It's Too Late for Regrets - Chapter 8.4

The voice broke off and disappeared.

 

It felt like something was just about to come to mind, but the most important part remained buried, making the frustration even worse.

 

Ines thought seriously.

 

Could she have been one of those pitiful people too?

 

She pulled the shawl Clara had placed over her shoulders and asked,

 

“So, what happened to the ones who pretended to be the Grand Duchess?”

 

“They all died. And it was really horrible.”

 

“What?”

 

In the mirror, a look of shock passed over Celia Irope’s face. Clara, her hands trembling, continued as she tied the ribbon.

 

“His Grace dealt with them himself. They say he executed them with his own hands in the capital’s central square.”

 

“There was blood everywhere. The blood soaked into the execution platform and dripped down to the ground, making it look like a red carpet had been laid out. The bodies were so horribly hacked that there was nothing left in one piece. Even the Torgen barbarians weren’t that cruel with executions…”

 

Back then, a storm of blood swept through the Duchy of Eleanor.

 

Not only the servants of the Grand Duke’s mansion, but also those who dared to impersonate the Grand Duchess, and even those who turned a blind eye to it.

 

More than ten people were executed every single day at the hands of the Grand Duke.

 

“They said he cut off heads and stabbed hearts without even a flicker of emotion on his face.”

 

“My goodness…”

 

“To be honest, that’s what makes it even scarier. If he had killed them in a frenzy, I could think he just lost his mind and was trying to throw everything away, including himself. But now that he’s subdued Jenaire, the Duchy is more stable than ever.”

 

“Anyway, after that incident, no one dared to claim they were the Grand Duchess or say they knew where she was. Of course, her body was never found either. But it seems like he still hasn’t given up.”

 

“He hasn’t given up…”

 

Ines repeated her words, feeling unfamiliar with them.

 

As she listened to Clara’s story, one question rose in her mind. Tilting her head, Ines murmured,

 

“But something feels… strange.”

 

“What do you mean, miss?”

 

“They say she was of low status and didn’t suit the dignity of Eleanor’s nobility. So why would he lose control like that?”

 

“Oh, that.”

 

Clara shrugged.

 

“They say she died right in front of him. After drinking tea he personally made for her.”

 

“…”

 

“And then her body completely vanished. Even if he is the Grand Duke, how could he stay sane?”

 

“…I see.”

 

Things felt increasingly strange. Like a weird joke that didn’t make sense.

 

Ines blinked and asked,

 

“So, why did he?”

 

“Sorry?”

 

“I mean, he didn’t even love her, right? Everyone despised her, didn’t they? Then why is he still looking for her? Wouldn’t it be better to let her go in peace?”

 

Ines realized her voice was slightly raised and stopped herself.

 

After a short silence, Clara seemed to understand what she meant.

 

With a soft laugh, Clara resumed brushing her hair.

 

“Our young lady… I thought you were all grown up, but you still have a lot to learn.”

 

“….”

 

“That is love. Probably the most desperate kind of love there is.”

 

Clara gently pulled her hand away from the red hair she was brushing.

 

“When you can’t reach someone, when there’s nowhere left to go, so you start obsessing over even a hollow illusion of hope.”

 

“….”

 

“A love realized too late.”

 

Love?

 

Ines froze.

 

A headache and an overwhelming sense of rejection suddenly surged through her.

 

She frowned and pressed her temple hard with her fingers. Clara looked at her in alarm.

 

“Miss? Are you alright?”

 

“That’s not love.”

 

Without meaning to, her lips moved on their own.

 

“Obsession and love aren’t the same. His feelings… at best, they’re guilt, don’t you think?”

 

“Hm…”

 

“I don’t think the Grand Duchess—who disappeared—would want that kind of love either. She wouldn’t go back to him. That’s what I think.”

 

Ines fell silent after saying that. Every word she just said came from her heart.

 

Her heart thumped uncomfortably in her chest.

 

‘Why did I just get so worked up…?’

 

While she tried to figure out the reason herself, Clara clapped her hands joyfully.

 

“That’s such a relief, miss!”

 

“Uh… what?”

 

“Hearing you speak like this, I’m sure you’re no longer set on marrying His Grace, right? Right?”

 

“Ah… yeah. He has nothing to do with me anyway.”

 

The Grand Duke who went mad over his dead wife had no connection at all with Ines.

 

It was Celia who had feelings for him, not Ines.

 

And now, knowing all the terrible rumors about the Grand Duke, how could she still ask to be matched with him?

 

But Clara couldn’t relax completely.

 

‘Tastes don’t just disappear…’

 

Two years ago, the biggest reason Celia fell for the Grand Duke was his outstanding appearance.

 

Well, it wasn’t just about looks.

 

He had a charm that drew people in—regardless of gender. He wasn’t particularly kind or warm, but still…

 

Those noble green eyes that never seemed to falter.

 

The unique, almost white silver hair of Eleanor, said to be nearly impossible to find anywhere on the continent, let alone the empire.

 

That striking appearance, his title as the ruler of Eleanor, and the hero who finally subdued Jenaire.

 

Aside from being a little insane, he was perfect in every way.

 

Even now, with all his cruelty, there were still noblewomen in the capital secretly pining for him.

 

That’s why Clara felt responsible for protecting her poor lady’s heart, especially now that she had returned from the brink of death and lost her memory.

 

“If you ever see him during your visit to the Imperial City, just turn around and hide. Don’t ever look at his face!”

 

“His face?”

 

“Don’t make eye contact! If you see anything silver, just run!”

 

“Okay, okay. If anyone even says ‘Grand Duke’ nearby, I’ll turn my head right away.”

 

Only after Ines said that did Clara let out a breath of relief.

 

Still, it was best to be extra careful. Clara pulled the shawl tightly around her shoulders and placed a box on the table.

 

“What’s that?”

 

“These are the letters you’ve received. These ones are from the last two years, and these are the ones that started arriving after news of your return spread.”

 

“Oh, letters.”

 

“Yes. Letters from high-ranking nobles worried about your health. You should read them slowly when you have time.”

 

Ines was surprised to see just how many letters were packed into the large box.

 

So it was true Celia had been the little queen of Lezan society. She was really popular.

 

Clara winked.

 

“But, the one I’m most excited about is…”

 

She picked up a cream-colored envelope from the top of the pile.

 

The seal on the envelope gleamed gold, like melted pure gold.

 

“Isn’t this a personal letter from His Majesty himself?”

 

Ines was shocked as she took it. Could it be… a reply to the letter she sent that winter?

 

The moment she read the first line, she knew her letter had been properly delivered.

 

Dear Ines,

 

That’s how it began.

 

‘It’s really the Emperor…’

 

The person she remembered was truly the Emperor—he had been the Crown Prince back then. It made her happy, but also a little overwhelmed.

 

Ines read the whole letter at once and let out a deep breath. Clara asked eagerly,

 

“What did His Majesty say?”

 

“Just a greeting…”

 

Ines quickly folded the letter in half in case her name inside was visible.

 

“If you hadn’t been so stubborn about His Grace even if it killed you, you might’ve been engaged to His Majesty two years ago. All the noble daughters from the ducal and marquess families are already married.”

 

“….”

 

“Besides, His Majesty said he wouldn’t let diplomacy affect his marriage decision. So you were probably the most likely candidate to be Empress…”

 

Clara’s excited chatter no longer reached her ears.

 

As Clara helped her change into a simple robe, Ines quietly asked,

 

“Clara. What kind of personality did I used to have?”

 

“You, miss?”

 

Clara fastened the buttons on the back of her dress and cheerfully replied,

 

“Well, Miss Celia was always confident, no matter where she was. Um, a little stubborn, maybe a bit persistent, but in the end, always someone who got what she wanted. Always.”

 

“…Always got what she wanted.”

 

“Yes. That’s why we were all so anxious, thinking you might really end up marrying that crazy Grand Duke!”

 

Ines looked at her reflection in the large mirror.

 

Her lush red hair braided and draped over one shoulder, golden eyes full of life, a healthy and beautiful body.

 

Her memories weren’t complete, but from the ones that remained, she could tell her life was very different from Celia’s.

 

Even if she could never truly be Celia, she wanted to be like her. Someone who always got what she wanted by her own strength.

 

Her memories. Her original body.

 

Ines read the letter again.

 

You cannot know how much I longed to hear your story.
Every Wednesday, when the sun touches the statue of Eucalyptus,
I will wait at the address from which you sent your letter.
From your friend who loves you very much.