Valter led the woman gently and glanced at her briefly.

A slight tremor was felt in the woman’s hand resting on his arm.

Valter exerted strength on his arm to help her sit on the chair in front of the desk.

“Gerard.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Prepare a warm tea.”

As Gerard, the chamberlain, moved to follow the emperor’s order, only two remained in the office.

In the tranquil silence, Valter sat sideways on the desk, clenched his fist, and looked down.

The light flickered on the densely packed eyelashes pointing downward.

Either she was more delicate, or the clavicle bones leading from her neck to her hand were noticeably protruding.

The hands neatly placed on the veil were pitifully thin.

How was he taking care of her?

He should call the subordinates and inquire about it.

In the midst of Valter’s immersed thoughts, a faint voice flowed into his ears.

“I cannot become a lifelong advisor, Your Majesty.”

“That is to formally assist you in staying in the palace. You don’t need to feel burdened; it’s merely a formality.”

“But I cannot stay in the palace any longer.”

The woman stood up from the chair and faced Valter.

“I am leaving the palace now.”

Valter couldn’t comprehend the woman’s intentions.

However, it was a clear fact that she had saved him and looked after him.

“I appreciate your help so far. I will leave tonight. I won’t say my farewells separately.”

Facing the office door, the woman turned her body.

Valter, observing her precarious figure, warned her bluntly.

“The moment you leave this place, I cannot guarantee your life.”

“My death.”

Despite Valter’s warning, the woman’s voice remained unwavering.

“It was already decided since the moment you invaded us.”

As if trying to shake off Valter, she took a step forward.

Reaching the door across the office, the woman gripped the doorknob to open it.

However, she had no choice but to stop due to Valter’s words echoing from behind.

“If you leave like this, you won’t obtain what you desire.”

The woman slowly turned her body to glare at Valter.

Valter, looking into the woman’s eyes resembling the sea, smiled refreshingly.

“Don’t forget our promise, Regina.”

Between the two looking at each other, the sound of waves from that moment permeated.

Shoo-ah.

Along the path where the ship sailed on the blue sea, traces of white foam were embroidered.

The ship’s deck was lively with unexpected jokes from the victorious Phoebus sailors.

However, below the deck, like an underworld where the dead lingered, it was immersed in a quiet silence.

Delia lay there as if dead, her cheek against the wooden floor.

She didn’t want to do anything.

No, she couldn’t do anything.

She had no idea why she should live.

She couldn’t figure out what to choose or how to act.
Certainly, at that time, I thought it was the best choice.

The results brought by that choice were the worst.

If it was going to end up like this anyway, why did I foolishly exert so much effort?

I couldn’t understand what I had fought so hard for.

Anyway, the weak country was destined to perish, and everyone was destined to die.

It was just a matter of changing the order; the conclusion was already set.

Parents passed away, the elite guards who had been with me died, and Eorenti was trampled upon.

Next was me.

Breathing under the weight of an unavoidable fate was burdensome.

Closing my eyes, the only solace was the darkness that filled up when I did.

Before leaving the vibrant world, I had wished to disappear like the birds I had released.

In the fervent hope, the vigorous flapping of a hawk cutting through the sky vividly came to mind.

“If you need my help, send a bird flying.”

I didn’t send a bird for help.

Those I desperately tried to save met their predetermined fate.

The homeland I desperately tried to protect became a battlefield for powerful nations.

I was abandoned by the country, and I was alive but unable to live.

Amidst this, what meaning could there be in someone else’s help?

I simply wished for the survival of the bird.

Prayed for my own death.

Thud, thud.

Through the death-like stillness, the sound of the door opening echoed.

“Princess.”

A chillingly familiar voice was heard.

The one who destroyed me, the captain of the guard who protected me, Jerr.

But now, there was no strength left to kill him.

“I’ve brought some food.”

Jerr carefully placed a tray with food on it while surveying the motionless Delia.

“I’ve prepared it in advance. The moment the ship arrives at Frol Harbor, we will escape.”

To a place beyond the reach of the mad commander.

To a place where the empire’s influence couldn’t touch.

“So, you should eat and regain your strength.”

Despite Jerr’s plea, Delia, as if entering a deep sleep, showed no sign of waking up.

“Your Highness.”

Bang!

Suddenly, a tremendous noise resounded, and the ship shook violently from a strong impact.

The rough shouts of sailors and noisy footsteps echoed from above.

The sound of gunfire and the clash of metal hitting metal could be heard.