Chapter 137

“Will there be other events?”

The harvest festival will not end without events.

As expected, the henchman gave an answer.

“There will be a swordsmanship competition instead of a hunting competition.”

“A swordsmanship competition?”

“The Emperor decided so.”

It’s a swordsmanship competition.

He intended to carry out his plan at the hunting competition. But if it’s a swordsmanship competition……

‘I have to think of another way.’

There is no way that the Emperor will participate in the swordsmanship competition himself. Thus, there will be no possibility of targeting Kaizen.

Despite feeling disappointed, the Duke did not give up so easily.

Unlike before, there are servants and maids of the Imperial Palace to help him.

Almost all of them were driven out by Astelle, but there are still some who remained.

It must be done before Fritz’s succession ceremony is over.

Only then will he be able to fulfill his long-cherished dream while maintaining his title.

***

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The next day, the four of them went on a picnic after a long time, even though it was only going to the old garden at the northeast end of the Imperial Palace.

Both Kaizen and Astelle had work to do, so they could only go on a picnic in the afternoon even though they tried to do it early.

The garden in the northeast is a forest-like area with dense garden trees.

There is also a small pond in the middle of the forest.

It is said that in the past, this place was used as a closed palace to imprison criminals.

That’s why there are a lot of weeds because it is not very touched by people.

It is narrow and clean to be called a forest, and full of nature to be called a garden.

You could say it’s like a wild garden.

The mat is spread out on a flat surface and snacks to eat are prepared on it.

Luckily, the weather is clear.

The sun shines on the fresh green leaves in the garden.

Astelle suddenly remembered the day they went on a picnic together in Dentsu Forest.

That day it rained so hard that they couldn’t even walk around.

The weather today is so nice that it’s a shame to just sit still.

“Let’s go to the pond!”

Theor got up as soon as he finished a glass of juice.

“Don’t go far alone,” Astelle said.

The soldiers are guarding close by, but because there are many dense bushes around, the view is blocked.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I will go with the prince.”

Hannah took Theor’s hand and walked together towards the forest.

After the child left, there was nothing the adults could do.

Moments later, Kaizen also got up.

“Shall we go for a walk too?”

Astelle walked along a garden path full of weeds with Kaizen and her maternal grandfather. Arriving in the forest, Astelle occasionally picked herbs that grew among the weeds.

Kaizen, who was playing with Theor, noticed what Astelle was doing and approached her.

“What are you doing?”

Kaizen looked at the herbs in Astelle’s hand and asked in confusion. “Why are you picking herbs? You can get these herbs anytime now, right?”

As Kaizen said, this kind of herb will be delivered to her any time if she ordered it, there is no need for her to search for it among the weeds herself.

Every time I come to the forest, I always pick herbs and it seems to have become a habit.

“Because it’s a fresh herb.”

Kaizen’s forehead wrinkled as he looked around.

Astelle smiled and added. “You could say it’s like a hobby.”

Astelle reached for a yellow flower among the weeds, but another hand went ahead of her.

Kaizen brushed the dirt off the yellow flower petals he had just picked and handed it to Astelle.

“Thank you.”

“What is this?”

“This is an Indic flower. Drinking this flower decoction can make you sleep soundly.”

Kaizen paused and then asked, “Do you have insomnia?”

“Sometimes I wake up because I have a lot of things to worry about. It’s not even insomnia, but it’s okay.”

Kaizen did not respond.

There was a moment of silence between the two.

After walking for a few minutes in the weeds, Kaizen suddenly asked, “Do you miss the days of living in the countryside?”

Astelle turned to Kaizen.

Even under the bright sunlight, his red eyes looked particularly dark.

“I don’t know.”

Living in the countryside was difficult, but peaceful.

There was nothing to worry about as long as our daily meals were met.

The only thing that bothered me was that I had to make new clothes for Theor, but I was only thinking about how to buy the fabric.

‘It was definitely peaceful life.’

In those days, as long as she had enough money to buy food and firewood, and her grandfather and Theor were in good health, there was nothing to worry about.

“There’s no point in missing it now. It’s not like we can turn back time.”

It’s all in the past. No matter what you do, there will be no way back to those days.

At the end of the five-year contract, Astelle and her grandfather can return to the countryside, but not with Theor.

Even if it was possible to take him away, it would be too difficult for Theor, who had lived as the Crown Prince in the Imperial Palace for five years, to have such a life again.

Silence enveloped them again.

“Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.”

“What?”

“A pharmacist I know came to visit me……”

Astelle was trying to change the topic by talking about Gretel, but she suddenly heard Theor’s voice from the other side.

“Mom!”

“Theor? What’s wrong?”

Theor looked at Astelle through the bushes and waved his hand.

“Mom, come this way! There’s a bird’s nest here!”

Astelle asked for Kaizen’s understanding and walked towards Theor.

Kaizen couldn’t take his eyes off her until she disappeared from his sight.

The Marquis of Carlenberg, who watched the two of them from behind, clicked his tongue.

As the Marquis approached Kaizen, Kaizen slowly turned to him and said,

“Oh yeah. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes?”

“I have issued an order for the return of the Carlenberg family estate which was confiscated by the previous emperor. The officials will send the documents in a few days.”

The Marquis stared blankly at Kaizen for a few seconds.

I never imagined I would hear this.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t mention it. Everyone knows that it was unfair.”

His grandfather, the former emperor, removed several nobles who had been loyal to him because of his weak son before his death.

This Marquis was only a victim.

Kaizen hesitated for a moment and then spoke bluntly. “If anything happens to Astelle, please stay by her side.”

It was ridiculous for him to ask the Marquis to help Astelle, but it couldn’t be helped.

If Astell leaves the Imperial Palace after five years, she will live with her grandfather again.

In fact, that was the reason why Kaizen decided to return the Marquis’ estate.

If he said he would give her alimony, she would definitely refuse.

The Marquis also noticed Kaizen’s intentions.

“You want me to appoint Her Majesty the Empress as my heir?”

“Right.”

If the Marquis leaves a will to Astelle that he will hand over the inheritance to her, Astelle will be able to live comfortably in the Marquis’ estate for life even after divorcing again.

“I hope Astelle will live comfortably. She had a hard time being my fiancée by force since she was young. I can’t repay her properly and this is all I can do.”

The Marquis of Carlenberg looked at Kaizen again with amazement.

Because there was no response from the Marquis, Kaizen asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Your Majesty, you really don’t know?”

“What do you mean?”

“……nothing. Never mind.”

There was a mixture of pity and sadness in the eyes of the Marquis who looked at him.

Kaizen was annoyed with frustration.

Even his attitude that stopped talking in the middle was similar to Astelle’s.

“What do you mean? Tell me the truth.”

Marquis Carlenberg hesitated for a moment. Can I say it?

The relationship between the two has been stagnant for several months.

Even the Marquis who was just watching them from afar was also frustrated.

Can I tell him? It’s not even a lie.

The emperor should know what he needs to know.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke calmly.

“Her Majesty the Empress truly loved Your Majesty throughout the engagement period. I’m surprised you didn’t know at all.”

***

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A few steps away, Theor’s joyful laughter could be heard clearly.

Hannah’s excited voice could also be heard not long after.

There’s a pond right in front of them.

Hannah and Theor can be seen chasing Blynn by the pool and playing together.

As Astelle continued to walk towards them through the weeds, someone grabbed her wrist.

Startled, she turned around and found Kaizen grabbing her hand and pulling her towards him. Red eyes stared at her filled with sorrow.

“What……”

Kaizen slowly lowered his gaze.

“It’s the herb you mentioned earlier.”

“Yes?”

Astelle lowered her head and looked at the yellow flower Kaizen was pointing at.

The small bright yellow petals hidden among the weeds gave off a fresh glow.

Astelle took a step back and smiled at Kaizen.

“It’s really an Indic flower.”

“……”

“Your Majesty, now you can let go of my hand,” Astelle asked calmly.

Kaizen then let go of her wrist slowly.

Astelle bent down and plucked the flower. The white petals give off a fresh scent.

When Astelle got up with the flowers in the basket, Kaizen still had a complicated expression on his face.

“Your Majesty? What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Kaizen took a step forward and skillfully changed the subject.

He asked, “You said you had something to say. What was it?”

“A pharmacist I know came to the capital after receiving a letter from me.”

Astelle briefly told the story of meeting Gretel.

“Medical science is taught in the academy, but there is no research on herbal medicine. If you will allow me, I would like to set up a pharmacy researching herbs in the capital and I would like to sponsor it.”

“Do whatever you like.”

The two of them walked toward the pond. Theor and Hannah are playing on the other side.

In the pond, there are several water lilies that fail to bloom due to poor care.

Still, the pond nestled among the weeds gave off a refreshing feeling. The sun’s rays reflecting on the pond water also add to the beautiful atmosphere.

“I’m sorry.”

Astelle turned to him, surprised by the sudden apology.

Kaizen looked at the pond with deep sorrow.

“I shouldn’t have divorced you like that.”

Astelle pondered for a moment what he meant.

“Why did you suddenly say that?”

Kaizen looked back at Astelle.

“I don’t think I ever apologized to you properly.”

Astelle remembers getting Kaizen’s apologies several times before; for refusing her request or for letting her go without giving her alimony.

It seems that this is the first time he apologized for the divorce.

Kaizen’s eyes looking at her were filled with emotions of sadness and regret.

Are you feeling guilty?

“It’s all in the past.”

Kaizen wanted a divorce, and Astelle accepted it.

The past cannot be changed and there is no need to try to change it.

Her useless unrequited love ended at the same time as her divorce.

The events of those days are now just traces left in her memory.

She wanted to erase those remaining traces.

Those memories were of no longer value to her.

“……”

Astelle turned around without a word and walked forward.

Kaizen wanted to grab her hand but couldn’t reach her.

The same was true of Astelle.

As his kindness permeated into her heart, a more serene and gentle emotion blossomed than before.

Still, Astelle couldn’t hold his hand.

***

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As the emperor and empress took the crown prince out into the garden, the inside of the palace became as quiet as if empty.

Vellian cautiously walked into the quiet Empress Palace.

Astelle was away, but somehow he still felt uncomfortable when he came here.

He walked down the hallway as quietly as possible without being noticed.

He then opened the door to the room at the end of the hallway.

Inside, a girl is reading a book.

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“Long time no see, Miss Naen. How have you been?”