I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 42

“Kayeina clearly warned me not to trust Vanessa.”

Natasha recalled their first meeting in the ducal estate. After returning from her leave, Kayeina had listened closely to Natasha’s plans and seriously offered advice. She had even pointed out who could be trusted as allies—and who should be avoided.

Even if everything she said turned out to be the opposite of the truth.

Others aside, Natasha had met Vanessa and Meliana for the first time in this life. So, at first, she cautiously followed Kayeina’s advice and kept her guard up around them.

But now?

“They’re such kind people.”

Vanessa and Meliana were unexpectedly warm-hearted. Even if they weren’t as familiar as Kayeina, they showed Natasha genuine care and concern.

Of course, if someone reminded her, she’d once trusted Sieghart Aschart for six months, she couldn’t argue. Her judgment hadn’t exactly been perfect.

“Should I ask Kayeina about it?”

The moment the thought crossed her mind, she shook her head.

No. The truth didn’t matter anymore.

Whether Kayeina had actually gone to the festival or not wasn’t the issue.

What worried Natasha was something else entirely.

“His Grace already explained everything. If you still doubt him, maybe it’s just a matter of your heart.”
“You’re uneasy because you don’t trust him enough. If you love him, you should be able to wait.”
“If you divorce His Grace, what do you think the Imperial Court will do? They’ll turn on you—the princess of Sharliea, with no one left to protect you.”

Those were the strange words Kayeina had said in Natasha’s past life.

At the time, Natasha had believed her completely. She had followed her advice without question. But now, looking back, it didn’t sit right.

If Kayeina truly loved her, if she was the same Kayeina Natasha once knew—she wouldn’t have said those things to someone who was clearly struggling. She would have told her to leave.

“No, it’s not like that. It’s all just a misunderstanding. That’s all.”

Even as Natasha tried to convince herself, her body was already moving on its own.

She wasn’t heading to meet the steward like she was supposed to.

Instead, she stopped in front of the kitchen, where the warm, savory aroma of food filled the air. Taking a breath, she opened the door and walked in.

She greeted a few people with a nod and continued walking with ease.

Then she stopped.

“I’ve come to collect a debt.”

“…”

“Let’s talk, Lady Tristana.”

She was standing in front of Charlotte Tristana.

The two of them stepped outside the kitchen into the hallway. Charlotte fidgeted nervously and kept glancing around.

She knew how serious this meeting was.

“You should be grateful your mouth still works, Lady Tristana. If this ever happens again, and you show your face around the Duchess, I won’t be holding back—not even for my wife’s sake.”

If this conversation were overheard by the Duke or one of his close aides, it could lead to serious trouble.

But Charlotte couldn’t refuse the woman who had once saved her. Standing here felt like walking on sharp glass.

Finally, the Duchess broke the silence.

“Lady Tristana, you agree that you owe me, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course. If you need anything, I’ll help. Please, just tell me what you need.”

“I want you to watch Lady Ten.”

“I’m sorry… Lady Ten?”

Charlotte looked startled.

Was she hearing this correctly?

The Lady Ten she was thinking of—the one known to be closest to the Duchess? The country-born maid who had followed her from the royal palace?

It had to be a mistake. Charlotte asked again, just to be sure.

“Kayeina Ten.”

So, she had heard right.

“Keep an eye on her. Watch everything she does. If anything seems off, report directly to me.”

“Sorry I’m late.”

The door opened a little harder than usual. Inside, the steward—Jenkins—was standing near the wall clock, checking the time. He looked up and smiled warmly as Natasha entered.

“It’s no trouble at all. Waiting quietly for Your Grace is part of my job.”

Jenkins stepped forward, his gloved hands gently adjusting the Duchess’s shawl. She must have rushed over—her clothes were slightly out of place.

“Oh, dear.”

She murmured shyly, clearly a bit embarrassed.

“The wind’s gotten chilly these days, hasn’t it? I should remind the staff to keep all the windows closed.”

Thanks to Jenkins’ thoughtful way of brushing past the awkward moment, her embarrassment didn’t linger long.

Once seated, the two began discussing the upcoming banquet, scheduled for a month later.

“I thought it might help, so I prepared a preliminary guest list. Of course, Your Grace may invite any families you personally wish to include. Once you’ve finalized the invitations, please let me know the maximum number of guests.”

“This was my responsibility. I’ve made you do extra work. Still, I appreciate the help. I’ll use it as reference.”

The list highlighted families that the House of Aschart considered significant. Some were powerful aristocrats from the Letius Empire, and others were high-ranking nobles from foreign nations.

There weren’t many names, which suggested these were the most influential.

Natasha took a keen interest in the list. A few of them had even been unofficially invited to previous tea gatherings. Her goal was to understand their preferences and tailor the event accordingly. Small details were essential for meaningful conversation, so she took the effort seriously.

“Count Callete?”

Natasha mumbled as she scanned the list.

“ASHY CALLETE”

A familiar name caught her eye.

The Callete family had once been established by Osborne Callete, a man born in Baile over five hundred years ago. After growing incredibly wealthy through business, the family had risen to become the second-richest in the Kingdom of Sharliea, just behind the royal family. But nearly twenty years ago—before Natasha was even born—the entire family was wiped out under charges of treason.

“But the Calletes fell decades ago. How…?”

Jenkins glanced at the paper she held. After checking the name she pointed to, he offered an explanation.

“Ah, that family belongs to the Galonde Empire. It just happens to share the same name as the one from Sharliea. A strange coincidence.”

Just as he said, it was an oddly striking coincidence.

“Then, who is this person exactly?”

“We don’t know much. She doesn’t appear to be from a noble family—likely born to a commoner household. She seems to be a bit older and occasionally joins His Grace for tea.”

“I see.”

Once the guest list was reviewed, they moved on to more detailed planning.

The first decision to be made was the theme—the highlight of any grand banquet.

Masquerade balls were currently in fashion across the Empire. Jenkins suggested decorating the ballroom with a grand chandelier and hiring a prestigious theater troupe to perform.

It was a solid idea. After all, the popularity of masquerade balls had started as a way for noble families to show off their wealth. It would suit the Aschart banquet perfectly.

“Still, it doesn’t seem right for our first official banquet. Face-to-face conversations are the best way to build real connections.”

“That’s true.”

“Hmm…”

Natasha thought for a moment. Then, as if something had come to her, she looked at Jenkins with interest.

“What if we used the temple as our theme?”

“The temple? But isn’t that too sacred a setting for a banquet theme?”

He didn’t sound critical—just genuinely surprised.

“It’s only a theme. We’re not going to act like we’re inside a temple. I’m thinking just the visuals and ceremonial elements. After all, both my marriage and His Grace’s achievements were blessed by the temple. That gives the theme real meaning.”

“That does sound like a good idea. Still, we’d need permission from the temple. I’m not sure if His Holiness the Pontiff would approve… Should I reach out on your behalf?”

“No, I’ll write to him myself.”

She answered confidently, a quiet strength in her voice.

The once-in-a-century ceremony for the Knight of Honor had been tainted by an unfortunate incident. The temple and the Pontiff had both been left displeased.

But if she presented this banquet as an act of reverence, honoring the temple’s blessings, it could be viewed in a more favorable light. She might even go so far as to request His Holiness himself to open the banquet with a brief blessing.

“Understood. Then I’ll leave it in your capable hands, Your Grace!”

Jenkins, clearly pleased by the duchess’s active involvement, replied with enthusiasm.

Now that the main direction was set, it was time to work out the finer details. Jenkins reassured her that the household staff would take care of the smaller tasks to ease her burden. Instead, he gently asked if she might prepare a gift for the Duke of Aschart.

“A gift for His Grace?”

“Yes. Since the banquet will celebrate His Grace’s achievements, it would be a nice gesture. A meaningful present would be ideal. Ah—what about an embroidered handkerchief tied to his ceremonial sword?”

Natasha hadn’t been especially close with Sieghart since that day.

The Duke claimed to be busy and no longer stayed in their shared bedroom. The only time they saw each other was during meals.

And even then, with so many people around the table, they kept their conversation formal, pretending that nothing had happened.

To give him a gift now felt… strange. She wasn’t particularly eager to do it. Still, there were already rumors circulating that they were a “display couple,” just pretending to be together.

Refusing might only fuel those rumors. And in a world where Sieghart’s favor was directly tied to her position, letting the truth slip would do her no good.

“…I’ll take care of it.”

And just like that, the responsibility of preparing the Duke’s gift fell to Natasha.

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