sister was speaking up for her.

—Her sister would never betray her.

“Someone like you, what right do you have to criticize Treya?”

Treya, regaining her confidence, nodded.

“That’s right. When I learned my fiancé was from the Hysterm family, I was so excited… I looked forward to collaborating with you, forming a dungeon adventuring team, and becoming closer to the common people. Just like my sister.”

Will observed her.

She still trusted her sister completely.

Even though her expression didn’t change much, Will could sense the warmth in her gaze when she looked at Eugenie and the hostility when she looked at him.

“Then, Treya, why don’t you… demonstrate your swordsmanship to your doubtful fiancé in the courtyard outside the hall?”

“As for the technique…”

“Let’s make it the Entark Eleventh Form—the most challenging and impractical move in basic swordsmanship. How about that?”