Letter

She did not rush to open the box; that would have made her intentions too obvious.

Though she had always felt that Shaya had deliberately given her that box, she had no way to be completely certain.

She went back up the stairs, soothed Arthur, whom she had startled, and continued cleaning Shaya's room.

Cleaning was also a way for her to vent her emotions and distract herself.

Shaya's room was exactly as she had expected. The carpet was a mess like a bird's nest, the walls were mottled and peeling, the gray-white bed curtains were covered in a thick layer of dust, the desk was piled with strange books, and there were many exquisite ornaments scattered around.

These must have been the magical items Shaya had mentioned.

Honestly, even calling it a pigsty would have been flattering him.

Still, this room was easier to clean than the ones downstairs. There was no particularly stubborn grime, only dust. She and Arthur picked up the pace and conquered the last room by morning.

But she truly found nothing strange, such as contracts or girls' hearts.

She also washed Shaya's bed curtains and his dusty clothes, then strung up a line outside the Moving Castle to dry them.

To accommodate her thorough cleaning, the castle had stopped beside a large lake so Cassifa could draw water.

This place lay in a valley between Romir Town and the snowfields. The lake was fed by melted snow from the mountains and was exceptionally clean.

Alicia moved the chair Shaya had always occupied to the lakeside. The weather was lovely today, with clear blue skies.

The clear lake reflected the azure sky, water and sky blending into one.

Lush green forests lined both sides, while snow-covered peaks could be seen in the distance—a sight she had never seen before.

By the time she had finished everything, it was nearly dusk. The setting sun cast golden light across the lake, and a gentle breeze brushed against her skirt, tracing arcs through her hair.

The grass beneath her feet swayed in the wind with a soft rustling, while the lake shimmered with ripples.

She sat in the rocking chair, looking down at the box in her hands. After mentally preparing herself for a while, she finally opened it.

There was not much inside: a worn cloth doll, a necklace, and an unsealed letter.

The doll had been her favorite toy as a child, a birthday gift from her father. The necklace was her mother's keepsake.

It had also been a gift from her father to her mother. Though it was worth less than one percent of the brooch she had casually sold, it had still been her mother's favorite thing to wear whenever she went out.

She silently opened the envelope and unfolded the letter within. The handwriting trembled across the page.

My dear Alicia:

By the time you see this letter, I may already have left you. Do not be sad; everyone must pass through this stage in life.

Compared to many others, I have actually lived a long life.

As I write this letter, you have been missing for eight hours. I have not slept all night, and my thoughts are a tangled mess.

While worrying about your safety, I also feel that my own end may be approaching.

So I must write this letter and leave something behind for you.

I do not know whether this letter will reach you, but whoever finds it, please deliver it to my beloved daughter.

Ever since your mother died, you have never come to me to confide in me again.

You buried all your pain and sorrow deep inside.

You began trying to learn the court etiquette you once disliked, turning yourself into a Princess.

The light vanished from your eyes, and I failed to protect the light in your heart.

Perhaps you hate me in your heart as well.

You hate me for causing your mother's death.

I once believed I would never regret anything. But after you disappeared and my end drew near, countless possibilities flashed through my mind.

Your mother was such a wonderful person—kind, gentle. She had never wanted to be a queen or enjoy wealth and splendor.

She had only wanted to live safely and happily with her family.

Yet I could not even give her that.

I often wondered: if we had left this country back then, would there have been another ending?

But how could there be so many what-ifs in this world?

Back then, your grandfather took me to the slums of the Imperial Capital.

The people there were citizens of the empire driven into poverty by the nobility's exploitation. It was a misery I could never have imagined in my life.

That was why I decided to change everything. I brought you all back to the palace, inherited the throne, and, filled with passion and confidence, believed I could bring change to this country with the power in my hands.

But reality was always cruel. The vortex of power in this country ran far deeper than I had imagined.

So deep that even after becoming the holder of this nation's highest authority, I still could not break free from it.

I lost your mother and paid the price, yet in the end, I changed nothing.

My life was undoubtedly a failure.

Yet laughably, if I returned to the past, I might still make the same choice.

The pen had paused here for a while, leaving a large black blot at the end.

I was always greedy, wanting to have everything.

I arrogantly believed I could choose the best Fate for you.

The marriage I arranged for you was the same.

I wanted to give you the best protection and keep you away from this vortex of power.

At the same time, I wanted to make this country more stable.

But it seemed... I accomplished none of it.

Half a month ago, when that prince of the West Fran Empire was about to arrive at the Imperial Capital, you and I had a terrible argument.

It was the first time since your mother died that you revealed your true feelings to me.

But I did not grant your wish.

At the time, many thoughts crossed my mind, beyond those I mentioned above.

I thought of the Fate of us as royals. I had rebelled before, and I understood the price of rebellion.

Compared with the tragedies that might come later, I thought that at the very least, you could marry someone who loved you.

Since that day, I had regretted it every single day—regretted speaking so harshly to you, regretted that I had not listened more to what you wanted.

But you no longer paid any attention to me.

I think I must have broken your heart.

After you disappeared, I thought about so many things.

Whether it was the alliance with the West Fran Empire or the Fate of Britannia.

As long as you could be safe, as long as you could be happy and joyful, those things were truly insignificant to me.

This country, this position, has already devoured your mother and me. I will never let it devour you as well!

If you can return safely, Alicia, then go pursue everything you desire.

And I am sorry, my daughter.

Those were the words I had always wanted to say, yet had never managed to speak.

Alicia read the entire letter in one breath. She remained silent, holding the same posture without moving.

After an unknown amount of time, she took a trembling deep breath, folded the letter again, placed it back in the envelope, and returned it to the box.

One or two faint ripples appeared on the still lake. Then three, four—countless ripples spread across its surface.

The water and grass rustled. Dark clouds filled the dim sky, and heavy rain spread like drops of black blood.

Alicia simply sat there, bathed in the rain as it struck her face and streamed down her cheeks.