Chapter 13

Never an equal existence

(Ha… Haaa!?!)

Sulking?!?!
What is he even saying? Is this some new kind of joke? Is that it?!

…No way!!

My facial muscles nearly twitched, but I narrowed my eyes and forced a smile.

“Can’t you see? I’m disgusted. At your sanctimonious attitude.”

“Sanctimonious? Are you denying my destined person?”

“Blessing your fated person doesn’t mean accepting injustice. I believe I already told you—don’t involve me in your happiness.”

“You’re refusing a share of happiness?”

(This conversation is terrifyingly incomprehensible…)

Feeling like I was talking to an alien, my head spun with confusion.
But staying silent would surely let him interpret it however he pleased.
So, I decided to change the subject entirely.

“You said you couldn’t love me. …What a coincidence, I feel exactly the same way.”

“…Felicia?”

He looked at me suspiciously.
I raised my face.
Magnolia petals fell from above.

To begin with, bringing me, his current fiancée, to a pavilion that recreates his meeting with Onee-sama is utterly unthinkable.
Utterly insensitive.

“I, too, cannot love you. I have no intention of interfering with or being involved in Onee-sama’s and your happiness. Please, just leave me alone.”

“…That’s troublesome.”

Felix-sama lowered his brows, as if exasperated.

He crossed his legs and sighed.
As if I were the one at fault.

Before, I might have fretted over every one of his gestures.

But now,

(Why is this guy still so arrogant at this point…?)

That’s the only emotion I could muster.

“Felicia, you’re sulking, aren’t you? Feeling lonely? But rest assured, neither Agnes nor I intend to leave you alone or exclude you.”

“…”

(Huh…? …Huhhh?!)

Oh no.
I really don’t think we’re getting through to each other.

This is bad.
This is like dealing with a malicious complainer…

“The reason you were chosen as my fiancée in the first place was because you were thought to be the ‘reincarnation of a mage.’ In reality, it was Agnes.”

Felix-sama recounted the history of our engagement matter-of-factly.

Tsaobera is the land of mages.
And in this country, there’s a long-standing fable.

“First: Tsaobera was founded with the aid of exceptional mages.

Second: Exceptional mages appear from time to time. For him or her,
a fated person exists.

Third: The fated person is the mage’s other half, a divine blessing.”

Eighteen years ago,
A priest who manifested the unique magic of “foresight” existed.
With that power, he received a divine oracle.

“The daughter of the Frenzel ducal house is the reincarnation of a mage.”

That’s what he prophesied, they say.

Receiving a divine oracle apparently consumes immense stamina, willpower, and magical energy.
The priest passed away shortly after, it’s said.

Eighteen years ago, the Frenzel ducal house already had two daughters.

One was Agnes Frenzel, the daughter of a mistress.
One was Felicia Frenzel, the daughter of the legitimate wife.

It was immediately assumed that I must be the reincarnation of the mage.

Because Onee-sama was born frail and lacked unique magic.
So, by process of elimination, it was believed that I, Felicia, was the mage’s reincarnation.

(…But my unique magic is the incredibly mundane “presence concealment.”)

If I were the reincarnation of a mage, I’d surely have some spectacular magic.
My magical capacity would be extraordinary.

Yet—my unique magic is the overly plain “presence concealment.”
My magical capacity is utterly average.

The disappointment from those around me must have been immense.

As the reincarnation of a mage, I was far too ordinary.

Even so, because of the oracle, it was believed until now that I was the mage’s reincarnation.

—Until the matching crest appeared on Onee-sama with Felix-sama.

The matching crest that signals a fated person is not something that appears often.
In fact, it was considered mere superstition, with so few precedents.

The divine oracle received by the priest with foresight magic was simply this:

“The daughter of the Frenzel ducal house is the reincarnation of a mage.”

—When the crest signaling a fated person appeared on Onee-sama, people’s perceptions changed.

“It wasn’t Felicia Frenzel… the true reincarnation of the mage was Agnes Frenzel.”

Recalling the events that led to my engagement with Felix-sama, he gave a wry smile and said,

“Even so, it’s not like I have no attachment to you. I don’t intend to discard our past memories.”

He looked at me and said,

“You don’t have to be afraid. I have His Majesty’s permission. And above all, you love Agnes, don’t you?”

“…So, I should sacrifice myself?”

“Sacrifice? That’s harsh. You don’t have to put it like that. You can stay by your beloved sister’s side without tarnishing your status as a noble lady. Everyone can be happy.”

“I’ve already refused. I’ll decide my own happiness.”

“Come on…”

As if dealing with a stubborn child, Felix-sama said with exasperation,

“You’re just angry, aren’t you? Can’t you get over it already? Agnes will worry.”

Agnes, Agnes…
All he talks about is Onee-sama, without a thought for my feelings.

(…This won’t work.)

I can’t negotiate with this person.
The discussion has collapsed.
There’s no reason to stay here any longer.

“That’s enough.”

I stood up.

To this person, I, Felicia, am ultimately just a controllable creature.

Like a robot crafted by his own hands.

A robot only moves according to the signals input by its engineer.
To Felix-sama, I must be that kind of existence.

Something he can manipulate however he pleases.
Something he can do anything with.

…From the start, he never saw me as an equal.

“Felicia?”

My name was called.
So, I smiled and said,

“I wish you and Onee-sama happiness. Please, be happy.”

I offered perfunctory words of blessing.

I have no intention of marrying Felix-sama.

I never did, but this conversation has only solidified and strengthened that resolve.

If I married him, I’d undoubtedly be miserable.

So, I—

(First, I need to persuade Father.)

With firm determination, I left the royal garden.

On my way back—

“Felicia!! There you are…!!”

A familiar voice rang out, and I instinctively stopped in my tracks.

(No… It can’t be!?!)

A cool, light, sweet voice.
A soft, gentle tone.

She sounded out of breath, as if she’d been hurrying.
Panting, she called my name.

…An overwhelmingly bad feeling washed over me.
And, as always, such premonitions tend to come true.