"According to the captain, there currently doesn't seem to be a Princess of the rightful age in the imperial family. Just between us, it wouldn't be strange if the royal line were to die out at any time. If I remember correctly, 25 years ago, His Majesty the Emperor had no successor."
"There were so many ominous rumors even before the war. It was because His Majesty the Emperor was obsessed with a strange religion and secretly performed strange rituals that he was under a curse. I remember the adults worrying whenever they gathered that the empire would fall..."
"I don't know anything about the outside world, but the truth is, it doesn't matter what happens to the royal family. We have the Duke of Blackwell behind us."
"Anyway, after the succession ceremony in the capital, His Highness will choose one of the noble ladies and get engaged first, right? A successor is urgent. I don't know what kind of state the country is in, but since the Blackwell family holds real power comparable to the royal family, it is no exaggeration to say that the future of the Duke's family is the future of the empire."
Angie headed to the cupboard, saying she would have just one more glass of cider before heading back to the mansion. The mention of the young master's engagement kept creeping into her mind.
“Angie, I have something for you.”
The sound of a lapel rustling interrupted Angie’s recollection. A rich bass brought her back to reality, and her dazed eyes turned to the box Kyle had pulled out. The small velvet box opened, revealing a teardrop-shaped jewel in all its splendor.
“This is...?”
“The Cullinan Diamond. It’s made from a diamond of the same name as the island.”
He picked up a brooch that shone like a star and pinned it on his cape-covered chest, in the same position as the silver eagle on his coat lapel, the symbol of the dukedom.
Angie looked down at the brooch with wide eyes. It was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, but its light was as bright as moonlight. Its blue glow rivaled that of a firefly.
“It’s a jewel that has been passed down to the women of the family for generations. It’s called ‘Sacred Tears’, which means holy tears. It’s commonly called ‘Sacred’.”
“To the lady of the family?”
“It was given to me by my father, but from this moment on, it’s yours, Angie.”
“But can I accept this...”
“Who else can receive it if not you? There is no other master but you.”
“Kai...”
“I originally wanted to give you a necklace and a ring. I have another diamond called the Divined Tiara. However, it is customary not to give it to you until after the ceremony when you take the oath of the covenant and place it on your finger.”
Angie's heart raced at the mention of the ceremony. Could this be a marriage proposal? But she was not the daughter of a nobleman, and her bloodline was not as good as Leticia's, whose maternal family was a collateral branch of the ducal family. She was just Angie Ridsdel, living on her parent's farm, a commoner, and occasionally called to the mansion as a temporary maid to run errands.
“Kai. But I have nothing and nothing to show for it, so are you sure that’s okay...? You’re the Duke of Blackwell, a collateral member of the royal family, but I...”
“It’s a title that was bought with money, Angie. The Blackwell dukedom was already annihilated during the First Continental War. During the war, the Duke’s heir, Eyre, and his second son, Spare, both died in the war while following noblesse oblige. The direct and collateral lines were all killed. That’s why my grandfather, John Fitzroy, paid a huge sum of money to inherit the title in his stead.”
"Yes...?"
Angie's eyes widened. It was the first time she had heard of this story.
“My family was only a gentry class. They were the capital’s major landowners and had everything they needed, but right after the war, their business expanded into weapons, medicine, and various trades, and they achieved great success, so I guess they belatedly developed a desire for the highest class.”
“Ah... I see.”
“And you remember what I said about Eugenia Blackwell, the late Duchess? As I said before, my mother was a governess’s daughter.”
"But..."
“You’re enough for me, Angie. I don’t need anything else. And that’s what I’m asking.”
The piercing blue eyes momentarily became hazy. But Angie couldn’t look at those eyes any longer. As soon as Kyle pulled her into his arms and held her, her vision was covered by a black vest. A sweet, yet somewhat sad, low voice rippled over her crown.
“Can you accept me? As your one and only. As the one and only man in the world...”
“Of course, Kai. I love only you... and I can’t even think about any other man besides you.”
“Thank you. I’m glad.”
The haziness in his eyes turned into sorrow in an instant. Kyle closed his eyes tightly and tightened his arms around Angie.
“I love you, Angie. I love you... only you. From the moment I saw you. And forever.”
Forever- Eternity came to mind, and a darkness fell over his mind. His lips opened and closed again. He had to tell her. He had to tell her in advance so that Angie wouldn't be shocked. He had to tell her in advance so that there would be no misunderstandings.
But to tell that story, he would also have to expose all the corruption surrounding him. That was a completely different matter from courage. No matter how much Angie loved him, he still wasn't sure if she would accept him even after knowing everything.
He could do it. It didn't matter if Angie was a monster or a descendant of a monster. The moment she reached out to him, he would take that hand and never let it go. It didn't matter if it was a path to hell or a lifeline.
If only he could be with Angie, the woman in front of him. The question of life and death was nothing more than an excessive luxury. It must be because his feelings were much deeper, more urgent, and more absolute than hers.
“Don’t forget. I love you more than you love me...”
The difference between supreme love and ugly possessiveness was only a hair's breadth, and there was no way to suppress this heart that was so conflicting. Perhaps one of them would have to die for it to end.
But I want to live with you, Angie. I don't want immortality. I just want to live my life like everyone else, cherishing every moment of my life, the joys and sorrows I share with you.
I want to live each day with you, knowing that today is more precious than yesterday and that tomorrow will be happier than today. Until death separates us. No, not even death can separate us... Even after death, I will not let you go.
“Kai...?”
Angie felt something odd and pulled away from the embrace to examine his complexion. His voice was so quiet it almost died down, and his red, wet eyes were reflecting the fireflies and turning purple.
“Kai. Are you okay?”
“I was overwhelmed with emotion for a moment. That’s all. And this is...”
He looked at the brooch shining on Angie's chest. Of course, he couldn't reveal his secret now. He didn't want to see Angie's face distorted with emotion and joy on such a beautiful night.
It won't be okay if it's not right now. There's still time.
“Take this as a token of my covenant and keep it safe. I have other things to say... but that’s all for today.”
“Something else? What is that? If you tell me everything now...”
"Later."
He pulled Angie back into his arms. He could feel her heartbeat beyond their pressed chests. Kyle clenched his teeth as he held her. If only to protect this heart.
I will stop at nothing to protect and defend you, Angie. Even if it means tearing other people's flesh, breaking their bones, ripping out their entrails, and covering them in their blood from head to toe... I will protect you.
If the Sacred Tear, the sacred tears, were a sublime covenant as its name suggests, then the current pledge was no different from a life-threatening oath. He was determined to keep both the covenant and the oath for Angie.
Angie was enveloped in a heightened joy, basking in his warmth. Her heart raced as if hundreds of thousands of butterflies were fluttering their wings at once. Although there was no direct proposal or ring, she was happy enough with this. And she felt relieved. It was a family brooch that had been passed down to the late Eugenia, the master's mother.
She didn't know much about jewels, and she didn't have any desire for them. Her heart was pounding with excitement just from the meaning they held. Just that one thing, and the invitation to go to the capital together, made her anxiety disappear without a trace.
“Let’s keep our journey to the capital a secret between the two of us for the time being. When the time comes, I will give you my own instructions. Everything will be in the capital’s territory, so you don’t need to prepare anything.”
“Yes, I will do that, Kai.”
“I heard during the day, but the annex is scheduled to undergo repairs starting tomorrow. It looks like the basement is flooded by the storm and needs to be reorganized... I’ll see you in a week.”
“Yes. I will come to Generalife in a week.”
“I’ll send a letter to Zachary. Please reply. Even if it’s brief. I’ll feel uneasy if I don’t hear back.”
Angie nodded vigorously, "Yeah."
“I will. Kai, you will never have to worry... Don’t worry.”
Only then did Kyle seem relieved, kissing Angie's forehead again and cupping her flushed cheeks with his gloved hands. Even though Angie refused, saying she wasn't cold, he took off his coat and wrapped it around her like a cloak.
The two crossed the forest and headed back to the annex. The two figures, melting into one, cast ghostly shadows between the bare branches. The winter eagle circled the silent night sky several times, resting its talons on the branches. And it stared intently at the main body of the shadow for a long time.
"There were so many ominous rumors even before the war. It was because His Majesty the Emperor was obsessed with a strange religion and secretly performed strange rituals that he was under a curse. I remember the adults worrying whenever they gathered that the empire would fall..."
"I don't know anything about the outside world, but the truth is, it doesn't matter what happens to the royal family. We have the Duke of Blackwell behind us."
"Anyway, after the succession ceremony in the capital, His Highness will choose one of the noble ladies and get engaged first, right? A successor is urgent. I don't know what kind of state the country is in, but since the Blackwell family holds real power comparable to the royal family, it is no exaggeration to say that the future of the Duke's family is the future of the empire."
Angie headed to the cupboard, saying she would have just one more glass of cider before heading back to the mansion. The mention of the young master's engagement kept creeping into her mind.
“Angie, I have something for you.”
The sound of a lapel rustling interrupted Angie’s recollection. A rich bass brought her back to reality, and her dazed eyes turned to the box Kyle had pulled out. The small velvet box opened, revealing a teardrop-shaped jewel in all its splendor.
“This is...?”
“The Cullinan Diamond. It’s made from a diamond of the same name as the island.”
He picked up a brooch that shone like a star and pinned it on his cape-covered chest, in the same position as the silver eagle on his coat lapel, the symbol of the dukedom.
Angie looked down at the brooch with wide eyes. It was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, but its light was as bright as moonlight. Its blue glow rivaled that of a firefly.
“It’s a jewel that has been passed down to the women of the family for generations. It’s called ‘Sacred Tears’, which means holy tears. It’s commonly called ‘Sacred’.”
“To the lady of the family?”
“It was given to me by my father, but from this moment on, it’s yours, Angie.”
“But can I accept this...”
“Who else can receive it if not you? There is no other master but you.”
“Kai...”
“I originally wanted to give you a necklace and a ring. I have another diamond called the Divined Tiara. However, it is customary not to give it to you until after the ceremony when you take the oath of the covenant and place it on your finger.”
Angie's heart raced at the mention of the ceremony. Could this be a marriage proposal? But she was not the daughter of a nobleman, and her bloodline was not as good as Leticia's, whose maternal family was a collateral branch of the ducal family. She was just Angie Ridsdel, living on her parent's farm, a commoner, and occasionally called to the mansion as a temporary maid to run errands.
“Kai. But I have nothing and nothing to show for it, so are you sure that’s okay...? You’re the Duke of Blackwell, a collateral member of the royal family, but I...”
“It’s a title that was bought with money, Angie. The Blackwell dukedom was already annihilated during the First Continental War. During the war, the Duke’s heir, Eyre, and his second son, Spare, both died in the war while following noblesse oblige. The direct and collateral lines were all killed. That’s why my grandfather, John Fitzroy, paid a huge sum of money to inherit the title in his stead.”
"Yes...?"
Angie's eyes widened. It was the first time she had heard of this story.
“My family was only a gentry class. They were the capital’s major landowners and had everything they needed, but right after the war, their business expanded into weapons, medicine, and various trades, and they achieved great success, so I guess they belatedly developed a desire for the highest class.”
“Ah... I see.”
“And you remember what I said about Eugenia Blackwell, the late Duchess? As I said before, my mother was a governess’s daughter.”
"But..."
“You’re enough for me, Angie. I don’t need anything else. And that’s what I’m asking.”
The piercing blue eyes momentarily became hazy. But Angie couldn’t look at those eyes any longer. As soon as Kyle pulled her into his arms and held her, her vision was covered by a black vest. A sweet, yet somewhat sad, low voice rippled over her crown.
“Can you accept me? As your one and only. As the one and only man in the world...”
“Of course, Kai. I love only you... and I can’t even think about any other man besides you.”
“Thank you. I’m glad.”
The haziness in his eyes turned into sorrow in an instant. Kyle closed his eyes tightly and tightened his arms around Angie.
“I love you, Angie. I love you... only you. From the moment I saw you. And forever.”
Forever- Eternity came to mind, and a darkness fell over his mind. His lips opened and closed again. He had to tell her. He had to tell her in advance so that Angie wouldn't be shocked. He had to tell her in advance so that there would be no misunderstandings.
But to tell that story, he would also have to expose all the corruption surrounding him. That was a completely different matter from courage. No matter how much Angie loved him, he still wasn't sure if she would accept him even after knowing everything.
He could do it. It didn't matter if Angie was a monster or a descendant of a monster. The moment she reached out to him, he would take that hand and never let it go. It didn't matter if it was a path to hell or a lifeline.
If only he could be with Angie, the woman in front of him. The question of life and death was nothing more than an excessive luxury. It must be because his feelings were much deeper, more urgent, and more absolute than hers.
“Don’t forget. I love you more than you love me...”
The difference between supreme love and ugly possessiveness was only a hair's breadth, and there was no way to suppress this heart that was so conflicting. Perhaps one of them would have to die for it to end.
But I want to live with you, Angie. I don't want immortality. I just want to live my life like everyone else, cherishing every moment of my life, the joys and sorrows I share with you.
I want to live each day with you, knowing that today is more precious than yesterday and that tomorrow will be happier than today. Until death separates us. No, not even death can separate us... Even after death, I will not let you go.
“Kai...?”
Angie felt something odd and pulled away from the embrace to examine his complexion. His voice was so quiet it almost died down, and his red, wet eyes were reflecting the fireflies and turning purple.
“Kai. Are you okay?”
“I was overwhelmed with emotion for a moment. That’s all. And this is...”
He looked at the brooch shining on Angie's chest. Of course, he couldn't reveal his secret now. He didn't want to see Angie's face distorted with emotion and joy on such a beautiful night.
It won't be okay if it's not right now. There's still time.
“Take this as a token of my covenant and keep it safe. I have other things to say... but that’s all for today.”
“Something else? What is that? If you tell me everything now...”
"Later."
He pulled Angie back into his arms. He could feel her heartbeat beyond their pressed chests. Kyle clenched his teeth as he held her. If only to protect this heart.
I will stop at nothing to protect and defend you, Angie. Even if it means tearing other people's flesh, breaking their bones, ripping out their entrails, and covering them in their blood from head to toe... I will protect you.
If the Sacred Tear, the sacred tears, were a sublime covenant as its name suggests, then the current pledge was no different from a life-threatening oath. He was determined to keep both the covenant and the oath for Angie.
Angie was enveloped in a heightened joy, basking in his warmth. Her heart raced as if hundreds of thousands of butterflies were fluttering their wings at once. Although there was no direct proposal or ring, she was happy enough with this. And she felt relieved. It was a family brooch that had been passed down to the late Eugenia, the master's mother.
She didn't know much about jewels, and she didn't have any desire for them. Her heart was pounding with excitement just from the meaning they held. Just that one thing, and the invitation to go to the capital together, made her anxiety disappear without a trace.
“Let’s keep our journey to the capital a secret between the two of us for the time being. When the time comes, I will give you my own instructions. Everything will be in the capital’s territory, so you don’t need to prepare anything.”
“Yes, I will do that, Kai.”
“I heard during the day, but the annex is scheduled to undergo repairs starting tomorrow. It looks like the basement is flooded by the storm and needs to be reorganized... I’ll see you in a week.”
“Yes. I will come to Generalife in a week.”
“I’ll send a letter to Zachary. Please reply. Even if it’s brief. I’ll feel uneasy if I don’t hear back.”
Angie nodded vigorously, "Yeah."
“I will. Kai, you will never have to worry... Don’t worry.”
Only then did Kyle seem relieved, kissing Angie's forehead again and cupping her flushed cheeks with his gloved hands. Even though Angie refused, saying she wasn't cold, he took off his coat and wrapped it around her like a cloak.
The two crossed the forest and headed back to the annex. The two figures, melting into one, cast ghostly shadows between the bare branches. The winter eagle circled the silent night sky several times, resting its talons on the branches. And it stared intently at the main body of the shadow for a long time.
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