Chapter 121


    I left the mansion with the luggage I had packed in advance.


    The butler suggested taking a carriage, but I refused. Now that I had erased Philen from my life, I didn''t want to get even a grain of help from the Duke of Williot.


    I wanted to stay a little longer and see how Cecily would end up, but the desire to return to the capital was greater than that because I was sure everyone was worried. I wanted to return quickly and say Im okay and everything has been resolved.


    <i>But before that, I have to go there.</i>


    After stopping by a flower shop to buy a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, I visited the Duke of Williots cemetery on the outskirts of the estate.


    The predecessor Duke and Duchess of Williot were buried here. And also Philen''s parents, who were the previous Duke and Duchess Williot.


    I put down the bouquet I brought in front of the rtively recently built cemetery.


    "Long time no see."


    When I was in the Duke of Williot, I used to visit this ce at least once a month unless there was something special, but now I couldn''t.


    This could be myst visit.


    <i>Because I am leaving this cepletely now. And as I have nothing to do with Philen anymore, I wont visit here again.</i>


    <i>So can you forgive me?</i>


    of course, you cant.


    They already realized Philen''s stupidity beforehand, thats why they asked me to take good care of him. But I threw it away with my own hands, so they must have been very angry with me.


    But I did my best.


    It might sound like ame excuse to them, but it was true. I really did my best to keep myself going for thest 10 years. But it was their son, Philen, who ruined it.


    Thats why if you see meter, please dont hate me too much.


    Gradually, my vision became hazy.


    I tried to wipe away my tears with a handkerchief, but unfortunately, I didn''t have one.


    When I was about to wipe it with the back of my hand, a handkerchief suddenly popped out over my shoulder.


    I turned around and saw a familiar face. Someone who should never be here.


    "Your Majesty!"


    It was Kalian.


    I looked at him in surprise. I was so surprised that my tears went back into my eyes.


    How can you be here


    Kalian winked as he brought his long index finger to his mouth.


    I used my ability.


    Ability? Ah, hes talking about the ability to move in the water.


    Its possible to go this far, huh?


    It takes some time, but it is possible. Ive been to the Williot estate once."


    You have been here?


    "Yeah. I came here about 10 years ago.


    Thats when I had just joined the Duke of Williot.


    I never saw him, so maybe it''s in the spring, right?


    They were good people.


    Kalian said as he looked at the tombstone of the previous Duke and Duchess Williot.


    I also looked at the tombstone and nodded.


    Yes, they were good people.


    Thats why they will understand your situation because you have done your best than anyone else. If they have consciences, they wouldnt ask for more than this.


    <i>What Ah, did he hear me talking to myself?</i>


    That made me blush. I lowered my head as I couldnt look directly at Kalian.


    If, if you are here, you should have shown up right away


    I did, but you didnt notice.


    Kalian smiled mischievously and held out his hand at me.


    Shall we go back?


    I blinked bigly and looked at him.


    His hair, which was against the sun, was shining brightly.


    Lets go back to the capital together.


    My heart was pounding.


    <i>Is the word together supposed to make your heart flutter like this?</i>


    I smiled brightly and took Kalian''s outstretched hand.


    "Yes!"


    Traveling by water was fast and convenient, but there were limitations.


    First, he could only go to ces he had been to at least once.


    Second, the distance that could be traveled at one time was about the outskirts of the capital from the Imperial Pce, and the distance decreased if there was apanion.


    Third, once the ability was used, he had to take a break from at least 5 minutes to up to 4 hours before using the ability again.


    The ability to handle water was important to protect Kalian.


    There was nothing good about these weaknesses being known to others, so Kalian didn''t tell people around him like Ver.


    It was the same for Le, but he had to exin why he was taking a break in the middle.


    Contemting what to say, Kalian made excuses as soon as he thought of them.


    Im getting motion sickness, so lets take a break.


    Im hungry. Shall we eat?


    Its been a long time since Ive been in this town. Shall we take a look around?


    All of them were sloppy excuses, but Le never questioned them. If it was Ver, he would have asked if he had something in his mind.


    <i>It means that Le trusts me, and so she follows me. But it can also be that she doesn''t care about whatever I''m doing.</i>


    <i>Which one is it?</i>


    <i>Im curious. I wish it was the former.</i>


    Le.


    Wanting to know for sure, Kalian asked.


    Do you trust me?


    <i>Hmm, the question is kind of odd?</i>


    Perhaps Le thought so too, she looked at Kalian, a little bewildered. Soon she stood upright and bowed her head politely.


    Of course, Your Majesty.


    It was definitely the answer he wanted, but he didnt know why he felt this way. It felt like he was missing something very important.


    After thinking for a moment about what the problem was, Kalian found the problem and corrected his question.


    Do you trust me as an emperor, or do you trust me as a person?


    Le was more bewildered than before and began to ponder seriously, unable to respond readily.


    He liked people who thought carefully rather than people who said things without thinking, but this time was an exception.


    He wanted to hear the answer quickly. But he was afraid he couldn''t hear her sincerity if he rushed her, so he waited patiently.


    At least on the surface, he looked like that. The inside was rather chaotic, all kinds of misceneous thoughts came into his mind. He couldn''t even smile properly.


    After about an hour''s break, it was time to move again.


    Le looked at Kalian seriously, and as if she had finally made her decision, she said.


    I trust Your Majesty even if you are not an emperor.


    There was not even a single shake in her ck eyes looking at Kalian. Only straight faith and belief were visible.


    "Okay."


    Only then could Kalian smile with peace of mind. The feeling of uncertainty hadpletely disappeared without leaving a single speck.


    It was almost time to arrive at the capital.


    Have you cleaned up everything in the Williot estate?


    Le paused for a moment when he asked her out of the blue, then answered in a small voice, Yes.


    Kalian nced at Le in his arms and asked with an indifferent voice.


    You seemed to have no energy. Do you have any lingering feelings for Duke Williot?


    "No. There are no lingering feelings left for the Duke.


    It wasn''t empty words, it was the truth. From the moment she broke up with Philen and left the duchy, Le put down all her lingering feelings for him.


    What remained so far was the feeling of regret for the previous Duke and Duchess Williot and the longing for the servants, including Misa, and the Williot estate.


    Then why are you so down?


    I have some questions.


    What questions?


    I wonder if it can end like this.


    <i>If that isn''t a lingering feeling, what is a lingering feeling then?</i>


    There was a clear difference between being good and being stupid. And Le''s behavior now was stupid.


    He was about to say something, but Le murmured quietly as if to herself.


    I should have rebuked him a little more


    It was true that she still had lingering feelings, but if it was from this side, it was always wee.


    Kalian said with a small smile.


    "I know, right? You should have hit him as hard as you could.


    If it was the normal Le, she would have said how dare she do that to a duke, or she would have told him that he said something nonsense. But today''s Le was not like that.


    I should have.


    She nodded with a very serious face. At the same time, she clenched her fist tightly as if she were going to hit Philen right away if there was him in front of her.


    "Haha."


    Her look was so serious that Kalianughed out loud, then he stroked Le''s head.


    If I ever meet Duke Williot, Ill give him his share.


    Kalian said it sincerely, but Le took it as a joke and nodded.


    Please do so.


    Even though they talked about the same topic, the two people had very different thoughts.


    "Your Majesty!"


    As soon as they arrived at the Imperial Pce, Ver ran to Kalian with an angry look.


    If you keep disappearing without a word Ah, Baron Aster?


    Ver, who btedly noticed Le, stopped in surprise.


    How can you be here No, more than that, why are you with His Majesty?


    His Majesty came to meet me.


    At Le''s answer, Ver ran his hand through his hair.


    Did you go that far without telling me anything?


    Did youe secretly?


    When Le asked in bewilderment, Kalian turned his head and clicked his tongue in annoyance.


    It was a tacit affirmation.


    <i>Oh my God.</i>


    Le flustered and added.


    Why did you


    I want to give you this today.


    Kalian took something out of his pocket and hung it around Le''s neck.


    It was a ne with arge blue jewel on a silver string.


    As I told you before, I''ll give you a ne that''s better than that ne as soon as youe back, right?


    Le blinked her eyes bigly and looked down at the ne.


    "Happy Birthday, Le.


    It was the same congrattions as Philen, but the feeling waspletely different.


    Philen''s congrattions were ufortable, but Kalian''s congrattions permeated her heart like dew wetting the grass leaf at dawn.


    "Thank you."


    <b>Shaaaa-</b>


    Before she knew it, the cool autumn wind brushed past the hem of her dress.


    The hem of her dress had dried out, but what permeated her heart still hadn''t dried out and moistened her unusually dry heart.