Chapter 80

Valery bent his knees and slowly lowered himself. The heavy crown in the emperor’s hand landed on his head. Everyone’s applause spread louder than the music. Seeing him being cheered by everyone, I turned around, thinking that it was really time to organize myself.

After that, it was a festival-like banquet enjoyed by everyone. Food began to be placed on the long table, and the servants quickly moved the glasses of alcohol. I thought I should get away to a more deserted place, so I headed to the hallway.

“Are you going to go?”

But as soon as I stepped into the hallway, a familiar voice followed. When I looked back, Delkian smiled at me with his arms folded. He wasn’t as flashy as Valery, but he was well-dressed. By the way, shouldn’t he not be attending today? I don’t think it’s time for him to be idle here.

“Your Highness, it’s been a while since I saw you.”

“Because I was busy. Everyone is having fun, but where are you going?”

“Ah, it’s because the surrounding area looks so crowded.”

“You’re not going back, right?”

Instead of answering, I slightly rolled my eyes and avoided his eyes. Then Delkian smiled and took a step closer.

Anyone could see that he showed no regret that he didn’t become the crown prince. Is he not ready at all? No matter how good the relationships were between siblings, I wondered if it was true that he wasn’t greedy. If you wanted to inherit the family, usually there would be a fight between siblings. Or is it just because he is good at hiding his feelings from others?

“Don’t you need to see the main character?”

“Are you talking about the second prince? I’ve seen him at the crowning ceremony.”

“Are you sure that’s enough?”

I avoided answering again this time. I just looked up at him with a big smile.

“Don’t you feel sad?” Out of curiosity, I asked. Maybe it was a rude question. But Delkian wouldn’t blame me just because of that. Sure enough, this time, he smiled broadly.

“Well, what do you think?”

“If it were me, I would feel a bit regretful.”

“Things like that happen too. But I got freedom instead.”

“Freedom…”

When I thought about it again, I received the same thought as him. As I nodded in agreement, he added lightly, “If you don’t need it, I will take it away?”

“What do you mean by it?”

“You’re looking for a place where there’s no one, right? You better turn right. Because it’s pretty quiet over there.”

I turned my face in the direction he pointed.

“Ah.”

“I want to go with you, but many people are looking for me.”

As soon as Delkian finished speaking, a voice searching for the first prince was heard. He smiled awkwardly with a troubled look on his face.

“Thank you. I think you should go quickly.”

“I guess so.”

Delkian patted me on the shoulder and left, saying, “See you next time.”

I set foot in the place where he told me. Turning to the right, I passed the hallway a little further, and I came to a quiet balcony. As he said, there was no one, so it was quiet, even though Ian was nearby.

“I’ll have to stay here a little longer.”

I took off my hat and got some fresh air coming from the outside. The cool breeze made it clearer to make a decision.

Let’s go back. Let’s go back and persuade my mother for the first and last time. If I told my mother that I knew everything, at least there might be a chance. I couldn’t let go of my mother, so I thought I’d rather do that and leave quietly. If I organize everything, finish everything, and leave, I might feel better than I think.

Of course, I knew it wasn’t the best way. There were definitely times when I thought it didn’t matter what happened to my mother and Sir Shubart. But in the end, I couldn’t let go of anything. Even if I abandoned my mother, I wouldn’t be able to stay by Valery’s side and would live in fear for the rest of my life. That’s why I came to this conclusion.

I was going back with my hat on, but someone burst into the balcony at the same time.

“Bella.”

I was almost surprised but quickly relieved by the exposed face. It was because Valery smiled naturally as if he was looking for me.

“Prince… No, Your Highness the Crown Prince. How did you find this place.”

“It’s Valery.” He was doing it again.

I looked at where he came in and said, “This is in the Imperial palace. You shouldn’t be here, right?”

“I catch you. I saw your face earlier, but you disappeared.”

“Ah…”

“And someone says you’re here.”

Delkian must have told me. There was no way Delkian wouldn’t notice, but like the empress, he seemed convinced that Valery and I would continue to meet like this. Seeing that he sent Valery like this on purpose.

“Are you sick?”

“What? No. Why do you think like that?”

“You don’t look very good.”

His hand quickly touched my cheek as if he were worried about me. It was a careful touch, but it was full of worries. I took his hand and smiled.

“You look great today.”

Then his expression got a little nicer, and he kissed my hand. Looking at him like that, I thought he shouldn’t know more about my secrets. He liked every word I said, but I wondered how much he would blame himself if he knew that one of the main culprits of the situation was because he survived. As expected, it would be better to sort things before Valery knew and moved.

“Valery.”

He smiled with his eyes as if he was about to wag his tail at any moment just because she called him like that.

“Yes, Bella.”

“On the weekend.”

“Let’s meet.” He added quickly.

I smiled and nodded. “Let’s go there again. The place you gave me as a gift. I hope we can see the sunset again like that day.”

* * *

It was early in the morning that day. I was going to relax ahead of the meeting with my mother, but I couldn’t at all because of the news Ian brought late at night. I almost ran out in my pajamas to get on the carriage.

It was because of the news that Madam Perza would be attacked again. Except for trivial things, Sir Shubart had always spoken to me before doing anything. Still, he didn’t speak about it this time. No, to be exact, he hid the truth from me. It was the same as saying that he doubted me and did the work without me knowing. It was fortunate that Ian found it later. Still, if it wasn’t for that, something irreversible would have happened while I was asleep.

Perhaps the news of my departure from home in the carriage may soon reach Sir Shubart’s ears. It was supposed to be secret, but there was no time for that. The time was too tight to get someone else to move.

I heard that Madam Perza’s carriage had already departed a while ago. I thought I could barely catch her if the carriage took a shortcut, but my stomach felt sick. If Madam Perza died, the empress wouldn’t keep her promise to me either.

“The carriage is too slow. Tell them to run as fast as they can.”

Watching Ian pull the string and talk to the coachman, I involuntarily bit my nails. Please, I hope we can safely stop it before morning comes. I didn’t care if I got caught now. Because I meant to tell them everything anyway.

The rattle of the carriage grew worse. I looked at the dim scenery that quickly disappeared in the dark.

* * *

Meanwhile, Duke Rudbihi was busy welcoming unexpected guests late at night. He seemed somewhat embarrassed by the appearance of a person who was completely unexpected because he was blinded by the news that the glory would return soon to him.

“Prince, no, Crown Prince?”

Duke Rudbihi also knew that the crown prince’s crowning ceremony was held today. In his mind, he was more familiar with the prince’s image as a child, so the image of the prince as a grown-up man felt very unfamiliar and intimidating. However, he couldn’t figure out why the crown prince was looking for him. The corner of his mouth went up, wondering if Duke Ragham had already met with His Majesty.

“Duke, long time no see.”

“I did not expect you to visit me on a glorious day like today. I should have dared to visit and congratulate you, but I apologize for not being able to do so. I did not know you had already grown up this much.”

Duke Rudbihi, who believed that the crown prince had come to deliver a message from His Majesty, greeted him with emotion. Now, he secured his position as the crown prince, not only prince, but it was he who saved him. He believed that if Valery knew it, he would definitely repay his grace.

Whether Duke Rudbihi knew it or not, Valery’s expression looked terrifyingly cold.