Chapter 261 (2/2)

My breathing was getting more and more rough, but I slowly opened my mouth, trying to calm down.

“… It is said that there is nothing that won’t be healed over time.”

“Oh, I see. After all, that’s how you feel.”

“…”

“Okay, Aristia. I will do as you please. I’m sorry I forced you to be with me. You can rest assured from now on. I will never bother you again. ”

“Your Majesty…”

“I’ve been here too long. See you later at the theater.”

He turned coldly and walked away quickly. I stood there, blankly looking at him fading away.

Only when I could see him no more did tears roll down my cheek.

One drop, two drops.

Tears kept dropping down on the ground.

‘Good job, it’s all over now.’

Although I felt chilly out in the cold, I slowly lifted my arm and wiped tears on my face.

I straightened up and began to walk amid the hazy mist.

***

The October sky was high and blue.

Red and yellow-colored leaves were falling on the streets where the cool autumn breeze was blowing, and the crowds got carried away with the festival, enjoying all kinds of delicious food and pleasant music.

In a slowly rolling wagon I silently watched the very exciting scene outside. Although I was blocked by only one wall between the wagon and outside, the world outside the window was so different from mine inside the wagon.

When I was looking outside the window with envy, my father, who kept silent all along, said, “You don’t look good now. Are you sick?”

“…Oh, it’s nothing. I just enjoy watching them outside.”

When I answered, shaking my head, he said with a sigh, “I see. Tia, do you want to go out with me for a change?”

“Pardon? But now …”

“Well, you seem too frustrated. When the official event is over, come out to the street with me. As the festival lasts for a week anyway, I think we can go out and enjoy it for about a day. ”

“Really? Isn’t it too much a burden on you because of me? You’ve been busy all these days …” “I can adjust my work schedule. My daughter is more precious to me. ”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

When I smiled bashfully, he said with a faint smile, sweeping up my hair gently.

“By the way, Tia.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“… Don’t forget that I’m always behind you. I’m always on your side. ”

“Pardon? Why did you suddenly…”

“No matter what anyone says about you, you are my proud daughter. So, always act proudly. Don’t be so depressed like you were a little while ago.”

“Ah…”

I felt something warm spreading in my heart. I tried hard not to express it, but he seemed to have already noticed that I felt depressed all along after I met the emperor in the fog.

When I nodded gently, a faint smile came to his mouth, who was anxiously looking at me.

I felt much better thanks to his encouragement. I felt very secure.

“We’re here at the theater, Marquis and Lady Monique,” said the horseman.

“Good job.”

I got out of the carriage with my father and stepped into the theater. It was a play that most aristocrats watched, but there were not many nobles inside, contrary to my expectation.

Perhaps it was because we arrived last according to the protocol on the nobles’ entrance.

The theater I had not visited for a long time was luxurious. All of the seats arranged in a semi-circle around the stage were made of high-quality leather, and the chandeliers hanging from all over the place were radiating beautiful lights everywhere.

The sound of nobles dragging their robes were heard on the staircases covered with red carpets, and in each booth blocked by black curtains, those who got earlier were chatting and laughing. Among them were foreign dignitaries speaking their own language.

“Ladies and gentleman, the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty is entering now!’