Chapter 33
Adolf ordered everyone standing around me to leave the gallery.
The duke, seeing his subordinates being dismissed, approached and asked what was going on.
Adolf requested that, before he left, he be allowed to share one last cup of coffee with me here in this gallery.
He added that if, after finally showing himself, such a small request were refused, he might deeply regret the decision he had made.
The duke said he couldn’t delay long and granted us a limited amount of time.
Adolf wanted, just once more, to feel the life of a perfect traveler as before.
He wanted all the knights gone, and in the end, the duke accepted his wish.
Soon, my gallery transformed back into its original state at remarkable speed.
Inside, I brewed two fragrant cups of coffee and handed one to him.
“I’m glad your gallery has returned to its former self, Cassia.”
“Yes. Thanks to your order, Adolf.”
“It had been bothering me. This place belongs to you, and yet it was occupied by soldiers. Since it was my fault, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. I wanted to see with my own eyes that the gallery was restored before I left.”
“No, if anyone is to blame, it’s the one who occupied this place. You’re not at fault, so don’t worry.”
“Thank you for saying that. I feel as though a bit of weight has lifted from my heart.”
He took a sip of the fragrant coffee and murmured, “The taste of your coffee is always so good.”
The situation struck me as oddly ironic. Outside, the knights were lined up, waiting. Amid such a tense atmosphere, our calm, leisurely conversation felt strange.
Though I was once a duchess and somewhat used to this kind of setting, the degree of security now was far greater than usual—almost suffocating.
But for Adolf, this must have been ordinary life: always surrounded by countless knights, like bars of a cage, finding his only sense of ease within that confinement.
Now he would return to that kind of life in the imperial palace.
“…It seems I’ll be leaving Laurencia in a few hours. You’ve probably heard.”
Perhaps reading my thoughts, he set down his cup and spoke slowly.
“Do you regret giving me courage?”
“No.”
I smiled faintly.
“I just hope that whatever choice you make, it’s one for yourself. Whatever path you take, I’ll bless it. Though… I can’t help but feel sad that it’s time to part.”
He looked at me silently, then said,
“Will you come with me?”
“…What did you just say?”
At his cautious question, I set down my cup and looked at him—it was something I hadn’t even imagined hearing.
“I mean, I want you to come to the capital with me, Cassia.”
“…”
“I don’t want to part with you. After all, we’re friends, aren’t we?”
His proposal caught me so off guard that I couldn’t immediately find words.
It was completely unexpected. I thought he would simply say goodbye and leave.
We had agreed to remain friends, but judging from the current circumstances, it didn’t seem realistic.
So when I heard he was leaving, I tried not to expect that I’d see him again soon.
Besides, I was about to divorce the duke. Once that happened, I would be little different from a commoner.
He, returning as the Third Prince, and I, practically a commoner, would find it difficult to stay close as friends.
And yet—he wanted me to come with him to the capital.
My first thought was: Wouldn’t that mean I could stay close to him? My heart began to pound.
“And if you come to the capital, I’ll make sure you have everything you need to paint freely.”
He turned his head toward the paintings hanging on the wall.
“No matter how I think about it, that’s the best gift I can give you.”
Even knowing he was returning to the imperial palace, his expression made it clear—he wasn’t willing to give up our connection, nor my art.
“Of course, I don’t want to pressure you. You’re free to decline.”
“…”
“But I do have the power to give you the best environment possible. With the abilities I have, I want to help you fully express your talent—under my name as the Third Prince, and in the name of the Imperial Family.”
His voice was soft and cautious. I looked at him and smiled faintly.
His offer was tempting, yes—but going back to the capital was not a simple decision.
Returning there meant frequently encountering the House of Hvidrian.
They had long-standing ties with the imperial family, often appearing at palace events and in the capital.
Moreover, the city was filled with nobles and high-ranking figures from every corner of society.
I didn’t think I would have any great standing in that world, but even so, I dreaded the stares and whispers that would follow me there.
Ever since I chose to protect Diana’s precious things, I had been surrounded by countless rumors and gossip.
The only reason I could endure it all was because I focused solely on my friend.
But things were different now.
I had freed myself from those bindings. I had begun to stand on my own—and therefore, I also had the right not to be hurt by people’s words anymore.
“Well… I think I’ll need some time to consider your offer.”
“You don’t have to decide now. It’s just a small, personal suggestion.”
“…”
“Was it too much? If so, I apologize. Let’s pretend I never said anything—”
“No, that’s not it at all.”
He spoke carefully, watching me lost in thought. I shook my head.
“It’s actually a kind offer. I’m grateful you care so much about me.”
“…”
“But… I do need to think about it. It’s something I’ve never even considered before.”
Going to the capital.
Returning to a place tied to the duke’s household. I never imagined such a situation would arise again.
I had planned to live quietly here, hiding every trace of my former self as though I’d vanished completely.
Adolf looked at my contemplative face with gentle warmth before speaking.
“When the choice feels hard, it’s best to think about what you truly want.”
“…”
“Think about what it is you really desire—whether it’s painting, rest… something like that.”
I looked at him. Though I needed more time to consider, his warm sincerity touched me, and it made me smile.
“I understand. Thank you, Adolf, for thinking of me.”
“Of course. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
He smiled brightly—an expression full of quiet conviction.
Yes, it was a smile of friendship. I returned it with one of my own.
“Yes, friends.”
We were friends.
No matter who we truly were, or where we might be, that one thing would never change.
Not long after, a knight opened the gallery door and announced that our allotted time had ended.
“It’s time to go, Your Highness.”
An hour had passed in the blink of an eye.
Now, the moment to depart for the imperial palace had come.
Regret flickered across Adolf’s face, but he soon rose from his seat.
With knights escorting him, he quietly left the gallery, and I followed after him.
Outside, the knights had already completed their preparations and stood in formation.
At the very front waited a magnificent horse—snow-white, just like him.
Adolf mounted gracefully, then turned back to me.
“Think it over carefully. And if you ever decide to accept my offer, come find me anytime, Cassia.”
“…”
“I’ll always be waiting for you.”
He smiled warmly, and I nodded.
The duke, mounted on a horse beside him, also addressed me.
“It’s time to depart. Once His Highness has been safely delivered to the palace, I’ll send word to the mansion at once.”
“…All right.”
A deep drumbeat echoed through the air, signaling the start of the long procession.
Hearing of the Third Prince’s return, the citizens of Laurencia lined the streets.
Some knelt reverently; others called his name and rejoiced with all their hearts.
In the midst of it, Adolf looked back at me one last time—then faced forward and urged his horse onward.
I watched his figure grow smaller and smaller, until it finally became just a dot and disappeared from sight.
And so, Adolf left Laurencia.
