I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 52

Three days later, on a clear and sunny morning, the nobles quietly began to depart the estate, boarding their carriages after a light breakfast.

Natasha had asked to attend the final tea time, just for a little while, but Sieghart firmly turned her down. So once again, she spent the day in bed. He likely had no idea how frustrating it was to sit indoors and look out at the perfectly blue sky through the glass.

He probably didn’t realize how lonely and dull the silence could feel either. For the first time, Natasha realized she didn’t actually enjoy silence. Maybe she had forgotten what it was like to live alone in her previous life, but even a few days of solitude now brought waves of boredom and restlessness.

She was staring blankly at the door when it suddenly burst open, and to her surprise, someone unexpected walked in.

“My lady, have you been resting well?”

Meliana entered the room with a cheerful smile, carrying a basket so large it barely fit in her arms.

“Meliana? Why didn’t you return to your estate?”

“I’ve already finished everything I needed to do, and I won’t be late if I go back now.”

“Weren’t you attending the banquet as a lady of House Reon, Lady Reon?”

“Then let’s just say I’m staying a bit longer as the newly made friend of the Duchess of Aschart.”

The two of them had grown close enough to tease each other like this.

Meliana smiled playfully as she gently placed the basket on the bed beside Natasha.

“During the tea time, all the guests wrote thank-you cards.”

“Thank-you cards?”

Meliana reached into the basket and pulled one out.

“To the Duchess of Aschart,

It was a true honor to attend the very first banquet hosted by the esteemed House of Aschart. It was so elegant and joyful that I dare say it was the best party of the year.

Once your leg has healed, I hope to visit the duchy and thank you in person. Will you invite me?

With warm regards,
Dorothea Park”

As Natasha opened the card, she saw a sweet message filled with gratitude and praise for the banquet. Dorothea Park, if she remembered right, was the young lady whose guardian had been injured, and who had attended under the care of Charlotte Tristana.

Still a girl who hadn’t had her debut, her adorable handwriting revealed her youth.

“Read the others too. A lot of guests wrote cards.”

Meliana grinned as she encouraged Natasha to keep reading, clearly happy to see the smile on her face. Natasha gently pushed the card aside and picked up another, then another.

Each message expressed concern about her injury, wished her a quick recovery, and asked for a reply once she was better. Many said they hoped to visit the duchy to enjoy tea with her. Some described in detail how moving and memorable the garden party had been.

With each card, Natasha’s smile grew. Her round cheeks lifted with joy she couldn’t hide. Meliana, peeking over her shoulder, wore a wide grin of her own.

The happiness she was feeling in this place, even though her stay was supposed to be temporary, had grown too big to ignore. The future she once feared was now slowly settling into her heart with a quiet thrill.

On the final day of the banquet, Natasha returned to the duchy. There was still plenty to be done, including cleaning the estate and going over banquet expenses, but Sieghart insisted she rest, and eventually, she gave in.

Still, she firmly told him that she wouldn’t sit back and do nothing. So the two of them ended up going over documents together in the bedroom.

“How’s your ankle?”

“A bit better. The doctor said I should be able to walk again in about ten days.”

“That’s good to hear. How much work do we have left?”

“The accounting for the staff is mostly finished.”

“Then today’s work is nearly done.”

Sieghart left briefly, then returned with a dinner tray in hand.

“You really don’t have to go to the trouble of eating here with me.”

Natasha let him help her to the table. She added the comment lightly, but Sieghart didn’t respond. He simply placed her utensils in front of her.

Since she hadn’t been moving around much, Natasha had been eating mostly light food like oatmeal porridge. Tonight’s meal had soft lobster meat and finely chopped vegetables, making it surprisingly tasty.

“By the way, we still haven’t found the culprit. I feel ashamed I can’t give you better news.”

“It’s not your fault. There were no real clues to begin with. Unless they turn themselves in, there’s no way to know.”

“Thank you for being so understanding. And this might sound sudden, but…”

For once, Sieghart hesitated. He, who usually spoke with complete confidence, seemed unsure of what to say. Natasha had no idea what kind of statement was coming.

She stayed quiet, letting him take his time.

After a moment, Sieghart finally spoke, as if carefully choosing every word.

“This is about the maid who’s been with you since the palace.”

“You mean Kayeina?”

“Yes, Kayeina Ten. I think it would be best if you kept your distance from her.”

Natasha tried to act surprised. She hadn’t expected Sieghart to bring up Kayeina, and certainly not in a negative way.

Had he noticed something? Did he somehow know what had happened?

She remained silent, quietly staring at him, which made Sieghart misinterpret her reaction. He rushed to continue.

“I don’t know how you’ll take this. You’ll probably think I’m being paranoid, and maybe I am, but if possible…”

“What are you rambling about all of a sudden?”

Sieghart’s unusual hesitation made Natasha suspicious.
Was this really the same man who always spoke with such certainty, saying whatever was on his mind?

He awkwardly fiddled with the edge of his teacup, clearly uncomfortable, avoiding her eyes as he finally spoke.

“I know you won’t believe me when I say you shouldn’t trust your maid.”

Natasha stayed silent.

“I don’t have any proof, so my words won’t carry any weight. I’ll just look like I’m trying to turn you against her. So how can I say it with confidence?”

At that, Natasha blinked.

He was always so sure of himself. He used to act like it was only a matter of time before she was his. But now he seemed to understand that she didn’t trust him completely.

“Well, it makes sense not to believe you,” she replied, raising an eyebrow slightly. Her voice trailed off near the end, and the unfinished sentence made Sieghart’s shoulders tense.

“I understand, for now.”

As soon as she said it, the tension in his shoulders eased. He looked quietly relieved.

Should I tell him I’m already suspicious of Kayeina?
No, not yet.

Three coincidences don’t happen by chance. They become patterns. And at a time when the truth was still uncertain, that pattern was enough to make Kayeina the most likely suspect.

But Natasha didn’t speak up. Not yet.

There was still something she needed to know.

If Kayeina really held resentment toward her,
If her plan had been to quietly destroy her life,
Then everything Natasha believed about their past might be a lie.
She had to find out for herself.

After Sieghart left, Natasha reached for the key in her drawer. She unlocked the side table and pulled out a diary. Resting it on her lap, she began to write.

She had started keeping a journal out of boredom and loneliness, but it had become a habit. With no one to talk to, no way to vent her thoughts, the pages had become her quiet companion.

Entry #182
The mansion is starting to feel warmer as summer nears.

Since returning to the duchy, I’ve focused on healing my leg.

Meliana and Vanessa went home after the garden party, and I gave them a week off. That left me with more time alone with Kayeina. When things got busy, Lady Tristana would step in to help me.

Now that I think about it, the two of them seem to spend more time together lately. I should remind Lady Tristana to be careful about what she shares.

Entry #193
The days are beginning to glow with summer light.

My leg has mostly healed. I can’t run yet, but I can walk quickly without pain. Of course, everyone at the duchy keeps telling me to walk slowly.

Some of the ladies who missed the final banquet sent letters. News must have spread already. Several have asked to visit the duchy.

Entry #197
Today’s breeze felt cool and refreshing.

Sieghart suddenly suggested going out to see fireworks. At a time like this, and without warning?

At first, I wanted to turn him down immediately, but I ended up agreeing. The date he suggested was too perfect to resist.

Entry #230
A hot day spent in the southern sun.

The fireworks were beautiful. I couldn’t remember the last time I stared up at the sky without a single worry.

Just letting go and watching the sky made everything in my head feel calm and quiet. I didn’t expect it, but Sieghart actually helped me.

Entry #320
The duchy is covered in soft, white snow.

My birthday is approaching. After so many parties, I felt exhausted, so I told everyone I wanted to keep it simple this year.

Still, receiving gifts from the staff and a surprise present at the front door made me happy. The winter coat from Meliana and Vanessa was lovely. Sieghart gave me some holy water that’s supposed to help with longevity—I have no idea where he found it—and a villa. I really don’t know what to do with a villa.

It was the happiest birthday I’ve had in a long time.

Entry #340
The snow has stopped. The world feels alive again.

Entry #359
A sharp wind cut through my coat like a blade.

Entry #365
One year, at last.

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