If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 2
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Upon waking up in the morning and discovering divorce papers, what expression would he wear? Would it be relief, or perhaps he would scoff at her, saying why did she disappear only now?
Well, it didn’t really matter either way. After she placed the papers in front of him, she would promptly leave the mansion. If she was to depart without a word, would he be somewhat surprised? Well, she doesn’t know. She had stopped caring.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Year 510 of the Imperial Calendar, January.
One of the Empire’s major stars has fallen. Four stars adorned Nikephos: Whale, Spruence, Felton, and Kristin. All these were the names of prestigious families that contributed significantly when the Empire was founded, and among them, the Kristin Duchy was undoubtedly the Empire’s most renowned noble family.
The current Emperor had been pushed down to the rank of Marquess in the imperial succession due to a supposed deficit. He had barely escaped being downgraded to a Viscount.
It had been ten years since that time, during which he had been placed on the imperial throne, the result of his decisive contribution that had put him among the stars safeguarding Nikephos – a celestial symbol of the Emperor’s favor above and the people’s trust below. But today, one of Kristin’s stars had finally fallen.
“Miss, please go upstairs.”
The charming and noble Kristin’s flower. Lady Agatha’s face, marked by her beautiful golden hair and emerald eyes, had its first shadow fall upon it.
“No, I don’t want to…”
An inexplicable sense of discomfort lingered around her. No one had explained to her what had happened, but even a young 10-year-old like her could tell that something was amiss in the atmosphere of the mansion.
Young Lady Agatha, who refused to let go of her tightly-clutched skirt, was observed by her governess, Charlotte, who sighed softly. A cherished young lady, who received everyone’s affection, had suddenly become an orphan overnight.
At the tender age of 10, it was too horrifying news to bear. Charlotte gazed into the girl’s eyes, a blend of fear and confusion, unable to find any words to describe the young lady’s situation.
“Why is everyone acting like this? Something’s strange.”
All Charlotte could offer was to hold the small and delicate girl in her arms, and that was as far as she could go. Duke Kristin, who had left to attend Count Ike’s wedding celebration, had met his doom on the treacherous path, leaving behind his young daughter.
“Let’s go to the bedroom together, shall we?”
“No, I want to stay here.”
“Miss…”
At first, when the news of the tragedy had reached them, Charlotte and all the servants of the ducal family, including Lady Agatha, had found it difficult to believe. It was not unreasonable, considering that this was the same Duke who had survived countless battles of conquest, unwavering and resolute. However, the news that he met his end solely because of the fateful accident on a treacherous cliff road was challenging to accept.
“The procession is about to start. It’s time to take the Miss to her bedroom,” whispered the butler, Bartholomew. All the household members were deeply concerned for the young lady. If only they could delay the shock that their precious young lady would receive.
But then, the door opened, and at that moment, Bartholomew muttered, “It’s already too late.”
Sunlight flooded into the previously dim room. Standing in the sunlight, these knights were the valiant members of the Kristin Order. Despite the early hour, they were immaculately dressed and carried a large chest with them.
“What could that be?”
Agatha peered over Charlotte’s shoulder, her curiosity piqued as everyone’s attention turned to the source of the commotion.
The dark chest was covered with a large flag bearing the insignia of the Kristin family. Four knights, each with their hands at one corner, stood behind. Their faces were solemn, and an undercurrent of sorrow was evident, a secret known only to Agatha as Duke Kristin’s funeral began.
The four knights moved forward at a deliberate pace, led by the Knight Commander, Deputy Commander, and Administrator. Behind them, a somewhat unfamiliar knight caught Agatha’s attention.
Despite his towering stature and imposing physique, the young man with tousled brown hair appeared to have not lost his youth. He had only recently graduated from being a squire, having entered the ranks of the Kristin Order as a novice three years ago. This was Cain.
Even though Agatha couldn’t discern what Cain was holding in his hands, his somber demeanor and dark countenance heightened her anxiety. Her grip on Charlotte’s dress tightened, her small hand trembling.
In an instant, their eyes met, or at least Agatha thought they did. As she locked eyes with the brown-haired knight, Cain, who ascended the stairs, Agatha couldn’t help but shiver. Her heart raced.
“What is everyone doing?” Agatha wondered, her gaze shifting to the busy servants and attendants around her. It seemed that no one had any intention of explaining to her what was happening within the ducal estate. Even Charlotte, who had just told her to hide behind her dress, had disappeared without a trace.
Agatha stood alone in the midst of the crowd, feeling isolated and perplexed by the unfolding events.
Loneliness amid the crowd.
