I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 33

“Would you… like to take a day off that day?”

“A day off?”

“Yes. The mansion will be quiet, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem if you take a break. Of course, it’s completely up to you, but I’d really like for you to rest for a while.”

“Princess…”

After a pause, Kayeina called her that. It was a title Natasha hadn’t heard once since becoming the Duchess of the estate, and the wavering in her voice caught Natasha off guard.

“Are you planning to dismiss me?”

“What?”

“Well, you don’t really seek me out anymore and now you’re telling me not to attend an important ceremony. It feels like you’re asking me to go rest for the rest of my life, and I’m scared…”

The unexpected burst of emotion left Natasha stunned.

Dismiss her?

That wasn’t the intention at all. She was trying to protect Kayeina.

The plan was to send her away before the disaster at the coronation. It was meant to keep her safe, not to push her away.

But of course, she couldn’t explain that.

Her lips trembled slightly as she rushed to offer an excuse. Natasha gently wrapped an arm around Kayeina’s shoulders and spoke warmly.

“What are you talking about, Kayeina? You’ll always be with me.”

“Then why did you say that? Is it because you’re embarrassed for me to be seen at a formal event?”

“No, not at all. I heard, by chance, that someone in your family is unwell. I thought you might be worried, and since the schedule isn’t too packed, I wanted to give you some time off.”

“Really?”

“Yes. With Meliana and Vanessa there, everything will be handled just fine. I’ll miss you, but we’ll manage.”

She offered a gentle smile to Kayeina, who had finally calmed down.

“Kayeina, you’re someone I want to protect. And I’m sure there’s someone you want to protect too. Please take care of them. That way, we can all be happy for much longer.”

“Yes!”

Kayeina nodded with all her strength and nuzzled her face against Natasha’s arm, like a cheerful child showing affection.

At the time, Natasha didn’t realize.

She had no way of knowing what kind of expression Kayeina made as she held her close.

The temple was filled with a sea of people. After seeing her husband off to the platform, Natasha stood among the crowd, waiting for the coronation to begin.

She tried to keep her eyes straight ahead to avoid distraction, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t feel the stares. It wasn’t just in her head. Even someone less sensitive than her would have noticed the number of eyes locked on her.

Feeling the pressure, Natasha quietly stepped to the back of the hall and hid behind one of the pillars to catch her breath.

The nobles around her chatted endlessly. Their lips moved so quickly it was hard to guess what they were even saying.

Then, the soft sounds of a harp began to echo through the temple, and the noise disappeared as if it had never existed. Silence fell, and solemnity swept through the hall.

From the rear, Sieghart appeared slowly and walked toward the High Priest. He knelt before him in greeting. The ceremonial robe he wore was pure white, symbolizing purity, peace, and virtue. Though such things seemed so far from who he was, the robes suited him well.

A shining crown was placed upon his head, and the sacred sword was given into his hands.

The sword, blessed by the gods, held a special power. Only the Knight of Honor, chosen once every century, was allowed to wield it. People across the Empire and beyond were already speculating how he would use such divine authority.

The power of the sword was so great that some even believed it could shift the balance of power within the Empire.

With the sword in hand and blessings upon him, Sieghart rose. It was time for him to return the honor he had received by offering words to those gathered.

He stepped forward to deliver his speech and looked out across the hall. Though his neck remained firm, his eyes moved carefully until they stopped on one spot.

“My achievements, my honors, the divine grace and blessing I’ve been granted today, this miracle beyond words…”

Natasha suddenly realized where those eyes had landed.

“I dedicate all of it to the new lady of Aschart, Natasha Aschart.”

It was clear.

Undeniably, inevitably clear.

After that, Duke Aschart named several others, making it clear that his accomplishments weren’t earned by his efforts alone but were the result of many people working together.

His speech flowed without pause, filled with gratitude, reflection, and resolve. Still, no matter how elegant his words were, the crowd focused on only two moments.

The very beginning.

“I offer my deepest thanks to everyone who believed in me and stood by my side. May the blessings of the gods and eternal happiness be with them.”

And the ending, which pointed to someone very specific.

He spoke as if offering equal praise to all, but his gaze remained fixed in one place.

Mentioning the Duchess so openly in front of the entire audience could only mean one thing. He was making his feelings clear. Just as Sieghart intended, the moment planted Natasha Aschart firmly in everyone’s mind.

Duke Aschart and the exiled princess.

Their marriage had been the subject of fierce debate. How could a man tied so closely to the Imperial family marry a princess from a fallen kingdom the Empire itself had destroyed?

Speculation ran wild. Was it the will of the Emperor, or had the Duke defied orders and acted on his own? If it was the latter, it could only mean he was breaking away from the crown entirely.

When all official contact between the Imperial Palace and House Aschart had quietly ceased, the truth had begun to show itself.

And now, after rising to the top of the Empire, Duke Aschart publicly acknowledged her in front of the world.

It was a bold answer, one no one had expected.

His speech made it clear that their marriage wasn’t just a tool or a stepping stone. No matter how it started, Natasha Aschart was now the woman he cherished.

Not a disposable pawn, but someone who mattered.

People’s eyes began to shift. Even those at the very edge of the hall now looked toward the Duchess. All attention had turned to her.

From this moment forward, the bond between the Empire and House Aschart would be broken beyond repair.

The power struggle between the two sides, which had been building for some time, had tipped in House Aschart’s favor after today’s victory.

“Do you think the Imperial family will take back control?”

“With the current emperor… I doubt it.”

Worried voices spread among the nobles. They were talking about Emperor Kail Letius, who hadn’t even shown up to the ceremony.

Kail Letius.

Once called the disgrace of the great Letius line. A man many believed had no right to the throne. If he hadn’t been the only one to survive the massacre of the Imperial family, the crown would have passed to another heir.

But after he successfully annexed half the territory of the Charlier Kingdom, public opinion changed. It had been an achievement great enough to make people overlook his arrogance and failures.

Even when his misconduct returned and people began to grumble, that single victory gave him a ten-year shield. No one could truly speak against him.

Until now.

He had lost his position to the Duke. Not to a foreign power, but to the second most powerful man within the Empire. It was one of the most humiliating defeats in the history of the Letius dynasty.

No one could say whether this was a one-time event or the beginning of a complete shift in power.

“Maybe it’s time to reconsider our alliances.”

“But the Duke never shows his face in society. Without a direct connection, trying to change sides now could cost more than it’s worth.”

“There’s no need to approach the Duke directly. There’s the Duchess. We can build a connection through her.”

That was why so many eyes now turned to Natasha. She was preparing to enter high society and would soon begin building relationships. Anyone who wanted influence over House Aschart would have to go through her first.

Behind their polished smiles, they were already preparing their tactics. And they moved quickly to make an impression.

Among them, the Countess of Reon took the first step, using a personal connection to approach her.

“It’s an honor to meet the second moon of House Aschart. I’m Adelaide Reon. My daughter serves you proudly, and I wanted to thank you personally.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Countess. Lady Reon is truly bright and capable. I’m grateful to have someone so gifted by my side.”

The nobles had expected the Duchess to be shy or reserved. But Natasha greeted the Countess warmly and carried the conversation with grace. It was almost as if she had known they would come.

Those who had been quietly observing now began to gather, each eager to introduce themselves.

Then, suddenly, the crowd parted on its own.

A man in white ceremonial robes walked slowly through the aisle and stopped directly in front of her. With a respectful nod, he raised her hand gently. The height was perfect—she didn’t have to reach, and he didn’t need to bow too low.

He kissed the back of her hand with ease and gave a relaxed smile.

“It’s an honor to see the Empire’s shining moon.”

Though formal, the gesture was full of affection that couldn’t be ignored.

“May I speak with my wife for a moment?”

“The guest of honor asking me for permission? Of course, Your Grace. You may do as you wish.”

The Countess of Reon stepped back with a knowing smile. The nearby nobles, watching closely, also bowed and moved away.

Sieghart, noticing their clear disappointment, added with quiet satisfaction.

“There will be a banquet at House Aschart soon to celebrate this day. I hope everyone looks forward to it.”

He knew how to steer attention with just a few words.

Together, Natasha and Sieghart walked the same path he had taken earlier. Despite being in a sacred space where closeness was frowned upon, the two stayed close without hesitation.

Even as whispers spread, calling their behavior improper, Natasha didn’t care. She didn’t push away the hand resting gently around her waist.

Because she had something she needed to say.

“There’s something important I need to tell you, Your Grace.”

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