The Abandoned Empress

His cool blue eyes were fixed on Carsein. Despite my father’s cold look, Carsein was not agitated at all and looked at him with a faint smile. The servants and maids flinched at their tense gaze at each other while bringing the next dishes to them.

‘Should I stop them?’

When I tried to interrupt, my father said, smiling faintly, “How long would it take for you to complete your rehab?”

“According to the high priest, a couple of months, sir. I think one month is enough for me.”

“Got it,” said my father with a nod, and continued, “When you’re done with your rehab exercises, come back to me. I will pay the remainder of the deal that I have not yet fulfilled.”

‘You mean swordsmanship, sir?”

“Yes. Visit me a couple of times a week to get my coaching. We can adjust the schedule as needed.”

“Okay, sir!”

My father smiled at Carsein, who was all smiles. As soon as their tense moment was gone, the two hit it off right away and began to chat about the knights division. Looking at them, I reflected on the concerns I had all day long.

‘Pioneer, the pioneer of destiny … ‘

I was sharply reminded by the high priest of the middle name that I had forgotten.

I thought about the fate of those whose lives were derailed because of me who rejected fate. Although I wanted to care for them, I felt so heavy with a sense of guilt that I couldn’t for what’s most important to me was to get out of my previous life.

After eating in a warm atmosphere, I stepped out of the mansion to see Carsein off.

The wagon belonging to the Duke Lars family, who received the message about Carsein, was already waiting at the entrance.

“Take care, Carsein.”

“Thanks. You must have been surprised. Take a rest. ”

Carsein, who smiled lightly and patted my shoulder, climbed into the wagon.

‘I’m sorry, Casein. I got you involved in my stuff.’

When I turned away while looking at the wagon disappearing on a dark road, I saw another wagon driving quickly from the opposite side. I stopped coming back because I noticed the family crest engraved on the gorgeous wagon.

The roaring lion was the symbol of the imperial family.

‘Why is the imperial wagon here?’

As soon as the wagon stopped, the door opened quickly.

I opened my eyes wide, looking at the man getting out in a hurry. His navy blue hair and white clothes. Isn’t he the crown prince?

“I’m honored to see you, the Little Sun of the empire!”

“… Why are you here outside? I heard something bad happened.”

“Oh, I came out to see somebody off for a moment…”

“Got it.” He then kept silent for a moment and said, “…I hear you were ambushed. Were you injured?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Something unfortunate happened.”

“Are you okay?”

“… Sorry, Your Majesty. Even though I knew that the emperor was wary of it, I dared to heal my wounds with the divine power of the temple. Please punish me. ”

“… ”

He was silent for a moment. He seemed upset that I was helped by the high priest who I should have been wary of.

Staring silently at me as I checked his countenance, he spoke, “Do you…”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Did you think I would get angry at you for relying on the power of the temple?”

“… Your Majesty.”

His voice was angry and his blue eyes were trembling. I thought something was wrong, and I opened my mouth hesitantly, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“… ”

“Please come inside. As you came here, why don’t you come inside for a cup of tea?”

He looked at me silently and sighed. Then he said hesitantly while trying to reach out, “… Are you really okay? ”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Whew! I’m glad to hear that. As you must have been exhausted, just take a break. I can have tea later. ” He then got back in his wagon.

After looking at the wagon disappearing into the darkness, I turned with a sigh. Now it was time to take a break, leaving all my complicated thoughts behind.

< Dear Aristia. I heard that the emperor arrived safely at the summer palace. How is the weather over there? Is it really cool as they say? I was thrilled that I could see you when I came to the empire, but I'm sorry that I have to correspond with you through letters instead of seeing you. Don't worry about the capital. It seems that the crown prince is running the empire well, and your father also seems to be doing well. Can I see you in the fall? I am looking forward to the day when we can meet again. Yours sincerely, Frincia de Lars>

I smiled, putting the light purple letter with a faint rose scent into the letter rack.

Frincia. My friend, who married Sir Lars, now lives in the empire as the Duchess-to-be Frincia de Lars.

A month ago, when I was ambushed by unidentified assassins, the emperor got very angry and ordered the royal guards to find the mastermind of the attack. However, as expected, there was no evidence that the noble factions were involved in it. Only circumstantial evidence was found.

As my father couldn’t identify why they mounted such an ambush at a time when they could gain nothing, he forbade me to go anywhere except the Imperial Palace.

In the meantime, the emperor suddenly left for the summer palace, and half of the Royal Knights and the 1st Knights were selected as the accompanying knights. As a result, I had to go to the summer palace without reuniting with Frincia.

‘I’m glad she’s doing well. My father seems to be keeping well, too.’

I stood up, thinking I should write a letter to my father who would be lonely.

“What is that? Was it sent by my sister-in-law?”

“Oh, come to think of it, Frincia is now your sister-in-law, Carsein.”

“Yes, that’s right. I still can’t understand how such a blunt and reticent person like my brother proposed to her.”

“You know, the brave deserves the fair. Sir Lars was really cool when he did that.”

“Oh, yeah!” Carsein gazed at me suddenly, with his blue eyes sparkling.

Why the heck is he looking at me like that?

“Got it. You like that, too.”

“Huh?”

“No, it’s nothing. By the way, why are you dressed up? Are you going somewhere?”

“Yes, the crown prince wants to see me.”

“Okay. Go well. ”

As he shook his left arm casually, I looked at his left shoulder clothed in his uniform for a moment. After one month of persistent rehab, Carsein could now use a sword almost as well as he did before. He said that he would heal completely with a little more rehab. How fortunate!

The garden of the summer palace was completely different from that of the Imperial Palace, which consisted of a variety of small trees and seasonal flowers that allowed for easy maintenance by the gardeners.

Was it because of the legend that the wizard himself grew the trees? The garden here consisted of tall trees, so I felt like I was in the woods. Cool and fresh air as well as the sunlight shining into the shade of the trees belied the sweltering summer outside the woods. I felt like I was in a different world.

An elderly man was standing tall in the woods. I heard his health was deteriorating. Indeed, the emperor was visibly weak. His hair was becoming more and more gray, and his body that once seemed full of energy was lacking in vitality.

My heart ached at his failing health. He was like my father in the past. Only

“I’m honored to see you, the Sun of the empire.”

“Come on, Lady Monique. It’s been a long time. ”

His Majesty beckoned me to come near with a smile. When I approached carefully, he said, walking slowly to me, “How do you feel about coming to this palace?”

“It is amazing. When I was in the capital city, it was so hot. But as soon as I stepped here, I felt the heat go away. It’s so amazing.”

“Oh really?”

His long hair fluttered in the gentle wind, and the hem of his neat robe was swollen. I felt refreshed at the moment, but when the emperor asked what I had experienced before I came down here, I felt tense.

“I heard that you were ambushed. Sorry I am asking you only now. Is it true you received the high priest’s treatment? So, Are you okay now?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, I ended up turning to his help. Please punish me. ”