I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 28

The muffled voice made it hard to tell who was speaking at first. But thanks to the person’s carelessness and endless mumbling, Natasha was finally able to recognize the speaker.

It was Charlotte—the very same woman who had been acting overly kind to the Duchess just moments ago.

Meliana and Wilts were trying to stop Charlotte from continuing her rude remarks. They kept pointing out her inappropriate behavior, but Charlotte ignored them and kept talking.

“Oh, look at you all reacting like I said something terrible. Of course, as a lady-in-waiting to the Duchess, I shouldn’t say such things. But come on, let’s be honest for a moment. We worked so hard to get into this household, beating so many other applicants, and yet we’re expected to serve a fallen princess as our mistress? Even if she was once royalty, she’s now no different from a commoner erased from the history books.”

Charlotte began to spill all the resentment she had secretly built up. When the people she thought would agree with her began to criticize her instead, her pride was clearly hurt—and it made her even more agitated.

“Even the Duchess seems to know her place. Didn’t you see it? Didn’t you hear? She’s being treated far better than she deserves, all thanks to her husband. Surely, she must feel ashamed herself.”

It doesn’t take long for someone’s kindness to be twisted into scorn. With Charlotte’s lies, Natasha was now painted as a fallen princess who had learned to stay in her place.

But the harsh words didn’t shock Natasha. In fact, even in her previous life, Charlotte had been one of the maids who talked behind the Duchess’s back. She had expected Charlotte to be the same in this life, too.

Natasha paused to think.

Should she bother responding to someone who wasn’t even a real threat? Was it really her responsibility to call out such disrespect?

Fighting over something so meaningless would only bring her exhaustion and disgust. Life was already hard enough as it was.

“We don’t need to show such respect to someone beneath us. It’s humiliating.”

“She only got her position because the Duke loved her. Now that she’s lost his affection, what’s left? She’s not even treated like a wife anymore—why should we treat her like a lady?”

But that, too, was part of Natasha’s misfortune.

The servants who claimed that she didn’t deserve proper treatment because she was a fallen princess used every opportunity to belittle her.

If she wanted to avoid repeating this pain, she had to act now. Even the smallest crack could one day lead to collapse.

“I need to fix this, starting now.”

Wanting to put an end to Charlotte’s behavior, Natasha stepped forward.

As she opened the door and walked out, the three women standing in the hallway all turned to look at her at once.

“L-Lady, have you finished resting? Breakfast isn’t ready yet… Are you feeling hungry?”

“No, not at all. I was just thinking of visiting the library for a moment.”

“I-I see. Let me show you the way.”

Meliana and Wilts responded quickly, but Charlotte—who had been loudly complaining—suddenly went quiet. She looked nervous, clearly wondering whether the Duchess had heard her.

Natasha waved off the other two’s offers and approached Charlotte instead.

“I didn’t expect my kindness to be used against me. It was just a small gesture of goodwill, not something meant to insult you.”

There was a series of shocked gasps behind her. Charlotte quietly inhaled, her delicate shoulders twitching.

“I-I didn’t mean to take your kindness the wrong way, my lady…”

It was an excuse that didn’t hold water. Even Charlotte, who had laughed and mocked Natasha so confidently, couldn’t bring herself to deny the truth. She bowed her head deeply and murmured.

“Lady Tristana, I believe that someone as wise as you can answer my next question properly. Do you truly think the Duke’s household is so low in status that having me as its lady damages its reputation?”

“N-No, of course not.”

Natasha tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled by her response.

“Then what’s the problem? Did I become the Duchess through dishonest means? Did I break any law that every citizen is expected to follow, causing disgrace to the family?”

“N-No, that’s not the case either…”

“Then I truly don’t understand. Please explain. You worked hard to join this household, so why are you so unhappy about serving me?”

When asked directly, Charlotte couldn’t respond. She kept her mouth shut, only letting out a few half-hearted, mumbling apologies.

That should be enough, Natasha thought.

She glanced around and met the eyes of Meliana and Wilts. The two, who had been walking on eggshells the entire time, jumped as if caught doing something wrong the moment their eyes met Natasha’s.

“Lady Reon, Lady Wilts, would you go ahead to the library, please? I’ll join you after I finish speaking with Lady Tristana.”

“Y-Yes, of course. We’ll see you soon, my lady.”

As the two women quickly left, the hallway grew much quieter. That silence now felt tense and frightening to Charlotte.

Charlotte had always been proud to work at the Duke of Asher’s estate. Even among noble circles, many envied her position.

But now, being told to serve a fallen princess? As the Duchess’s personal maid, Charlotte felt as if she had been lowered to the same level as Natasha—and the shame of it overwhelmed her.

She’d been so worked up, she never considered the Duchess might overhear her. In truth, her attitude had been arrogant—Even if she hears, what could she possibly do?

“M-My lady, I’m truly sorry… I made a mistake. If you order me to keep my mouth shut while serving you, I’ll never speak again. Even if you assign me only the most difficult tasks, I’ll carry them out without a word of complaint.”

Begging for forgiveness from someone she had just insulted was humiliating. But compared to the cold reality she now faced, pride meant little.

If this reached the Duke’s ears, Charlotte’s position would be in serious danger. She wouldn’t just be dismissed from the estate—she’d also have to endure the consequences of the rumors that would follow.

Once caught in a scandal like this, she’d likely never find employment again. Worse still, the stain on her name would follow her through the social circles for life. People would say she insulted the Duchess, the Duke’s beloved wife, and Charlotte—along with the entire Tristana barony—would face scorn.

“So please… I beg you… just this once…”

The future suddenly felt unbearably distant and bleak.

“It’s alright.”

“……What?”

“Everyone makes mistakes.”

“L- Lady…?”

Charlotte had been holding back tears, and now a voice as gentle as the world itself embraced her. It was hard to believe this kindness was coming from the same Duchess who had exuded such chilling authority just moments ago. She was even smiling.

Natasha reassured Charlotte that she wouldn’t report this to the Duke. However, she also made it clear there would still be consequences. She would be replaced as the Duchess’s personal maid, and the position would go to Kayeina.

Charlotte tried to act as if this mild punishment was a sign of the Duchess’s great mercy, but in truth, Natasha had simply calculated the cost and compromised.

Had she chosen a harsher punishment, it would have only appeared that she was abusing her husband’s power. That would’ve stirred resentment among those who shared Charlotte’s views.

Meliana and Wilts, who had witnessed the event, would undoubtedly pass along the details to the other staff. The incident would serve as a valuable lesson for everyone. That was enough for Natasha—she didn’t want unnecessary commotion.

“I heard something unpleasant happened this morning.”

As an opening line for conversation, it was far from appropriate—especially since the two were in the middle of a meal.

The knife Natasha had been using to cut her grilled fish slipped from her fingers and landed on the plate. Caught off guard, she forgot to retrieve it and left both her knife and hand hovering midair for a moment.

Only after some time did she resume eating.

“I handled the matter myself.”

“For such disgraceful behavior, the punishment seemed too lenient. If you wish, I’ll have the maid dismissed from the estate.”

“She’s someone who’s worked here for a long time. I didn’t think one mistake should cost her everything. I hope you can respect your wife’s judgment as well.”

It was the same reasoning she had held before.

Dismissing Charlotte would have served as a strong warning to the others. But at the same time, it would have painted Natasha as an outsider throwing her weight around.

The consequences would have been heavy, and so would the risk. Especially if the man who gave her this power turned out not to be someone who would love her forever.

“You’re a far more forgiving person than most. I almost feel guilty for thinking I should have her silenced forever.”

“I think you’re being a bit extreme, Your Grace.”

“My wife, a woman who deserves nothing but respect, had her honor insulted. I simply acted accordingly.”

It was ironic, hearing such words from the very man who once contributed most to tearing down that honor.

“You’re… very kind.”

She smiled faintly. Seeing it, Sieghart looked at her as though it were the first time he’d ever seen her smile.

“I didn’t realize you paid attention to such delicate matters.”

His deep red eyes quietly searched her face, as if time had stopped. He sat motionless, waiting for her next words.

“Then… instead of punishing Lady Tristana, would you punish someone else for me?”

“Someone else?”

“There’s one person who once said something so cruel to me… I still remember it clearly. I don’t know where they are or what they’re doing now.”

“……”

“But their words stuck with me. They still hurt me from time to time.”

Her smile turned bitter. Beneath her trembling lashes, her eyes reflected an emotion sharp with sorrow.

“Do you… still resent them?”

After a long pause, Sieghart finally asked.

Uncertain, perhaps—but his voice was full of a lingering fear and pain.

Resentment?

Yes, some emotions had started to spill over again after meeting him. But resentment wasn’t among them.

If anything, feeling something for Sieghart now would be a luxury she couldn’t afford.

When he had stabbed Natasha through the heart with his own hands… when he had mercilessly discarded ten lifetimes of hers… that was when she had let go of all feelings toward him.

“I’m not sure. I don’t have any emotions left to give that person.”

“……”

“I’ve let go of hatred and of resentment, too.”

Beyond Natasha’s field of vision, Sieghart’s figure remained. The man reflected in her eyes no longer carried the calm confidence he once wore so naturally.

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