I Don’t Need the Grand Duke’s Regret - Chapter 78

“A funeral?”

Nasir’s face turned pale when summoned by the Crown Prince early in the morning. He immediately waved his hand and protested the suggestion.

“Absolutely not. Just mentioning Lady Armilla’s name causes turmoil in the mansion. We cannot hold a funeral for the Grand Duchess.”

“So? We just leave it as is?”

Valerio crossed his legs and frowned.

To him, Ricardo was clearly not in his right mind. Not that he cared personally, except that Ricardo symbolized Arcangelo’s defense.

“We need to acknowledge the Grand Duchess’s death sooner and get him back on his feet. The founding celebration is coming up.”

“The founding celebration…”

Nasir mulled over Valerio’s point and rubbed his chin.

The Empire’s founding celebration is a major event. Although Ricardo usually skips the party at the imperial palace, he is expected to welcome visitors crossing the border into Renato.

Treating foreign dignitaries with great honor was one of Ricardo’s duties as the lord of Renato.

Last year, the event was not held to honor the memory of Princess Mirabel. However, this year was going to be different.

Valerio sighed heavily and said.

“While other countries could bypass Renato altogether, what about Segolinde? Especially given the delicate situation with the princess. How can Ricardo, in his current state, host any guests?”

“Segolinde, for one, won’t be attending the founding festival for the next two years. They’ve declared three years of mourning for Princess Mirabel.”

“That doesn’t reassure me about Ricardo getting any better in two years. If anything, it seems like he could get worse.”

Valerio tapped the armrest of his chair seriously.

To him, two years seemed too short for Ricardo’s recovery. After all, Ricardo had already changed completely over the last year. Even recovering from alcohol dependency would take a considerable amount of time.

“What does the doctor say about the Grand Duke’s condition? How long will recovery take?”

“That’s… I don’t know. His Grace has refused to see a doctor.”

“Unbelievable. Call the doctor now.”

Following Valerio’s command, Nasir ordered the servant. After sending the servant away, Nasir looked at Valerio with a touched face.

“You really care about the Grand Duke.”

“It’s my duty as the Crown Prince to worry about the empire.”

Valerio replied, feeling uneasy. He found his feelings for Ricardo difficult to explain.

Valerio had expected to feel triumphant seeing Ricardo in trouble. In fact, he had even hoped for his downfall along with Durante.

Yet, witnessing Ricardo completely fall apart didn’t bring him any joy.

“The Ricardo Vittore I know isn’t like this. The Grand Duke needs to be infuriatingly perfect. Only then can I truly despise him.”

Valerio said, almost as an excuse, then signaled to Nasir. Nasir, catching his cue, nodded with a tense face.

* * *

Contrary to Nasir and Valerio’s worries, Ricardo didn’t show much reaction to the suggestion of holding a funeral for Armilla. He simply questioned it.

“Why should we do that? The only thing found was her bracelet.”

“The bloody bracelet, right?”

Valerio’s question made Ricardo’s massive body flinch. He glared at his cousin with deadly eyes.

“That’s not proof of death.”

“If she hasn’t been found after a year, she’s dead.”

Valerio’s blunt statement made Nasir gasp.

Ricardo’s eyes flashed like an animal. It looked as if he could strangle the Crown Prince at any moment.

However, Valerio pressed on. He argued further.

“Holding a funeral would allow the Grand Duchess to rest peacefully in heaven. If you keep holding onto her, she can’t rest.”

At Valerio’s words, Ricardo clenched his fists so tight that his nails pierced his palms. His jaw tightened and there was the sound of teeth grinding.

The atmosphere in the office became tense. Valerio continued with a troubled look.

“You said you’ve searched everywhere possible. It’s time to let go.”

“Armilla isn’t dead.”

“No, she is.”

When Valerio firmly stated his position, Ricardo suddenly stood up and grabbed Valerio by the collar.

“Shut up.”

Despite the forceful grip that seemed to choke him, Valerio didn’t blink. It seemed he had prepared for this level of confrontation.

“When were you planning to hold the Grand Duchess’s funeral? In 2 years? Or maybe 3?”

“Armilla is alive!”

Ricardo’s fierce roar echoed. Then, he abruptly threw Valerio and slammed his fist down on the desk so hard that the thick wooden top cracked from the impact.

“Never, she’s not dead. Even if she were, I’d bring her back to life.”

With his eyes red from fury, Ricardo growled. He suddenly turned upon noticing someone at the door. Narrowing his eyes, he asked.

“What’s the doctor doing here?”

“I called him. It’s been a long time since you had a proper meal.”

Ricardo took his hand off the desk and straightened up. He approached the doctor and demanded,

“Tell me, Doctor. Everyone thinks the Grand Duchess couldn’t survive the cold and died. What do you think? Should we hold a funeral?”

Ugo trembled under the Grand Duke’s question. Barely managing to stand, he stammered.

“That, that is…”

He clutched his medical bag as if it were a lifeline.

When he heard the Grand Duchess had run away, Ugo was devastated.

Had he known, he would have informed the Grand Duke about the Grand Duchess’s pregnancy. Or should he tell the Grand Duke now, even at this late stage?

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