Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Heinley Departs
As the sound echoed beyond the door, Rashta hugged her large doll.
'A concubine is just a concubine…?'
The guards standing in front of the door exchanged awkward glances. Rashta bit her lip. She stared at the door with a tearful face, then turned her heel and returned to her room.
Viscount Roteschu was right. No matter how much Sovieshu loved her, Rashta was still a concubine. Her position was dependent on the fickle emotions of one man.
Rashta summoned Viscountess Verdi to ask her a question.
"Lady Verdi."
"Yes, Miss Rashta."
"Among all the emperors' concubines…has anyone been loved by the emperor all her life?"
Normally, Rashta would have avoided exchanging words with Viscountess Verdi as much as possible. However, the viscountess seemed more familiar with these matters than the two other serving girls.
The way Viscountess Verdi averted her eyes with a troubled look gave Rashta the answer she needed.
"No?"
"It's not unheard of."
"But not many, is it?"
"…That's correct."
"…"
As Rashta started to cry, Viscountess Verdi hurried to appease her.
"But it's alright, Miss Rashta. As long as you have a child, you will not be cut off from the Imperial Family even without the Emperor's favor. The baby will be your strength."
"Rashta—Rashta wants a baby that she can love and care for! I don't want to use the baby that way!"
"I didn't mean it like that…"
There was a soft knock. Rashta closed her mouth, and the door to the parlor room opened and Cherily came in.
"Miss Rashta, Viscount Roteschu is here."
Rashta dismissed Viscountess Verdi from the room and allowed Viscount Roteschu in. She was still upset and seeing the viscount made her even more so, but she was unable to throw him out.
"Why are you here this time?"
Rashta didn't bother hiding her contempt, but Viscount Roteschu seemed wholly unperturbed.
"I'm thinking of moving."
She had heard he was looking for a house to live in the capital. She spoke through her clenched teeth.
"So?"
"I need a house."
"How much do you need?"
Rashta remembered the money Duke Elgy lent her. Ten thousand krangs was a large sum. She didn't know how much a house cost, but…
"Hmm. I think about half a million krangs."
"Half a million?"
Rashta jumped to her feet in alarm. She had never imagined Viscount Roteschu would demand such a sum.
"What kind of house is that expensive!"
"It's a house with a garden. Actually, the house costs four hundred thousand krangs, but one hundred thousand goes to renovation."
Rashta's hands shook by how casually he answered.
"There's no need to live in that big of a mansion alone!"
"Live alone?"
Viscount Roteschu's eyebrow lifted at her.
"I will bring my grandchild with me. Your child, Rashta."
"You will?!"
"Well, I can't leave the little one alone in the country, can I? What a heartless mother."
Rashta trembled in bewilderment and rage.
"Oh dear, Rashta. Do you think it's wasteful to spend money on your own child?"
Viscount Roteschu looked at Rashta and smiled at her like a leech.
* * *
No matter how hard I tried, I found it difficult to understand Sovieshu. He doesn't love me, so why on earth…
My head was dizzy and my chest tight. I started to feel sick to my stomach, so I finally left the palace and walked outside. I remembered that Prince Heinley had left in a hurry, and my steps automatically turned towards the southern palace.
'Oh?'
However, as I walked through the southern palace, I saw Rashta in the corridor across the way. She didn't notice me in her hurry, and she looked quite pale.
'Is she not feeling well?'
She approached the door to someone's room, and a moment later it opened. It was Duke Elgy. Rashta entered the room first, but Duke Elgy's eyes met mine, and he grinned before closing the door.
"…"
What did I care? I made my way towards where Prince Heinley stayed. Coincidentally, he was walking this way, and we stood opposite each other in the middle of the hallway.
"…Queen. "
He stared at me for a moment then gave a languid smile.
"We came across each other just as I was going to see you."
"Did you want to tell me something?"
"I have a lot to say, and I've come to say them."
He pointed towards the garden.
"Do you mind if I walk with you for a while?"
I nodded, and we fell in step together. Small winter petals that bloomed above us in the trees rustled in the wind and drifted downwards.
I felt something heavy placed on my shoulders. It was Prince Heinley's coat.
"I'm fine."
"Isn't it cold?"
"If you're cold, then why did you give me your coat…?"
"I thought you would be cold as well."
"I'm not cold."
"Thank goodness."
I smiled at his strange words, and when I looked into his purple eyes he returned a smile as well. I inhaled the scent of his coat. It smelled similar to Queen. He awkwardly adjusted the coat on me, then continued walking.
"You may have guessed, but…"
It was silent for a moment, the only sound of the rustling of our clothes as we walked. Prince Heinley slowly spoke.
"I think I have to go back to the Western Kingdom."
"…I see."
I was already prepared for this. Nevertheless, sadness rose in my heart. However, I could not reveal this to the person whose brother was on the edge of life and death.
The crunch of our footsteps on the fallen leaves sounded unusually loud. The wind suddenly got colder, and I clutched his coat more tightly around me.
Neither of us said a word. It wasn't until we walked a fair distance that Prince Heinley broke the silence again with a soft voice.
"Can we keep exchanging letters?"
"Of course."
"Thank goodness."
I smiled and nodded. I may not be able to see Prince Heinley often anymore, but Queen will come. And even though the frequency of the visits would be reduced, we can still meet. I tried to uplift my heart with this knowledge, but somehow it wasn't good enough.
"Queen…Queen may be busy."
Prince Heinley stopped walking. When I looked up at him, he heaved a small sigh.
"I may have to send another bird. Will that be alright?"
"Why will Queen be busy?"
"The bird is a symbol, in many ways."
"…"
"I'll send the blue bird you saw before."
I once thought he was just simply a good prince, but I suppose I've become very close to him and Queen. His goodbye made my footsteps feel as heavy as lead. My first parting with a friend was more frustrating and terrible than I thought.
I nodded, then turned and started walking again.
* * *
Prince Heinley parted from the Empress, then he immediately went to Emperor Sovieshu to give him his news.
"You're returning to your country?"
When Sovieshu heard the report, he stared at Prince Heinley then murmured to himself for a moment.
"And the Grand Duke too…"
Prince Heinley didn't say anything. Destroying the future to prove one's love was what emotional five- or six-year-olds did. The atmosphere hardened as the two men observed each other for a while. After a brief moment, Sovieshu gave a smile.
"Very well. Have a safe return."
Later, Prince Heinley sought out Duke Elgy, but there was already someone else with him.
"I'll make it up to you."
A familiar voice was coming from the duke's room.
"Absolutely…thank you so much."
It was a woman's voice. Prince Heinley hid and waited for his friend to be alone. Soon the door to Duke Elgy's room opened, and Rashta emerged.
"Don't worry, Miss."
After the sound of small footsteps faded away, Prince Heinley stepped from behind the pillar and walked towards Duke Elgy.
"I was waiting for you to come out."
Duke Elgy smiled, even though Prince Heinley had appeared out of nowhere.
"You're always hiding here and there."
"I came here to talk to you."
"Are you returning home?"
"It's about something else."
"What do you mean?"
Instead of speaking, Prince Heinley pointed to the open door, and both men entered Duke Elgy's room. As soon as the door closed, Prince Heinley spoke.
* * *
When I woke up the next morning, Prince Heinley had already left. The bearer of the somber news was Sir Artina, who informed me that the prince had left swiftly at dawn.
"I see."
I had said goodbye to him yesterday, but if I had known it was our last meeting, I would have said a few more words. I had assumed I would see him again the next day.
Although we had a strange start, we had grown to be good friends. I should have said that. But it wasn't just Prince Heinley and Queen who left me.
I went to the central palace for work, but I was so depressed that I went back to the western palace for lunch with my ladies-in-waiting. There they gave me unexpected news.
"Your Majesty, Duchess Tuania is leaving the capital."
"Leaving the capital? Then the divorce—? "
"The judge must have ruled in favor of the Count because of Viscount Langdel."
"Then—!"
I felt a stab of guilt. I had succeeded in saving Viscount Langdel, but the information he found was buried, which put Duchess Tuania at a disadvantage in the trial.
"…"
As I reproached myself, Laura shook her head.
"Don't be too sad, Your Highness. Duchess Tuania wanted to say thank you, Your Majesty."
"Duchess Tuania?"
Countess Eliza pulled out a small letter from her inner pocket.
"She asked me to deliver this to you."
After the ladies-in-waiting left after finishing the meal, I took out the letter and spread it open.
— I know what you did for Viscount Langdel. Thank you for doing me this kindness. I know you'll blame yourself, so I'm leaving you this letter.
'Duchess…'
— I decided to follow Viscount Langdel. He tried to give his life for me, and now I want to be with him. It would be best if all this didn't happen at all, but in the future, if you are in any difficulty, I will surely repay you. Please burn this letter after reading it.
Although there was no signature, I recognized Duchess Tuania's handwriting. I looked down at the paper for a moment, then lit a candle and burned the letter.
'Viscount Langdel's pure love for her eventually drew her heart…'
Duchess Tuania was a wise woman and would overcome anything.
The letter seemed to burn slowly first, but soon the flame rapidly ate through the paper. Finally, all that was left was a small scrap between my fingers. I set it down on the table, then blew out the candle.
Prince Heinley, Queen, and Duchess of Tuania. Three people were gone. Two went far away, and one's destination was unknown.
I sank into a depression. That night, I waited for Queen to tap the window with his beak, but it remained quiet. I opened the window, and the wind blew in that was so cold that it gave me gooseflesh.
– Isn't it cold?
Prince Heinley's question yesterday seemed to come back from the wind.
"It's cold."
I gave a late reply, then left the window open as I curled into my blanket. There was no sign of Queen the following morning.
* * *
"Achoo!"
"Oh no. You must have a cold, Your Majesty."
Countess Eliza, who came to attend to me in the morning, was surprised when I sneezed. I blew my nose and nodded in embarrassment.
"I suppose so."
Most likely it was because I slept with the windows open.
"Shall I cancel today's schedule?"
Countess Eliza looked at me anxiously. I checked my calendar and asked her to do so.
"And call the palace doctor."
A mild cold wouldn't matter, but something more serious would be a problem. I couldn't blow my nose noisily in front of the people and ministers I had to have serious discussions with.
"Please bring me something comfortable to wear."
As Countess Eliza left to call the palace doctor, another lady-in-waiting came to help me into a warm, thick dress. I didn't wear any other ornaments on me. Later, Laura brought some clear soup and I had breakfast alone.
About half an hour later, Countess Eliza returned with the palace doctor. After I was recommended bed rest, the doctor diagnosed me with a mild cold and told me not to strain myself, and then prescribed some medicine. As soon as I took it, I closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, it was already midday. A lady-in-waiting hadn't taken away the medicine container yet, and the window was firmly shut. I looked at the closed window, then stood up to open it again out of habit. Perhaps Queen will come while I'm asleep…
Countess Eliza, who came in with a towel and large basin, saw me and immediately started chided me.
"Oh no. There's a strong wind chill and you can't leave the windows open, Your Majesty."
She set the basin next to the bed and closed the window. I wanted to open it again, but I didn't want to argue when she was worried over me.
'As long as I'm in the room and I'm awake, it'll be fine.'
I could open the window for Queen then.
I watched as Countess Eliza dipped the wet towel into the hot water and squeezed it, then used it to warm my hands and feet.
"You need to get well soon."
"I will."
"Oh, and on my way to retrieve the palace doctor, I heard that Lord Koshar will soon arrive in the capital. "
"Elder Brother?"
First came joy, and then anxiety. Lord Koshar was a good brother to me…but he was a bit of a delinquent. He wouldn't start fights, but once there was an argument, it sometimes turned violent. When I became empress, my father had worried that my brother would cause an accident that would harm my reputation, and he hurriedly sent my brother away to an outer region.
Would my brother be able to sit still when he sees that Rashta is pregnant…?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
agatharoza
agatharoza Updated daily. This is a free-to-read book. Not to be monetized in any form. The original work was published by Alphatart. This is the English translation of it. My Korean is rather poorly thus forgive any false translation. I just love this book so much that I hope more people will enjoy it and support the author. The English version is being turned into a comic series in Webtoon.
* Translation is hard, cheer me up!
* Also, please check out my original work "IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION" ^^