At that moment, as their lips were slowly drawing closer, the study room was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
“I have handled the rebellion of the nobles…. My apologies for intruding while you’re occupied.”
As Sihan said with a mischievous smile, Asha and Jackal, who had been very close, quickly parted ways, surprised by the interruption.
Sihan playfully inquired, a smile playing on his lips.
“Should I return later?”
“No, no. Please proceed with your report.”
Asha hastily replied, shaking her head as she accepted the report from him.
Jackal let out a quiet sigh, ensuring he went unnoticed, and left the room to avoid disturbing their work.
However, he accidentally bumped into Duran, who was standing by the door.
As Jackal glanced at him, Duran spoke up.
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
“……”
Duran didn’t seem ashamed to express it for some reason, but he was sorry for allowing Asha to continue handling His Majesty’s affairs, thus taking away their time together.
It wasn’t until dawn that Asha finally completed everything.
Watching the sunrise through the window, Asha decided to pay a visit to the sleeping Karaf, despite her busy schedule.
No matter how occupied she was, she always found time to tend to Karaf and ensure his well-being.
Adorned in a robe of pristine white silk, Karaf lay there, his face peaceful and serene like a saint’s, bathed in the warm sunlight.
Somehow, it seemed like his and Dart’s appearance had been reversed.
Asha gently wiped his face with a towel and stroked his head.
Perhaps due to his poor health, his dark hair felt stiff as grass.
“…… Lady Vanessa.”
Asha turned to the voice that came from the door.
Duran, who had been standing there for some time, came closer to her.
“I will take care of His Majesty. Lady Vanessa can now leave this place with the leader of Lycaon.”
Asha’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What do you mean?”
Duran responded calmly.
“This is His Majesty’s final command.”
Asha’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.
“His Majesty instructed me that upon returning to the palace, I should first proceed to the study and examine the butterfly specimen on the shelf. There, I would find an attached document and a letter.”
Asha was listening with trembling eyes.
He smiled sadly.
“His Majesty asked me to let you go, so you can find happiness with the leader of Lycaon.”
Duran handed the document to Asha.
As she opened the paper and read its contents, Asha stood in silence for a moment.
The document turned out to be a ‘land deed’.
Duran smiled gently.
“There was a time when His Majesty noticed your indifference towards jewelry and dresses. He asked me sincerely if you liked more lands.”
Asha couldn’t help but burst into a small laugh at the absurdity of it all.
“His Majesty genuinely wanted to gift you with some land. He hopes that you will live happily with all the minority groups in that land. It’s not only His Majesty’s will but also my heartfelt wish. Thank you for your hard work.”
Duran finished speaking and placed one hand over his chest, bowing respectfully.
Asha was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t say anything.
Although Karaf was sleeping, he was smiling.
It became evident that he had been preparing to let her go long before this turn of events.
He, who had once suffered from loneliness and torment, was now blossoming like a beautiful flower, standing tall in his own right.
Witnessing his growth and maturity, Asha felt deeply moved.
Then Duran added.
“Also… His Majesty said it was a secret, but I wanted to tell you. It should remain a secret even from His Majesty himself.”
“What is it?”
Asha asked, her eyes fixed on him.
Duran scratched his ear, appearing slightly embarrassed.
“This happened on the day of the last festival when His Majesty and Lady Vanessa threw a lantern into the river, while I was escorting His Majesty back to the palace, I couldn’t resist asking him what he had written in the wish paper.”
Asha’s face lit up with curiosity as she recalled that moment.
Unlike her, Karaf had written a short wish on the paper without hesitation.
Noticing Asha’s curious gaze, Duran continued.
“His Majesty smiled gently and replied that he wrote -Please, let Asha be happy.-”
Upon hearing those words, an indescribable wave of emotion washed over Asha’s heart.
She had thought he would write something about not leaving his side on the wish paper.
Yet, Karaf’s sole wish had been for her happiness.
He really had changed a lot from the past.
“I will protect His Majesty, so Lady Vanessa, please don’t worry. It is best if you return now. His Majesty wouldn’t want to reveal his vulnerable side to you. He has a deep fear of appearing weak.”
Asha laughed at his words, but deep down in her heart she felt a bit of bitterness because she knew better than anyone what led him to make such a decision.
“When His Majesty wakes up, you must contact me first.”
“Yes, I will.”
Asha gazed at Duran for a moment, then bid him farewell.
“Thank you so much. Please take good care of His Majesty.”
Duran responded with a subtle smile.
“Don’t worry.”
Before leaving the palace, Asha returned to her room to gather her belongings and say her goodbyes to the people she had grown close to.
Ella and Sonya were already in tears upon hearing the news of her departure from the Imperial Palace.
With red eyes, Sonya looked at Asha and took her hand.
“I am very happy that you and boss are in love..…”
Even though the title still made her cough, Asha was deeply moved to see Sonya so genuinely joyful, as if it were her own personal affair.
“Thank you, Sonya.”
“Lady Vanessa, may I make one final request?”
“Of course. I will listen to all your requests.”
With a heartfelt expression, Sonya continued.
“Please take me with you. My job is not merely to clean the palace; it’s to serve you. I am Lady Vanessa’s number one maid.”
Sonya looked like she was about to burst into tears again.
Seeing Sonya’s resolute expression, Asha felt her own tears welling up, and she paused for a moment before asking.
“But Sonya, working here would be better for you. There is no other place with better benefits and welfare than the Imperial Palace.”
“No, the Imperial Palace without Lady Vanessa holds no meaning for me.”
Asha hesitated for a moment before asking.
“……Do you really want to come with me?”
“Yes!”
“You might regret it.”
“That will not happen! I have never regretted any of my choices.”
Those words touched Asha deeply.
Also, Sonya’s past self sacrificed her life for her, she probably didn’t regret it…..
She had to repay her without fail.
Just as she had promised during the festival, it was her duty to take full responsibility for her.
“Okay, let’s go together. It will be a freer life than at the Imperial Palace.”
Sonya let out a scream of joy resembling the sound of a dolphin, jumping up and down in place.
“I’m so happy! I’ll quickly pack my things, so please wait for me!”
Sonya hurriedly ran to her quarters.
Asha was also happy that she could continue to be with Sonya.
Meanwhile, Ella approached cautiously.
“Lady Vanessa, even though I can’t accompany you, please take care of yourself and stay healthy. It was a true honor to be in charge of your dresses.”
Ella said, elegantly bowing while holding the edge of her dress.
The memory of their first meeting in that room overlapped in Asha’s mind, filling her with nostalgia.
“It was an honor for me to wear your beautiful dresses, Ella.”
“Lady Vanessa…..”
Ella’s eyes filled with tears, and she spoke with determination.
“Just as Sonya will continue to be Vanessa’s exclusive maid, I will forever be Vanessa’s exclusive dress designer. While you are away, I will constantly create dresses and send them to you.”
Having a career as Vanessa’s exclusive dress designer, Ella would undoubtedly find great success with her own business when she returned to her territory.
Orders were already pouring in from nobles who had heard rumors or witnessed Asha’s exquisite gowns.
During this time, Ella had declined all those proposals, as she was serving as Asha’s lady-in-waiting. But now that she would go back to creating dresses, she would be so busy that one day would not be enough.
“It’s alright if you don’t.”
Asha said, bewildered by Ella’s request. However, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse when she saw the disappointment in Ella’s eyes.
Asha let out a slight sigh.
“…… Alright, I understand. Just please make sure they aren’t too extravagant or uncomfortable.”
Ella’s face instantly brightened.
“Just leave it to me!”
With Ella’s help, Asha began to pack her belongings.
Initially, she had intended to pack modestly, much like when she first arrived at the palace. However, with the numerous items gifted by Karaf and the many things she wished to bring along, it became impossible for her to do so alone.
Fortunately, the chamberlain took pride in his responsibility and assured Asha that he would take charge of packing and delivering everything.
He was well aware of all the gifts that Karaf had given her.
Asha bid farewell to the chamberlain and made her way to the prison to visit Nia, who had been detained.
Currently, Count Delphinium was captured by Duran, leading the Cactus Knights.
Nia, being the first to confess her crimes, was held in a relatively decent cell compared to the others.
As Karaf was still asleep, Asha decided to postpone the decision regarding Nia’s punishment and left her in prison for the time being.
When Asha entered, Nia was startled and quickly lifted her head. Her face appeared gaunt and worn.
“Lady Vanessa…..”
“I apologize for being late, Nia.”
Asha opened the iron bars and reached out to hold Nia’s hand.
“His Majesty is asleep, so I came to release you myself.”
Tears welled up in Nia’s eyes.
“The Delphinium family has been stripped of its title, and its name can no longer be used in the Empire. However, due to Miss Nia’s contribution in capturing the rebels, it has been decided not to punish you. You are now free to live a new life with a new last name.”
Nia trembled, her expression blank, struggling to believe the turn of events.
“A new life…..”
Asha understood the constraints Nia had faced throughout her life and looked at her with sympathetic eyes.
She had always been like a flower unable to bloom fully, overshadowed by the shadow of Count Delphinium.
“I have found a beautiful flower that could be used as your new last name. Would you like to hear about it?”
Nia asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.
“What is it? Any last name given to me by Lady Vanessa is fine.”
Asha looked at her and smiled.
“It’s Chamomile. The flower language of chamomile represents ‘resilience in adversity.’ I believe it suits you perfectly, Nia.”
Upon hearing the chosen name, Nia couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer and burst into tears.
Chamomile is a flower that blooms in spring after being planted in the fall. It was known for its strength, capable of withstanding extreme winter temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.
Asha comforted Nia, gently patting her shoulder as she buried her face in her hands, sobbing.
