The hellish war was over. No more screams could be heard. Instead, the empire was filled with the sorrowful cries of those who had lost loved ones.
"Whew... there's no end to it."
"Your Majesty, you don't look well. Would you like to rest for a while?"
"If I rest, who will fill my empty spot?"
" still... "
"I'm fine. How is the situation now?"
"It's a mess. This is our first war... Everyone seems to be in disarray and unable to come to their senses."
"Even if it was a peaceful country that signed a peace treaty, it would have been good if they had made some preparations... If it weren't for Se-ah, everything would have been over by now."
โI am grateful that you are still giving me strength.โ
"Now everyone needs to come to their senses. They need to understand that she is no longer someone who should face death for being a witch, but someone who protected the empire."
"The saint's words are right."
I'm looking forward to the future
"Your Majesty..."
"What's going on? I'm busy, so let's get to the point..."
"The funeral is coming soon..."
Stop
" ah... "
Sea's expression darkened rapidly. The war was over, and finding the bodies was a struggle. No, I begged, it couldn't be true...
"Your Majesty, please don't blame yourself too much. It's absolutely not your fault..."
Can I really say it wasn't my fault? I lost Hoseok and Jungkook. And though I desperately prayed they'd stay alive... I lost my father, too.
My father, whose swordsmanship surpassed anyone else's... lost his life to sorcerers. Hearing this news, I thought I was going mad. I prayed it was all a dream, and I wished they'd take my life instead.
"The empire is in shambles... Now I can finally have a proper funeral."
I lost so many precious people at once. It all felt like my fault. I just wanted happiness now...
"I will serve you."
" ...okay. "
In the end, the word happiness was a luxury to me.
.
.
.
.
"Ugh, this can't be happening..."
"Why... are you leaving us behind... sob..."
"Your Majesty, please eat!"
Crack, crack
"Your Majesty..."
Bow
Everyone bowed to Sea and left. Because Sea was the saddest person here.
"You're here first, brother."
"It's only natural that I came first..."
"That's right... Soon, my brother will lead the family."
"...Se-ah."
" yes? "
"It's okay to cry, you don't have to hold it in like that."
"Why should I cry? I already cried a lot back then..."
"No one will say anything if you cry here. It's natural for you to cry, and there's no need to stand up straight and be conscious of other people's gaze."
" ..... "
"Because you are the only princess of the Karna family."
Sea bit her trembling lips. I decided to return home and work hard to become the perfect princess of the Karna family.
He acted with dignity and elegance, and never forgot that he was second only to the imperial family in rank.
But what good is this for me? I've lost someone precious to me...
"I'm sorry... for holding the funeral so late..."
I didn't wipe away the tears that were streaming down my face. I let them flow. The sight of my father, Jungkook, and Hoseok lying before me made me feel like they might wake up at any moment.
Thanks to the wizards, he is not in a mess, but is clean and has his eyes closed with a slight smile.
"Why did you leave me... I came back... How could you..."
Father, Father... I've never been able to say these words many times... I'll sing them over and over again, hoping my voice will reach you.
"I hope you are happy there when you see Mother. Surrounded by power and fame, the things that have always suffocated you will no longer be there. Be at peace there... and be happy."
Someday, our family will meet again. Please wait... please...
Sea clenched her father's cold hand, then released it. Then she walked over to where Jeongguk was.
"Ugh... Ugh..."
I covered my mouth. Otherwise, I felt like I wouldn't stop crying. The sight of Jeongguk, seemingly at peace, was heartbreaking.
"I should have run away when you said you would. We promised to protect each other... but in the end, I was the only one who couldn't keep that promise... All I'm left with is feeling sorry for you..."
He was a man who sacrificed himself for the empire's future. That's how it was in the novel. It was Jeong-guk who held me back and protected me when I strayed from the right path, and it was Jeong-guk who remembered me after I died. He was a man who had contributed so much to the empire... But for my own survival, things didn't go as the novel's ending suggests.
In the end, because of my greed... I ruined these three. I...
"Jungkook, you told me you wanted me to be happy... but I can't be happy without you."
Sea took out the brooches she and Jeongguk had made together when they were young. She pinned one to her clothes and placed the other on Jeongguk's hand.
"If you have a sword at your waist, know that I am in your hand. Because I will never let go of your hand first."
He got up from his seat with a light kiss on Jeongguk's forehead.Hello, my one and only precious friend, Jungkook.
" ..... "
My steps were unsteady. My benefactor, the one who gave me so much... the great wizard Jeong Ho-seok, did so much for me.
He approached me from the beginning, knowing what kind of person I was, and believed in me. He is a person I am so incredibly grateful to.
"I haven't given you anything yet... What if Hoseok-nim gives you a lot and leaves...?"
The Empire's Star no longer exists. I couldn't even imagine an Empire without you, Hoseok. How could you leave so quickly, before I could even imagine it? Archmage Hoseok, my star, and the Empire's star...
If you're watching me, please wait patiently. I will make sure the Archmage's death was not in vain.
Sea slowly raised her bowed head. Then she wiped her tears with the handkerchief Namjoon had handed her.
"Whew... What about Taehyung?"
"You must be having a hard time because you don't come out of your room. You're such a sensitive child... and the person who lost his life trying to protect you right in front of your eyes is Jeongguk... You must be really shocked."
" ...I'll go."
"Yeah, I think it's better for you to go than for me to go."
" yes "
Se-ah bowed her head slightly to Namjoon and then went to the room where Taehyung was.
.
.
.
.
Crack, crack
" ...Your Majesty!"
"What about you, brother?"
"You haven't had a proper meal yet. You haven't even come out of your room."
"You stand back, I am coming in."
" All right. "
Smart -
"I'm going in, brother."
Clank
"Se-ah...?"
"It's been a while."
" ...Right. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. My brother has lost a lot of weight."
" ...... "
"Don't feel too guilty. Jungkook chose to save his brother. Even though it didn't end well, it was still Jungkook's choice. He wasn't forced to do it. So please don't do this anymore."
"Don't make Jungkook's choice... seem wrong."
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry to you too..."
Seah shut her mouth. Nothing more could come to mind. Even if my only friend died to save my brother, I couldn't say I was okay.
" ..... "
"I'm sorry... always..."
"Wake up. This is the palace. You must not forget who we are. The Karna family cannot be seen as this weak."
" .... "
Taehyung looked at Sea. And then he remembered his mother.
"They really do look alike..."
"What does that mean?"
"She looks like her mother. Not just in looks, but in everything. I thought no one could copy her..."
The person most suited to the Karna family, I think, might be you. You're resolute in any situation, just like your mother. Even your expression...
I can't lose you either
Taehyung stood up and spoke.
"I have to go see my father."
Smile
" yes. "
Sea left the room with a slight smile. Then she wiped her expression and left.
After the funeral, Sea decided to stay focused for the nobles who were about to start moving.
Please watch me, everyone. How I will protect this family.
____
Long time no see! I'm only just getting here now because of exams. Maybe it's because it's been so long since I wrote... My handwriting is so...๐ฅบ
This piece isn't over until it's over. You never know when, where, or how it'll unfold, so don't be too disheartened!! (I'm itching to spoil it, but my mouth is watering.)
Please continue to love this workโค
Sonting = Next episode