It's Not Night - Chapter 202.1
When they first got married, Anthony was full of mistakes. He often wandered around the castle searching for Viola and had a hard time understanding her moods. Of course, now he was one of the people who knew Viola better than anyone.
“Sir, do you know why I chose you?”
Viola looked up at the portrait of Duke Eden again.
“It was to keep an eye on Avelin, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that was part of it.”
Viola gave a small smile. Avelin. Indeed, she had allied with Airak to push Avelin out of the center.
But it didn’t necessarily have to be Airak. When considering the practicality of the central power, Airak was somewhat lacking to become the Princess’s husband.
Anthony squinted at Viola as though he was thinking there was another reason.
“Actually, Sir, you resemble Father.”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
Viola was now looking at Anthony.
Anthony, like Viola, didn’t resemble Duke Eden in appearance in the slightest, but when Viola first saw him, she had thought he resembled the Duke.
In fact, even now, she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what about him resembled the Duke. She simply felt that he reminded her of her father.
“Which part of me…?”
“Never mind that. Congratulations. Your family has had some good news, hasn’t it?”
Viola cut him off and smiled, pulling the corners of her mouth upward. It was an obvious attempt to change the subject, but given the topic, Anthony’s expression quickly hardened. She could clearly see him trying to hold back his contorting face.
“Avelin and Airak’s union. It will be a good example for many.”
“Not yet… The head of the family hasn’t given her permission yet.”
“Right, so Sir’s younger brother and Lady Avelin are heading North together to seek her approval, correct? But I think Duke Airak will probably approve.”
“Your Highness.”
“Well, if not, then never mind.”
Viola passed Anthony and started to leave the corridor. He quickly followed her.
The outside was blinding with the strong sunlight. Viola gazed at the sky, then stepped into the sunlit spot. She slowed her pace for a moment when she spotted someone in the distance.
The bright blonde hair immediately caught her eye. Perhaps due to the strong sunlight, it almost looked silver.
“Your Highness… you are truly a cruel person. I will finally understand what I have been to you during this opportunity.”
The image of his face, frozen with coldness, naturally came to mind. What had he said afterward…?
“I don’t understand why you always push me away.”
Before heading south, Ansel came to find Viola with a worn-out face. He grabbed her and poured out many words, mostly confessions tinged with pity rather than hatred and anger.
In response, Viola said nothing. She simply sat quietly, gazing at the man who once whispered that he loved her.
“I suppose Your Highness will never know. What you missed and what you did wrong. That’s why someone like you is so cruel.”
By the end, Ansel’s voice trembled.
“Don’t look for His Majesty in me. I can’t be him, nor will I ever be.”
Ansel’s words were true. Viola had once looked for Eden in him. It was the reason she had accepted his courtship.
The shining blonde hair, the voice that called her affectionately, and his attention to even the smallest details—these traits resembled her father.
“Your Highness will never get what you wanted. No matter how much someone loves you, in the end, you will let them go.”
After spitting out words that might have been curses, Ansel turned his back and left Viola.
Left alone, Viola suddenly burst into laughter, though it was bitter. Love? To not get what she wants? Ridiculous. It had no place in her life.
Why would she do such a foolish thing? She knew the outcome better than anyone.
But for some reason, the bitterness in her mouth must have come from the last words he left before leaving.
“Your Highness is like the Emperor.”
She knew. She knew better than anyone that she resembled her mother. She had been told that since her hazy childhood. And the first person to say it was…
“That is what love is, Bell.“
Viola slowly closed her eyes and opened them again. She heard someone calling her from behind.
“Your Highness.”
“Let’s go.”
Viola shook off her thoughts and left the place.
* * *
“Your Majesty, Marquis Avelin is here.”
As he entered the office, the Emperor was just rising from her seat. She took the cane from the attendant and Ansel approached.
The Emperor, holding the cane, began to head outside. Ansel silently followed behind.
The Emperor’s steps led them to the hydrangea garden. Along their path, fully bloomed hydrangeas continued to greet them.
Ansel had become familiar with this place. After Duke Eden’s passing, the Emperor had spent more time in the garden. Especially as the anniversary of the Duke’s death approached, the Emperor visited the garden every day.
“Ansel, I know why you came to see me.”
The Emperor sat down on the chair under the gazebo and spoke.
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