Published at 15th of November 2019 01:45:06 PM
Chapter 87 – Heinley Departs (2)
Prince Heinley parted from the Empress, then he immediately went to Emperor Sovieshu to give him his news .
“You’re returning to your country?”
When Sovieshu heard the report, he stared at Prince Heinley then murmured to himself for a moment .
“And the Grand Duke too…”
Prince Heinley didn’t say anything . Destroying the future to prove one’s love was what emotional five- or six-year-olds did . The atmosphere hardened as the two men observed each other for a while . After a brief moment, Sovieshu gave a smile .
“Very well . Have a safe return . ”
Later, Prince Heinley sought out Duke Elgy, but there was already someone else with him .
“I’ll make it up to you . ”
A familiar voice was coming from the duke’s room .
“Absolutely…thank you so much . ”
It was a woman’s voice . Prince Heinley hid himself and waited for his friend to be alone . Soon the door to Duke Elgy’s room opened, and Rashta emerged .
“Don’t worry, Miss . ”
After the sound of small footsteps faded away, Prince Heinley stepped from behind the pillar and walked towards Duke Elgy .
“I was waiting for you to come out . ”
Duke Elgy smiled, even though Prince Heinley had appeared out of nowhere .
“You’re always hiding here and there . ”
“I came here to talk to you . ”
“Are you returning home?”
“It’s about something else . ”
“What do you mean?”
Instead of speaking, Prince Heinley pointed to the open door, and both men entered Duke Elgy’s room . As soon as the door closed, Prince Heinley spoke .
When I woke up the next morning, Prince Heinley had already left . The bearer of the somber news was Sir Artina, who informed me that the prince had left swiftly at dawn .
“I see . ”
I had said goodbye to him yesterday, but if I had known it was our last meeting, I would have said a few more words . I had assumed I would see him again the next day .
Although we had a strange start, we had grown to be good friends . I should have said that . But it wasn’t just Prince Heinley and Queen who left me .
I went to the central palace for work, but I was so depressed that I went back to the western palace for lunch with my ladies-in-waiting . There they gave me unexpected news .
“Your Majesty, Duchess Tuania is leaving the capital . ”
“Leaving the capital? Then the divorce—? ”
“The judge must have ruled in favor of the Count because of Viscount Langdel . ”
“Then—!”
I felt a stab of guilt . I had succeeded in saving Viscount Langdel, but the information he found was buried, which put Duchess Tuania at a disadvantage in the trial .
As I reproached myself, Laura shook her head .
“Don’t be too sad, Your Highness . Duchess Tuania wanted to say thank you, Your Majesty . ”
“Duchess Tuania?”
Countess Eliza pulled out a small letter from her inner pocket .
“She asked me to deliver this to you . ”
After the ladies-in-waiting left after finishing the meal, I took out the letter and spread it open .
— I know what you did for Viscount Langdel . Thank you for doing me this kindness . I know you’ll blame yourself, so I’m leaving you this letter .
‘Duchess…’
— I decided to follow Viscount Langdel . He tried to give his life for me, and now I want to be with him . It would be best if all this didn’t happen at all, but in the future, if you are in any difficulty, I will surely repay you . Please burn this letter after reading it .
Although there was no signature, I recognized Duchess Tuania’s handwriting . I looked down at the paper for a moment, then lit a candle and burned the letter .
‘Viscount Langdel’s pure love for her eventually drew her heart…’
Duchess Tuania was a wise woman and would overcome anything .
The letter seemed to burn slowly first, but soon the flame rapidly ate through the paper . Finally, all that was left was a small scrap between my fingers . I set it down on the table, then blew out the candle .
Prince Heinley, Queen, and Duchess of Tuania . Three people were gone . Two went far away, and one’s destination was unknown .
I sank into a depression . That night, I waited for Queen to tap the window with his beak, but it remained quiet . I opened the window, and wind blew in that was so cold that it gave me gooseflesh .
– Isn’t it cold?
Prince Heinley’s question yesterday seemed to come back from the wind .
“It’s cold . ”
I gave a late reply, then left the window open as I curled into my blanket . There was no sign of Queen the following morning .
“Achoo!”
“Oh no . You must have a cold, Your Majesty . ”
Countess Eliza, who came to attend to me in the morning, was surprised when I sneezed . I blew my nose and nodded in embarrassment .
“I suppose so . ”
Most likely it was because I slept with the windows open .
“Shall I cancel today’s schedule?”
Countess Eliza looked at me anxiously . I checked my calendar and asked her to do so .
“And call the palace doctor . ”
A mild cold wouldn’t matter, but something more serious would be a problem . I couldn’t blow my nose noisily in front of the people and ministers I had to have serious discussions with .
“Please bring me something comfortable to wear . ”
As Countess Eliza left to call the palace doctor, another lady-in-waiting came to help me into a warm, thick dress . I didn’t wear any other ornaments on me . Later, Laura brought some clear soup and I had breakfast alone .
About half an hour later, Countess Eliza returned with the palace doctor . After I was recommended bed rest, the doctor diagnosed me with a mild cold, and told me not to strain myself and then prescribed some medicine . As soon as I took it, I closed my eyes .
When I opened them again, it was already midday . A lady-in-waiting hadn’t taken away the medicine container yet, and the window was firmly shut . I looked at the closed window, then stood up to open it again out of habit . Perhaps Queen will come while I’m asleep…
Countess Eliza, who came in with a towel and large basin, saw me and immediately started chided me .
“Oh no . There’s a strong wind chill and you can’t leave the windows open, Your Majesty . ”
She set the basin next to the bed and closed the window . I wanted to open it again, but I didn’t want to argue when she was worried over me .
‘As long as I’m in the room and I’m awake, it’ll be fine . ’
I could open the window for Queen then .
I watched as Countess Eliza dipped the wet towel into the hot water and squeezed it, then used it to warm my hands and feet .
“You need to get well soon . ”
“I will . ”
“Oh, and on my way to retrieve the palace doctor, I heard that Lord Koshar will soon arrive in the capital . ”
“Elder Brother?”
First came joy, and then anxiety . Lord Koshar was a good brother to me…but he was a bit of a delinquent . He wouldn’t start fights, but once there was an argument, it sometimes turned violent . When I became empress, my father had worried that my brother would cause an accident that would harm my reputation, and he hurriedly sent my brother away to an outer region .
Would my brother be able to sit still when he sees that Rashta is pregnant…?