Letter

She didn't rush to open the box, as doing so would have made her intentions too obvious.

Although she always felt that Shaya had given her the box deliberately, she couldn't be 100% sure.

She walked back up the stairs, soothed Arthur, whom she had startled, and began to continue 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 as messy as a bird's nest, the walls were mottled and peeling, the gray-white curtains on the bed were covered in a thick layer of dust, and the desktop was filled with many strange books, as well as many exquisite crafts.

These should be the magical items Shaya had mentioned.

To be honest, Alicia felt it would be a compliment to call it a pigsty.

However, this room was easier to clean than the one downstairs, as there were no particularly stubborn stains, only dust. She and Arthur sped up their work, conquering the last room by morning.

However, she really didn't find any strange contracts or girls' hearts or anything like that.

She also took the time to wash Shaya's curtains and his dusty clothes, stringing up a rope outside the Moving Castle to dry them.

To accommodate her major cleaning, the castle was docked by a large lake, making it convenient for Cassifa to draw water.

It was located in a valley between Romir town and the snowfield. The lake water was melted snow from the mountains, very clean.

Alicia moved the chair that Shaya had been occupying to the lakeside. The weather was beautiful today, a bright sunny day.

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

On both sides were green mountain forests, and in the distance, she could see snow-capped peaks, a sight she had never seen before.

By the time she had finished everything, it was almost dusk. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow on the lake. A gentle breeze blew, lightly brushing her skirt, just like the arc her hair left in the wind.

The grass under her feet swayed in the wind, making rustling sounds, and the lake shimmered.

She sat in the rocking chair, looking down at the box in her hands. After a period of mental preparation, she finally opened it.

There wasn't much in the box: a worn-out cloth doll, a necklace, and an unsealed letter.

The cloth doll was her favorite toy as a child, a birthday gift from her father. The necklace was her mother's memento.

It was also a gift from her father to her mother. Although its value was less than one-hundredth of the brooch she had casually sold, it was still her mother's favorite accessory when she went out.

She silently opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside. Trembling handwriting covered the page.

My dearest Alicia:

By the time you read this letter, I may have already left you. Do not be sad; everyone's life must eventually reach this stage.

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

As I write this letter, you have been missing for eight hours. I haven't slept all night, and my emotions are very complex.

While I worry about your safety, I also feel that my own end may be near.

Therefore, I must write this letter to leave something for you.

I don't know if this letter will reach you, but whoever sees this letter, please deliver it to my beloved daughter.

Ever since your mother died, you haven't confided anything in me.

You've hidden all your pain and sorrow deep inside.

You started trying to learn the court etiquette you used to dislike, making yourself like a princess.

Your eyes have lost their light, and I, too, failed to protect the light in your heart.

Perhaps, you also hate me in your heart.

Hating me for causing your mother's death.

I once thought I would never regret anything, but since you went missing and my end is near, many possibilities have flashed through my mind.

Your mother was such a wonderful person, kind and gentle. She never wished to be empress or enjoy wealth and honor.

She only wished to live peacefully and happily with her family.

And even that, I could not give her.

I often wonder if we had left this country, would there have been a different outcome?

But in this world, how can there be so many "what ifs"?

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

There were the Imperial people, impoverished and destitute due to the exploitation of nobles. It was a scene of misery I could never have imagined in my life.

Because of this, I decided to change everything. I brought you back to the palace and inherited the throne, full of passion and confidence, believing I could bring change to this country with the power in my hands.

But reality is always cruel. The whirlpool of power in this country is far deeper than I imagined.

So deep that even after becoming the highest authority in this country, I still cannot break free from it.

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

My life has undoubtedly been a failure.

But it's laughable that if I could go back, I would probably make the same choice.

The tip of the pen paused here for a moment, leaving a large black dot at the end.

I always greedily wanted to possess everything.

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

Your arranged marriage was the same.

I wanted to give you the best security, to keep you away from this vortex of power.

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

But it seems... I failed to achieve anything.

Half a month ago, when the prince of the West Fran Empire was about to reach the Imperial Capital, you and I had a huge argument.

That was the first time you truly expressed your feelings to me since your mother died.

But I, did not fulfill your wish.

At that time, many thoughts flashed through my mind, in addition to the ones above.

I thought about the destiny of us, who are royalty. I had resisted before, and I understood the price of resistance.

Compared to future tragedies, I thought you could at least marry someone who loves you.

Since that day, I have regretted every day, regretting that I shouldn't have said such harsh words to you, regretting that I should have listened to your opinions more.

But you no longer pay attention to me.

I think I must have broken your heart.

After you went missing, I thought about so many things.

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

As long as you are safe, as long as you are happy and joyful, these things are actually insignificant to me.

This country, this position, has already consumed your mother and me, and I will never let it consume you again!

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

And I'm sorry, my daughter.

This is what I've always wanted to say, but never managed to say.

Alicia finished reading the letter in one breath. She was silent, remaining in the same posture, unmoving.

After an unknown amount of time, she trembled and took a deep breath, refolded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and returned it to the box.

A few small, inconspicuous ripples appeared on the surface of the calm lake, but then, three, four, countless ripples spread across the water.

The water and grass made a rustling sound. The dim sky was covered with dark clouds, and heavy rain, like black blood drops, spread out.

Alicia sat there, bathed in the rain, the water hitting her face and flowing down her cheeks.