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Those times when you weren't there
Written by: Lemon
(Yeoju City Point)
Do you, Duke, standing before me now, know how miserable and tragic the five years have been without you? During those long years of separation, what remained constant were probably these beautiful landscapes and the four seasons that symbolize the Kilroberg Empire.
"Your Majesty... Everyone..."
"I know. Everyone probably thought I was dead..."
"...yes"
"I've heard the rumors before.
They say that the counts are running the show."
"......"
"I need to find my place again as soon as possible..."
I don't know why, but why did that moment feel so upsetting to me? Why did the Duke, who had appeared after five years, seem so indifferent?
"Your Majesty..."
"Yes, go ahead, Belly."
.
.
.
"...Where have you been all this time, Duke?
Are you hurt anywhere...? Why didn't you come back 5 years ago?
Didn't you...?"
"......"
"...I'm not really interested in the evil deeds of the Count's family...
"My greatest concern right now is the well-being of the Duke who is before me..."
"yes..."
"So please answer, where, why, and what happened?"
Actually, I didn't care if the answer wasn't that grand. What I wanted to hear was that you'd given me even a little thought over the past five years. There were a lot of questions, and a lot of worries, but they were all over my head.
"To be perfectly honest, Belly,
I was afraid to bring it up."
"...If there is a reason?"
"I wanted to die because I was so guilty of abandoning Belly in this dangerous place for five years and running away..."
"What do you mean? Dying..."
"I won't open my mouth because it's not easy to tell Belli that I didn't come back after the war, even though my body wasn't in good shape. However,
"Just as much as Belly missed me, I missed Belly too. Please remember this..."
Of all the things the Duke said, the only one I remember was that he missed me. And that, just like me, he missed me to the point of death. I couldn't have been more curious.
"Look at this, Belly, this is what I said..."
"......"
"I didn't want to show my tears in front of Belly..."
The Duke seemed to be holding back his sobs, but none of them were relieved and his emotions were conveyed to me in their entirety.
I, too, couldn't hold back my tears. Five years is a long and painful time to reminisce, remember, and miss someone. It was because we endured that time like crazy, because we waited for each other, that we were able to meet again like this.
It's so sad that I could die.
When the Duke came to me and embraced me, I could feel in great detail the release of something that had been clinging tightly to a corner of my heart. I opened my eyes, which had been closed for a moment, and only then did the world seem even more beautiful.
I couldn't help but smile brightly at the thought of being so close to the Duke, breathing so deeply in this royal chamber. Tears streamed down my face, but it was still a joy.
As our beautiful time passes, the reality we must ultimately face suddenly appears before our eyes. The Duke, holding my hand, now confidently walks towards the counts' villas.
I was no longer afraid.fianceBecause she is not a poor princess who died, she is just a powerless woman.noble shellBecause I am not a fool who cannot do my job in broad daylight.
"Listen, tell that to the good counts of the Counts' House.
"Kim Tae-hyung of the Duke's family has returned."
At that moment, I sensed a subtle shift in the Duke's hand. I didn't bow my head, thinking I was standing before the Count's guard. I straightened my back, held my head high, and glared confidently at the guard.
Looking at the escort's bewildered expression, I knew immediately that I was the only one in the palace who knew of Duke Taehyung's return.
"...even in front of the princess of the empire
"That lowly head pierces the sky."
"Ah... I meet the Princess of Kiloberg..."
"......"
"...From now on, take good care of that head."
"Yes... Your Majesty..."
I thought the day would come when I'd say this, but it was all thanks to the Duke. If the Duke hadn't frowned at that guard who didn't greet me, if he hadn't tightened his grip, I would have just let it slide like an idiot...
"The people from the count's family have even basic education like this.
"It must have been difficult to raise that prestige."
"......"
As the Duke continued, the escort bowed his head even more deeply and apologized to me. I didn't want to cause anyone misfortune on this beautiful day, but I knew the Duke wouldn't be so generous as to placate the escort, so I followed him.
Stepping into the Count's annex, I was tense, feeling as if the Duke would say something and come out very firmly, but the Duke was completely unexpected.
Upon entering, the Duke circled the annex and then exited. I couldn't understand how he could leave so easily, considering how many counts he'd met along the way.
"...What... just now?"
"...yes?"
"Why are you just walking out of the annex..."
"Well, Belly is still young so she might not understand.
Sometimes, a method is more effective than a hundred words."
.
.
.
"...I know what you mean...!
Are you saying that just showing them the Duke's appearance once will be enough to intimidate them?"
"Yes, that's right.
When did you come to understand what I'm saying so well?
"Are you an adult now? That's amazing, Belly."
"Then how could it be that after 5 years, she's still a child...?"
When I whispered those words with the corners of my mouth slightly raised, the Duke began to laugh as if he didn't know what to do.
Oh, by the way, the Duke is smiling like that too
It's been a long time.
"Huh, did you say that on purpose?"
"Well, a little?"
.
.
.
When the Duke smiles so, even those green grasses dance. When the Duke wasn't around, I used to resent the seemingly abundant nature... But now, I won't feel that way anymore when I see such beautiful scenery. I will make it so.