The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

22 – The Princess’s Engagement (1)

The reason Elisabeth, who had persistently opposed the engagement, ultimately accepted the marriage proposal was because she didn’t want to cause worry to her family.

However…

She had no sincere intention of getting married.

She was just postponing it to ease her family’s concerns for a while.

Although she looked at the list of prospective grooms handed by the Emperor, she was not impressed at all. It was because her previous fiancé had been Maximilian, and her standards had become unreasonably high. Every time Elisabeth glanced at the list of suitors, she let out a deep sigh.

“Even if I look at the pictures, none of them catch my eye! They all look like ugly squids! None of them have anything better than Maximilian!”

“…”

Was the charm of the male protagonist Maximilian in the romance fantasy “Lady of the White Blessing” truly outstanding?

Appearance.

A peerless handsome man capable of melting the hearts of countless ladies and noble daughters.

Ability.

To speak of it was painful.

A hero who defeated the long-standing nemesis of humanity, the Demon King.

Lineage.

The eldest son of a prestigious family representing the Empire.

Although he was now evaluated as in decline, he once boasted a glorious reputation as a hero of the nation.

Reputation.

Regardless of race or nationality, everyone knew Maximilian’s name. Even newborns starting to babble and toddlers had heard of the fame of the Holy Maiden Party.

Despite fulfilling every aspect perfectly, how did this perfect man end up with such an irritating personality? It seemed that even with all these elements in place, a good personality had become an elusive missing piece.

The more I think about it, the more irritating it becomes.

“Should I just ask Edanant to be my fiancé? Unni recommended Edanant, too. He’s quite similar to Maximilian in many ways! Hmm, it might be a good idea.”

The beautiful villainess, known as the Empire’s Most Beautiful Villainess, began to speak nonsense.

Using her younger sister as a substitute for her older brother.

The thought of a substitute marriage came to mind.

She sighed deeply as she looked at Elisabeta’s shameless demeanor.

“Just kidding. Edanant is Unni’s lover, right? No matter how greedy I am, I wouldn’t stoop so low as to steal Unni’s fiancé. I’m not that Beatrice woman who steals other people’s fiancés.”

“….”

The public opinion had already designated me as the lover of the Second Princess.

The hero who protected the imperial capital.

There was no shortage of affection as the companion of the Second Princess.

Countless nobles and journalists joined forces, almost formalizing the scandal.

Denying the scandal now would only bring criticism from the masses. Although if Rudmila herself denied the scandal, public opinion might reverse, but that hadn’t happened. Instead, Rudmila remained silent, showing a nuance that seemed to affirm the scandal.

“It’s a bit early, but… can I call you my brother-in-law?”

“Of course not.”

Elisabeta chuckled like a little devil, poking my side.

Closing my eyes tightly against her mischievous joke, I replied.

“Did you hear the news? Starting tomorrow, I’ll be meeting potential fiancés. By directly facing them and having conversations, feelings might develop… The Empress wants a decision as soon as possible.”

“Meeting potential fiancés directly? It’s bound to be a forced march.”

“Yeah, no kidding. It’s annoying beyond words. If I knew it would be like this, I would have just played dumb. It’s like I dug my own grave.”

“Try to think positively. I’ll help with anything I can.”

Elisabeta, who had sacrificed herself thoroughly for the dramatic love line between the female lead and male lead, was playing the role of a sacrificed villainess. That’s why she always felt sorry for the princess.

I promised to protect her.

To help her escape from the harsh fate of the villainess.

Even if the promised death flag threatened her life.

“Really? Even if I make up some ridiculous story, you’ll help?”

“….”

“Since you’ve agreed, don’t go back on your word later!”

“Sigh, understood.”

He understood perfectly, even though he said it like a piece of cake.

Regret started flooding in already.

Can I really handle the role of a villainous character so well? Doubts began to creep in.

Yet despite such concerns, Elisabetha hummed a tune, cheerfully leading me on. She laughed spiritedly, almost like someone who could talk well and get along.

“Well, it’s still better than a gloomy face, right?”

I chuckled, remembering Elisabetha’s sorrowful expression of disappointment.

Indeed, a beauty looks prettiest when she smiles.

Moreover, isn’t Elisabetha the epitome of imperial beauty?

I hope she continues to smile like this in the future.

That thought suddenly crossed my mind.

***

The Kingdom of Pug was nothing more than a small state on the northern fringes.

Population: 50,000.

It had fewer inhabitants than an average city-state.

In name, it was a kingdom, but in reality, it was beneath even a city-state. Lacking fertile plains and without abundant underground resources, it had been labeled as a barren wasteland. Thanks to such ignominy, no faction had ever invaded the kingdom. The prospect of gain from invading was too slim.

However…

Ever since the Sword Saint, a member of the Saintess Party, emerged from here, many things began to change.

The third-rate country in the wasteland gradually gained fame as the homeland of the Sword Saint, Madvei. And the Kingdom of Pug fully capitalized on Madvei’s fame, attracting attention solely because of him. It was to secure funds for the survival of this borderland third-rate country.

“If the intel about the imminent war is true… Pug won’t last a day.”

No matter how one thought about it, there was no room for possibility.

That was the conclusion reached by the upper echelons of the Valtaria Empire.

“But the information isn’t unequivocal, is it? Once the racial war ended, numerous countries united for a massive purge. How could those filthy societies rise again?”

The Valtaria Empire, along with the Gaël Empire and numerous other countries, never forgave the social factions that collaborated with the demons in their ascent to power.

They hunted them down to the last.

Even innocent sacrifices were made, all to eradicate them.

Factions that betrayed humanity for demons deserved nothing less than death.

The nobles gathered in the conference room shuddered, recalling the existence of monsters that had ravaged the battlefield while brandishing the forgotten blessings of gods. Their faces betrayed feelings of revulsion and fear.

“Bertrand’s opinion holds some merit.”

“Drawing conclusions now is premature. First, we must gather information regarding the mines.”

The notoriety and danger of the mines had been mentioned multiple times, but no one dared to utter the idea of military support.

The distance was too great.

Even if troops were sent, there was doubt about whether they would arrive in time.

It was just an excuse.

In reality, the Pug Kingdom was nothing more than a third-rate nation with no significance. The current reality was not so naive as to dispatch troops to the northern border just because they were under attack by the mines. The situation was even more dire for the Valtaria Empire, which had lost a considerable number of troops in the escalated racial war fueled by a total war mentality.

Nevertheless, there was at least a modicum of compassion, enough for the royal family and nobility facing a life-or-death crisis to plan to provide military support.

“Your Majesty, what if I take the field? If you give me half a day, I will eliminate all those reveling in society and return.”

Rudmila, who had been silently listening to the opinions of the nobles, finally spoke.

Half a day.

Barely half a day would be sufficient.

As if making a bold declaration, she addressed the throne where the sovereign sat.

It was truly an arrogant declaration, but when the speaker was the Red Dragon of the Empire, the tone of the conversation changed. The nobles in the conference room nodded, swallowing their dry saliva. It was a response that seemed to confirm the bravery of the Red Dragon.

“Are you going to take the field yourself?”

“The defense of the Hwando can be entrusted to General Chiljang of Valtaria and the knights under his command for a while. And, though I hate to admit it… isn’t the White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom in the Hwando?”

Chiljang of Valtaria.

It referred to the seven knights representing the Empire.

A force was needed to fill the momentary gap.

Rudmila suggested bringing in the elite knights she had deployed throughout the Empire.

Until now, they had dealt with the situation laxly, but after experiencing a bombing in Hwando, the Valtaria Empire had ordered a strict guard like never before. They stationed numerous troops around Hwando as if entering a state of emergency, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.

“I’ve already issued the mobilization order. They should be on their way by now.”

“And… entrust the interim to General Edanant. It will undoubtedly be a great help.”

Rudmila hesitated for a moment and mentioned Edanant.

If that was the case, it could be trusted.

After all, hadn’t he saved Hwando from the merciless villains?

Even if another disaster occurred in Hwando, Edanant would undoubtedly respond with ingenuity. If he were entrusted with the interim, there would be no hesitation, and he would vacate his position without a shred of doubt.

“…You’re already looking out for your husband.”

“Surely, you’re laying the foundation to appoint him as your son-in-law.”

Would an outsider like Edanant be present in the royal palace?

Certainly not.

If he were, he would undoubtedly be a spy.

Even just glancing at the newspapers rolling on the street, you would have heard the name Derrilsawi mentioned as the top priority.

The nobles couldn’t help but admire Rudmila’s clever judgment, trying to subtly parachute Edanant into a key position.

She knew how to make a request so overtly.

Like a belatedly blooming spring breeze, she began to reveal her true colors as soon as she fell in love.