Chapter 39: Townsperson A Witnesses the Condemnation Event

The crowd parted swiftly, and Anastasia, summoned by the Crown Prince, stepped forward, her expression remaining ice-cold.

“Anastasia, as of this moment, I am breaking my engagement with you!”

It was a declaration delivered straight from the stage, the Prince looking down on her as he recited the lines exactly as they appeared in the game event.

“Your Highness, are you certain?”

Anastasia didn’t seem even slightly rattled. She spoke with a detached, business-like tone, as if she were merely confirming some clerical paperwork.

“Hmph. You’re as slow on the uptake as ever. A woman with a soul as rotten as yours isn’t fit to be my fiancée. That honor belongs to Amy—a girl with a kind heart and the power of Healing.”

The Crown Prince spoke with a mocking smirk, but Anastasia didn’t let her composure slip for a second as she pressed him for confirmation.

“Your Highness, are you quite sure about that woman? She knows nothing of etiquette, she has no concept of what it means to be a noble, and she doesn't even understand the nature of a state. Do you honestly believe she is capable of serving as the Mother of the Nation?”

Anastasia directed a frigid gaze at Amy, her expression never wavering.

Amy winced and recoiled under that stare, prompting the Prince to pull her protectively against him.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Her kindness is exactly what this country needs. We have no use for someone like you who does nothing but spin tedious logic at every turn. Besides, we’re well aware of the harassment you’ve put Amy through! A woman of your character is the one truly unfit to be the Mother of the Nation!”

“I see. Then I assume Your Highness is prepared to take full responsibility for the consequences?”

Oh? Anastasia’s phrasing was a lot different from the game.

As I suspected, she must have written the Crown Prince off a long time ago. I couldn't sense even a shred of lingering affection from her.

“I should have expected such a response. This is why the pedantic House Ramslett is such a nuisance. It’s no wonder you lot are nothing but country bumpkins who can’t produce anything but wheat.”

Anastasia, who had looked ready to withdraw quietly, finally snapped back at that.

“Your Highness. You may say what you wish of me, but I will not overlook an insult toward House Ramslett. Retract that statement immediately.”

“What are you talking about? I merely stated a fact.”

“T-That’s right! That’s why Karl-sama is so fed up with you, Lady Anastasia. You’re just a girl from a house of country bumpkins!”

Amy must have seen this as a golden opportunity to get under her skin, because she was really leaning into the attack. Anastasia let out a small sigh and fixed her with a freezing look.

“Amy, do you also intend to insult House Ramslett?”

“Since Karl-sama said it, it must be true~.”

“Very well. Then House Ramslett shall lodge a formal protest against House Braies.”

“Using your family’s influence like that is so cowardly!”

Listening to this exchange was giving me a headache.

I mean, sure, she was probably trying to provoke her, but what kind of logic was this? You insult an entire noble family—which is supposed to prize honor above all else—and then claim it’s ‘cowardly’ for that family to file a protest?

“I am done here. If you’ll excuse me.”

Anastasia declared this and turned on her heel to leave, but the Crown Prince barked out to stop her.

“Wait! It’s exactly as Amy says. If you have any pride as a noble, settle this yourself before you go crying to your parents. I won’t allow you to leave until you do.”

“Your Highness, what on earth are you talking about?”

“What do you think your gloves are for?”

“At the very least, they are not meant to be used lightly for something like this.”

“I see. So the daughter of House Ramslett can’t even fight while staking her family's honor? It seems His Grace the Duke has no talent for parenting either.”

The Prince laughed mockingly at her, and a few of the guests joined in.

“Is Your Highness telling me to challenge them to a duel?”

“Think for yourself. Do I have to explain every little thing to you? You really are as uncharming as they come.”

Frustration finally bled into Anastasia’s expression. Essentially, he was using his authority as Crown Prince to order her to make it look like the challenge was her idea.

“As you wish.”

With those words, Anastasia pulled off her glove and threw it at Amy.

“Eek! U-Um, this is...”

Amy acted remarkably shocked by the gesture, but she timidly picked up the glove and tried to hand it back.

“How much more do you intend to mock me before you’re satisfied?”

Anastasia wasn’t shouting; she just looked at Amy with eyes as cold as ice.

“Amy, this means this woman felt insulted and has challenged you to a duel.”

“Eh? Really? But I don’t know how to fight...”

Amy whined, looking up at the Prince with a wheedling voice.

What a load of rubbish. She knew exactly what it meant. She’d deliberately maneuvered Anastasia into this to ensure she’d be exiled during the Condemnation Event.

“Fine, then. I shall stand as Amy’s proxy for this duel.”

Just like in the game, the Prince volunteered to represent her.

“Wh-? Your Highness? To order a woman into a duel and then volunteer yourself as the proxy—are you in your right mind?”

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who challenged her. I’m simply acting as a proxy because I want to protect Amy. It’s as simple as that.”

“...”

Anastasia fell silent, stunned into speechlessness.

“I’ll be a proxy too.”

“Count me in.”

“I shall assist as well.”

“Naturally, I’ll be fighting too.”

Just like in the game, all five of the capture targets stepped forward as proxies.

“So, what about you? Is there anyone willing to stand as a proxy and fight the five of us on your behalf?”

Anastasia scanned the room, but every male student present quickly looked away.

Well, I can’t blame them. Nobody wants to get into a fight with the Crown Prince and the prince of a neighboring kingdom.

“It seems your reputation is as poor as your personality,” the Prince sneered.

He was looking down on her, but this wasn't about her reputation—it was a simple matter of political power.

Still, it looks like the time to fight has finally arrived.

I took a deep breath, raised my hand, and stepped forward.

“I’ll be her proxy.”