Truth be told, Ive had a lot of physical contact with Damian.

There were times when we held hands, changed clothes, and hugged each other.

But not in this way

I dont think hes ever hugged me so affectionately.

Its weird.

My mouth became dry and my heart was pounding.

A new heat spread over my face which was already flushed from crying.

Confused, I buried my face in Damians arms.

What is this?

Every time youI think I can only apologize.

His soft voice caressed my ear.

His steady heartbeat calmed my stressed mind.

Once again, Im sorry I could only tell you not to worry.

I, your Highness.

Butthis is the best I can do at the moment.

Damian calmly vocalized his intentions.

Im leaving.

what do you mean!

This way, I can avoid causing harm to anyone.

Unbeknownst to me, Damian seemed to have his heart set on this.

And isnt it time for me to be able to stand on my own two feet, without having to depend on you and Her Majesty?

What?

I was so wide-eyed that I stopped crying.

Damian gave a playful smile.

Youll see, Ill come back as a better man.

Stop, a better man?

Yeah. Dont fall for me when I come back.

Damian joked away.

its unsettling how Damian can just laugh in a situation like this.

Looking at him blankly, I bit my lip and gulped back the tears.

Its as if Damian had already made up his mind

Im a fool for crying and being hung up on this.

In desolation, I leaned on him without saying another word.

I didnt want to bother Damian anymore with my foolishness.

***

After shedding tears for a while, I got up.

Take a break, you must be worn out from all that crying.

Damian tried to dissuade me, but I shook my head.

It was because it hurts now to even look at Damians face.

With a feeble gait, I entered the Empresss palace.

Meanwhile.

Lize?

The Empresss voice echoed.

Those dark green eyes of hers were taken aback.

Y-Your Majesty.

I called out to the Empress in a trembling voice.

At the same time, tears began rolling down my cheeks.

Even though I had cried so much before, there were still tears left.

The Empress rushed over to me and bent down as my sniffles became louder and I wasnt able to speak clearly.

Whats going on Charlize? Your face is colorless, asked the Empress in a worried tone.

I-Its

I couldnt get the words out.

Its because the very second I say the words, Damians leaving. It could become a reality set in stone.

I just couldnt bring myself to say it.

I knew Damian leaving was something already decided but like an idiot, I

Didnt I tell you the other day, the day when you rejected the adoption?

The Empress tenderly rubbed my back as she opened her lips.

If youre going through a rough time, talk to me about it.

your Majesty.

So tell me what happened. Who knows, I might just have the solution?

As soon as the Empresss sweet and reassuring voice reached my ears, words poured forth as if a dam had just burst.

Well, his Highnesshes going to the Kier plains in the north.

Hold on, Kier? You mean the northern Kier plains?

Yes. His Majesty, the Emperor has given him an order toto leave for the Kier plains.

The news shook the Empress as a startled expression crept over her face.

I grabbed onto the collar of the Empresss dress in a fit of temper.

I-I know Im incompetent for thisI couldnt get the order withdrawn.

Why does that make you incompetent?

The news that he was leaving for Kierer, I couldnt stop him.

With a voice muddled by tears, I gurgled hopelessly.

Its not even the territory of Margrave Antes but Kier of all places.

Lize.

Everyone knows. There are only demonic beasts in Kier, and very few soldiers whove managed to survive for more than a year there

I know youre emotional, but calm down a little.

The Empress tried to console me, but it was all in vain.

His Highness will go to that dangerous placewhat if something happens to him?

In the end, I cried so much that I had trouble breathing.

The Empress hastily embraced me in her arms.

I grasped the Empresss collar tightly.

Cant I do anything for his Highness?

its.

Ive been thinking about it, but I have no idea what to do I muttered to the Empress.

What am I supposed to do?

I hate, hate myself for being so powerless.

I decided to stay by Damians side, and yet theres nothing I can do about this predicament.

I bit my lips till they bled, lowering my head to the floor in despair.

Meanwhile, the Empress signed and added.

If youre so sad about it, how will Her Majesty, the Empress dowager feel about this

*sniffles* what?

Dont you know? The Empress dowager still hasnt been allowed to see her grandchild face to face and now hes leaving.

For a moment, I froze.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep