Former Assassin 14

“…Stepsister, you’re too cruel.”

Apparently, the escort knight who assaulted me had been fired. Upon hearing the news, Rosemary tearfully came to me.

So, I’m the bad guy.

I didn’t fail to notice that she always made sure others were present during the confrontation.

Again, Rosemary was foolish. She didn’t know what it truly meant to have someone else present during this kind of thing.

The fact that people were watching meant she wouldn’t be able to lie her way out if the matter became a huge commotion or was made public. Hence, why one should always be careful and not do it ‘just because’.

“All right. How am I ‘cruel,’ exactly?”

“Didn’t you fire my escort knight out of jealousy? You did that because you didn’t get to be the prince’s fiancée!”

Without learning, there’s no desire to learn. A fool who gained only power—her existence was too dangerous. I should figure out the extent of the situation and escape before I get caught up in the middle.

“Are you a fool? Or are you insulting Prince Heinrich? As if a Duke’s daughter can fire an escort knight sent by a member of the royal family. I can’t order them around, let alone fire them. You’re the prince’s fiancée, but you don’t know that? Poor thing.”

“T-that’s because I used to be a commoner. I’m not like you, Older Sister. H-how cruel. You’re making fun of me because of my past as a commoner…”

I can’t with her.

Heinrich is a fool.

He only chose Rosemary because of her looks.

If he had been more rational, he would’ve waited a bit longer before making his decision. Even if that were the case, there was no way he’d have chosen such an unscrupulous brat to be his fiancée. After all, depending on the situation, she may have to be in charge of foreign affairs.

International crises were bound to occur if someone without common sense was in charge.

“If you think that the excuse of being a former commoner will work for someone who has become a prince’s fiancée, then please withdraw immediately. You and I are certainly different. That’s why you have to work harder than me or any other noble lady.”

“I-I already do.”

Even though not only did she try to escape from her tutor, she also didn’t make any effort to learn.

“Then you are not trying hard enough.”

“Y-you’re just awful. Why would you bully me so much?”

“Lady Rosemary, I feel sorry for you…”

A nearby maid glared at me while consoling Rosemary.

After Rosemary became the prince’s fiancée, aristocrats constantly tried to curry favor with her. The same went for the servants. 

This maid is one of them.

I doubted Rosemary knew any better. Therefore, unless things change, she’d continue to be preyed upon by people until she was bled dry.

“Lady Serena, can’t you be kinder to Lady Rosemary? You’re being overly harsh to her.”

While protectively holding Rosemary, the maid stared daggers at me.

If she continues to do as she pleases and thinks that pampering equals kindness, her future will be bleak. Besides, there’s no reason for me to bend over backwards for her. 

After coldly looking down at the two, I turned on my heels and returned to my room.

◇◇◇

After the engagement, my father did come home once. He was angry once he found out that Rosemary and Prince Heinrich were engaged without his permission. Nevertheless, the die had been cast. My father was powerless in the face of the royal family’s authority. 

Thus, my father told Rosemary to keep an appropriate distance. My father’s advice before he embarked on another business trip was for Rosemary and me to deepen our friendships with the aristocrats of the First Prince’s faction.

Ever since Rosemary became engaged to her prince, I gradually became more anxious.

Prince Heinrich would show up at the Duke’s house whenever he felt like it.

Normally, that’d be preposterous.

Regardless of one’s status, when an aristocrat visits someone’s house, they’d have to notify by sending a letter. Only after receiving a response of approval would they be allowed to visit.

By visiting unannounced, the prince was practically disrespecting the ducal family. Yet nobody called him out for it.

As Rosemary grew closer to Prince Heinrich, I did the same with Prince Evan. The purpose was to make it seem like we weren’t siding with either faction.

Ah, how troublesome.

Before I knew it, the years passed by in the current stalemate and I turned sixteen.

I’d be enrolling in the Academy this year.

I’d never been there in my previous life, so I was somewhat curious about what it was like.

Translator’s Note:

 This white lotus Rosemary desperately wants to be seen as the innocent one yet not even once did she ask if her sister is all right after being hurt by a knight.

Editor’s Note:

That’s what I was thinking lmao did Serena not get even a bruise from the hit?? How could Rosemary and everyone else be so calm about this :>