Chapter 448: : Ne


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    Prince Fraser looks at where I''m pointing, then stands up and retrieves a box from the drawer.


    "What''s inside the box?"


    I stare at him, trying to take on his appearance. I don''t know when will be thest time I see him, so I''ll take this chance to memorize his features.


    Because once I turn to the other side, I won''t be able to look at him like this.


    "Csille?"


    I look at Prince Fraser and shake my head. "Apologies. It''s something you gave me before. I''m just returning it to you."


    Prince Fraser opens the box and take the item inside of it. He then looks at me with aplicated expression, seeming angry one moment and then surprised.


    He then puts the box on my bed. "Why are you returning this to me? I''ve already given this to you, so it''s yours."


    I frown. I didn''t expect to hear that from him. I thought he would be mad at me for returning the item sote.


    "Your highness, have you forgotten that only the future queen can be the owner of this ne. How can I dare to own such a precious heirloom?"


    This is supposed to belong to Princess Paislee, not me. Csille shouldn''t have this in her possession in the first ce.


    Prince Fraser looks even angrier with what I''ve said. "As I said, I''ve already given it to you, and I have no intention of taking it back. So, you shouldn''t worry."


    How can I not worry if this ne is such an important plot point in the storyline?


    The Astalieu heirloom ne, a ne that has been passed down to every Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    So, how can I take ownership of the ne, despite not being the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom?


    "I apologize, your highness, but this is intended solely for the Queen. How could I possibly ept it? Please take it back. I couldn''t imagine taking something meant for the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom."


    Prince Fraser''s expression darkens. "And why not? I''ve already given this to you, and I have no ns of taking it back If you''re concerned about the future Queen, I will ensure she understands the situation thoroughly. And if that doesn''t satisfy you, I''ll provide her with something even more valuable than this."


    I stare at Prince Fraser, stunned by his response. How could he speak so casually about such an important family heirloom? And to suggest recing it with something even more valuable. How could he possibly find such an item?


    This heirloom has been in the Astalieu family since the founding of the Vrawyth Kingdom. It''s not just a trinket that can be easily reced. So, I''m baffled by how the Prince could suggest making a new one for the Queen.


    I sigh in frustration and push the box toward him once more. "Your highness, as I mentioned, I can''t ept this. It''s not just because I''m concerned about upsetting the future Queen. I''m also worried about my own marriage. What will my future husband think if he knew I was keeping a royal family heirloom?"


    But before I could finish my sentence, Prince Fraser cuts me off. "No! I cannot ept that!"


    I look at him, frowning. "Then you leave me no choice but to return it to his majesty. I''m sure he''ll dly ept it."


    "Do you dislike it that much?" he interrupts.


    I stare at him, puzzled by his question. Dislike the ne? Why would I?


    "Your highness, I don''t believe I have the right to dislike such a significant item of the Royal family. I simply cannot bring myself to own it. I don''t feel worthy of such a-"


    "You are. You always have been, Csille. So, please keep it. I can''t imagine anyone more deserving of this ne than you."


    I nearlyugh when I hear his words. He can only say such things because he isn''t in his right mind. But what will happen when the real Prince Fraser returns?


    I''m certain he''ll assume that Csille is the one insisting on keeping the ne.


    "Your highness, please reconsider taking it back. If you refuse, then I''ll have no option but to return it to his majesty, and I won''t change my mind. I epted it before because of our engagement, but now that we''re no longer engaged, it''s only proper for me to return it to the royal family."


    Prince Fraser continues to try to persuade me, but I pretend I had a headache and insist on resting alone.


    He didn''t have a choice but to leave with the ne in his hand.


    I look at close door and sigh. It''s finally returning to its rightful owner. Princess Paislee...


    Days have passed since the two princesst visited me, and I haven''t heard from or seen them since. I assume they''re preupied with the Kingdom''s current affairs.


    "Miss, a pile of documents has arrived from the Hope Foundation. Should I ce it on your bedside table or store it elsewhere for the time being?"


    I look at Eve who''s holding a stack of papers, and gesture the chair beside my bed.


    "Just leave them here. I''ll look through themter. Is that all I''ve received?"


    Eve shakes her head. "A lot of nobles and evenmoners sent gifts for you, Miss. However, the Countess asked me to keep them outside the residence for now to ensure they wouldn''t harm you. The guards are currently checking each one, and once they''re done, they''ll store them in one of the guestrooms. Would you like me to check on it?"


    "No, thank you. Just let my parents handle it. I''m sure they''ll inform me if there''s anything I need to see."


    It''s been half a month since the explosion, and the outpouring of concern and support for Csille hasn''t stopped.


    I should feelforted by the love and care Csille is receiving, but all I feel is guilt. Because know I''m the reason everything happened.


    Eve nods and excuses herself, leaving me alone in my room.


    I nce at the pile of documents on the chair and quickly scan them. It''s a summary report of what''s been happening at the Foundation. There isn''t much in it because the Foundation was severely affected, and most of my employees are injured. The only person well enough to update me is Mairenn.


    As I was about to set the documents aside, a paper slipped from the pile. My heart raced as I saw the familiar seal on the letter.


    It''s from Mister Sewell!


    The nerve of that man. After his surprise visitst time, I didn''t hear anything from him. Yet,


    here he is, sending me a letter.


    With shaky hands, I open the letter.


    Dearest Csille,


    I heard you''re recovering quickly. You don''t know how worried I was about you. It''s the reason I


    decided to risk my safety just to see you that night.


    However, it seems like my concern isn''t reciprocated properly, don''t you think so?


    I''ve heard the departments are nning something new. Are you well aware of it?


    I hope you fully recover now. So, I can see you again. Hoping to see you soon.


    Sincerely,


    Mister S.


    I almost scoffed as I read the letter. His supposed concern for me seemed more like a guise


    for his own n. Did he really expect me to believe his sincerity? It sounded more like a veiled threat, demanding information about the department''s ns.


    With a sigh, I tossed the letter into the firece.


    I need to take action soon. I''ve been putting things off, and I''m worried that if I keep


    dying, the Aeerean Kingdom mightunch another surprise attack.


    Looking at myself in the mirror, I sigh. Although I still require a brace for my broken ribs, I''m


    now able to walk on my own. With just a week or two more, I should be able to discard the


    brace altogether.


    It means I have to return to my reality. I have to pretend to be an ally of the Vrawyth


    Kingdom, to y the role of the viiness in this story.


    I sigh. "The viiness is about to return," I mumble to myself, almost as if I''m trying to


    convince myself that I am the viiness.


    As I was about to go back to my bed, a wooden box caught my attention.


    The elderly man then retrieves something from his bag and passes it to me.


    It''s a box with a lock.


    "I know this doesn''t worth any centimes, but I hope you can ept this as a token of my gratitude for what you have given me."


    Isn''t this the box the old man gave me? I thought I had lost it; I didn''t expect it to be in my room all this time.


    I examine the box and furrow my brow. It looks strangely familiar to me, as if I''ve seen the intricate design of the wooden box before.


    "But where have I seen this before?"


    I stare at it for another few seconds when suddenly I remember something. I immediately


    rummage through my things and find the music box Leander gave to me in high school.


    I ce the music box beside the wooden box, and my eyes widen when I realize that the


    designs are connected to each other..


    But the question is, howe their designspleting each other like a puzzle? The music box contains something inside that will help save a certain character in the future, while the wooden box was given to me by an old man I''ve helped before.


    So, how can these two be connected to each other? One holds something important, while


    the other appears to be just a simple wooden box.


    They also differ in size. The music box is small, like a typical music box in the modern world. However, the wooden box isrger, closer in size to a book.


    I touch the wooden box. Trying to find ways how to open it. However, no matter how much I


    look at it, I couldn''t find a way how to open it.


    Something tells me that I need to open this box or else I''ll regret it the most.


    I look at the wooden box frustratingly. Why is it difficult to open this?


    I tried prying it open and even hammering it, but no matter how much force I exerted, there


    was no visible damage on the box. Not even a scratch.


    "What is this box made of? Steel? Howe I can''t open it?"


    I slump my body on the chair and re at the wooden box. As much as I want to force it open,


    my body wouldn''t allow me. My ribs are starting to hurt now and I''m afraid if I continue doing so, I might end up hurting myself.


    I was about to give up and ask someone to open it for me, when a sudden thought ur to my


    mind.


    If the boxes are connected to each other, maybe the music box can help me open the wooden


    box.


    I immediately grab the music box and try to see inside it. My eyes widen when I spot something shining within. There''s also something wrapped in cloth. It''s probably the item that will aid that character in the future.


    I tried to retrieve the items from inside the music box, but the cloth made it difficult to grasp


    them both at once.


    In the end, I only managed to get the key. Hopefully, it''s the key I''ve been searching for.


    I quickly fetched the wooden box and attempted to open it with the key. My eyes widened in


    amazement as the wooden box finally yielded to the key, opening before me. However, I didn''t expect I would see the item inside the wooden box. What is this thing doing here?