Chapter 14

Today, feeling good, I had Ebeck take me to the terrace in the pavilion.

The court physician had allowed me to be outside in the wind for a brief moment, so here I am, gazing absentmindedly at the flowers in the garden. When I said I wanted to be alone for a bit, the maid waited a little distance away.

Ebeck’s words asking if I was in pain came back to me.

At the time, I could laugh and deny it, but as time passed, a heavy feeling began to settle in my chest, making me feel as if a lid had been placed over it.

I whispered to myself that it couldn’t be helped. While the Empress’s actions were unforgivable, I could understand the emotions that led her to such acts. Still, I thought it was foolish to believe that she alone was the root of all misfortune, and that I was the only victim.

If anyone should be hated, it should be the Emperor, my husband. He is the one who created all the problems.

Frustration and bitterness over my inescapable fate welled up inside me. It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced since my mother had counseled me as a child.

I tried hard to recall her words to prevent the resentment from building up.

Don’t hate, Via.

Hate accomplishes nothing.

Be happy. That is the wish of your father and mother.

How could I be happy?

Via whispered to herself, and as soon as she thought this, her tears wouldn’t stop.

I used to find joy and laugh, so why do I feel so sorrowful now?

Something is unfulfilled, making me feel so painful, so sad, and my heart is crying out.

What do I desire so much? I should be happy enough as it is. I am bowed to by many maids and live a life of luxury...

“Via.”

A familiar gentle voice called out to Via unexpectedly.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

A voice tinged with worry approached, and Via turned to face it.

He must have just returned from a meeting at the palace. Alek, dressed in his formal jacket, walked briskly over.

“Are you in pain anywhere?”

His fingers hesitated before reaching out, and his well-shaped hand gently wiped away Via’s tears.

A gentle breeze tousled Alek’s bangs, and his amber eyes narrowed with concern.

Seeing his strong, handsome figure for the first time in a while, Via’s heart, which had been tormented by loneliness, trembled.

She wanted to ask why he had left her alone for so long, but she knew she shouldn’t. She wasn’t in a position to do so, and she understood the Prince’s situation.

“Via.”

Nothing was going as she wished.

Unable to hold back, a sob rose in her throat. Her vision blurred, and Via’s shoulders shook as she sobbed.

“Crying is bad for your health. Please, don’t cry.”

Taking care not to strain Via’s body, Alek gently pulled her into his arms.

He knelt on one knee, not minding the dirt on the stone pavement, and cradled her as if she were a precious object.

He held her head against his broad chest and gently stroked her hair, as if soothing a child.

Her tears soaked Alek’s jacket.

Closing her eyes and leaning into him, Via could hear the strong heartbeat of the Prince through his clothes.

He had held her like this on the night she had a nightmare about her father’s murder.

He had comforted her with words, stroked her hair until she fell asleep, and stayed by her side all night.

Via felt the unexplained frustration and the anger that had been eating away at her heart dissipate.

Warmth began to flow back into her cold heart, and a sense of calm filled her.

Realizing that Via had stopped crying, Alek relaxed with relief.

He gently pulled away and looked into her face.

“What happened? Are you in pain?”

Concerned, he asked, and Via shook her head.

“Everything suddenly became too much.

I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ve been bedridden for a while, so I might have been feeling down.”

Relieved that her voice was brighter than she expected, Via felt better.

Still, Alek seemed uneasy, his hand still on her shoulder, his expression worried.

“Would you like to sit down? If you have time, that is.”

Pointing to a nearby chair, Alek sat down and took Via’s hand.

Alek’s hand was cold. His gaze never left Via, and he looked terribly distressed.

“I’m sorry.”

Apologizing without context, Via was confused.

“What are you apologizing for?”

“For the attempt on Celta’s life and your injury.

The Empress, my mother, orchestrated it all.”

“I know.”

Via nodded.

“I covered up the truth. I didn’t expose the Empress’s crimes to protect myself.”

Right now, the one suffering the most is probably not me.

The words she had said to Ebeck earlier now filled Via’s heart with certainty.

Via squeezed Alek’s hand.

“Of course. If you were to fall from power, who would protect my brother and me?”

“When you were on the brink of death, I couldn’t be by your side, and I had to attend the Empress’s banquet and laugh while they tried to kill your brother.”

Alek’s face twisted as he spat out the words.

Ah, that’s right, Via suddenly remembered.

I was invited to the Empress’s banquet.

While Celta and I could have been absent, you, as the Prince, couldn’t have skipped it.

While being crushed by anger, you had to pretend to be interested in meaningless conversations and laugh.

I know how much patience it must have taken, having seen my mother’s struggles up close.

So, I deliberately responded brightly.

“That’s where you excel.”

Looking up in surprise, Alek met Via’s smile.

“Pretending to be fine and laughing when you’re in pain is very difficult.

Celta, who was always by my side, probably had it easier than you.

You did it to protect us. I should be the one thanking you.”

“Via.”

Alek tried to continue but couldn’t, his lips trembling. He looked at Via with a pained expression, hesitantly reaching out to touch her cheek.

It was a hesitation that wasn’t there before.

“Can I kiss you?”

Surprised by the sudden question, Via was taken aback.

“Why are you asking me this?”

Until the injury, I was called to your bed every night without question.

I don’t understand why this needs to be confirmed now.

“My mother tried to kill your precious brother, and you almost died. It’s only natural for you to hate me.”

Via frowned.

She finally understood the hesitation. The Prince was being overwhelmed by guilt.

“Are you afraid of being hated, so you won’t kiss me?”

“No!”

Alek’s voice rose in frustration.

“If you don’t want to, I won’t. I don’t want to do anything that would upset you, because you are precious to me.”

Then, as if ashamed of showing his passion, he lowered his eyes.

“What should I do... I love you.

But I don’t have the strength to break ties with the Empress, who tried to kill you.

I can’t do anything for you. I want to treat you better than anyone else, but the more I love you, the more I end up hurting you.”

Via looked at Alek, speechless.

This was the first time he had confessed his love. Even though she had been the Prince’s exclusive companion and was known as his favorite, he had never whispered words of love to her.

And she had felt a sense of relief about that.

She knew she would eventually leave, so it was better to pretend not to notice each other’s feelings and just share warmth.

Via remembered that the Prince was deeply conflicted over the Empress’s crimes.

But the hidden truth was even more terrible.

The Prince would find out one day.

He would learn about the terrible crimes committed by his father. When he learns about the irreparable sin, I probably won’t be by his side.

“Your Highness.

The Prince I know has always been very lonely. I had my mother and brother, but you had neither father nor mother.

Those two lived only for themselves, and you lived alone without being loved.”

So, there are words I need to say now.

Via knew that their paths would soon diverge, and it might not be in the distant future.

“You asked if I hate you for the Empress’s actions.

So, I will say it clearly.

No matter what your parents did, even if they caused the death of my family, it is not your fault.

I will never hate you.”

“Can you forgive me for wanting you if you don’t hate me?”

He asked, looking pained.

The sad look in his eyes, as if he had given up on being loved, struck Via’s heart.

“Do you still not understand why I was crying just now?”

I was so lonely, almost consumed by the darkness in my heart. I wanted you so much.

No one else could satisfy me. It was because you weren’t here.

“It’s because you didn’t come.

I wanted to see you, but you wouldn’t even show your face. I wanted to see you so much, my heart felt like it was tearing apart.

I was so lonely.”

Alek’s eyes widened, and he whispered, “Via,” as if moved.

Unable to hold back any longer, he leaned over and slowly pressed his lips to hers.

He kissed her gently, twice, three times, careful not to strain her body with a deeper kiss.

He cupped her face with both hands and pressed his forehead to hers as if in prayer.

Feeling his lips hover just above hers, Via opened her eyes slightly, and Alek gave her one last gentle kiss before pulling away.

But the emotional surge was too much for her weakened body.

Her vision went white, and Via buried her face in Alek’s chest, collapsing against him.

Alek caught her falling body with a worried look.

“Via.”

Seeing the paleness of her face, he picked her up and hurried to her bedchamber, laying her down carefully on the bed prepared by the maid.

Noticing that Via’s eyes were squinting from the light, the maid went to draw the curtains.

Seizing the moment, Via whispered to Alek.

“I’m fine, so please go.”

Via knew Alek wouldn’t leave unless she said something. She added,

“You shouldn’t come here for a while.”

Alek’s eyebrows furrowed, and he looked at Via with a pitiful expression.

“Was it a lie when you said you wanted to see me?”

He looked so cute that Via sighed.

His earnest wait for her words made him seem anything but a prince of a great nation.

“I will endure even if we can’t see each other for a while.”

And before the maid returned to the bedside, Via whispered her final words.

“I love you too.”