"Your Highness. Please consider this my last advice to you, and listen to it."
Regardless of what Edward may say, the paths of Mariabelle and Edward will never cross in the future.
That is why her parting words to Edward here were her last words of advice as his former fiancée.
"The truth is, you yourself know that you can't go back to the way it was, right? It's already too late. Wake up. Take a good look around you. You can hear the voices of those who reprimand His Highness. Please listen carefully."
Mariabelle quietly appealed.
Perhaps... she thought to herself.
The king was probably trying to determine Edward's qualifications to be a monarch since he broke off the engagement.
That is why he tested him.
But unlike Edward, what Mariabelle is being tested for is not her qualities as a queen.
They are trying to determine whether or not they can give Mariabelle, who has been educated as the future crown princess and knows some of the kingdom's secrets, to the Empire.
The kingdom still retains many ancient tricks, which are often useful for the defence of the country.
Although important secrets are not taught, the Kingdom may still be at a disadvantage if Mariabelle hands over its secrets to the Empire in the event of a future conflict between the Empire and the Kingdom.
The king is concerned about that.
Therefore, if Mariabelle completely cuts off the Kingdom here, the king will also try to eliminate Mariabelle, including the Marquise of Berkeley, by any means possible.
If that happens, Renato will surely seek revenge against the kingdom.
And perhaps the Republic will take advantage of the opportunity to invade the Empire.
In the end, the entire continent would be engulfed in a whirlpool of war.
The king was asking her if she was aware that she could be the catalyst for such a disaster.
Of course, Mariabelle did not want such a future.
But even without that, she couldn't watch Edward fall away like this.
She always thought he would be a family man.
There had never been a burning love or a heart-encompassing love, but there had certainly been an affection like that of a family.
She is not certain what the king is thinking right now.
But she hoped that Edward would reflect on his own foolishness, even if only a little, and be saved.
"I was struck by His Highness's desire to keep true love alive, and I agreed to break off the engagement. I myself have met the love of my life in the person of Renato, and I now understand his feelings. However, I cannot see true love in His Highness right now. Was the true love that Your Highness spoke of so slight that it would be easy for you to contradict what you said, that you wanted to receive Annette as your only consort because you love her so much?"
"Mariabelle, I..."
Renato, who had been looking coldly at Edward, who was at a loss for words, tightened his grip on Mariabelle.
"The other person's happiness is the only thing you should wish for if you are talking about true love. I love Mariabelle's beauty and kindness, but the reason I wanted her to be my queen was because I thought she could bear the burden of being queen and be an example to her people."
Renato then took a lock of Mariabelle's hair and kissed it as if to show off to Edward.
"But even if Mariabelle was someone without status, if she still wanted to be my wife, I would have loved her even though I would have to give up the throne. You were given a territory somewhere, and you and Mariabelle would have lived with each other for the rest of your lives. Crown Prince Edward, did you have that much resolve?"
"I-I..."
Edward, who was mumbling, involuntarily took a step backward, as if he had been pushed back by Renato's power.
Then, from the top of the throne, with a heavy sigh, the king slowly said, "Edward, you really are a lot like me. I did not say it too strongly, for I was sure that if you were given a strict education, you would wish to leave everything behind like me... After all, my children will look like me no matter how I raise them. Just as Cedric, who should have never known his father, grew up to look exactly like my brother."
King Frederick III let out a shallow sigh and showed a remorseful expression.
Then, with a look as if he were staring off into the distance, he began to speak.
"Just because I was born one year earlier, I couldn't help but feel the pain of becoming king over Elliot, who was more suitable for a king than I. No one could compare me... But I was the one who knew the difference in quality."
His nostalgic gaze turned to Cedric, as if looking for the remains of his younger brother in him.
"Elliot was truly a great brother. He was a truly wonderful brother. His talent was such that even the teachers' tongues were wagging. The only thing I could beat him in was his skill with the sword, but in today's peaceful world, there is no chance for the king to wield a sword. For the kingdom, Elliot was the most suitable king. It was with this in mind that I forcefully married the queen, knowing that she would be opposed."
Frederick III, who had cut off his speech, took a few moments to catch his breath.
And smiled at Cedric, who was trying not to miss his father's past.
"If I caused a few other problems, I would be disinherited and Elliot would become king. Elliot said that, as the eldest son, I deserved to be king and that he was better suited to be an assistant, but obviously it would be better for the kingdom if Elliot were the king."
Frederick III continued, "Nevertheless."
"Elliot chose someone who was even more opposed to him than I was. He said exactly the same thing as His Royal Highness Renato... that he would leave the royal family if he were not recognized."
Frederick III smiled sadly, then looked at Edward.
"Edward. I suppose that's what true love is all about."
A quiet voice dropped into the hall.
Then a voice approached from the distance, a voice that sounded like a noise.
"Let go of my arm! Who do you think you are?"
The door opened with a rattling sound.
When Mariabelle and the others turned around, they saw that it was the Duke of Danzel.