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nChapter 87 – Heinley Departs (2)

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nPrince Heinley parted from the Empress, then he immediately went to Emperor Sovieshu to give him his news.

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n“You’re returning to your country?”

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nWhen Sovieshu heard the report, he stared at Prince Heinley then murmured to himself for a moment.

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n“And the Grand Duke too…”

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nPrince 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.

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n“Very well. Have a safe return.”

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nLater, Prince Heinley sought out Duke Elgy, but there was already someone else with him.

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n“I’ll make it up to you.”

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nA familiar voice was coming from the duke’s room.

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n“Absolutely…thank you so much.”

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nIt 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.

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n“Don’t worry, Miss.”

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nAfter the sound of small footsteps faded away, Prince Heinley stepped from behind the pillar and walked towards Duke Elgy.

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n“I was waiting for you to come out.”

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nDuke Elgy smiled, even though Prince Heinley had appeared out of nowhere.

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n“You’re always hiding here and there.”

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n“I came here to talk to you.”

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n“Are you returning home?”

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n“It’s about something else.”

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n“What do you mean?”

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nInstead 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.

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n*

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n*

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n*

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nWhen 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.

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n“I see.”

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nI 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.

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nAlthough 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.

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nI 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.

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n“Your Majesty, Duchess Tuania is leaving the capital.”

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n“Leaving the capital? Then the divorce—? ”

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n“The judge must have ruled in favor of the Count because of Viscount Langdel.”

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n“Then—!”

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nI 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.

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n“…”

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nAs I reproached myself, Laura shook her head.

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n“Don’t be too sad, Your Highness. Duchess Tuania wanted to say thank you, Your Majesty.”

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n“Duchess Tuania?”

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nCountess Eliza pulled out a small letter from her inner pocket.

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n“She asked me to deliver this to you.”

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nAfter the ladies-in-waiting left after finishing the meal, I took out the letter and spread it open.

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n— 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.

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n‘Duchess…’

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n— 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.

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nAlthough 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.

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n‘Viscount Langdel’s pure love for her eventually drew her heart…’

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nDuchess Tuania was a wise woman and would overcome anything.

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nThe 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.

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nPrince Heinley, Queen, and Duchess of Tuania. Three people were gone. Two went far away, and one’s destination was unknown.

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nI 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.

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n– Isn’t it cold?

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nPrince Heinley’s question yesterday seemed to come back from the wind.

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n“It’s cold.”

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nI gave a late reply, then left the window open as I curled into my blanket. There was no sign of Queen the following morning.

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n*

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n*

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n*

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n“Achoo!”

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n“Oh no. You must have a cold, Your Majesty.”

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nCountess Eliza, who came to attend to me in the morning, was surprised when I sneezed. I blew my nose and nodded in embarrassment.

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n“I suppose so.”

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nMost likely it was because I slept with the windows open.

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n“Shall I cancel today’s schedule?”

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nCountess Eliza looked at me anxiously. I checked my calendar and asked her to do so.

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n“And call the palace doctor.”

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nA 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.

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n“Please bring me something comfortable to wear.”

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nAs 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.

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nAbout 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.

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nWhen 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…

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nCountess Eliza, who came in with a towel and large basin, saw me and immediately started chided me.

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n“Oh no. There’s a strong wind chill and you can’t leave the windows open, Your Majesty.”

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nShe 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.

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n‘As long as I’m in the room and I’m awake, it’ll be fine.’

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nI could open the window for Queen then.

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nI watched as Countess Eliza dipped the wet towel into the hot water and squeezed it, then used it to warm my hands and feet.

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n“You need to get well soon.”

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n“I will.”

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n“Oh, and on my way to retrieve the palace doctor, I heard that Lord Koshar will soon arrive in the capital. ”

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n“Elder Brother?”

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nFirst 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.

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nWould my brother be able to sit still when he sees that Rashta is pregnant…?

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