Chapter 184 - 2-66
"What is your objective?"
"My objective? That's obvious, isn't it? The position of Crown Prince. To be the successor to the King of Orta! There is nothing else!"
Suddenly irritated, Prince Faust turned his back on me and walked to the window, his footsteps sharp against the floor. He struck the wall beside him with a heavy thud. His back trembled slightly, his entire being radiating fury. When he turned back, his eyes were bloodshot, and even from a distance, I could tell the blood had rushed to his head. My body shook involuntarily at his unrelenting shouts. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm down. But Prince Faust's irritation didn't subside; he struck the wall again and again.
"The only reason I'm in this situation is because Mother failed. That woman... being mocked even by Ricardo. I can't let this stand! Everything in this country belongs to me! Everything exists for my sake!"
What does this man think a country is? Does he think the nation and its people are his toys?
He was like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum. The thought of such a person ruling a country made my skin crawl. But Prince Faust jutted out his chin and ground his teeth, his sharp gaze fixed on me.
"That's why I've decided to take the position of successor on my own, without relying on Mother. ...And you were the key."
"W-what do you mean..."
"You asked why I came here. Even a mother like that had one decent teaching: that it's fine to steal from others to get what you want. I never thought I'd end up using the same tactic she used on my father."
A tactic Lady Minerva used on the King of Orta? What on earth was he talking about? The fact that his shouting had stopped was less comforting than the eerie feeling of not knowing what he was thinking. I had to get out of here immediately. I ran toward the door.
Quickly, I have to get out! Someone!
In my haste, my feet tangled, and my hand slipped on the doorknob. I rattled it desperately, but the door only thudded against the frame, refusing to budge.
"It won't open. I told you, didn't I? There is no one in this house who does not obey me."
Prince Faust gave a dark, unsettling laugh as he approached me step by step. A small gasp escaped my throat.
"You wanted to know why I came here. Fine, I'll tell you. ...I came to create a 'fait accompli.' Between you and me."
I had suspected as much from his words and vulgar smile, but hearing it from his own mouth made me feel even more sick. If I were to look in a mirror now, I'm sure my face would be deathly pale.
"You will become my wife. If I marry the Dark Saint, the current situation will be reversed. Everything will go perfectly!"
"S-such a thing would never be permitted!"
"Is that so? Fortunately, I am the First Prince of Orta, and you are the daughter of a Marquis of Dutoit. Our status is a match, and more importantly, we are allied nations. It would be simple to eliminate any choice other than marrying me."
His wife? Me? This man's? That means...
"...Marry... someone other than Louis-sama?"
The words slipped out, echoing in the sudden silence.
To take everything from me just to satisfy his own ego?
"...What... are you saying?"
I felt the blood drain from my head at Prince Faust's selfish words. It seems it's true that when anger reaches its limit, one becomes calm. The girl who had been trembling at his shouting was gone.
"...What is that look?"
At my sudden lack of expression, Prince Faust furrowed his brow and clicked his tongue. He strode over to me, looking down with a flushed face. But I had no intention of staying silent after being told such things. My heart, as well as my head, felt strangely cold.
"Hey, are you listening!"
Prince Faust reached for my arm, but I slapped his hand away.
"You!"
"I will not obey you."
"You're quite impudent. ...Do you know who I am?"
"It seems you are the one who doesn't know who I am. Why do you think I, who have nothing to do with you, would move as you wish? Much less become your wife. I am... the fiancée of the Crown Prince of Dutoit, Louis-sama."
"...You!"
"There is no one but Louis-sama who will be my husband."
Prince Faust seemed lost for words, clearly not expecting me to talk back.
"What did you say?"
"Oh, if you didn't understand, shall I say it as many times as you like? No matter what happens, there is only one person I will choose."
"Do you think you're in a position to choose? Incompetent fools like you are only permitted to exist because I give you value."
"...You are the one who is mistaken if you think you were chosen simply because of the status you were born with. You will likely be removed from the succession soon. ...As a king, you don't even come close to Prince Ricardo's feet."
"What?"
At my words, Prince Faust's eyes twitched, and he began to shake with rage.
"If you won't listen... then will you die here?"
With veins bulging on his forehead and his mouth contorted, Prince Faust drew the sword at his waist without a moment's hesitation and thrust it right against my throat.