I Won't Accept Your Regrets

“He runs the Empire’s branch of the Phoenix Organization. And he is the one who helped me.”

“So, you didn’t deny that it was you under someone else’s disguise.

“What good is there to deny it. I only moved in the shadows because the Duke’s position was precarious. And when I ran into His Majesty… That was a surprise.”

“Is this and all of your relationship with a man named Lumont?”

“What else should be between us?”

He immediately shook his head, frowning at my answer.

“Nothing. Looks like I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

“As you say.”

“Okay. Then, since you are so busy now, I will not detain you anymore. I think I have done so beyond measure.”

“Do you… have no more questions?”

I couldn’t hide my embarrassment and looked at him.

Of course, I thought he was demanding a full story about the organization.

Instead of using the imperial power to restore my honor, his purpose is to cooperate with the Phoenix… or not?

If it’s not because of the Phoenix, why are you trying so hard to cover me and my father?

The confusion in my head obscured the whole picture. And while I looked at him with confused eyes, Raymond calmly replied.

“No. I have already find out everything that was interesting to me.”

Don’t you want anything else?

I swallowed a question that was about to fly out of my mouth.

Such altruism on his part was just strange and awkward.

And it seemed that if I spent even more time with him, it would only aggravate my confusion. The new Raymond I met six years later was strange.

“Then I’ll go.”

When I turned to leave the office, he suddenly called me.

“Ellie.”

The obsidian black eyes that I once loved so much were now staring at me.

“As you know, Count Barten wasn’t a real organizer. So be careful.”

“Don’t worry.”

Leaving the main palace, I took a deep breath to recover. The conversation was short, but I was very tired.

Everything was wrong.

The more I thought, the more I was confused by the snatches of emotion that suddenly came to life, but now they pierced right through me.

I completely rooted Raymond out of my memory, I thought so… Or not?

A light breeze shook my hair, but my weary mind didn’t cool down.

Is this how it was supposed to be?

The blows of the horseshoes gradually approached, and the carriage stopped in front of the main palace.

The carriage of the imperial family.

With the exception of Raymond, there was only one person in the imperial family who rode around in the imperial carriage.

Edmund Agrita.

Raymond and Lisa’s son and the first prince of the Empire.

The door opened and the boy stuck his head out.

I can’t cross with him here.

It was unpleasant to see Edmund, even though there was no child’s sin.

Seeing Edmund, I suddenly felt sorry for Carlisle.

Edmund stepped closer and I bowed.

“Greetings to His Highness the First Prince, light of the Empire.”

“Stand up.”

I got up and looked at the prince.

“Who are you? I see for the first time…”

At this time, the prince opened his black eyes wider.

“The color of the eyes is the same as that of Duke Croft.”

Edmund didn’t seem to remember me.

Well, Edmund was only seven years old then, so it was natural that he couldn’t remember it.

” Duke Croft is my father.”

“Oh, so that’s it. But did the Duke have children? I haven’t seen before…”

Edmund bowed his head. All the high-ranking dignitaries of the capital would have attended the prince’s birthday parties, so he was curious why I wasn’t there.

The prince must be 13 years old… Have you ever heard of me?

The imperial family was educated from an early age and appeared in public meetings even before the coming of age ceremony.

As a result, he would quickly plunge into the gossip of the aristocrats.

It seems that Edmund has never really heard of me.

Well, it was a bad story anyway.

At that moment, I met the butler’s eyes. He shook his head, fearing that I would say too much to Edmund.

Meeting of the former Empress and the current prince.

Even if they are silent about it, I think Edmund is the decisive reason for my divorce from the Emperor.

And everyone thinks I hate Edmund.

Even if so, there was nothing strange about it.

Ignoring the butler’s worried gaze, I smiled fondly at Edmund.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I felt bad, so I spent a lot of time at the estate. So I couldn’t even attend His Highness’s birthday party.”

“I see. Are you okay now?”

“Yes, I’m much better.”

“Then please come to my birthday next month. I will wait.”

“Ah…”

I shuddered at the unexpected words.

It was weird.

Of the two children born to the same Emperor, one had to spend a birthday in the imperial palace, while the other had to just spend time with his mother.

I knew that Edmund wasn’t to blame, and I decided not to make Carlisle a prince, but I couldn’t help but find it all strange.

“Can’t you come?”

When he received no answer, Edmund continued.

Looking into the innocent eyes of this child, I would have no words to refuse.

Anyway, next month… I can’t avoid it.

“Nothing like this. I will definitely go.”

“I’ll take it as a promise.”

Edmund smiled at me with his eyes closed.

“Yes.”

Edmund, who had now received a definite answer, headed to the palace with the butler.

Prince’s birthday…

“Carlisle.”

I have no regrets about the choice I made to protect Carlisle from the fight for the throne, but I felt uncomfortable because it seemed that they took something from us that only the true heir should have used.

But even if I go back in time, I will make the same choice again.

I don’t want to see Carlisle’s life descend into danger.

With heavy steps I stomped to the carriage.

“Milady.”

When I arrived at the mansion, Harpen was standing in the lobby, possibly waiting for me.

“Harpen, what’s going on? What’s with your face?”

“The Duke expressed a desire to return to work. I mentioned that he needed a little rest, so he didn’t even turn his ear.”

Not only Harpen, but the butler and the head servant were full of anxiety.

“Don’t worry. I’ll settle everything.”

With a slight smile, I handed my hat to the butler and went straight to the study.

“Father, it’s me. I will come in.”

When I opened the door, I saw my father sitting at the table and checking documents, just like Harpen said.

“Did everything go well in the palace?”

“Didn’t I tell you that I’m taking over your job? Of course… you got out of bed. Don’t you believe in me?”

I dropped my eyes, pretending to be disappointed. Confusion crept into his face.

“How can you? I know that you will succeed, but the work here is not for an hour or two, so I’m worried too.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll do okay.”

My father sighed and surrendered to me.