MLIIWTFL Chapter 245

245

It would have been nice if this kind of information had been included in the original story. But in the original, it was vaguely described that Matthias went astray after reading his biological mother's diary, nothing more than that.

Usually, hearing this much would jog some memory about the original story, but nothing came to mind. It seemed the author either never intended to go into detail about the late Empress Emilia's circumstances, or perhaps Letticia had only read up to the part before this was ever addressed.

"If Her Majesty felt nothing toward Camilla in that situation, then she would have been a saint among saints. The nobility shunned her even when she wished to mingle with them, the pressure from the imperial family never relented, and even her own ladies-in-waiting were not on her side. Not even her husband supported her, so she became weaker and weaker. That's why I advised her to at least write in a diary."

"Duchess, I'm asking this because I'm worried His Highness might harbor ill feelings toward our family. Did the late Empress dislike my mother?"

When Letticia asked as calmly as she could, the Duchess bit her lip once before answering.

"…She never said it aloud. But in her diary, she wrote it several times. Why is Camilla recognized by everyone? Why was Camilla allowed to marry the one she loved? Why did Camilla have to make her debut in the same season as me… She tormented herself with questions that had no answers."

At that reply, Letticia closed her eyes and tilted her head back toward the sky.

Given what the Duchess said, it must have been difficult for the late Empress not to resent Camilla in that situation. But if it was going to turn out like this, she almost wanted to say—why didn't you just burn the diary before you died?

"If what you're saying is true, then His Highness must already know everything about his mother's circumstances. In that case, it's not just that he dislikes high society, he must truly loathe it. Perhaps he even harbors resentment toward His Majesty the Emperor."

The Duchess muttered with a voice full of self-reproach.

"It's my fault for giving His Highness the notebook without properly reading its contents, simply because I couldn't bring myself to look through Her Majesty's belongings carelessly. What should I do about this…?"

"Duchess, was there anything bright or hopeful in the late Empress's diary? Perhaps a wish or a desire, or a message meant for His Highness the Crown Prince?"

In many novels, a character who becomes consumed by vengeance because of their parents' tragic fate later finds a diary or letter left behind by the deceased that says something like, 'Do not pursue revenge. Live a happy life.' Then they break down in tears and regret their choices.

If something like that existed and Matthias received it early on, maybe he would empathize with his mother and soften, even just a little.

'It's just wishful thinking, but at this point, it's worth trying.'

With that desperate thought, Letticia asked, and the Duchess paused before answering.

"I'm not sure. Her Majesty wrote quite often, and it's about a year's worth of entries…"

"Then please check. And if possible, deliver it to His Highness the Crown Prince."

When Letticia pressed her request firmly, the Duchess understood her intent and nodded.

"You're right. We can't let His Highness judge his mother's entire life based only on the diary filled with her darkest emotions right before her passing. I shall go through it carefully."

"I'll also do my best not to forget what you've told me about the late Empress, and to judge her objectively. And if I can, I'll share it with trusted friends as well."

"…Thank you, Letticia."

The Duchess nodded with a complicated expression, one that mixed both guilt and gratitude, at Letticia's bright smile.

***

As soon as Letticia returned from the Dinever Ducal Estate, she immediately asked the butler.

"Where are Father and Mother?"

"The master has not yet returned from work, and the madam was invited to a dinner at the Astley Count's residence."

"Then when will they both be back?"

She wanted to discuss the matter with them as soon as possible, so she asked hastily. The butler, startled by her urgency, nevertheless replied calmly.

"The madam will probably return late at night, and the master should be back by evening. Also, young lady, a guest has come to see you and is waiting."

"A guest? Who? Dayna?"

Among Letticia's friends, the only one close enough to visit unannounced was Dayna.

But the name that came out of the butler's mouth was, in a sense, even more welcome.

"Sir Bright has come. When I told him you hadn't returned yet, he said he would wait, so he is currently chatting with Young Lord Kenneth."

"Ez is here?"

At those words, the fatigue and irritation on Letticia's face immediately brightened.

Upon being told that the two were in the music room Kenneth usually used, Letticia quickly called for a maid.

"Fix my makeup and brush my hair again. Quickly!"

She couldn't possibly show her lover a disheveled face after coming back from an outing. Seeing her determination, the servants watching her all smiled.

It was heartwarming to see the young lady they had known since childhood now grown up, wanting to look her best for her sweetheart.

Thanks to the quick hands of the maid, Letticia was soon refreshed and confidently knocked on the music room door before stepping inside.

Ezkhiel, who had been sitting across from Kenneth on the sofa, immediately stood up to greet her.

"Letty, you're back?"

"Ez! You should have told me you were coming. Wasn't it boring waiting for me?"

"Not at all. Young Lord Kenneth has been a great conversational partner."

Kenneth, noticing the now-familiar sight of the two greeting each other with a hug, spoke to Letticia with a slightly curious look.

"Letty, did you have a nice tea with the Duchess of Dinever?"

"Yeah. Ah, Brother Ken, there's actually something I want to talk to you about later. When Father and Mother return, can you join us too?"

"I don't mind, but you mean not just Aunt, but Uncle as well?"

"Yes. It's a rather important matter."

Hearing the emphasis on the word important, Kenneth nodded and didn't ask further.

After delivering only what was necessary, Letticia looped her arm through Ezkhiel's and left the music room.

"Ez, what brings you here today? You came straight from work, didn't you?"

"Yes. I happened to get off early today, and… there's something I wanted to tell you."

"Something to tell me?"

Once they entered Letticia's own music room on the same floor and took their seats, the maid closed the door and stepped out. After making sure the door was completely shut, Ezkhiel spoke carefully.

"Sir Averil birthday banquet is coming up soon. Did you know?"

"Ah, now that you mention it, it is about that time. My brother attended in past years."

Starting this year, Letticia would likely attend as Lenard's partner. And since Ariette was from the hosting family, she would also be there, even if she hadn't made her debut yet.

"As the heir of a grand noble family, His Highness the Crown Prince has attended every year. But this year… it's a little different."

"Different? How so?"

Letticia wasn't exactly eager to talk about Matthias, especially with the headache caused by that diary issue, but since Ezkhiel had gone out of his way to come tell her, she couldn't brush it aside.

Ezkhiel rolled his eyes a few times, sighed deeply, and said.

"…He called in the imperial designer to tailor a new outfit. And he personally chose the gift."

"That's more than just showing a little courtesy for a grand noble's heir's birthday, isn't it?"

"Normally, even during the social season, it's rare for him to summon a designer. Usually, the designers apply for their schedule when the season starts, and everything proceeds routinely. The gift is usually chosen by the chief attendant, too."

It seemed clear now, he had started showing personal favor to Ariette's brothers as part of his effort to grow closer to her.

As if the diary wasn't headache enough, now the ducal family had joined forces to throw more complications into the mix, honestly, she felt like cursing that man herself.

"And then he even asked me whether Lady Averil would attend the banquet. Honestly, Letty, I think you were right, His Highness does seem to have feelings for her."

"Hahaha…"

Letticia could only let out a hollow laugh. The late Empress's diary, his growing interest in Ariette, piece by piece, all the things that were once only speculation are turning out to be true. At this rate, it's as if fate itself is giving her a mission, to fight Matthias head-on.

"Letty? What's wrong?"

"…Ez, do you think all of His Highness's emotional wounds could truly be healed… by loving Lady Averil?"

"Letty?"

Ezkhiel, unable to understand her sudden question, looked puzzled, but Letticia asked again, her voice sounding half-dazed.

"People say love can heal a person, right? Do you think that's possible for him?"

In the original story, it had seemed that Matthias overcame his past pain through his love for Ariette. After his initial stubborn denial, by around chapter fifty, he had finally admitted that he loved her.

But now, in reality… could Matthias truly be capable of that?

A boy who grew up hating the world because he empathized too deeply with his mother's suffering… and a girl who had only just begun to walk her own path after being raised under the strict control of her family, could the two of them really heal each other?

Hearing his lover's question, Ezkhiel closed his mouth for a moment, unsure if he should speak carelessly. Then, meeting Letticia's eyes, he answered calmly.

"I don't know what kind of wounds you think His Highness carries, Letty. But if the medicine he truly needs is not the love between lovers… then that alone won't be enough to heal him."