I’ve Decided to Let You Go - Chapter 89

“That’s it for today’s training!”

At the loud shout, tired knights who had been practicing broke into wide smiles. Setting down their wooden swords, they gathered in one spot and began discussing something with unexpected seriousness.

Training usually started in the morning and ended in the evening, but today, it had ended early around lunchtime. Since the nearby village restaurants were already open, the knights decided it was the perfect chance to have a group meal.

“For the record, I’m not going.”

Sir Dante casually announced his refusal to the group, who were having a very serious conversation about food. Complaints immediately followed from all sides.

“Captain, you can’t skip out! Just for today, please come with us!”

“I can’t, I have something important to take care of. You all go ahead and eat without me.”

“Important, or are you just avoiding the bill, huh— Ow!”

“What am I going to do with that mouth of yours?”

Clicking his tongue, Sir Dante pushed the knight’s upper lip with his finger in irritation. Then, he pulled a bundle from his pocket and tossed it to another knight.

“Ugh.”

The knight groaned as the heavy pouch landed in his hands. Curious, he peeked inside and was surprised to see it was full of money.

With that amount, they could all eat a full-course meal at a fancy restaurant until they were completely stuffed.

The knight’s eyes sparkled and he grinned, clearly thrilled by the unexpected gift.

“There’s no way you had this much money, Sir Dante… Wait, oh—!”

As expected, he said too much. Sir Dante stepped firmly on his foot. The following groans of pain were completely ignored.

“Of course I don’t have that kind of money, but saying it out loud is rude. Obviously, it’s from our sponsor.”

“Our sponsor is the best!”

The knights hurried off before anyone could change their mind. The training ground, now quiet, felt strangely empty and cold.

Sir Dante looked down and noticed a snowflake gently landing on his hand. Feeling a sudden sense of urgency, he left everything behind and started running.

Across from the training ground, Natasha was sitting on a stone staircase.

She waved at him, and he approached, taking off his coat and placing it over her shoulders. A moment later, he added, almost awkwardly, that it might be a little big or have a bit of a smell.

“There you go again, Sir Dante,” Natasha said with a soft laugh. To be fair, his coat did have a faint smell of sweat.

“Still, I can’t believe it’s snowing in Vyle. I guess winter really has come.”

As snow began to pile gently on the ground, Sir Dante muttered in awe.

Natasha reached out and brushed a patch of white snow on the step beside her with her finger. The cold, wet flakes briefly cooled her skin before melting away.

“You’re right, winter has come here too.”

Unlike the North, where winter had already settled in, Vyle always experienced the seasons a bit more slowly.

While counting the days, Natasha suddenly realized their separation period was nearly over. Back at the Duke’s estate, each day had dragged on endlessly. But here, time passed so quickly, it felt like a day was gone in the blink of an eye.

I feel a little sorry for Meliana and Vanessa, she thought.

A faint smile crossed her lips as she remembered the two dear friends she had left behind.

They had always taken care of her with such love, and she missed them dearly. It pained her that she had left in such a rush, without even saying goodbye.

I hope Jenkins is okay. He’s probably handling my work in my place. I must have caused a lot of trouble for him.

There had been so many tasks she had taken on to fulfill her duties as Duchess.

But now she had vanished. Jenkins was likely doing everything on his own. Just imagining that made Natasha shiver with guilt.

I should have forgiven Lady Tristana properly, too.

Though the lady had once been rude to her, she had later helped with matters concerning Kayena, and ever since, had treated Natasha kindly. She had always meant to cancel Tristana’s punishment one day.

And I should have said goodbye to the knights too…

Ah, really.

One by one, the people she had left behind came to mind, and with them came emotions she thought she had buried.

Hadn’t she wanted to run away from Sieghart, even if it meant cutting everyone off? Natasha scolded herself for being so sentimental and tried to push those feelings away.

It’s fine. I can say goodbye later. Once everything is over, once I’ve truly earned my freedom, I can say goodbye then. It won’t be too late.

With her goal in mind, Natasha turned her gaze back to Sir Dante.

At that moment, he was looking at her too. Their eyes met, each studying the other with quiet intensity.

After spending so much time together, Sir Dante had learned to read her expressions well, and now, he gave her the answer she had been waiting for.

“You’re wondering how the plan you told me about last time is going, aren’t you?”

A week ago, Natasha had asked him to deliver a message to the royal knights.

“If you still want to see the sunset again, then stay.”

The sunset. The crimson sun.

It was a secret phrase referring to the red eyes of the royal family of Charlier.

To put it simply, the message meant, “Those who want to reclaim the lost kingdom should stay.”
It also implied, “Only those willing to risk treason should stand with me.”

“Yeah. I was wondering if the numbers had changed.”

Sir Dante answered with a nod.

Even if the response was a bit discouraging, it was what she had expected. No one was obligated to risk their life for this cause.

Most people from the fallen kingdom had already settled into life within the Empire. Even if they missed their homeland, they could simply relocate to a duchy. There was no need to get involved in a dangerous mission that could lead to death or disgrace.

“I see. Then can you tell me how many stayed?”

What mattered most was how big the change was.

There were about twenty knights currently still serving in the royal palace. Including Sir Dante, that made twenty-three.

But it was impossible to predict how many might back out. Or maybe, she didn’t want to think about it at all.

Five?

No, that was too hopeful.

Ten?

That would be nearly half leaving, and even that sounded too optimistic. It felt like wishful thinking.

All twenty?

That was a grim guess, but perhaps the most realistic.

Natasha had planned for a unit of forty knights. But if fewer than ten royal knights joined her, how would she make up the rest?

She couldn’t just recruit a large number of common-born knights. The risk of information leaks would be too high.

Seeing how troubled she looked, Sir Dante gave her a gentle smile.

“The number went up.”

“…What?”

“All twenty-three of us, myself included, chose to stay. And after word got out, more knights volunteered. The total is now thirty-three.”

Smiling during such a serious moment was out of character for Sir Dante, which left Natasha so surprised that she couldn’t even get angry. His next words left her completely stunned.

“How, how many did you say?”

“Thirty-three in total.”

Wait a second.

“That can’t be…”

Not only did none of the twenty-three leave, but ten more joined, making it thirty-three?

“…No way.”

As Natasha kept denying what she’d heard, Sir Dante’s smile deepened. He calmly repeated himself.

“No, you heard me right.”

“…”

“I said that the number of knights who pledged themselves to Charlier’s sun has increased.”

The unreal news left her dazed. A strange emotion rose within her, slowly, like mist in the morning.

A quiet thrill began to stir a flutter in her chest.

Thirty-three.

It was more than she had dared to imagine.

With that number, there was no need to bring in common-born knights. It was still a small force, but now she could move forward without fearing betrayal or leaks.

In fact, having a full unit made up entirely of Royal Knights of Charlier could be their strongest advantage.

“We can head straight to the Galonde Empire.”

There was no more reason to hesitate. The right thing to do now was to go to the Galonde Empire and seek their support as soon as possible.

“The Duke and I are working on gaining cooperation from surrounding nations.”

“…Cooperation?”

“We’re trying to ensure that no one declares war against the Letius Empire.”

Sieghart and Duke Kshant’s plan was to gather support from nearby countries. Natasha intended to act before they could.

If she could secure backing from the Galonde Empire, they could move forward with the rebellion without needing help from the Aschart family.

Natasha and Sir Dante were planning to meet with the Imperial Court of Galonde to discuss these matters.

A ship bound for the Galonde Empire was now preparing to depart, with crew members helping passengers board.

Sir Dante went ahead to load their luggage. As Natasha hurried after him, someone stepped in her way.

“…!”

An arm blocked her path, gently pulling her backward. Her body, unable to resist, leaned against someone’s chest.

A familiar scent drifted in the wind.

“Don’t go, Tisha.”

A familiar voice whispered into her ear.

“Don’t leave me.”

And just like that, the all-too-familiar moment swept over her again.

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