I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 53

Snow was falling steadily outside the window.

It reminded Natasha of the day she first arrived at the duchy, when the estate had been covered in the same white snow. Seeing it now made her realize how much time had passed. Her eyes landed on the calendar, and she noticed something else, tomorrow would be their first wedding anniversary.

That explains it.

Her family’s voices, which had gone quiet lately, had been echoing in her mind more often these past few days.

They were probably furious that Natasha had stayed married to Sieghart for a whole year.

As Natasha sat lost in thought, Vanessa brought in a tray with tea and biscuits, saying they were a gift from a marchioness. Noticing where Natasha’s gaze was, she smiled.

“Come to think of it, tomorrow’s your wedding anniversary!”

“Time really does fly, doesn’t it?”

“I know! Can you believe it’s already been a year? It really hits you when you think about it like that. So, do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

“Well, I figured I’d just work as usual…”

“No way! Work? On your wedding anniversary?”

Vanessa’s voice shot up in disbelief. Her wide eyes said it all—Are you seriously saying that?

Natasha almost asked what was so important about a wedding anniversary, but stopped herself. If she said something that insensitive, Vanessa might actually break down.

No, from the look on her face, Vanessa was already deeply shocked. She didn’t stop there, either. She began passionately explaining why a wedding anniversary was important and why this one, in particular, couldn’t be ignored.

She kept going until the teapot was completely empty.

“Alright, alright, I get it! I’ve heard enough. You can stop now.”

“You must never, ever talk about working on your anniversary again! Most noblewomen are upset when their husbands forget, but in this house, it looks like the husband’s the one who’s going to be upset!”

It was hard to believe this was the same maid who had been calmly serving tea moments ago. Her passion was overwhelming. Even Natasha, who had known her for a year, could barely recognize her now.

“Please, enough already…”

Vanessa wasn’t wrong. Wedding anniversaries were supposed to be important for married couples.

But they were different.

There was no real reason for them to celebrate. In truth, weren’t they planning to separate next year anyway?

While Vanessa kept going with her fiery speech and Natasha listened with half an ear, pretending to care, the door opened and a man entered the room, ending the battle between the two.

“Looks like everyone’s full of energy this morning.”

“Good morning, Your Grace!”

The passionate speaker suddenly turned back into a calm, polite maid. Vanessa gave Sieghart a respectful smile as if nothing had happened.

He walked over and placed his hand gently on Natasha’s shoulder. His hand was large enough to cover it completely.

“I heard something about tomorrow’s anniversary. So, Natasha, what would you like to do?”

“What do you mean, what would I like to do?”

She answered immediately, her expression puzzled. From the corner of her eye, she saw Vanessa’s lips twitch with suppressed anticipation.

Sieghart paused too, as if he expected a different reaction. That’s when Natasha realized his question had the same intention as Vanessa’s entire speech.

So, he wanted to join the game too?

It made sense. He was clearly enjoying playing the role of a devoted husband.

“I’d like to keep it simple. No banquets or anything like that. And honestly, it’s a little late to plan something big now anyway. You weren’t planning a banquet, were you?”

“I didn’t think you’d want one, so I didn’t prepare anything.”

“Then let’s keep it that way.”

Natasha accepted his answer quickly, somewhat surprised he agreed so easily.

She had no desire to host a banquet just to celebrate something from the past. There was nothing to gain from reminding people that today marked their anniversary.

After all, weren’t they planning to go their separate ways around this time next year?

“No banquet, then. What about something else?”

“Something else?”

“I just thought I should double-check in case there’s anything else you don’t want to do. Is there anything you’d rather avoid?”

His thoughtful question made Natasha tilt her head slightly.

If there was no banquet, wouldn’t they just stay at the estate and spend the day as usual? Maybe dinner would be a little fancier, and dessert a bit more elaborate. That was the only difference she expected.

It seemed Sieghart wanted something more distinct than that.

“Not really.”

“Then I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Sure, do whatever you want.”

Her answer was indifferent.

Aside from a different dinner menu or maybe a surprise dessert, nothing he planned would really change how the day felt.

Contrary to what she expected, the plan Sieghart had prepared was much bigger than Natasha imagined.

“Wait a second, Sieghart. What did you just say?”

Natasha looked at him, startled.

“What exactly are we doing?”

“We’re going on a trip to celebrate tomorrow. About two weeks. Does that sound clearer now?”

He repeated himself with clear, deliberate pronunciation—as if to tease her for doubting what she had heard the first time.

A trip?

Two whole weeks?

The announcement was so sudden, it nearly knocked the wind out of her. It wasn’t just a short getaway—it was a full, two-week journey that had apparently been decided without her knowing.

“Two weeks… That seems a bit excessive for something unplanned.”

“We skipped our honeymoon, so this is a good chance to enjoy some time together. And it’s not really excessive. The route takes a while, so I just made sure the schedule allowed enough time.”

Sieghart shrugged, completely calm, and began cutting the lobster tail on his plate. He placed a generous portion onto Natasha’s plate without hesitation.

She stared at him in disbelief.

Forget how grand or spontaneous it was. The real issue wasn’t the trip itself—it was that neither of them had that kind of free time.

“More importantly, we still have work to do. Didn’t you say you’d be leading a subjugation campaign in the southern region next month? You can’t neglect the knights’ training. And the paperwork needs to be handled beforehand…”

She began listing all the things on his schedule, including duties she’d never paid much attention to before. It was all to show just how reckless and badly timed this trip was.

“I’ve already finished everything.”

“…What?”

“Everything you’re worried about is already taken care of. Didn’t I mention that?”

“All of it?”

“Yes.”

“Really… every last thing?”

“Yes, all of it. As of yesterday. If you don’t believe me, I can bring the records and show you.”

And just like that, all of Natasha’s arguments collapsed.

She had been fired up, like a teacher giving a strict lecture, only to discover that the entire situation had already been handled without her knowing.

In the end, she gave up completely.

Fine. Her protests were nothing more than flimsy excuses.

“…Alright. I won’t argue anymore. So where exactly are we going?”

Whether it was Natasha giving up or Sieghart finally wearing her down, even she couldn’t tell. But he looked more than satisfied just seeing her agree to his plan.

“We’ll start in the western region of the Empire.”

“…”

“And head to the Duchy of Kshant.”

His explanation that they needed two weeks because of how much travel was involved hadn’t been an exaggeration.

From their duchy to the Empire’s southern edge took three full days of travel—just one way. Including the return trip, it would take six to seven days altogether. Add in the time spent stopping at other locations along the way, and half the trip would be spent just getting from place to place.

Time passed quickly, and now they were close to their destination. After a short rest, the coachman reassured them they’d arrive after one more night.

By morning, they would reach Natasha’s long-lost homeland.

She felt a strange fluttering in her chest. The excitement, the familiarity—it kept her from falling asleep. When she quietly opened her eyes, she found Sieghart sitting across from her, watching her silently.

For a brief moment, Natasha almost said what she had been holding in.

She had wanted to ask why.

Why had he chosen this place?

Every stop on their itinerary was connected to her. The Empire’s western lands were once territories of the Charlier Kingdom—her home. Their first destination, Skendilend, had once been part of the kingdom’s old domain.

Why bring her here, of all places, to celebrate their anniversary?

He was the one who had taken everything from her. Yet now he was bringing her back to the lands that held her happiest memories.

It was honestly laughable.

Not just his ridiculous choice, but the fact that her heart reacted to it with anticipation.

Natasha turned her head away from Sieghart.

She shifted her gaze to the window, watching the night pass quietly outside. Eventually, sleepiness crept in, and she closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, her view was filled with the familiar landscape she had missed for so long.

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