Chapter 100

***

Three years ago, 

The Grand Duke. 

“If my child is treated like that, my heart will be heartbroken and torn, so I feel sorry for him who died without seeing such a beautiful grandmaster. I sympathize with him.”

At that time, 

Said the wife of the first young master, Akan.

Hearing the conversation behind the wall, the Grand Duke collapsed miserably. Even after a few days, he couldn’t overcome the aftereffects. 

No. It wasn’t just the Grand Duke. 

The same was true of Dante, the second young master who was with him. 

‘This resentment is justified because the Grand Duchess died while giving birth to Charlize.’

Because the firm belief was shattered into pieces.

They even heard the news that Charlize had completely left the Emperor Dylan. They despaired at the reality that even the opportunity to ask for forgiveness had disappeared forever.

‘Now, we can’t even meet.’ 

Where are you? What are you doing?

They should have known the seriousness of the situation sooner when they received the application for expulsion.

All three men of the Grand Duke family were devastated by the belated shock.

Akan cried out of guilt while taking care of the baby. Dante kept looking into the air with a cigarette in his mouth, which he hadn’t done before. 

The Grand Duke just couldn’t get his hands on things. 

The Ronan family had a long history and high reputation, as well as partnerships with numerous families.

“The Ronan family vassal came to me and knelt down begging me, so I came here to see why he couldn’t meet the deadline…”

Duke Kenin, who suddenly came, frowned and said. 

Kenin caressed the tower of documents scattered in the office and stared at the Grand Duke. 

He looked like a complete loser.

A shaggy face and rough skin that cannot be believed to be the Grand Duke of the Empire. It was surprising that his face was once admired by the drunken noble ladies. 

The Grand Duke lifted his gloomy eyes and looked at Kenin.

“Is it because the grandmaster disappeared? Recently, I heard rumors that all the members of the Ronan family were not good.”

“That mouth. Shut up.”

“Hey.”

Kenin sighed and sat across from the Grand Duke.

Even during his business hours, he was openly drinking a bottle of strong wine.

‘I guess you didn’t contact her here either. No, of course.’

Considering the character of the grandmaster, it was natural.

Aside from the entire relationship, if she voluntarily left the emperor. 

There was no way she would leave a trace of herself. 

It’s over. The Duke only hoped that Grand Duke Ronan would quickly hand over the documents he needed.

It was already a sluggish situation with urgent trade cases not progressing for more than a fortnight.

“Rachel… What would you think? If you look at this situation now.”

The Grand Duke trembled as he called out the name of the deceased Grand Duchess.

Rarely, a little sympathy passed by the Duke’s eyes. 

Rachel, Kenin, and the Grand Duke. These three. They were from the same academy. 

Kenin looked at the Grand Duke without saying a word. 

“I’m so guilty, I’m so sorry. I can’t do anything.”

To say in the end. It’s not about atonement for Charlize, but about being sorry for Rachel.

Kenin got a little frustrated and looked at the Grand Duke. He took the bottle of wine from his hand.

The Grand Duke, who would not be held back by force, was helplessly taken away. 

Even though the gaze he encountered in the air was creepy and clear.

“…Even the grandmaster has a secret of my family heirloom that she didn’t tell you.”

At the beginning of Kenin’s seriousness, the Grand Duke remained silent.

He wasn’t going to tell him this, but. 

Kenin said.

“My family heirloom. It is said to be made with Ehyrit’s tears, it is a dream tool.”

“Dream tool?” 

The Grand Duke was puzzled because it was a name he had only heard in legends in the Bible.  

Kenin nodded and explained.

“A dream tool. It allows you to meet the dead just once in your dream. You can convey the words that you couldn’t say before. For the last time, you can touch it vividly as if they were alive.”

“Then, Rachel. Can I meet Rachel, too?” 

“Of course.” 

“Ha, just once… I’m begging you, please.”

The Grand Duke’s eyes twisted desperately. 

He begged because he was so screwed up that he wondered if he was the person who was so proud and noble.

It was also burdensome when he looked up at his former rival like a savior.

Kenin frowned and replied.

“Of course, that’s why I brought it up. However, there are conditions.”

“…”

“I will let you meet Rachel in your dreams. After you meet. Just do your job right. Do I look free enough to come all the way here and push the deadline?”

Kenin was rude, but the Grand Duke had no time to care.

‘Rachel.’

The Grand Duke has already given up his life to meet the woman he loved again. Because he’s half out of his mind. 

Kenin lent his heirloom through messengers, along with detailed instructions on how to use the dream tool.  

The Grand Duke followed thoroughly, and that night he had a dream.

Indeed, miraculously, it was Rachel.

“…Rachel.”

“Long time no see, Your Excellency.”

Rachel was smiling softly, just like the face that the Grand Duke had fallen in love with while she was still alive.  

It was a mysterious and peaceful flower garden full of the scent of spring. 

The Grand Duke approached Rachel with a feeling of strangulation.

“It was a happy and lucky life, Your Excellency. I met the perfect man and we exchanged love… I have three rabbit-like children.”

When he reached Rachel, he burst into tears.

It was tears that resembled screams.

“Don’t cry. Tell me the story there. Akan must be the commander of the Imperial Knight by now, right? I’m sure he has a pretty wife, too. Dante must be meeting a good person, too.”

“Akan… met the daughter of the count’s family and had a son a while ago. He became the second commander of the Imperial Knight. Dante also received the official knighthood a while ago…”

“As expected of our children, I’m very happy. I’m proud of them.” 

Rachel wiped the teary eyes of the Grand Duke with her finger.

Really. It’s Rachel. 

“Charlize must have become a pretty noble lady. Because she resembles me, she must be very popular. Every time Charlize tries to go to the society, I wonder if Akan and Dante will fight to escort each other.”

Rachel smiled beautifully. It was a smile like a painting that the Grand Duke fell in love with.

She had no doubt that Charlize would have grown up happily. More precious and beautiful than anyone else. 

The Grand Duke. He couldn’t stand it. While sobbing, he knelt down in front of Rachel.

It felt like he was completely facing the reality he had been trying to ignore.

‘Rachel doesn’t resent Charlize at all.’

It’s okay to lie, so he has to reassure her by answering yes. His lips couldn’t open because he was fed up with tears. It was painful. It was the most painful thing to do since he was born. 

Rachel lowered herself at the eye level in front of the Grand Duke.

“Your Excellency, why are you so sad? What happened to my dear Charlize?”

“Really, is it you? Is it you?” 

“Yes, it is me. Your Excellency. My beloved Grand Duke.”

Rachel hugged the Grand Duke, perhaps surprised.

The more the Grand Duke did that, the more he couldn’t control his emotions. He has never been this emotional before.

Even on the day Rachel died. He hadn’t collapsed to this extent. 

His heart was broken with guilt.

However, the Grand Duke decided that he should confess the truth and ask for forgiveness.  

If he doesn’t say it. He had a gut feeling that he would regret it right before he died.

“Never. I’ve never hugged that child.”

The Grand Duke trembled and confessed as if he was vomiting blood.

Never. He never called her name. 

Because he thought she drove her to death. She was despised, ignored, treated poorly, and isolated.

No teachers attached, no friends, no gifts.

If she talks to them, they scold her. Despised. Hated. He urged Akan and Dante, and even the servants to do the same. 

Called her a murderer and accused her of not having been born.

“…I ruined it.” 

The words of the Grand Duke that followed were simply tragic and shocking.

Rachel was quiet for a while.

Rachel was smiling awkwardly as the Grand Duke raised his head. 

“You’re good at joking around. You’re still the same.”

Because the Grand Duke always teased her like this.

“I don’t believe you, how sweet you are.”

Rachel was smiling. She was bright and full of affection.

But her face slowly. Little by little.

Little by little she collapsed.

“Is it true… Honey?”

You’re kidding, right? 

His wife laughed and tried to deny reality. 

“You can’t be like that. You love me so much. I believed that you would love Charlize as much as you loved me. You, who know what I mean best, you… you…”

Rachel’s terrible feelings were more assimilated and felt better, perhaps because she was in a dream. 

It was the heart of the mother who was tearing apart. She was so emotional that she couldn’t even shake it off with tears.

Rachel shook her head in disbelief.

“I told you many times to take care of her. You said that you would listen to everything I said. You did hear me, right? You didn’t listen to it? No. No. It can’t be. Right? Right?”

“…” 

Rachel also noticed that it wasn’t a lie.

Even if she denies it, what happened in this world without Rachel will not be erased. 

Rachel collapsed. 

“Please say no, please say no… Please, please.” 

“I’m sorry.” 

The Grand Duke admitted. 

“Because it’s all true…”

Rachel’s face turned as white as a blank sheet of paper.

“My heart hurts. It hurts like it’s going to break. It’s more terrible and painful than the pain right before I die. It hurts so much. Can I resent you? May I ask what you thought about treating my child, our child?”

“I’m sorry.” 

“Charlize, Charlize… Charlize…” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“Why… Why the hell?” 

He did it in the sadness of losing her.

Only then did the Grand Duke realize how cruel an excuse it was for everyone.

All of these were the Grand Duke’s anger.

Rachel never, ever wanted to. That couldn’t be the reason why he pushed Charlize.

Rachel cried. No, she was desperate. It was more intense and deeper than her sorrow for losing her child.

Rachel shuddered and began to cry.

Feeling sorry for the abused child, guilt, anger towards the abused family, and the painful sadness that comes back.

A sense of betrayal. The biggest emotion was a sense of betrayal. The Grand Duke couldn’t say a word to Rachel, who asked him to say no, please. No, he couldn’t. 

It was not until then that the Grand Duke deeply regretted it. If he could, he wanted to visit himself in the past and strangle him. 

However, it is impossible.

‘Why, regret is always late.’

It was the love of Charlize, whom he believed would last forever. He always thought she would beg for love from the Grand Duke.

But it’s not. No. How did he come up with such a terrible thought? 

It was not until the Grand Duke was astonished by his nature. 

That early in the morning, the Grand Duke woke up with a completely blank face. 

And. His soul had just collapsed.

***

Charlize looked down at the Grand Duke, who was kneeling down for the first time, without any emotion.

Charlize was bored with this situation.

“Are you really going to help?” 

“I will help you with anything, Grandmaster.”

“I don’t think you’ll be of any help.”

The Grand Duke wanted to ask for forgiveness. He held it in. Whatever he says, it’s an excuse. Because it’s a sin that cannot be forgiven by any words. Yes, until Charlize turns 20.

He never once said he was sorry. By what qualification does he ask for forgiveness?

The Grand Duke felt suffocated. He couldn’t even make eye contact properly. He is just a terrible sinner.

‘Still. Even now, though. I want to be of some help.’

The Grand Duke regretted it terribly.

On the other hand, Charlize, unlike the Grand Duke, had an indifferent look.

‘I don’t think it’s necessary.’

Charlize thought without emotion. 

Anyway, now that the number of available chess pieces has increased this much, let’s try to get away from Dylan.

Charlize inadvertently passed by the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke was still putting his knees on the floor in a humble position, but he was already out of Charlize’s interest.

‘For now, let’s find the god we knew before regression.’

Charlize swallowed her smile coldly.

This empire,

It was still dominated by Charlize.

***

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