Chapter 15: Her story, part 3.

Translated and Edited by: luccayn.
Enjoy!

To be clear, I did not expect this to happen.

The reason I had a special room prepared was for insurance in case Lulu would make a scene to discredit me, or to falsely frame me for something else. Perhaps by sobbing, ripping her clothes, and asking for help, or through a possible honey trap. In such cases, I was insured against any possible reproach due to having witnesses.

If she had been so frustrated with something, whatever it may be, that she started chucking expensive items everywhere, she would be easily detained. No matter the rampage. I was careful in anticipating these possible outcomes, and had taken all good precautions against them… However, I hadn't expected her incomprehensible ramblings, nor did its possibility ever cross my mind. My squires even helped me regain my composure, a task that didn't pertain to them. That's how baffled she left me.

Ah, I can't do this anymore. I should just ask her directly what she wants and get this over with, I thought.

“What do you want from me? You requested this visitation because of a reason, did you not?” I would listen to whatever her bizarro head came up with in order to get this story straight. I'll listen, but won't take her seriously anymore. In any case, it probably won't be a good story, so I might as well prevent any more of my time to be wasted.

“You're unusually perceptive,” she sneered. “I'd like you to call this off, but you need to tell your father.”

I had no idea she would drop an outrageous statement with such a head-above-clouds look on her face. “Huh?” I couldn't help the dumb sound.

“I hate the countryside; there is nothing glamorous there. What suits me is the refined and galvanic King's Landing, the royal capital, don't you think?”

What in the world was she on about? I felt like words didn't mean anything anymore, and the language we spoke was nothing above an animal's egoless squeals.

“Even parties are not so great at the boonies, and the men there are like potatoes. I have a distaste for the lumpy and earthy. And besides, I'm known in social circles as the ‘Blooming Columbine of King's Landing', and as such, a party where the cream of society gathers is where I'm supposed to be, isn't that right?”

“I, I'm sorry… C-can you give me a minute? I'm not following you here. First of all, what did you mean by ‘calling off'?”

My mind couldn't make out heads or tails at the shock I'd just received. Taking her words as they were, she was implying she was the one breaking off with me. I don't understand. How can that be? How could you break what's already broken?

“My, I complimented you a few seconds ago, and yet you're quick to be insensitive? Quite the dullard, aren't you?”

She sighed and continued, “I've been staying in a room far from you since you broke off our engagement, and I couldn't even go back to my own. I heard it was because of the procedure, so I figured I would be able to leave in a few days. However, they didn't give me permission well after that; I wasn't sick, yet they terribly kept me there. I was promised a lot of outings by my peers, but I had to decline every one of them. To rub salt in the wound, I couldn't even taste my favorite delicacies. I think such treatment is called ‘abuse.' The food was abhorrent and every day was painful.”

Her stream of words wouldn't stop. “But one day, I was told something I could not believe. I had been living away from home in hopes I would be able to return soon, but then they wanted me to go to the countryside! After prodding, the reasons I got all pointed to the breaking off you started. So, if you call that process off, we can go back together to the mainland. It's a good idea, isn't it?”

She beamed.

From then I understood she didn't get why she was house arrested, and that she wasn't sorry in the slightest. More than that, however, what part of going back together was a good idea? …Even though the premise was already broken.

“Ah, and don't worry. I'll marry you properly this time. The wedding will be grand and, well… I hope it might be more majestic than my sister's. I need a dress that defines the very word ‘beauty,' and a one-of-a-kind hairpiece and necklace. Of course, my place of residence must be in a prestigious locale in King's Landing. Also, it's no good if my kept men can't live together with me, so we have to have a lot of rooms and a big garden—”

Is she really the woman I once gave my heart to? I'd asked myself as her nonsensical ramblings puked out of her mouth. Was this her true nature all along?

“—Hey, you'll be happy to marry me, won't you?”

Her eyes, which I once thought were the nicest emeralds, they… I clutched my hands and tried to press them against my mouth and chest, covering them as her eyes stabbed mine.

The gargling nausea was ineffable.

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