He stared at me, startled, but saying such things about a woman, especially a young one, wasn't something to be uttered, unlike if he were talking about a man like me.
Moreover, coming from someone of high rank, directed at a subordinate who couldn't talk back.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who felt such anger.
Based on knightly chivalry, several attendees rose from their chairs.
Crown Prince Arios must have realized his blunder. He turned his face away from the attendees and pursed his lips.
Yet, this guy... he still didn't apologize.
Is he a child?
It's embarrassing for a man of the same age.
"...Eh? Why... you...?"
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice reached my ears.
"Hmm?" I turned my head.
It seemed the occupant of the white veil had spoken.
She might have turned towards me. The hem of her veil fluttered.
"Atsuhito."
She murmured a word I didn't understand, so I tilted my head. What language was that?
"Anyway!"
Crown Prince Arios cleared his throat and looked around the cathedral again.
He held Meil in one arm, a triumphant smile plastered across his face.
Wait, we haven't received an apology or a correction yet.
"The engagement is annulled!"
"You fool!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the hall.
Whoa, wow! That startled me!
I wasn't the only one, it seemed.
One of the knights who had stood up in protest even gripped the hilt of his ceremonial sword.
Crown Prince Arios's shoulders trembled, and Meil let out a small shriek, clinging to him.
"Lord Barrymore, I humbly beg your forgiveness for my son's rudeness!"
It was King Neue.
His white beard trembling, he bowed his head to a man who remained seated with his retainers.
"Lord Barrymore" implied he was a relative of Miss Citoyen.
From my seat, I could only see his profile, but he was about my father's age.
He was a lean, well-built man with a receding hairline but a rugged face.
But...
He seemed oddly calm.
Normally, if one's daughter had her engagement broken off right in front of them, they'd be furious or grab King Neue, demanding, "What's going on?!"
Lord Barrymore just stared straight ahead, silent.
I thought he was heartless, but...
Seeing his jaw clenched and his arms trembling slightly, I realized he was simply suppressing his rage, and it gave me an indescribable feeling.
Both Miss Citoyen and Lord Barrymore.
They were starkly different from the Luminas Royal Family, who were prone to emotional outbursts.
"There's no need for an apology, King Neue."
Silence lasted for a good few minutes, during which King Neue kept bowing his head.
Then, Lord Barrymore unexpectedly said that and stood up.
"I shall take my foolish daughter home. Citoyen."
Lord Barrymore smoothly extended his arm.
Indeed, his arm showed clear muscles even through his clothing. It indicated a life of moderation and unceasing training, making him far more likable than that idiotic Crown Prince.
"Let's return to the Kingdom of Tania."
Ah, this gentleman. He's connected to the royal family of Tania, one of the five kingdoms.
Apparently, one-third of that country is mountainous, but it's rich in mining resources.
Many people there are engaged in pastoral farming in the mountains and are said to be strong-legged with robust cardiorespiratory functions.
Seeing Lord Barrymore's physique, I understood.
"Wait!"
"Lord Barrymore, please! Please forgive him!"
King Neue and his chief retainers held back Lord Barrymore, who was about to step onto the red-carpeted aisle.
Looking at the aisle.
The white cocoon stirred.
It seemed she was trying to go to Lord Barrymore on her own.
As soon as the white cocoon moved away from Crown Prince Arios,
Honestly, it makes me feel sick to my stomach, but...
Crown Prince Arios and that woman, Meil, were grinning from ear to ear with delight.
Hey, do you two even understand this situation?
Because of you, people are apologizing, fuming, sneering, and scheming all over the place!
"Excuse me, if I may, King Neue, Lord Barrymore?"
It was Mother who spoke loudly.
Startled, I looked beside me, and she was holding out her hand to me.
Oh, an escort. Right, right.
I placed my hand on her outstretched one, and Mother rose gracefully.
Then, she curtsied lightly.
"This is... Queen of Tidros. My apologies, this is quite the... situation."
King Neue, profusely sweating from his forehead, returned the bow.
"Lord Barrymore, it's been since last year's... yes, the Karaban Allied Kingdoms' ball, wasn't it?"
Mother spoke, still hiding her mouth with her partially open fan.
Lord Barrymore performed a salute, pressing his right fist to his left chest, then spoke with gravity.
"It is an immense honor to be addressed by someone such as yourself, Your Majesty. I trust Your Majesty is in good health. That is most reassuring."
See? This is how it's supposed to be.
They're talking to royalty, you know?
You two are the strange ones.
I glared at Crown Prince Arios and Meil, but they were lost in their own little world, giggling and flirting with each other.
I sighed.
When I shifted my gaze, the white cocoon paused, troubled, looking alternately at Lord Barrymore and Mother.
"By the way, King Neue. Is this engagement truly annulled?"
My mother just came right out and said it...
"No, no, no! Absolutely not!"
King Neue panicked, but Lord Barrymore let out a loud cough.
"Annulment is fine. I shall take my foolish daughter and return to the Kingdom of Tania as is."
Lord Barrymore's voice and expression were resolute.
Naturally, murmurs escaped from the attendees.
Most of them indicated a bad situation.
"How about it, Lord Barrymore? I am currently looking for a bride for my foolish son, you see. His Majesty has entrusted me completely with this matter."
The unsettling whispers were abruptly silenced by Mother's statement.
As for me, I was speechless for an entirely different reason.
Huh?
My wife, you say?