I Promise, I'll Leave! But, With No Regrets!!

Chapter 03

♦Chapter 3: Happiness♦

"You said this was a loveless marriage contract, am I correct?", the Emperor asked, confirming a detail about my offer.

"Yes.", I briefly answered.

Thereafter, he pondered for a while as if he considered how he would respond to my proposal.

I guess it's time for the finishing blow... I thought while having mental preparations in order to keep myself from messing up. Then, I stated,

"If Your Majesty can provide me a fair life within the Imperial Palace as the Queen Consort, then that enough shall meet my satisfaction. Of course, I will also be responsible for my duties so please rest assured.

You can also trust me for I am not particularly interested in treason or other ridiculous attempts toward Your Majesty and the Empress."

After explaining my intentions in detail, the Emperor immediately interrupted.

"And can you guarantee that you are one of the trusted?", he questioned with a cautious look as his cold gaze was looking straight at me.

It was a normal reaction. Or rather, I've expected for this response beforehand.

The man in front of my eyes is the Emperor, Noah Wilde Zeid Asquith.

He would never tolerate nor turn a blind eye to those that might bring his precious Empire to its ruin. Because, that was how an Emperor should act and that was his weigh to carry. Hence, he was merely doing a part of his responsibilities.

Then thinking of how he was being a good ruler, I gently smiled in relief, unconsciously.

"Whether you believe me or not is up to you, Your Majesty.", I replied, relying on his decision.

Hearing my phrase, he stared at me for a while until he took a sigh with his eyes closed, as if he gave in to my persistence.

"I understand. I shall accept this contract of yours.", he declared, bringing me a sense of uncontrollable joy as I had a gleeful beam on my face. I was being too happy that even my cheeks reddened a little.

Then without knowing, I abruptly stood with my hands clenched, out of excitement.

I was aware that this action of mine might've been pretty discourteous to the Emperor. However, I simply couldn't help but rejoice after hearing his approval.

'With this, I can finally escape from that mansion!', were the only words that lingered in my thoughts that time.

I was like a bird that was freed from its cage as I spread my wings and soared as higher as possible into the sky.

This kind of emotion was probably a natural response for I've long-awaited for this moment to arise.

Ever since the day that I tasted what hell felt like from the Shevaria's residents, that became the one and only wish that I had been desiring for a long time. And after enduring all of the hardships that I've encountered-

Finally!!

I've finally grasped hope, from God's mercy!!!

And just when I felt such exhilaration, ever since then, it seems as if time went so fast.

With a huge amount of luggage, I sat upon the seat within the carriage as the coachman assisted me with packing my belongings.

Despite that, without feeling any shame, the maids merely chattered. They were snickering behind my back. And at the same time, the butler just stood there without doing a thing.

My father and brother didn't come to bid me farewell. Probably, they didn't even bother to see me again. Or maybe despised it for our household might become the target of the society because of my position. Perhaps, this was a sign of resentment.

No....... I was aware of the real reason behind it and yet I just pretended not to know.

They simply didn't care a bit.

Uttering things like 'It's not like I expected them to come' would be a lie.

Today is the day that I will leave the mansion. There will be no other chances for me to leave the Imperial Palace once I enter it for I would be busy fulfilling my duties. More than that, I probably won't plan to come back within this property even if I am to be given a chance to.

That's why... I wanted to at least give them a proper farewell. And apologize for my wrongdoings. And thank them for keeping me through thick or thin.

And tell them...

That I, even for once, thought that I loved them.

But they didn't come. And I had no other choice but to look back through the window as I watch the mansion getting farther and farther away from me.

Being unable to convey the things that I wanted to tell them thoroughly became my regret.

And as I thought that I was used to this kind of thing, I expected myself not to cry.

But when I looked downwards, I saw the quiet tears, billowing all the way down to my lap.

Then, I whispered to myself,

"Please smile....... me..."

And so, I thoroughly smiled, overcoming the pain in my chest.

This was for the best.

Because this way, everyone will be happy.

Everyone will...