The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return

“Have you been in contact with Cerdian?”

 

“……”

 

Abandoned. Gray chose only painful words and stabbed Sola in the heart.
But Cerdian wouldn’t do that.

 

He was the only one who reached out to her when everyone else turned their backs.

 

Sola gathered her expression and shot back at Gray.

 

“Don’t be ridiculous.
Do you think Cerdian will abandon me?”

 

“Well… Cerdian saved you but you know, the Howard family betrayed him.
Shouldn’t he look at you as a member of the clan?”

 

“What…?”

 

But Gray already knew that Sola had feelings for Cerdian, a love beyond her yearning, so he could easily shake her.

 

“You still know nothing.
Why do you think Cerdian took that woman?”

 

“….”

 

“Surely you know.”

 

“Enough.”

 

Sola’s dark eyes fluctuated aimlessly.
Gray did not miss this opportunity.

 

“Because Cerdian’s feelings for her is greater than his need for her.”

 

“Enough!”

 

Gray finally uttered the words that would completely destroy her, then raised a wicked grin.

 

“Cerdian likes that woman, Rodelia Florence.”

 

 *

 

“I will leave.”

 

These were the words of Karina Hart who was once Viscountess Cohen.

 

She carried great guilt over her betrayal of Rodelia and it was evident in her choice.
Although her betrayal had been premeditated, Karina truly cared for Rodelia.

 

Like a friend, like a sister, like her master, she respected and cared for her, without an inch of lie.
But she prioritized the revenge and fate of her family.

 

The Hart family was one of the few families that still followed the Aizen family.

 

In a way, everything was coming together.
In the first place, she was already planning to live as Rodelia’s maid in waiting and hand her over to Cerdian but in the process, she found out why her family was destroyed….

 

She just didn’t have the confidence to face Rodelia yet.
If the day comes when she learns of everything, understands and forgives her, only then would she be able to confidently appear in front of Rodelia.

 

“I hope to see you again.
If I don’t come back, please tell Rodelia that I’m sorry.”

 

Karina left like that.

 

* * *

 

It was still before dawn.
It was a chilly morning that heralded the beginning of autumn, when the hot days had passed and the days were starting to get shorter again.

 

Rodelia woke up early and shivered from the cold that was harsher than she expected, took the blanket next to her bed, covered herself, and turned over to sleep again.

 

Then she remembered what had happened the night before.

 

As if it were a dream turned into reality, the sensation of her body not moving according to her will could not have been more vivid.
Contemplating whether to go back to that place or not, she took a sip of the water by her bedside and lifted herself up from the bed.
After changing into a simple dressing gown, she cautiously left the room and followed her memory.

 

Outside the window, the autumn rain was pouring incessantly.

 

The characteristic sinking air felt particularly eerie.
A feeling as if something might happen shook her whole body.

 

Although she had been staying there for a while now, the Grand Duke’s residence was still an unfamiliar place.
With how vast it was, it was huge enough that it could be believed to be an imperial palace.
On the other hand, there were not many servants, so it felt more empty.

 

However, the structure was simple, so finding the place yesterday was not that difficult.
As she walked down the long hallway, she came across the stairway she had met the night before.

 

“It wasn’t a dream.”

 

Rodelia moved forward cautiously, stepping up into the dark, endless staircase.
There were no windows and no lights, still, she had to climb up the wall, she had to check.

 

Why she went there, and what lies behind the moving wall.

 

Rodelia finally reached the top of the stairs and pushed hard against the wall where she was stopped.
She tried several times….
Nothing happened.

 

“How…?”

 

Was what she went through yesterday just an illusion? If it wasn’t that, perhaps there was another way to operate it.
A secret device that opens only when certain conditions are met….

 

It seemed like it would be a good idea to go back today.
Hearing tumultuous sounds gradually coming from below the stairs, it seemed like the servants were starting the day in the Grand Duke’s residence.

 

Rodelia went back to the room, wary of her surroundings.
Outside, the clouds cleared again and the sun was shining brightly.
The sunlight coming through the window brightened the room.

 

Rodelia moved towards the window.

 

While she was sitting in an armchair by the window, basking in the sun, thinking that she should ask Cerdian about yesterday, one of the maids came into the room with a basket.

 

“Lady Rodelia, I brought riding clothes.”

 

Come to think of it, it was the day she decided to go hunting with Cerdian.
After gently placing the riding clothes in the basket on the bed, she withdrew while saying to come out to the garden after breakfast.

 

It’s been a long time since she had gone riding.
It really couldn’t have been more fun.
Her heart was beating fast with anticipation.

 

Rodelia forgot about the night before and changed into riding clothes.

 

* * *

 

Cerdian was standing next to a sleek black horse, dressed in a dark chestnut riding suit and boots that reached his ankles.
It blended well with the wet road and looked like a painting.

 

He looked outstanding once again.
Rodelia, deep in thought as she walked forward, found Cerdian and approached him, who then smiled charmingly.

 

“Riding clothes suit you well.”

 

“You too.”

 

She couldn’t hide her excitement as she walked all the way to this place.
Riding a horse through the woods and feeling the cool breeze, she never thought the day would come when she would feel that feeling again… Rodelia’s expression flashed with excitement.

 

After staring at the clear sky and colorful scenery, she gazed back towards Cerdian.

 

“But you only have one horse?”

 

“Ah, this child is your horse.
My horse is at the hunting grounds.”

 

“Why?”

 

Rodelia asked with her eyes wide open.

 

“It’s been a long time since you’ve ridden, so I thought we should ride together.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Certainly, Cerdian’s choice was correct.
No matter how much she enjoyed horseback riding when she was young, she hadn’t done any activities in the past three years, so she was at high risk of getting hurt.

 

The problem is that she would have to keep Cerdian’s and her body close….
In fact, there were times when she almost kissed him, and there were times when she actually kissed him but after that, there was no real progress or conversation.

 

The kiss was also the last time when he came to Luvenia.
So she couldn’t help but be more embarrassed.

 

Of course, she was slowly developing feelings for Cerdian.
After she was betrayed by Kane, she vowed never to give her heart to anyone again but her rampaging heart was beyond her control.

 

Besides, she doesn’t know what she truly feels yet… Of course, the more time she spends with him, the more firmly her heart will settle.

 

Rodelia was worried about this and that and didn’t answer, so Cerdian asked anxiously.

 

“Is it uncomfortable…?”

 

But she didn’t want to avoid him on purpose.
Rodelia quickly erased her negative emotions and replied.

 

“No.
Then I’m in your care.”

 

“It is an honour.”

 

Cerdian raised his eyebrows again and lightly mounted the horse first.
After that, Rodelia went up the small stairs, took his hand and gently sat down in front of Cerdian, then held onto the reins.
On top of them, Cerdian’s large hands overlapped.

 

“Then shall we depart?”

 

Rodelia nodded slowly at the voice behind her.

 

Cerdian’s body scent and warmth behind her back and the sound of his breathing touching her, all hit her.
Rigid with tension, she gripped the reins of the horse even tighter.

 

With Cerdian lightly lowering the reins, the sleek dark horse moved forward.
A pleasant sound rang in her ears every time the horse’s hooves pounded the dirt road.  The horse picked up speed little by little, and gradually left the Grand Duke’s residence.

 

When Rodelia looked around her, the huge castle had disappeared before she knew it and they had entered the hunting grounds densely lined with cedar trees.

 

The breeze lightly tickled her skin, and the fresh air mixed with the thick scent of wood lightly touched the tip of her nose and filled her lungs.
The intermittent sound of mountain birds and horse hooves, the sound of leaves swaying in the wind….
It was as if she was listening to nature playing together.

 

Her heart felt overwhelmed and laughter escaped her lips.
It felt like her heart was being tickled.
When was the last time she enjoyed her time? It was a kind of feeling she hadn’t felt in a long time.

 

Rodelia suddenly thought.

 

…What kind of feeling is this?

 

“I’m happy.”

 

It was before she even came to her senses.
Frustrated by the feeling that something was blocking her throat, she only opened her mouth.
But what came out was not air.
It was her own tearful voice.

 

Oh, this is happiness.
I’m happy right now.

 

But Cerdian wouldn’t have heard it.
The sound of the wind around her was very strong and it was almost a small whisper.

 

“I’m happy.”

 

Rodelia gently uttered once again.
So that she could enjoy the moment.

 

Because at this moment, it seemed that there was nothing holding her back.
She felt like she was left alone in a world where all her worries were gone…

 

With all the emotions, scenery and scents present in front of her, she gently closed her eyes.
If the sad days ever came back, she wanted to think back to this moment.

 

After running for a long time, they arrived at a large clearing.
Cerdian slowly slowed down the horse and stopped in the middle of the clearing.
Soon after, Cerdian lightly got off the horse and reached out to Rodelia.

 

Rodelia took his hand and lightly stepped onto the ground.

 

“This is….”

 

“This is where I sometimes go when I want to cool my head.”

 

She swept her wind-blown hair and looked around.

 

She could see why Cerdian chose to come here.
Thick trees surrounded the place as if it was disconnected from the world.

 

Fresh flowers were scattered everywhere and fragrant scents along with calm air wafted warmly.
The sunlight pouring into the middle brightened the darkness and added coziness.

 

“It is a beautiful place.”

 

“It is also one of my favorite places.”

 

Her white skin against the golden sunlight and her radiantly wavy blonde hair made Rodelia look even more beautiful.
Add the mysterious atmosphere of the forest and she seemed to look like a forest goddess.

 

Cerdian, staring at her with a fair smile, added slowly.

 

“Because it’s a place similar to you.”