I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 119

About an hour later, the finished portrait was handed to them, and Natasha absolutely loved it.

The lines and brushstrokes were rough, as expected from a quickly completed piece. The finish wasn’t exactly neat or polished, but none of that mattered. She loved it all the same.

Hugging the picture like it was a precious treasure, Natasha turned to the artist with heartfelt thanks.

“Wow, thank you so much!”

“Haha, does it please you, miss?”

“Yes, I really love it. I’m going to frame it and keep it for a long time.”

“Hearing that makes me proud. I hope your partner likes it too.”

A moment later, both Natasha and the artist turned their eyes toward Sieghart. Unlike Natasha’s bright reaction, Sieghart remained unreadable, which made the contrast all the more noticeable.

He stared at the drawing in Natasha’s hands with an indifferent expression.

Realizing that probably wasn’t a good sign, Natasha quickly tugged her partner away.

Once they were far enough that their voices wouldn’t reach the artist, she quietly asked him, “You don’t like the picture?”

“You look strange in it.”

As if he’d been waiting to say it, Sieghart answered right away.

So it wasn’t that he thought he looked bad. He thought she didn’t look good.

“Really? I don’t think so…”

She actually thought the drawing of her looked rather nice.

It was an amateur piece, so of course the image didn’t perfectly match real life. But it wasn’t off enough to call it strange.

When Natasha tilted her head, trying to understand, Sieghart looked frustrated and said something else, as if he couldn’t hold it in.

“You’re much more beautiful than that.”

“…”

“A simple drawing could never compare to my wife.”

Wait—had those words really come out of Sieghart’s mouth?

Natasha blinked in surprise. That kind of romantic line sounded like something only lovers in stories would say. Hearing it from him didn’t feel real.

Not that she disliked it. His compliment echoed in her head, making her chest flutter softly.

Even when she tried to control it, the corners of her lips curled up on their own. Realizing she was smiling too widely, she quickly rolled her lips inward to hide it.

Watching Sieghart walk beside her with his long strides carefully matched to hers, she suddenly realized something.

She had thought nothing would change between them, even after sharing a deep kiss. But now, she saw how foolish that idea had been.

Now she knew.

They had become lovers.

Still, like Sieghart, Natasha didn’t act awkward or overly sentimental. So, she didn’t blurt out something like, “Are we really a couple now?”

Instead, she suggested they try doing things that couples would normally do.

Actually, what she had in mind wasn’t really for couples, but for married people. Sharing rings, after all, was a promise typically made between fiancés or spouses.

Still, Natasha slipped a tiny ring onto her own ring finger and placed the matching one onto Sieghart’s pinky.

“Come to think of it, we lost our rings.”

Well, to be exact, Natasha had abandoned Sieghart and, in the process, left her ring behind too. But there was no need to bring up those details, so she kept her explanation short.

“Anyway, I thought it’d be nice to get new ones. A little mood-lifter, you know?”

The rings she picked were toy rings, the kind children liked to wear.

Because her fingers were slim, the child-sized ring actually fit snugly on her ring finger.

…Sieghart, on the other hand, couldn’t even get his to fit around his pinky. It just dangled loosely at the top.

Still, it was cute. Very cute.

“Isn’t it cute?” she asked, trying to sound casual, even though she was clearly hoping for a reaction.

Once again, Sieghart wore a blank expression. A clear sign that he wasn’t very impressed.

She had been a little excited, so his lack of response was disappointing. Natasha pouted.

Sieghart, as if trying to offer some sort of excuse, muttered under his breath.

“If it’s meant to replace our old rings, then it should be something better.”

It sounded like he was scolding her for picking something so childish for such a meaningful symbol.

“That can come later. For now, I like these. They’re romantic in their own way.”

Natasha stretched her palm up toward the sky, smiling. The piece of sea glass in the ring sparkled under the sunlight. It looked almost like a real jewel.

Sieghart glanced at her for a moment, then at the nearby children who were just as happy with their own toy rings.

“This is your taste?” he asked.

It was a question that sounded like he was wondering if she really enjoyed playing house like a little kid.

Of course, Sieghart hadn’t meant to mock her. He was probably just genuinely curious. He only wanted to know if Natasha really liked things like this.

She hesitated, then slowly shared the truth.

“I just… wanted you to enjoy it. The things children love so innocently. You probably never had a chance to experience any of them when you were young. Even if they seem silly now, I hoped you’d try them at least once.”

Sieghart had lived a hard life. He likely missed out on all the simple, everyday joys that most children take for granted.

To others, those things were normal. But to him, they could be something completely new. That thought made Natasha’s heart ache.

That was why she had been so eager today. Suggesting things, pulling him from one place to another, trying everything together.

Because she knew.

How sweet and tangy candied fruit skewers tasted.
How soft and dreamy cotton candy felt.
How magical soap bubbles looked.
How fun pinwheels were when spinning in the breeze.
And how charming toy rings could be, shared in simple joy.

“…And I wanted you to discover all of that through me.”

Sieghart’s face twisted into something complicated. Natasha had seen that expression before and understood what it meant.

He looked like he might cry.

“…Natasha.”

Before he could say more, she wrapped her arms around him.

“It’s alright. Let’s not dwell on things we missed. We’ve already lost too much to worry about every little detail.”

“…”

“Starting today, we’re beginning again. Remember? You and me, Sieghart.”

She gently rubbed his back, easing the wave of emotion that had suddenly overwhelmed him.

“So let’s enjoy today. It may be one of our hardest days, but it’s also one of the happiest.”

Her quiet voice calmed the emotional storm.

At first, she had been the one holding him. But before she realized it, she was the one being held. And he held her tightly, without hesitation.

His steady heartbeat pulsed against her cheek, a little faster than usual.

When it finally slowed, she slowly looked up at him.

His beautiful face filled her vision, reflected clearly in her eyes. And just as naturally, she was reflected in his.

The sound of her heart picked up again.

Their red eyes stayed locked, unblinking, as if a deep exchange had begun. Feeling something shifts in the air between them, Natasha quickly placed a hand over his mouth.

“…No. Stop. We’re still outside!”

For once, he didn’t miss the signal.

The slight narrowing of his eyes said exactly what he was thinking.

That was close, she thought, letting out a silent sigh of relief.

The festival ended sooner than expected. News of the emperor’s death had reached the empire.

People whispered in shock. What was meant to be the happiest day of the year suddenly became one of the most somber.

“Well, good riddance!”

A drunk man stumbled into the street and shouted, disrupting the quiet scene where Natasha and Sieghart stood watching the stalls close.

“He was all glitter on the outside, but probably the most useless emperor we ever had! Should’ve passed the crown down a long time ago…”

“Hey, what’s wrong with you! Mind your mouth at a time like this!”

A skewer vendor, who had been closing his stall with a sad expression, slapped the old man on the back in alarm.

“Useless? Are you kidding? The only reason we even have this day is because of His Majesty’s efforts!”

“Oh please. They’ll milk that one accomplishment for ten years. And what did expanding the empire ever do for us? Life just got harder for regular folks, thanks to him!”

Unable to calm the shouting drunk, the vendor grabbed his cart and hurried away.

“Some messes just aren’t worth stepping in,” he muttered. But as he passed the quiet pair standing nearby, he paused.

“You two should go home too. I’ve got a bad feeling about tonight.”

Natasha and Sieghart simply smiled awkwardly.

After walking through the now-empty streets, they sat together on the edge of a fountain. Natasha leaned her head against Sieghart’s shoulder and watched the sky fade into shades of red.

Then Sieghart stood up and said he’d be back soon before walking down a different street.

Natasha tilted her head, wondering. There was probably no real reason for him to leave so suddenly, but it still made her curious.

…Was his shoulder hurting?

No, probably not.

Pushing aside the silly thought, she looked around.

Children who didn’t yet understand the weight of the day were still laughing and playing, their faces lit up with pure joy.

Time passed slowly.

Suddenly, a group of children playing with bubbles ran off excitedly. They crowded around someone, their curious squeals filling the air.

“Wow!”

“Who’s he giving that to?”

“Is this a confession?”

And just like that, one man, suddenly the center of attention appeared before Natasha, trailed by excited kids.

He stopped in front of her, holding a large bouquet of flowers.

When she saw it, Natasha smiled brightly.

Just like the spring blossoms on the children’s faces, her own lit up in full bloom.

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