70. Farewell

“This isn’t a lethal poison; it’s likely meant to keep an eye on internal spies and ensure they’re performing their tasks correctly,” Isella continued.

I needed to protest, but my lips wouldn’t move.

“Um, well…”

My voice kept breaking.

The words that came out were foolish and quickly dispersed without reaching them.

I couldn’t bring myself to act. I clutched the ribbon that had been tied to her waist tightly in my hand, unable to hand it back to her.

The maid, Deon, and Isella were seriously discussing whether there were other dangerous substances, paying no attention to me.

The chaotic atmosphere settled, and all the items on the table were packed into a box. Seeing the carefully prepared items being taken away as evidence of poison was humiliating.

“Leonie, come with me for a moment.”

Deon called out once things had somewhat settled.

* * *

“I want you to move your residence.”

He said before the door to the office even closed. The sudden words made me flinch in surprise.

It was clearly an order to leave.

“…I didn’t do it.”

I finally managed to say what I had been holding back. To avoid stammering, I held back the tears and pressed my lips together firmly. I didn’t want my words to come out wet with tears. Fortunately, I spoke clearly, but my lips tingled from the effort.

“I’m sorry about what happened to Lady Isella. It’s my fault. But I didn’t poison the tea. Please believe me.”

“That’s not the point,” he replied coldly.

“Then why…?”

“It was inevitable, wasn’t it? Didn’t you also want to leave? The sooner you go, the better.”

His words pierced like a dagger. He was acting like he was desperate to get rid of me.

It was painfully clear that I was no longer needed in this mansion.

“Is that really the only reason?”

There had to be more to it than that. His eagerness to send me away as soon as trouble arose felt unjust. Could it be that Deon and Isella had concocted the poison plot to drive me out faster? A seed of suspicion sprouted in my mind.

“Then what else could there be?”

He asked, looking genuinely puzzled. I let out a bitter laugh. His confusion only deepened my frustration.

“You’re being unusually evasive. Isn’t it because of your safety and future, Your Highness?”

The future with that woman. The plan to remove any obstacles early on.

I wished he would just tell me plainly. That I was an obstacle to his future with Isella. The silence allowed my imagination to run wild, tearing me apart.

“What are you talking about?”

“You want me to leave because I’m a hindrance to your future, don’t you?”

The already icy air grew colder. I breathed in deeply, feeling suffocated.

“You’ve always wanted me gone. And as soon as she was harmed, you decided to send me away… just like that.”

As if you had been waiting for this. There was a brief silence before he spoke again.

“Yes… you’re right, Leonie.”

He answered calmly. Though his tone was peaceful, his words crushed my heart once more.

Did he even understand what he was saying? He easily agreed, as if he didn’t even want to argue.

“Pack lightly and leave today. Just take what you need for now, and we’ll move the rest of your belongings later.”

He said this and turned his back to me.

What had I just said? I should have been begging him to stay, not accusing him like a scorned lover.

I acted like I was casting out a cheating partner, but in reality, the unwelcome woman in this mansion was me—a mere blood bag pretending to be a mistress.

“Deon.”

I urgently grabbed his sleeve and called his name.

He stopped and turned to look at me. His eyes were cold.

His icy gaze made my shoulders shrink involuntarily. I forgot what I wanted to say and just stared at his face.

No matter what I said, it didn’t seem like he would change his mind or take back his words.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“…No.”

I let go of his sleeve. At the same time, my feelings for him dried up completely.

* * *

Suren knocked on the door. Though it was open, the knock was meant to bring me back from my daze as I stared out the window.

“The arrangements were made so suddenly… We’ve packed only the essentials. Just the two of us will leave by carriage today, and the rest will follow tomorrow.”

Suren held a small bundle in each hand.

“Do you need to take anything else?”

She asked.

I could see the forest outside the window. Just hours ago, it had been the site of a major commotion, but now it was completely cleaned, with not a single shard left on the ground. As if nothing had happened.

“Should I leave the bird behind?”

I murmured, still staring at the forest.

The bird was delicate, prone to breaking its legs if held too tightly or losing feathers with a change in weather.

I was lucky to have brought it safely to the capital, but with another change in environment, it might die during the carriage ride.

Of all things, my last request to her had been to take care of the bird.

Tears welled up. If she bore a grudge against me, she might harm the bird first. The thought of giving her a target to direct her anger at terrified me.

“Should I take the bird with me?”

When I asked, Suren answered firmly.

“Leave it behind.”

Indeed, someone who couldn’t even take care of themselves had no business keeping a pet.

“How is Isella? What are people saying about me?”

Unable to tear my eyes away from the forest, Suren stepped closer.

“Does it matter? My lady, I know the truth. Even if everyone whispers, I know you wouldn’t do such a thing. If you were that kind of person, you would have taken proper action against Lady Elizabeth in the North, even if it meant using my hands.”

She pulled the curtain closed, hiding the view of the green forest.

“So don’t let it get you down. You’re leaving because of the prince’s whims and Lady Isella’s discomfort, not because of the tea you prepared.”

Suren’s words, though small, provided some comfort.

Yes, staring at the forest for so long seems to have helped clear my mind.

I closed my eyes tightly. This would be the last time I saw this view.

The servants were reduced to just five, including Suren.

The surprising part was that the butler who had been with us since the ducal estate insisted on coming with me. It must have been by order and permission, but it was unexpected for him to leave the Imperial Palace to oversee the villa.

“Hurry and get in the carriage. We’re already late if we want to arrive before evening.”

Suren and the butler climbed into the carriage one by one. We packed lightly, placing the bags under the seats. It was an unusually simple departure for a party moving residences.

And, as expected, Deon did not come to see me off.

I took one last look at the view of the Imperial Palace before turning towards the carriage.

As I was about to step onto the stairs, a voice called out from behind.

“My lady, please wait a moment.”

Edan was out of breath. He must have run, his chest heaving heavily.

I paused and turned my foot back. He closed the distance between us with quick strides. Soon, he was close.

“Are you here to see me off?”

“Yes. His Highness said it wasn’t necessary, but… I didn’t think it was right to let you leave alone, so I came by myself.”

Maybe it was because I had looked back too often. He added that he came alone.

I felt embarrassed for doubting him when he had come alone to see me off.

“Thank you.”

He looked at me with a careful expression and then spoke.

“My lady, even though you’re leaving like this… if anything happens, come find me. It might be presumptuous for a mere soldier who hasn’t even taken a knight’s oath to say he can help, but don’t nobles also need swords at times? I can wield my sword for you.”

His words carried a strong conviction. Even in this moment, he was excessively kind.

“That’s very reassuring. I will.”

I nodded, holding back the emotions that threatened to spill over.

But despite my response, he still looked anxious. His eyes were trembling.

Edan, the one they called the big bear. To see the eyes that remained steady in the face of enemies now quivering before me made me smile.

I tried to reassure him with a smile and took his hand.

“Take care.”

It was a simple and heartfelt farewell, but Edan couldn’t seem to let go of my hand, as if he feared we would never meet again. I tried to gently pull my hand away, but he held on tightly.

“My lady, I haven’t yet learned the proper etiquette for bidding farewell to a noblewoman.”

He avoided looking directly at my eyes, focusing instead on our hands.

“Could you teach me? How to say goodbye to a lady?”

Edan bowed his head.

Although his sudden action took me by surprise, teaching a knight the customary kiss was traditionally a lady’s role. I spoke calmly.

“Bend your knee slightly and lightly kiss the back of the hand.”

He followed my instructions, his lips warm against my hand for a fleeting moment before pulling away. His lips were warmer than my hand.

“Safe travels, my lady.”

With that, he added his farewell.

I climbed into the carriage. He stood still, not moving from his spot as the driver urged the horses, and the carriage left the Imperial Palace behind.

I looked back until his figure, standing motionless, faded into the thick mist.