Chapter 312 (2/2)

The time I spent with the girl at the Monique estate was the happiest time in my fifteen years of life. Our daily routine such as eating together, having fun, and practicing fencing together was so much fun. I got carried away with the joy of being with the two things I loved most, namely the sword and the girl. I was annoyed by the letters sent by Allendis to her more often than not. Except for that, I had a peaceful day, thinking ‘How good would it be if I could live with her like this all my life?”

As I got carried away with my own happiness, I didn’t realize her misfortune.

I felt she was weird when she received a letter from the crown prince, informing her of his upcoming visit. But as I saw the couple enjoying being together at the party, I thought it’s perhaps because she was thrilled.

I felt tempted to tease her, so I kept playing tricks on her and teasing her until the crown prince arrived. When I felt that it was me alone who felt happy about spending time with her, I got more upset, so I harassed her, which I regretted a lot later.

When I saw the residents of the estate welcoming the procession of the crown prince, I really felt bitter. The Monique family was renowned for their oath and absolute loyalty to the imperial family. Like they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. So, I wondered if she could not be freed from the crown prince because she was the immediate member of the Monique family.

I knew that I had no right to interfere with the couple. Nevertheless, I felt heartbroken somehow.

Contrary to the perception among the people that he was a very cold-hearted man, the crown prince was faintly smiling at her when he met her. During the dinner one day, when I also joined them, the crown prince took care of her, while he kept emphasizing that she was his ‘fiancee’, which made me feel bitter. I felt I was too miserable when I couldn’t balk at the crown prince’s message that he would like to spend time with her alone.

I left the drawing room and leaned back on the door. I was conscious of the royal knights on standby, but I was so depressed that I could not even move. I was suddenly awakened by the subtle change in her emotions when she was with the crown prince. Obviously, she treated the crown prince differently from the way she treated me and Allendis, which was rather more cautious and considerate. I could not erase her subtle care about the crown prince from my mind.

At that moment, I heard her sudden screaming and the crown prince urgently calling for the royal doctor.

I jumped into the parlor with the royal knights. I didn’t know what happened before I arrived there, but she, who passed out, was held in the crown prince’s arms.

Only then did I realize that her face was pale after she received the letter from the crown prince, she was getting skinny because she could hardly eat, and that she was restless and nervous in a break with her usual calmness and composure.

I also recalled she passed out while practicing fencing excessively one year ago.

I thought I was so stupid that although I knew she was not learning fencing as a hobby, I ignored it when she was nervous or unstable, thinking it was caused by her excitement.

I should have realized that being the successor of the Monique family could not replace the position of the empress or vice versa. It was clear that she wanted to be the successor of her family, given her hard training, rather than being the crown prince’s wife. But I ignored all these factors without paying attention to her concerns, blinded by jealousy.