Enoch quickly returned to his usual gentle smile and then started nagging the other seniors again.
“Brother! How can you attach the leaves all at once like this! I clearly told you to space them out properly!”
“It seemed spaced out enough to me…”
“Not at all! It’s not perfect yet! Are you really going to keep doing it half-heartedly!”
“Half-heartedly! I did my best. What can I do if my hands don’t move as I want…”
“Mental strength! I told you, art is about mental strength!”
“Sigh, where on earth did Banessa go? Why do we have to be hassled like this…”
“Brother went to break off branches! Stop talking about people who aren’t here!”
“What branches at this hour…”
“He must be choosing the prettiest ones from the garden. If they’re not the prettiest branches, I won’t stand for it!”
…Dietrian could somewhat understand why Enoch was being sensitive. He even glared at Dietrian.
“Your Highness, you absolutely must not let it show. Be careful, be very careful! I won’t forgive you if you give it away to Her Highness!”
Yulken coughed awkwardly amidst that fierce energy.
“My apologies, Your Highness. Enoch is a bit sensitive today.”
While chuckling, he slyly added,
“Anyway, you must not get caught.”
The expressions of the other delegates were similar. They all sparkled with anticipation, looking forward to Leticia’s joyful reaction.
With everyone’s expectations and concerns weighing on him, Dietrian headed towards Leticia’s room.
Was the delegation’s excitement contagious? His heart too was pounding, especially recalling the lovely sight of her he had seen earlier.
[I did it because I like you.]
Just saying that one person cherished her, she smiled as if she had gained the whole world.
‘If she realizes she’s loved not just by me but by everyone.’
She would surely be very happy. Imagining Leticia’s delighted face already filled his heart with joy.
Knock knock.
“Leticia, it’s me.”
However, no sound came from the firmly closed room.
He knocked on the door again.
“Leticia?”
Still, there was no answer. Dietrian furrowed his brow.
‘Is she asleep?’
Knock knock.
“Leticia, are you sleeping?”
He began to feel a bit uneasy.
‘Should I check?’
Just then, her voice came from inside.
“Wait a moment, please. I’ll be out soon.”
“Understood.”
After a while, the door opened. Leticia looked up at him with a bright smile.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Did you wait long?”
Dietrian’s eyes widened.
‘Wetness?’
The tips of her blonde hair were slightly damp. Leticia laughed embarrassingly and brushed her hair behind her ear.
“I accidentally fell asleep. The carriage ride must have been tiring. I washed my face to wake up.”
“Oh, did you wake up because of me? Shouldn’t you rest more?”
“No, I’ve rested enough.”
Leticia shook her head vigorously and then smiled sweetly, tilting her head.
“Did you have a good trip back to the castle?”
Dietrian’s face reddened slightly. Suppressing the urge to kiss her, he nodded.
“Yes, I concluded our discussions with the Lord of Lozantine well.”
“You didn’t let him push you around, did you?”
“No. Surprisingly, he was very cooperative. He promised to accommodate the delegation as much as possible in the future.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“I’ve been informed that the meal is ready. Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
The two of them walked side by side. Dietrian glanced at the hand she had gathered in front of her.
‘Should I hold it?’
They were escorting each other, and they were a couple, after all. With that thought, he gently wrapped his hand around hers.
Leticia seemed to startle slightly.
‘Does she dislike it?’
His nervousness was brief. Dietrian swallowed. Her slender fingers interlaced between his.
She gripped firmly, as if to say she would never let go.
Dietrian exhaled shakily, his heart swelling. He gently squeezed the hand he was holding. It felt like understanding each other without words, wondering if this was what it meant.
With every step, happiness filled him. A warm smile formed on his lips.
* * *
Unlike the infinitely happy Dietrian, Leticia’s heart was shattered.
She had started to want to live. She wanted to live so desperately. She wanted to cling to Dietrian, crying, refusing to give up.
‘I shouldn’t cry.’
Leticia used all her strength to hold back her tears. Crying now would end everything. Just like she had always done, she would smile brightly and spend the remaining six months.
Then, without any regrets, she would leave Dietrian and die alone.
‘Why did I hold his hand, knowing I’ll have to let go eventually? Why?’
The warmth transmitted from his hand made her eyes burn.
‘I’m just being greedy for a moment. After all, I only have six months left. Since nothing will be left for me anyway, it’s okay to be a little selfish.’
Leticia bit her lip hard. She only had six months left. She decided to live selfishly for just that time.
Unknowingly, she gripped his hand even tighter.
She heard his low laughter beside her.
Despite the sadness, his laughter and warmth were a bit comforting.
The buzzing of voices approached from not too far away.
Still drowned in sorrow, Leticia slowly lifted her head.
And then, at that moment.
Fireworks exploded in various places. Colorful ribbons shot up into the sky. Confetti fell like a shower of flowers.
Leticia blinked blankly. Everyone looked at her with beaming smiles.
‘What’s this?’
Behind the smiling faces of the Principality delegation, she saw the lavishly decorated banquet hall.
‘A party?’
She then remembered the delegation had been preparing for a party.
‘For whom… was the party?’
Before she could figure out who the party’s guest of honor was, Dietrian smiled sheepishly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. It’s a surprise party, so I was strictly instructed not to say a word.”
“…Me?”
“The guest of honor is you, Leticia. It’s to welcome you to the Principality.”
“…Welcome?”
It felt like her mind had emptied. Just like in the carriage earlier, she couldn’t quite understand his words.
“You’re welcoming me? Why?”
“Of course, we should welcome you!”
Enoch said with sparkling eyes.
“After all, Your Highness saved us all!”
Excited voices echoed from all around.
“Right. We should definitely celebrate!”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to serve someone like Your Highness.”
“The ten days were really long. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment.”
“Your Highness, I sincerely thank you. For saving Enoch, and for retrieving Lord Julios’ remains. For everything.”
“Actually, I am a former knight of Lord Julios. He was my first lord. Seeing his remains, I couldn’t help but cry.”
“From now on, only good things will happen. Forget everything that happened in the empire and only walk on a path of flowers.”
“We will take responsibility for it!”
Leticia was still confused amidst the endless blessings of the delegation.
‘Is this a dream?’
Everyone was smiling at her, genuinely welcoming her, comforting her wounds—it seemed like something that could only happen in dreams.
Then, a soft voice reached her.
“It’s not a dream.”
Leticia turned her head in surprise. Black eyes were gazing at her steadily.
“This is all real.”
He squeezed the hand he was holding firmly and whispered,
“Everyone here truly cares for you. Just as I promised you before.”
Dietrian carefully seated her in a chair.
He knelt on one knee in front of her, tenderly holding her hand.
“Leticia, you can believe now. That you are a person who deserves to be loved, who is dearly loved. Please believe it.”
Leticia managed to speak.
“But I am the daughter of that woman. Everyone is supposed to naturally hate me…”
“Who your mother is, doesn’t matter anymore.”
Dietrian insisted.
“Everyone here knows the life you’ve lived.”
“…Really?”
Leticia was astounded.
“Everyone believes in my past? They didn’t doubt me?”
It was incredible. Just when she prayed not to be loved by anyone, she found out everyone cared for her. Her heart felt like it was tearing apart. Tears filled her eyes.
“They don’t hate me for being your wife, not sorrowful because of me, but happy?”
Her clear tears fell incessantly.
The room fell deathly silent.
No one dared to speak. Dietrian closed his eyes for a moment.
To swallow the surge of emotions. Then, he signaled with his eyes.
Yulken quickly nodded.
He swiftly led everyone out. Soon, only Dietrian and Leticia were left in the spacious banquet hall.
Dietrian once again pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
Her trembling was palpably transmitted to him. His heart ached.
This lovely woman was too pitiable.
He implored earnestly.
“Leticia, whatever Josephina has told you over the years, please forget it. Haven’t I told you many times? You are an incredibly precious person.”
At those words, Leticia finally burst into tears. It felt like all her restraints had crumbled.
“Don’t say that.”
“…Leticia?”
“When you say that, I keep getting greedy. I can’t let go of my desires. I can’t give up.”
Leticia cried like a child, burying her face in her hands. She couldn’t ignore her desires any longer.
She wanted to live.
Desperately wanted to live.
The man before her made her feel this way. She couldn’t hold back her tears.
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