I Won’t Accept Your Regrets

And Carlisle wasn’t the only one who was thirsty with nervousness.

The same thing happened with Ellie and Raymond, who came to the Help Center for the Poor in anticipation of where Ophelia might be. They thought that Ophelia would have been there when they arrived, but Ophelia was not there even when they arrived at the Center.

“She still hasn’t arrived?”

At the moment when Ellie and Raymond’s smiling lips trembled, they saw Carter.

“Carter!”

“Ophelia!”

Raymond’s and Ellie’s voices rang out at the same time. Ellie took Carter’s hand and looked at the approaching robed girl without blinking.

‘It’s Ophelia.’

Despite the fact that her face was invisible because she was wearing the hood, Ellie could be sure as she approached the girl…

‘He found our precious daughter safe.’

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince, the Princess has arrived.”

As they had discussed beforehand, Carter shouted loudly in front of the Emperor and Empress. When they heard voice, the people at the Help Center paid attention to them.

Her Highness, the Princess, who has never made an official appearance. Her Highness, the mysterious Princess visited this place just now. The attention of the people was even greater because it was a Help Center open for the poor under the name of Ophelia.

“Mother, father.”

“When you arrive at the Help Center for the Poor, you should naturally be courteous to the Emperor and the Empress. There are a lot of people, so rumors can spread for no reason.”

As Carter requested, Ophelia removed her hood and greeted her mom and dad. Then she looked at them.

‘Aren’t they really angry?’

When she stood in front of them, Ophelia’s heart sank. Then Ellie took a single step closer and hugged Ophelia.

‘Let’s end this in the most natural way possible.’

She said it with her mouth, but when she saw Ophelia, Ellie couldn’t think of anything else. She just wanted to hug her daughter right away.

Ellie hugged Ophelia tight.

“Lia, Lia… Are you okay.”

As the warmth spread through her arms, her burning heart eased with relief.

“Mom… I’m sorry.”

Feeling Ellie’s trembling hands, Ophelia whispered softly, resting her face on her shoulder.

“I really didn’t want to worry mom.”

“It’s okay. You came back safely, so it’s okay now.”

Ellie patted Ophelia on the back. Ophelia’s emotions soared at the friendly touch. She wasn’t scared because Evan was there, but when she saw her mom, Ophelia was overwhelmed…

‘I just haven’t seen her in a few hours. Time feels strangely long.’

‘I shouldn’t go out alone in secret again.’

When Ophelia was so determined, Ellie let her go. Taking a breath, Ophelia, who inhaled through her nose, held back tears, strengthening her eyes. Because she couldn’t cry like a child in front of so many people.

Ophelia, who stood proudly upright and held her mother’s hand, smiled and greeted those who visited the Help Center for the Poor.

“Thanks, Princess.”

“Thank you very much, Princess.”

Ophelia, who smiled at the people who bowed their heads, soon turned to her mother, father, and brother.

“Lia. You’re hurt?”

“I’m not. I’m sorry dad.”

Raymond stroked Ophelia’s head, fighting the urge to hug her.

“It’s okay. You came back safely, so it’s okay.”

“Lia, you really are…” Carlisle was speechless with overflowing relief.

Ophelia broke into a bright smile, whether she knew his mind or not.

“Sorry. I won’t do that again.”

Carlisle can never get over that smile. Thinking that it was enough to return safely, Carlisle pinched Ophelia’s cheek without hurting her.

“Then okay…”

“I have someone to introduce to my mom and dad.”

As Raymond was about to say that they return to the Imperial Palace, Ophelia called out urgently.

“Someone to introduce?”

Raymond stopped talking and Ellie turned to Carter, not Ophelia. Then, she saw a blond-haired boy standing behind Carter, which she hadn’t seen before.

“Is that boy?”

“Yes. He is the one who saved me and helped me in dangerous situation.”

‘Dangerous situations.’

Surprised by the words, Raymond lost his mind and tried to get closer to Ophelia.

“Dangerous situation… Are you sure you’re okay, Lia? …You’re not hurt or sick anywhere…”

“Your Majesty.”

Unless Ellie’s cold calling was heard. Raymond, whose reason returned immediately at Ellie’s glare, was bitten by the feet he had taken as he cleared his throat.

“We should go back to the Imperial Palace and call the doctor… Anyway, did that kid save you?”

“Yes, dad. Evan, come here.”

Ophelia signaled to Evan. Evan’s shoulders, standing next to Carter, shook noisily. He got here because he was led by Ophelia, but Evan couldn’t believe the situation in front of him.

The imperial family standing a few steps ahead. His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.

The people he could hardly meet were looking at him now.

‘Is this reality?’

He wondered if he was dreaming, but his heart felt like it was going to explode. Evan slowly approached them, swallowing dry saliva. Evan couldn’t bring himself to make eye contact, so he bowed his head deeply.

“Is your name Evan?”

At that moment, a voice softly echoed above his head. The voice of Her Majesty.

Evan responded with trembling lips.

“Yes, Empress.”

“Okay, raise your head.”

Evan swallowed hard as a soft hand touched his shoulder.

“Hyup.”

A gentle touch on the shoulder as if it was okay. It was a warm touch that he had never received from his late mother. Evan curled up his sweaty hand and raised his head.

And he was met with eyes that looked exactly like Ophelia’s, which was like an amethyst. Ellie smiled softly as she looked at Evan. It was to ease Evan’s tension even a little.

She even felt sorry for his trembling hands.

“Evan, thank you so much for saving Lia.”

“…No. It is natural to help people in need. Even if it wasn’t the Princess, I would have helped.”

Surprisingly though, Evan spoke without averting his eyes. Ellie was interested in Evan’s blue eyes in front of her, looking at her blankly.

A boy with bright eyes that she haven’t seen for a long time. The boy’s eyes were as special as any other noble’s, even though he was not well dressed.

“You are a boy with a very upright heart.”

Raymond’s eyes, who was next to her, seemed to be directed at Evan, as if she wasn’t the only one who felt it. Ophelia, who stood still at that moment, added quickly.

“He not only saved me, but also brought me to the Help Center for the Poor, mother.”

As if he recognized Evan’s talent.

Ellie turned to Ophelia.

Eyes waiting for something. Ophelia seemed to want her to give Evan a big prize. Ellie asked Evan because she knew that she had helped Ophelia.

“Evan. I understand your heart, but it’s true that you helped the Princess anyway, so I want to give you a gift. Is there something you want?”

At that moment, Evan’s eyes fluttered for the first time. Seeing the aspiration swaying in his blue eyes, Ellie gave Evan a slight glance

‘Is he a kid from the slums?’

He wouldn’t lose the opportunity given to him, because he was a smart boy. He said that he helped with an upright heart, but he wasn’t in a situation where he was relaxed enough to refuse the Empress’s gift.

‘Property or low position that allows you to rise in status.’

When Ellie was thinking of speaking, unexpected words were heard.

“Your Majesty, please give me admission to the Commoner Academy.”

“…What?”

She wasn’t asking back. Raymond, who had been quiet the whole time, opened his mouth.

‘Admission to the Commoner Academy… This is really unexpected.’

Raymond asked again with a slightly surprised look, as if the same thing were true.

“Is admission to the Commoner Academy all you want?”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor. All I want to do is enter the Commoner Academy.”

“You helped the Princess. Even if you want something bigger, I will listen to everything. Do you really want that? Or the imperial family can support you during your time at the academy.”

“No, just let me enter the academy. I want to achieve other things with my own ability,” Evan spoke with unwavering eyes.

“Wow, you’re so cool, Evan,” Ophelia said with admiration.

Raymond’s eyebrows rose slightly, but he couldn’t deny it. Even though he was a child, he displayed extraordinary rigidity and confidence.

‘It’s not common for people with these eyes. If he grows up well as he is, he is a child who is expected to have a future. But somehow I don’t like it. I particularly don’t like Ophelia’s eyes when she sees Evan. She has never had her eyes twinkle in young men her age.’

Ellie smiled and said as Raymond swallowed his ‘hmm’.

“If that’s what you mean, we won’t recommend anything else. And I’ll let you into the Commoner Academy as you wish, Evan.”

“Thank you, thank you very much, Your Majesty the Empress,” Evan continuously tilted his head with an excited face.

“Evan, congratulations!” Along with the excitement, Ophelia grabbed Evan’s hand and screamed.

“Lia’s hand…”

“Holding hands…”

Ellie’s low laugh echoed over the amazing voices of Raymond and Carlisle.

It was Ophelia’s departure where her heart dropped, but thanks to it, Ophelia seemed to have a good friend. Ophelia’s face, smiling brightly at Evan, was full of happiness.

“Lia seems to have a good friend.”

Ellie smiled at the two men who looked surprised and looked at Ophelia and Evan with pleased eyes. She was looking forward to the future of the two children.

The red sunset, which marks the end of such a noisy day, beautifully embroidered the sky.

 ( Side Story: THE END )