I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 153
His foolishness of it all was both frustrating and heartbreaking.
“I’ll return to Segolinde. It’s too awkward to head to the capital right now. Just send a few knights with me.”
“Why don’t I…”
“I’m fine, really.”
“Master!”
Just then, while Mirabel and Ricardo were arguing, the door to the office burst open. Nasir, who had just left the room moments ago, entered. At his appearance, Ricardo furrowed his brow and shifted his gaze.
“What’s this about? You didn’t knock.”
“I’m sorry, it’s urgent.”
Nasir walked briskly to the desk, placing a golden scroll in front of Ricardo. After seeing the eagle seal on it, Mirabel tensed.
The eagle with wings spread—this was the imperial seal of the Emperor of Arcangelo.
As a princess of Segolinde, Mirabel had seen the Emperor of Arcangelo’s seal several times before.
The Emperor’s seal, depending on the color of the sealing wax, had different uses: silver for social letters, gold for diplomatic documents, and red for…
“This must be urgent.”
Wartime or in very pressing situations.
“It seems the imperial messenger tried to send something before, but it didn’t reach us due to the snowstorm. They sent this as soon as the Ragnar Bridge was repaired.”
Ricardo broke the seal on the scroll while listening to Nasir’s explanation.
The imperial messenger had been waiting in the mansion’s lobby, but with no time to prepare, Nasir had brought it directly to him.
“This is…”
Ricardo quickly scanned the scroll and muttered under his breath. He sighed deeply, folding it up and turning toward Mirabel, who was watching him closely.
“We need to go to the palace immediately. Both Princess and I.”
* * *
After exiting the carriage, Mirabel grasped the edge of her cloak. In front of her stood a grand building, the center of power in the continent, the imperial palace where the Emperor of the Arcangelo Empire resided.
With a tense face, Mirabel gazed at the palace.
At the top of the palace’s roof, a flagpole displayed the Emperor’s reversed crest, fluttering in the wind. It was the symbol of the Emperor’s passing.
The Emperor had died.
After a long illness, he passed away quietly, alone. And so, Mirabel had come to the palace with Ricardo.
She had come as a representative from Segolinde to offer her condolences to the Emperor.
Although Ricardo’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, that wasn’t an excuse for missing the Emperor’s funeral. Instead, he had come separately in a carriage with Ugo.
“The funeral will be held in a week.”
While Mirabel was gazing at the Emperor’s flag, a deep voice came from behind her. Ricardo, having already disembarked, spoke. His gaze met hers before turning away.
Behind her, Sophie was holding the sleeping Charles in her arms. Ricardo’s gaze fixed on Charles as he continued.
“Just hold on until then.”
Mirabel silently nodded.
A week. After that, Mirabel would return directly to Segolinde. She had already informed Louise.
Louise, shocked by the news of the Emperor’s death, expressed concern for Mirabel and Charles’ well-being, particularly because the trip had lasted much longer than anticipated.
So, Mirabel promised to finish up her schedule as quickly as possible.
“I’ll head straight to Segolinde after this.”
“…I know.”
Ricardo’s voice grew heavy again. His eyes, filled with longing, watched Mirabel as he reached out to touch her cloak.
“You won’t need this in the capital.”
As Ricardo said, the weather in the capital was milder than Renato’s, almost as if they had crossed seasons to arrive at the palace.
“Welcome, Princess.”
As Ricardo removed Mirabel’s cloak, the chief attendant approached. Taking the cloak from him, the servant bowed respectfully.
“We have been expecting you. Please, follow me to the guest palace.”
Mirabel gave a small smile before following the chief attendant. Ricardo quietly walked beside her.
The palace was made up of the Emperor’s main palace and several guest palaces, large and small. As Mirabel passed by the guest palace buildings, which looked like small islands, she gently removed her veil.
Currently, no one in the capital knew ‘Armilla’s’ face. There was no need to keep her veil on here.
She might encounter Count Durante, but she wasn’t worried about that. He would never recognize Armilla in her. He would never make the connection.
Prejudices often blind people.
Count Durante was a perfect example of that.
Something nothing more than a lowly parasite. That was how he viewed Armilla.
Even if Mirabel had the same hair and eye color as Armilla, Durante would never think that they were the same person.
“This way.”
The chief attendant stopped in front of a large door with a deep bow. As Mirabel halted, the guards slowly opened the door.
The room was bright and cozy. It was luxurious but not overdone, likely toned down due to the mourning period.
After confirming the spacious bedroom and adjoining sitting room, Mirabel instructed Sophie to lay Charles on the bed. She continued to survey the room before turning to the servant.
“Where is the Emperor laid to rest?”
“He is in the Palace Temple.”
The chief attendant answered and then called for a waiting maid from the hallway.
“The maid will show you around the palace.”
The chief attendant bowed to Mirabel, apologizing for not being able to guide her further.
“I am sorry, Your Highness. I must accompany the Grand Duke to his quarters.”
“It’s fine, you may go now.”
With Mirabel’s permission, the chief attendant gave another bow before approaching Ricardo.
He exchanged a brief look with Mirabel, looking as if he had something to say, before he left with Ugo.
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon:
For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our discord server~!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
