Proofreader: somnium

Skyla covered her mouth with her hand.

Skyla was well aware of the fact that having lived as a maid was a major complex for Marchioness Camellia.

Although it was to accomplish her purpose, Skyla could have guessed how much determination it must have taken to put it on.

You dont have to do that, Mother.

Skyla said sadly.

Mother was completely exonerated. His Majesty has bestowed an Imperial Pardon on you. All sins have been absolved, not only for Mother, but for the family and the entire Marquisate Camellia, and it will remain in effect as long as I live.

Marchioness Camellia glanced at Artizea.

Artizea stepped aside.

If she said shell stay there, none of them both would be able to force her to step aside.

But she just decided to do it.

Skyla.

Marchioness Camellia then called her daughters name in a cracked voice.

Skyla said earnestly,

You dont have to run away like this.

Skyla didnt get everything she wanted.

Artizea, who she believed would support her to become Marquis Camellia, completely refused her meeting.

The Emperor knew who the real informer was, but wanted to make Ian the Master of Marquisate Camellia.

So in order for Skyla to gain power, she had to depend on someone.

Perhaps, it was to create a new Marchioness Camellia loyal to the Emperor himself.

But Skyla got what she wanted the most.

She gained the right to decide the life and death of her mother, father, and younger brother with her own hands.

The Emperors imperial decree is not null and void even if the Master of the imperial seal changes. As long as they dont deny all of their predecessors.

So there was no need to get involved in politics any longer.

Conversely, she could be involved.

To become a subject of the Emperor was completely different from being a vassal of Marquis Luden.

It is a submission to the sole and absolute power of the Empire. Rather than being under undue pressure from relatives who see them as dirty waste water.

Her mother could only now become the real Marchioness Camellia. She still has her title as well as her fathers.

Whoo.

But the Marchioness Camellia let out a long sigh at Skylas earnest words.

Now, what is the point of that?

Why do you say it was pointless? The fight is not over!

If I go back, what will your position be?

said Marchioness Camellia.

I dont know if Ian Camellia was holding hands with you, but he wont forgive me. Isnt that obvious?

Mother.

You did a good job, Skyla. You saved the lives of all of your family and became the Emperors public servant, so you might become a favorite depending on what you do in the future.

I didnt want to be His Majestys favorite!

Is it something you made with a big decision in your heart? Dont regret it, and do whatever you want until the end.

Do you really have to do that?

Skyla said with tears in her eyes.

Even if I tell you that Father and Luca are worried?

Im sorry for your father, but, I want to go to the people who need me.

Mother.

Its time for Luca to choose his own life.

I need Mother, too.

Didnt you prove that you can do it well without me?

Marchioness Camellia rolled her eyes.

Now Marquisate Camellia belongs to you and your husband, dont let Luca challenge that authority.

Skyla knew that it was her mothers last piece of advice to her.

So tears were about to well up.

Marchioness Camellia held out her hand. Skyla ran to her and held her in her arms.

No need to regret. I am lucky. Even after immersing my hand in the political world and putting a lot of blood on my hand, can I come back to a peaceful life? Besides, my daughter defeated me to save my life.

Skyla sobbed a little.

Marchioness Camellia patted her on the back a few times.

But in the end, Artizea returned from her walk.

Skyla was forced to back off. And immediately after that, the Marchioness Camellia went into the carriage.

Artizea said with a smile.

Did you say goodbye?

Skyla looked at her with painful eyes.

How can you always have the same face, Your Grace?

Well. Maybe, its because of the practice.

.

Madam saved your mothers life as you wished. What more do you need?

Yes.

Skyla once ran her hand over her face.

However, despite all her efforts, she could not maintain a calm and radiant complexion as Artizea.

Yes. If I hadnt betrayed her, His Majesty would have created another traitor.

I want to tell you that there is no point in worrying about things that are over.

Artizea said,

Maybe, even if Madam hadnt betrayed her, she might have been betrayed by someone else, and Madam might have failed even if you were tempted to betray her. Or His Majesty may have completely buried Madams accusations.

.

Is it not foolish to believe that your own choices will always yield the best results? In the end, once you work hard, you have no choice but to accept the results.

.

Some people do nothing in order not to be in debt of their heart, and others choose to be trapped in love and endure suffering. Madam was just a woman who couldnt do that.

And she just knew it.

Skyla let out a weary sigh.

Where will my mother be, please let me know later. If were friends, we would be able to do that, right?

Artizea nodded her head.

As long as Grand Duchess Roygar and her three children were held hostage, there was very little concern that Marchioness Camellia would wreak havoc in the North.

It would be even better to weave them all as family.

Skyla turned her back. Artizea returned to the Empress carriage.

During the journey to the royal villa, the carriage will be swapped for another.

After that, it was no longer under Artizeas jurisdiction.

The sound of waves was heard.

Not wanting to be comforted by it, Garnet kept her window closed.

The maid kept opening the window, saying that people dont get depressed when they get sunlight even in the house.

The maid, who said that she is from the North, said that if she went to the North, she could not get the sun when she wants to be in the sun like she does now, and she recommended that she get a lot of sun here.

But Garnet didnt like it at all.

When it was said that the children were alive, she couldnt believe it at all.

[Uncle risked his life to save Aunt.]

Cedric said so, but Garnet couldnt even realize it.

[I can take care of your life. But only Aunt can protect the children.]

Garnet thought he was lying. He said that to save only her.

Still, she did not give up and continued her life.

Garnet first thought her husband was a coward. If he had loved her even a little, he couldnt have died that way.

And she even considered him pitiful.

Although she knew what he had been through, she never thought that he had ever suffered.

From the time he was 6 years old until he died, she always thought he was a bigger man than he was.

After he died, neither resentment nor jealousy was in vain. She beat her chest every day, leaving only the regret that she had done nothing because she had grown up too late.

She prayed that she could live again, thinking about it for the rest of her life.

If she could live one more time, this time she could have done her part as Grand Duchess Roygar.

Then, he might not have ended up like that.

She wouldnt have accepted that jewelry box. She would have thrown it into the sea herself.

She wouldnt have followed him to the South. She would have asked him to forgive her and show him actions worthy of faith.

She wouldnt have had a bad heart for Lady Ford. Shell apologize to her, and wont let anyone hurt her.

She would have persuaded her father. She wouldnt have let her sister live like that.

She could have done that because she was Roygars wife, and the Grand Duchess.

I wanted to close your eyes. I thought wed be holding hands when death came.

Nearly two months later, when she came to think of it, Garnet realized that she had accepted the death of her husband.

And the carriage arrived.

Madam.

The maid called her.

Garnet was knitting in front of the fireplace.

This is something she learned a few days ago by asking the maid. If her hand was moving, it seemed that she would not be immersed in her thoughts.

The sound of the carriage flowed in. She thought it must have come from a grocery carriage.

Madam!

The maid called again, and she opened the door wide.

A cold wind rushed in, and Garnet frowned.

And she widened her eyes as she saw the children getting off the carriage.

Mom!

The lively firstborn was the first to scream and run.

Garnet forgot to put on her slippers and ran outside with her bare feet.

Mom!

Mom!

All three children cried. Garnet hugged the first and second at once, and watched the third, who could not jump down, come down in the arms of Marchioness Camellia.

Sister.

Im Mia.

Marchioness Camellia answered quietly.

I think that name suits me better, Miss.

Her eyes were blurry, and Garnet couldnt properly look at Marchioness Camellia.

Marchioness Camellia lowered the third child. The third wept and hung around Garnets neck.

I said Id never see you again.

You dont have to remember a maids name or face.

Sister killed Father. I will not forgive Sister.

Do that. But Miss now doesnt seem to have the strength to shake me off.

I, I am no longer a Miss.

Garnet couldnt keep up with it any longer and wept. She couldnt say what she wanted to say.

Children overflowed into Garnets arms. So Garnet couldnt sit down.

She embraced the children with all her might.

It was the first time she had hugged the three children at once. So Garnet was the first to realize that her arms could be that long.

effes commentary XD:

closing this arc with this bittersweet(?) ending! who is cutting those onions!

at least the innocent children and belatedly-brave Garnet was able to live somehow.

and Cedric being the power-ML only appeared in two lines but I was awestruck by his words. he was the same man who brought an entire troop to the temple for touching his wife yet tried his best to save Garnet and the children.

the would start the next arc that signals Cedric & Tia being maybe a step closer(?) to their final goal~