Chapter 71
“Arden has given up?”
Leticia blinked at Dandelion’s words. The one who had discarded her so nonchalantly for the sake of the kingdom… Now, having faced his death, he had given up on everything.
She couldn’t believe it. In fact, Dandelion’s words felt surreal. It was as though the words, unable to resonate, were bouncing off her mind. Perhaps because of that, she laughed.
“He’s given up? Your Holiness, you speak unbelievable words—how am I supposed to accept all of this?”
“I told you, didn’t I? If the truth you believe in isn’t the actual truth, would you be able to believe in it completely? I thought you were ready to accept it, but it seems you were not.”
“… Are you saying that his actions were actually to save me?”
“Think about it carefully. Did he truly not love you? If that were the case, why are you still alive, carrying his child in your womb?”
“…”
“Leticia, your very survival is the proof of my words.”
Dandelion’s tone was steady. His face carried only a trace of pity, showing no other emotion. He seemed determined to fulfill the duty entrusted to him, as if unwilling to let his mother’s death be in vain. His clear, silver eyes never wavered from her.
But he did not force her. He merely waited for her to accept it.
“Let go of your resentment and think about it. Did he truly never care for you? Did he have no feelings for you at all? Doesn’t it seem strange, even to you?”
Even the letters he sent, while relentlessly searching for her, revealed that he wasn’t motivated solely by anger. He seemed desperate, unable to control his emotions. His uncharacteristic behavior confused her, shaking the resolve she had firmly held.
“If you truly can’t believe it, then watch him. See for yourself with your own eyes.”
“I’ve already asked him directly. Arden doesn’t love me. We are merely…”
“Leticia.”
“There’s a saying that many people are drawn more to the body than the heart.”
“Do not belittle yourself like that. Saying things you don’t truly believe—does it make you feel any better?”
Leticia clenched her fists tightly at the Pope’s piercing words. As he said, she often spoke words she didn’t mean, pretending to be fine to hide her wounds from others. That applied to Arden as well.
There were moments she thought he only desired her body, not her heart. Perhaps, the coward was not Arden but herself. She had ignored her feelings, endlessly running away in fear, trying to head in a different direction. She was a coward.
Even after realizing how arrogant it was to think she could suppress and control her emotions, she foolishly repeated the same behavior.
‘I should’ve told him directly.’
If she had been honest, if she had firmly expressed her feelings, perhaps things might have been different. If, as Dandelion said, Arden did indeed love her, then she would not die. Or perhaps, he too hadn’t fully realized his own feelings yet.
“Your Holiness, I’ll confirm it with my own eyes, as you suggested. Please send him a reply.”
“Very well, I will follow your decision. Do not let Elosha’s death be in vain. Nor should the life you’ve lived or the opportunities you’ve been given be wasted.”
“…”
Leticia nodded slowly. If this was an opportunity her mother had given her for her happiness, this time, she had to seize it no matter what. Even if it was the smallest chance, she had to grab hold of it without letting it slip through her fingers.
Even if it was something she had already let go of. Leticia looked at the candle on the table. The faint flame swayed precariously in the wind as if it would go out but soon flared up brightly again.
Her hazy thoughts grew clearer. He had already stabbed her countless times, figuratively speaking. One more blow wouldn’t be worse than what she had already endured.
❖ ❖ ❖
Arden received an unexpected letter. However, it was ambiguous to consider it an answer to his questions.
*”If you raise your head, stars are everywhere in the night sky. How can you tell which one is the star of Brevent? However, there is a particularly bright star in Arcerion. If you’re curious, come and see it for yourself.
P.S.: It’s best not to inform others. Whatever the case, you must move discreetly. If the Emperor finds out, the star will lose its light. This should help you.”*
Inside the envelope was a small letter with a golden border glinting brightly. It was likely a magical artifact meant for transportation.
“Ha…”
From the cryptic phrasing, it was clear the sender knew something. What a sly old fox. Annoyed, Arden tore the letter apart.
“She wouldn’t be in Arcerion. You didn’t really hope she might be, did you?”
“She wouldn’t have gone to the Empire, but then again, she’s not someone to go to a place with no connections.”
“Did you really not know about Her Majesty the Queen’s pregnancy? Was there nothing… suspicious?”
At Raymond’s words, Arden searched his memory. Nothing stood out. Their separate rooms were due to their strained relationship, which had been formally communicated. They dined together without incident. He hadn’t seen or heard reports of her feeling ill or vomiting.
She was always elegant and composed, with a calm demeanor. Her favorite foods remained the same, and her maids reported that she hadn’t missed her monthly cycles. Everything seemed perfect. So much so that, even when he tried, he couldn’t find anything unusual. Only Orbo’s words about her running away with that man echoed in his mind.
Even when he tried to forget, the words etched themselves into his memory and tormented him.
“If she truly fell into the Emperor’s arms as Karen…”
He might go mad. Even now, it was hard to maintain his sanity. If it turned out to be true, what should he do? Even if he found her, he felt he wouldn’t be able to forgive her.
Spending sleepless nights in a disordered room had become routine. When he finally regained clarity, he busied himself with state affairs, wielding his sword relentlessly to suppress the intrusive thoughts. He kept telling himself that time would heal the wounds. Yes, it was likely his anger and sense of betrayal clouding his judgment.
Arden repeatedly tried to convince himself. Was she truly that significant to him? No, she wasn’t. Their marriage was merely a contract, and it was true that her changed demeanor had puzzled him. He had done his best for her within his capacity.
So why did the regret linger so strongly? Oddly, her words came back to him one by one. Words that he had dismissed as trivial at the time.
“The weather is lovely today. Would you like to take a walk together?”
“I hope we can fall asleep together tonight.”
She had always suggested doing things “together.” But at some point—yes, about a year later—she had stopped saying “together” to him altogether.
“Take a walk today.”
“You should get some sleep tonight.”
The words Leticia had spoken to Arden excluded herself. Arden furrowed his brow and rubbed his face with his hands.
As he reached for the whiskey glass in front of him, a memory of the aperitif that used to sit beside her at the table surfaced in his mind. Along with her favorite beverages, the aperitif had always been prepared to her liking. Yet, at some point, she stopped touching it.
He recalled seeing her fidget with the glass, but the aperitif itself had remained untouched.
As these overlooked details surfaced one by one, a hollow laugh escaped him. The signs had been there, subtle but present. Yet, he had failed to notice.
“……”
As Arden’s expression grew increasingly distorted, Raymond discreetly turned his head away. It was clear that his earlier words had triggered a series of realizations. Arden, who had always been observant of the Queen’s actions, must have begun piecing together the oddities.
“This doesn’t make sense.”
The timing was peculiar—it had been about a month after their first night together. Arden realized he was losing his grip on sanity, but he never thought he’d start having such nonsensical thoughts.
“I’m going to Arcerion.”
“Right now? If others notice…”
“That sly old Pope must be hiding something. Sending something this valuable makes it obvious.”
Arden threw the invitation onto the table with a flick of his wrist. At that, Raymond nodded, as if he now understood.
“Understood. I’ll inform others that you’re leaving on an inspection.”
“Handle it discreetly.”
Before Raymond could stop him, Arden had already grabbed the invitation and was holding it firmly in his hand.
