I'm Not Sorry But The Prince Will Marry Me Anyway-Chapter 122

"Our situation," she said.

Wait, was this some kind of Confucian nonsense about how the eldest should marry first?

My guess was only half correct.

The queen continued,

"Percival is at the right age, and holding the wedding before the end of the season will allow for more blessings from the nobility."

Before the end of the season?

That means they’re planning the wedding this autumn?! That’s way too soon!

If they needed noble guests to attend, couldn’t they just hold it at the start of the next season instead?

But then... my question answered itself.

Right after the word ‘right age’ left the queen’s lips, Percival’s mouth twisted slightly—and she turned to him with a knowing smile.

"In early spring, Tristan may become busy in a distant place, so let’s plan for an autumn wedding instead. A wedding without the younger brother in attendance wouldn’t do."

"A distant place?" Tristan frowned. "Mother, you mean—"

"Yes, you’ve guessed correctly. Your father and I have decided that you will become the new ruler of Blue Atrium."

What.

My heart lurched—it felt like someone had suddenly thrown me into the air, yelling “congratulations!”

Seriously?

I turned to Tristan.

He looked just as stunned as I felt.

But the way the queen was gazing at her son, brimming with pride, gradually solidified my shock into certainty.

"We’ve received positive reports from Count Braum and the commanders regarding your recent deployment," she continued. "Even Sir Arthur spoke highly of you. If you govern Blue Atrium, there shouldn’t be much resistance from the residents."

"......."

"......Aren’t you happy, Tristan?"

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As expected—Tristan didn’t even attempt a polite, social smile.

"A-ah, no. I am happy. It’s just... so sudden..."

"We wanted to share good news with our youngest son on a day of celebration," the queen said. "But it seems I miscalculated. At least your fiancée is pleased."

"......."

Tristan slowly turned to look at me—and looked slightly startled.

Yeah.

I had been shocked at first, too.

But now, I was smiling.

Because I didn’t have to worry anymore.

‘I knew it would happen, but I was still nervous!’

Or rather—it wasn’t certainty I had before.

It was knowing he deserved it—but still fearing the possibility of injustice.

Tristan had been working for this.

He had been studying reports for years, sending soldiers to conduct field research.

But how many people actually knew that?

Tristan was arrogant—but the only thing he ever boasted about was his face.

‘Thinking about it, it’s kind of stupid.’

Why did this idiot insist on acting like a fool?

He had finally earned recognition—but only after taking the most dangerous possible path.

Turning to him, I spoke—directly and sincerely.

"This is truly wonderful news. After everything you’ve endured... The soldiers who followed you will surely be just as happy as I am."

I hadn’t seen him fight in Blue Atrium myself,

But if he had moved even half as much as he had on the hunting day,

Then there was no doubt he had worked hard.

Looking straight into his silver-blue eyes, I smiled.

He still looked unsettled.

Hey. Just accept it already!

When you do something well, you should brag about it!

When your superiors praise you, you should feel proud!

Ditch the humility!

People who accept praise confidently are the ones who keep getting it!

But Tristan still wasn’t showing the reaction I wanted.

Before the mood could cool further, I did something that wasn’t in my nature—

I took the initiative.

"Truly, congratulations, Your Highness. Even if you don’t feel the joy yet, I will remember this moment and remind you as many times as needed."

"Dori..."

"But most of all, I want to thank Their Majesties."

I turned to face the king and queen.

"When I first heard about His Highness’s deployment, I felt nothing but fear and uncertainty. But today, I can only offer my prayers of gratitude for Your Majesties’ wise and benevolent decision."

"Oh my, benevolence?" the queen chuckled. "It’s thanks to Tristan exceeding expectations."

But she seemed pleased, her eyes creasing slightly as she smiled.

Even the king, usually reserved, smiled warmly at me.

"To hear such words from one so composed and gentle—we truly have chosen the perfect fiancée for Tristan."

Let’s be real, you didn’t actually think much about choosing me.

Still, after delivering their parting remarks, the royal couple turned away, clearly in good spirits.

The crown prince approached and clapped Tristan on the shoulder in congratulations.

Percival?

He clapped only once—and then immediately turned away the moment their parents were out of sight.

"Natalie. Let’s go inform your parents of our engagement."

"Of course. They will be thrilled."

Thrilled?

No.

They’d be screaming with joy.

Just picturing them laughing loudly in front of their prince-in-law made my ears ache preemptively.

I need to take my time getting there.

If I check my betting results before heading down, the timing should line up perfectly.

"Your Highness. Would you like to check your bets befo—wait, Your Highness?"

Tristan still wasn’t smiling.

Slowly, he spoke.

"Earlier, you spoke in my place so effortlessly... I barely recognized you."

"I surprised myself as well."

"...Was that part of the ‘convincing fiancée act’ you promised?"

What the hell did this guy eat to become so pessimistic?

It annoyed me—but strangely, I didn’t feel angry.

‘Maybe because I already snapped at him in the booth earlier?’

But more than that...

I was curious about his reaction.

Until recently, I had been sure that if you put Tristan into a centrifuge, his arrogance would float to the top at 80%.

I had assumed that the moment his inheritance of Blue Atrium was confirmed,

He would immediately start boasting.

But... reality was different.

Even in front of his parents, he had barely managed a social smile.

And now—even when I was celebrating for him—

He was asking if I was just ‘acting.’

I finally spoke the words that had been on my mind.

"When the official announcement is made, please show a little more joy. For the sake of your family, who wanted this for ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) you. And... for Rick."

At the mention of Rick’s name, Tristan’s expression darkened.

"It wouldn't be appropriate to feel happy when thinking about him. He wasn’t a soldier loyal to me..."

"......."

In the silence that followed, I could sense hesitation—as if he already knew the answer but wasn’t ready to voice it.

Does he know?

That Rick had every right to hate him, not follow him?

Even now, I still don’t fully understand why Rick made his choice.

But...

"Regardless of what your relationship was, the fact that he acted that way means he believed you would do the right thing."

"...You weren’t even there. Don’t force a positive spin on things."

"You’re the one avoiding the positive parts, Your Highness. You still delivered his letter, didn’t you?"

"That wasn’t anything special."

Tristan’s tone was unusually firm.

And that’s when it hit me.

I think I finally understand why he can’t let himself be happy.

The first reason?

Guilt over Rick.

But the second reason...

Tristan doesn’t know how to handle being praised.

Thinking back—what has he ever boasted about?

His title.

His face.

His physical prowess.

All things he was born with.

But his intelligence? His strategic abilities? His leadership?

He never talks about those.

Has anyone ever acknowledged them?

It’s entirely possible that he’s only ever heard praise about his looks and his status—never about what he’s actually worked for.

And if no one ever recognized it, then of course—

He never learned how to take pride in it.

Confidence comes from interactions with others—especially praise.

And usually, the first people to offer praise are parents.

But earlier, when the queen spoke, even her kind words had been phrased as,

"The count had good things to say."

"Arthur spoke highly of you."

Everything was framed as someone else’s opinion.

And the conclusion?

"The people of Blue Atrium likely won’t resist too much."

...It wasn’t a real acknowledgment at all.

Not of him.

I’m not exactly qualified to comment on how to raise a grown man.

But the look Tristan had earlier—

That uncertain expression—

It reminded me of a troublemaker getting praised for the first time in his life.

And before I even realized it—

I said what I truly meant.

"Your Highness. You did well."