Your Regrets Are Late

Her slightly elevated emotions cooled down. It was embarrassing to realize that she hadn’t completely stopped loving him in that fleeting moment.

There were no traces of being held or worn in the passage of time. The photo, which smelled like paper, served as an opportunity to eliminate some lingering feelings.

Charelize approached the place where the furniture used by Duke Marsetta was burning. She slowly tore up the photo in her hand and tossed them into the flames. Then, she erased her absent father from her memory, who didn’t come to her 8th birthday, and even on the day of her 11th birthday.

The smoky smoke continued to brush the tip of her nose. Her eyes got wet. Charelize stayed there until they were all turned into ashes. She thought it was because of the thick smoke that she shed a few tears at the end.

“Good…bye.”

“…”

“Never… I don’t want to see you again.”

She once lived for Duke Marsetta and died. When she regressed, she realized how futile her life had been. But it is really over now. She could finally abandon her father. There were no lingering feelings left, so she didn’t feel anything.

* * *

Two weeks have passed since Duke Marsetta’s trial. On that day too, Charelize entered the imperial palace to meet Royal Princess Veloche. Unlike usual, Royal Princess Veloche personally came to meet her in front today.

“Your Royal Highness, did something happen?” Charelize wondered why she was like that.

“I-it’s nothing, little Duchess. First of all… let’s get going inside.”

She was quite worried that the princess looked uncomfortable somewhere. But Charelize did as she said, went inside, and started the class.

“On the 21st of September 1251, on the fall of the Elioter Empire, Royal Prince Letorni killed his half-sister, Royal Princess Carmela, and became emperor. As the son of Bainter I, he had eight competitors, excluding Royal Princess Carmela. What are the two reasons he could stand on the top of so many siblings?”

“…Blond hair. I read in history books that he was born with a strong symbol of the imperial family and was supported by the Senate.”

“You’re right. Next… The 4th Emperor of the Elioter Empire—”

“Little Duchess… I have something to say.”

“Please feel free to speak.”

“If, His Majesty Father… has someone other than me…”

Royal Princess Veloche, who had been struggling to continue, shook her head and murmured at the end of her words.

“Your Royal Highness?”

“I-it’s nothing. Please don’t mind. Maybe it’s because of the weather, I keep saying nonsense. Please continue… the class.”

“…I understand.”

Charelize couldn’t help but resume the class because she didn’t want to talk anymore.

“This time, you may look at the book I gave you last time and answer… Your Royal Highness? Are you okay…?”

Continuing with the next question, Royal Princess Veloche suddenly complained of chest pain.

“Your Royal Highness!”

“Little… Duchess…”

Royal Princess Veloche couldn’t breathe properly. She was in great pain. Then she lost consciousness. Charelize went outside and delivered the news that Royal Princess Veloche had collapsed. Immediately, the imperial doctor came running.

The imperial doctor, who carefully treated her, responded politely. “Her Royal Highness has been cured from her chronic illness, but… as a side effect of the medicine, this pain sometimes appears. She’ll wake up in a little while, so don’t worry too much.”

“Isn’t it a heartache? She even collapsed, but you’re telling me not to worry? If it’s a side effect… could it be because of what Iris gave her?”

“… That’s right.”

“Did she often collapse during treatment?”

“…Yes.”

“She should have stopped taking her medicine…”

“She couldn’t help it because His Majesty… ordered it.”

The imperial doctor replied that it was the will of Harbert IV. Charelize couldn’t help but stop her questions about the Royal Princess Veloche.

“…What about that?”

Charelize asked quietly what happened after feeding the vallesium flowers to Harbert IV. It might have entered the doctor’s left ear and out right ear, so she spoke again, but the imperial doctor, who understood it instantly, lowered his head. Recognizing that things were going smoothly, she turned to Royal Princess Veloche.

Soon after, Harbert IV hurriedly rushed in.

“What about the princess? How on earth did this happen?”

“It’s the same as last time. I told Your Majesty the other day. There is no cure… because most of the medicines Lady Iris used didn’t match.”

“…I see. You can leave now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Harbert IV sighed, holding the hand of Royal Princess Veloche. Charelize also bowed slightly and went outside.

She came out earlier than usual, so the sunlight was sparkling. It was when she was on her way to the Florence Palace, thinking of looking at the tomb of the imperial family.

“Shu! Don’t run…”

“Mom! Catch me! Hurry…”

“Oh my, Shu! Shuerto!”

A child came running from the other side and bumped into her. It was a boy who looked about six or seven years old. The impact caused the boy to fall on his back. He ran so fast that even Charelize, who bumped into him, got a bruise on her arm.

“Shuerto, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“My head hurts…”

Judging from the fact that there was no blood and he woke up immediately, the boy seemed to be in good condition. From a distance, Charelize confirmed the arrival of a woman and servants. Making the boy hold the responsibility seemed odd, and she didn’t want to complicate things, so Charelize was just trying to let it slide.

“Aren’t you going to apologize?”

“…Apologize?”

“L-Lord Shuerto. She is…”

“You’re only a noble! But I’m a prince!”

Who should have received the apology? It was ridiculous to ask for it shamelessly. More than that, Charelize turned back to the word ‘Prince’ and examined the boy’s face closely. Even though brown stood out more, his hair was indeed blond. The color of his eyes had a reddish glint, indicating an imperial lineage.  

“Countess Rezel.”

“…Yes, little Duchess.”

Charelize called Countess Rezel, who was standing right in front of her.

“Apart from Royal Princess Veloche, Grand Duke Innovestin, and daughter of Marquis Opert, were there any members of the imperial family I didn’t know about?”

“That’s…”

“To look at me and mock me like a lowly noble… Or could it be that I have another unknown cousin?”

Countess Rezel was the aunt of Harbert IV. Seeing that it was difficult for her to speak, she seemed to be ordered to keep quiet.  

“It looks like you’re in trouble, so I won’t ask you more. I’ll just let it slide this time.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Charelize looked at the boy. Upon receiving her gaze, the boy hiccupped and hid behind the woman.

“You’re lucky. You’re the first person who said that to me and didn’t get any punishment.”

“…”

“If you go a little further, it’s where the previous emperors are sleeping. So next time, don’t run… Think twice when you speak. Doing that may be your last chance to save your life.”

“…”

“Answer.”

“Yes…”

As Charelize was about to take her step, the ring on the woman’s second finger bothered her. She wondered if it was because she was too sensitive. Still, she belatedly noticed that the ring belonged to Empress Roxana. When she went back, they were no longer there.

Charelize was extremely displeased. She couldn’t understand why that woman wore it. If it was that woman’s will, that woman had to be punished immediately. But if it was given by Harbert Iv, it was a serious problem that she should have protested immediately. From the moment he gave Empress Roxana’s ring to someone else, it was no mere gift. Charelize had no intention of letting it slide either way.

* * *

After two days, Charelize heard that Royal Princess Veloche had awakened. Heading straight to the Ramiere Palace, Royal Princess Veloche was sitting on a chair. Seeing her dark complexion, it seemed difficult for her to take classes right away. In fact, she looked like she was having a hard time even holding her body up.

“Little Duchess, you’re here. I’m sorry. Tomorrow, I’ll—”

“It’s okay, Your Royal Highness. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“I heard from Countess Rezel. Little Duchess… met… that boy.”

“That’s right. Can you explain what happened?”

“A week ago… A woman claimed that her son was the bloodline of His Majesty Father. Although the empress helped my mother go to the temple, I’m still terrified. I told you back then… if there’s a child better than me, the emperor can discard me at any time.”

“Why did you think so?”

“Because I don’t have… the symbol of the imperial family. It’s not like my mother can stay in the temple forever, and if that’s the case, my mother will—”

“Now, it is the other way around.”

“That’s… what are you talking about?”

“The emperor will be busy for a while taking care of the current affairs. Your Royal Highness will be comfortable with less unnecessary attention, and I, too, don’t have to avoid public appearances for a while… Queen Salome will continue to live a relaxed life.”

“That means… it’s a rather beneficial situation.”

“Even though the boy is still young, his personality is not normal. He doesn’t even know when to step in. his mother didn’t enjoy the luxury either, looking at her wearing Empress Roxana’s ring.”

“Empress Roxana’s… ring?”

“Unless he had perfect blond hair and violet eyes, he’s nothing better than Your Royal Highness, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Ah…”

“The emperor knows that best. If he really intended to make him the crown prince, he would have officially done the blood test and registered him as soon as possible. I don’t think it will be known to the public, given that he ordered Countess Rezel to shut up her mouth.”

“Then, what about the woman?”

“The same goes for her. Regardless of her original status, the present Queen Salome is a true noble. Even if the emperor has other thoughts, as of now, Your Royal Highness’s mother is the officially recognized queen, and there is no one else to replace her, especially as the mother of the only imperial heir.”

As Charelize gave assurance that Queen Salome would be safe, Royal Princess Veloche’s face immediately brightened.

“There is one more reason why Royal Prince Letorni was able to become emperor. Do you know what it is?”