Chapter 4

“We’ll let the princess know.”

“Let us leave, Your Highness.”

The attendants weren’t the least bit bothered by my arrogant and harsh way of speaking.

It was a matter of course. Deric had always used this tone with the people around him, including me. So, I paid careful attention to this aspect of him and copied it.

The fact that he had spent his entire childhood in a harsh and unforgiving place while he had to endure and survive countless assassination attempts without anyone that he could trust and rely on might’ve contributed to his manner of speaking, but I didn’t want to consider his circumstances.

Why should I be understanding when it hurts my self-esteem whenever I listen to him? Up until now, I had no choice but to endure it, but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t value myself.

“Wait … Ah!”

Deric tried to say something, but his voice came out hoarse and muted. Well, he had only himself to blame since he asked me not to hold back my moans and cries last night. I didn’t slow my pace and continued walking. The messenger bird with the red ribbon tied to its leg was something that I had prepared, so I wasn’t really worried that Her Majesty’s condition had deteriorated.

But if I had to impersonate Deric, then I needed to be seen being in a rush and worried about the empress’s health, as he secretly had his mother and father in his thoughts.

I boarded the ship with the nobles who got up early. The briny sea breeze and the smell of rain from pouring all night washed away under the morning sun. I waited for the ship to depart, breathing in a brisk damp air.

Of course, Deric couldn’t follow me back to the ship. He must be brimming with tears over the raw pain by now.

Last night, when he lightly hugged her after their affair, she turned her body. He didn’t realize that it may have been to avoid him, not because she was uncomfortable.

As soon as he realized that, Deric threw the small box in the trash can. It was the best thing he could do.

It was clear that he would not be able to think rationally if he saw the necklace with the crest of the Emperor of Leffeirze with his own eyes.