I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 51

It was a sad thing that the person who had worked hardest for the banquet couldn’t even enjoy the rest of it. Just yesterday, the atmosphere had been filled with excitement and stimulation, but now, everything had fallen back into a dull routine.

If it weren’t for the kind visitors who came to check on her and lift her spirits, Natasha might have felt truly miserable. Thanks to those thoughtful enough to spend time with her and ease her loneliness, she found meaning in her day again.

Among them, Meliana and Vanessa stayed the longest, as if they were still at the banquet hall.

“You can go now, really.”

Natasha ended up gently ushering them out.

“Are you kicking us out? Is it because we talk too much and gave you a headache?”

“Of course not. I just feel bad that you’re stuck here with me instead of enjoying the party. There’s not much time left, and you should enjoy what’s left of it.”

“But tonight’s banquet isn’t until dinner.”

“You can still enjoy a tea party before that.”

“What’s the point of tea time without you?”

The way they pouted and complained was genuinely endearing. It didn’t feel like an act or a joke. Their sincerity was clear, and it gently touched her heart. Their honest affection always came across a bit awkwardly, but each time it made her feel happy.

“When you say things like that, I really don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“Then when your foot heals, you have to be my dance partner at the next banquet. The Marchioness of Selina is hosting one next month at her villa. It’s at the resort! There’s even going to be a barbecue party at night.”

Their cheerful chatter continued.

After talking nonstop for what felt like hours, Meliana and Vanessa realized they were getting hungry. A glance at the clock told them it was almost dinner time.

Thanks to their insider status, they already knew what was on the menu. Just thinking about it made their mouths water. They praised Natasha for helping plan such rich and well-balanced meals.

Their visit had been a burst of laughter and energy. After they left, the sudden quiet felt unfamiliar.

Natasha finally opened the book Sieghart had recommended. She had just finished a chapter when she heard a knock at the door.

Sieghart had said he wouldn’t attend the evening banquet but would help with preparations until then. And since dinner had already started, it probably wasn’t another noble.

Feeling a bit curious, Natasha allowed the visitor to enter.

“My lady!”

To her surprise, it was Kayeina.

She rushed in with a worried face and hugged Natasha tightly. Her voice trembled as she sighed, clearly distressed over the injury.

“Is there anything I can do to help? I mean it. In any way, really.”

Kayeina spoke words similar to those Natasha had already heard from Meliana and Vanessa. A respectful show of care, meant for someone admired and injured.

“Actually, there is something you could help with.”

Natasha had turned down the earlier offers and told the others to just sit and talk. But with Kayeina, she accepted the offer right away. She had been waiting for this moment.

“Yes, of course. Just tell me.”

“Could you help wipe me down with a towel? One of the maids helped this morning, but some of my blisters burst, and it’s gotten really uncomfortable.”

“Oh… your body?”

Kayeina hesitated. The request had clearly caught her off guard.

“I know it’s not really something you should be doing. But most of the maids here are unfamiliar to me, and it’s just too awkward and embarrassing. Maybe it’s too much to ask?”

“No, not at all. If you’re uncomfortable, then of course I’ll help.”

Kayeina gave a small, uneasy smile, then stepped out briefly to get what she needed. She returned with a bucket of warm water and some dry towels.

She soaked a towel in the water, wrung it out, and gently wiped Natasha’s skin. She started with Natasha’s face and neck, then moved to her hands and arms.

When she came back with a second towel to clean Natasha’s lower body, Natasha noticed how uncomfortable she looked and gently suggested rolling up her sleeves.

Kayeina agreed, bunching up her skirt with her elbows to keep it from getting wet. As she leaned in to continue, Natasha paused and asked a question.

“What about your sleeves?”

“Sorry?”

“Are your sleeves alright? They’re probably getting in the way more than anything.”

Both of them looked at her arms. From the wrists to the elbows, her sleeves were soaked through. The hand holding the towel was dripping. Surprised, Natasha quickly reached out to help.

“Oh no, you’re soaked. You should roll up your sleeves too.”

Her tone was gentle, and her gesture was meant to help, since Kayeina was holding things in both hands. But as soon as she reached out, Kayeina flinched and quickly pulled away.

“Oh…”

The reaction had been so sudden that it left a red mark on the back of Natasha’s hand. The sting made her wince, and the room went quiet.

A few seconds passed before their eyes met again.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to react like that. I just… I haven’t washed up today, and I was afraid I might smell. I was embarrassed and reacted without thinking.”

“It’s okay. I was the one who crossed the line. I touched you without asking just because I feel close to you, but I shouldn’t have. I’ll be more careful next time.”

With a brief exchange of apologies, the awkward moment passed. Both women smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

“I saw it.”

Natasha stared blankly at the back of the woman walking away to fetch another towel.

“It was definitely there.”

That day, right before Natasha fell from the terrace, she had grabbed her attacker’s wrist in a desperate attempt to survive. When her hand was shaken off, she must have instinctively scratched the attacker’s skin with her nails.

And earlier, when she had tried to lift Kayeina’s sleeve to help her roll it up, Natasha had clearly seen the mark.

There were red lines across Kayeina’s delicate skin—like scratch marks left by a fierce cat.

“Thank you, Kayeina.”

“I only did what I could. Do you need anything else?”

“No, this was more than enough. Really… thank you.”

“Hehe, just call me if you need anything. I’ll be going now.”

Natasha waved at Kayeina with a warm smile as she walked out with light, cheerful steps.

After the door closed and silence settled in again, Natasha was left alone with her thoughts. Once she had sorted through everything in her mind, she pulled the bell cord and called for a maid.

“I heard Charlotte Tristana works here.”

“Yes, Lady Tristana is currently assisting as a temporary chaperone for the young noble ladies.”

“Please have her come see me.”

“Right away, my lady.”

Not long after, Charlotte arrived and gave Natasha a look filled with sympathy.

“I was told you asked for me.”

“I heard you’ve been acting as the chaperone for the young lady from House Park. Were you with her yesterday as well?”

“She had an upset stomach and stayed in her room all day yesterday. So, I wasn’t with her. I helped with other duties instead.”

“Did those duties include anything related to me?”

“…Yes, they did.”

“Then I’d like you to tell me everything you know.”

Charlotte asked for a moment to collect her thoughts.

After taking her time to think things through, she sat down across from Natasha, no longer wearing the polite smile she had before. Her expression had grown more serious.

“My lady… that is…”

“Were you unable to carry out your duties?”

“N-no, that’s not it at all. It’s just… what I’m about to say is a bit difficult. I was worried it might sound like I’m trying to turn you against Lady Ten.”

Hearing that, Natasha tensed up.

If the information was strange enough to sound like someone was trying to drive a wedge between them, it must be serious.

“You can speak freely. I won’t misunderstand.”

Natasha kept her voice steady and encouraged her to continue.

And what Charlotte finally said truly shocked her.

“Kayeina has been visiting the Imperial Palace every ten days?”

“Yes, that’s right. She’s gone so often that even the palace guards all recognize her now.”

According to one of the estate’s watchmen, Kayeina had been visiting the palace regularly. She also tended to stay there for long periods of time—exactly when she had claimed she was taking leave for family reasons. The timing lined up too well to be a coincidence.

“I see. Good work. Oh, and did you say that while you weren’t chaperoning Lady Park yesterday, you kept an eye on Kayeina?”

“Yes, I checked on her when I had time.”

“Did anything seem strange?”

“Strange?”

Charlotte thought for a moment, then clapped her hands as if she had just remembered something important.

“Oh! I saw her changing clothes in the servants’ break room, then running off somewhere.”

“Clothes? What was she wearing?”

“A large robe—one that covered her whole body.”

Charlotte went on to describe how oddly oversized and strange the robe looked. It matched exactly the one worn by the person Natasha had encountered on the terrace.

Natasha closed her eyes tightly.

The scratches on the wrist. The robe. And the eyes she saw that night—bright green, like fresh grass.

“I understand now.”

When all the details were pieced together, the truth became unmistakably clear.

There was no more room for doubt. She could no longer pretend she didn’t know.

Even if the entire world turned against her, Natasha had always believed that Kayeina would still be by her side. Even if everyone hated her, she never wanted to be hated by Kayeina Ten.

Even if she were standing at the edge of a cliff, about to fall, she had believed that Kayeina would still care for her.

“She doesn’t love me anymore.”

The friend she had loved the most.

The one who, it turns out, had wanted more than anyone else to see her fall.

It was unbearably painful.

A betrayal she never expected, which made it hurt even more.

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