Holding back tears (1)

"I-I… have been waiting for you for days!"

"Louisa, stop it. If you hug Mariette too tightly like that, she might asphyxiate."

Mariette patted Louisa's back lightly and said, "It's okay. I'm fine now."

After being declared allowed to carry out every day activities by the healer, Mariette first visited the Prince's Palace. Her presence was made official by an invitation from Louisa. News of her retirement had already spread around the Palace. Apart from that, Emmanuele has taken over her job. So it would be impolite for Mariette to carelessly go in and out of the Palace.

"I thought… I thought you were going to die," Louisa cried again.

This time Louie came closer and helped calm Louisa down. "Mariette will die for real if you keep hugging her so tightly like that," he said.

Louisa let go of her hug reluctantly. She stared at Mariette with watery eyes. "Mariette is well, right?"

"I still need some more treatment. But for the rest, I'm fine. There's no infection or anything because it's not an attack by a wild animal," Mariette explained. "So I hope you will stop crying, Princess Louisa."

"I… am sorry for what happened to you, Mariette," said Louie.

"It's not your fault, Prince Louie. Princess Louisa too." Mariette looked at the twins in turn.

"How could that be?! I didn't think Father would… would stab you like that!" said Louie angrily. "I'd even understand if you can't forgive him!"

"We will also understand if Mariette cannot forgive Mother," added Louisa sadly.

"You both know I can't have feelings like that," said Mariette. "Don't worry. The important thing is I'm still alive."

Louie looked disapproved. "Mariette, I believe Father has not apologized to you."

"You also haven't forgiven His Majesty the King, have you?"

Both Louie and Louisa fell silent.

Mariette had expected it.

Actually, this is none of her business. If you traced the book about [how human feelings work] that she had read, it was natural that the twins would be angry. There are many things that King Vallotton has hidden until the twins feel betrayed. Worse, King Vallotton has not met them.

But if that feeling continues to be nurtured, it may cause an even greater grudge. A prince and princess who have a grudge against the King can bring the kingdom to ruin. Who knows what Louie and Louisa will do in the future?

"His Majesty the King knew this would happen if you knew the truth. So he-and everyone-hid it from both of you," said Mariette. "Your anger is normal. But can you try to forgive them? His Majesty the King and the late Queen Odette were forced to marry because there was no pressure from the people around them. Trust me, they don't want this either."

Louie and Louisa looked at each other. They remained silent.

"His Majesty the King is very liberating for you guys, isn't he? That's because he doesn't want the same thing to happen to you both," continued Mariette. "He said it to me before, if you could choose anyone that would be your partner."

"I'll forgive him if Father apologizes first," Louisa said quietly. Louie nodded in agreement.

"Of course. You have the right not to forgive His Majesty the King if he has not apologized first," said Mariette understandably.

As for the late Queen Odette… She doesn't know. Louie and Louisa did not mention her name. The late Queen Odette was never in their lives. So whether you want to be angry or hate, it feels weird.

Mariette herself chose not to bring up their mother again. Let it be their own choice. The most important thing is that she has given understanding to the twins.

"But Mariette, are you really going to stop working here?" she asked.

"Yes–for the good of many people," said Mariette. "Emmanuele and Linda are a bit resentful of His Majesty's treatment, so they urged me to retire. Even if there is a possibility my title and my family estate will have to be returned, what can I do?"

"You're going to move to the cottage near the sea?" asked Louie.

"Yes, because I have no other place that is not included in the royal assets. I still have some personal assets to sell and enough savings to live the next few years without working. While spending that money, I can work small jobs and save the proceeds."

"Why… why not just get married?" Louie asked timidly. "I mean, if you have a husband, at least you won't have to go far."

"You know how I am. How can I get married?"

"But there's Sir Anatole and Sir Elroy!" Louisa chirps. Louie immediately elbowed her.

"It would not be fair to them if I married one of them not for love. Besides that…" Mariette was silent for a long time. "I deliberately went far away so that no one would die for loving me."

"Sir Anatole–"

"No, Prince Louie. Sir Anatole did agree to marry me even though there was no love between us. But that's just a form of guilt. If one day he meets the woman he loves, our marriage will be just like His Majesty the King and the late Queen Odette."

"Is there really no other way to remove the curse?" she asked.

"Sir Elroy is looking for a way. He said he would still try…"

"Sir Elroy?" Louisa's eyes lit up with hope. "So…"

Mariette nodded. "Apparently, there are still men who are desperate enough to love me. I want to keep him alive…"

While promising to still love him.

***

"Where's Sir Elroy?" Louie asked Ferdinand. Upon Mariette's return, Louie went to his study room. He was already very late, but he was sure Elroy would be waiting for him.

In fact, his private tutor was not there. Instead, it was Ferdinand who was there.

"I think it's still in the library," said Ferdinand. "Should I call him, Your Highness?"

"No need. Sir Elroy must be translating those magic books, right? Just leave it. After all, I'm happy when I get a day off like this," Louie joked. "That's too bad, because I just met Mariette."

"Oh, finally! Does that mean Viscountess Tierney is well?" asked Ferdinand to make sure.

"Yes. I think Sir Elroy could find Mariette if he would chase after her now. But if he is busy, what can I do."

"Don't worry, Your Highness. They will have plenty of time to meet after this."

"Yes. Since Mariette is now well and everything is clear now, it should be fine."

That was the hope of Louie and everyone else, including Elroy.

Unfortunately, no one understands if the hope is almost empty.

Perhaps, except for Elroy, who was holding back his tears alone in the library.