I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 110

It had been just over two weeks since the full moon.

The sun had dipped low, and darkness began to stretch across the sky. A deep black night rose slowly, carrying with it a large, bright moon.

Soon after, a knock echoed softly at Natasha’s bedroom door. The servants had already gone to sleep, but she didn’t find it suspicious.

She didn’t respond with a usual “come in.” Instead, she walked over to the door herself and quietly turned the handle.

When the door opened, she found Sir Dante standing there, tall and steady. He held clothing in his arms and bowed the moment their eyes met.

Matching his quiet demeanor, Natasha gave him a small gesture to enter. Quick to read the mood, Sir Dante stepped inside.

“Your Highness,” he said in a low voice as soon as the door closed, using her old title.

“We leave in two hours. When the Empire greets a new day, we’ll be gone.”

“So the time has finally come.”

“Will you really be going with us?” he asked with concern in his voice.

“You know as well as I do, this mission could mean life or death. Even if palace security is weaker tonight, there’s no guarantee the knights can break through…”

“Sir Dante.”

Natasha gave a soft laugh, as if wondering why he was saying such a thing. She knew he was worried, but to try and persuade her at this point? It was just like him to be stubborn about the wrong things.

“This plan began with me.”

“…”

“And without me, none of it matters.”

Her voice was calm but firm. He said nothing, but Natasha continued, knowing what his silence meant.

“This is something I started. Running away just because it might get dangerous isn’t an option. I don’t want to be that kind of coward. I don’t want to survive alone anymore. That life was cold and lonely.”

“…”

“And I’ve always hoped, more than anything, to be the one who brings down the man who made my life, and the lives of those I love, so miserable.”

“Your Highness…”

“This is what I want. Sir Dante, I’m more certain now than I’ve ever been. I finally feel like I’m truly alive.”

Sir Dante looked at her like a sorrowful dog caught in the rain. But then he let out a small sigh, as if to say he understood there was no changing her mind.

“I understand. That was careless of me. I didn’t realize how deeply you meant to be involved, and I let my own worry speak first.”

He then handed her the clothes he was holding.

It was a set of leather armor and protective gear.

Since Natasha would be joining the mission, she needed to be suited up. Still, she hadn’t been trained like a knight, so the armor had to be light enough for her to wear. Something heavy wouldn’t suit her.

After all, she wouldn’t be fighting on the front lines herself.

“I also prepared a sword, just in case. I didn’t worry about the weight because I thought it should be a good one.”

He handed her a blade. Just as he had said, it was heavy. If she wore it at her side, she would definitely feel the weight.

But Natasha didn’t let it show. She simply said it would be more than enough.

That was the last thing they said before parting. Their conversation ended quietly, and it was time for Sir Dante to leave.

Suddenly, he dropped to one knee.

He drew the sword at his waist and drove it into the floor in front of him, still in its sheath.

On the sheath was the emblem of the Kingdom of Charlier. It was likely the same sword he had used during his days as a royal knight of Charlier.

“May happiness return to the Kingdom of Charlier.”

“…”

“And may peace be granted to the only sun that remains.”

He gently took Natasha’s hand and pressed a brief kiss to her pale fingers.

Natasha, wearing a faint smile, extended her other hand to him. With quiet reverence, Sir Dante reached up and took her hand in his, standing with her support.

Natasha looked up at him.

“Come to think of it, there’s something I never told you.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Even if this really is a matter of life and death, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“Ah… but…”

Sir Dante looked troubled again. He seemed to think she was going to scold him for trying to stop her earlier.

But this time, Natasha couldn’t help but let the words slip. She couldn’t hold back the small smile trying to escape.

“We’re not going to lose.”

We are not going to fail.

“You’ve worked so hard for this.”

Because everything she had done was for tomorrow.

What had Sir Dante said after that?

It hadn’t even been that long since they spoke, but Natasha already couldn’t remember the exact words.

Ah, yes. He had said something realistic. That no matter how things turned out, her life would still be in danger.

He had followed that with a harsh warning, telling her to stay sharp if she truly wanted to see a victorious Charlier. Not something a knight usually says to his lady, but still sincere.

And Natasha had no argument.

Sir Dante was right. Whether they succeeded or failed, she had always been walking beside danger.

And now, she was afraid of death.

It wasn’t just the fear of dying. It was the bitter thought that she might not be a part of Charlier’s future. It hurt to think she might not be there to see it. It worried her to think of someone being left behind after she was gone.

Then, the cuckoo clock sounded softly. The little bird chirped, marking another hour.

Only one hour remained until dawn. One hour until they would set out.

Natasha was sitting on the terrace railing, letting the night breeze brush over her, when the stillness of her room was quietly interrupted.

Footsteps approached. The man didn’t knock, didn’t ask for permission. He just walked in and made his way toward her without hesitation.

He stopped in front of her and slowly held out his hand.

Even that gesture was confident and sure of itself. Natasha couldn’t help but smile. It amazed her how he acted the same, no matter what was happening between them.

“Are you here to scold me too? Or maybe offer another sharp warning?”

His eyebrows twitched slightly, as if to ask what she meant.

“Sir Dante was just here,” she explained.

She didn’t say what they had talked about, but Sieghart nodded like he already knew. After spending so much time preparing together, he had come to understand just how persistent Sir Dante could be.

“That’s good. But I didn’t come for that reason.”

“Then why?”

“I just came to check on you. I thought you might be nervous.”

Nervous. That kind of fear had come and gone with the end of the rainy season.

But still, no one knew her moments of weakness better than Sieghart Aschart.

“I’m alright. I’m strong, remember?”

Natasha smiled softly and took his hand as she stepped down from the terrace. His hand, cold in appearance, was warm to the touch.

“I already knew that.”

She looked up at the shadow stretching across his face. It was shaped like her own and for some reason, it made her feel calm.

“Oh, if you’re not busy, would you help me finish getting ready? Sir Dante brought some gear earlier.”

“Of course.”

She suddenly changed the subject, unable to bear the strange weight in the air between them.

Natasha handed him the clothes and sword resting on the bed. Then she turned around, giving him space to help her out of her dress.

His hand against her back felt hot, like fire. Even though he stood above her, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her shoulders.

As he untied the dress, it loosened, the fabric falling slightly to reveal her bare shoulders.

He placed the leather armor over her chest, then tightened the straps. The armor fit snugly, protecting her body.

His hands, though warm, were surprisingly gentle as he fastened the guards around her wrists and knees.

“Natasha.”

His voice came close to her ear. His words were low, almost like a whisper, and filled with weight.

She tensed without meaning to. Her heart beat faster. She didn’t know what he was going to say next.

“When this fight is over.”

When it’s over,

“I’ll keep my promise.”

…What promise?

“The one where I let you go.”

“…”

“Just like you asked me to.”

She couldn’t understand what he meant. The words didn’t make sense.

As she turned to face him, Sieghart turned as well. Their eyes met in a moment of silence.

Her gaze demanded an explanation, and finally, he answered in a quiet voice.

“I won’t try to keep you with me out of pity.”

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