If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

Two days had passed since Daryl’s statement was released. Eleanor was still in the capital.

 

She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, her desire was like a chimney. But there was something she had to deal with before she could leave. (TL: Like a chimney-have a very strong desire for something)

 

It was about moving her parents’ graves.

 

Eleanor thought that once she left the capital, she would never come back. So, she couldn’t leave her mother and father here.

 

The current grave where her parents were buried, and even the tombstone, were all grabbed by the ancestors. So, she couldn’t leave it as it is.

 

“Wembury is a beautiful and peaceful place. Come with me. You will surely like it there.”

 

Eleanor said, offering the last flower to her parents’ grave.

 

It was unknown what methods Daryl used, but since the day he came to find her, the journalists who had set up camp in front of the mansion have disappeared without a trace. There was no one to chase or bother her even when she went out.

 

The work of exhuming the coffin was scheduled to start early tomorrow morning. As soon as the work was finished, Eleanor planned to leave for Wembury immediately.

 

“Madam, a letter has arrived.”

 

As soon as she returned to the mansion, the butler, Harold, approached with a tray containing a letter.

 

“Who is it from?”

 

“That is…”

 

Seeing Harold trailing off, Eleanor slightly darkened her expression. When she checked the letter, it was written in Layla’s name.

 

Eleanor put it back on the tray without reading it.

 

“…Shall we dispose of it?”

 

Harold asked cautiously. Eleanor was silent for a moment, then shook her head.

 

“Keep it for now.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Originally, she was supposed to meet Layla after her honeymoon.

 

What did Layla think after reading the newspaper? Did Layla know the truth from the beginning?

 

…No, that wouldn’t be the case. Layla is a straightforward person. She wouldn’t have treated Elinor so brightly knowing everything.

 

No, or rather, did she do that because she knew? Maybe the reason why Layla was so kind to Eleanor even after divorcing Daryl was because of guilt. Maybe that’s really the case…

 

Eleanor bit her lip and shook her head.

 

She didn’t want to think about it. She didn’t want to know what the truth was. She wouldn’t meet Layla again anyway.

 

She would surely be able to forget. Yes, once she leaves the capital… Just like when she first went to Wembury, she would forget everything in a little while, and she would be able to live comfortably.

 

The next day, Eleanor got up before sunrise and left the bed. She planned to go to the cemetery and watch the workers’ work herself.

 

Once the coffin is loaded onto the carriage, she plans to return to the road immediately and leave for Wembury.

 

Peggy also said she would go with her, but Eleanor shook her head.

 

“Peggy, help me prepare for departure here.”

 

Peggy looked at Eleanor with a worried expression. She had been like that ever since the article was published. In fact, it wasn’t just her. Everyone, including Emily and Harold, was like that.

 

“Take good care of the Madam, Emily.”

 

“Yes, don’t worry.”

 

Emily said strongly to Peggy’s request.

 

Eleanor got on the carriage with only Emily. The carriage soon started running on the still dark forest road.

 

As she sat quietly with her eyes down, the carriage suddenly stopped.

 

Elinor opened the window to the driver’s seat with a puzzled expression.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“Two carriages are blocking the road. Someone is walking towards us, they seem to have something to say.”

 

‘…Could it be a reporter?’

 

If it was known that Eleanor was planning to leave the capital today, it wouldn’t be strange if they came to dig up the last bit of news.

 

Soon, she felt someone approaching the carriage. Eleanor opened the window.

 

“Please clear the way as we are in a hurry. If you are from the newspaper, I have nothing to…”

 

But before Eleanor could finish her sentence, the carriage door was forcibly opened.

 

“What on earth…!”

 

The next moment, a thug jumped into the carriage and covered Eleanor’s mouth.

 

****

 

‘What on earth is happening?’

 

Sam Henson couldn’t help but widen his eyes at what was happening in front of him.

 

He was guarding Eleanor’s mansion on Daryl’s orders. It was a directive to prepare for any difficult situations she might face due to the Daily Post.

 

But it was a situation that Sam couldn’t handle alone. First of all, there were too many of the gang that attacked Eleanor.

 

The thugs who attacked Eleanor’s carriage quickly subdued her and her servants and took them to their carriage.

 

Another man was made to drive the carriage Eleanor had been riding in.

 

‘…I have to follow them for now. Once I’m sure of their whereabouts, I’ll report back.’

 

Sam hurriedly followed the thugs.

 

***

 

When she opened her eyes, she was on a strange bed.

 

It was a luxurious four-poster bed surrounded by silk curtains embroidered with gold threads.

 

As soon as Eleanor came to her senses, she quickly checked her body. Fortunately, she was still in the same clothes as when she left the mansion.

 

“Are you awake?”

 

She felt a chill at the sound of a man’s voice she remembered.

 

He approached with a thud, and pulled back the curtain.

 

What appeared was the face of Emperor Hector III.

 

“How are you feeling? Are you hurt anywhere? I told them to bring you here politely, but it seems they were a bit rough. I apologize if you were startled.”

 

She shivered at his unexpectedly tender words.

 

“…What is happening, Your Majesty?”

 

“I’ve been wanting to see you for years, but the circumstances have not allowed it. Starting with Aaron, there are so many people who are trying to stop me. So, I had to secretly bring you here like this. If it wasn’t for today, I would never have the chance.”

 

“…”

 

Eleanor got off the bed with a stern expression.

 

“Why, are you uncomfortable?”

 

At the emperor’s words, Eleanor straightened up and looked at him.

 

“…I apologize if I am being rude, but I believe this situation is extremely inappropriate and against the law. If you set another date, I will visit the palace, so please let me go today.”

 

“We’ve finally met, why go through all that trouble. Besides, didn’t I tell you? There are people who are trying to prevent me from seeing you.”

 

“…..”

 

Even though she hadn’t even had a proper debut, Eleanor was not unaware of the emperor’s notorious reputation in society. It was said that he always laid his hands on the women he liked.

 

But to kidnap her outright, she couldn’t imagine he would do such a reckless thing. It was something Eleanor couldn’t accept or believe in her common sense.

 

Then she remembered something she had forgotten.

 

“…Are the maid and the driver who were with me safe?”

 

“Huh? Oh, of course. You don’t think I would have left them to be harmed, do you? As I said earlier, they seem to have been a bit rough, but like you, they should be unharmed. Don’t worry.”

 

“Can I see them?”

 

“Of course. You’ll see them when it’s time to go.”

 

“…So you’re saying you won’t let me go right now?”

 

“We’ve finally met, why are you in such a hurry. There will be plenty of time after we’ve relaxed.”

 

The emperor said, seemingly disappointed. His eyes shone with a deep light.

 

“…”

 

Eleanor stiffened slightly with a stern face.