I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 48

“Lady Aschart.”

After a long silence, Ashy finally spoke.

“Just to be clear, I am not in any kind of improper relationship with His Grace. And I wouldn’t even call it a deep connection. It’s simply a tie from childhood that has lasted until now.”

“Oh, I would never think otherwise. If I made you uncomfortable, Miss Callete, I sincerely apologize. I was only…”

Natasha suddenly stopped herself, surprised at what she had almost admitted.

Yes, only.

Only, it had unsettled her how she had never once encountered or even heard the name Ashy Callete in her previous life.

If their bond had been so simple, as Ashy claimed, then surely some trace of it would have appeared somewhere. Yet Ashy Callete had been completely erased from every record and mention.

Almost as if someone had deliberately hidden her.

“I only asked because I wanted to get to know you better, Miss Callete. I’m sorry if it was inappropriate to bring up something so personal.”

Natasha quickly softened her tone to recover from her mistake.

“No, it’s quite alright. I think I was the one who overreacted and ended up saying more than I should have. I just didn’t want to come between you two. That was my own concern.”

Ashy responded with a gentle smile, then continued calmly.

“I know this isn’t proper, but may I excuse myself, Lady Aschart? The attention this area is attracting is starting to feel overwhelming.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in an uncomfortable position.”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

Ashy’s voice suddenly turned cold and firm. For a brief second, a glint of red flashed across her otherwise empty blue eyes.

The abrupt change in her tone held a strangely hostile edge.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Without waiting for a response, Ashy turned and disappeared into the crowd. Natasha stood still, staring blankly in the direction she had gone.

“Lady Aschart, are you alright?”

Concerned guests gathered quickly around her, worried expressions filling their faces.

Natasha waved them off with a smile, assuring them she was fine. After they backed away, she quietly reflected. She had been disliked before, but something about Ashy Callete’s reaction had felt deeply unsettling.

Did I say something that upset her that much?

No. Even when they first met, Ashy had shown signs of unease. Natasha had sensed it, if only faintly.

Then why?

Still picturing Ashy’s expression in her mind, Natasha let out a faint, ironic laugh.

She had finally realized what had been bothering her about Ashy Callete’s eyes.

They looked familiar. Not just the shape, but the emotions that flickered within them.

That was why. Even though Ashy had no direct connection to him, Natasha had instantly thought of one man.

The first night of the banquet ended in success. The energy in the ballroom burned bright until dawn. Music, dancing, wine, and food flowed endlessly. The guests didn’t seem to tire, enjoying the revelry until the sky turned light.

And the next day was no different. Nor the day after that. Night after night, the guests celebrated without pause. Natasha had to keep up, though the pace had taken a toll on her over the past few days.

Just like the nights before, she collapsed into bed only after watching the sun rise.

She woke up late the following day. Wanting to get ready quickly, she pulled the bell cord. Waiting attendants immediately entered to help her prepare.

Just as her preparations were nearly finished, Jenkins entered and gave her the day’s update.

“Some of the early guests have already had breakfast, Madam. Also, the rain has finally stopped. The weather is clear today. Should we go ahead with the garden party as planned?”

“Finally, a day the weather is in our favor. Yes, let’s proceed.”

“Understood. We’ll follow the schedule you previously approved. If you could assist with checking the menu and table settings, it would be appreciated.”

Together, they reviewed the food to be served at the garden party.

There would be tomato soup, a fresh salmon and vegetable salad with a tangy dressing, foie gras, and cutlets filled with juicy chicken, ham, and bacon. For dessert, they had prepared eclairs, blueberry muffins, brownies, and cheesecake.

And most important of all, the table decorations. Just like in the ballroom, they would be arranged with vibrant fresh flowers and colorful, perfectly ripened fruits.

“It sounds perfect. Go ahead and proceed as planned.”

“Yes, Madam. And one more thing. His Highness, Grand Duke Kshant, arrived at the estate this morning. He has asked to see you. When you have a moment, please feel free to visit him. He is currently resting in his assigned room.”

“I’ll just finish getting ready and go see him.”

Natasha’s face lit up briefly at the news of the Grand Duke’s arrival. She had heard he would be late, but since his arrival was even more delayed than expected, she had started to worry.

After changing into an evening gown recommended by Kayeina, Natasha made her way to the Grand Duke’s room.

She knocked twice and spoke through the door.

“This is Natasha Aschart. May I come in, Your Highness?”

A moment later, the door opened.

The Grand Duke stood there, his hair still damp, droplets of water trailing down. He had clearly just bathed. Without his usual glasses, his features looked noticeably softer than usual.

Natasha blushed the moment she realized he was wearing only a robe. Though he was also a noble and of the same gender, there was something disarming about his calm, graceful presence.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought Your Highness was just resting. Should I come back later?”

“It’s alright. Please come in. I’ve been waiting for your visit.”

Following his invitation, Natasha sat down at the tea table. The Grand Duke politely excused himself and stepped into the powder room to change.

He returned shortly in simple loungewear, carrying a pot of tea he had brewed himself. He mentioned with pride that it was a popular blend in the principality and that he had brought it because it reminded him of her.

They exchanged a few light words, asking how each other had been. Though both often appeared in the papers, such greetings still held meaning between them.

“I heard rumors about this banquet a month ago. So you really were making an early declaration of intent.”

Coming from Grand Duke Kshant, that probably meant, “I expected a lot of talk, but it’s more impressive than I imagined.” Natasha smiled, pleased by the backhanded compliment.

“I hope you’ll join us for the garden party later. The rain kept delaying it, but we were finally blessed with clear skies today.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Also, I think it would be best if we pretended not to know each other at the party.”

“I thought the same. Let’s do that.”

Even just the absence of any Imperial Family members at the banquet would be enough to spark rumors about a rift between the Empire and House Aschart. In such a delicate situation, it would do no good to reveal any closeness between the duchy and the principality.

“I also heard you and the Duke have been getting along.”

“There’s no benefit in being openly hostile, so we’ve been keeping a courteous relationship.”

“That’s a bit modest, considering the two of you are playing out a whole drama together.”

“That’s a misunderstanding, Your Highness. It’s nothing more than a performance to help solidify my place in the duchy.”

Grand Duke Kshant watched Natasha deny it firmly and gave a crooked smile. He could tell she had no interest in continuing that topic.

She took a sip of her tea and shifted the subject.

“It’s been a year and a half.”

“…”

“Do you still intend to end the contract cleanly when the time comes?”

Natasha felt the weight of those words. She hadn’t realized how fast time had passed until she said it out loud.

It had already been over six months.

“Yes. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“I wasn’t worried. To be honest, even if you stayed tied to House Aschart, it would benefit the principality. In the future, we could even count on the duchy’s protection in matters related to our seal rights.”

Just as he knew her well, Natasha also understood him.

The Grand Duke was subtly expressing interest in extending their agreement. He clearly saw value in the power House Aschart held.

“It’s better not to expect that. A year and a half. After that, I plan to part ways with His Grace for good.”

She spoke firmly, as if putting down a stake. Natasha was making sure there would be no room for change later. Once the contract period ended, she fully intended to leave the Duke and live in the principality as originally agreed.

The Grand Duke let out a low hum. He rarely showed emotion, but in that moment, he made it clear that he felt disappointed.

Truthfully, Natasha had thought about it before too.

After growing closer to the duchy’s staff and finding a sense of fulfillment in her duties as Duchess, she had wondered what it would be like to leave it all behind.

Every time, she felt a pang of regret. She was starting to grow attached.

But even so, her decision would not change.

Sieghart Aschart, the pillar of House Aschart.

No matter how tragic the reason, the fact remained that he had helped kill her parents. That would never change.

And more than anything else, there was one truth she couldn’t ignore.

She didn’t want to have his child.

That was the most important reason of all.

There was no reason to continue living with a man who could never give her what she truly wanted.

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