Breaking Off the Engagement… Just as Intended - Chapter 5

In this chapter, Lilliana has a very convenient dream sequence that covers some interesting backstory.

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The scenery around me evokes a nagging familiarity that eludes my mind. I can’t place my finger on it, but this moment–

Hold on, isn’t this our territory?

…This is a dream.

Surely that must be it! That’s the only possible solution that this could be! The event that’s unfolding right now is from the past, something so long ago. This was the first time I met Prince Leon.

At the time, I was still ten years old while Brother and Prince Leon were thirteen.

Even at that age, I devoted every fiber of my being to the monster-hunting craft. By being Mother’s daughter, the military might that runs through her lineage must be upheld by me. The power that is so prevalent in her family goes beyond measure.

Originally, Mother was the only daughter of the Margrave that defended our remote territory. It was a stark contrast to my Father’s upbringing.

Without knowing why, prime ministers churned out from his family like clockwork. The position almost became synonymous with his family name. My Father, who was just a second son, had a torrid love affair with Mother. Because of this, he was no longer recognized as a part of his family. They jumped through hoops, but in the end, Father was adopted into Mother’s side of the family. His disownment turned out to be a miscalculation, once it came to light that the eldest son was not fit for the position. The reason being that Father’s older brother was, simply put, an impulsive imbecile.

This realization dawned on them a little too late.

There was an uproar and much confusion tossed about in the aftermath. In hopes to salvage the situation, Father’s disownment was revoked and he was installed as the next Prime Minister. There’s much more to that story, but I’ve digressed too much in the matter.

In the past, there was an eruption of monster activity. Awakened with renewed vigor, they swept across the territory and left destruction in their wake.

Two soldiers took Brother and I away as the destruction of the village burned into my eyes and into my memory.

What could a small child do?

These feelings–helplessness and more– plague all those who are born into this house, the ones who rule this territory.

Each generation undergoes training to cultivate and discipline themselves, starting from early childhood. We adhere to a strict regime that spans from morning to night. As I dedicated myself to the art of war, my bearing as a proper lady in high society pales in comparison.

And on one certain day, I went to harvest medicinal herbs in the forest near our home. Any reservations that this is not a dream are gone because I am seeing ‘that time’. What lies before me is my meeting with Prince Leon.

My surroundings change and mold into an entirely new scene.

This is the place.

It was only a little ways into the forest until I would reach my destination. Within the forest, there was a beautiful spring that gushed forth clear and sparkling water. Not only that, there was a valuable medicinal herb that only grows in that place.

Monsters never came near the spring, but it was a bad time to go because of their recent resurgence. As I approached, I heard the sounds of a fight. I couldn’t make out the exact words, but each step closer granted me clarity. I rushed towards the spring.

I finally arrived, expecting to see a monster, but what I saw was a beautiful boy.

The boy had a sword in his hand and he was squaring off against a monster. The medicinal herb hung from his waist. The sole reason for my trip was strapped to his backside.

Of course, this boy was Prince Leon.

My abrupt appearance drew the attention of both Prince Leon and the monster. But, it was the latter that snapped back to its senses first, ready to resume the fight. Prince Leon didn’t move. Without missing a beat, I threw myself between them and met the monster’s blow with my own sword. And then it was my turn to return the favor. In a flash, I launched my counterattack. Before my opponent could strike back, I delivered the final blow.

The skirmish came to an end and Prince Leon turned my way. He stared at me, his eyes blank as if in some sort of stupor.

That’s how I met Prince Leon.

I never thought this boy was the Prince. It’s not usual to think someone is of royal blood, right?

After this memory, the dream showed me something else.

This time, Prince Leon, the King, and a handful of his people, traveled incognito, and came to our territory. While the King came to discuss the gravity of the monster problem, Prince Leon had a different goal in mind. This goal was the precious medicinal herb that grew near our home by the spring. Before coming to our territory, one of his guards sustained a serious injury in the line of duty. Concerned about the wound, Prince Leon headed out on his own to obtain the herb after hearing a rumor about it.

The dream projected another scene where the King scolds Prince Leon for entering the forest on his own. Even though his father was scolding him, Prince Leon kept glancing at me.

Exactly one month later of our encounter, talks of becoming Prince Leon’s fiancee suddenly sprang up in our house.