38: The Accident

Two days before Elena Roden, the princess of Roden, was set to become the “Crown Princess” of the Albazar Empire, Aella welcomed her warmly.

Although they were smiling and conversing, Aella didn’t look happy at all. Every time she saw Elena, her heart ached as if she herself were being rejected by the one she loved. She struggled to suppress this feeling as best as she could.

“This is a gift for you, Duchess.”

“My goodness… Did you embroider this yourself?”

“It’s not much, but I poured my heart into it, wishing for only good things to come your way.”

Aella was moved to tears by the princess’s sincerity. Despite her own lack of peace and happiness, Elena had embroidered a handkerchief with care and gifted it to her.

“Your Highness…”

“Please, call me by my name, Aella.”

“Ah, Elena.”

As Elena smiled bashfully, Aella clutched the handkerchief to her chest and spoke.

“I will treasure it… truly, I will cherish it dearly.”

“Thank you. That makes me so happy.”

“…”

Aella looked up at Elena, who smiled as she sipped her tea, saying how delicious it was. Seeing Elena pretend to be fine only made Aella feel heavier with guilt. Deciding this might be the last opportunity, Aella placed the handkerchief beside her and reached out, clasping Elena’s hands on the table.

“Aella?”

“I wish for your happiness more than anyone else, Elena.”

“…”

“Even now.”

“Aella.”

As Elena tried to pull her hands away, Aella held them tighter.

“I won’t regret it. This is the path I chose. I believe you understand my heart, Aella.”

“…”

“Because I feel the same as you. Even if others call me foolish or stubborn, I stay by His Highness the Crown Prince because I love him. If I can carry his child and watch that child grow, that alone will make me happy.”

Aella realized there was nothing she could say to change Elena’s mind. Accepting the princess’s firm resolve, Aella nodded with a soft smile and spoke.

“I will always be on your side, Elena.”

“Aella…”

“If you ever feel lonely or troubled, please come to me. I will always be here… as your sanctuary.”

“Oh, Aella!”

Elena stood abruptly and embraced Aella tightly. Aella returned the embrace, gently patting Elena’s trembling back until the shaking subsided.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry, Aella, for showing you such an unsightly side of me.”

“Not at all.”

Elena held Aella’s hands gently and smiled.

“Aella, I want to be your sanctuary as well.”

“…”

“I hope we can be that for each other from now on.”

“Elena…”

“I think of you as family, Aella.”

“That makes me so happy. I feel the same way, Elena.”

As the princess and the duchess smiled at each other, Kina and Azet, who had been watching quietly, sighed. When their eyes met, they exchanged awkward smiles.

—

After Elena left, Aella began working on embroidery in her room, aware of the subtle surveillance of the maids around her.

“Is this a gift for the princess?”

“Yes, I wanted to give her a small present. Oh, how about the task I asked you to handle?”

“It should arrive by tomorrow morning.”

“Good. I hope Her Highness will like it.”

“The ‘Sencefrea’ is the national flower of the Roden Kingdom and only grows there, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“But how did you manage to get it?”

Aella paused her embroidery and motioned for Kina, who looked curious, to sit beside her.

“I asked Countess Alon, who collects flowers from all over the world as a hobby, to help me.”

“Isn’t she so strict that even most men avoid dealing with her?”

“Hoho, those who don’t know her well might think she’s strict, but to me, she’s like a mother. My mother adored her, too. Did you know my debutante ball was organized by her?”

“Oh! Now that you mention it! Still Your Grace, it seems you’re blessed with good people around you. That’s a relief.”

“Indeed. I have you, Laura, His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, the lovely twins, and lastly, Her Highness the Princess. I am surrounded by such precious people.”

Kina’s eyes glistened with tears as she looked at Aella, who smiled warmly.

“Kina, why are you crying?”

“I’m not crying, Your Grace.”

“Alright.”

“I just… I hope you can be happy again, Your Grace. Like before, when you taught the village children and healed patients in need. Back then, you shone brighter than anyone else.”

“Thank you. I am happy now, Kina. With you and Charlotte by my side, and with Her Highness the Princess… Kina, I don’t wish for anything more. I only want to be a small source of comfort for Her Highness the Crown Princess-to-be. That’s all.”

Moved by Aella’s sincerity, Kina burst into tears and hugged her tightly.

“Oh dear, you’re suffocating me.”

“Your Grace! I’ll pray to the gods every day for you! That you’ll be the happiest person in the world! I’ll beg them to make it so…!”

“Oh, Kina, you’re such a child. Thank you, truly, thank you.”

Aella wiped her tears quietly as a knock interrupted them. She stood up, tidied her face with her sleeve, and answered.

“Who is it…”

Click.

Kael entered with a cold expression. Aella dismissed Kina, who left reluctantly.

“What brings you here, Your Grace?”

“I’m thinking of adopting a child.”

“I see.”

Aella couldn’t meet Kael’s piercing gaze. His sharp eyes felt like blades cutting into her, and she feared her carefully composed emotions would crumble. She kept her head low.

“After the Crown Prince’s wedding tomorrow, I plan to visit the Cosent Orphanage. Be prepared.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As Aella bowed, a thought crossed her mind.

‘He could’ve told Matteo to relay this. Could it be…? Ah, I’m so foolish.’

Feeling foolish even for thinking such things, Aella suddenly felt a heavy pain in her lower abdomen.

“Ah…!”

Kael, about to leave the room, stopped at the sound of her groan. Turning his head, he saw Aella doubled over, clutching her stomach.

“Ugh…! Ahhh!”

“Your Grace! What’s wrong? Your Grace!”

“Kina…”

“Your Grace? Your Grace! Please, stay with me!”

Kina was pushed aside as Kael picked Aella up and carried her out. Watching his retreating figure, Kina muttered in disbelief.

“That man… I can’t figure him out.”

Kina stood up, walked to the window, opened it, and looked at the clear sky. She murmured softly.

“Dear gods, please have mercy on my lady. Please, let her suffer no more. I beg you… I beg you…”

Kina’s heartfelt prayer continued for a long time.

—

When Aella regained consciousness, she was inside a carriage, leaning against Kael’s shoulder.

“Ka… Kael?! I mean, Your Grace.”

“Stay still.”

“Yes.”

The suffocating atmosphere inside the carriage made Aella anxious. Unlike when he had lost his memory, Kael now remembered everything from their childhood.

“Your Grace, wouldn’t it be better to ride a horse instead…?”

“Are you telling me to walk to the hospital? How dare you?”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t even want to hear your voice. Be quiet.”

“Yes.”

Aella prayed for the carriage to reach the hospital quickly. The hospital they arrived at was one she had visited since childhood, where Dr. Wilson worked.

“This is…”

“Get out.”

“Yes.”

Following Kael inside, Aella realized why he had brought her here.

“The doctor has been treating her since childhood. She suddenly collapsed with abdominal pain. Please check if there’s anything wrong with her.”

“Hmm. Since she recently had a miscarriage, there might be complications. It would be best to run some tests.”

“Please do.”

Dr. Wilson led Aella inside and asked carefully.

“Your Grace, is there something troubling you that you haven’t shared with your husband?”

“Why do you ask?”

“If there’s no physical issue, psychological stress could be causing your pain.”

“…”

“Your Grace?”

“I think… I haven’t been taking care of myself because of the pain of losing my child.”

“Your Grace, you’ve done so much good in your life. I believe the gods will bless you for it.”

“Dr. Wilson…”

Aella looked at Dr. Wilson, who held her hands and smiled gently.

“Please, don’t lose hope.”

“Thank you, Dr. Wilson.”

“Not at all.”

After completing several tests, Aella stepped outside to find Matteo waiting by the carriage instead of Kael.

“Where is His Grace?”

“He left already. Let’s return.”

“Yes, Matteo.”

On the way back, Aella found herself absentmindedly stroking her stomach.

‘My baby…’

The child she couldn’t bury in her heart. Aella wanted to cry but couldn’t, and Matteo, sitting across from her, glanced at her sympathetically before turning his gaze to the window with a sigh.

—

The next day.

“Your Grace, are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you?”

Aella, standing by the dressing table, turned to face Kina.

“Kina, you treat me like a child wandering near water.”

“Oh, no, I didn’t mean…”

“I know, I know. I’m grateful for your care.”

“Your Grace…”

Aella patted Kina’s shoulder, then turned to leave when Matteo asked if she was ready. Before stepping out, she hugged Kina tightly one last time.

“Your Grace.”

“I’ll be back, Kina.”

“Please… come back safely.”

“Oh, and Kina, Ian’s confinement has been lifted. Take him something to eat and drink.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As Aella followed Matteo outside, she climbed into the carriage alone.

“Your Grace…”

“I know. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As the carriage began to move, Aella glanced at the seat beside her.

‘Yesterday… Kael sat here.’

She reached out to touch the seat but was startled by the commotion outside.

“Ahh! Lania!”

“Ahhh! Move!”

“Mommy!”

“The child will be trampled by the horse!”

“What’s going on…!”

Hearing the noise, Aella was startled as the carriage suddenly tilted. She felt her body lift as the carriage door swung open.

Aella was thrown to the ground, and the carriage tipped over, landing on top of her.

“Ahhh! The Duchess of Hormons is trapped under the carriage!”

The street descended into chaos in an instant.