And Thus… It All Comes to an End - Chapter 9

“…She was beautiful.”

A soft breeze slightly ruffled the thin curtains. That faint sound was the only thing echoing hollowly through the spacious office.

I sank deep into my heavy chair, looking down at the mountain of reports piled on my desk. However, I lacked the will to read even a single page; the words written there refused to enter my mind. My gaze fell upon the paper, but my consciousness wandered elsewhere. Yes, in my mind, the image of a certain woman flickered uncontrollably.

—Luciana.

A woman who was calm, modest, and showed no emotion. That was the fixed image I had of her.

She was clever, but lacked radiance. Competent, but not the type of woman to attract a man. I had believed that without a doubt for a long time.

But the moment she removed her veil in that room, that perception crumbled with a thunderous crash.

Her golden hair flowed lavishly as it caught the sunlight. Her eyes, brimming with a faint light, were as clear as crystal; a single look from them made me feel as if she were peering into the very depths of my soul. Her set lips curved into the slightest arc.

In that smile, there was no flattery, no fear, and no expectation. There was only a dignified nobility and an inviolable purity.

To think she was such a woman. I’m not even sure if I was breathing. Before I knew it, I had forgotten the murmurs of the crowd and the progress of the ceremony; I simply followed her with my eyes. Someone must have been saying something, but it didn’t reach my ears.

The world revolved around her.

“Why didn’t I notice until now?”

My murmur was tinged with self-derision. No, that’s wrong. It’s not that I didn’t notice. It’s that I didn’t try to notice.

She was my fiancée. She was always by my side, a presence I took for granted. That is exactly why I never tried to measure her value. Remorse grated in the back of my mind. Her image was burned into my memory and refused to leave.

“…I’ve let something precious slip away.”

My chest tightened painfully. Beauty can only be possessed by those who recognize it. And I, by my own hand, let it go.

Then, she vanished, enveloped in the light of a magic circle. Along with Julius. Just remembering that scene made my heart burn with pain.

Julius.

An exceptionally capable assistant to the Prime Minister, a man who always wore a gentle smile. Before I knew it, his presence by her side had become something regular. Previously, I thought of him as nothing more than a convenient subordinate. An eccentric man who would increase his own workload just to support Luciana and others.

But now, it was different. That man was monopolizing Luciana’s smile. Just thinking about it turned my reason dark and muddy. The mere fact that he stood next to the beautiful Luciana made my chest constrict.

“…Why him?”

I understood the logic. He helped her, supported her, and worked with her. But that shouldn’t make it right. The one who has the right to stand by her side is me, the Crown Prince.

It was just a talent scout move. Yet, when I think of him receiving Luciana’s smile and taking her hand, I simply cannot accept it. The image of the two of them holding hands and vanishing into the light… no matter how many times I shake my head, the afterimage won’t disappear.

“The one who should be standing there is me!”

I slammed my fist onto the desk. A dull thud echoed, and the mountain of documents shifted slightly.

I was the one who annulled the engagement. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an eternal goodbye.

No—it isn’t over yet.

“If I have another chance, I will definitely make her mine.”

As I looked down, another name suddenly crossed my mind.

“…No, that won’t work. I can’t let go of Sara either.”

The girl from another world. Black hair and deep brown eyes that were almost black. Colors that do not exist in this world. That is exactly why she is special and precious. She is honest, her emotions are easy to read, and she is easy to handle. I don’t feel the anxiety of not knowing what she is thinking, as I did with Luciana.

However, I understood well. She does not have the caliber of a Queen. She has learned much in this past year. But upon reflection, it is impossible to welcome her as the primary Queen when she knows nothing of the country’s rituals, the maneuvers of social circles, or the weight of politics.

She is far too unstable to stand by my side as Queen. Yet, I had turned a blind eye to it, thinking it would work out somehow because my mother was the same.

In comparison, Luciana is different. A woman born and raised to be Queen. And she is that beautiful.

If that’s the case, there is only one answer.

—I should simply have both Luciana and Sara.

The moment my thoughts reached that conclusion, my heart became strangely clear. I will install Luciana as the primary Queen to serve as the symbol of the nation. I will give Sara a position free from formal constraints and keep her by my side.

Wait. I frowned, sinking into the back of my chair.

My father’s face floated in my mind. That rage. He would never allow me to install Luciana as Queen. Furthermore, persuading Sara would not be easy.

She is straightforward with her emotions. That is why deception won’t work. However, she can be convinced. Ah, right. I’ll just flip the positions.

I will publicly establish Sara as the official Queen, guaranteeing her authority and security. And I will give Luciana the position of secondary consort, entrusting her with all the protocols and government affairs. She is brilliant. She will understand the role she’s been given and perform it perfectly.

Reputations and positions will be protected, and the country will not fall into chaos. Since they are both Apostles of the Goddess, they will eventually come to recognize one another. Yes, they can surely live in harmony.

No one loses. Not the country, not me, and not the women.

“This is the most perfect arrangement.”

I can predict my father’s opposition. But there is a script. Right now, my father is sending troops to the Eisenberg territory to capture Luciana and the Grand Duke. Even if she is an Apostle, she cannot escape once she is branded a heretic.

I will have Luciana captured as a “heretic,” and then I will pardon her. The Crown Prince who saves the repentant Apostle of the Goddess. It’s the perfect heroic tale.

“Fuhahaha! Even the Goddess wouldn’t say no. It’s perfect.”

My mouth twisted into a natural smirk. Everything was in the palm of my hand. I believed that without a shadow of a doubt.

“I shall make my request to Father. I will tell him I am bringing the Apostle back to the capital to be my bride.”

As I stood up, my steps were light. In my mind, the two women stood side by side. The dignified Luciana. The softly smiling Sara.

—Ah, what perfect harmony.

“I truly am the chosen one.”

As I left the office, the stone corridor was chilly and silent. My footsteps echoed loudly. I couldn’t help but grin at my perfect plan.

Just then, light footsteps approached from the other side of the corridor. I adjusted my expression and slowed my pace.

“Ah! Your Highness!”

A familiar voice. When I looked up, Sara was standing there. She wore a pale-colored dress. She hadn’t quite adjusted to the trends of this country yet, but that only served to highlight her loveliness. Seeing her face smiling with a hint of nervousness but looking happy, I instantaneously donned the “Mask of the Crown Prince.”

“Sara. I was looking for you.”

I lowered my voice, making it soft. As if her presence alone were healing me. She blinked in surprise and immediately let her cheeks relax.

“Really? I thought you were busy…”

“Even when I’m busy, I have time to see your face.”

Saying this, I gently closed the distance between us. I casually checked to make sure no one was around. This was enough to make her feel cherished.

“Are you tired? You’ve had a lot to memorize lately.”

“Yes. But I’m okay. Because you’re always looking out for me, Your Highness.”

Ah, yes. She believes in me. However, what I am about to do is not a “betrayal.” It is the best possible outcome. I took her hand. Gently, as if enveloping it.

“You don’t have to push yourself. You just need to stay as you are.”

“…As I am?”

Sara tilted her head slightly. Even that gesture was adorable. But for a fleeting moment, her eyes wavered as if searching my face.

“Your Highness…”

She started to say something but swallowed her words.

“What is it?”

“No, it’s just I feel like you’re a little different today.”

She gave an ambiguous smile. But that smile was somewhat stiff.

—This is bad. Did it show on my face?

“Is that so? It must be your imagination.”

I denied it immediately and deepened my smile.

“I just have a lot on my mind. About you, and about our future.”

“About you.” At those words, Sara let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh, thank goodness! I was worried I had done something wrong.”

“That could never happen, Sara. You are precious to me. That will never change.”

It wasn’t a lie. I was simply adding to the number of precious things in my life. She smiled happily.

However, I did not miss the slight shadow that remained deep within her eyes.

“Yes. Thank you. But, still…?”

“Hmm?”

“No, it’s nothing!”

She shook her head and forced a smile. But that smile looked a bit strained. Had she noticed? No, that’s impossible. Sara is bright, but she isn’t sharp enough to sniff out political maneuvers. This was just simple anxiety. The vague fear felt by a girl thrown into another world.

“You don’t need to worry.”

I placed my hand gently on her head.

“I will protect you.”

Sara gave a small nod.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Her voice was trembling slightly. I pretended not to notice the meaning behind that tremble and kept my smile in place.