Your Regrets Are Late

On the second day after that, Arensis was released from detention.

“Even after hearing the confession of Countess Yoseph, who was in charge of wine, I cannot accept that she would release the traitor who tried to kill His Majesty Father.”

The first to protest the news was Royal Princess Ioella. With the authority that she could only use once in her life, she even held a noble trial and drove Arensis as the culprit.

“I agree.”

“Royal Princess Ioella is right.”

It was the moment when many of the nobles in attendance joined hands with Royal Princess Ioella.

“I have obtained the poison to put in wine by order of Royal Princess Ioella.”

The young Master Seint, who appeared late, revealed he had done it at the instigation of Royal Princess Ioella.

“It’s been quite some time since I officially dated Royal Princess Ioella. I didn’t expect His Majesty Emperor to end up like that, but… I will atone my sin for serving her cause.”

The antidote in his hand became evidence.

“Does… does anyone believe that lunatic? He even got a divorce with my sister, so he must be going insane!”

Royal Princess Ioella was bewildered by the betrayal of young Master Seint and denied their relationship.

“The other day… it was given to me by Royal Princess Ioella.”

Young Master Seint took out a ring with a red jewel embedded in it. It was a keepsake of Empress Sione. To say it was fabricated evidence, the crest of Marquis Jedwin’s family engraved on it was too clear.

“That… isn’t it Her Majesty’s ring?”

“I heard that she left her keepsake only for Royal Princess Ioella, but what is this?”

“Is it true that she tried to put the blame on Royal Prince Arensis…”

Those who had joined Royal Princess Ioella’s hand until recently raised suspicions.

“No… It’s not like that. That’s not true. Come on, say that’s not true.”

“…”

“You… you can’t do this to me. You’re not supposed to do that!” Royal Princess Ioella shouted as she grabbed young Master Seint. He forcibly removed her hand.

Royal Princess Ioella immediately burst out laughing as if she had lost her mind at the sudden change of atmosphere. “Everyone… did you forget how Empress Mama died…?”

Royal Princess Ioella immediately calmed down as if she had become a different person. Her voice was filled with resentment.

Royal Princess Casilla ordered the knights to bind both sides of Royal Princess Ioella. It was a very different decision than when Lona pointed to Arensis as the culprit. Royal Princess Casilla knew long ago that Royal Princess Ioella had done it to frame Arensis.

“You want a divorce… What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Simply… I vaguely know that it’s not because of this incident.”

“…There is someone I have loved for a long time.”

“Did everything you told me last time a lie?”

“That… was out of respect for Her Royal Highness, who will become the sun after His Majesty.”

She didn’t know that the person who helped Ioella was young Master Seint. In addition, it wasn’t easy to accept that the person he loved was her younger sister.

Princess Ioella held a noble trial. In other words, this moment couldn’t be erased from the history of the empire.

“For the crime of trying to murder the emperor, I will imprison Royal Princess Ioella in the black tower and decide whether or not to remove her title when His Majesty Father wakes up. I will clarify that her status as a sinner doesn’t change.”

The black tower. It was a place related to the tragedy that happened with the predecessor imperial family. Royal Princess Sylvia, who was accused of poisoning Royal Princess Violet, jumped from the black tower and ended up dead.

Count Seint, who woke up after taking the antidote, heard everything that had happened and was shocked. He thus passed on his title to his eldest son and went down to the estate with his wife. It was also because young Master Seint, who gave Royal Princess Ioella poison, was sentenced all his life.

Unlike Count Seint, who woke up right away, Akan I didn’t open his eyes. It was an unexpected result, even though all the poison in his body was gone.

Charelize, who was finally able to return to the Elioter Empire, was about to depart. She then met Count Yoseph, Lona’s husband.

“Is young Master Yoseph… is Lona’s real son?”

“…No. When I first met that child, that child had been miscarried in her womb, Your Highness.”

Charelize asked if the young Master Youseph was her real son. After calculating the time when Lona was miscarrying her child, the child was about the same age as the young master.

“It’s… my wife’s diary, Your Highness.”

Count Yoseph smiled bitterly and took out Lona’s diary.

“She liked explaining the language of flowers in the empty space.”

“…”

“She was always… preparing to run away, but I guess she was trying to be out of your sight.”

“…”

“This looks like a diary, but… most of it contains a record of the growth process of Your Highness.”

Count Yoseph told her how Lona had lived.

“She wanted me to tell Your Highness she loved you so much.”

Lona was the one who asked Charelize why she believed in her even after being betrayed.

“There was never a time when she didn’t think of Your Highness as her daughter… that was… the last thing she said.”

“I… will leave now.”

“May the blessing of Goddess Resina reach the little Duchess.”

Charelize couldn’t believe Count Yoseph’s words. Arensis came to her, who had been confused for a long time.

“Little Duchess.”

“…Your Royal Highness?”

“It’s the ashes of Countess Yoseph.”

“Why is this…”

“I know… she is a very precious person to you. When Your Highness told the story of Countess Yoseph… you always smiled.”

“…”

“I received permission separately from Sister Casilla. I’m really sorry that this is… the only thing I can do for you right now.”

“…”

“And… the person who taught me that Your Highness has an allergy…”

“…”

“It was Countess Yoseph.”

Listening quietly to Arensis, Charelize recalled the day Lona left.

“Never again, I will not appear in front of Princess.”

“…”

“I’m sorry that I left without being able to keep the promise I made with Princess. No matter what… don’t forgive me.”

“…”

It was a cold winter. On the day Lona left, cold snow fell in the sky and in her heart.

“Take… care.”

It was a dark dawn when everyone was asleep. Charelize turned over the first page of Lona’s diary, listening to the steady sound of the watch’s second hand.

* * *

April 6, 1500.

A princess was born. Her hair color was very pretty, just like madam. If only my child had come out of the world, would she have been as pretty as princess? If I hadn’t known that child was a girl… I wouldn’t have thought of Anne whenever I saw princess. I couldn’t hug her because she reminded me of Anne.

August 11, 1500

The princess babbled for the first time.

March 23, 1501

The princess took five steps today. I was worried because she was slower than other babies… Thank god.

May 9, 1502

Princess called me as mother. I quickly corrected her before anyone heard it. To be honest, I was delighted.

June 7, 1504

Because of those small hands, I am still alive. Princess held me with all her might. Anne. When I met you, I would do everything I wanted to do in my life but couldn’t. Until then, I hope you understand that I’m holding the princess’s hand. This mother loves my baby very much. I love you.

November 26, 1504

When princess ate grapes, her fever rose. It seems that she has an allergy to it. The only ones who knew about this were madam and me. I wanted to inform His Grace, but madam told me not to. I’m glad she became okay in the morning.

April 7, 1506

I told the story of Anne to the princess. She then hugged me without saying a word. Tears came out without me knowing. Princess didn’t even know what carrying the world with her hands meant, but how could she understand this?

October 14, 1508.

At my husband’s funeral, my father came to visit. He was a father I had never seen since he divorced my mother when I was young. Such a person asked me to pay off his debt. I had no choice but to give it to him because he said he was going to visit the princess. My father remained the same. He threatened me with someone important to me.

October 21, 1508

I had a child. It had been just a week after my husband died. It had been eight years… since Anne passed away.

November 6, 1508

My father, who asked me to sleep in my house for a few days, took everything that was worth money and ran away. He also took the necklace, which was the keepsake of my husband.

Seeing that my face wasn’t looking good, the princess was worried. The princess had been delighted that she was able to spend time with madam for the first time in a long time. I didn’t want to bother her with something unnecessary.

November 29, 1508

The cost of living was insufficient. Even if I tried to ask madam, it seemed her health wasn’t good because Crown Princess Elizabeth’s death was approaching right before her nose. She also lost consciousness and collapsed.

December 8, 1508

My father even sold the house. I knew I shouldn’t do this, but I stole jewelry. I couldn’t lose the child in my womb, just like Anne. This… is this really a good decision?

December 16, 1508

A person wanted to buy information about the duchy for money. I tried to ignore her, but she asked about the princess, so I made a list of false information about that person. It was me who let go of the princess’s hand first.