Chapter 7

A few months later, I learned that the man's words were true.

It was the nursemaid who informed me.

She said that Milly had married into a marquis family and was leading a flamboyant life, spending each night with a different man, disappearing into the darkness.

Her bad reputation spread throughout the country in no time, and I was seen as a victim, garnering sympathy.

This was something the royal family could not ignore.

Even after my half-brother, the second prince, became the 'Crown Prince,' married, and had children, I was still kept alive. I had expected to be given a poisoned cup when his wife bore a child, so I felt somewhat disappointed. Perhaps it was because his children were all girls?

Decades later, I left the tower.

I never thought I would be able to leave alive.

After the nursemaid died a few years ago, no outside information reached me, so I didn't know, but it seemed that the kingdom no longer existed.

It wasn't that the country had fallen.

The top leadership had changed, and the country's name had changed accordingly.

With the new country, an 'amnesty' was issued.

I was set free.

However, I had been away from the secular world for decades. Even now that I am free, I don't know what to do.

I became a clergyman at the suggestion of my supervisor. The church I was introduced to had lenient rules, which seemed to suit me. I could spend my remaining years in peace.

In the end, my half-brother passed away without ever having a male heir.

I heard he died from insomnia.

Unlike me, my half-brother, whose mother was a powerful noble, never lacked support, but he was an unsuitable king. He was naturally gentle and meek.

The title of 'King' was too heavy for him.

I heard he developed depression shortly after ascending the throne.

Unlike me, he had a good relationship with his fiancée. She supported him as the queen, but only a princess was born. Although there was a queen regnant system, only two women had ever ascended the throne in the past. The ministers and advisors hoped for a prince as the heir.

My half-brother married a concubine after ten years of marriage.

These concubines also only gave birth to princesses. As the number of princesses increased, so did the number of concubines, and my half-brother ended up being given the dishonorable nickname of 'Lustful King.' This was likely due to the advice of the ministers and advisors, even though my half-brother was devoted to his queen.

It's my fault.

I made my half-brother, who should have had a peaceful life, walk a thorny path. The fact that the princess born to my half-brother and his queen became the 'Duchess' of the new country is some consolation.

The Duke and Duchess will visit the church next time. I am excited at the thought of meeting my niece for the first time.