Holding back tears (5)

The ceremony took place simply, as if the handover of positions was an ordinary matter. Even though what actually happened was that the Tierney family handed over the tasks that had been carried out since the first generation to other people.

Anatole, the representative of the royal knights, watched Mariette from a distance. There was no expression on her face – what else could he have hoped for?

"This is history."

"I heard the Viscountess–I mean, Lady Tierney will be staying near the sea border."

"I don't know what she was really thinking."

"That won't be a problem, right? If Lady Tierney marries another noble, she will get her peerage again."

Talk about relinquishing Mariette's peerage is still being discussed. There's a lot of conjecture that comes along with nasty gossip. Of course, Mariette ignored them. Instead, it was Emmanuele who was hot to hear that.

The event ended with a small banquet as a forum to get to know the new Palace secretary. Mariette also appeared to chat casually with colleagues and ministers with whom she was once familiar. This is a small welcome and farewell event.

"Oh, Lady Tierney. I will really miss you."

"You have told me many times, Count Lavaud."

"If we have time, my children and I will stop by your new house."

"Yes, please. Please come with advance notice."

"Oh, Sir Anatole! You come too!" said Count Lavaud.

Mariette turned around too. She nodded slightly in greeting. Anatole tried to smile.

"I… don't know if it's appropriate to say congratulations on today's event," Anatole said doubtfully.

"There's no need to trouble yourself about something like that," said Mariette. "But I'm happy because all these complicated processes are finally over."

Count Lavaud chuckled at that. "You're still as honest as ever, huh?" He smiled meaningfully at Anatole then. "I'll excuse you then. Again, best wishes to you, Lady Mariette."

"Thank you, Count Lavaud." Mariette was now wholly focused on Anatole. "Thank you for taking the time to be present at the ceremony today, Sir Anatole. Also, congrats on ending your suspension."

"Because of today's events, people don't care anymore about why I was suspended," said Anatole. "Looking back, it's embarrassing."

"I didn't even think you could do something like that," admits Mariette. "How are you now?"

"It's gotten a lot better." Anatole smiled faintly at Mariette. "But I will be lonely after this."

"Be good friends with Sir Elroy and Sir Ferdinand. Prince Louie admits they can be loud sometimes, but they're lovely people."

"Looks like it's going to be difficult." Anatole snorted in amusement. "My relationship with Sir Elroy is still a bit awkward at the moment, and Sir Ferdinand still doesn't seem to have forgiven me."

"Too bad then. You and Sir Elroy are excellent knight academy graduates. I thought you could be good friends."

"I'll try later. Because if it weren't for Sir Elroy, I wouldn't know how you'll be when you move out."

Mariette furrowed her brows. "If you want to know how I am, you can write a letter."

"You will reply to my letter?"

"Of course. There is no reason for me not to send a reply."

Anatole breathed a sigh of relief. "You know, actually I was a little scared when I found out you decided to leave," he said slowly. "Somehow… it sounds like you're going very far…"

No reply from Mariette. The woman only glanced at the crowd, but her gaze seemed to be far away.

At that moment, it felt like Anatole's heart had stopped for a moment.

***

In the middle of Mariette's conversation with a co-worker, King Vallotton suddenly interrupts. He requested that Mariette follow him.

"Your Majesty?" said Mariette when she found King Vallotton silent.

King Vallotton turned around. "Mariette, I'm sorry," he said after a long silence. "Really, I'm sorry for… everything that happened."

Mariette was stunned to hear this. He didn't know what words to reply to his apology. "Yes, Your Majesty. You… don't have to feel sorry for me anymore."

"No, Mariette. I will always remember this feeling and everything that has happened," said King Vallotton. "Because this all haunted me for years. I also didn't expect that it would end like this."

"I'm fine. So there is no need for regrets," said Mariette. "Besides, you better apologize to Prince Louie and Princess Louisa instead of me."

"I'm not sure what to do with them."

"You have loved them with all your heart all these years. They know you have no bad intentions. So you don't have to worry–as long as you tell them everything."

King Vallotton smiled faintly at Mariette. "You've always been good to this old man, Mariette. Even though I indirectly killed your parents. But you took care of me and my children this well," he said. "Gardet and Malvia... your parents must be happy to know that their daughter is growing up to be such a kind girl."

Mariette wasn't sure what a good concept was like. But if there really were people who judged her like that, Mariette could think that she was really kind, right?

It is just…

I wish my parents were happy to see me grow up like this, thought Mariette.