Not just surprised. I was on the verge of fainting. If the collapsed assassins hadn’t snored loudly in their sleep, I might have fainted.

“I was also quite surprised yesterday, but I’m fine now. Hersia, your boyfriend must have been very surprised.”

“Yes, Aaron was really shocked. That’s why His Majesty sent me a few guards to accompany me starting today. He promised to protect me until all the remnants of the deposed king are completely eradicated.”

Even providing a guard, just like in the original.
“And I wanted to express my gratitude to the duke in person, but I suppose you must be very busy, Your Grace?”

“Not too busy, but I’m currently putting the child to sleep, so I can’t leave my seat.”

It was a casual remark since Sikar was putting the child to sleep, but Hersia’s eyes widened once and returned to their usual state.

“So, Your Grace is personally putting the child to sleep.”

She didn’t shout ‘Oh my,’ but Hersia’s expression seemed to silently echo those words.

‘The original Hersia was this bright and cheerful.’

I felt fortunate to have saved her.

“Hersia, it’s getting late today, so could you visit again next time?”

Holding a teacup in her hand, Hersia, who was about to raise it, was startled and almost dropped the cup but managed to catch it again.

“Really, can I come again next time?”

It was sincere. I would be curious about Hersia’s well-being and how she would get along with Aaron in the future.

“Yes. Come by again. Let’s have another cup of tea next time.”

Hersia covered her gaping mouth with her hand as if suppressing her overflowing admiration, then brought her hand down again with an unbelieving expression.

“I-I heard that the Duchess doesn’t meet with people, so, can I really come again?”

“Yes. Come again. Let’s have another cup of tea next time.”

“Oh my. I’m really, really grateful for the honor of meeting the Duchess again!”

Hersia continued to wave and greet even as she left, so I had to shake my hand until she completely disappeared from view, but still, her bright smiling figure was pleasant to see.

Now, could her love become a ‘lived happily ever after’ happy ending?

In the original, Hersia, who fell victim to death at the hands of the militia led by the man she loved, saw the face of the old man she missed in the face of death.

Andrea, who had been guarding the duke’s residence until the end, urgently called Hersia, who was sitting straight with dignity.

“Madam! Aaron Habicher-led militia has reached the front of the duke’s residence! You need to avoid it!”

“Andrea. Before you go, will you accept the last glass I offer?”

Even the usually calm Andrea received the glass she handed over without thinking, drinking it to avoid the militia coming right up to her nose.

And she regretted not realizing Hersia’s intention to offer her a drink of the grape wine, which she usually didn’t drink.

That grape wine was a sedative.

‘Thank you for everything. Andrea.’

After putting Andrea on the carriage that she had to ride, Hersia returned to the duke’s residence. If someone had to stay at the duke’s residence until the end, it had to be Hersia. It had to be her.
“The downfall of Blake, from the moment she arrived at this duke’s residence, was a weight she rightfully had to bear and a destiny she had to accept.

If the punishment bestowed upon her, guided by the concept of fate, and the consequences for the wrong choices were sweet, she had to accept them.

Not long after, the militia that had infiltrated the duke’s residence found Hersia sitting alone, composed.

“We found Blake, Duchess Hersia! She’s here! Execute her immediately!”

Kian Lecardor never ordered the killing of a woman, but the mad militia’s blades, filled with insanity, ruthlessly slaughtered every remnant of Gillian’s forces.

The moment the militia’s blade grazed past Hersia, the pain’s torment was fleeting.

Hersia sighed softly, now in the tranquility of having washed away her sins.

‘It’s over now.’

Hot tears streamed down Hersia’s cheeks. She sank low, as if crumbling.

“Blake Duchess Hersia has been executed! In the name of the militia, Blake has been executed!”

Aaron, who had rushed in belatedly, couldn’t believe it. He had sent a carriage to help Hersia escape.

Since he received the report that the carriage carrying Hersia had safely left the duke’s residence, he thought she had already left.

Even when he heard the militia had executed Hersia, he thought they must have mistaken someone else for her.

He couldn’t believe it when he came to her and saw the woman who had collapsed before him, once again and once again, the one and only woman he had longed for even in dreams, Hersia.

“Hersia!”

Aaron called out her name, rushing to her side and kneeling beside her.

“No! Hersia!”

It was the name he wanted to call out freely at least once in his lifetime. He didn’t expect to call it out like this, in the face of her death. No, it couldn’t be like this!

Gillian had promised. After the coup was over, he would help her live the rest of her life comfortably.

He had planned to rescue Hersia safely and live a peaceful life with her in a quiet countryside after all this chaos.

But, but.

To part with her like this, so disappointingly! They had just met! To meet her at the moment of her death!

A love more precious than life. He wanted to protect that love and now he had to face its end through death.

He couldn’t believe it.

“Everyone, leave.”

The militia, sensing sorrow in Aaron’s grieving voice, withdrew.

Hersia reached out toward Aaron, who held her in his arms. Aaron took her hand and gently touched her cheek, allowing her to feel his face.

“Aaron…….”

“Hersia……. My love.”
“Aaron, don’t cry…….”

“Sob…… Hersia…….”

“I don’t find this death unjust… I am thankful for being able to meet you, whom I longed for all my life… I am grateful for this death…….”

Aaron wiped Hersia’s head, stealing the tears that fell.

“Hersia. Sob…… I’m sorry for coming late……. I love you, Hersia. Since the day I was born, I’ve never not loved you even once. Hersia…….”

Hersia summoned the remaining strength and wiped Aaron’s tears, which were endlessly streaming, with trembling hands.

“I, too, have never pretended not to love you even once. Aaron…….”

“Ugh. Hersia!”

Hersia finally felt her heart calming. She felt her entire body losing strength, closed her eyes.

“Hersia!!!”

Aaron called Hersia multiple times, shouting her name, but she, with closed eyes, didn’t respond.

He promised her that he would never let her live a lonely life, but in the face of power, he couldn’t protect her.

He had struggled all this time only to see this day and find her again.

However, now that she was gone, Aaron had nothing left.

The only thing he could choose was to follow her.

“Still, I’m fortunate to have one thing left to choose. Hersia.”

With a sad smile, Aaron aimed the sword at himself to follow Hersia.

‘If we meet again, I will never leave you alone, Hersia.’

Resting his face next to Hersia’s, Aaron, glad to be able to be with her even in death, closed his eyes.

Reflecting on the contents of the novel, I quietly prayed.

May Aaron’s dreams come true, and in this life, may the two of them build a peaceful home and live happily.