《I Opened The Birdcage Door》


 Chapter 0 - Prologue. I Opened The Birdcage Door

    ¡°Let¡¯s divorce.¡±


    He looked at me as he tried to blow out the candle.


    The fourth wedding anniversary cake was placed between me and my husband. It was a ceremonial anniversary. He despised me, but on our anniversaries, he always sat face to face and celebrated with me. It seemed like he was always there for me.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to act anymore. Because I¡¯m going to let you go now.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­ What¡¯s the reason?¡±


    His voice was calm. I looked up at him. He had never smiled once while congratulating. There was a cold energy on his completely expressionless face.


    It was the way he always looked at me. Even now, five years after our marriage.


    Oh, my Sebastian.


    I remembered the day I first met him. I thought he looked like a really beautiful golden hawk. The white uniform he wore, the blond hair that shone beautifully under the lights of the chandelier.


    I wanted this gorgeous, beautiful man by my side. I felt like my life could be saved if I had him.


    He was the first greed I had ever had in my life.


    But now I know.


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t have you even if I die.¡±


    I know that no matter what I do, I will never be able to have him, even if I break his wings and threaten the woman he regards as life, even if that was how he knelt  before me.


    Even if I take out his heart and place it next to me.


    That means I can never have his heart.


    ¡°So¡­¡±


    The amber eyes that had always been full of hatred were now looking at me with a slightly different light of determination.


    ¡°Leave me now.¡±


    Sebastian Hughes.


    I¡¯m going to set you free.


    From my birdcage.


    From my world.


    *


    *


    *


    The next day, Sebastian left the mansion.

 Chapter 1

    ***


    01. The bird has left its master


    ***


    ¡°Aileen, what happened?¡±


    The next morning, my parents arrived at the mansion with a rough appearance.


    As soon as they heard the news that Sebastian had left the mansion, they seemed to have come back in a hurry and were not properly dressed.


    It was already the fourth year that they had taken a trip somewhere on our anniversary to spend some quality time together.


    I don¡¯t think that will happen again.


    ¡°I¡¯ve decided to divorce Sebastian.¡±


    I announced, sitting down in the dining room in front of the soup, and my mother looked genuinely shocked.


    ¡°Why on earth would you do that? Didn¡¯t you two have a reasonably healthy life together? Moreover, yesterday was your wedding anniversary. Why did he leave¡­.?¡±


    My mother asked a lot of questions and said with a wave of her hand that she had never seen anything like this.


    ¡°Where is Sebastian? Did he really leave the house?¡±


    ¡° ¡­Yes, he left the mansion early this morning.¡±


    ¡°Master is gone.¡±


    I remembered the voice of the head maid as soon as I woke up in the early morning. It was dawn. I turned my head and saw that the seat next to my bed was empty.


    ¡°The maidservant who was doing the cleaning found this on the desk in the study.¡±


    The note that the head maid gave me was folded without an inch of error, as if to represent the man¡¯s character.


    Even without opening it, I could tell who had written it and what words were written on it.


    I cut the seal and opened it.


    He wrote only the dry words he needed to say. By all accounts, it was Sebastian.


    When I checked, it was indeed a few pieces of clothing and a luggage case that were missing, and upon closer inspection, it appeared that he had taken only what he had brought with him when he entered the mansion.


    He had truly vanished, as if he had been waiting for it.


    I smiled bitterly.


    Oh, Sebastian.


    You¡¯ve always hated me so much. So much so that as soon as I said goodbye to you, you left the mansion as if you were running away. But where are you going?


    Is he planning to go in search of the woman he loves?


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk too much about my relationship with Sebastian. I hope that our marriage will end well like this. That¡¯s all I want to say about that.¡±


    ¡°Who said divorce? No way Aileen, you couldn¡¯t have done that. Did Sebastian say that?¡±


    That was when it happened. My father slammed the table. My mother, who had been asking me questions, turned her head to the side in surprise.


    ¡°How dare he break up the marriage like this when I let him be my son-in-law?¡±


    My father seemed genuinely angry with Sebastian who dared to break up his marriage with the noblewoman. Just as he was angry with Sebastian for refusing to marry me five years ago.


    ¡°I picked him up from a ruined family and took him in as my son in law, but I didn¡¯t like him from the start.¡±


    ¡°Father.¡±


    I looked at my father with a disappointed smile on my face.


    ¡°It was all our doing.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    My father looked at me in surprise. As if he didn¡¯t know I would say that.


    It was the truth. It was my family¡¯s doing that Sebastian¡¯s family was destroyed and his beloved woman was threatened.


    It was because of my greed. I lowered my gaze. I saw a pair of thin legs. Two legs that were fixed to a wheelchair and could not move.


    My mind flashed back to the last five years.


    ***


    My name is Aileen Lowell.


    I was the only daughter of Duke Lowell.


    At the age of eleven, I was in a carriage accident and I had to use the wheelchair for the rest of my life.


    It was around that time that my brilliant destiny was turned upside down.


    I hated everyone who stared at my legs. I was embarrassed by people¡¯s pity for me. They had once looked at me with awe, but now there was only pity in their eyes for the noble Lady.


    The only words that came out of their mouths were words of pity. Poor Lady Lowell, what can we do about this tragedy¡­¡­¡­


    Even so, the children of the prestigious family with whom I had been in close contact periodically came to visit me and help me after my leg injury.


    They laughed with me, chatted with me, and even took walks in the garden with me while pushing my wheelchair.


    I was only eleven, but thanks to them, I was finally able to pull myself together.


    That was, until my friend Daphne, whom I thought was the most important of them all, talked behind my back.


    She said, ¡°Do you know how hard it is for me to be her wheelchair pusher? She¡¯s a sensitive young lady, and now she¡¯s more sensitive because of her legs.¡±


    It was on that day that I happened to overhear Daphne¡¯s voice ringing on the balcony while passing through the corridor.


    I stopped going to the gathering of the ladies. I also stopped attending the Academy, where all nobles attended, and hired a private tutor to take classes.


    I was confined to the mansion, and they called me ¡®the forgotten princess¡¯.


    Then one day, it was the first day I attended a party in a really long time.


    A day when noble children who become adults must attend, where even a princess could not go against it.


    The Debutante Ball.


    I hated going out in public more than death, but refusing to even attend the debutante ball was the same as giving up my family¡¯s title.


    I wore a bright white dress to the Debutante. People whispered as they saw me appearing in the banquet after 7 years. I just sat in a corner in a wheelchair with a blank expression on my face.


    That was when it happened. Something captivated my eyes. My gaze was directed somewhere else.


    In the middle of the ballroom, a man was dancing under the light of a chandelier, wearing a white uniform.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I stared at the man.


    Beautiful blond hair shining under the light of the chandelier, a strong physique that looked like it had gone through a long time training, a sharp and excellent jawline that resembled the sword he used, pumpkin-colored eyes that seemed to shine even brighter in the light¡­


    It was as if I was looking at a beautiful golden hawk.


    The sound of people whispering faded from my ears. His gestures were fluid yet light, moving gently as if riding the wind, and at the moment the music climaxed, he leapt sharply as if snatching his prey. It was like watching a hawk with its wings spread soaring into the sky.


    That appearance¡­¡­.


    It was beautiful enough to enchant the viewers.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­.. that man.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    The maidservant, who had been standing quietly, answered in surprise when I opened my mouth.


    ¡°That man¡­.What is his name?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­I think it¡¯s Sebastian. He is the son of Count Hughes and a member of the Imperial Guard.¡±


    Count Hughes. I¡¯ve heard of it. It was a suitable position, not too prominent, not too low. Sebastian was a reputable knight who grew up in an appropriately not bad family.


    ¡°It seems that the young master caught the eyes of the Princess. He is one of the most popular men at the debutante ball because of his elegant appearance.¡±


    The maid was so happy that I had spoken that she whispered to me in a chatty tone.


    ¡°If you like him, why don¡¯t you approach him? It might be a good match to marry¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    I watched him as he finished his dance and left the ballroom. He looked to the side and my eyes met his.


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    My heart beat fast. The strength drained from my hands. The champagne glass I was formally holding dropped.


    clink!


    ¡°Oh my God, Miss. Are you all right?¡±


    The startled maid asked me. The eyes of the people around me turned to me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go get some napkins. Please wait here for a moment.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­ Yes.¡±


    The maid excused herself to get a napkin.


    This was the most embarrassing moment since my legs were injured. The moment I realized that sitting still was the only thing I could do.


    My face began to warm up.

 Chapter 2

    ***


    I bit my lip.


    The maid disappeared, and my thighs were helplessly wet from the spilled champagne. As the wet feeling grew, my heart became miserable.


    I sneakily looked for my parents, but I couldn¡¯t see them because there were so many people they had to greet.


    The voices of people standing around began to be heard.


    ¡°I think I just heard something breaking?


    ¡°Princess Aileen dropped a glass of champagne.¡±


    I clenched my fists. All eyes were on me.


    What are they talking about? What do you say about me?


    Among those voices, there must be Daphne¡¯s.


    Wheelchair built-in, Aileen. A princess who can¡¯t walk, Aileen¡­


    Daphne¡¯s voice I heard 7 years ago vividly came to my mind. Voices that I didn¡¯t know if they were hallucinations or real passed through my ears.


    My heart was beating so fast as if it was about to explode. My hands were shaking and I was sweating.


    That was when I bowed my head.


    A large shadow came and stood in front of me. As if embracing a small me, the shadow that spread out in front of me.


    Slowly raising my head, I held my breath. Sebastian Hughes. He had approached me. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and held it to me.


    ¡°Are you okay, Princess?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    It felt like his words touched my skin vividly. All the voices and eyes that passed my ears and eyes seemed to disappear.


    I looked around. People would glance at this place, but as usual, they were dancing and chatting.


    And I realized, it was the first time someone spoke to me in this banquet hall.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry. I have committed some disrespect.¡±


    Sebastian said as if he was doing something wrong when I didn¡¯t accept the handkerchief. I said urgently to him as he was putting the handkerchief away.


    I took the handkerchief.


    ¡°No, no¡­..Thank you.¡±


    When I reached out, Sebastian smiled a little and held out the handkerchief again. The moment the handkerchief touched my hand, a hot sensation spread. Sebastian¡¯s hand touched mine. Our eyes met.


    That moment, I will never forget. His amber eyes staring at me. His beautiful face facing me. The first and last time I heard his sweet voice.The existence of a person named Sebastian who was the only one who approached me, a lonely floating island. It was the first time in my life when I was greedy.


    ****


    ¡°I want to marry Sebastian Hughes.¡±


    When I came home after the banquet, for the first time in 7 years, I said what I wanted to do again.


    My parents looked at me blankly. For the first time, a daughter who lost the use of her legs and acted as if she had given up her life, wanted something.


    It was a desire expressed by saying that he wanted something.


    Mother began to cry.


    Wanting something means to have meaning to continue life. At least for me and my parents, Sebastian Hughes meant a lot.


    After crying for a long time, mother wiped her tears and said to father.


    ¡°Let¡¯s have a chat with Count Hughes right away tomorrow, honey.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Madam. I will prepare for the marriage proposal right away tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°What if he refuses? Maybe he doesn¡¯t like me because of my legs..¡­ ¡±


    First, I requested marriage, but I became timid. He and I met at the ball only one time. Other than the handkerchief he gave me, a point of contact that may have been just meaningless kindness, there was no interaction between us.


    Yes, kindness that may not mean much.


    Sebastian showed me the kindness that others would have passed. At the banquet, where everyone was busy whispering and no one approached me. He saved me from a nightmare, and he was the only one who came to me. Maybe it was a natural process for me to fall in love with him?


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my daughter. Of course, Count Hughes will accept our proposal.¡±


    My father said as if to be relieved.


    ¡°You are the only princess in the empire. No other family in the Empire would hesitate to engage in a marriage affair on the grounds that your legs are not working. So you should be confident.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Aileen. You don¡¯t have to worry too much. You¡¯re going to marry the man you mentioned somehow.¡±


    My mother also said in a tone of reassurance. I immediately nodded and my cheeks turned red. I thought everyone would agree to the marriage of course.


    However.


    ¡°What is this¡­¡­!¡±


    My parents let out a gasp. Less than a day after the marriage proposal was sent, the reply returned by the messenger contained a clear intention of refusal.


    My parents were outraged. A Count who dared to reject the proposal of the only duke family in the empire. Sebastian Hughes who dared to reject their daughter.


    I thought in the meantime. Why did Sebastian refuse to marry me?


    Is it because of my legs?


    ¡­.I guess so.


    I was disappointed. Then why did he show me kindness? Why did he hand me the handkerchief? If it was a meaningless kindness, it would have been better if he hadn¡¯t done it, but it would have been better if he hadn¡¯t approached me no matter how I looked like.


    I thought that was the end of my relationship with Sebastian. But that wasn¡¯t all.


    Yes, the tragedy probably started then.


    ***


    [The Hughes family is facing bankruptcy]


    Shortly after Count Hughes refused to marry the daughter of Duke Lowell, a large article appeared in the newspaper. I looked at it with a curious expression. My parents, standing next to me, said with a proud face.


    ¡°We told you not to worry, Aileen. Now, Count Hughes will not be able to avoid the marriage proposal that our family had offered.¡±


    My parents were crazy about me. Rather than dying, they feared that their daughter¡¯s will for life, which was shown after 7 years, would be broken.


    My parents began to take away everything from Count Hughes, one by one, by any means possible. In their hearts, there was resentment towards the Hughes family, who dared to refuse the Duke¡¯s proposal, and there was also a trick to drive Sebastian into a corner and make him unable to get married to anyone else.


    I was confused, but at the same time expected. So I didn¡¯t stop my parents. There was always hope. If only I could keep Sebastian by my side. If only I could spend the rest of my life with that brilliant man.


    It was when Sebastian came to see me that I felt something was going wrong.


    ¡°Why are you doing this to our family, Princess?¡±


    When I met Sebastian¡¯s eyes, it felt like a heavy stone dropped on my heart.


    He had a completely different look from when he handed me the handkerchief.


    The eyes of the person who watched helplessly as everything around him was ruined looked like he was standing in front of a cliff. There was also resentment towards me.


    ¡°Recently, my family business has been in turmoil to a strange extent, so I looked into it. Everything had to do with the Duke. My parents are having a hard time. So I came here myself. I think it¡¯s probably because of me.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Please restore our family to its original state. What am I supposed to do?¡±


    ¡°It will end when you accept the marriage proposal.¡±


    I did not necessarily deny the Duke¡¯s atrocities. Instead, I asked him for it.


    ¡°Please stay by my side, Young master. If you do that, I will restore everything to its original state. Although my physical condition is not very healthy, I think it is not a bad condition considering the status of a Duke.¡±


    I pulled out something very carefully. It was the handkerchief I received from Sebastian that day.


    ¡°That day¡­ Thank you for the handkerchief. It was a very embarrassing moment, but your kindness saved me from that nightmare moment.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I want you to stay by my side from now on. I know it¡¯s going to sound ridiculous. But¡­. I fell in love with you that day.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    It was a confession that seemed impossible for a princess, but it was also the sincere confession I could make toward him at that moment.


    Sebastian was my only savior. He was the only person who made me want to open my heart to someone again since the day I accidentally overheard Daphne¡¯s mockery and cut off all social activities. The handkerchief he gave me meant that much.


    But Sebastian looked at me with an incomprehensible expression. He turned his head and thought for a moment. Then he let out a dejected laugh. As if he finally realized that the cause of all this was the handkerchief he had given me.


    He turned to me.


    ¡°Princess. I¡¯m sorry, but this won¡¯t change my decision.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    There was firmness in his voice. I asked in a trembling voice.


    ¡°The reason I refused to marry the princess is not because of her legs.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ Why are you refusing to marry the Duke¡¯s daughter? It would never be a bad condition.¡±


    He looked at me. His eyes seemed to measure my reaction for a moment, then he opened his mouth.


    ¡°I have someone else I love.¡±


    ¡°¡­.!¡±


    I looked at him blankly. It was clearly a tone of confidence about his love. When I heard those words, the first thing I felt was despair and helplessness. It felt as if I had met a barrier that could never be crossed.


    ¡°So I will never marry the princess. The handkerchief was just my kindness, so don¡¯t be mistaken.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I think this is enough of an answer. Please restore my family to its original state.¡±


    After he spoke coldly, he turned and walked away. Looking at his back, I bit my lip. It was miserable.


    It was even more so when I found out after a while that the woman he loved was a maid working for his family.

 Chapter 3

    ***


    A few days later, I was looking at the portrait in front of me.


    A woman¡¯s face was painted in the portrait. The woman had dark skin and curly hair.


    Bianca Clay.


    It was the name of the maid who worked in Sebastian¡¯s mansion. And it was the woman he loved.


    I let out a futile breath. I wondered if there was a reason Sebastian was in love with her, and I¡¯m sorry to say that she wasn¡¯t a particularly great-looking woman.


    So it was even more miserable.


    I put the portrait down on the desk, biting my lips. Said the maid, who was standing next to me and looking at the portrait.


    ¡°Give the order. Princess.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°The princess is the one who can make Lord Sebastian hers with just one command.¡±


    Her words echoed in my ears.


    I know what that means. It meant that all the procedural preparations were done to make Sebastian mine.


    Perhaps my parents had completed all preparations to disintegrate the Hughes family as soon as I gave them the last order.


    And give them the last chance so that their beloved daughter can win Sebastian on her own.


    That was how Duke Lowell worked.


    To be honest, I couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to it. With just one command to ¡®execute¡¯, I can have Sebastian, the brilliant man by my side.


    But.


    ¡°No¡­.¡±


    I shook my head.


    Sebastian was someone I wanted to have by my side, but at the same time, he was also a person who had a precious meaning to me. A person who once again made me want to believe in humans.


    I do want him to regret the moment he handed me a handkerchief as a favor.


    He had someone he loved, so I couldn¡¯t do anything anymore.


    He was like a forbidden fruit. It¡¯s sweet, but once you bite into it, it can¡¯t be reversed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to bother Sebastian. Because it¡¯s also a way of love. Tell your parents so.¡±


    I refused to give such an order. Determined to give up, to forget him, and to endure alone.


    Shortly thereafter, I began to feel sick. The fever of first love came.


    ***


    The doctor was examining my body as I was breathing heavily.


    I lay down on the bed, looking sideways, sweating profusely and letting out light moans.


    ¡°There is no particular pain¡­ .¡±


    After the examination, the doctor removed the stethoscope and said with a puzzled expression. It was the same answer. Not one or two doctors have come to me since I started having a fever, but everyone said so.


    ¡°Aileen¡­ ¡±


    My mother looked at me with a look as if she was about to cry.


    In fact, everyone in this mansion knew. That my fever was because of Sebastian. The more I heard that there was no specific pain, the more certain the cause of all this was.


    ¡®It hurts.¡¯


    It hurt. The feeling of first love that I experienced for the first time in my 18 years of life was terrible.


    My vision was blurred. Many times a day, my head turns white. In the dream, the image of Sebastian appeared. Even with my eyes closed or opened, only the image of him dancing passed by.


    Wouldn¡¯t I die trapped in an illusion like this? I thought like that. What more should I do here? I didn¡¯t know. I just held out, erased, looked at his image that came to mind again, and then repeated erasing.


    My body was slowly approaching its limits.


    I lost my consciousness again.


    That was why I didn¡¯t see my parents nodding their heads firmly at each other.


    A few days later, a guest came to the mansion. To be precise, I witnessed a woman arguing at the entrance of the mansion.


    It was the day I went outside after a long time because my fever had gone down. When the doctor told me that I needed to get some fresh air from time to time, I took the wheelchair and went for a walk in the garden.


    Breathing in the fresh air with a pale face and parched lips, I heard a rumble coming from the entrance.


    ¡°Please let me meet Princess Aileen. I have something to tell her!¡±


    As I approached the sudden commotion, a familiar face stood out.


    A face I had seen in the portrait. Bianca Clay. The maid that Sebastian loved.


    ¡°¡­Bianca?¡±


    Without realizing it, I called out the woman¡¯s name.


    Bianca, who was having a fight with the knights in front of the mansion, found me and ran to me, shaking off the knights.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the work of the princess? Why does the princess bother Sebastian?¡±


    Bianca started questioning me, a princess, without even saying hello.


    Her eyes were shaking as if she was about to cry.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    I felt a strange intuition.


    So the circumstances that led to Bianca being allowed into the mansion were shocking.


    Count Hughes eventually lost all his status and property and became a fallen nobleman. And Bianca said that she couldn¡¯t work anywhere. That no one in the Empire would accept her.


    ¡°Why are you pretending not to know anything? Isn¡¯t that what the princess did?¡±


    I quietly looked to the side. The maid was watching the whole situation with a frightened face.


    Should I say I was glad that my parents were away from the mansion for a while?


    ¡°Bring the newspaper.¡±


    When I looked at the newspaper, the downfall of Count Hughes was featured in the newspaper. I let out a sigh. Only then did I realize something big had happened while I was sick.


    The last order, someone ended up giving it.


    I closed the newspaper with a sad heart.


    I looked at Bianca.


    It occurred to me that no consolation or excuses would work for her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡­ ¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no use tormenting us like that, Princess.¡±


    I was about to give an apology, Bianca¡¯s firm voice resounded.


    ¡°Even if you torment me like that, my heart for Sebastian won¡¯t change.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    I stopped talking and looked at her.


    Bianca Clay. The woman Sebastian loved.


    Bianca, who had no place to live after the collapse of the family she worked for, looked shabby.


    However, her eyes were clear when they were looking straight into my eyes. Contrary to the plain appearance depicted in the portrait, she had the charm that captured people¡¯s hearts. It was easy to understand why Sebastian loved her.


    I looked at her carefully.


    Sharp, clear black eyes. Smooth dark skin. Two healthy legs.


    Her vitality.


    It happened in an instant. What made me madly envious.


    ¡°Sebastian loves me. I also love Sebastian with all my heart.¡± (Bianca)


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°So don¡¯t bother us anymore. The Princess¡¯ actions cannot affect us in any way¡­¡­ I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything more to bother about.¡±


    Every word she said and the way she proudly called Sebastian by name. The flapping of her wings desperately for her love. Although everything felt beautiful, it strangely twisted my mind.


    When she finished speaking, my expression turned sullen.


    Bianca got up and turned away without greeting.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I looked at her back as she moved away, and ordered the maid next to me to do something.


    After some time, Sebastian married me.


    ***


    ¡°I said we should divorce.¡±


    Back to the present. When I finished reminiscing, there was a small smile on my lips. I lifted my head and looked at my parents.


    ¡°This marriage, I said to end it first.¡±


    ¡°Aileen, did you bring up divorce in the first place?¡±


    My parents¡¯ eyes widened. They looked at each other as if confused. By this time, my parents seemed to have noticed a huge change in my heart.


    My father, who had just been venting his anger towards Sebastian just before, calmed down.


    ¡°We don¡¯t understand, Aileen. Why did you change all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ¡­ I just wanted to give up on everything.¡±


    Five years ago, I chose to eat the forbidden fruit.


    To force Sebastian to stay by my side. I ended up making a bloody choice that was down to the bloodline of the Duke Lowell that I had inherited.


    But yesterday, as I saw him celebrating our fourth wedding anniversary, I thought of that. Sebastian will go on to buy a cake every year on our wedding anniversary, leave work early, and have a celebration with me.


    He despised me, but he loved Bianca just that much. For her sake, he always obeyed me and listened to me.


    Year after year, every time, maybe until the day I die, this situation will remain the same.


    ¡­ What does it mean?


    I realized the truth I had been ignoring the whole time. That he was not the one to be with me after all.


    There was no way he could ever love me. The consideration that seemed to be towards me at first glance was not towards me in the end, and that everything was just my greed.


    The thought of ending it was impulsive.


    For Sebastian, for me.


    Yes, for all of us.


    ¡°It was just an empty marital relationship anyway. I don¡¯t want to continue that kind of relationship anymore.¡±


    ¡°Aileen¡­¡±


    My mother looked like she was about to cry.


    She seemed to be worried about the fact that I, who had given up the string of life called Sebastian, might lose the meaning of life again.


    Well, when I think about it, I fully understood the feelings of my parents. All this time, I was the daughter who acted as if I would die right away without Sebastian. If such a daughter suddenly changed her feelings and announced that she would divorce Sebastian, who wouldn¡¯t be worried about their daughter?


    ¡°Instead, there is something I want to tell you¡­ .¡±


    But I also didn¡¯t want to lose all meaning like this this time. I said with a bright smile.


    ¡°The Duke¡¯s title, please pass on to me. I think the time has come.¡±


    The parents¡¯ eyes widened.


    I was going to find my way and live.

 Chapter 4

    ***


    02. The owner of the empty cage


    ***


    Silence passed. It seemed that the surprised feelings of my parents were conveyed through the expression on their faces.


    My parents blinked their eyes for a long time because they couldn¡¯t believe what came out of my mouth.


    More than a divorce, it was a declaration of succession to the dukedom. They would never have dared to think that their daughter would say this.


    How much time has passed?


    My father¡¯s cautious question echoed through me.


    ¡°Aileen, are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s our family I have to inherit anyway. There is no one else who will have more rights to inherit it but me.¡±


    I nodded.


    ¡°Sebastian is a knight, and after all, he doesn¡¯t fit the position of the Duke.¡±


    The Duke¡¯s title was supposed to be for Sebastian.


    My parents protected me with the utmost sincerity. After I lost the use of my legs and was heartbroken, they didn¡¯t want to pass on any hard work to me. To the extent that they decided to hand over the position of the head of the household to their son-in-law.


    ¡°My legs just don¡¯t move, I¡¯m not mentally ill. I just didn¡¯t go to the academy. I had also completed my formal education. Most of all, I never said I didn¡¯t want to be a head of the household.¡±


    ¡°But Aileen, that¡¯s¡­ ¡±


    ¡°I am confident that I will do well. Please give me the Duke¡¯s title.¡±


    My mother looked at me, unable to speak anymore at my firm voice.


    When I was young, I thought that I would like to follow my father and inherit the position and rule this duchy well. I was once a child with a dream. I didn¡¯t want to give up on it now just because my legs weren¡¯t perfect.


    And if there was ever a suitable time to claim the position, it would be now.


    I bit my lip and looked at my father. My father looked at me silently without answering, and was lost in thought.


    He opened his mouth.


    ¡°After the divorce proceedings are completed, I will schedule a succession to the dukedom.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    My eyes grew round. My mother looked at my father as if confused.


    ¡°Honey, are you really going to give Aileen the seat¡­¡±


    ¡°Aileen is right, madam.¡±


    My father¡¯s answer followed. His eyes were firmly on me.


    ¡°Our daughter is also strong enough to rule the duke family.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s trust our daughter. It is the best thing for the family to have Aileen follow us and become the head of the household.¡±


    My father seemed to feel a different power than before in my stubborn attitude. And my father¡¯s feelings were certainly right. Because I, too, felt the change that was taking place within me. A different form of me than I used to be.


    ¡°Thank you, Father.¡±


    I smiled. My life was turning like that in a different direction.


    ***


    Shortly thereafter, a letter arrived from Sebastian.


    [Serif Inn Room 304, the divorce papers here, and tell me where Bianca is.]


    A letter in which only the business was written without any greetings. It was still a hard tone.


    I had a laugh that came out of nowhere. He left me safely. In the meantime, the letter with only a brief description of the purpose truly like him, Sebastian.


    Said the maid standing next to me.


    ¡°If it¡¯s the Serif Inn, it¡¯s not too far from here. Surprisingly, he gave the address.¡±


    ¡­ Sebastian has a slightly naive side. He must have known that we could follow him if we wanted to.


    Besides, it was the relationship I let go of first. So he didn¡¯t think I was going to do something strange all of a sudden. I also had the same thoughts as his expectations.


    Of course, it was bittersweet that the request that he made as soon as he found a place to live and asked for Bianca¡¯s whereabouts.


    Five years ago, I ordered the maid while watching Bianca¡¯s back as she left the room after she said everything she wanted to say.


    ¡®Catch that woman.¡¯


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Bianca looked at me in surprise.


    It was the same with the maid. Not everyone seemed to think I could do something like this. As I watched the knights arresting her, Bianca¡¯s eyes were full of resentment towards me.


    So I kidnapped Bianca.


    Bianca was sent to a place where Sebastian would never find it. Supervised and confined all of her life. Of course, she had food and lived in moderation.


    My hands were shaking. It was the first time I did something myself. Something that even my parents didn¡¯t plan for. In the end, the misery of choosing to eat the forbidden fruit came over me.


    But at the same time, there was also a rising expectation. I was sure Sebastian would come to respond somehow. Sebastian, who had been wandering around looking for Bianca for several days, finally came to see me.


    I thought he would be angry, but he knelt in front of me.


    ¡°I will marry the Princess.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Please return Bianca. Don¡¯t bother people around me anymore.¡±


    Sebastian began to cry with a pale face. As if the hardships that he had been through have exploded. He approached my feet and bowed his head. With trembling hands, he placed a large hand on top of my shoe.


    ¡°Please¡­.¡±


    I looked at him quietly. A massive figure was lying completely at my feet.


    It was a gesture of defeat to me. In the end, it was his submissive action to accept my proposal.


    I bit my lips. Seeing him lying face down in front of me made my heart ache. But I didn¡¯t dare to experience that feeling. In the end, I made the choice as a member of the Lowell family. I took away everything from Sebastian.


    I decided to be satisfied. Let¡¯s be satisfied with how he, who had maintained his noble pride, eventually collapsed and sobbed under my feet. In the end, let¡¯s not regret my decision to keep Sebastian next to me.


    In fact, it was somewhat satisfying. It was the story before the wedding.


    ¡­..Yes, it was like that then.


    Being immersed in the sentiment, I let out a cynical smile.


    ¡°Send the divorce papers to the address. As soon as possible, the succession to the Dukedom can be obtained only after the divorce proceedings are completed.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will send the documents within today.¡±


    ¡°¡­.And turn off the surveillance on Bianca. Tell Sebastian where Bianca is.¡±


    The divorce papers were prepared in advance. I also finished my signature. Sebastian only had to sign it. In fact, in the Empire, especially the divorce of high-ranking nobles like me, the Emperor¡¯s permission was required. But the Emperor said he didn¡¯t like me marrying Sebastian from the beginning, so he easily agreed to the divorce.


    My divorce no longer had a disturbing factor.


    ¡­In the end, was my heart the problem?


    Was it my stubbornness that made my relationship with Sebastian Hughes last this long?


    I suddenly thought of that and smiled bitterly. I should have let him go earlier, because it was a relationship that I was holding on to alone foolishly.


    From the beginning, this unrequited love was started by myself.


    I was moved by his kindness alone, I fell in love with him alone, and I wanted him alone.


    I forced him to stay with me, even though I knew he had a lover.


    In fact, he had never smiled at me sincerely.


    I didn¡¯t want to live like that anymore. It was a time of great change in my life.


    ¡°Oh, and¡­.¡±


    I said to the maid who was about to leave the room.


    ¡°Will you have a carriage ready tomorrow morning? I have a place to go.¡±


    ***


    The next day, I was heading somewhere in a carriage.


    I told my parents that I wanted to go get some fresh air.


    Remembering my recent changes, my parents gladly allowed me to go out. They said I must have a lot of worries and thoughts, so enjoy my outings.


    The carriage went up the mountain. It was full of magical energy. The shadows of the green trees cast over the carriage. A gentle breeze blew and the leaves clashed and there was a rustling sound. It was mysterious, but also gloomy at the same time.


    As if sensing a huge change in fate approaching me.


    The carriage arrived at the top of the mountain. I opened the door and got out of the carriage with the help of the maid. The wheelchair touched the ground. When I looked up, I saw a small hut.


    ¡°Are you really okay, Princess?¡±


    The maid knew that my outings had no light purpose. She asked if I was sure to enter the hut.


    I looked at the maid, and nodded.


    ¡°Yes. it¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°But¡­..¡±


    The maid had a confused expression on her face. She looked like she was wondering if it would be okay to let me enter the hut. I said in a reassuring tone to the maid.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, you don¡¯t have to worry too much. I just want to talk.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Even talking is strictly prohibited by law. Do you know?¡±


    Of course I knew. As I nodded, the maid knew I was aware of the seriousness of the situation, so she meekly followed me.


    She pushed the wheelchair into the hut. The knight knocked and opened the door to the hut.


    As we entered, the scenery inside the hut caught my eyes. Hanging ornaments, dolls in the corner, candles lit on the desk.


    They were gathered in various places in the room, creating a mysterious and heavy energy.


    And over a dimly flickering candle, a woman was sitting with her eyes closed.


    ****


    *the woman is not Bianca, by the way.

 Chapter 5

    ****


    ¡°You are finally here.¡±


    The woman closed her eyes and spoke in a spirited tone, as if she was receiving a divine message.


    ¡°¡­ Did you know I was coming?¡±


    ¡°I had a feeling something very big was coming. But it must be the princess of the Empire¡­¡±


    The woman opened her eyes. Through curly hair, mysterious purple eyes stared at me.


    ¡°It is a great honor to meet the Princess of the Empire.¡±


    I rolled the wheelchair. I slowly approached her and sat across from her. Behind me, an escort knight and a maid stood side by side. Silence passed. I looked into her purple eyes and spoke with a firm voice.


    ¡°¡­ I came here to fix my legs.¡±


    After the wagon accident a long time ago, I¡¯ve used so many ways to fix my legs. But there was only one way I didn¡¯t use. Magic.


    This was forbidden by imperial law. The Empire considered the existence of witchcraft as a realm of darkness. As a result, the sorcerers received guests where they lived without revealing themselves.


    At the time, my father wanted to heal my legs, even using forbidden magic, but my mother objected. Afterwards, my father told me the residence of the sorcerer whom he had secretly entrusted with the commission. He added that if one day I want to fix my legs, I can visit the sorcerer myself.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be easy since I had an accident a long time ago, but¡­ Can you take a look at my legs?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If only these legs could be fixed¡­ I can handle anything.¡±


    My throat burned. My heart raced. It was an easy word, but it was never easy.


    Ever since I lost the use of my legs, I dreamed every night. Dream of walking around the world with healthy legs. Dream of going out in front of people again. A dream of returning to the perfect princess, Aileen Lowell.


    When I opened my eyes, hell came. I didn¡¯t want to wake up from my dream. It¡¯s okay to die, so there were days when I desperately wanted to feel those healthy legs again.


    It was still the same today.


    ¡°I can really feel the earnestness of the Princess ¡­.You have endured a very painful life for many years.¡±


    The sorceress narrowed her eyes. As if she understood the pain I was in, she spoke in a very friendly tone.


    She got up from her seat. As the purple eyes turned to my legs, I flinched involuntarily. It was not always pleasant to see people¡¯s eyes on my legs.


    ¡°Can I check the princess¡¯s legs for a moment?¡±


    At the next resounding voice, I withdrew my watchful gaze. I straightened my back. I pushed the wheelchair closer towards her.


    The sorceress smiled as if feeling my courage, and placed her hand on my legs.


    She closed her eyes and began to concentrate. The area of the thigh where her hand touched was warm. I bit my lip.


    How much time has passed? The sorceress¡¯ eyes widened. I asked her with a trembling heart.


    ¡°Can you fix them?¡±


    ¡°Magic can kill people. So it¡¯s nothing if it¡¯s just fixing the legs.¡±


    She continued to talk while my heart was brightened with hope.


    ¡°But, it seems that there was a major accident at the time. It¡¯s the legs with no regenerative potential.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ¡­ That¡¯s right. It was a big accident at the time. A large carriage rolled off a cliff.¡±


    I closed my eyes unconsciously as I remembered the accident at the time. It was a trauma.


    The feeling of the huge carriage plummeting down the cliff. The moment when my eyes became dark. I fainted before I hit the ground, and when I woke up, my legs were paralyzed.


    Ha. I exhaled.


    When she saw that I was struggling, the maid who was standing behind me said with a firm voice.


    ¡°The Princess has a hard time remembering the accident. Please refrain from saying anything that stimulates what happened at the time.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to remind you of the trauma¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    I raised my hand and stopped the maid. When I opened my eyes, I saw the space inside the cabin again.


    The maid¡¯s worried eyes reached me. I ignored the gaze and continued speaking to the sorceress.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. My legs have no chance of regenerating. That¡¯s what all the doctors said.¡±


    I should be grateful that only my legs were injured.


    The doctors all told me so. I should be glad I didn¡¯t lose my life. Losing the use of my legs should be considered a miracle.


    I lost my legs. Everyone said so.


    ¡°But losing my legs was the greatest shame and disgrace of my life. It¡¯s still the same.¡±


    I was the most noble princess in the empire. I was a person who caught people¡¯s attention wherever I went just by being there. When the gazes of those who were young in awe and respect turned to compassion and sympathy, I felt a deep shame.


    ¡°I am desperate. Even after a long time, I came to this place to fix my legs again.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°So, don¡¯t change the subject and talk properly. Tell me I have not taken a vain step.¡±


    My tone had become a little sharper, but the sorceress seemed to be somewhat satisfied with my appearance.


    It seemed that there were some bold emotions mixed in it. She was proud of the fact that the princess, who had hidden the mansion for a long time with her back to the world, came to visit her to fix her legs.


    Silence passed. How much time has passed? The sorceress blinked her purple eyes and opened her mouth.


    ¡°As a result, it is possible to fix the princess¡¯s legs. However, in this case, there is a price.¡±


    ¡°A price¡­?¡±


    I opened my eyes sharply. One eyebrow raised. What does that mean?


    ¡°Yes. The price for fixing the princess¡¯s non-renewable legs.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­ I don¡¯t understand. Why exactly should I pay? If it¡¯s money, I have a lot.¡±


    I wondered if she was talking about money, but I had an intuition that the price she was talking about wasn¡¯t just about money. I asked with a slurred speech and the sorceress kindly explained.


    ¡°Magic is the power to deal with fate. In order to change the fate of the princess¡¯s legs, the princess must sacrifice her own fates.¡±


    Like that. The price I had to pay was fate.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ anything is good. What other fates do I have to give up?¡±


    ¡°I have to ask that. In fact, you will have to pay a fee from here, but¡­¡­ . You¡¯re a special guest, so I¡¯ll find out first.¡±


    The sorceress smiled playfully, then seriously closed her eyes and put her hands together. She started to focus. Like feeling some kind of energy, feeling the existence of something magical.


    I stared at her silently. A mysterious energy seemed to flow around her.


    At some point. The wind blew gently inside the enclosed cabin. my hair fluttered. The ornaments hung around the cabin also fluttered with a jingling sound. The wind blew out some of the candles on the desk.


    The wind stopped. She opened her eyes and looked at the candles on the desk. Three candles were out.


    The next moment, her purple eyes turned towards me. She said in silence.


    ¡°Three tragedies will come to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Three tragedies?¡±


    I looked at the three candles that were out. The rising smoke gave off a pungent smell.


    ¡°In exchange for fixing the princess¡¯s legs, three tragedies that will change her life will occur. That¡¯s what fate said.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I see. After hesitating for a while, I opened my mouth.


    ¡°Can we know in advance what the three tragedies are?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t predict that. If I tell you, wouldn¡¯t it be too boring from the point of view of fate?¡±


    That meant that I had to choose whether to trade my legs for three unpredictable tragedies.


    I was in trouble. The carriage accident was a tragic event that had already changed my life once.


    When I think about it calmly, living with these legs was right. Rather than going through three incidents that might have the same impact as a carriage accident to fix the legs, it would be a better choice just to live with it.


    Knowing that I was in deep trouble, the sorceress spoke to me in a soothing tone.


    ¡°If you make a decision, I can always fix your legs. Of course, you don¡¯t have to make a decision right away. You have enough time to think slowly¡­.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    But I answered before the sorceress could finish her words.


    The worries were already over.


    ¡°Okay. I accept it.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I will accept three tragedies, so heal my legs. Right now.¡±


    ***


    The sorceress packed up some magic-related supplies and led us out of the cabin.


    I followed her silently, leaning in the wheelchair pushed by the maid.


    We walked for a while and a small vacant lot appeared. It was a vacant lot where the surrounding trees pierced the sky.


    ¡°Wait a minute.¡±


    The sorceress told us to wait and went to the middle of the vacant lot alone and began to draw something on the ground. At first glance, it seemed that she was creating a space for the magic.


    As I was looking at it with a curious mind, I heard the maid¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Are you really okay with it, Princess?¡±

 Chapter 6

    ****


    ¡°You are finally here.¡±


    The woman closed her eyes and spoke in a spirited tone, as if she was receiving a divine message.


    ¡°¡­ Did you know I was coming?¡±


    ¡°I had a feeling something very big was coming. But it must be the princess of the Empire¡­¡±


    The woman opened her eyes. Through curly hair, mysterious purple eyes stared at me.


    ¡°It is a great honor to meet the Princess of the Empire.¡±


    I rolled the wheelchair. I slowly approached her and sat across from her. Behind me, an escort knight and a maid stood side by side. Silence passed. I looked into her purple eyes and spoke with a firm voice.


    ¡°¡­ I came here to fix my legs.¡±


    After the wagon accident a long time ago, I¡¯ve used so many ways to fix my legs. But there was only one way I didn¡¯t use. Magic.


    This was forbidden by imperial law. The Empire considered the existence of witchcraft as a realm of darkness. As a result, the sorcerers received guests where they lived without revealing themselves.


    At the time, my father wanted to heal my legs, even using forbidden magic, but my mother objected. Afterwards, my father told me the residence of the sorcerer whom he had secretly entrusted with the commission. He added that if one day I want to fix my legs, I can visit the sorcerer myself.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be easy since I had an accident a long time ago, but¡­ Can you take a look at my legs?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If only these legs could be fixed¡­ I can handle anything.¡±


    My throat burned. My heart raced. It was an easy word, but it was never easy.


    Ever since I lost the use of my legs, I dreamed every night. Dream of walking around the world with healthy legs. Dream of going out in front of people again. A dream of returning to the perfect princess, Aileen Lowell.


    When I opened my eyes, hell came. I didn¡¯t want to wake up from my dream. It¡¯s okay to die, so there were days when I desperately wanted to feel those healthy legs again.


    It was still the same today.


    ¡°I can really feel the earnestness of the Princess ¡­.You have endured a very painful life for many years.¡±


    The sorceress narrowed her eyes. As if she understood the pain I was in, she spoke in a very friendly tone.


    She got up from her seat. As the purple eyes turned to my legs, I flinched involuntarily. It was not always pleasant to see people¡¯s eyes on my legs.


    ¡°Can I check the princess¡¯s legs for a moment?¡±


    At the next resounding voice, I withdrew my watchful gaze. I straightened my back. I pushed the wheelchair closer towards her.


    The sorceress smiled as if feeling my courage, and placed her hand on my legs.


    She closed her eyes and began to concentrate. The area of ??the thigh where her hand touched was warm. I bit my lip.


    How much time has passed? The sorceress¡¯ eyes widened. I asked her with a trembling heart.


    ¡°Can you fix them?¡±


    ¡°Magic can kill people. So it¡¯s nothing if it¡¯s just fixing the legs.¡±


    She continued to talk while my heart was brightened with hope.


    ¡°But, it seems that there was a major accident at the time. It¡¯s the legs with no regenerative potential.¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ ¡­ That¡¯s right. It was a big accident at the time. A large carriage rolled off a cliff.¡±


    I closed my eyes unconsciously as I remembered the accident at the time. It was a trauma.


    The feeling of the huge carriage plummeting down the cliff. The moment when my eyes became dark. I fainted before I hit the ground, and when I woke up, my legs were paralyzed.


    Ha. I exhaled.


    When she saw that I was struggling, the maid who was standing behind me said with a firm voice.


    ¡°The Princess has a hard time remembering the accident. Please refrain from saying anything that stimulates what happened at the time.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to remind you of the trauma¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    I raised my hand and stopped the maid. When I opened my eyes, I saw the space inside the cabin again.


    The maid¡¯s worried eyes reached me. I ignored the gaze and continued speaking to the sorceress.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. My legs have no chance of regenerating. That¡¯s what all the doctors said.¡±


    I should be grateful that only my legs were injured.


    The doctors all told me so. I should be glad I didn¡¯t lose my life. Losing the use of my legs should be considered a miracle.


    I lost my legs. Everyone said so.


    ¡°But losing my legs was the greatest shame and disgrace of my life. It¡¯s still the same.¡±


    I was the most noble princess in the empire. I was a person who caught people¡¯s attention wherever I went just by being there. When the gazes of those who were young in awe and respect turned to compassion and sympathy, I felt a deep shame.


    ¡°I am desperate. Even after a long time, I came to this place to fix my legs again.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°So, don¡¯t change the subject and talk properly. Tell me I have not taken a vain step.¡±


    My tone had become a little sharper, but the sorceress seemed to be somewhat satisfied with my appearance.


    It seemed that there were some bold emotions mixed in it. She was proud of the fact that the princess, who had hidden the mansion for a long time with her back to the world, came to visit her to fix her legs.


    Silence passed. How much time has passed? The sorceress blinked her purple eyes and opened her mouth.


    ¡°As a result, it is possible to fix the princess¡¯s legs. However, in this case, there is a price.¡±


    ¡°A price¡­?¡±


    I opened my eyes sharply. One eyebrow raised. What does that mean?


    ¡°Yes. The price for fixing the princess¡¯s non-renewable legs.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­ I don¡¯t understand. Why exactly should I pay? If it¡¯s money, I have a lot.¡±


    I wondered if she was talking about money, but I had an intuition that the price she was talking about wasn¡¯t just about money. I asked with a slurred speech and the sorceress kindly explained.


    ¡°Magic is the power to deal with fate. In order to change the fate of the princess¡¯s legs, the princess must sacrifice her own fates.¡±


    Like that. The price I had to pay was fate.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ anything is good. What other fates do I have to give up?¡±


    ¡°I have to ask that. In fact, you will have to pay a fee from here, but¡­¡­ . You¡¯re a special guest, so I¡¯ll find out first.¡±


    The sorceress smiled playfully, then seriously closed her eyes and put her hands together. She started to focus. Like feeling some kind of energy, feeling the existence of something magical.


    I stared at her silently. A mysterious energy seemed to flow around her.


    At some point. The wind blew gently inside the enclosed cabin. my hair fluttered. The ornaments hung around the cabin also fluttered with a jingling sound. The wind blew out some of the candles on the desk.


    The wind stopped. She opened her eyes and looked at the candles on the desk. Three candles were out.


    The next moment, her purple eyes turned towards me. She said in silence.


    ¡°Three tragedies will come to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Three tragedies?¡±


    I looked at the three candles that were out. The rising smoke gave off a pungent smell.


    ¡°In exchange for fixing the princess¡¯s legs, three tragedies that will change her life will occur. That¡¯s what fate said.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I see. After hesitating for a while, I opened my mouth.


    ¡°Can we know in advance what the three tragedies are?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t predict that. If I tell you, wouldn¡¯t it be too boring from the point of view of fate?¡±


    That meant that I had to choose whether to trade my legs for three unpredictable tragedies.


    I was in trouble. The carriage accident was a tragic event that had already changed my life once.


    When I think about it calmly, living with these legs was right. Rather than going through three incidents that might have the same impact as a carriage accident to fix the legs, it would be a better choice just to live with it.


    Knowing that I was in deep trouble, the sorceress spoke to me in a soothing tone.


    ¡°If you make a decision, I can always fix your legs. Of course, you don¡¯t have to make a decision right away. You have enough time to think slowly¡­.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    But I answered before the sorceress could finish her words.


    The worries were already over.


    ¡°Okay. I accept it.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I will accept three tragedies, so heal my legs. Right now.¡±


    ***


    The sorceress packed up some magic-related supplies and led us out of the cabin.


    I followed her silently, leaning in the wheelchair pushed by the maid.


    We walked for a while and a small vacant lot appeared. It was a vacant lot where the surrounding trees pierced the sky.


    ¡°Wait a minute.¡±


    The sorceress told us to wait and went to the middle of the vacant lot alone and began to draw something on the ground. At first glance, it seemed that she was creating a space for the magic.


    As I was looking at it with a curious mind, I heard the maid¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Are you really okay with it, Princess?¡±

 Chapter 7

    ***


    ¡°Are you really okay, Princess?¡±


    It was a worried voice. I turned around and saw the maid looking ahead, biting her lips.


    ¡°Why? Are you worried that I¡¯m trying to use magic?¡±


    Of course, there was a sudden request for magic. Because I was only going to get counseling today. However, the moment I heard about the possibility of my legs being restored, I had no intention of stopping this quest.


    ¡°If the law is a concern, don¡¯t worry too much, we¡¯ve already done enough against the law. Besides, that sorceress is someone my father introduced a long time ago. He said that I can entrust the quest at any time according to my choice.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about anything else. I am worried about the three tragedies that will happen to the princess.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you think about it for a second? It¡¯s presumptuous, but the legs are uncomfortable, but haven¡¯t you gotten used to it? On the other hand, I am worried about not knowing what the three tragedies will be and how they will hurt the princess.¡±


    I quietly listened to the maid¡¯s words. The tone was similar to my worries, so I smiled a little. The maid stopped talking and looked at me. I spoke to her.


    ¡°Thanks for your concern, Sophie. But I¡­¡­ ¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I have been engulfed by the tragedy that happened to me all my life. Three tragedies mean nothing to me, if only I could get out of that tragedy.¡±


    There was a good reason why I accepted the sorceress¡¯s condition at once.


    It was true that at first, as Sophie said, I was worried, but no matter how many tragedies came, I thought that it would be worthwhile to try if I could compensate for the years I suffered after losing my legs.


    If I accept the condition, I can have my legs fixed.


    If I don¡¯t accept the condition? I can¡¯t fix my legs.


    In the end, the condition of the three tragedies was only two options for me. Besides, if I took over the Duke¡¯s title, I wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything with my current state.


    After the accident, I remembered everything the vassals whispered to each other behind the scenes. Princess Aileen became a crippled. The fall of the beautiful princess. Now who will be the successor to the duke..¡­


    They tried to pull me off the seat of the next successor.


    In the first place, Sebastian was supposed to take over the position of head of the duke¡¯s family for this reason. Because I was an unhealthy princess. Because I couldn¡¯t be trusted with the future of the Duchy.


    So the first thing I had to fix was my legs, nothing else.


    ¡°Thank you for your concern. But maybe even if I thought about it more, my heart wouldn¡¯t change.¡±


    ¡°If you really think that way, there¡¯s nothing I can do about it¡­¡±


    Sophie nodded her head as soon as she thought she could not break my will at my clear answer.


    At that moment, the sorceress¡¯s voice was heard.


    ¡°It¡¯s ready. Can you come?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back, Sophie, see you with healthy legs.¡±


    I greeted Sophie lightly, then rolled the wheelchair and made my way forward. I felt excited.


    ***


    A triangle was drawn inside a large circle.


    At the three vertices of the triangle, three candles that had been extinguished were placed one by one.


    I rolled the wheelchair and stood in the center of the triangle. The sorceress continued to speak kindly.


    ¡°You can stay here. Don¡¯t get out of position.¡±


    ¡°¡­Okay.¡±


    I decided to accept the magic with a light heart, but I couldn¡¯t help but be nervous.


    Will It hurt a lot? Will I really be able to have healthy legs if I go through this pain? My heart was pounding hard with mixed emotions. The sorceress said as I was biting my dry lips.


    ¡°You are nervous, Princess.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Will it hurt a lot?¡±


    I asked the sorceress in a cautious voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s about reviving the legs that were already dead. You will experience pain like you have never experienced before. Because that is fate.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Tell me when you are ready. We¡¯ll get started right away.¡±


    After the sorceress finished speaking, she stepped out of the area where I was sitting and stood with Sophie and the knight. Then she looked at me as if waiting for my answer. I looked down at my legs.


    After the day of the accident, my legs became useless.


    My legs were paralyzed and unable to move. My legs, which I always hated and resented.


    I imagined that these legs would move like normal people again. Like Bianca¡¯s legs that were moving healthy.


    I will be able to get out of this wheelchair. I can be confident. I will be able to live without any more trembling.


    It reminded me of my parents who would be more than happy to see my legs move healthily again. I thought of the vassals who would look at my legs with broken eyes. I remembered the people of the world.


    And I remembered Sebastian.


    Sebastian always pulled my wheelchair while staring at me with hateful eyes.


    What expression will he make when he sees my healthy legs?


    It felt like a surge of motivation. If only I could get back to normal and healthy legs. If only I could go back to the old me.


    ¡­ I can handle anything.


    I turned to the sorceress and nodded.


    It meant it was okay to start.


    The sorceress smiled and nodded, then closed her eyes and began to concentrate.


    An unknown spell flowed from her mouth.


    At the three candles placed at each vertex of the triangle, smoke slowly began to rise.


    A flame rose.


    The flame that grew bigger and bigger, filling the triangle shape, began to surround me.


    As I watched the fire rising from the bare ground with nervous eyes, I felt a sensation in my legs. It was a burning sensation, a very painful and clear sensation.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡­ ¡±


    The legs did not appear to have any superficial changes. But a growing pain was engulfing my legs.


    The pain became so intense that in an instant, it became dark in front of my eyes. My moans gradually turned into screams.


    ¡°Arghhh!¡±


    Birds sitting on the tree flew away. Tears flowed. Unbelievable pain. It felt like my legs were burning and my bones were breaking. Even when my legs were injured, it wasn¡¯t that much of a pain. I was sweating all over. The sorceress said it was a pain I had never experienced before, and she was right.


    Beyond the flickering flames, I looked at Sophie as if asking for help. She was watching me with tears in her eyes.


    I looked at the sky. The moment when the pain intensified and even my voice did not come out. It was a moment when I thought that death was right before my eyes.


    The flame flared up once, and then went out. The surroundings became quiet.


    The pain stopped.


    ¡°Princess, Princess! Are you okay? Gosh¡­¡­ ¡±


    Smoke was coming from everywhere in the desolate land. Sophie ran through them.


    Sophie picked me up as I fell out of the wheelchair. There seemed to be a cry, but I couldn¡¯t answer.


    My consciousness had already been extinguished beyond the darkness.


    ****


    I had a dream. In the dark, Sebastian¡¯s figure slowly came into view. He was dancing like a golden hawk.


    I made eye contact with him and he slowly approached me. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket.


    ¡°Are you okay, Princess?¡±


    A beautiful voice echoed in my ears. Sebastian¡¯s figure disappeared.


    The next scene appeared. The time I spent with Sebastian unfolded before my eyes.


    He hated me, but he continued to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband. He slept in the same bed as me every night and always pushed my wheelchair. When it was our wedding anniversary, he would leave work early to celebrate the anniversary.


    Of course, I knew he did all that because of Bianca.


    Deep in my heart, there was always a feeling of guilt. Guilt for ruining Sebastian¡¯s life for my greed. More than that, I felt guilty about taking Bianca away and keeping him by my side.


    So I tried not to expect it. His touch was not for me.


    I dared not mistake his touch.


    But nevertheless.


    Only once.


    Just once, I wanted to feel the feelings of a couple with him.


    On the second wedding anniversary, after blowing out the candles on the cake and finishing the anniversary party, Sebastian picked me up and laid me on the bed.


    As always, I was getting ready to go to sleep.


    Maybe it was because I drank quite a bit of champagne that day. I had the courage I never had before. I impulsively hugged him as he lay me down.


    He stopped in an awkward position. I grabbed his collar and pulled him closer to me.


    ¡°I want to sleep with you, Sebastian.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    Sebastian hadn¡¯t hugged me once since we got married.


    No one said that I couldn¡¯t have s*x in the first place, but as it should be, there had never been a deep contact between us.


    I just thought the hurt legs were a good excuse. Because there was no other man in the world who could easily embrace me with my stiff and immobile legs.


    I didn¡¯t even dare to try to sleep with him.


    But¡­.


    ¡°I¡­ I love you. Sebastian.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I know that everything you do for me is not sincere. I don¡¯t expect anything from you. But¡­.Just once¡­. I want to feel the feelings of a married couple.¡±


    ¡®If I can feel something, it doesn¡¯t have to be s*x.¡¯


    What I wanted was that. Just once he would move for me, not for Bianca. Just like the moment at the ballroom, breaking through the crowd and handing me the handkerchief.


    Even just once, I wanted to have an exchange that only him and I could share.

 Chapter 8

    ***


    Sebastian was looking at me with an unknown expression.


    Beautiful eyes and a straight nose seemed to represent his hard personality. Red lips were remarkably seductive. My lips trembled as I looked at his face.


    I was thirsty. The desire, once started, continued to grow.


    At first I wanted him by my side, but now I wanted his heart. I wanted to feel the feelings as a couple. I wanted to communicate with him with the feeling of love.


    But this was a luxury for me.


    The strength was released in my hands. I let go of his collar. I felt like crying. Is the happiness I was thinking of, really like this? I was thinking about it for the first time.


    When I turned my head helplessly, as if giving up.


    A large hand grabbed my chin. My head turned back.


    His lips approached. His hot breath touched my nose. It happened in an instant. I felt like my head was going numb. The warm touch on his lips spread with a hot and soft sensation.


    Sebastian Hughes. He was kissing me. My eyes widened.


    ¡°Mmm..¡±


    I couldn¡¯t hide the moan that was flowing without me knowing.


    Obviously, his tongue, which was digging into my mouth, was softer and sweeter than anything else in the world, but strangely, I felt like I was stripped naked and exposed by him.


    I closed my eyes, gasping for breath. My heart was beating like crazy. I felt my throat tighten. I couldn¡¯t breathe properly.


    His kiss made people choke.


    How much time has passed since we kissed? I took a breath and opened my eyes. He was right in front of me. That moment.


    ¡°Do you want something like this?¡±


    He looked at me and smiled cynically. That was an obvious ridicule. I felt like my heart was paralyzed.


    ¡°If the princess wants to be hugged, I can hug you. It¡¯s easy.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°But Princess will never have my heart.¡±


    Only then did I realize. That I was completely played by him.


    It was the revenge he gave me. The sweetest and cruelest revenge in the world for me, who ruined his family, took away the people he loved, and eventually took Bianca and threatened him to force him to kneel next to me.


    As he intended, I gently placed my heart in his hands. Sebastian lifted my heart freely, then dropped it down the cliff. Then he went and crushed it, and trampled it. I was a desperate loser in front of him.


    It was such a relationship, we were.


    But¡­


    After several scenes, Sebastian appeared before my eyes.


    It was different from the countless scenes with him that I had just seen. He stood still and looked down at me. The distance was much closer than usual.


    I bowed my head and looked at my legs. My two legs had regained strength. I was standing upright, without a wheelchair.


    I smiled broadly for some reason.


    What was it? Was it the relief that my legs had finally found their strength? Was it the realization of his heart for me? Was it a smile of blessing for Sebastian, who now would be truly happy without me?


    What was clear was¡­.


    Now, I think I can let you go.


    I smiled brightly and slowly raised my hand. I kissed his cheek tenderly.


    ¡°Goodbye, Sebastian.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for all this time. And thank you.¡±


    I waved my hand at him.


    Sebastian didn¡¯t smile. He turned around and slowly walked away from me.


    I stood still on my two legs, looked at him and waved my hand. Until he faded and faded into a dot and disappeared.


    Sebastian never looked back at me.


    ***


    I opened my eyes. My consciousness returned and my vision grew brighter.


    The maid, who was looking down at me, made eye contact with the knight.


    I stared blankly at them. I remembered the vivid pain earlier. I felt like I was waking up from a dead end.


    ¡°Princess, are you okay?!¡±


    For a moment I wondered if I was dead, but then I realized that this was inside the sorceress¡¯s hut. I lay inside the hut, in the sorceress¡¯ private bedroom.


    As I stared blankly at the two of them, I suddenly remembered.


    My legs.


    Are my legs really okay?


    I lay on the bed and looked down at my legs.


    My legs were straight.


    Contrary to the usual feeling, when I applied a little force, it seemed that the strength in my legs was going to my will. Said the sorceress, who was standing leaning against the pillar with her arms crossed.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be able to walk yet. Your legs are fine, but because you have been sitting for a long time, your legs are weak.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    ¡°For the time being, you will have to stay in the wheelchair. Keep doing rehabilitation.¡±


    ¡°¡­.Okay. I see.¡±


    I looked at the sorceress and smiled broadly.


    It felt like death, but when it was over, my heart was overwhelmed. My legs were really fixed. Now I think I can really go back to the old me.


    ¡°I will have to pay for the use of magic. Just tell me the amount you want and I will pay for it.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know how much the magic would cost, so I took all the money I had. I asked the price, but the sorceress called for an appropriate amount of money. I thought it would be very expensive, but the price was cheaper than I thought, so when I tilted my head, the sorceress said,


    ¡°I am just an intermediary between fate and the Princess. The real price the princess will pay is the three tragedies I mentioned.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­.¡±


    ¡°Three tragedies will come at any time and without notice from the moment the princess leaves this place. I wish you all the best.¡±


    Hearing the warnings of the three tragedies made me a little nervous, but I smiled relaxedly and nodded to the sorceress.


    Up to that point, I was optimistic that I would be able to overcome whatever the three tragedies were. I couldn¡¯t walk yet, so it may not seem like a change to others, but I will go to the mansion and tell my parents first. And I will start to recover gradually.


    So one day I will be able to walk again.


    When I returned to the mansion, filled with hope.


    I wiggled my eyebrows as I felt the cluttered atmosphere of the mansion.


    All of the people in the mansion were shouting with their faces turned white. Meanwhile, the maids who found the carriage coming in rushed to me.


    ¡°Princess, princess! You¡¯re back!¡±


    ¡°What should I do? What is this!¡±


    ¡°¡­What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Seeing the urgency, I opened the window before even getting out of the carriage and asked. The maids cried.


    ¡°The Duke and Duchess had an accident!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    It was the moment when the first tragedy arrived.


    ***


    The funeral was held magnificently.


    It was an obituary for the largest duke family in the empire. Well-known nobles rushed to the funeral.


    The nobles who entered the funeral home due to their sudden obituary were all looking dismayed.


    I greeted the mourners in the wheelchair the whole time in black mourning clothes. Most of the nobles paid their respects in front of me, but as soon as I turned around, they started whispering.


    ¡°Did the Dukes and Duchess die? They weren¡¯t old. How did this happen?¡±


    ¡°They said it was a carriage accident. You really don¡¯t know what¡¯s ahead of you. The Duke and Duchess were so healthy, but suddenly¡­.¡±


    Then, the nobles glanced at my legs and added small words so that I could not hear them.


    ¡°By the way, a few years ago, the Princess¡­¡­ Apparently, the Lowell had bad luck with the carriage accident.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I sat in the middle of the funeral, with an expressionless face, listening to them, openly talking in front of me.


    I said nothing.


    There was no mental space.


    The first tragedy.


    Was this the tragedy the sorceress spoke of?


    Obviously, just that day, my parents looked at me and wished me a good outing. I remembered how the two of them waved their hands to me. As soon as I arrived, I was going to show my parents the legs that regained strength¡­¡­


    My heart was filled with such happiness for a short while, and the first tragedy came to me right away like this.


    A bitter smirk came out. The nobles around me glanced at me as if puzzled.


    The person who cared for me the most was Sophie. She was the one who knew the cause of this sudden accident. Sophie, who had been acting cautiously, unable to speak the whole time, opened her mouth.


    ¡°Princess, I also sent an obituary to Sebastian. Sorry for not telling you in advance.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    When I looked at her, Sophie apologized and continued.


    ¡°But I think your husband already knows the news. Right now, I think it would be good to have someone to help the princess. Perhaps Master Sebastian, as you have seen him, will be able to accompany you in your current situation.


    At that moment. The atmosphere at the funeral became noisy.


    I turned my head.  A carriage was coming into the mansion. The carriage with the imperial seal on it.

 Chapter 9

    ***


    ¡°Oh, my God. Princess. Your face¡­ Are you okay?¡±


    The next morning, Sophie came into the room to wake me up and looked at me in surprise. I woke up and her face was swollen.


    Sophie said with a look of concern.


    ¡°You must have had a hard time. Come to think of it, you lost too much weight.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Sophie.¡±


    After answering in a calm voice, I turned my head towards the window.


    Fresh morning air was coming into the room.


    Sophie tilted her head at my serious face.


    ¡°¡­.. When is the succession meeting held?¡±


    ¡°Now that the funeral is over, it will be held soon. It will probably be held within a week. In the meantime, for urgent work, the butler has decided to take it temporarily.¡±


    One week. It was faster than expected.


    After all, it was the Duke¡¯s work so it piled up like a mountain if he took a day off from work. A week was also a late period.


    Anyway, I didn¡¯t have much time.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to start rehab today. And I think I¡¯ll need a cane too.¡±


    Sophie looked at me as if realizing that she had forgotten what I said.


    She looked at my swollen face, a sorrowful feeling spread in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay. Sophie. You don¡¯t have to look like that. It¡¯s my part that I have to accept.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t want to keep making this face. I didn¡¯t know that the tragedy would be like this¡­ I feel bad.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°It would have been nice if Master Sebastian was by your side¡­¡±


    Sophie unwittingly brought out Sebastian¡¯s name and noticed me belatedly.


    He eventually did not come to visit me during the funeral.


    Even though Sophie sent an obituary. No, even if she didn¡¯t send it, the whole Duchy knew what happened, so he must know what happened to me.


    Still, the reason he didn¡¯t come was very clear without even asking.


    I turned around, pulled the wheelchair and approached her. I grabbed Sophie¡¯s hand gently.


    ¡°I want you to keep everything about my legs in complete secrecy, Sophie. Do you know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ Of course, Princess.¡±


    ¡°And in the future¡­don¡¯t contact Sebastian without my permission. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Okay. I¡¯m sorry for the sudden action.¡±


    Sophie answered with tears in her eyes. I smiled softly and held Sophie¡¯s hand.


    What I had to do right now was to protect this duchy.


    For my parents, I never intended to hand over the dukedom to anyone.


    Now I had to stand alone. It was time to go on my way.


    ****


    A week later. The vassals were gathered in the Duke¡¯s conference room.


    Today was a very important day. It was the day to elect the next ruler of the duchy by taking over Duke¡¯s title after Duke Lowell and his wife died in an accident.


    Some vassals waiting for Aileen to appear had a sad expression on their faces.


    In the meantime, some people whispered.


    ¡°Who will be the next leader?¡±


    ¡°If it was originally planned, it would be the princess¡¯s husband, but I don¡¯t know what will happen now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it. Wasn¡¯t he absent from the funeral? Did he run away?¡±


    ¡°There were even rumors of a divorce going around.¡±


    When the story about Sebastian came out, the vassals looked at each other. One said as if he was sad.


    ¡°Honestly, I feel sorry for him too. Everyone knows what the late Duke and Duchess Lowell had done to the Hughes family.¡±


    ¡°The management of the estate was quite good, but¡­¡­ , honestly, running the duchy like a bully doesn¡¯t mean that you¡¯ve been eating and living well. Isn¡¯t the victim the princess¡¯s husband? Even if the princess says she wants to become the head of the duchy, we have to stop her from the position of being a vassal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. First of all, the princess doesn¡¯t have perfect legs. Taking care of the duchy is difficult. Can she really visit the duchy with that body?¡±


    The vassals were predicting. As long as Aileen¡¯s legs were not strong, there was no chance that she would inherit the Duchy.


    Aileen¡¯s legs were a good excuse to prevent her succession to the dukedom without showing greed.


    In the end, it was a matter of saying that the princess¡¯ legs were the problem, and that it was unavoidable.


    As the general atmosphere changed like that, the atmosphere of the vassals, who had tense expressions on their faces, relaxed further. They breathed a sigh of relief and started discussing who might be the next head of duchy other than Aileen. No one thought that Aileen would take over the title.


    It was then. The knight¡¯s voice resounded.


    ¡°The princess is entering.¡±


    The door to the conference room opened. The gazes of the vassals who were about to get up from their seats without thinking and greet the princess, saw something and stopped.


    People¡¯s eyes were blurry.


    Soon their eyes widened as if they were about to pop at any moment. The laughter that lingered in the conference room had long since disappeared.


    Beyond the door, the hem of the dress was revealed as the cane tapped the floor. With each simple step, the tips of the shoes were revealed under the long dress.


    An unfamiliar look. People slowly looked at the owner of the shoes.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, everyone.¡±


    Aileen stood tall with her back straight, with a cane in one hand.


    She looked around the room. The faces of the vassals she had not seen in a long time came into her eyes one after another.


    They all looked at her legs, their mouths wide open. It was strange. She hadn¡¯t met the vassals for several years of not being able to walk. She could feel their gaze on her and thought her heart would beat like it was going to explode but it wasn¡¯t like that.


    She was imprinting her legs on them with a casual expression.


    Was it because it was right after her parents died?


    Somehow she felt determined. She had nowhere else to go. She had to make the duchy her own today. It was an important position to influence her life in the future.


    ¡°No, how can you walk¡­¡­ .¡±


    As she turned her head to follow the sound of the flowing words, one of the vassals looked at her and pointed at her without realizing it. He couldn¡¯t even speak properly. He looked really surprised. Aileen smiled leisurely.


    ¡°Why are you surprised that I can walk?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. That is¡­ ¡±


    She walked over to the top seat.


    The vassals just stared blankly at her like that. As if everyone still couldn¡¯t believe it, they blinked their eyes several times, looking at Aileen¡¯s moving legs and looking at each other again.


    As Aileen approached the front seat, the knight pulled out the chair for her. After sitting on the chair, she put the cane on the side of the desk.


    Looking ahead, the faces were spectacled.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little burdensome. Can¡¯t you stop staring?¡±


    ¡°Princess, what happened? How did you fix your legs?¡±


    One of the vassals asked. Aileen said, shrugging her shoulders.


    ¡°This is an important meeting for selecting the next duke. Is that really such an important question right now?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡­ ¡±


    ¡°I will be the one who takes over.¡±


    ¡°!¡±


    ¡°As the Duke¡¯s daughter, it is natural for me to take over the position of my parents who died suddenly.¡±


    The people¡¯s mouths opened blankly once more.


    Silence passed. As if bewildered by the unexpected development, no one spoke.


    Well, it was understandable. Her life changed so suddenly.


    ¡°But, Princess. What about Master Sebastian? Originally, he was going to take over the Duchy¡­.¡±


    ¡°I and Sebastian are divorced. His Majesty the Emperor also approved it this morning.¡±


    ¡°What¡­?!¡±


    Shortly after the funeral, divorce papers signed by Sebastian arrived at the duke¡¯s house. No other message was included other than the divorce signature. Not even a single message about my parents¡¯ passing.


    He didn¡¯t have a good relationship with my parents, so I wasn¡¯t expecting Sebastian to show interest in the death of my parents.


    My parents didn¡¯t like everything about Sebastian. Considering that Sebastian was a fallen nobleman, and that he still maintained a high pride. They didn¡¯t like Sebastian¡¯s being a knight. They said knights are ignorant.


    Perhaps it was a feeling of revenge towards Sebastian for rejecting their noble daughter.


    Sebastian, who had been living with a lot of scolding from my parents for 5 years, couldn¡¯t be bothered by the death of my parents.


    Sebastian¡¯s parents went bankrupt because of Duke Lowell¡¯s atrocities and even took their own lives. Rather, he may be thinking that dying from a carriage accident was a light punishment.


    I sent his divorce papers, which arrived without any particular message, to Sophie to send them to the Imperial Palace. And this morning the document of approval with the seal of His Majesty had arrived.

 Chapter 10

    ***


    ¡°You all liked that I married Sebastian. I¡¯m sorry. If I had time, I would have had a meeting with you and decided on the divorce issue, but I¡¯m sorry to have made Sebastian leave without even saying goodbye.¡±


    ¡°No, how¡­¡­ Divorce? Are you saying the rumors that you two were going to get divorced were true?¡±


    They couldn¡¯t believe I could walk, but when the news of divorce spread, the vassals seemed to be equally puzzled.


    Two things were the best reasons to stop my succession to the dukedom, and they all disappeared.


    ¡°Is there any other reason why I shouldn¡¯t be a duke after my parents?¡±


    I asked instead of answering.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t go to the academy when I was young, but my formal education was completed through a tutor. I¡¯m not very good at socializing, but if I start to go out now, you know better that no one will avoid me because I¡¯m a Princess.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The vassals became dumb with honey, and listened silently to what I had to say.


    I said to a vassal.


    ¡°My parents ran the duchy like a bully, but trust me and watch over me. I¡¯ll take care of the Duchy in a way that doesn¡¯t make me less than my parents.¡±


    The vassal who made eye contact with me turned his gaze away.


    Maybe it was because the words they talked about when I wasn¡¯t here came out.


    He didn¡¯t even know I was listening to everything they said outside the door.


    In fact, since they were dukes, I spoke at a lower tone. Anyone who knew how they talked about me outside the duke¡¯s house would know that my immobile legs were just an excuse to satisfy their greed.


    ¡°How is it? Just because I¡¯m a leg cripple doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t inherit the duke¡¯s title. Aren¡¯t I their legitimate daughter?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you have any more questions?¡±


    The vassals did not answer any questions.


    ***


    [Princess Aileen becomes Duchess of Lowell]


    A few days later, the news of my succession to the dukedom appeared on the front page of the Rosien Imperial newspaper.


    I finished the succession ceremony safely yesterday, and the emperor and the crown prince were also there.


    I was nervous because it was my first time attending an audience with the emperor since my legs were injured, but after a little conversation, the manners I learned when I was young naturally came out.


    When I saw the picture of yesterday¡¯s friendly scene in the newspaper, I remembered the thrilling memories of yesterday and smiled.


    Usher was smiling in the picture.


    Although he was always conscious of people¡¯s gaze, there were times when he was different, and that was the case yesterday. He seemed genuinely happy and couldn¡¯t help but smile at the fact that I could walk on my own and become a duke.


    ¡°The plan you said was to fix your legs. I was really surprised. You¡¯re such a cool person, Aileen.¡±


    After the audience, Usher personally left me such a sentiment. It was when I was smiling quietly while looking at the figure of Usher in the picture.


    ¡°Congratulations, Duchess.¡±


    It was Sophie¡¯s voice. I looked away from the newspaper and saw Sophie smiling brightly as if she was happy.


    ¡°Can you call me again?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°The title.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    I liked the name Sophie called me. When asked again, Sophie spoke again and again with a playful expression on her face.


    ¡°Congratulations on being officially Duke, Your Excellency Aileen Lowell.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I smiled softly. When I folded the newspaper and handed it to Sophie, she accepted it and said:


    ¡°Now that you appear frequently in newspapers, I will pay more attention to your appearance in the future. Of course, you are beautiful already.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you leave the dressing up to the new maid?¡±


    ¡°What¡­.?¡±


    Sophie tilted her head as if she didn¡¯t understand what I was saying as I mentioned the new maid.


    ¡®Am I fired now?¡¯ I could feel the fear in her eyes. I said with a smile.


    ¡°Sophie, I want to ask you to be my aide.¡±


    ¡°What, aide¡­..Me?!¡±


    Sophie bowed her head in reply, and looked at me in amazement as to whether she realized what I meant later.


    ¡°My father didn¡¯t have an aide because he felt comfortable going around without one, but I am not. I don¡¯t know the social situation that well yet, and I need more rehabilitation treatment. I need someone to stick around all the time and help me.¡±


    In fact, the boundaries between the roles were a little blurry because Sophie was always by my side as a maid.


    However, the chief maid and an assistant were completely different concepts, and above all, if she became an assistant, she would not have to manage the servants of the family, so it would be easier for her to follow me and be faithful.


    ¡°From now on, please help me by my side. Just as you have been doing.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­.¡±


    ¡°What do you think? If you don¡¯t like it, you can say no¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you mean no?!¡±


    Sophie waved her hand. She began to bow her head several times as if pleased.


    ¡°It is an honour! Really! I will work really hard. Your Excellency!¡±


    ¡°Yes, aide.¡±


    At my words, Sophie smiled as if she was overwhelmed.


    After she left the room, I looked at the portrait on the desk.


    The family portrait of me with my parents before my childhood accident, which has been sitting on the desk ever since my father used this study.


    Not long ago, I told the maids to leave the portrait when they were cleaning up.


    I picked up the frame. In the portrait, my parents were smiling.


    Mother, Father.


    I really became a Duke.


    Now I no longer use a wheelchair.


    I¡¯m also in rehab, and soon I¡¯ll be able to walk without a cane.


    I will live proudly and rule this territory well. People will no longer ignore me. I will no longer live as a ¡®forgotten princess¡¯ like parents were worried about.


    I will work really hard. I won¡¯t let my parents¡¯ death be in vain.


    I was determined.


    .


    .


    03. Reunited with the bird


    ***


    Time passed quickly.


    I was on a carriage to carry out my work schedule and felt the sunlight was different from before. Compared to the succession ceremony of the Duchess, it was the complete opposite of the sunlight. It had already been 6 months.


    Watching me measure the weather, Sophie also suddenly realized that fact and said to me.


    ¡°You know what? Six months have already passed since you became a duke.¡±


    ¡°I know. I just realized too.¡±


    I gently put my hand out of the carriage window.


    It was very chilly and cold then. Now, the warm sun was shining down on my skin transparently.


    I¡¯ve been working really hard for the past 6 months.


    It was said that the early period after taking office was the most hectic, no matter what position you take.


    It was the same for me.


    Following the sudden takeover of all the tasks that my parents left behind, I periodically inspected and managed the estate as a duke representing one estate.


    The weakest part of me was the social networks I avoided for a long time. Not only did I memorize the genealogy of different families every day, but I also showed my face in various places to understand the characteristics of the families and the relationships between people, which were not easily revealed on the outside.


    Meanwhile, some of the vassals who could not accept that I became a duke eventually gathered their strength and tried to drive me out. Before that, they were caught and condemned.


    The vassals who betrayed me were the people who had been looking for opportunities since my parents were alive.


    They weren¡¯t that good at their job, and weren¡¯t clean enough to be able to call my parents ¡°bullies¡± with their mouths.


    Shake off the dust, take out a few and show the world, one after another, the rest became reluctant.


    Fortunately, even among the vassals, dissatisfaction with me had subsided.


    ¡°It¡¯s a new feeling. Come to think of it, you can walk well now.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­.¡±


    I looked at my legs.


    Yes, if there was one thing that had changed as much as becoming a duke, this was it. Now I could walk on my two legs without a cane.


    I smiled a little as I looked at my healthy legs.


    Rehabilitation treatment was difficult for the first time, but once strength was put into the legs, the sensation returned in an instant. My legs were fine as if they had never hurt. The living legs were full of vitality, and the flesh and muscle were moderately raised.


    The wheelchair had been disposed of for a long time, and yesterday I had even disposed of my cane.


    If I ever need it again, I¡¯ll buy it when the time comes.


    The feeling of getting on and off a carriage with my bare body without any tools related to my legs was thrilling.


    Before the accident, I thought I would never experience it again in my life.


    ¡°You look very good.¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s the best day.¡±


    As I hummed softly in the warm sunlight throughout the journey in the carriage, Sophie smiled happily.

 Chapter 11

    ***


    I was going to the famous fashion street in the capital to prepare for the upcoming emperor¡¯s birthday banquet.


    I was going to go there and match the dress and shoes for the occasion.


    Originally, designers often visited the mansion in person, but I said that I would visit the capital personally to commemorate the improvement of my legs.


    The feeling was new. Pretty clothes and shoes. Come to think of it, since I was a child, there were many shoes I really wanted to wear. After the leg injury, I was in a hurry to cover my legs, so I always wore dark shoes.


    Now that my legs were healed, I wanted to wear pretty shoes to my heart¡¯s content. I also wanted to try on heels.


    What else? I wanted to go out a lot on a regular basis like now, take a lot of walks in the garden, and walk barefoot on places like the beach.


    ¡°I want to learn to dance.¡±


    ¡°Dance? Like ballet?¡±


    As I muttered, Sophie asked. I turned to her and answered.


    ¡°Yes. Ballet is good too. Whatever it is, I can use my legs¡­.¡±


    Suddenly I stopped talking. A beautiful hawk with golden fur passed before my eyes.


    It was the appearance of Sebastian I had seen at the party long ago.


    A long time ago, the moment I saw him and fell in love with him. The brilliantly shining chandelier, his dance moves that captured the attention of the people at the debutante¡­


    ¡°Duchess? What are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°¡­ Oh no. I was thinking of something else.¡±


    I smiled and shook my head. Sebastian¡¯s figure was scattered like a mirage and disappeared.


    My life was very different from before.


    ***


    Soon the carriage entered the capital.


    Unlike the Duchy, the capital certainly had a complex atmosphere.


    The capital and the duchy were reasonably far apart. Even after riding the carriage for quite some time, my excitement still hadn¡¯t subsided.


    The carriage started heading towards the fashion street.


    I opened the window and watched the people passing by, feeling the pleasant air.


    It was then. Rumble! The carriage shook violently with a loud sound. For a moment, my breathing stopped. Memories of the carriage accident long ago flashed past. The horses cried. I heard someone scream.


    Ah!


    The carriage stopped.


    Only after the carriage had completely stopped did I let out my breath. It felt like my heart would stop at that moment.


    ¡°Ha¡­¡±


    ¡°No, why is he driving like this¡­Duchess, are you okay?¡±


    My heart was beating like it was going to burst. When I came to my senses, my back was full of cold sweat. My hands were shaking.


    In fact, it wasn¡¯t such a surprising sudden stop. However, the body, sensitive to the carriage accident, easily recalled the memory of that day even with a small rattling sound.


    When Sophie saw that I had visibly stiffened, she touched my arm anxiously.


    A loud shout was heard by the coachman.


    ¡°Hey! You didn¡¯t look straight ahead?!¡±


    ¡°Huh? Duchess, where are you going..¡­ !¡±


    I, who was quietly listening to the sound, opened the door without hesitation and went outside, leaving behind Sophie¡¯s call.


    As I opened the door and stepped forward, the coachman, who was angry at someone, saw me and opened his mouth as if surprised.


    ¡°Ah, Duchess. I¡¯m sorry to startle you. Suddenly, this crazy woman jumps out¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°It must have been an accident.¡±


    The coachman looked at me as if surprised by my hard voice.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t only hold this woman responsible, you should have been more careful with your horse. I hired you to drive.¡±


    After all, not only me but also this woman, who was an ordinary passerby, would have been seriously injured.


    If she was injured and her body was damaged, who would compensate for this woman¡¯s life?


    When I tackled the coachman with an unusually stinging attitude, he kept his head down as if embarrassed.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m sorry, Duchess. In the future, I will be more careful when driving.¡±


    It was then that I felt a little relaxed. I exhaled. I came to my senses and walked forward.


    ¡°Our driver has been rude. Are you okay?¡±


    The woman was sitting on the ground with her head bowed as if her legs had lost strength. There were no injuries, but she seemed to be very surprised. I approached the woman and reached out my hand.


    The moment when I thought her ebony black hair was very impressive. The woman raised her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, I¡¯m okay¡­¡­¡±


    The woman who looked at me could not finish her words.


    Instead, her eyes widened. Black hair that looked like ebony, elastic dark skin, and two lively eyes.


    My pupils also enlarged when I looked at the woman. I couldn¡¯t have not know who it was.


    ¡°Bianca?¡±


    ¡°Princess?¡±


    My heart started beating. Bianca stared blankly at me with her pink lips slightly open. Why is Bianca here? A bewildered brain spewed out fragmentary thoughts.


    Why is she suddenly in the capital? What did she come to do? Many thoughts came to my mind in a short moment. Those thoughts soon ended I realized. Bianca Clay. That she was here¡­¡­


    ¡°Bianca, here is your favorite hot dog¡­ .¡±


    I knew who it was just by hearing his voice. I hardened my expression and slowly turned my head.


    The man had a slender physique and was dressed in an easy-going shirt. The shirt had a moderately dirty look in several places. However, his beautiful blonde hair and handsome appearance were all the same.


    He was holding a hot dog, one in each hand, as if he had been shopping for street food for a while.


    Typical dating scene.


    He wiggled his eyebrows when he saw Bianca sitting on the road. His gaze slowly turned toward me, who was standing next to Bianca. His amber eyes glared at me when he saw my face. The man who periodically appeared in front of me like a phantom even after becoming a duke.


    My ex-husband. Sebastian.


    ***


    A dark silence passed.


    I stared blankly at Sebastian. After meeting Bianca and then him, this moment was terribly unrealistic.


    Obviously, the capital was a place where many people came and went, but for this moment, it seemed that we were the only ones left.


    Why is he here? Why are these two here?


    He was also an imperial citizen of the Rosien Empire, so it was not unusual to meet him in the capital.


    But.


    It was an amazing coincidence. I thought about it in a short moment. Two people were here, and my carriage passed by here, and Bianca was in front of my carriage and I met Sebastian.


    I was very puzzled by this coincidence, this fateful reunion.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    During an awkward three-way meeting, Bianca came to her senses and got up.


    ¡°I was surprised to see the princess in a place like this. I didn¡¯t jump out with any other intention, so please don¡¯t misunderstand.¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t misunderstand anything. And I am no longer a princess, but a duke.¡±


    Bianca scanned my appearance. Unlike before, I was wearing an mature outfit and walking on two legs without a cane.


    Bianca, who faced my completely changed appearance, covered her mouth with both hands as if surprised.


    ¡°Oh, your legs¡­ ¡­. Did you fix your legs? Are you able to walk now?¡±


    Without realizing it, I looked at Bianca with a puzzled expression.


    Bianca seemed to have been living unaware that I had fixed my legs. The news of my succession to the Duchy and the fact that my legs were repaired had been published in newspapers for a while, and people were talking about it. Did she really not know?


    If that wasn¡¯t acting, she was a really naive woman. Seeing her eyes wide open at the fact that my legs were now in good shape, it was a very refreshing reaction compared to when I had monitored and tormented her for five years. It was enough to embarrass me.


    (*to make it clear,  Aileen didn¡¯t actually physical torture Bianca or anything. Bianca was only being watched in case she went to see Sebastian. That was all. In those five years, Bianca was freely working and making money for her own family.)


    ¡°We found out too late. In fact, over the past six months¡­ We¡¯ve been on a trip. We have just come back to the Empire. We went without looking at the newspaper or receiving any personal contact, so I haven¡¯t heard the news of the Princess, no, Your Excellency.¡±


    Bianca kindly explained why they didn¡¯t hear my news.


    To me, it felt more cruel than kind.


    I smiled.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. This can happen. You do not need to know the news anyway¡­.¡±


    To be honest, this was news they wouldn¡¯t want to know. If I were Sebastian and Bianca, I wouldn¡¯t.


    I looked at Sebastian. Golden hair and amber eyes. Those eyes were on my legs. My legs could move. My legs could walk. My legs were alive.


    His eyebrows twitched. It was a very odd expression. It was not easy to guess what he was thinking.


    If there was one thing I could tell, it was that he was not indifferent.


    I bit my lips.


    ¡°Anyway¡­ ¡­ I¡¯m glad you two are doing well. Then I¡¯ll go now.¡±


    I got into the carriage in a hurry as if to run away.


    Somehow, I wanted to get out of this place quickly. I felt like I shouldn¡¯t be where the two were anymore. I shouldn¡¯t be in their happy world.


    I could feel their eyes on me outside the window, but I didn¡¯t look at them. Until the carriage moved farther and farther away and they became dots and disappeared.

 Chapter 12

    ****


    ¡°Your Excellency, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­..¡±


    On the way back to the Duchy in the carriage, Sophie asked with a worried expression.


    I nodded.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m okay.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? I called you a few times but you didn¡¯t hear me¡­¡±


    I smiled a little. It wasn¡¯t wrong. As Sophie said, I couldn¡¯t concentrate the whole time I was shopping. Even though it was to choose clothes and shoes to wear for the emperor¡¯s birthday banquet to be held soon.


    It was because of the meeting with Sebastian.


    ¡°Is this because of Master Sebastian?¡±


    Sophie asked as if she had read my mind.


    I did not deny it. The sudden meeting with him was embarrassing enough for me, and it was right that I had been thinking about it all day.


    Sophie sighed.


    ¡°Why did you have to meet Master Sebastian today? Why is that woman there¡­¡±


    Sophie looked at me with a worried gaze. It was similar to the way my mother looked at me before she passed away. She was afraid I might go back to the way I was before. She was afraid I¡¯ll be affected by my reunion with Sebastian.


    But.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Sophie.¡±


    I turned my head and looked into Sophie¡¯s eyes. As I spoke with a bright smile, Sophie narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. It was because of Sebastian that I kept thinking about it. To be honest, I was a little surprised. I never thought that such a coincidence would happen.¡±


    Who could have predicted? I didn¡¯t go to the capital very often for personal business.


    But the day I decided to go to the capital, on the way to go shopping, I almost hit my ex-husband¡¯s lover with a carriage. And then I met my ex-husband, who looked completely different from when he was with me, with a serene and happy expression on his face.


    Everything could not have happened unless Heaven had decided and let us meet.


    But¡­


    Oddly enough, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that meeting him didn¡¯t just make me feel completely bad.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ Just think about it, Sophie. I¡¯m glad that Sebastian looks happy.¡±


    I remembered Sebastian¡¯s expression. The image of him approaching Bianca with a relaxed expression with a hot dog in his hand.


    His appearance in light clothes looked really free and happy.


    I should have let Sebastian go sooner. He was a person who could smile so brightly. I held him by my side with my only desire. I made him live in hell.


    Yes, this was our proper relationship. He was more suitable for that woman.


    I sincerely thought that. ¡®Sebastian, I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re finally happy. Forgetting things like me, I hope you will live happily by her side in the future.¡¯


    My heart towards him had become calm.


    ¡°Bianca and Sebastian, I think they look good together. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    Sophie looked at me with sad eyes, but I only had a happy smile. With no lingering feelings, with a serene expression.


    Without knowing something would happen to me in the near future.


    ***


    After a while, the dress and shoes arrived at the duke¡¯s residence.


    On the day I met Sebastian, I went to the capital and chose the dress and shoes myself. The shoes and clothing, which had been made to fit my body size one by one, showed off a pretty cool appearance.


    On that day, I chose the design and material without thinking properly, so I was worried it wouldn¡¯t be good. But when I stood in front of the mirror in my dress, Sophie opened her mouth and exclaimed.


    ¡°Wow. Your Excellency, you look really good.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    I looked in the mirror.


    The dress I was wearing had a fairly unconventional design. The two-piece dress made of velvet material consisted of a top and a skirt. In particular, the skirt was narrow and simple compared to most women¡¯s dresses, which were flashy and large.


    I said looking at the puff sleeves that went into my shoulders to hide my dwarf physique.


    ¡°A little¡­Don¡¯t I look like a child who stole my mother¡¯s clothes?¡±


    I purposely ordered a mature design, but it looked a lot more mature than I expected. Being visible to others was important. I asked with a worried expression, but Sophie shook her head.


    ¡°No! You look very good. And you¡¯re a Duke. You have to show off this kind of dignity.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­?¡±


    Although it was an unfamiliar design, it seemed to fit well when I looked at it.


    Anyway, the dress itself was very nice. It was also nice to wear shoes. The black shoes were handmade with care to make it comfortable to walk in, and it went well with the dress as if it were a pair.


    ¡°¡­ Not bad.¡±


    I looked in the mirror and thought. The birthday banquet was drawing near.


    ***


    A few days later, the capital.


    I was riding in a carriage and headed to the Imperial Palace where the banquet was held.


    The weather was great. As winter passed and spring began, the cold air was rapidly dissipating. I was in the capital a while ago, and the air seemed to be much warmer than it was then.


    On the way up to the Imperial Palace, a grand festival was being held on the central street of the capital. Commoners were free to participate in the festival and were celebrating the emperor¡¯s birthday.


    ¡°As expected, it is the day of His Majesty¡¯s birthday, so the atmosphere in the capital is much more lively.¡±


    ¡°I know. The days are getting warmer too¡­¡±


    The carriage soon entered the palace.


    This year, the emperor said he would hold his birthday banquet outdoors.


    Flowers and ribbons were scattered everywhere in the outdoor plaza. The background music played by a band resounded peacefully. Among them, nobles were busily coming and going to find their seats or greeting each other.


    The emperor sat at the top of the table and was greeted by the nobles. I approached him.


    ¡°I see the great sun of the Empire. I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Duchess Aileen Lowell, you¡¯re dressed up today.¡±


    The emperor said softly with a modest smile.


    Carter Dietrich von Rosien. He was a person well suited to the term ¡¯emperor¡¯. He was moderately dignified, moderately blunt, and moderately cold. In the past, he had a big cold image, but now he has gotten older, so his impression has deepened a bit.


    Showing a moderate smile, I beckoned to the attendant who was next to me.


    ¡°Oh, and I prepared this¡­¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    The servant bowed his head and laid down something he was holding in front of the emperor.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°I remember that Your Majesty liked fruits. The peach is a fruit from the East.¡±


    Long ago, when I was Usher¡¯s fianc¨¦e and frequently interacting with the imperial family, there was an emperor¡¯s taste that I discovered. He liked fruits very much. I remembered that taste, and for a few days, I searched all over the country to pick and choose the fruits that would be most suitable for the emperor¡¯s birthday banquet. So what I brought was peaches.


    It looked so easy to eat, but I thought that its price and preciousness were very similar to the emperor sitting in front of me.


    ¡°In the East, it is said to be an immortal fruit. I thought it would be a good fit for a birthday banquet, so I prepared it.¡±


    ¡°¡­ You¡¯re very thoughtful, Duchess Lowell.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s gaze, who was looking at the peach with an interesting expression, turned to me. He was smiling.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even use a cane today.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s gaze slowly turned towards my legs. I swallowed my saliva.


    ¡°Are your legs better now?¡±


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ Ah. Yes. That¡¯s right.¡±


    I was taken aback by the fact that I used magic, so I hesitated without realizing it.


    People often, and not uncommonly, have shown interest in my legs, which were able to walk. Every time they looked at me, they were curious about how the unlucky Princess, who had acted as if she was living with legs that could not be fixed for the rest of her life, had now come to be fixed.


    It was the same with the emperor.


    I couldn¡¯t help but get nervous whenever the emperor showed interest in my legs without anyone knowing it. No matter how friendly he was to the duke, he was, after all, the emperor of the empire, and I healed my legs in a forbidden way.


    The emperor just smiled.


    ¡°I see. I am so glad that Duchess Lowell has made a comeback like this.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­ thank you. I¡¯ll work harder in the future.¡±


    After greeting the emperor, Usher sat next to me and looked at me with happy eyes.


    His body was sitting in a very respectful posture, but his eyes were waving at me like a child who met a familiar person. If it wasn¡¯t a formal banquet, it looked like he would get up and run to me right away.


    It was when I turned around after answering him with a moderate smile.


    There was a buzz of people. A woman entered the outdoor banquet hall from afar. People¡¯s eyes were full on the beautiful woman who came in with a noble figure.


    ¡­.Daphne?

 Chapter 13

    ***


    Daphne Lloyd.


    I looked at the woman entering the banquet hall. Daphne. Obviously it was Daphne. The famous daughter of Count Lloyd. A friend of mine who was once close to me. The traitor who betrayed me in the closest place.


    Daphne¡¯s voice that I accidentally heard while passing through the hallway a long time ago crossed my mind.


    ¡®Hey, don¡¯t you know how difficult it is to deal with a wheelchair built-in person? Our princess, who is still sensitive, has become more sensitive because of her legs.¡¯


    It was the first time I had seen Daphne again since that day.


    For the past six months after taking office as Duke, I worked hard to rebuild social networks, but I never tried to meet Daphne. She was the person who gave me trauma, so it was natural that I didn¡¯t want to meet her. I didn¡¯t even want to have someone like Daphne to be my friend.


    So, it wasn¡¯t until this official grand banquet that we met for the first time.


    Daphne, whom I hadn¡¯t seen in a long time, had an appearance that was no different from before.


    Daphne had a small body like me, but she had a whiter and softer image. The unique elegant swan-like atmosphere that had always caught people¡¯s attention since childhood had matured even more as an adult.


    Daphne entered the banquet hall with a dignified figure with her mouth slightly covered with a fan.


    I once heard from Sophie. Since I stayed hidden in the mansion, Daphne¡¯s status in the social world had risen.


    Daphne was the only daughter of a well-known family, and her appearance and dignity were also beautiful enough to attract people¡¯s attention. I was the only member of the social circle that received more attention than Daphne, but after I disappeared, her status naturally rose.


    As if to prove it, Daphne was receiving a lot of attention from the moment she appeared in the banquet hall. The noble girls looked at Daphne, the perfect lady, with envy, and all the men looked at her as if possessed.


    Daphne smiled and greeted the emperor then approached the head of the table.


    Then she looked at me, who was standing in the front.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    I looked at her with a slightly bewildered expression. Daphne was also looking at me with her deer-like eyes wide open as if surprised.


    Then, the corners of her lips rose slightly and her eyes twinkled with a happy expression.


    ¡°Aileen?¡±


    ¡°¡­.?¡±


    ¡°Oh my God, it¡¯s really Aileen. Long time no see. How have you been?¡±


    With her beautiful eyes bent, she grabbed the hem of her dress and started walking towards me. She looked casual, as if captured by the joy of meeting an old friend.


    Daphne stood in front of me and hugged me.


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I heard that you could walk again, and it is true. It makes me happy to see you walking like this. Congratulations, Aileen.¡±


    I was dazed. What kind of welcoming act was this?


    It had been 12 years since we broke up with each other. Daphne knew I had heard her gossip, and I knew that Daphne hated me too. It was not that we didn¡¯t know each other, was there any reason why she was doing this?


    Looking around, people¡¯s eyes were focused on Daphne and me.


    They knew that the relationship between the two ladies, who were friends since young, had changed, but seeing them hugging each other again today, they all looked puzzled.


    Then I felt the voices of people around us.


    ¡°Look at that, Lady Daphne¡¯s dress and Her Excellency Aileen¡¯s dress¡­¡±


    It was a voice comparing dresses. Daphne¡¯s bright and colorful dress, and my dress that looked dark and insignificant compared to hers.


    Daphne pulled me away from hugging me, and said as if recognizing the gaze around her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about what people say. The dress you¡¯re wearing is pretty enough.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s okay with you, why don¡¯t we go get a dress together next time? I¡¯ll choose a dress that fits well with today¡¯s social trends. These days, wide, glamorous dresses are fashionable.¡±


    Only then did I realize why she came to me.


    She was like a bird that had already settled into the nest and was taking care of the newly arrived baby bird.


    At first glance, the gentle and caring appearance was also an act to obscure the status.


    I saw her eyes firmly imprinted on me.


    Her eyes were talking. ¡®Now I¡¯m the owner of this place, and the days when you used to walk around here like a master are long gone.¡¯


    I laughed.


    ¡°You are arrogant.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Daphne looked at me. I smiled brightly at her.


    ¡°Hello, Daphne. I see you¡¯re doing well. You still treat people like they¡¯re idiots.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Twelve years ago. What did you say about me? Didn¡¯t you say that you know how difficult it is to deal with a built-in wheelchair?¡±


    I spoke loudly so that people could hear it on purpose, taking advantage of the people¡¯s attention.


    Then the surroundings began to murmur little by little. Daphne bit her lip and looked at me in embarrassment, as she didn¡¯t think I was going to say those words.


    ¡°What are you talking about, Aileen? When did I say that¡­¡±


    ¡°You said that I am a sensitive person, and you said that I have a sensitive personality and it got worse after I injured my legs. I thought of you as a friend.¡±


    ¡°You, what the hell is that¡­ ¡­ !¡±


    Daphne almost raised her voice, but when she saw the people behind me, she closed her eyes.


    His Majesty the Emperor and Usher were also sitting behind me.


    The two of them were quietly watching Daphne and me.


    ¡°Still, I appreciate the courage to talk to me in a friendly way and want to go match the dress with you.¡±


    I smiled kindly and said.


    ¡°But I decline. I think my dress will be in fashion soon.¡±


    Daphne¡¯s eyebrows twitched as if to mean something else.


    But I was serious.


    Daphne wasn¡¯t wrong, saying that wide and colorful dresses were fashionable these days.


    The dress I wore was different from the dress that was currently mainstream in that it consisted of a two-piece jacket and skirt. Velvet wasn¡¯t a very common material for dresses, and the slim fit.


    It was not unreasonable to say that it was the complete opposite of the dresses that were now trending.


    Dresses that were fashionable 10 years ago when I injured my legs.


    But.


    ¡°It is said that fashion usually rotates every 10 years, Daphne. And you know, it¡¯s socialite fashion.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes the fashion changes completely depending on what kind of dress a woman of high status wears.¡±


    I smiled and whispered in Daphne¡¯s ear.


    It was a declaration. A declaration of my noble status. A declaration that I alone would be enough to change the trend of the social world.


    Now that I had returned, I declared that she had to work harder to defend the position she gained in the social world in exchange for betraying me.


    Daphne¡¯s face flushed with shame upon hearing my secret declaration.


    ¡°Watch out, Daphne. The fashion of women in society will change soon.¡±


    I just continued speaking in a relaxed voice.


    ¡°And next time, speak to the Duke with courtesy. Do you understand?¡±


    ****


    After a while, Daphne disappeared in front of me.


    She acted as if she was going to end the conversation calmly as if she was conscious of people, but her face was completely different when she turned away from me.


    Beyond the reddish-blue, a cold expression. The sharp eyes that seemed to cut me through at any moment must have been the real face she looked at me for all this time.


    I responded in a childish way without realizing it, but the feeling was bittersweet.


    In fact, if I ever met Daphne again, I thought I¡¯d ask him at least once. Why did you have to be close to me while gossiping behind my back? If you had hated me for a long time, you didn¡¯t have to try to get so close to me.


    But seeing Daphne acted like that, I thought there was nothing to ask. I don¡¯t know why she betrayed me, but I don¡¯t think it would be more or less what I felt now if I knew the reason.


    Envy. Jealousy. Complex.


    In this class-based society, it was an emotion that could be easily felt, especially by people of the same age or class as me. But even Daphne didn¡¯t think so.


    Yes. Let¡¯s not worry.


    I soon made up my mind. I came here to impress the emperor and nobles, not to be swayed by people like Daphne.


    Let¡¯s focus only on my duty as a Duke. With that in mind, I went to my seat and sat down. At that moment, a knight came into my sight.


    I doubted my eyes. The knight standing still was definitely Sebastian.


    ¡®¡­ Sebastian?¡¯


    Without realizing it, I looked at him. He stood in the group of knights surrounding the outdoor plaza where the banquet was held, as if guarding it.


    A figure standing without moving while wearing armor and holding a spear.


    His face was not clearly visible because he was wearing a helmet. But, having lived in the same house with Sebastian for several years, there was no way I wouldn¡¯t recognize him.


    The familiar figure and face was definitely Sebastian.

 Chapter 14

    ***


    ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯  Thoughts rushed through my mind as my mind went blank.


    I was as surprised as when I met him on the street a while ago. I thought that day was just a coincidence. Why is he still standing in front of me in a knight¡¯s outfit?


    The reality I was constantly facing with him was completely incomprehensible.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    After a moment of surprise, I soon felt my mind calmed down.


    ¡®Yeah, what if he¡¯s here?¡¯


    Perhaps, as I expected, he decided to return to the Empire after traveling abroad and join the Knights to earn money again. As an imperial citizen of the Rosien Empire, there was no reason why he could not join the Knights.


    He has the right to work in the Imperial. It was natural.


    My gaze glanced back at Sebastian. The figure of him standing motionless was like a lonely old tree. I always felt that way. He always seemed lonely, and while he was always by my side, his gaze was directed elsewhere. For some reason, I kept looking at him.


    A few minutes later, when Sebastian turned to face me. I just looked straight ahead.


    As if I hadn¡¯t even found him, as if we didn¡¯t know each other from the beginning.


    ***


    Soon the imperial palace banquet began.


    The order of the annual banquet was there, and it wasn¡¯t much different, except this time the banquet venue was changed to an outdoor space. A pre-invited band, dancers, and troupe perform a noble stage tailored to the taste of the aristocrats, and the nobles enjoyed them.


    It was a banquet, but it wasn¡¯t for me. For me, who had been away from the world for several years, it was the first banquet to officially participate in after the debutante.


    I soon began to completely immerse myself in the performance, forgetting Daphne and Sebastian.


    It was a nice day and the atmosphere was peaceful. The content of the play was interesting. Soon after all the performances were over, my mind was as peaceful as the atmosphere of the scene.


    ¡°Thank you all for coming to my birthday banquet. It is very emotional to say that I am already celebrating my 59th birthday. I think I¡¯m a very old man now, and my hair has turned white.¡±


    After the performance, the seats were cleared. The emperor began to speak.


    ¡°Yeah, looking in the mirror yesterday, I suddenly thought of that. Now I think I¡¯m old¡­¡±


    The emperor looked at the crowd with a gentle but overwhelming gaze. After looking at the nobles slowly for quite some time, his gaze soon turned to the seat next to him.


    To his lovely son who was sufficiently supportive of him.


    ¡°Until my birthday next year, I plan to hand over the throne to Usher.¡±


    ¡°¡­.!¡±


    The nobles looked at the emperor with a surprised expression. There were exclamations all over the place.


    It was the same with Usher. He turned and looked at his father with a surprised expression.


    Judging from the reaction, it was the first time he, too, had heard the emperor¡¯s declaration.


    ¡°Usher has now grown up to be a prince who can rule this Rosien Empire. Everyone knows he has no objections to becoming the next emperor.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°The only thing I¡¯m worried about is¡­ It¡¯s the fact that Usher doesn¡¯t have a match yet.¡±


    The keen nobles¡¯ eyes lit up as if they realized what the emperor wanted from Usher and from the nobles. Usher, who will soon inherit the throne, and the seat of the Crown Princess, which remained empty next to him.


    ¡°You know. I lost my wife for a long time and left the Empress position vacant. I do not regret it, but I have felt firsthand how great the void was during the reign of the Empire.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I want Usher to stop being stubborn and find a match as soon as possible.¡±


    It was also a command issued by the emperor to his son and nobles. An order that the prince¡¯s courtship will proceed in the future, and that everyone wished to cooperate in this courtship in their own way. Usher was no exception.


    At the bombshell declaration issued by the emperor, the banquet hall began to rumble.


    ***


    After eating, a ball was held.


    Like a banquet held outdoors, the ball was also scheduled to be held in full sunlight.


    Around the stage in the center, outdoor tables were set up. On top of that, delicious desserts and light champagne were prepared to fully enjoy the banquet.


    The music of the band resounded, and the ball began. The nobles who liked to dance attended the ball and danced freely, but most of them did not attend the ball and were busy talking in a corner.


    They had more issues to discuss.


    Finally, the emperor succeeded to the throne to his son.


    And soon Usher will marry someone. It was expected to happen someday, but it was a huge declaration. Of course the nobles were most interested in who would become Usher¡¯s wife.


    One of the noble girls who was talking suddenly asked the group in a tone of curiosity.


    ¡°By the way, why hasn¡¯t the Crown Prince married yet?¡±


    In fact, Usher was already old enough to be married.


    Marriages of the royal family usually start from a very young age. The nominees were usually picked ahead, and after they got engaged when they were young, they would grow up together and get married.


    The more compatible the emperor and empress, the more stable the imperial power.


    At Young Lady¡¯ words, the eyes of the nobles turned to the corners one by one. At the end of that gaze was me. One of the nobles, who was watching, whispered very carefully.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let Aileen hear you.¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t the Crown Prince and Duchess Aileen engaged a long time ago?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. However, after Duchess Aileen was unable to walk due to the accident, they broke up the marriage. Since then, he probably hasn¡¯t dated or engaged to any other woman.¡±


    ¡°So, why?¡±


    Whispered as much as she could, the Young Lady still tilted her face and asked. If the engagement was broken, wouldn¡¯t it be common practice to find another lady as soon as possible and prepare for the future? She still did not understand Usher¡¯s actions.


    She asked the question as if curious, but the nobles just shrugged their shoulders and answered.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know why. Only the Crown Prince knows his heart.


    ¡°Well, if you think about it, even His Majesty the Emperor did not bring in another Empress after her death a long time ago. Could it be something similar to that?¡±


    I stood alone at the table and took a sip of champagne, listening to all the stories.


    Normally, I would go back and forth between the nobles to say hello, but I realized that everyone in this room was talking about my relationship with Usher. Everyone whispered so that I could not hear them, but it was a situation in which I knew very well what kind of story was coming and going.


    Due to this situation, it was not easy to approach any group. People couldn¡¯t come to me easily either.


    It was an unpleasant story. Since the story of Usher¡¯s marriage came out, as his former fianc¨¦e, I had to accept it.


    Sophie just sighed and stood by my side.


    It was then. Someone approached and I turned my head.


    ¡°I see you, Princess. If it¡¯s okay, can we have a glass of champagne together?¡±


    ¡°Ah, Marquess Lewis. Hello. Yes, of course.¡±


    The owner of the familiar face was Marquess Lewis, whom I had interacted with while maintaining a moderate friendship.


    Marquess Lewis was a decent socialite and had a good reputation, so she approached me first and then a few people started to come and say hello to me.


    Some people even showed interest in the dress I wore.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen such a narrow dress in a long time. The Princess looks good in it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m flattered.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it. I¡¯m getting tired of these flashy decorations, I¡¯ll have to order a dress like the Princess¡¯s next time. It¡¯s simple and I think it stands out well.¡±


    ¡°If you have any questions, please let me know. I will tell you the shop where I ordered the dress.¡±


    Contrary to Daphne¡¯s words, my dress was quite favored by noble women.


    In particular, Marquess Lewis was known as a pretty big hand in the fashion world by supporting many fashion designers in the capital.


    It was when I was taking a sip of champagne while receiving questions about my dress in moderation.


    People started to gossip. Feeling a strange atmosphere, I looked around. Everyone was glancing somewhere and whispering toward each other.


    I looked in the direction people¡¯s eyes were facing.


    On the stage, Daphne was asking Usher to dance.

 Chapter 15

    ***


    ¡°Oh my God, did Lady Daphne ask Prince Usher to dance?¡±


    A woman from the crowd standing with me spoke blankly as she looked up at the platform. In fact, all the women standing with me looked at them.


    Soon, the entire banquet hall began to roar. In general, there was no case where a woman asked a man to dance first. However, lately, I¡¯ve heard that at a light ball, a woman may approach a man she likes first and ask for a dance.


    But now this place was right after the Emperor had just officially announced Usher¡¯s marriage.


    It was a ballroom. The case was different.


    Daphne courageously approached the Crown Prince, who no one dared to approach first. Daphne shyly turned her gaze to Usher, reaching out to him with her beautiful hand that all men would want to hold at least once.


    I could tell. Even that shy look, there was a sense of certainty in those eyes. If she approached someone with those eyes, she was confident that the man wouldn¡¯t reject her. In reality, Daphne had lived a life that had never been rejected. So, ironically, her gaze was arrogant.


    All eyes were now on Usher. Will the Crown Prince accept Daphne¡¯s dance request? The moment Usher received her dance request, the action would be magnified and spread throughout the empire. Perhaps it was Daphne¡¯s intention.


    That also meant, in other words, that she wanted the Empress seat.


    It was then. Usher¡¯s and my eyes met. Suddenly, Usher let out a soft sigh.


    He stood up as if he had decided something. Soon, Usher passed Daphne and started walking somewhere. It was a cold movement that did not give a single glance to what many people were watching. It contrasted with Usher¡¯s usual friendly image, causing people to lament.


    Daphne¡¯s face became empty when she realized that Usher was passing by.


    Usher came down from the platform and went somewhere. No, he was approaching¡­


    ¡°I think the Crown Prince is coming towards us right now.¡±


    A woman from the crowd standing with me said so. Yes, he was coming¡­ to me.


    Soon Usher¡¯s footsteps stopped in front of me. A tall man was standing in front of me. The eyes of the young girls standing next to me widened. In the midst of it, I stared blankly at Usher.


    ¡°Lady.¡±


    Usher, standing in front of me, reached out to me, with a beautiful smile.


    ¡°Would you like to dance with me?¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    It was a very interesting situation.


    People were now looking at us with open eyes full of interest. A group of women standing next to me, and the emperor sitting on that platform. And even Daphne.


    I suddenly wondered what Daphne¡¯s gaze would look like, but I didn¡¯t have time to look at it.


    I looked at Usher¡¯s hand. A large hand stretched out straight toward me.


    In fact, I was embarrassed and tried to refuse. But at that moment, his puppy-like eyes caught my eyes. There were words written in his eyes.


    Only then did I understand his intentions.


    Usher must be in a very difficult situation right now because of his father¡¯s sudden announcement of marriage. In the midst of that, Daphne came and asked for a dance, so the difficulty must have been doubled. If he recklessly asks or accepts someone to dance, it was like he decided on a set partner in people¡¯s view.


    So Usher came to me. The person he was most comfortable with will be me.


    Besides, I was recently divorced, and we were engaged in the past, it was relatively less burdensome. People would gossip a little bit, but I had the status and power to ignore it.


    When I realized that, I changed my mind about rejecting him. I thought it would be fun to be able to get revenge on Daphne, who I thought would never be rejected.


    I put down the champagne and answered.


    ¡°Shall we, Your Highness?¡±


    Usher smiled at me. He smiled gracefully and took my hand.


    People¡¯s eyes widened.


    ***


    I went with Usher to the room where the ball was being held.


    In the middle of an outdoor stage basking in the sunlight, the nobles who came first were dancing. As Usher and I entered the middle of the stage, the music was just playing ended.


    People¡¯s eyes were still on us. Feeling those gazes very well, Usher and I looked at each other more affectionately than usual.


    However, there was one thing that came to mind at that moment.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    When I suddenly let out a bewildered tone, Usher asked softly.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t dance well..¡­¡±


    Come to think of it, it had been too long since I had danced.


    I accepted Usher¡¯s dance request, but my dancing experience was non-existent.


    I had an accident when I was 11, so I didn¡¯t have many opportunities to dance properly. I had a few memories of learning etiquette and dancing when I was very young, but I couldn¡¯t fully remember it.


    I bit my lips. I regretted it. I should have learned to dance beforehand. Until recently, living with a cane, I couldn¡¯t afford to learn such things. It was a noble¡¯s job to dance at a banquet, but I forgot such an important thing.


    In the first place, it was a matter of choice whether or not to dance at the banquet.


    I never thought I¡¯d be in a situation where I would choose the option of dancing. Because dancing was a life that I thought was far from me in the first place.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember we danced when we were young? When you first learned to dance, you learned it together with me.¡±


    ¡°I have a memory of learning to dance as a partner with Your Highness. Literally, it¡¯s just a memory.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it.¡±


    Usher said calmly. Looking up at Usher, he grinned.


    ¡°Trust me and leave it to me.¡±


    He looked so relaxed, I was even more embarrassed.


    It was when I couldn¡¯t control my expression and looked at him. The music rang out.


    ¡°Grab my shoulder, Aileen.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    The music started, and we started dancing. My one hand was holding Usher¡¯s hand, the other was on Usher¡¯s shoulder.


    One of Usher¡¯s arms wrapped around my waist.


    The posture was close to the norm, but my dancing skills were not. I almost surrendered myself to Usher. I wondered if it would be better to get on his feet and waddle.


    It wasn¡¯t just that. Why do I keep stepping on his feet?


    ¡°Ugh.¡±


    When I stepped on his foot for the fifth time, I eventually let out a grotesque sound.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    Even though his feet must have been quite painful because I was wearing high heels, Usher looked relaxed. My heart pounded with every step on his foot, but when I looked up, he even had a smile on his face. It seemed like he was having fun.


    It was when I was thinking that he was mean for some reason. Usher whispered to me.


    ¡°Feel the beat, Aileen. It¡¯s not that difficult of a dance. If you learn the beat and movement, you can dance quickly.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    One, two, three. One, two, three. Usher gently whispered to the beat.


    After that, I exhaled. Yes. It was not right to continue to step on his foot while helping him like this and cause trouble.


    Besides, many people were watching. It was embarrassing to show such poor dancing skills.


    I looked down unobtrusively and watched Usher¡¯s feet and my feet move. I glanced around and began to learn movements to the beat. It couldn¡¯t be called easy movements, but the pattern was repeating itself. Usher smiled proudly at the way I was quickly learning the moves.


    ¡®Yes, you can do it. Aileen.¡¯


    The more I learned the dance sequence, the less I stepped on Usher¡¯s feet. Usher said.


    ¡°You¡¯re good. If I take a lesson after the banquet, you will get better in no time.¡±


    It was then. The flow of music changed. Usher said, realizing that it was a climax.


    ¡°Now is the climax. Floating pose. Can you do it?¡±


    ¡°What? no?¡±


    ¡°Leave it to me.¡±


    ¡°¡­.!¡±


    Usher grabbed my waist tightly before I could even think of what to say. He lifted me up and I leaped into the air in astonishment, leaving myself in his hands. The music was at its climax.


    For a brief moment, I felt the bright sunlight shining high on me. I felt the wind passing by as if hugging me floating in the air. I felt the gaze of people looking at Usher and me. My skirt and my hair fluttered gently.


    My body went round and round.


    One, two, three, my body moved automatically. Another lap and another lap.


    Finally I landed on the floor. I took a breath.


    ¡­.It was a success.


    My heart was pounding. A refreshing feeling flooded in. At the same time, the music ended.


    I looked up at Usher. There were no words, but there was little emotion in my eyes that I had successfully danced.


    It was the same with Usher. He smiled brightly as he looked at me.


    ¡°Well done.¡±


    It was a friendly voice.

 Chapter 16

    ***


    After the dance with Usher was over, Sophie approached as if she had been waiting for me to leave the dance floor with thumbs up.


    ¡°Duchess, you danced so well! It¡¯s been a long time since you danced, so I was really worried.¡±


    Sophie was the only person who had been staring at me and Usher from the moment I was escorted by Usher. I smiled brightly at Sophie.


    ¡°Did I do well?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You danced so well, I thought you learned to dance without me knowing.¡±


    Sophie came closer and whispered to me.


    ¡°Dancing with Prince Usher was such a beautiful scene. Do you know that everyone is still staring at you? It¡¯s the same with Lady Daphne.¡±


    Indeed, as Sophie said, when I looked around, everyone¡¯s eyes were on me.


    I looked at Daphne. She glared at me, then turned her head away when our eyes met.


    I smiled at Sophie.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get some fresh air. I danced for quite a long time, so I feel a little hot.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Yes. Let¡¯s go together.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. We¡¯re in the Imperial Palace. I¡¯ll be back soon. I just want to calm myself down a bit.¡±


    I left Sophie and went out alone. My heart was beating non-stop.


    I left the garden where the banquet was in full swing, and when I reached a place where there were no people, I exclaimed.


    ¡°I danced¡­¡±


    After dancing freely like that, I realized that I could walk.


    ¡°I can dance and walk¡­ !¡±


    I quickly got used to the duties of the Duke, which I inherited after my parents died, but I didn¡¯t get used to the sense of walking at all. Every time I realized that I could use my legs, I felt an indescribable thrill.


    It was truly a great sense of achievement. My heart was beating happily. It was a moment to calm myself down.


    ¡°You look happy.¡±


    A voice came from somewhere.


    As soon as I heard the voice, my heart pounded and vibrated. All emotions that had just been delighted with my own achievements were dismissed. My brain became white. I just stiffened.


    It was a familiar voice. A voice I couldn¡¯t help but recognize. The voice I heard in the mansion every day for 5 years.


    I looked back. Sebastian Hughes stood in front of me with arms crossed.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I looked around. This place where I was standing was in a sparsely populated corner of the garden. Unless someone deliberately came to find me, it was a place where no one would see me. I came to this place on purpose.


    But Sebastian was standing in front of me. The only explanation was that he followed me.


    A feeling of bewilderment rushed in. I ran into him, but I thought that would be all.


    I had never expected him to appear in front of me and talk to me.


    Didn¡¯t he hate me greatly? I couldn¡¯t understand the situation in which he, who was tired of my obsession in the past, appeared in front of me and clearly talked to me.


    But then I straightened my posture and looked at him with a firm gaze.


    There was no need for me to panic. My feelings for Sebastian had long since been cleared up.


    Sebastian was just¡­ Maybe he wanted to say hello to me, whom he hadn¡¯t seen in a long time. Yes, it was possible.


    It was then. He strode towards me. His large physique and his elongated legs approached me in an instant.


    I was speechless and blocked. I unknowingly took a step back. Every time he took one step closer, the feeling of bewilderment doubled. A garden vine touched my back. A shadow fell over my head. Like a mouse in a corner, I looked up at him.


    If someone passing by from afar sees it, we will look like lovers having a secret meeting.


    But he wasn¡¯t looking at my face. He lowered his head and stared openly at my legs. It was as if he was checking my moving legs with his own eyes several times.


    Then his gaze looked at me as if in disbelief. That gaze was sharp.


    ¡°Your leg.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    It sounded like he couldn¡¯t believe it. It looked as if he was spitting out a question he had been holding down tightly. I looked up at him quietly and answered.


    ¡°If you meet someone, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s polite to say hello first?¡±


    Sebastian furrowed his eyebrows. As if my answer was not very satisfactory.


    Then he took a step back and bowed to me.


    ¡°I see Duchess Aileen Lowell. Have you been well?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He made a formal greeting but it also sounded sarcastic.


    ¡°What happened to your leg?¡±


    After a brief greeting, he asked again.


    His appearance began to annoy me. But I decided to give an honest answer. I thought even Sebastian would react like this after seeing my legs moving.


    ¡°I found a way to fix it, and I fixed it. That¡¯s it. I don¡¯t need to tell you the whole process.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Have you started working for the Imperial Knights now? You¡¯ve been on a trip, and you¡¯re settled down in the capital?¡±


    ¡°What is your relationship with the Crown Prince?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You were good at dancing. And even laughed.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    That was the kind of question that came out instead of an answer.


    I was speechless. Why was he asking such a question? The fact that he was watching me closely today gave me goosebumps, but what scared me even more was the fact that he came up to me and asked these questions.


    ¡°Whatever I have to do with the Crown Prince, why do you care?¡±


    I thought it was reasonable to ask about my legs. Because he was the one who silently pushed my wheelchair for the past five years and was the one who had seen my immobile legs up close. Then I suddenly declared a divorce, and after breaking up with him, I suddenly appeared with my leg fixed. Of course, the country will also be curious.


    But asking about my relationship with Usher didn¡¯t make sense. Why did he suddenly approach me and show interest?


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t think we¡¯re close enough talking face to face like this.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you return to the Empire or not. But if it¡¯s possible, let¡¯s pretend we don¡¯t know each other. Our relationship


    is better that way, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    After saying that, I turned back and walked away.


    Sebastian¡¯s gaze seemed to reach behind my back, but I didn¡¯t look back until the end.


    ***


    On the way back to the mansion. I was in deep thought. The good feeling was gone.


    ¡°Given the reaction of people today, it seems that the banquet was successful. It seems like you did a good job deciding to dance. It looks like it will be a bit noisy for a while.¡±


    Sophie was chattering the whole time, as if she was very satisfied with today¡¯s banquet.


    ¡°Besides, did you know that the dress you wore also drew people¡¯s attention? I think dresses like this will become popular sooner or later.¡±


    Sophie was talking, but I couldn¡¯t hear it. Sophie tilted her head.


    ¡°Your Excellency?¡±


    ¡°Sophie¡­.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Sebastian was at the banquet today.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Sebastian¡­what? What did you just say?¡±


    Sophie asked as if she heard it wrong. I looked at her and said,


    ¡°After returning from his trip, it seems that he has started working for the Imperial Knights again. Sebastian is a capable knight, so there must have been no reason why the Knights wouldn¡¯t accept him. It is a great loss to the Empire to lose such a wonderful knight.¡±


    I looked back on my last meeting with Sebastian. First, my carriage almost hit Bianca. Sebastian approached Bianca with a hot dog. Then I met him again and he was working in the Imperial Palace.


    It was strange. The reunion with Sebastian kept bothering me. All these encounters were so fateful.


    Fate¡­


    Suddenly my eyes widened. No way.


    I remembered what the sorceress who healed my leg had said six months ago.


    ¡°The three tragedies will come at any time and without notice from the moment the princess leaves this hut. I wish you all the best.¡±


    I felt like I had been hit in the head.


    My intuition was telling me. Reuniting with him may be the second tragedy. Sophie sensed that my expression was strange and tilted her head. I said.


    ¡°¡­ Wouldn¡¯t Sebastian be my second tragedy?¡±


    ¡°A second tragedy? ¡­ ¡­ Ah.¡±


    Sophie had a look on her face as if she just remembered what she had forgotten at the words ¡®second tragedy¡¯. After thinking for a moment, she shook her head.


    ¡°No. Maybe.¡±


    ¡°Maybe?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It is true that Master Sebastian can be your tragedy, but nothing has happened yet. He hasn¡¯t shown much interest in the Princess.


    I pondered for a moment about whether I should tell Sophie what happened to Sebastian earlier in the garden.


    But soon I nodded.


    ¡°Yes. like that. That¡¯s it.¡±


    As Sophie said, nothing happened yet.


    We just met twice, right?


    Compared to the death of my parents, the scale was still too small to be called a tragedy. However, the uneasy feeling did not go away.


    I bit my lips and turned my head.


    I stared at the scenery outside the carriage, which seemed to be shaking precariously, and fell into my thoughts for a while.


    Sebastian Hughes.


    What kind of impact will my reunion with you really bring to my life?


    What does it mean for me to meet you again?


    Are you really my second tragedy? I wondered.

 Chapter 17

    ***


    ***


    ***


    A few days later. I sat in my office and opened the socialite newsletter in front of me. In the most conspicuous place on the first page, the following large letters were engraved:


    [The emperor declared his abdication at his birthday banquet]


    [Prince Usher asked Duchess Aileen Lowell to dance]


    There was even a small part on the bottom that described the dance.


    The situation of that day was clearly summarized and known through the typeface.


    Sophie, who was looking at me with worried eyes, asked.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes? Yes, I¡¯m okay.¡±


    I smiled and put down the newsletter.


    It was not empty words, I was really fine.


    ¡°It was all expected when I accepted Usher¡¯s dance request that day. And that doesn¡¯t even affect Usher¡¯s marriage.¡±


    The Crown Prince only asked for a dance once. It could have been a matter of gossip for a while, but it was certain that it would not have much effect on the Prince¡¯s marriage as a result. That was because the events of the day were only published in social media, not newspapers.


    Usher knew it too, so he must have come to me that day and asked for help.


    I asked Sophie, putting the newsletter aside.


    ¡°By the way, didn¡¯t you say you have something to report? What is it?¡±


    ¡°Ah yes. Recently, we received a request from the Knight Order for more staff.¡±


    ¡°More staff?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it seems that Count Rishkan and Baron Harman have recently been stripped of their positions as vassals, and many of their knights have also left.¡±


    Count Rishikan and Baron Harman were vassals who tried to oppose me, and they were caught and condemned after I became Duke.


    It has been a long time since they were deprived of their positions and expelled, but only now they requested support for the workforce.


    It seemed that the knight commander must have endured quite a lot.


    ¡°Yes. If they need it, we have to do it.¡±


    Things like that happen, too. Replenishment of manpower should be done upon request. Above all else, it was very important for the security of the duchy.


    However, I did not intend to hire vassals in the field where my power had not yet been fully stabilized.


    Bring in the mercenaries, or¡­


    After thinking about it, I said to Sophie.


    ¡°Sophie, can you arrange tea time with the Crown Prince?¡±


    ***


    The next day, I sat down with Usher at a tea table in the Duke¡¯s garden.


    ¡°I only sent an invitation for tea time to the Imperial Palace yesterday. You came so quickly.¡±


    ¡°Who is calling? Of course I should come right away. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t come yesterday.¡±


    Usher answered with a smile. He looked very happy. In fact, Usher and I often had tea time. He regularly visited me after I divorced Sebastian.


    When I asked the reason one day, the answer came back, ¡°I thought you would be lonely.¡±


    But it was the first time I had invited Usher like this.


    He seemed to be very pleased.


    Soon after, the maids poured tea for us. After all the maids had left, Usher took a sip of tea and spoke.


    ¡°Did you have a good time? On the day of my father¡¯s birthday party. I wanted to see you off, but you left quietly.¡±


    ¡°Oh. I didn¡¯t want to make the banquet hall noisy for nothing.¡±


    I answered with a smile. After dancing with Usher, everyone¡¯s eyes were on Usher and me. If he had even sent me off, the scandal with Usher and I would have grown in size.


    Of course, right after reuniting with Sebastian, I was confused and quietly left the banquet hall without saying goodbye.


    ¡°That day¡­¡­Thank you, Aileen. You quickly noticed that I was in an awkward situation.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness had such eyes to ask for help, and anyone would have recognized it.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Was it too obvious?¡±


    Usher scratched his silver hair in embarrassment. I laughed softly.


    ¡°But it was a fun experience for me too. I don¡¯t have very good feelings for Daphne.¡±


    It was childish to say it like that, but it felt good. Daphne was glaring at me from the corner as she didn¡¯t like me and Usher to be together.


    The look on her face was quite pleasing to me.


    How much did it annoy her? A greedy person like Daphne.


    Thinking of her again, I smiled happily involuntarily. The mood between I and Usher wasn¡¯t too bad, knowing that the events of the day wouldn¡¯t have a big impact.


    ¡°Oh right. I found a teacher to teach you to dance.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Ah. What?¡±


    ¡°I told you that day. If you learn to dance a little more, you will do well. I will send her here regularly, so if it¡¯s okay with you, try learning it.¡±


    I looked at Usher blankly and smiled in amazement.


    ¡°¡­ thank you. I was still going to learn to dance, but you are already ahead of me.¡±


    I was trying to learn to dance. I also wanted to have a hobby where I would use my legs to commemorate that my legs were no longer hurt, and in case I would have to regularly attend banquets in the future.


    I didn¡¯t expect that Usher would prepare in advance. I exhaled in a small whisper.


    ¡°You help me every time¡­¡±


    This wasn¡¯t the only time Usher helped me.


    After I became Duke, he helped me in various ways so that I could adjust well to my position.


    It was also Usher who secretly aided in the expulsion of Count Rishikan and Baron Harman, who betrayed me.


    ¡°I¡¯m helping because I want to help, so don¡¯t feel too burdened.¡±


    ¡°¡­ then.¡±


    I decided to ask him shamelessly for another favor. I put down the teacup and said,


    ¡°In that case, I have to ask you one more time. In fact, that¡¯s why I asked Your Highness for tea time.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. What is it?¡±


    ¡°You helped me before¡­. Due to the expulsion of Count Rishikan and Baron Harman, the knights also seem to be suffering from a shortage of manpower. Until the Knight Order is stabilized, I would like you to borrow the personnel of the Imperial Order for a certain period of time.¡±


    I politely added an explanation.


    ¡°To find a mercenary, I have to find a mercenary group with at least a certain level of ability, but it takes too much time and the average contract period is long. Of course, I will pay in return for the loan.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    Usher nodded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The reason the Imperial Knights are always running at a leisurely pace is to leave room for recruiting in this way. Besides, the Duke Lowell is a family with deep ties to the imperial family, so there¡¯s no reason not to lend it.¡±


    He happily continued.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take action as soon as I get back to the Imperial Palace. And don¡¯t worry about money¡­. Let¡¯s have tea time like this often.¡±


    ¡°¡­ thank you.¡±


    I answered with a smile.


    Usher Rosien was a very kind person.


    Silence passed. Usher watched me sip my tea with my head bowed slightly. Then he put down his teacup abruptly.


    Clank. The sound of his teacup touching the table rang out.


    ¡°Aileen.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°What do you think about becoming the Crown Princess?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­What?¡±


    I looked at Usher with wide eyes. He was looking straight at me.


    Feeling a little nervous, I grabbed the teacup tightly. A warm feeling was transmitted.


    ¡°That¡¯s what my father said. If you want, I can welcome you again.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Leaving me unanswered, Usher continued.


    ¡°After throwing the surprise speech at his birthday banquet, my father and I had a deep conversation that night. About you.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°My feelings are the same. Was it a feeling of communion? My father must have thought so when he looked at me.¡±


    ¡°¡­Usher.¡±


    I knew what Usher was talking about.


    After the death of the Empress, people made various speculations as to why the emperor did not remarry.


    But I clearly knew why. The emperor was a great lover. The emperor loved his wife more than anything.


    So the Emperor left her vacant position for a long time after Usher¡¯s mother, the Empress, passed away. For one very trivial reason for an imperial family, he didn¡¯t want to put another woman in his beloved wife¡¯s place.


    Was it the same with Usher?


    When my legs got hurt, I said goodbye to Usher that I wouldn¡¯t be able to become the Crown Princess.


    I still vividly remembered Usher¡¯s expression that day.


    The expression of losing everything in the world. An expression that seemed to deny the darkness that first spread in his own world.


    From that day on, Usher had no intention of making another Crown Princess. Like his faithful father.


    ¡°¡­ ¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡±


    But I only answered in a slight perplexed voice.


    I vaguely thought that Usher might bring up this subject again, but hearing this openly, the amount of surprise that came to me was greater than I expected.


    ¡°Actually¡­¡­ I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    I continued.


    ¡°I recently got divorced. It¡¯s only been six months since I took over the Duchy. It is not yet possible to say that I am fully established in the duchy and social world.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And you know that divorce and remarriage are big flaws for nobles. And, the Empress is someone who represents the Empire.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Usher simply replied with a smile. He looked relaxed. More than me speaking with my face blushing in embarrassment.


    Rather, Usher looked at me with affectionate eyes.


    Soon he grabbed my hand. Maybe it was because he had been sitting outdoors for a long time. His hands were cold, but the way he looked at me was as warm as ever.


    ¡°Aileen. I¡¯m not asking you to answer me right now. There is still one year left.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°In the meantime, I will try harder. So that you will see me again. No, I¡¯ll make it that you can¡¯t live without me.¡±


    Usher smiled warmly. As if I was the only one he saw in this garden.


    I sat facing Usher for a while.

 Chapter 18

    ***


    ***


    After tea time with Usher.


    For several days I lived with a slightly more complicated mind.


    ¡°What do you think of becoming the Crown Princess?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to answer me right now. Because there is still one year left.¡±


    ¡°In the meantime, I will work harder. So that you will see me again.¡±


    Usher¡¯s sweet voice swept through my head whenever I could think of anything else.


    Thanks to him, I was in serious trouble for a while.


    Crown Princess.


    I don¡¯t know yet.


    I didn¡¯t make the decision in the first place with remarriage in mind when I divorced Sebastian. Having had so much going on with Sebastian, I didn¡¯t even think I¡¯d ever be able to remarry after I broke up with him.


    For me the remarriage, and the position of the Crown Princess, was too sudden.


    Meanwhile, I started to think about Usher¡¯s feelings for me. Usher kept coming and helping me.


    I vaguely knew that Usher still had feelings for me but I didn¡¯t know if it was friendship or love.


    I thought it was a little closer to friendship, but to Usher, it must have been love.


    ¡°Uh, I don¡¯t know¡­ ¡­ ¡±


    I was exhausted after thinking about it, and I ended up flopping on the bed. The idea was to do whatever my heart wanted and go wherever it went.


    It was about time for Usher¡¯s words to leave his mind.


    A few days later.


    The knights sent by Usher have arrived. From the balcony I watched as the knights from the imperial court lined up and walked into the Duke¡¯s knight Order.


    Soon, the Knights will be placed in the right place under the command of the Knight Commander and will be active.


    ¡°I am really glad that the Crown Prince has given us more knights, Your Excellency.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    It was at that time when I was answering Sophie¡¯s words. Suddenly, I saw something and frowned. Sophie, who was standing next to me, looked at my expression and tilted her head.


    ¡°Your Excellency, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°That person¡­.¡±


    Sophie narrowed her eyes to where I was pointing.


    ¡°Oh my gosh.¡±


    Sophie¡¯s eyes widened.


    Among the knights, the man who caught his eye was none other than Sebastian.


    He was walking in line in knight armor. Each of his captured movements caught my eye. His expression, as he walked among the knights, was staring hard into the air.


    ¡°No way.¡±


    Sophie walked up to me in disbelief, and stood up against the balcony railing and pulled herself out to look at him more clearly.


    ¡°It¡¯s really Master Sebastian. I¡¯m sure. No, how did Master Sebastian come here¡­¡­ ¡±


    Sophie, who was whispering in silence, turned her head towards me.


    ¡°Your Excellency recognized Master Sebastian right away, which is also amazing.¡±


    ¡°I know. Is there some kind of sense development..¡­ ¡±


    Sebastian has been standing out since last time. I was dumbfounded myself, but what can I do when I turn my head and see him right away?


    Well, I had lived with Sebastian for a few years, it would be strange not to recognize him.


    Of course, that didn¡¯t matter now. What was important was that Sebastian was in the Duke¡¯s residence.


    Why Sebastian?


    How did he come to be chosen and sent here?


    As I was thinking about it, I suddenly let out a sigh and Sophie turned to me.


    ¡°Ha¡­.¡±


    ¡°Why, Your Excellency?¡±


    ¡°¡­ Usher must have sent him.¡±


    I exhaled as if talking to myself. I felt Sophie tilting her head.


    Usher probably didn¡¯t send Sebastian on purpose. However, if it were Usher that I knew, he would have carefully selected and sent the best knights. Sebastian, who was quite talented as a knight, couldn¡¯t help but be included there.


    Yes. It was possible.


    ¡°Your Excellency. As far as I know¡­The Duke will need an escort.¡±


    Sophie said as if she was worried about something.


    ¡°Surely, Master Sebastian wouldn¡¯t be selected as an escort, would it? If the knight commander has common sense.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    I nodded.


    ¡°The dukedom is not small, and there are many places to stand guard, not just to protect the Duke. Don¡¯t worry too much. Unless Sebastian shows up on his own, I don¡¯t think we need to bother.¡±


    I answered clearly.


    There were many places in the Duchy that needed the help of knights, and as Sophie said, if the knight commander should have common sense, he would not put my ex-husband Sebastian next to me.


    It could not be said that I wasn¡¯t completely unconcerned about Sebastian¡¯s appearance, but I thought ¡®what could happen?¡¯.


    But.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    A few days later, when Sebastian appeared in front of me.


    ¡°My name is Sebastian, who will be Your Excellency¡¯s escort.¡±


    And when he looked at me and let out a relaxed voice.


    I even ended up finding the situation interesting.


    I looked at Sebastian in front of me. Sebastian, wearing a knight¡¯s armor, with a sword attached to his waist, was looking at me silently.


    Sophie¡¯s voice, unwittingly speaking, could be heard in my ears.


    ¡°Crazy¡­..¡±


    I just stared at Sebastian in the meantime and laughed in vain.


    This¡­ How could this happen?


    ***


    ¡°No, what is this¡­¡­ ¡­ ¡±


    The culprit was called. It was the Knight Commander who made Sebastian my escort.


    Upon hearing that Sebastian had become my escort, the knight commander came to me with a bewildered face. The atmosphere in the office was serious. Sophie was looking at the Knight Commander with her arms crossed and an angry expression on her face, and I sat at the desk and looked at him silently.


    Sophie pressed him.


    ¡°Can you explain how this happened, Commander?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    We could hear how Sebastian became my escort.


    The knight commander said that the escort of the Duke should be a person with the best swordsmanship, and as soon as the imperial knights arrived, he told them to first select a person with the best swordsmanship.


    The vice commander was in charge of all swordsmanship matches and results management under the orders of the knight commander, but the problem was that the vice commander had no idea who Sebastian was because he had recently started working in the duke¡¯s family.


    Some knights may have noticed Sebastian¡¯s identity, but no one seemed to be able to speak out while looking at the vice commander.


    So, the vice commander succeeded in making Sebastian my escort.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I should have paid more attention. It was my fault for not checking because I was busy.¡±


    The knight commander bowed his head several times, realizing that he had made a huge mistake.


    ¡°I will change the escort right away. You can¡¯t have your former husband by your side like this¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t change it, but send him back to the Imperial Palace. Does this make sense?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    Sophie¡¯s bewildered voice was heard as she spoke with her arms crossed.


    I got up from my seat, looked out the window, pondered, then turned around. Sophie and the Knights Commander were looking at me with their eyes widened.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Knight Commander. A mistake like this could happen because you were busy due to a sudden lack of manpower in the Order.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if Sebastian escorts me or not. Now, he and I are separated, and we¡¯re strangers.¡±


    ¡°But, Your Excellency.¡±


    Sophie seemed to want to say something, but she was speechless as I turned to her with a determined expression on my face.


    Yes. It didn¡¯t matter if he was my escort or not. Conversely, it would seem odd to change Sebastian. He and I have nothing to do with each other anyway, so why should I care about him so much?


    ¡­ Maybe it was a challenge.


    It was to test me if I didn¡¯t care about Sebastian anymore.


    Or maybe I just wanted to test myself.


    I said with a smile.


    ¡°Escort, tell him to do it. Because I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ***


    A few days later.


    I was sitting in my office, moving my quill.


    After becoming a duke, the place where I spent most of my work was none other than the office.


    Of course, as a duke, I often went out for inspections, but most of the time I just received reports from the territory. Thanks to this, I was able to understand why my father was sitting in the office every day, looking at the documents, when he was alive.


    There was only an eerie silence all around. An environment in which no birds chirp as if it let me concentrate on my work.


    swish, swish.


    A pleasant quill sound echoed in the quiet room.


    How much time has passed? I closed the quill, put it down on the desk, and closed the papers.


    ¡°Finally done.¡±


    Looking at the documents required quite a deep concentration.


    I¡¯ve had a lot of work these past few days, so I have a lot of paperwork to do, and I¡¯ve just finished it.


    After tidying up, the tension was relieved and I felt sleepy. I stretched out, covered my mouth, and yawned.


    ¡°Ha.¡±


    It was then. Suddenly, Sebastian, who was standing in the corner, met my eyes.


    Ah.


    I was startled.


    I closed my mouth and quietly lowered my hand.


    Come to think of it, Sebastian was by my side.


    Actually, this wasn¡¯t the only surprise. I was surprised to see him periodically.


    He was an escort knight who did his part very well. He always stood there silently like an old tree. To the extent that I could see why he was such a great escort knight, he made no presence in front of his master.


    I wasn¡¯t surprised just because he was standing next to me so silently.


    Naturally, because he was Sebastian.


    It was not like I had never experienced the existence of an escort knight before, but it was inevitable.


    It was when I turned my head away, pretending not to know that our eyes met.


    His voice was heard.


    ¡°It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen you work.¡±


    A friendly voice.


    I looked at him without realizing it. What¡¯s up with that tone?

 Chapter 19

    ***


    ***


    I doubted my ears.


    Was what I just heard true? Maybe it was a hallucination.


    It was hard to believe the way he spoke to me, it was the first sweet tone I had ever heard. Ever since Sebastian said to me a long time ago when he handed me a handkerchief at the debutante ball.


    Sebastian was staring at me without averting his eyes.


    I pondered for a moment how to react, but I chose to ignore him.


    I doubted whether what I had heard was true, and even if what I heard was true, I thought that in the end, I would be better to ignore him than make any reaction.


    I got up and headed for the office door.


    As soon as I opened the door and was about to go outside, he said.


    ¡°It looks good, you.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°To be able to walk again. And work as a duke.¡±


    He came over to me and grabbed my wrist tenderly. His warm body temperature was transmitted.


    I got goosebumps.


    ¡°You have gained more weight than before. I felt bad seeing you so thin before. You look much healthier now¡­.¡±


    ¡°Where do you dare put your hand?¡±


    A cold voice came out of my mouth. Sebastian stopped talking and looked at me.


    I shook off his hand. It would be more accurate to say that I threw as hard as I could rather than hit it. Objectively, my strength wasn¡¯t that strong. Even though he would have been strong enough to hold on against me, he was pushed back in vain.


    His back touched the wall. He stood still and looked down at me.


    I strode forward in front of him and looked straight up at him.


    ¡°What are you doing to me?¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    Sebastian didn¡¯t answer.


    His expression turned cold again, unlike the lips that had just uttered friendly words. His body temperature was still on my wrist. Once again, goosebumps arose.


    I looked firmly into his amber eyes. I suddenly thought. I think it¡¯s the first time I looked at him with prickly eyes like this.


    ¡°If you are an escort knight, act like an escort knight. Don¡¯t show unnecessary interest in me.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    I spoke coldly and left the room.


    I suddenly thought. Does Bianca know that Sebastian has become my escort knight? Sebastian didn¡¯t respond until I left the room.


    ***


    A few days later, I was meeting a woman in the duke¡¯s office.


    ¡°I am Emma Tristan, who will teach Your Excellency dance from today. Please feel free to call me Emma.¡±


    ¡°Emma, ??nice to meet you.¡±


    Emma was a dance teacher sent by Usher. The middle aged woman was the older sister of the deceased empress, and to Usher, she was also his aunt.


    At first glance, she seemed to have a different face from the previous empress, but if I look closely, I could see that she resembled the previous empress more than anyone else.


    ¡°I came here at a request from Prince Usher. He said that you wanted to learn to dance.¡±


    ¡°Yes. If you¡¯ve ever heard my story, you¡¯d know¡­¡­ I had a major accident when I was young and my legs were not used for several years. And it got fixed now. That¡¯s why it¡¯s only at this age that I learn to dance.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Does age have anything to do with learning to dance? And you¡¯re still young.¡±


    Emma said in a friendly voice.


    ¡°Besides, dancing is not that difficult. The dance of the nobility is well-established, but in fact, the essence of dancing is simply shaking your body to the music.¡±


    She smiled playfully, swayed her waist, and danced naturally. It was different from the restrained dance moves of a noble, and Sophie, who was standing next to me, smiled softly.


    ¡°But you have to learn aristocratic dance, too. In fact, that¡¯s what you need more.¡±


    After Emma stopped dancing, she placed her hand on her waist, with a relaxed smile.


    ¡°Then, shall we learn the most basic waltz first?¡±


    ***


    Learning to dance was quite enjoyable. For me, learning to dance was like a time to realize that I could walk again. I learned only very basic waltz movements, but it was like a dream.


    As I continued to memorize movements and receive instruction, it seemed that the feeling I had learned to dance at a very young age was somewhat revived.


    ¡°Right, left, right, left. That¡¯s it. Left foot to right, right foot to left.¡±


    Emma was a very good teacher. She encouraged me hard and led me to follow the dance.


    While she was quite good at dancing, she seemed to have a very free spirit. She also had a moderate sense of humor. I liked her.


    After dancing class, I had tea time with Emma.


    A table full of desserts. I put down the teacup and said,


    ¡°Thanks to the cheerful teacher, today¡¯s dance class was fun. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°It was an honor for me to teach the dance to the beautiful Duke, too.¡±


    Emma said with a warm smile. Then I continued.


    ¡°I heard Miss Emma is not married. You¡¯re still single.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Since I was little, I was a bit rebellious. At one point, I became disillusioned with the sound of marriage that I heard every day piercing my ears. I ran out of the house that way. I worked as a tutor, traveling around noble families and teaching children. It¡¯s not a bad life.¡±


    I listened to Emma, then spoke.


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing. The fact that you were brought up in a prestigious family, but you could give up on it all¡­. And working as a tutor for different families is hard for me to imagine.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really care about that. Because they¡¯re kids. Kids are lovely, regardless of their status.¡±


    That¡¯s right. I smiled and nodded my head.


    ¡°Usher¡­ So, I have heard that Miss Emma is like a mother to the Crown Prince.¡±


    I had heard about Emma from Usher. He said she was like a second mother to him. Instead of the Empress, who passed away not long after she gave birth to Usher, Emma took care of Usher and often visited the palace.


    I think I had seen her a few times from afar when I was a child.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Usher has relied on me a lot since he was a kid. I think he was lonely because he grew up without his mother.¡±


    Emma smiled and nodded her head.


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why I really liked it when Usher got engaged to Miss Aileen . . .¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t understand what Emma said as she spoke in a l small voice.


    I tilted my head and asked, but Emma shook her head as if it was nothing.


    ¡°When I see Miss Aileen, I think of my dead sister.¡±


    Emma was talking about the former Empress. She sighed a little.


    ¡°My sister was a typical lady who was very well-received in the social world. She also had moderate fantasies about marriage. She eventually became Empress of the Great Rosien Empire. Being weak was her fatal weakness.¡±


    Emma said with a warm smile.


    ¡°So, somehow, I feel like taking care of Miss Aileen.¡±


    Emma said so and looked at me warmly. For some reason, I felt a warm feeling that I had never experienced before blooming in my heart.


    Then Emma quickly put down the teacup and stood up from her seat.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to go. It takes me a while to get back to where I live.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right¡­. I will see you off.¡±


    ¡°No, Duchess. It must be difficult because you moved a lot today, so don¡¯t overdo it.¡±


    I got up from my seat, but Emma dissuaded me, saying she was fine.


    ¡°Come to think of it, it¡¯s a pity that you didn¡¯t have a partner when we danced today.¡±


    Emma took her bag and walked out of her seat, then said.


    ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll bring a partner that suits the Duchess well.¡±


    I looked at Emma for a moment, then smiled and nodded my head.


    She was a nice woman.


    ***


    After Emma left, I did the rest of my work.


    After finishing work early and eating dinner, I decided to practice the dance I learned today for the rest of the time.


    A waltz was a basic dance, but it was by no means an easy dance. For beginners, the steps were often twisted. I stopped dancing. It felt like my brain went blank.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I learned well.¡±


    ¡°Where should my feet go from here? Do I have to move my left foot?¡±


    It was then. A voice came.


    ¡°Left foot to the right.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right¡­¡­ .¡±


    Only then did I remember. Unknowingly, a question surfaced as I was smiling and moving my feet.


    I turned to the side. Sebastian was standing there. My escort knight in armor.


    My expression hardened. Did he just say that? I was sure I clearly told him not to talk to me. But before I could say anything, Sebastian slowly approached me.


    ¡°Can I teach you how to dance?¡±


    There was nobody around. I stepped back.


    It was then that I realized the fatal flaw of the fact that he was my escort knight. He and I were alone, and that was not against the rule.


    My back thumped and touched something. I felt the cold wall.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    Sebastian was right in front of me.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m good at dancing.¡±

 Chapter 20

    ***


    ****


    At that moment, the figure of Sebastian flashed before my eyes.


    Sebastian¡¯s appearance for the first time at a ballroom long ago. He danced with a graceful gesture and soared like a golden hawk. As if it would fly away and disappear at any moment.


    Soon, he approached me and gave me a handkerchief with a friendly smile.


    ¡°Are you okay, Princess?¡±


    ¡°How is it? I can be a very good dance teacher too.¡±


    A low voice whispered in my ear. The past image was gone. I stared at him furiously. His gaze was fixed on me. Seductive red lips approached in front of me.


    I wanted to turn away but I kept getting sucked into him without realizing it. My heart thumped.


    ¡°I told you not to mess around.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    I bit my lips. I squeezed my hands tightly and pushed him away with all my might. Sebastian was pushed back again easily. His expression darkened again.


    I got goosebumps. Fear came. What the hell is he thinking? I ran and left the room. It was an obvious escape.


    Bang! After closing the door with a loud noise, my legs were released. I leaned against the wall and barely supported myself. My heart was beating like crazy.


    Ha. I took a deep breath.


    It was already the second time. Sebastian approached me personally.


    ¡°Why is Sebastian doing this to me?¡±


    I frowned. He was starting to get on my nerves.


    ***


    ¡°Sophie.¡±


    When she saw my pale face, she was surprised and asked.


    ¡°Your Excellency doesn¡¯t look well. What happened?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can do it. We have to send Sebastian away.¡±


    I had to admit my mistakes. I was wrong to let him be my escort. It was my arrogance that I thought I¡¯d be okay.


    He was a man I could not handle. I realized that once again. It was hard to face the same appearance that I couldn¡¯t understand anymore.


    ¡°He keeps bothering me.¡±


    Sophie smiled and nodded as if it were a good idea.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. I¡¯ll tell the Knight Commander to take action as soon as possible.¡±


    I breathed a sigh of relief. I thought Sebastian would soon disappear.


    But soon after Sophie brought the bad news.


    The next morning, I was sitting in my office looking at the documents, and Sophie approached me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Excellency. The Knight Commander says it¡¯s difficult to get Sebastian out.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    My mouth opened slightly. I wriggled my eyebrows. It¡¯s hard to get Sebastian out? I couldn¡¯t understand. Not long ago, the Knight Commander said he could send Sebastian out if I wanted to.


    ¡°What is the reason?¡±


    ¡°Right now, he said that there are no knights who are skilled enough to escort the Duke.¡±


    ¡°What¡­¡­ ?¡±


    ¡°They already have completed the staffing. Your escort is a sensitive matter, so it will take some time before we can find a good knight.¡±


    ¡°Ha,¡± I exhaled.


    Silence continued. Sophie looked at me and asked.


    ¡°Should we let go of the knight commander? He can¡¯t do his job even when Your Excellency refuses.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s okay. The problem is that I accepted it in the first place. It seems that the Duke¡¯s Knights lack a lot of manpower.¡±


    I shook my head. Yes, I accepted Sebastian first so it was unavoidable.


    Anyway, I didn¡¯t know that things would turn out like this.


    After thinking for a while, I suddenly remembered something.


    ¡°Come to think of it¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    Sophie tilted her head as she looked at me with her eyes lit up. I continued.


    ¡°There is a way to get Sebastian out.¡±


    ***


    A few days later, I was sitting in a coffee house in the capital.


    The terrace of the coffee house, which was empty, was quiet. It was when I was looking outside with a cup of steaming coffee in front of me. With a rattling sound, the door opened and a woman appeared.


    A woman with impressive dark skin. She was none other than Bianca.


    ¡°Bianca, here you are.¡±


    Bianca, who found me, came forward and bowed calmly.


    ¡°I see you, Duke.¡±


    I pointed to the opposite seat and said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s sit down first.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­.¡±


    Bianca pulled out a chair and sat down, glancing at me. It was a curious look. As if why did I call her. I said with a smile as if reassured.


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t worry too much. Because I didn¡¯t meet you for the same reason as before.¡±


    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m sorry. What did you call me for?¡±


    ¡°First, let¡¯s start with the main point.¡±


    Bianca¡¯s eyes focused on me. I exhaled and said.


    ¡°Do you know Sebastian is working for me?¡±


    ¡°What¡­?¡±


    Bianca tilted her head. I understood that reaction. She was unaware of the fact. How could they love each other so much but didn¡¯t know about each other¡¯s business?


    ¡°Sebastian was recently recruited from the Imperial Knights. And he came to my family and became my escort knight. I didn¡¯t bring him here today because I was afraid you would be surprised.¡±


    Bianca¡¯s eyes turned to the escorts, who were standing far away from me. There were two guards standing side by side, but Sebastian wasn¡¯t among them. I went out on purpose when Sebastian was taking a shift. I had to meet Bianca in secret. That was also the reason why I didn¡¯t call her to the mansion and I came to the capital to meet her personally.


    Bianca looked startled for a short moment, but then she looked at me calmly.


    ¡°Bianca.¡±


    I looked into her lively eyes and said.


    ¡°I have no intention of disturbing the two of you anymore. I just want to let Sebastian go.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°So take Sebastian with you. Due to the circumstances of the Duke¡¯s Knights, it is not easy to expel him. But quitting on his own is a different story. You have to convince him to leave the mansion on his own.¡±


    Even if I told Bianca that Sebastian works for our family, I didn¡¯t think it would cause any major problems between the two of them.


    For five years, Sebastian was alone in the cage of my family, just for Bianca.


    I didn¡¯t think his heart would cool down so easily just because of this.


    Perhaps he didn¡¯t tell Bianca because she might be worried.


    But that didn¡¯t explain the reason for the things he did to me.


    I thought the problem would end there. I exhaled for a moment and then opened my mouth.


    ¡°And¡­ ¡­¡­ I want to take this opportunity to apologize to you too, Bianca.¡±


    Bianca¡¯s mouth fell open at my words. I continued.


    ¡°I think what I did to you five years ago is an unforgivable sin.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    As time went on, I became aware of it. What I did to Bianca back then. Kidnapping: That¡¯s absurd. How dare I try to infringe on someone¡¯s life and trample on them. There were some things that became clearer as time went by. Such was the case with Bianca and Sebastian.


    The selfishness I had at the time. Jealousy. arrogance. I was ashamed of all those ugly hearts.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to make any excuses. I¡¯m not even asking for forgiveness. I just wanted to say I¡¯m sorry for my actions at that time. It¡¯s very late, but if you want a reward, I¡¯ll do anything.¡±


    So I bowed my head towards Bianca.


    Bianca looked at me with her trembling eyes, as if she couldn¡¯t believe what she heard.


    After a while, she smiled and spoke.


    ¡°I felt it from the last time¡­ ¡­¡­ You¡¯ve changed a lot, Your Excellency.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I never thought I would get an apology like this. It¡¯s a bit disconcerting, but¡­¡­ Still, it makes me feel more at ease when you say this. So, it is a huge thing for someone like you to apologize to me.¡±


    Bianca looked at me as soon as she spoke her words with a calm smile.


    ¡°If there¡¯s one thing I¡¯d like to answer, it¡¯s that you don¡¯t have to worry too much about me.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the type of person who forgets the pain of the past more than I thought. I would rather look to the present rather than the past and the future rather than the present.¡±


    Bianca shrugged her shoulders as if she was really okay. Her reaction was unexpected, and I looked at her quietly. I wonder if people like Bianca have a strong spirit as well. Still, I¡¯m glad she looked fine.


    But in the next moment, Bianca said something incomprehensible.


    ¡°Ah. And don¡¯t worry about Sebastian either.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    I looked at Bianca in bewilderment.


    ***


    *TL: Okay guys, I decided to drop this novel. I can¡¯t stand these two women. I¡¯m actually okay with Aileen because she knows her mistakes and feels guilty and apologized, but Bianca is a witch with no remorse or guilt. She used Sebastian for her own purpose, broke up a relationship, a family, almost killed a person, and all she did was saying sorry with a smile. She did pay for her sin at the end but I just can¡¯t like her. So I don¡¯t want to keep translating something that makes me mad. I have no time for that. Anyway, I¡¯ll give you the spoilers which are on NU as well.


    **Okay guys, I read the entire novel in one night and I cried my eyes out at the few chapters leading to the ending. I won¡¯t say things in order but just things I remembered. First, Sebastian fell in love with Aileen the very first time they met at the party and when he gave her the handkerchief. Unfortunately however, Bianca cast a spell of fascination on him so he refused the MC¡¯s proposal. And that¡¯s when the Mc¡¯s family destroyed Sebastian¡¯s family. Sebastian is the victim of this novel. He lost everything, even his true feelings due to the spell. I would say Bianca, the main person who created this tragedy, If she didn¡¯t cast the spell, Sebastian would accept the Mc¡¯s proposal and nothing would happen but then we won¡¯t have a novel to read.


    Anyway, moving on, one thing made me really mad is that when Sebastian was suspicious of Bianca, and she told him the truth, she showed no signs of guilt whatsoever. He followed her to her home where her child and her husband were eating dinner, he was so confused how come the person he loved all these years had another family. Well, Bianca came out to meet him with a smile (yes, with a smile instead of hesitation) and said ¡°you must have many questions for me¡±. Then she invited him into her house, Sebastian was basically a broken doll, he asked nothing and just listened to Bianca¡¯s story about how she cast the fascination spell on him and the person he actually loved first was Aileen. Sebastian stormed out of the house, not even yelling or getting mad or asked Bianca why or anything. And Bianca was like ¡®I¡¯m sorry, Sebastian¡¯. That was it, she had no guilt.


    After that Sebastian ran to a bridge and thought back to his memory how he hated Aileen but also cared about her. He didn¡¯t know why he wanted to kiss her even though his mind hated her. He didn¡¯t know why he wanted to come back to her even though she set him free. He bawled. (I cried too, it was heartbreaking, poor guy). The five years Bianca under Aileen¡¯s surveillance was basically Aileen telling Bianca not to meet Sebastian and that was all. Bianca could go to work and make money and live with her real family that whole time while Sebastian was under the illusion that he loved her to death. To be honest, Bianca should have lifted the spell when his parents died already or somewhere when Aileen let Sebastian go. But no, Bianca continued the spell on him long long after Bianca¡¯s family and her people settled in the empire.


    Sebastian was trying to be a good boyfriend the whole time, buy her hotdog, take her on dates, he even vowed to make her happy and be a good boyfriend while she went to see her family secretly every night. Anyway, after the truth became known, Sebastian told Bianca to leave his house. Bianca left and wrote him a note ¡°I¡¯m sorry Sebastian, if you need anything you know where to find me.¡± (Seriously, seriously, that¡¯s all she said after she destroyed his life.)


    The third tragedy was Aileen¡¯s death. She was suffering from the magic she used to fix her legs and was bound to die within 3 months. Before she knew about her limited time, she was engaged to marry Usher the crown Prince. They were actually very happy together preparing for the wedding. Usher loved and cared for Aileen the whole novel. He would do anything for her. But anyway, after Aileen knew she was dying, she asked Usher to break the engagement and told him the truth about her legs and that she was dying. Usher tried to find cures, but the sorceress didn¡¯t know the cure, then they remembered ¡®oh, Bianca is a sorceress too¡¯. So Usher went to find Sebastian and told him the story and asked Sebastian if he knew where Bianca was. Usher and Sebastian went to see Bianca to ask her to cure Aileen, and Bianca agreed. But the ingredients to make the cure were very hard to find. Like dragon¡¯s tooth, a soul of an old king¡­.Sebastian led a team of knights went to collect the ingredients, and it was a dangerous trip but they got the ingredients, however, when they got back, one of the knights dropped the bottle that contained the old king¡¯s soul. So in the end Bianca couldn¡¯t make the cure. Sebastian said to use his soul. He was willing to die for Aileen but Bianca didn¡¯t want to kill him after everything she had caused. Leading to the weeks Aileen died, she asked if Sebastian could take over the duchy when she died because he was the only one who could do it. He agreed and they signed the marriage certificate again so he could be legally taking over the Duchy. Aileen said after it became his, he could have a family of his own, or destroy it like her parents destroyed his family before, and she wouldn¡¯t say anything because that will be the least she could pay for her sin. She used one week to delegate the tasks to him. Then the last week of her death, she went to a villa by herself to die without anyone knowing. But Sebastian followed her and asked to be with her until she died. The week they stayed together, Sebastian cooked for her, took walks to the sea, ate cotton candy, had a snowball fight. They were truly happy. When they had a meal one day before her death, she apologized but didn¡¯t ask for forgiveness because she said she didn¡¯t deserve to be forgiven and that Sebastian could just hate her forever because she deserved it. Sebastian said he forgave her and hoped that she would not feel guilt anymore. And they kissed. And they had their wedding night together one last time. And the day after Aileen died.


    The same day Aileen died, Usher, Sebastian, and Sophie went to see the sorceress who had healed Aileen¡¯s legs to save Aileen. Since Bianca didn¡¯t want to use Sebastian¡¯s soul to save Aileen, they asked the other sorceress to do it. And the sorceress agreed. So she performed the same ritual that she used to fix Aileen¡¯s legs on Sebastian to take his soul. Before Sebastian died, he gave Usher the letter he wrote to Aileen and made sure Usher delivered it to Aileen after she came back to life. So Sebastian went through the painful process just like Aileen did. And Sebastian really died after his soul was removed. Aileen woke up after that and she thought she was dead and she wondered how Sebastian was doing with the duchy. But Sophie told her she didn¡¯t die and they went back to the mansion and all the servants dressed in black. There was a casket with Sebastian in it and they were going to give him a funeral.


    Usher knelt down in front of Aileen to ask for forgiveness that Sebastian died and he didn¡¯t stop it because Usher wanted her to live too. Aileen was furious and heartbroken. She screamed and cried so much. She asked why they went against her wishes. She had already accepted her death and arranged everything after her death so why. She staggered over to the coffin, touching Sebastian¡¯s cold corpse. ¡°Wake up, Sebastian,¡± she called while crying.


    She was devastated knowing that he wanted to spend the last moment with her not because she was going to die, but because he was going to die. So after the funeral, Aileen went to his house to get his belongings and she was going to donate his house under the name of his family¡®Hughes¡¯. Then she saw that there was nothing to pack up because Sebastian had already packed his luggage before he died. Aileen cried even more because now she knew that he had already decided to die for her and packed up everything in advance without her knowing. She sat down, crying as she read the letter he wrote her, telling her not to blame herself, not to be so sad, not to cry, and live well. [Take care, Aileen] his last words. (I cried non stop reading the letter)


    While she was crying, she heard his voice ¡°don¡¯t cry¡±, it was actually Sebastian¡¯s soul talking to her by her side but she didn¡¯t know or see. She thought because she missed him so much so she heard his voice. Then after that she went to the beach where they were together before. Meanwhile, at Bianca¡¯s house, she was stunned knowing Sebastian died. She was really sad too. Then she suddenly remembered she could save him I¡¯d he didn¡¯t already go to the afterlife. So she performed a ritual to save him, while wandering and going to the dead gate, Sebastian heard Bianca¡¯s voice ¡° Sebastian, run!¡± As the dead monster was trying to get Sebastian¡¯s soul, Bianca kept telling him to run to the portal she opened. He ran and she fought with the monster. Sebastian ran to the cemetery where his body was buried, and he came back to life. Bianca lived after fighting with the monster but she lost an arm. She then sent a message to Usher to go to the cemetery to dig up Sebastian because he was alive. So Usher went there and Sebastian got out. Usher was happy too seeing Sebastian was alive. Sebastian then asked where Aileen was, they told him she was at the beach by herself. Sebastian sensed something wrong and ran there. Aileen couldn¡¯t stand to live without Sebastian and she was going to kill herself in the ocean. As she immersed herself in the water, Sebastian called her, but she went too far and the waves for her, she didn¡¯t know how to swim because she was paralyzed almost all her life. Sebastian jumped into the ocean and saved her. They hugged and cried and talked. At that time, everyone arrived and saw them all wet. Bianca came too with one arm missing. Sebastian and Aileen said thank you to her, and they felt bad that she lost her arm. Bianca said it was worth it because she needed to pay for her sin too. Because of her, the tragedies happened. Anyway all went back to normal and there was no more hatred and everyone became friends. Sebastian and Aileen married officially again and together, they ruled the duchy.


    ***