Chapter 4
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The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 4
There was no response coming back.
"It seems you don't even wish to speak with me anymore."
With those words, I straightened my deliberately hunched posture into one of confidence and dignity, shedding the meek appearance I had maintained until that moment.
I erased every expression I had worn for his sake and lifted my chin higher, composing myself with unwavering poise.
'Finally, it's over.'
With that thought, I opened my mouth to speak the one objective I had harbored since arriving here.
"You're impressive. Fine. I concede. I'll break the engagement."
That was when it happened.
A flicker of surprise and confusion crossed Cain's face at my words.
'Did I move too quickly?'
Did he think I was giving up too easily?
Surely that wasn't it?
I had clung to him with what I believed was adequate effort—enough that the real Belita would have done the same to avoid giving the impression of a hasty dissolution—yet....
I didn't pause, continuing immediately so as not to give him any opening to sense something amiss about me.
"However, you'll need to provide me with compensation I find satisfactory."
Hand over the money, male lead. You're loaded anyway.
Fortunately, when the matter of material compensation arose, the confusion and suspicion that had lingered on his face vanished.
In their place, a contemptuous smirk gradually spread across his features.
"Very well. If you would state your desired amount, I shall ensure the young lady is sufficiently compensated so as not to feel slighted."
Whether he feared I might change my mind, he hastily accepted my terms without even asking first what or how much I wanted.
Perfect. He took the bait.
I had been thinking all along.
If I were the real Belita, she likely would never break the engagement with Cain, even if offered an astronomical sum.
As the young lady of a duchy, she possessed wealth more than sufficient, indeed so vast that she could spend lavishly her entire life without depleting it.
With that in mind, to lend legitimacy to this engagement dissolution and convince everyone, I absolutely needed compensation substantial enough that anyone would find it reasonable.
Of course, I intended to use this as a pretext to extract a proper fortune from him this time.
As recompense for all my suffering thus far.
After settling on that resolve, whenever I had spare time, I conducted covert investigations into the Maxius Duchy's assets.
Since I was digging into the Maxius Duchy, one of the Empire's greatest families, it consumed far more time and money than anticipated.
However, as a member of a family no less distinguished, there was nothing I couldn't accomplish if I set my mind to it.
As a result, I discovered the extent of the Maxius Duchy's wealth.
And based on that, I could calculate how much I could obtain.
I intended to demand the most valuable thing he possessed.
With that, I was certain no one would harbor even a shred of doubt about my breaking the engagement with Cain, whom I had loved more than life itself.
Well, someone might be able to do it, but if they learned that I received compensation worthy of such a sacrifice, they would nod in understanding and say, "Ah, I see."
Because it truly was worth that much.
"I don't want money. I want territory."
"...Territory?"
He had expected me to ask for merely a sum of money, so at the word "territory," a faint crack appeared in his brick-like expression.
Seeing that reaction, I felt a surge of excitement, as though I had landed a proper blow against him.
'No, calm down. It's not over yet.'
Reminding myself that nothing was finished until it was truly finished, I opened my mouth while doing my best to suppress my excitement.
"I've heard there is land within the Duchy that includes a diamond mine. Give that to me."
Just as it had been in the world I came from, diamonds in this world were among the most expensive and highest-grade gemstones.
Therefore, possessing not merely a few diamonds but an entire diamond mine meant holding immense wealth.
My family, the Heitz Family, had accumulated wealth across generations, but unfortunately, we did not possess a diamond mine.
So I believed that if I broke off the engagement and took the mine as compensation, my parents would understand and even welcome it to some degree.
"A diamond mine, you say...?"
"Precisely, the land that includes the diamond mine."
Since I was asking not for a limited sum but for land that would yield nearly infinite wealth with each excavation, he seemed to receive a considerable shock.
Kane fell silent for a moment.
I had nothing left to yield to him, so I held my head high and gazed at him with confidence.
"Do you refuse? Do you find it too precious? Are you unwilling to pay such a price for our broken engagement?"
I turned his own logic against him—implying that his love wasn't even worth that much—and smiled at him mockingly.
"If you find it too precious, you can take back the broken engagement. I don't mind either way. In fact, if you would simply come to your senses right now and return to me, I could make this all disappear. And I would immediately set a wedding date. I'm anxious about this happening again, you see."
I deliberately pressed him, bringing up marriage to prevent him from thinking carefully and to make him anxious.
Though I had spoken forcefully, I was equally anxious about whether Kane's love for Adela was truly so shallow.
If it were, the broken engagement would fall through, and I would be stuck marrying an unfaithful man and living a miserable life forever.
But I made every effort not to let my anxiety show on my face, maintaining my composure.
However, as Kane remained silent for quite a long time, my heart grew impatient.
Just as I was about to open my mouth to pressure him again, Kane spoke first.
"...Very well."
It was a relief.
The moment I heard the answer I wanted, I clenched my fist tightly where Kane couldn't see.
Looking at his face, he wore an expression showing he was utterly reluctant to give me the diamond mine.
If he was reluctant, what could he do about it?
Still, I'll acknowledge that you love her.
Giving up a diamond mine for love—truly, what remarkable love. I completely acknowledge it!
"I can trust you on this, yes?"
However, from what I understood, even for the Maxius Duchy, the wealthiest family in the Empire, surrendering a diamond mine would deal a considerable blow.
So I demanded his assurance once more.
"Yes, it is...."
"I'll trust you, since you're not the type to change your tune later."
Though his character left much to be desired, he wasn't one to lie, so this seemed trustworthy enough.
"You must not go back on your word regarding this matter, Miss Belita."
He was demanding the same assurance from me, fearing I might reverse my position later.
"I do not speak with a forked tongue. I swear upon the honor of my nobility."
I invoked my family's honor to demonstrate my absolute resolve to him.
At that, his expression seemed noticeably more at ease.
'Did I need to swear an oath?'
I felt a slight twinge of regret at that.
There was something rather satisfying about watching that man doubt himself and tremble with anxiety.
No, never mind.
This man was finished with me now.
From now on, we would merely exchange pleasantries at official gatherings.
Our connection would cease to exist entirely.
"Then I shall have my family's representative draw up the documents and send them to you. I hope you achieve everything you desire, Duke."
I had obtained what I came for—there was nothing left to discuss.
With those words, I turned and headed toward the door.
I sensed him watching my retreating figure, but I refused to acknowledge it and simply exited the Reception Room.
The moment the door closed behind me, I could barely contain my joy and let out a silent cheer of triumph.
I did it. I actually did it!!
I had reassured myself countless times that I could succeed, yet an anxious doubt had always lingered beneath the surface.
But now that it was finally over, a profound sense of accomplishment and liberation flooded my heart.
However, I was still within the Maxius Duchy.
This was hardly the place to indulge in unrestrained celebration.
I made my way toward the carriage, struggling to suppress my bouncing shoulders.
Yet despite my efforts, my light, buoyant steps were impossible to conceal—my feet felt so weightless, as though I were floating upon clouds.
'A diamond mine... truly!!'
I would be wealthy until my dying breath, and even beyond.
With this diamond mine alone, I could do whatever I pleased for the rest of my life, eat whatever I desired, and act without regard for anyone's opinion.
I had successfully broken my engagement. As I sat in the carriage, lost in thought about what lay ahead, I suddenly realized we had arrived at my home.
"Welcome home, Miss."
The Butler and the servants were waiting to greet me as I stepped down from the carriage.
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