Chapter 14: Goodbye, Farewell

After he spoke such words, Lawrence gently soothed Ailea. He wanted to drive her out without using physical strength and emotional exhaustion for he was too tired to deal with her endless cries and begging not to postpone the wedding.

Ailea fell short of expectations back then. She’d cry at Lawrence cold words, begging and pleading on her knees.

But this time, the experience she had and the shock she felt wasn’t enough to make her beg.

Lawrence burned her alive, this she knew well. She won’t suffer from any loss this time.

Meanwhile, Lawrence donned a smug smile thinking she’d fall to her knees.

“If that’s the case, why not leave tomorrow right away?”

“…You’re leaving tomorrow?”

“I’ll end up living there for a good while, right? Why not go now, Your Highness?

“…You won’t live outside for long. You’ll only be out for a while to cure your illness.”

“I know. Still, I’d like to go as soon as possible.”

At Ailea’s calm request, Lawrence was silent for a moment. Her reaction was different and far from what he expected. It frustrated him to hear that she thought of living quietly outside the Imperial City just like he wanted.

“Do as you please,” Lawrence replied.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Ailea smiled sweetly and left as if she had nothing more to say.

Lawrence’s forehead wrinkled.

As she walked out, Lawrence’s secretary looked at his and asked, “Your Highness, what’s the matter?”

“Don’t women normally cry when the wedding’s postponed?”

“She probably realizes your position as the Crown Prince.”

“So?”

“She seems to have given up her stubbornness.”

Give up? Who was she to give up?

Anger rose from his heart. It should be him abandoning her. He didn’t like the situation where it was she who decided to give up before he could do so.

***

The next day, Clint, who had finished preparing, was sitting in his office writing a letter to the family of knights for the last time.

Then, he heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Clint said without looking up.

Soon, the door opened carefully and a veiled woman came in.

“Captain Clint.”

“Gaah!”

Clint pretended to be surprised, so Ailea hurriedly took off her veil.

“It’s me!”

“I know, Ailea.”

Clint played tricks on the unexpected visitor with a sly look.

“Wh-what… you surprised me…”

“Why do you look dead? You have that look written all over your face. People will think your husband is dead. Don’t let Lawrence roll on his grave.”

Ailea smiled brightly at Clint’s joke.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you… I just wanted to say my farewells,” Ailea said.

“Ah, I heard. You’ll be staying in the Outer Castle. Heard that hot spring water is good for your skin also. I told him he should do the same. He frowns a lot. He’ll have wrinkles before he’s old.”

At the mention of Lawrence, a bitter taste rolled around Ailea’s tongue. Regardless, she smiled not wanting to offend Clint’s friend.

“By the way, it’s a poison that can be shared by someone like me who’s not good at magic. You’ll get better soon.”

“I see.”

After pleading for a doctor time and time again in the previous life, Ailea had given up.

Ailea looked at Clint and affectionately said, “I’m here to thank you… it’ll be the last time we see each other again.”

“Why can’t you see me again? You said I wouldn’t die. Was it a lie?” Clint said mischievously.

Ailea shook her head. “You’ll live. You’ll live and you’ll recapture the castle.”

“And?”

‘But I’ll be dead before you come back. By the time you get back to the Outer Castle, I’ll be long gone…’