‘From today on, I intend to oppose His Majesty the Empress and Marquis Medus.’
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‘If things keep going on like this, Trudy will be in danger. I want to protect the child even if I have to oppose them.’
‘If Maximo becomes Emperor, it will be difficult for you two to survive as well. So, can you follow my will?’
Louis recalled the day when Renato declared he would stand up against Marquis Medus and the Empress to protect Trudy, him, and his sister shortly after Ludmilla’s funeral. From then on, Renato made various plans and took action more actively than ever before.
One of those plans was to marry Khalid, the Khan Kingdom’s grand prince. Louis still felt dizzy as he recalled the first time he heard those words. Getting into a contractual marriage to protect Trudy was something he unconditionally opposed, regardless of whether the grand prince would accept or not. However, Renato’s determination was firm.
‘This is not just for Trudy, Louis. It’s for you, me, and Luna…… For all of us.’
Renato firmly believed that everyone would be unhappy if this went on. Louis couldn’t understand that. Of course, he knew that people on Marquis Medus’ side were cruel to Renato. Because Louis was angry at their behavior every time.
But it would be difficult for everyone to survive if Maximo became Emperor? It might be possible for Trudy, but why would Renato, him, and his sister be involved too?
Louis wondered why Renato thought so but didn’t express it outwardly. He just struggled to pass it on, thinking Renato must have felt something threatening from Blanche or Maximo.
There was one more thing Louis couldn’t understand. It was Renato’s strong trust in Khalid, the Khan Kingdom’s grand prince.
‘There is only that person. The person who will help us.’
The question of how he could be so sure of that crept up his throat, but he didn’t ask either. As an attendant to the bone, Louis was ready to follow whatever Renato wanted.
However, it was inevitable that he kept feeling worried. To Louis, Renato was like his real younger brother. Twenty years after entering the palace following his mother who became the Prince’s nanny, Louis watched and cared for Renato from the time he was a baby crawling around. Naturally, he had no choice but to be attached to Renato.
As he knew better than anyone how Renato had lived, Louis was not pleased with his and Khalid’s marriage. But he had neither cause nor power to oppose.
Fortunately, Khalid was a reliable person, contrary to Louis’ fear. He didn’t try to use Renato or treat him badly like Marquis Medus or Maximo. Rather, he sincerely worried about and kindly cared for Renato. Louis was a bit relieved at that.
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Another strange thing was that Renato was quite friendly toward Khalid although it must have been their first meeting. He had a strange trust in Khalid from the beginning, but his attitude towards the man was even more bizarre. It felt as if he had known the man for a long time.
Renato seemed to be careful not to show it in his own way, but he could not deceive the eyes of Louis, who could be said to have raised him. It was clear that Renato had a unique fondness for Khalid.
So Louis was somewhat confused. No matter how much he thought about it, Renato had no reason to have favorable feelings toward Khalid like that.
Anyhow, starting with his contract with Khalid, Renato carried out his plans step by step, including recruiting Baikal and Arche sisters and controlling public opinion to attack Maximo.
Louis was honestly very surprised to see Renato like that. Renato was no longer the fragile Prince-nim he knew. He seemed like someone achieving enlightenment.
Of course, Renato was still easily frightened, timid and lacked confidence in himself. But he thought and took action more diligently than anyone else, and handled issues with strong determination.
Despite not knowing much about politics, Louis also had a keen eye as he had lived as an attendant of the Imperial Palace for a long time. To him, Renato was fairly talented in politics.
Above all, Louis was sometimes seized with an urge to cry when Renato desperately confronted with all his might. The incomprehensible sense of urgency from Renato sometimes involuntarily made him choke up.
Louis felt it most strongly when Maximo heard about Renato’s engagement, came and started a riot.
On the day Renato, who was always intimidated by Maximo, raised his voice to protect Louis, his wish that the precious Prince-nim would achieve what he wanted and be happy became more earnest than ever.
“Hiiing…… hyung-nim.”
Overcome by melancholy thoughts, Louis came to his senses as he heard Trudy’s voice whining to Renato and blinked. Trudy, who was looking out of the carriage with an excited face just earlier, was now sullen and clung to Renato.
“What’s wrong?”
Renato, bewildered by Trudy’s sudden change of emotions, asked while hugging the child. Trudy snuggled into Renato’s arms like a caterpillar, buried his face in his chest, and murmured gloomily.
“I won’t be able to be with hyung-nim like now when we return to the Imperial Palace, right?”
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“Ah.”
“It was nice to be with hyung-nim all the time……”
Trudy’s voice gradually turned teary. The days spent in the Khan Kingdom were like a dream for Trudy. Unlike the Empire, he didn’t need to pay attention to others when he was with Renato in the kingdom. When he dined with Renato, held his hand, and walked in the garden, no one said anything.
There were Marquis Medus’ people in the delegation, but they didn’t have to worry about their eyes. Renato and Trudy spent time together under the pretext that they should show a friendly relationship to the kingdom’s people. As it was a good reason, no one found it suspicious.
But this was not possible in the Empire. Trudy knew the fact that Renato was on his side was something no one else should find out, especially the Empress. For that reason, when they got off the carriage, the two had to pretend they weren’t close.
In short, he didn’t know when he could meet Renato again after today. Even if they were lucky enough to meet, they couldn’t hug or warmly greet each other like now.
“When can we meet after parting today?”
“Well……”
Renato seemed perplexed at Trudy’s question. He stroked the child’s head, not knowing how to respond.
“We will meet each other often when we prepare for the wedding ceremony. Because you will be my flower boy.”
“……Really?”
“Of course.”
“What if His Majesty the Empress opposes it?”
“He won’t be doing that. His Majesty the Emperor will also help.”
Renato covered Trudy’s cheeks with his hands, telling him not to worry. Then he made Trudy look at him.
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“Hyung-nim?”
When their gazes met, Trudy called him in a tearful voice. Renato quietly moved his hand, wiping the tears from the child’s big eyes. His heart ached when the tears reached his fingertips.
“Don’t worry too much. Everything will be alright.”
Renato patted the soft cheeks and comforted him. The crystal-clear green eyes were full of affection and trust toward him. When he met those eyes, the pit of his stomach trembled.
In his previous life, Trudy had probably looked at him with the same eyes as now. But then, overwhelmed by fear and guilt, he turned away from the child.
‘Do you hate me now, hyung-nim? But I still like you…… Hic. Please, I beg of you, please don’t hate me. Please?’
Suddenly, the image of Trudy coming to him and begging him in the past came to his mind. If he had hugged the child then, if he had been a bit more courageous, would things have changed?
“Trudy……”
Feeling his eyes heat up, Renato hugged the small body in his arms. He of his previous life was much more helpless and incompetent than now. So he probably wouldn’t have done as well as now if he had stepped up to help Trudy.
But at least Trudy wouldn’t have been lonely. He wouldn’t have thought that he was abandoned, either.
Renato’s darkened lavender-colored eyes were wet with tears. A pang of unbearable guilt struck him as he thought of the child who must have died lonely in his previous life. Considering the wounds that Trudy must have suffered in the lost time, he did not deserve to be loved by the child or hold the child in his arms like this.
“Sorry.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m so sorry, Trudy.”
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“Why are you sorry, hyung-nim?”
“Because I’m too weak, I……”
I couldn’t protect you, I hurt you and inflicted pain on you. The unspeakable apology lingered in his mouth. Renato held back the apology he couldn’t deliver, his arms hugging the child gaining strength.
Protecting Trudy and making him happy.
That was the greatest atonement Renato could make for Ludmilla and Trudy in his previous life. He barely opened his mouth, suppressing his overwhelming grief.
“It will be hard, but put up with it. Alright?”
“……Yes.”
“Good. My little brother.”
Renato smiled affectionately, raised his head, and kissed Trudy’s forehead. Trudy closed his eyes, feeling the kiss feathering on him. It somehow reminded him of his mother who had passed away.
‘My child. If, this is just a what-if…… If I ever die, rely on Renato.’
‘Why are you suddenly saying that…… Hic, mother, you can’t. Please don’t leave me behind.’
‘Don’t cry, there, I just said it’s a what-if.’
‘I hate it even if it’s just a what-if! Please don’t say things like that, okay?’
‘Haha, seriously…… I really can’t say anything.’
Ludmilla, who had long suffered from a disease of unknown cause, became weaker day by day. Feeling her death was approaching at some point, Ludmilla often talked about Renato to Trudy as if making preparations for after her death.
‘From today on, I intend to oppose His Majesty the Empress and Marquis Medus.’
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‘If things keep going on like this, Trudy will be in danger. I want to protect the child even if I have to oppose them.’
‘If Maximo becomes Emperor, it will be difficult for you two to survive as well. So, can you follow my will?’
Louis recalled the day when Renato declared he would stand up against Marquis Medus and the Empress to protect Trudy, him, and his sister shortly after Ludmilla’s funeral. From then on, Renato made various plans and took action more actively than ever before.
One of those plans was to marry Khalid, the Khan Kingdom’s grand prince. Louis still felt dizzy as he recalled the first time he heard those words. Getting into a contractual marriage to protect Trudy was something he unconditionally opposed, regardless of whether the grand prince would accept or not. However, Renato’s determination was firm.
‘This is not just for Trudy, Louis. It’s for you, me, and Luna…… For all of us.’
Renato firmly believed that everyone would be unhappy if this went on. Louis couldn’t understand that. Of course, he knew that people on Marquis Medus’ side were cruel to Renato. Because Louis was angry at their behavior every time.
But it would be difficult for everyone to survive if Maximo became Emperor? It might be possible for Trudy, but why would Renato, him, and his sister be involved too?
Louis wondered why Renato thought so but didn’t express it outwardly. He just struggled to pass it on, thinking Renato must have felt something threatening from Blanche or Maximo.
There was one more thing Louis couldn’t understand. It was Renato’s strong trust in Khalid, the Khan Kingdom’s grand prince.
‘There is only that person. The person who will help us.’
The question of how he could be so sure of that crept up his throat, but he didn’t ask either. As an attendant to the bone, Louis was ready to follow whatever Renato wanted.
However, it was inevitable that he kept feeling worried. To Louis, Renato was like his real younger brother. Twenty years after entering the palace following his mother who became the Prince’s nanny, Louis watched and cared for Renato from the time he was a baby crawling around. Naturally, he had no choice but to be attached to Renato.
As he knew better than anyone how Renato had lived, Louis was not pleased with his and Khalid’s marriage. But he had neither cause nor power to oppose.
Fortunately, Khalid was a reliable person, contrary to Louis’ fear. He didn’t try to use Renato or treat him badly like Marquis Medus or Maximo. Rather, he sincerely worried about and kindly cared for Renato. Louis was a bit relieved at that.
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Another strange thing was that Renato was quite friendly toward Khalid although it must have been their first meeting. He had a strange trust in Khalid from the beginning, but his attitude towards the man was even more bizarre. It felt as if he had known the man for a long time.
Renato seemed to be careful not to show it in his own way, but he could not deceive the eyes of Louis, who could be said to have raised him. It was clear that Renato had a unique fondness for Khalid.
So Louis was somewhat confused. No matter how much he thought about it, Renato had no reason to have favorable feelings toward Khalid like that.
Anyhow, starting with his contract with Khalid, Renato carried out his plans step by step, including recruiting Baikal and Arche sisters and controlling public opinion to attack Maximo.
Louis was honestly very surprised to see Renato like that. Renato was no longer the fragile Prince-nim he knew. He seemed like someone achieving enlightenment.
Of course, Renato was still easily frightened, timid and lacked confidence in himself. But he thought and took action more diligently than anyone else, and handled issues with strong determination.
Despite not knowing much about politics, Louis also had a keen eye as he had lived as an attendant of the Imperial Palace for a long time. To him, Renato was fairly talented in politics.
Above all, Louis was sometimes seized with an urge to cry when Renato desperately confronted with all his might. The incomprehensible sense of urgency from Renato sometimes involuntarily made him choke up.
Louis felt it most strongly when Maximo heard about Renato’s engagement, came and started a riot.
On the day Renato, who was always intimidated by Maximo, raised his voice to protect Louis, his wish that the precious Prince-nim would achieve what he wanted and be happy became more earnest than ever.
“Hiiing…… hyung-nim.”
Overcome by melancholy thoughts, Louis came to his senses as he heard Trudy’s voice whining to Renato and blinked. Trudy, who was looking out of the carriage with an excited face just earlier, was now sullen and clung to Renato.
“What’s wrong?”
Renato, bewildered by Trudy’s sudden change of emotions, asked while hugging the child. Trudy snuggled into Renato’s arms like a caterpillar, buried his face in his chest, and murmured gloomily.
“I won’t be able to be with hyung-nim like now when we return to the Imperial Palace, right?”
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“Ah.”
“It was nice to be with hyung-nim all the time……”
Trudy’s voice gradually turned teary. The days spent in the Khan Kingdom were like a dream for Trudy. Unlike the Empire, he didn’t need to pay attention to others when he was with Renato in the kingdom. When he dined with Renato, held his hand, and walked in the garden, no one said anything.
There were Marquis Medus’ people in the delegation, but they didn’t have to worry about their eyes. Renato and Trudy spent time together under the pretext that they should show a friendly relationship to the kingdom’s people. As it was a good reason, no one found it suspicious.
But this was not possible in the Empire. Trudy knew the fact that Renato was on his side was something no one else should find out, especially the Empress. For that reason, when they got off the carriage, the two had to pretend they weren’t close.
In short, he didn’t know when he could meet Renato again after today. Even if they were lucky enough to meet, they couldn’t hug or warmly greet each other like now.
“When can we meet after parting today?”
“Well……”
Renato seemed perplexed at Trudy’s question. He stroked the child’s head, not knowing how to respond.
“We will meet each other often when we prepare for the wedding ceremony. Because you will be my flower boy.”
“……Really?”
“Of course.”
“What if His Majesty the Empress opposes it?”
“He won’t be doing that. His Majesty the Emperor will also help.”
Renato covered Trudy’s cheeks with his hands, telling him not to worry. Then he made Trudy look at him.
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“Hyung-nim?”
When their gazes met, Trudy called him in a tearful voice. Renato quietly moved his hand, wiping the tears from the child’s big eyes. His heart ached when the tears reached his fingertips.
“Don’t worry too much. Everything will be alright.”
Renato patted the soft cheeks and comforted him. The crystal-clear green eyes were full of affection and trust toward him. When he met those eyes, the pit of his stomach trembled.
In his previous life, Trudy had probably looked at him with the same eyes as now. But then, overwhelmed by fear and guilt, he turned away from the child.
‘Do you hate me now, hyung-nim? But I still like you…… Hic. Please, I beg of you, please don’t hate me. Please?’
Suddenly, the image of Trudy coming to him and begging him in the past came to his mind. If he had hugged the child then, if he had been a bit more courageous, would things have changed?
“Trudy……”
Feeling his eyes heat up, Renato hugged the small body in his arms. He of his previous life was much more helpless and incompetent than now. So he probably wouldn’t have done as well as now if he had stepped up to help Trudy.
But at least Trudy wouldn’t have been lonely. He wouldn’t have thought that he was abandoned, either.
Renato’s darkened lavender-colored eyes were wet with tears. A pang of unbearable guilt struck him as he thought of the child who must have died lonely in his previous life. Considering the wounds that Trudy must have suffered in the lost time, he did not deserve to be loved by the child or hold the child in his arms like this.
“Sorry.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m so sorry, Trudy.”
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“Why are you sorry, hyung-nim?”
“Because I’m too weak, I……”
I couldn’t protect you, I hurt you and inflicted pain on you. The unspeakable apology lingered in his mouth. Renato held back the apology he couldn’t deliver, his arms hugging the child gaining strength.
Protecting Trudy and making him happy.
That was the greatest atonement Renato could make for Ludmilla and Trudy in his previous life. He barely opened his mouth, suppressing his overwhelming grief.
“It will be hard, but put up with it. Alright?”
“……Yes.”
“Good. My little brother.”
Renato smiled affectionately, raised his head, and kissed Trudy’s forehead. Trudy closed his eyes, feeling the kiss feathering on him. It somehow reminded him of his mother who had passed away.
‘My child. If, this is just a what-if…… If I ever die, rely on Renato.’
‘Why are you suddenly saying that…… Hic, mother, you can’t. Please don’t leave me behind.’
‘Don’t cry, there, I just said it’s a what-if.’
‘I hate it even if it’s just a what-if! Please don’t say things like that, okay?’
‘Haha, seriously…… I really can’t say anything.’
Ludmilla, who had long suffered from a disease of unknown cause, became weaker day by day. Feeling her death was approaching at some point, Ludmilla often talked about Renato to Trudy as if making preparations for after her death.
