If you don’t love me, I will die.

Ania stood alone in the middle of the garden, staring at the gate through which Edward had left.

There was a lingering trace of his departure.

The echo of his voice and even the unfamiliar scent of his cologne.

She truly missed him.

It wasn’t a lie.

She wanted to see him.

And so, Ania almost smiled at the faint joy that blossomed in her chest as soon as she saw Edward’s face.

She almost ran for his hand.

But she couldn’t.

How could she face Edward?
She dared not even to seek out the man who had lived so ruthlessly for her sake.

Of course, it wasn’t Ania’s fault.

It was just a bad situation.

Upstart businessmen were gradually eating away at the Bronte family’s position,

And her father, feeling the crisis, had cast aside the Radner family.

Still, Ania couldn’t shake off the guilt that welled up within her.

“If only I had a little more courage….”

She could have abandoned the Bronte family and ran away.

She could have become someone from the Radner family, following Edward.

She could have rejected the marriage partner her father had chosen and fled.

But she was afraid.

Having never once escaped the reach of the Bronte family,
She couldn’t even consider leaving the Bronte family.

Bronte was her home,
Her identity,
Her everything.

But Ania regretted it.

She chastised herself for not having the courage.

And so, she couldn’t even smile when facing Edward, whom she had met after two years.

In case he misunderstood that smile.

Ania had always lived amidst misunderstandings.

Petty misunderstandings, minor accusations, those were nothing.

Yet, with Edward,
She wanted to avoid misunderstandings as much as possible.

But despite her efforts to suppress her feelings and erase her smile…

“Don’t say ridiculous things, Ania Bronte.”

Edward threw those sarcastic words and left.

He wasn’t the Edward she knew.

It was as if he had become someone else entirely.

Yet, she was the same person she loved.
In the surprised expression, the eyes filled with longing and sadness…

It was because she had glimpsed a fragment of the past.
She knew… Edward still missed her.

Ania found remnants of lingering affection between the hidden emotions veiled in sharp words.

It was a love that was wounded and broken.

That’s why he desperately concealed it.

Ania wiped away the welling tears behind her own veil.

It was too early to show tears.

If there were still a chance, she would somehow win back his heart.

Even if it was selfish.
Even if her heart ached with guilt.

Ania resolved to do her best.

***

“Wouldn’t it be better to cancel the Imperial Founding Anniversary parade?”

The Imperial Palace conference room.

As Eldrigan’s voice echoed from the empty podium, the gazes converged, and time seemed to stand still.

Sounds of swallowing, sniffles, and lips being pressed together intermittently leaked out, and in an instant, the atmosphere in the conference room turned icy cold.

At the end of the suffocating silence, the fierce gaze of Emperor Eleanor Lionheart turned towards Eldrigan.

His bloodshot eyes narrowed thinly for a moment, and then the Emperor pushed his chair back and rose abruptly.

“What did you suggest just now?”

The chilly voice made the ministers tremble involuntarily, but Eldrigan maintained an unwavering gaze on his father.

“We must cancel the Imperial Foundation Day parade.”
“…The hell.”

The Emperor muttered his condemnation while biting his lower lip.

“Is that what comes out of the mouth of a Crown Prince? This… idiot.”
“Father.”

At those words, Eldrigan also slowly rose from his seat.

His pupils didn’t waver.
On the contrary, they were becoming more steadfast.

“It must be canceled.”
“The Imperial Foundation Day parade has been a tradition for over a hundred years! What the hell is the reason for spouting such nonsense about canceling it!”

As the aged Emperor slammed the table, the ministers flinched.

After taking a deep breath, Eldrigan spoke up.

“The treasury is empty. Did we not plan this parade by raising taxes? Consider the backlash from the noble families already looking down on the royal family and the suffering of the imperial citizens who don’t even have enough money to live for a day.”
“Exactly at such times, the royal family’s authority must stand firm.”
“Father…!”
“Silence!”

The Emperor shouted abruptly, glaring at Eldrigan with rough breaths.

After exhaling a strained breath, the Emperor slowly lifted one corner of his mouth and snorted.

“Ah… You’re going to make excuses for that Radner scoundrel again? Saying you’ll protect that young viscount’s words? Why? Why would you make the royal family bow to that brat?”
“Father, that’s not what this is about.”
“Then what is it!”
“You must face reality. Times have changed! The royal family’s authority cannot be established by petty parades like that, Father!”
“Silence.”

While Eldrigan’s voice grew louder, the Emperor’s voice settled calmly.

“Captain of the Guard. Detain this impudent fellow.”

At the Emperor’s command, Eldrigan shouted in protest.

“Father!”

The Imperial Guards quickly seized Eldrigan’s arms.

Though he struggled with all his might to not be taken away, when two guards stuck to him, he couldn’t do anything.

Eventually, Eldrigan was dragged along and locked in a lightless solitary confinement.

In the lonely cell, Eldrigan knelt down, bowed his head, and sighed deeply.

He felt so powerless.

He remembered two years ago.

The time when the Imperial Family fulfilled its duties as much as its authority.

The time when his mother was healthy, and his father was a wise ruler.

But peace collapsed in an instant.

His mother fell ill with an incurable disease.

From then on, his father spared no effort to save her.

He depleted the treasury to buy expensive medicine and neglected state affairs.

Thus, Eldrigan, inexperienced in bureaucracy, had to shoulder the Empire’s future involuntarily.

However, unexpectedly, the state of affairs improved.

Under Eldrigan’s support, emerging businessmen flourished, and new technologies were introduced, making the Empire prosperous.

The citizens’ financial situations improved, and new noble families emerged.

He thought everything was on track.

But not even three months passed before his mother’s condition worsened.
And by the fourth month… she passed away.

Unable to endure the grief, the Emperor lost his sanity.

As the Emperor lost his mind, the affairs began to collapse.

The discontented citizens longed for when the Crown Prince acted as regent.

“I shouldn’t have let it happen.”

The Emperor went mad.

Since his mother’s death, he had seen nothing but folly, and he even thought Eldrigan might someday kill him to ascend to the throne.

Eldrigan shook off the ghosts of the past.

Yet, the lingering guilt still gripped his throat.

Edward.

Ania.

Their names, whom he vowed to protect but failed to do so, came to mind.

He had said he would protect the two of them, but Eldrigan found himself unable to do anything.

He struggled desperately to escape from the relentless string of misfortunes that seemed to drive him to madness, even if it meant seeking solace in the kindness of strangers.

Yet, it was a despicable self-justification.

If he couldn’t bear the responsibility, he shouldn’t have started it in the first place.

So, he had to offer a sincere apology.

Edward.

Even though the man was ignoring all of his letters, Eldrigan still had to go and apologize.

Even if it meant the downfall of the imperial authority.

***

Two weeks passed.

Despite Eldrigan’s strong opposition, the Imperial Founding Day parade proceeded as planned.

The capital’s central square was adorned with magnificent decorations, and the Imperial Guard and military bands were perfectly formed.

Many people had gathered to watch the parade, but their expressions were not cheerful.

It was because they knew that the lavish decorations came from their taxes.

Of course, Edward felt the same way.

Although nobles above the rank of a Count had to match their earnings, the taxes levied from Viscount Radner were substantial.

Thanks to this, Edward, who had received an unpleasant invitation, crossed his arms and furrowed his brow.

“Lorendel.”
“Yes.”
“How long do I have to endure this shitty event?”
“It seems you can leave as soon as you meet the Emperor.”
“Why do I have to meet that senile old man?”
“Even if it’s a toothless tiger, the royal family is still the royal family.”
“I know that too. I was just asking out of curiosity.”

For a moment, Lorendel looked at Edward as if asking what nonsense he was talking about, but seeing Edward’s poor mood, she didn’t push further.

“I wish this would end quickly. Time is precious.”

Edward looked down at his wristwatch and tapped his foot.

Spending time at this foolish event was enough to put him in a bad mood.

However, at that moment,

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Edward was startled as he turned his head at the familiar voice behind him.

Someone, about half a head shorter than him, was looking at him.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Edward.”

A familiar scent wafted from the sparkling golden hair.

Ania Bronte.

She was looking up at him.