How long has it been?

A black shadow appeared above Bushke’s head.

“Bushke Hershko.”

She looked up and the man’s face was revealed in the backlight. The man threw a heavy pouch from his pocket onto the floor.

“It’s from her highness.”

“Is she telling me to kill myself?”

“What’s inside are coins. You’ll be able to fill your mouth with that.”

Bushke looked at the coin pocket and half sobbed and half laughed.

“Why, why!”

“…….”

“Why did you keep me alive? A traitor who sold the Arpad. It wouldn’t be enough to cut off my limbs and stick them in the pole. Why the hell!”

Then the man sat down and looked down at the howling Bushke for a while.

“The king handed me this coin pocket and asked me to tell you something.”

“…….”

“She said ‘I’ll never make a person like you again. So, leave. Bushke Hershko. Live forever grateful and atone for your sins’.”

He left the word and immediately turned around and disappeared. Bushke stared blankly at the man’s back. Now all she has left is a pocket full of coins and the sun shining over her head. It was only after a very long time that Bushke rose from her seat, groaning.

Then she walked forward.

*

Sebastian is dead.

Agnes watched her execution without blinking. He was only barefoot on the scaffold, and his death was shabby and unseemly. People gathered like clouds and threw rotten eggs or stones at him.

– Go to hell!

– Let go of me! Argh! I, uh… Niruse, uh…

His pronunciation was unclear because part of his tongue was cut off.

– Sinner. Listen, Sebastian Erdosi. Your sins are immeasurable. The crime is as follows. First, the crime of neglecting people in distress without fulfilling your duties as a king. Second, starting a meaningless war…….

A total of seventeen sins were listed.

Then Sebastian burst into laughter when asked if he admits to his sins.

– I should have killed you! Ugh!

Agnes stared at him from the high platform. The executioner made him kneel before the gallows. She nodded her finger at Sebastian. Sitting next to him, Laslo clasped Agnes’ hand tightly.

It all ended with a clatter. People cheered and the gallows were stained with blood.

– Long live the king!

– Hooray!

Agnes then breathed all at once. Ilona, who was a little farther away, shed tears. But the corners of her mouth were pointing toward the sky. It’s all over at last. Agnes turned and faced Laslo. Laslo smiled brightly at her. Agnes could only laugh at that.

About a month later, Agnes was crowned the 23rd king of Nirseg. Even after the coronation ceremony, Agnes’ daily life has not changed much.

Perhaps because she had already stayed at the palace for two months and taken charge of the king’s duties, all she could feel was that she had officially become the king of Nirseg.

“Your Highness, are you listening to me?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I’m heading down to Levron with Sofia. Your Highness please grant us your permission.”

“You can’t.”

Agnes shook her head more resolutely than ever. Chavolti’s mouth trembled slightly.

“Why not? Is there something in that tiny estate?”

“Levron is too far from the capital. I reject it.”

“Why? Are you suspicious that I’m going to do something nonsense?”

Chavolti’s face hardened. Agnes held her chin and said indifferently.

“It would be difficult for you to enter the palace often if it’s far from the capital?”

“What? Why do I need to enter the palace often? I don’t even have a proper position.”

“Oh, are you going to step down as the Marquis of Bezel?”

“What are you saying…! Well, that’s not what I meant.”

Chavolti clenched his fist and forced the corners of his mouth to maintain a smiling face.

“If Marquis Songrad lives on his estate and Marquis Wiesel leaves the capital and moves to Levron, what do I do?”

“Why should I care about that? I’m a person whose day is full just taking care of Sophia.”

“So, if you come to Levron, who’s willing to stand by me?”

“Why are you saying that to me when you have a husband with normal limbs….”

Chavolti blurred the back of his words. The news he heard a while ago came to mind. Only then did he realize why Agnes was so grumpy.

“When will the Grand Duke leave?”

“……Three days later.”

“What? That early?”

Agnes shut her mouth tight. Chavolti jumped this time.

“It’s been less than 10 days since the throne ceremony. Where is he heading? It’s still chaotic in and out of the country!”

“…….”

“This can’t be. I’ll see the duke. No. Let’s go.”

“Well, I wouldn’t have said this in the first place if the Marquis could break his stubbornness.”

“That stubborn man.”

Chavolti clicked his tongue. He also heard the story of Laslo’s stubbornness.

“Does he have to go to the sky right now?”

“The Archmage says the door opens only then.”

That’s why her shoulders have been drooping and she keeps looking out the window. Chavolti tried to give his sister some plausible consolation, but quit because he had goose bumps on his forearm.

“When is he coming back?”

“I don’t know. It’s at least a month. He’ll come after that.”

“Well, alright then.”

“What did you just say?”

“Please keep your ears open. Your Highness, I’m not going to Levron.”

“Really?”

Chavolti mumbled, sticking his lips out. Agnes’ complexion brightened sharply.

“Then shall we call Sofia tomorrow for lunch?”

“Whatever.”

He said, avoiding her gaze for no reason.

“I’ll prepare the marquis’ favorite duck.”

“Who said that? I like pigs.”

“You like ducks. Don’t you remember when you secretly brought a duck and got scolded by your nanny when you slept together?”

“Oh, I liked it because it was cute!”

Agnes laughed out loud after a long time. Marquis Songrad, Zoltan, Lisa, Erica, and Emmerich left the palace immediately after the coronation. Even though she was born and raised in the palace, she sometimes felt lonely in this quiet place.

Chavolti returned and Agnes focused on the documents to shake off her complicated mind. As a result, it was dark and she didn’t know that it was well past evening time.

“……I now know why the courtiers came to me. Do you know what time it is?”

A familiar man’s voice was heard at the bedside. Agnes was so upset that she didn’t even raise her head.

“I have a lot of work to do, so go away Grand Duke.”

“I can’t do that, Your Highness.”

Laslo easily took the papers Agnes was looking at.

“What are you doing?”

“Your Highness, you should eat at the appointed time. You, come here and move these.”

As soon as Laslo’s words were over, the servants flocked. Agnes was compelled to rise from her seat and step into the bedroom.

“Why are you here? You seem to be busy putting your heads together with the wizards.”

“How can I think properly when I have to leave you behind? I can’t sleep properly because of my heartbreak.”

The effect of being educated by Baron William Rene was evident.

Before leaving, Zoltan was surprised, saying, “Who oiled my brother’s tongue?”

When the king and the grand duke entered the bedroom, the servant approached to pick up their clothes.

“No, I’ll do it, get out of here.”

“Yes.”

All the servants left the room and disappeared. Only two of them were left in the room. Laslo strode up and stood behind her. And very skillfully unbuttoned her clothes.

“Did the Marquis of Bezel come and visit today?”

“Hmm.”

“He mentioned Levron to me.”

“Levron is too far away.”

Agnes looked in the mirror and said, Laslo was bowing his head and loosening dozens of buttons one by one.

Soon a layer of clothing fell off her body. Of course, several layers of skirts tightened Agnes’ waist again. Laslo was not flustered, but fiddled with the ribbon knots one after another.

“Are you ready to go?”

“I’m almost done.”

The second skirt fell to the floor. She felt a bit lighter. Agnes said, looking at Laslo in the mirror.

“I won’t allow you to get hurt even a hair.”

The Grand Duke laughed silently at the king’s bluff. He untied the pearl decorations that were tightly wrapped around Agnes’ head and placed them on the table.

“Take note of what I’m saying. If you come back with even a drop of blood…”

“Then what happens?”

“Well, that ahm, Regret, no. Hmm…….”

Agnes groaned faintly because she couldn’t find the right word to follow. Laslo could not resist and kissed Agnes on the lips as she turned her face to him. Agnes pushed him off his shoulder.

“Answer me first. Grand Duke.”

“Of course, my king. Every hair of mine, every drop of blood, belongs to you.”

Laslo pulled Agnes tightly around her waist. Agnes leaned her head against his chest pretending not to win. The beating of his heart touched her ears.

“Oh, I wish there was a word other than ‘I love you’.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t express my heart with that word.”

The two moved to bed.

“I’ll be back safely. I promise, Agnes.”

“Of course, you should. You are the Grand Duke of this country. You have to know that just letting you go there is a huge decision.”

“Yes, yes. I am always grateful for your kindness.”

Laslo hugged Agnes on the shoulder and held her hand tightly.

“Sometimes I think like that.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I think there’s a really good God in this world that sent you to me.”

“…….”

“Because meeting you completely changed my life.”

Agnes made eye contact with him. Laslo’s dark green eyes reflected her face. Countless emotions passed by. Agnes bit her lips, not knowing what to say.

“I thought the same thing.”

“Really?”

“Because you were too much for me, I thought some God had pity on me and sent you to me.”

She really thought so.

When Laslo willingly sacrificed his life for her, Agnes belatedly realized how precious he was. She was overwhelmed. Agnes clearly understood what Laslo said earlier.

Why is there only the word “I love you” to express this feeling?

“I love you, Agnes.”

He said as if he had read her mind. Agnes couldn’t resist her bursting heart and hugged Laslo tightly. She whispered in his ear. Laslo laughed loudly at the words and kissed his wife.

[T/N: End of the Main Story. Side stories coming soon.]