It was another day closer to Morado's New Year's celebration. Although I managed to finish up some last-minute preparations, I was still shocked and hurt from the day before. I nearly couldn't believe it happened. Part of me wanted to overlook what the prince did and still marry him because in the end, I still loved him, although he is a stupid prince. But what good would that do me? What if he eventually wants more than one mistress? Would I really just never be enough for him, no matter what I do for him? In the end, I needed to face reality. After all, I was the one who initially wanted to address how he was handling that girl. And now that I know how he really feels about me from what he just did, I know what to do now.My thoughts were interrupted when I was made aware that another guest had arrived. A bit curious, I readied myself to go see who the guest was, as I originally thought that all of the guests had arrived already. As soon as I arrived to greet the guest, I was greeted with a warm, tight, and very familiar hug. It turned out that the last guest was my really good friend, the duchess from the south, Amirah."Kaaaaaaaiiiiii! Uh-Your Highness! It's so good to see you! How are you?!" said Amirah."Hello, Amirah. I'm...well. How are you? You've arrived so late, that I completely forgot you were coming," I said."Ha ha. I know...I thought I'd come fashionably late this year. Besides, how could I possibly miss your country's New Year's party? It's the best every year. Oh! How are you and the prince? You guys are getting married soon, right? I'm really looking forward to the wedding.""...Well...I don't think there's going to be a wedding now.""*gasp* What?! Why?!""...Why don't you and I go talk about it over some tea?""...Oh, yes. Of course."Once our tea was served, I told Amirah everything that happened the day before with the prince."I...I am so sorry that happened," said Amirah, "I know how much you really loved him. How dare he do that to you?!""I...I'm okay, now. And I know what I need to do," I said, "The only thing I don't know is when to do it. Tomorrow is the day of the New Year's celebration party. I told the prince that he is still welcome to attend the festivities. But I don't know if I should have the final discussion with him before, during, or after the party."After relaying this concern to Amirah, she sat thoughtfully for a moment before smiling somewhat mischievously and whispering something interesting to me.The day of the New Year's party finally arrived, and it was the largest party I've ever had. Everywhere I looked, people were enjoying themselves, which made me all the more happier as I walked among the bustling crowds."Your Highness!" called Duchess Amirah as she strolled towards me in a gown so luxurious that it caught the eyes of a lot of the men present as she walked by. "Amirah. How are you enjoying the party so far?" I asked."Oh, it's nice, as always. But look who just walked in."In the direction Amirah pointed, there he was, Prince Antonio, standing with someone I immediately recognized as Kendyl. The mere sight of them walking together among the crowd caused a rippling disturbance among the people who have seen and heard what's going on, resulting in quite a few of them looking over at me with concern. On the outside, I looked as calm as ever, knowing what I was going to do in the next moment. But on the inside, I was furious. I've put up with the prince's stupidity and ignorance long enough for that alone to not phase me very much. But the fact that he somehow just insists on bringing Kendyl to my abode without my permission is enough. The time has come to put Duchess Amirah's plan into motion, as I refuse to have my best party disturbed by a wave of awkwardness.I turned my back to the prince and Kendyl before they could even think of approaching me, and promptly strolled towards the center of the great hall with my head held high. Once there, I asked for everyone's attention."Wonderful and loyal friends," I began, "As always, I am so, so happy you were all able to make it here today. It is always an honor to host the very best New Year's party every year, and see all of the lovely, cherished souls here. For those of you who know and those of you who don't, there has been a very disturbing issue going on here that, in my opinion, has gone on too long. Therefore, I have a special announcement to make."Everyone suddenly began to murmur in anticipation of what I was going to say. As soon as the room was settled again, I made my announcement."...As you all know, a new year has arrived, and with every new year, there's a chance for everyone to have a clean slate, and a new beginning. As part of MY new beginning, I'm hereby officially calling off my engagement to Prince Antonio of the west."My announcement was immediately met with applause from nearly everyone in the room. In my peripheral vision, I could see the surprised look on both, the prince's and Kendyl's faces."Additionally," I began again when the applause died down enough, "I hereby banish the prince of the west from Morado indefinitely."My next statement was met with quite a few different responses, from gasps and snickering, to murmuring and confusion, with Duchess Amirah looking the most surprised. Making the annulment of my engagement part of the New Year's celebration was her idea, but not the banishment. Either way, as surprised as she initially looked, I could tell she was also very happy with my decision by the way she smiled at me."Prince Antonio!" I called amidst the murmuring of the room, resulting in everyone's attention immediately shifting to the prince and Kendyl, a silence that was sure to be rather uncomfortable for them both immediately following."Wh-what?!" answered the prince."You have disappointed me greatly. As a prince from the west, you are supposed to set an example for the rest of your countrymen to follow. As you already know, one of the laws here clearly state that your people are unwelcome here unless they have a proven track record of humanity, good citizenship, and decency. Your behavior here has convinced me that you put up a front and possibly faked documents proving your record. You being a prince doesn't mean you're any different from the rest of your people, and that the rules here don't apply to you. Because of your indecency, from this day forward, there will be new measures taken here specific to your country that will make it more difficult for your people to be allowed entry to Morado. Moreover, if it is discovered that a westerner faked his or her identity to attempt entry here, they are to be imprisoned immediately, in addition to being fined, convicted, and deported back to the west. All of the good apples of your country have you to blame for this, Prince. You are never allowed entry here again, and you are to be deported back to the west immediately...And take your little mistress with you. This is the answer you wanted from me about your little proposal."As soon as I finished speaking, the prince of the west and Kendyl were promptly apprehended and removed from my castle in front of everyone, who were applauding at their departure. When those two were out of sight, I encouraged everyone to return to the festivities of the party to welcome the start of the new year.As I began walking away, I was suddenly greeted by many of the women in attendance, especially Duchess Amirah, who congratulated me on my newfound singleness, as well as kicking the prince of the west out of Morado. Amidst the chatter, there were three noblewomen who approached me, conveying the same accolades along with additional information that interested me."Your Highness, you should have kicked that homewrecker out a long time ago. We suspect that she's also from the west," said one of the women."Is that so?" I asked."Yes. She has a very rude mouth. She also threatened us a few days ago when she was outside of the castle," said another woman.Looking back, I did notice a lack of etiquette on Kendyl's part in the way she carried herself. Perhaps..."Hmm...Thank you for telling me this. This makes me all the more glad that I've sent her away with that prince, as I never want anyone to feel unsafe when visiting my castle. I assure you that her true identity will definitely be looked into," I said to the women."Thank you so much, Your Highness," said the women before departing.I immediately felt ashamed of how weak the security measures for the people of the west proved to be; yet I'm just as determined to fix this issue as soon as possible. In the meantime, I decided to enjoy myself and celebrate both, my freedom from heartbreak, and the arrival of the new year.