Your Regrets Are Late - Chapter 44

“Your complexion doesn’t look good. If you feel unwell…”

 

“I remember you said that earlier…”

 

“Even so…”

 

“It’s because I’m tired from staying up all night looking at documents.” Charelize cut him off and spoke firmly.

 

“Your Royal Highness.”

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“Queen Bertez is waiting for you.” At that time, a man who appeared to be Arensis’s subordinate approached and said it.

 

“I don’t think this is the right time…”

 

“Go ahead, Your Royal Highness.”

 

“But…”

 

“I’m really fine.”

 

When Arensis tried to put off an appointment because of her, Charelize gave him a slight push on the back.

 

“Your Royal Highness.”

 

“I’ll be right back.”

 

When his subordinate called him again, Arensis had no choice but to leave. His eyes were concerned as he looked at Charelize until the end.“Little Duchess”

 

“?”

 

She still couldn’t focus on the conversation. When she looked for the sound, which seemed to be calling her, Charelize turned her head away.“Your Royal Highness… Casilla”

 

“Yes. Is this the first time we’ve seen each other since you were little?”

 

Charelize went to study in Peschte Empire, but before she entered Rosielt Academy, she had stayed in the imperial palace as an honored guest. She met her while on the way and became familiar to some extent.

 

“Greetings to the Royal Highness Princess. May the blessing reach you.”

 

“May the little Duchess be protected.”

 

Princess Casilla had dark blue hair like the night sky and golden eyes.  Although the color of their hair and eyes were different, her aura and gaze were similar to Arensis’s.

 

“I apologize for not being able to greet you first.”

 

“It’s nothing. Ah! I forgot to introduce you to the little Duchess.”

 

There was someone behind Princess Casilla who smiled gently.

 

“…”

 

“Viscount Luche”

 

“Ah, we already met on the way and said our greetings, Your Royal Highness.”

 

“Oh my, is that so? I wondered where you had gone, so you were walking alone around the palace.”

 

“That’s not it, Karen!”

 

“This is not the Peschte Empire, be careful.”

 

Viscount Luche then pouted his mouth.

 

“It’s alright, Your Royal Highness.”

 

“…”

 

“I… already know his real form, and I don’t mind it.”

 

“Really… you haven’t changed a bit since you were a kid.”

 

“What… Do you remember everything? But why did you pretend not to know earlier, Chacha!”

 

Without a moment to stop him, Viscount Luche hugged Charelize and vomited his sorrow.

 

“What are you doing, Viscount Luche?” Princess Casilla, who immediately hardened her expression, asked sternly.

 

“I really… really miss you… Chacha.”

 

However, it seemed that Viscount Luche, whose emotions were welled up, couldn’t hear her.

 

“Viscount Luche, I understand your feelings, but the little Duchess will be in trouble, so please leave now.”

 

“…”

 

Charelize nodded her head towards Princess Casilla to mean that it was okay.

 

“Oh my, who is hugging the little Duchess right now?”

 

“He had been with Her Royal Highness Princess Casilla for a while… I heard that person is Viscount Luche.”

 

“Viscount Luche? It’s my first time hearing it.”

 

“Me too. By the way, what’s his relationship with the little Duchess…”

 

A murmur was heard from those around them.

 

“There are a lot of eyes watching.” Princess Casilla said more firmly than before.

 

“Wait…. I’ll go for a walk.”

 

Viscount Luche, who was forced to leave Charelize, left the Erharak Hall. Just like before, his shoulders dropped, and he looked sullen.

 

“I’m sorry, little Duchess.”

 

“…it’s not something Her Royal Highness should be sorry for.”

 

Princess Casilla made an embarrassed expression and apologized in his stead. In an instant, an awkward atmosphere formed, and the suffocating air flowed.

 

“Next month… I’m going to have a wedding.”

 

“Congratulations, Your Royal Highness.”

 

“Day by day, I spent happily thinking that I was finally getting married to my lover. So…”

 

Princess Casilla changed the subject by bringing up the story of her wedding. At that moment, Charelize felt a tightness in her chest.

 

“Little Duchess? Where do you feel hurt?”

 

“…It’s nothing.”

 

Princess Casilla looked at Charelize with worried eyes.

 

“If… if you can afford it, could you attend the wedding”

 

“If Her Royal Highness invited me, wouldn’t it be natural for me to go?”

 

“Little Duchess, thank you very much.”

 

“…I apologize, but I’m going to take a break in the break room, Your Royal Highness.”

 

“Ah, I see. You can go now…”

 

Charelize, who felt that her physical condition had deteriorated, tried to leave her seat for a while.

 

“Today, there is someone I must introduce to you.”

 

Her steps were stopped by Harbert IV, who suddenly stood up, saying he had someone to introduce.

 

“Who is it?”

 

“Who does the emperor want to introduce?”

 

As the voice of curiosity grew, the door opened, and a woman came in.

 

“Isn’t that lady…?”

 

“Alive… she is still alive?”

 

Soon, the faces of those stained with astonishment filled the hall.

 

“Introduce yourself, Lady.”

 

“I’m grateful to the Goddess… for allowing me to come back and face you all like this.” Soon she introduced herself, just like Harbert IV command. “My name is Iris Tessa von Luxen, whom everyone thought had died.”

 

She was the eldest daughter of Marquis Luxen, whom everyone thought was dead.

 

Charelize did her best to hide her confusion. The eldest daughter of Marquis Luxen appeared at the succession ceremony of Grand Duke Innovestin.  

 

“I will use this opportunity… to announce that Lady Iris will inherit the title of Marquis Luxen in place of her late father.”

 

The emperor also allowed that woman to inherit the title, not Viscount Ramed.

 

“Lady Iris is also my benefactor.”

 

“W-What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”

 

“Benefactor… What is going on here…”

 

“She cured Princess Veloche’s chronic illness.”

 

Harbert IV said that Iris had cured Princess Veloche’s illness.

 

“Her Royal Highness’s illness…?”

 

“Isn’t it something no one dared to touch?”

 

“If that’s true, it might be right to congratulate…”

 

“Before being the emperor of an empire, he was the father of his child.”

 

“…”

 

“How can you stand still with such grace.”

 

Even so, the emperor subtly revealed his affection for Princess Veloche.

 

“Your Majesty, may I ask you a favor?”

 

“You’ve given a new life to the princess and me. Tell me anything.”

 

Harbert IV was in a good mood, so he readily agreed.

 

“My younger sister, Siael… She used to be the fiancée of Duke Marsetta.”

 

“I remember. They were a good pair.”

 

“It wasn’t that they broke the sacred covenant they made in front of Goddess Resina, nor did they sour out their relationship.”

 

“Then what?”

 

“What Siael left behind… Please give my niece her first surname.”

 

First surname. It was given only to children who could have the right to succeed. In other words, it was the same as being given the right to succeed.

 

“If it’s Lady’s niece… Are you referring to Princess Lillian of Duke Marsetta?”

 

“Yes. She was recently registered into the family.”

 

“I want to see her face at least once.”

 

“Lillian”

 

At the words of Harbert IV, Iris called Lillian by name.

 

“It is an honor to dare to say greetings to His Majesty, the Father of the Elioter Empire, the glorious sun, and the owner of the glorious throne.”

 

“You look just like Duke Marsetta.”

 

“I’m honored.”

 

Lillian, who stepped forward with a cautious step, bowed her head. Considering her usual way of speaking fluently with all kinds of rhetoric, she seemed to have made a lot of effort to memorize that long sentence.

 

“This thing… I will discuss it with the duke later and let you know.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“Perhaps you can expect good results.”

 

Harbert IV gave an affirmative answer that was almost convincing.

 

“May Goddess Resina’s blessing be reached, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

 

“May you be protected. Congratulations again on your return.”

 

Iris drew a smile on her lips as if satisfied.

 

Charelize felt it clearly. Harbert Iv, who met her eyes, clearly let out a sneer.

 

Returning to Duke Marsetta’s side, Lillian smiled brightly as if she couldn’t hide her excitement. Soon after, Lillian was surrounded by young ladies.

 

“Did… you know that would happen? Everything?” Charelize approached the Duke of Marsetta and asked.

 

She turned her head and bowed her head. Even if he accepted all the conditions she put out, no way he would feel satisfied. Duke Marsetta still had no answer.

 

Charelize felt the headache she had been struggling with come crashing through her head. She frowned and put a hand on her forehead.

 

“Charelize!”

 

“…”

 

“Are…you okay?”

 

Duke Marsetta reached out his hand towards Charelize.

 

“I’m okay. You don’t have to worry.”

 

Charelize struck his hand hard, which had touched her body. It was a reflexive action without even knowing it, which was embarrassing.

 

“I will be… in the break room…” Frustrated, Charelize spoke intermittently, breathing irregularly.

 

“…yes, if you’re not feeling well, you can leave first.”

 

This reaction is not an allergy. Charelize, who finished grasping the situation, quickly found Grand Duke Innovestin, who drank the same wine as her.

 

“I didn’t expect His Excellency would have such a hobby.”

 

“Would you like to visit our villa in the south?”

 

“I heard Luwanin estate has a clear view of the sea, and the scenery is magnificent.”

 

He was having a normal conversation with the nobles around him.

 

Charelize bit her lip, catching her spirit as it drifted away.

 

“Ha…”

 

Once out of Erharak Hall, she headed to the assigned break room.

 

“Little Duchess.”

 

“Who…”

 

At the sound of someone calling her, she turned around with difficulty.

 

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you, but… I think you know my name.”

 

“…Lady Iris.”

 

“Before I became Marchioness Luxen, that title was not bad,” Iris said, tucking her hair behind her ears.

 

“What… is your business?”

 

“It’s nothing. I just have something to tell you….”

 

“I’m a little busy right now… Next time…”

 

“Aren’t you… having a hard time?”

 

“…”

 

“I never thought my own poison would work this fast.”

 

Contrary to the words she uttered, her face was very innocent.

 

“What have you done… to me?”

 

“I was so moved by the motherhood of the Duchess I had seen that day… I adjusted it so that you wouldn’t die.”

 

Iris smiled brightly at what was so pleasant.

 

“…Lady.”

 

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t guarantee you won’t die. Just think of it as the price of a life that Lillian never had.”

 

“…”

 

“In particular, let me tell you one thing. The more poorly you treat her, the more dangerous your life will be.”