I Don’t Need the Grand Duke’s Regret - Chapter 86

The relationship between Segolinde and the Empire could become strained in such a situation if they’re not careful.

In this case, it makes sense for the princess, the starting point of the issue, to go and show respect to the Empire. Mirabel nodded her agreement, though her expression was uneasy.

“I’ll go to the foundation celebration. When does the delegation leave?”

“Next week. What about Charles?”

Louise’s question darkened Mirabel’s eyes. To get to the capital of the Acangelo Empire, they would have to pass through Renato. Mirabel didn’t want to risk Charles and Ricardo meeting, not even by chance.

“I’ll leave him behind. He’s too young to travel.”

“That’s good. Don’t worry about Charles. I’ll take good care of him.”

Louise smiled reassuringly and got up from her seat. Left alone in the garden, Mirabel gazed at a butterfly fluttering by while lost in thought.

She is going to Renato.

To Renato, where Ricardo was.

All this time, Mirabel had tried hard to forget Ricardo.

But the effort seemed so futile. Forgetting someone she loved was harder than hating them.

Because she loved him so much, those memories were vivid. Because there had been days when a single glance from him made her heart flutter, and just hearing him call her name made her heart race.

“How foolish I was.”

Mirabel smiled bitterly.

If she could go back, she would choose never to love Ricardo. That love brought only pain.

Loving Ricardo had only brought Mirabel loneliness and suffering. Her heart sank with every glance from him, and there was never a day her tears dried.

Not to mention, Mirabel had endured disdain from those around her simply for being by Ricardo’s side. She couldn’t leave RIcardo’s side so she was bearing unnecessary pain. All while he hurt her deeply.

If that’s what love was, Mirabel wanted no part of it again.

She didn’t need love anymore.

‘At least I learned that much.’

Mirabel thought cynically. She had thought only scars remained from her love for Ricardo, but she had gained some lessons.

‘I wonder if he even remembers me?’

No, he must have forgotten her by now.

Ricardo might have already replaced her with another woman to be his scapegoat. There were plenty of doll-like women like Armilla willing to stay quietly in the mansion.

But that’s none of Mirabel’s concern.

For Mirabel was not Armilla.

* * *

The princess’s carriage heading to Renato was stable, thanks to a protective spell Asil had cast over it.

However, despite the smooth ride, Mirabel sitting inside seemed unsettled as if she was in a bumpy carriage. Sophie, who was accompanying her, noticed the princess’s complexion and cautiously initiated a conversation.

“Are you feeling unwell? Should I ask the coachman to stop for a break?”

“No.”

Mirabel responded, looking out the window with a troubled expression before relaxing and smiling. She adjusted the golden veil on her head and looked down.

Sophie watched Mirabel in silence. The princess, adorned with a veil embroidered with the Segolinde royal crest in gold thread, looked like a goddess.

However, her noticeably pale complexion made those who looked at her feel concerned. Sophie, observing the princess’s condition, spoke with a gloomy tone.

“I shouldn’t have come along. I should have stayed in Segolinde…”

“Don’t say that, Sophie.”

Mirabel was startled and quickly grabbed Sophie’s hand. It was Mirabel who had insisted Sophie come with her to the Empire, hoping to give her a chance to visit her sister Sarah’s grave in Renato.

While grateful for the invitation, Sophie had hesitated.

She knew from Mirabel that Sarah was buried in what was meant to be the princess’s tomb. Sophie also deeply wished to visit her deceased sister’s grave.

However, this wasn’t a simple matter of wanting to go.

They would have to reveal to Grand Duke Vittore in Renato that it was not the princess but a maid buried in the tomb.

Surely, those in Renato who had even held a funeral might have suspected the buried wasn’t the princess when they heard rumors of her survival.

But for the person concerned to come forward and acknowledge this truth could stir up old troubles unnecessarily.

Revealing that the funeral was for the wrong person would certainly embarrass Renato. They likely avoided mentioning the princess’s tomb for that very reason.

However, if the princess herself were to appear and declare that it was her maid’s sister who was buried in her stead…

“If we tell the truth, the Grand Duke might be furious. That could harm both the Princess and Segolinde.”

“Don’t worry about that. Sarah was like a sister to me too. She deserves to rest under a headstone bearing her own name, ‘Sarah Leontine'”

“Princess…”

“Besides, the gift I’ve brought should keep the Grand Duke from getting too upset. Haven’t you heard? Lilies are worth more than gold in Arcangelo right now.”

Mirabel forced a bright tone, trying to uplift Sophie. At her comfort, Sarah wiped her moist eyes and managed a smile.

“Is that why you brought all the lilies from the garden?”

“It’s a bribe to allow us to visit Sarah.”

Mirabel admitted with a gentle smile, glancing back at the carriage loaded with lilies and bulbs following them. She planned to offer these blooming flowers to Ricardo, requesting permission to visit Sarah’s grave.

“For that, I’ll need your help, Sophie. Remember what I asked?”

“Yes, to have you avoid any conversation with the Grand Duke. But why? You’ve never met him anyway.”

At Sophie’s question, Mirabel released her hand and leaned back, creating some distance.

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