Broken Engagement? With Pleasure!

“Talisha Audelind, I hereby annul our engagement!”

“With pleasure!”

Talisha replied so instantly that the King, who had just rushed to the entrance but arrived a second too late, let out a mournful “Aaaah...” and collapsed to his knees.

Ignoring the stunned expression on Crown Prince Vishar’s face, Talisha whipped out the ‘Engagement Annulment Agreement’ she kept on her person at all times and forced him to sign it before he could blink.

As she held the signed document aloft in triumph, the King groaned “Aaaah...” once more, burying his head in his hands.

Talisha Audelind was the daughter of a Viscount. Her family’s territory was a peaceful, rural place about a day’s carriage ride from the royal capital. With no notable industries, their main tax revenue came from simple farming and livestock.

When Talisha was first chosen as Prince Vishar’s fiancée, her only thought was: “Why?” Every other noble in the kingdom likely shared the same sentiment.

Naturally, the nobility was in an uproar—and Vishar himself was throwing a fit. As the future king of the Udaiyar Kingdom, a nation boasting a thousand-year history and overwhelming power, he felt he deserved... more.

For instance, the Princess of Sarmakan, a neighboring land famous for its legendary beauties. He imagined someone with a captivating presence that would command any room.

Or perhaps the warrior Princess of Erisenthal, the maritime nation. He’d heard rumors of her riding dolphins, embodying a wild and striking beauty—strong, athletic, and far more glamorous than his current arrangement.

Vishar was, after all, a shallow young man. He was easily swayed by obvious, flashy charms. His current obsession, the daughter of Marquis Ujare, had a soft and gentle air about her that he found far more appealing.

In comparison, what was Talisha? If you stripped away the makeup and the dress, she had a certain “boyish energy” that wouldn’t feel out of place in a male dormitory. She lacked the delicate or grand presence he craved. That was the rude, superficial way the Prince viewed her.

Talisha was well aware of Vishar’s true thoughts. After all, for a prince, he had an embarrassingly loose tongue.

“I hear His Highness prefers... voluptuous women. Not quite like you, dear,” Talisha had been mocked at countless balls.

“Know your place. The position of Queen is not so easily filled by a mere Viscount’s daughter,” high-ranking nobles would often reprimand her to her face.

Talisha was a country girl, raised healthy and strong in a rural estate. She was resilient in both body and mind. However, the daily barrage of indirect insults and direct criticisms eventually began to wear her down.

But Talisha was not the kind of lady to suffer in silence. She took a path no ordinary noblewoman would ever dare.

“Your Majesty, please, give me a moment of your time!”

She intercepted the King in the hallway—a supreme being to whom she had no right to speak directly—sneaking away from her Queen-mandated lessons. It was an act of disrespect that could have cost her head. Yet, after a momentary pause, the King resumed his pace and signaled his chamberlain to let Talisha follow.

“Leave us,” the King commanded once they entered the room. After the servants dismissed themselves, he sat across from her.

“I am listening.”

Talisha poured her heart out. Politeness was cast aside; she was desperate to have the engagement annulled.

“I can’t do this anymore...”

Overwhelmed, she began to sob uncontrollably. Her face was a mess—certainly not a sight a lady should ever show in public.

The King stared intently into the empty air, then slowly opened his mouth. “May I speak to her about it?”

Flutter. A single piece of paper fell from the empty space.

Written on it was a simple: ‘Okay.’

Talisha was floored. With tears and snot smearing her face, her eyes wide and mouth agape, she looked... well, quite pathetic. But the King didn’t seem to mind.

“You have been chosen by the Divine,” he revealed. “That is why this engagement cannot be undone.”

Talisha was speechless. She took the handkerchief the King offered and blew her nose, wiping away the mess.

“It is a secret passed down only to the Kings of this realm: the Queen of the next generation is determined by God. You are the one, Talisha. Unless Vishar marries you, he cannot ascend to the throne.”

“But... how can that be? What am I supposed to do?” Talisha asked, looking as pitiful as a stray kitten.

“I will lecture Vishar. I will also speak to the nobility. For the sake of this kingdom, I ask you—please, find the resolve to stand by him.”

The King’s earnest words touched Talisha’s heart.

“I understand,” she replied. “I will continue my Queen-consort training. I won’t let their insults get to me. However... if the Prince still insists on breaking the engagement by the time of the Academy graduation, will you let me go? Will you nullify it all?”

“I promise you.”

The agreement was put in writing. Talisha had already signed her part. She carried that document with her everywhere, cherishing it like a lifeline. And finally—today, at the very last second before the deadline—the Prince had signed it.

“HELL YESSSSS!”

Her roar was so powerful that a flock of birds took flight in a panic. The horses harnessed to the carriages reared up on their hind legs.

Amidst the chaos outside the venue, Talisha sprinted away at full speed, a radiant, refreshing smile on her face.

Every day now felt fulfilling. It’s wonderful to be alive—the thought came to her naturally.

She was done with the stifling training in the rigid Royal Palace. She had fled the suffocating capital and returned to the countryside where she was born and raised. Here, there was no one to whisper cruel words behind her back.

“Good morning, Milady! A foal was just born. You must come see it later!” “I’ll be there!”

“Lady Talisha, I just picked this apple. Here, it’s for you.” “Thank you!”

“Lady Talisha, we’re going fishing! Come with us!” “Count me in!”

While Talisha was down by the river, splashing around and hauling in fish with the local children, a luxurious carriage pulled to a halt. A young gentleman, dressed in expensive clothes and radiating an aura of high upbringing, stepped out. Oh, right, Talisha remembered. Father mentioned a guest was coming. He was undoubtedly a potential fiancé candidate for her younger sister, Tabitha.

With a bright, welcoming smile, Talisha greeted him. “Welcome to our estate. I am Talisha. Allow me to escort you to the manor.”

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Victor,” he replied, his eyes lingering on her catch. “That’s quite a large fish. Did you catch it yourself, Lady Talisha?”

“I did! These are delicious when slow-cooked in a stew.”

Victor insisted he simply had to try it, eagerly following her lead and engaging in conversation that kept Talisha in high spirits.

This boy has potential, she thought. He’ll make a fine brother-in-law. Talisha felt a warm glow of satisfaction.

After the public scandal of her broken engagement with Vishar, Talisha was now “tainted goods” in the marriage market. She had long since given up on the idea of a husband for herself. Her hope was for Tabitha to take a husband and inherit the family title. For that, she needed a capable man. If that happened, Talisha could spend the rest of her days helping out in the background, living a quiet, leisurely life.

She planned to live tucked away in the annex, making sure not to become a nuisance. I must ensure I don’t turn into one of those overbearing sisters-in-law, she reminded herself, doubling down on her hospitality.

Victor visited the estate several times after that. He joined Talisha and Tabitha for morning gallops on horseback and even helped with the sheep shearing. He seemed brimming with a desire to integrate into the local life. Such an impressive young man for his age, she noted with admiration.

However, when she secretly asked Tabitha what she thought of him, her sister gave a half-hearted shrug. “He seems fine, I guess?”

This won’t do, Talisha thought. Their relationship isn’t progressing at all. As the older sister, she resolved to take charge and guide them.

When the local festival came around, she dressed Tabitha up in her finest and urged the two of them to go together. For some reason, both Victor and Tabitha insisted that Talisha come along too. She reluctantly agreed, making sure to walk several paces behind them so as not to be a third wheel.

Today, Victor mentioned he wanted to see the flowers on the hill, so Talisha spent the morning styling Tabitha’s hair beautifully. She even draped a lace shawl over her sister’s shoulders in case the hilltop was chilly.

“Have a wonderful time! Enjoy yourselves!” she said, waving them off.

But as she waved them off, the two of them sighed in unison and practically shoved Talisha into the carriage. I see, Talisha thought. They’re still young and probably too nervous to be alone. Fine, then. Big sister will keep the energy up!

Talisha gave it her all. The carriage was filled with non-stop laughter, and eventually, Victor wiped a tear from his eye, smiling warmly. “Ah... this is the only place where I can truly laugh like this. I wish I could stay here forever.”

You’re more than welcome to stay, Talisha whispered to herself.

This is it, she thought. Today is definitely the day he proposes. When the moment came, she was prepared to exert every ounce of her will to blend into the background like a piece of furniture. She was ready.

They reached the hill. White daphnes were in full bloom, their sweet fragrance drifting through the air. It was perfect. The ultimate spot for a confession.

Talisha focused all her energy on erasing her presence. Wait, where’s Tabitha? Kid, why are you blending into that tree?! Get over here! Now! Talisha sent a powerful mental command toward her sister, but Tabitha simply ducked behind a trunk and stayed there. What are you—

Before she could shout, Victor suddenly dropped to one knee. “Please, marry me.”

Yes! Excellent! Perfect! Talisha began to smirk, but then she realized... Victor, wrong way! She’s over there! Over therrre!

Talisha tilted her head, her eyes darting back and forth between Victor and the tree where Tabitha was hiding. She shook her head so much it started to ache.

Then, Victor took Talisha’s hand.

“Be my wife, Talisha Audelind. And lead this kingdom by my side.”

“Wh-What?! Victor? As in... that Victor?! The Second Prince?! But you were so tiny!”

The image of the young, small Victor she had once seen from a distance at the royal castle didn’t stand a chance against the gallant, handsome man standing before her now. In her state of total confusion, Victor seized the opening and swiftly finalized the marriage paperwork before she could even process it.

The wedding of Second Prince Victor and the Viscount’s daughter, Talisha, was a grand affair. The two of them governed with wisdom, constantly communicating and listening to the voices of their subjects and vassals.

The fact that Queen Talisha now uses ‘Divine Oracles’ for the most trivial daily matters—and gets scolded by the former King for it—remains a secret perfectly guarded by their loyal attendants