I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 6

“Yes, good morning. But… you don’t have to call me ‘Princess’ anymore.”

Natasha said it casually, just after sipping her tea.

Now that they were officially husband and wife, she hoped he would start calling her by her name—or perhaps an affectionate nickname—instead of a formal title. Besides, the title Princess had long been abandoned. It felt far too grand for someone like her now.

“It’s to remind myself that you’re someone precious.”

“But still…”

“Don’t worry, Tisha. I won’t forget your other name either.”

As if to soothe her, Sieghart leaned in and kissed her forehead once more. The brief, soft touch made Natasha smile gently.

“Alright, Sieghart.”

She called his name, just to see how it felt. In response, his thick brows twitched slightly, as if answering her call.

“By the way,” he added suddenly as he set down his empty teacup, “we’ve decided not to move your things.”

“You mean… I’ll keep staying in this room?”

“I thought that might be more comfortable for you.”

“But we’re married now. Isn’t it strange for a married couple to have separate rooms?”

“I figured you might feel uncomfortable suddenly sharing a room with someone else. It’s my way of being considerate. I’m already embarrassed that I can’t offer you a room as luxurious as the ones in the palace. At the very least, I want you to have a spacious place where you can feel at ease.”

It still felt odd—being a married couple but sleeping in separate rooms. But with Sieghart insisting it was out of concern for her, Natasha couldn’t bring herself to argue.

“How about we share a room once you’ve gotten more comfortable living here in the mansion, Tisha?”

In the end, Natasha simply agreed to what he had arranged.

From that day forward, Sieghart seemed to sense her unease and returned to spending time with her, just like before.

A month later, he left the mansion for the first time.

It was a summons from the Imperial Court.

He spoke as though he would be back soon—but as days passed with no word, Natasha began to worry.

Could he be reconnecting with the Imperial family…?

He had first appeared before the court as a guard knight during the former emperor’s forty-fifth birthday celebration. With his striking presence, he quickly drew attention. From there, his rise to power only continued—with the full support of the Empire behind him.

Commanding the Imperial Knights. Being granted the title of Duke.

Of course, with his outstanding abilities, he deserved it. But his meteoric rise had been so rapid that many nobles believed Sieghart’s success was entirely thanks to the Empire’s favor. Rumors even began to circulate that he was a secret son of the Imperial family.

It was all nonsense. But with no word from him, Natasha couldn’t help but let her mind wander to foolish fears.

Just when she had begun pacing the halls in anxiety, a piece of good news arrived.

“Please read this, Madam. It’s about His Grace.”

Kayeina, well aware of her concerns, rushed in during breakfast and handed her a newspaper.

The first thing that caught Natasha’s eye was a portrait sketch of Sieghart’s handsome face. Next to it, the headline stood bold and clear:

“The Aschart Duchy Declares Independence!”

The article explained that House Aschart, which had long operated under Imperial authority, had finally declared independence. From now on, the duchy would no longer be obligated to serve the Empire, nor receive its support.

The Aschart Knights were no longer a reserve force for the Imperial army. The Duke no longer needed to follow the Empire’s commands. He no longer had to request approval for his projects, nor rely on Imperial funding to start them. And he certainly didn’t have to hand over 20–30% of his earnings to the court.

In short, House Aschart had finally gained full control over its own decisions.

What had once been a noble house bound tightly to Imperial rule had finally broken free. Though others believed this change came late compared to how fast the duchy had grown, Natasha saw it differently.

He hasn’t changed after all.

Sieghart had promised her that once they were married, he would cut ties with the Empire. After the wedding, as he seemed to grow more distant, she worried he might break that promise.

But here, in a report to the entire world, he had kept his word.

He still loves me.

Natasha clutched the newspaper tightly to her chest. She gently brushed her fingers across the drawing of his face and smiled.

All the things he had done—refusing a kiss at the ceremony, calling her “Princess,” keeping separate rooms—she now saw them for what they truly were: signs of his care. Too much care, perhaps.

The next day, Natasha went out to greet Sieghart as he returned to the estate.

“Sieghart!”

Coming down to the first floor, she spotted him just arriving, handing off his coat to a waiting attendant. Natasha stepped in at once, taking the coat herself and clinging to his side.

“The morning air was so cold. You must be exhausted. Don’t go to your office yet—go rest in the bedroom instead.”

But the man she saw again after so long didn’t feel like the same Sieghart.

His gaze, distant and unreadable, fell on her with no warmth. He slowly lowered his crossed arms but said nothing in return.

“…Sieghart?”

The fading scent unique to Sieghart lingered briefly in the air as his back disappeared down the corridor. Drawn in without thinking, Natasha turned her head to watch—but before she knew it, he was already a small dot in the distance.

It was the first time he had ever treated her coldly.

He had been distant before, yes—but never cold. Even at the wedding, he had explained his behavior, clearing up her misunderstandings.

“It must be another misunderstanding… just like before.”

Natasha told herself that, trying to stay calm.

He had spent several days at the Imperial Palace. Of course he must be tired.

Tomorrow, or the day after… someday soon, he’ll come find me, explain everything, and ease this ache in my heart.

That had been a week ago.

And still, Sieghart remained distant. This time, Natasha couldn’t even say it was because he was busy with work.

She had avoided the truth for as long as she could—but there was no denying it now.

Sieghart was avoiding her.

He didn’t join her for meals. If he had something to say, he sent the message through Kayeina. He stayed shut in his study or his room, and whenever Natasha visited, he made sure he wasn’t around. Later, a servant would show up with a polite excuse—that His Grace was too busy to meet.

“It’s just a misunderstanding,” Natasha said one day, unable to keep it in any longer.

She finally told Kayeina everything. And while Kayeina listened seriously, her response left Natasha speechless. It wasn’t anger or sympathy—but firm and calm reassurance.

“…A misunderstanding?”

“His Grace already explained, didn’t he? He calls you ‘Princess’ to show respect. You sleep in separate rooms for your comfort. He had a reason for not kissing you at the ceremony. And that night, he came to your room and kissed you.”

“Well, yes, but…”

“There is no ‘but.’”

Kayeina took Natasha’s hand and squeezed it gently. Somehow, it felt like a quiet scolding. Natasha couldn’t help but shrink back. When it came to Sieghart, she always second-guessed herself.

“If His Grace has already explained, but you still doubt him… maybe it’s not his heart that’s the problem. Maybe it’s yours.”

“…My heart?”

“Yes. He’s busy, so he can’t give you constant attention. But the only reason you’re feeling anxious is because you don’t fully trust him. If you truly love him, you have to be willing to wait.”

Kayeina’s emerald eyes held her gaze firmly. Her words, though gently spoken, pressed into Natasha like a weight.

If even Kayeina—who had always stood by her side—was saying this, then maybe she was the one being unreasonable.

Is it really because I lack faith in him? Have I been the one fanning the flames in our relationship with my own insecurity?

“He gave up the Imperial family for you. Even if they hadn’t been close for a long time, officially cutting ties with the Empire—that’s not a small thing.”

Kayeina pointed to the recent, empire-shaking news as proof that Sieghart’s love had not changed.

And she was right.

He had promised to sever ties with the Empire for her—and he had.

“…Alright. I’ll wait. When he’s less busy, things will go back to normal. Thank you, Kayeina.”

Having been reminded that the real issue might lie within herself, Natasha made up her mind.

Their relationship hadn’t changed—only their circumstances.

It was her own doubt that created this distance.

But still, expecting a relationship to heal with only one person trying… that was asking too much.

Sieghart continued to avoid her, always hiding behind the excuse of work. Despite her constant efforts, the gap between them refused to close.

That day, the mansion was unusually quiet. Sensing something strange, Natasha asked the maid adjusting her shawl where the Duke was.

“His Grace has left on a business trip, Madam.”

“…A business trip?”

“Yes. Last night, monsters appeared in the northwestern territory. His Grace left quickly before the damage could worsen.”

The maid cast her a sideways glance—almost as if to say, you didn’t know? It stung.

Feeling awkward, Natasha forced a smile. She wanted to ask if he had left any message for her—but held back.

Just as she finished changing into her indoor clothes, another maid entered the room.

“…Who did you say it was?”

“His Majesty, Emperor Kail Letius, Madam.”

The maid who announced the guest said it so plainly—as if it were no more than a routine visit.

But Natasha froze.

Kail Letius.

The man who had killed her parents. The man who had destroyed her kingdom.

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