I Won’t Accept Your Regrets

Imperial City of the Agrita Empire

The Palace, located in the most visible place among the Imperial castles, was the Palace of Ophelia Agrita, the First Princess of the Empire. Completed on Ophelia's sixth birthday, the Palace was designed by the Emperor himself for the exceptionally star-loving Princess. And among the beautiful Palaces, the Princess had a favorite place.

A spacious terrace in the bedroom where you can see the embroidered stars in the night sky. Celebrating her seventh birthday, Ophelia gazed at the stars as she watched the sky today.

Fairy-like hair stretched to her waist, skin fairer than jade white, and purple eyes that resemble Ellie's. Even though she hasn’t yet come of age, the Princess, who is beautiful enough to be called the most beautiful girl in the Empire, was resplendent before the brilliant stars.

"Oh, it's my mom's favorite constellation."

Ophelia saw another star shine next to her mother's favorite constellation.

"That's my dad's favorite star."

In fact, the reason why Ophelia especially liked the stars in the night sky was because of her mother and father. The dark night sky looked like my dad, and the bright stars reminded her of her mom. So when she looked at the stars in the night sky, she felt like she was with her mom and dad.

Ophelia, who stuck her legs between the terrace railings and kicked, lowered her eyes at the lights that were visible over the Imperial Palace in the distance. The capital beyond the Imperial City is now in the midst of its birthday festival. Ophelia's birthday banquet was yesterday, but the festival always took place over three days.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

"Tomorrow is the last day."

On the last day, the Help Center always assisted the poor. It was a temporary help center attended by her mother every year on her birthday.

In Ophelia's name, her mother gave food and clothing to the poor. She always did her best, saying that all the blessings she gave them will return to her later. However, tomorrow's Help Center would be kept under the supervision of his brother, who is the Crown Prince, and not his mother.

It was her mother who always attended, but this time she couldn't go, even if she wanted to; because she suddenly got sick after the birthday banquet. Therefore, her brother, who is the Crown Prince, said that he would open the Help Center in her place to help the poor to recover.

"…I wish I could go too."

In fact, Ophelia asked to be let go when her mother said she couldn't go, but her father and brother immediately turned her down. It is still too dangerous outside the Imperial City Fortress.

For Ophelia, only the few times she went to her mother and grandfather's mansion were memories of leaving the Imperial City. As the days passed, Ophelia became curious about the world that shone brightly outside the Imperial City.

"…This was a good opportunity…"

While she muttered regretfully, she heard a cat cry as if responding to Ophelia's words.

"When did you get here, Harley?"

The cat with the bright white fur was a lovely cat that her brother gave her for her fifth birthday. Harley moved closer to her and rubbed her face against her arm as if she knew how she felt. Ophelia smiled at the cuteness and patted Harley's head.

"Harley, where have you been today?"

Harley was her cat, but she didn't stay at the Palace. She wandered around all the Imperial Palaces and sometimes Ophelia couldn't see her for a few days. However, Harley has always returned to her arms, so she is now used to Harley's free lifestyle.

“I wish I could go here and there freely like you. I also want to get out of the Imperial Palace.”

"Meow."

"What? Do you want me to go? Can I really do that?"

Ophelia, who was joking, burying her tears in Harley, thought so at that moment.

‘I think I can really get out of the Imperial Palace.'

Come to think of it, the Imperial Palace was just her own home, she lived in this place. Furthermore, she has never been ordered not to leave the Imperial Palace. Her father and brother also said that it was dangerous to go out of the Palace, but they never ordered her not to go out… She had no prohibition.

Ophelia, who was thinking of holding her neck steady if her father and brother knew, stopped stroking Harley and broke into a dangerous smile.

"Yeah, no one will know if I come out as naturally as Harley, right?"

Ophelia nodded, looking into Harley's red eyes. Soon after, seeming to respond to her own words, Harley's clear cry rang out ‘Meow’ and Ophelia's purple eyes sparkled.

* * *

"Wow!"

‘The square of the capital of the Agrita Empire.'

A girl wearing a dark purple robe and hood looked around the square and exclaimed.

"Oh!"

A large fountain located in the center of the square. In the center of the fountain was a statue of Raymond Agrita, the current Emperor of the Agrita Empire, completed two years ago.

The girl who unknowingly stretched out her finger and screamed was none other than Ophelia.

Ophelia, who made a plan to leave the Imperial Palace last night with enthusiasm, proudly accomplished it today. Ophelia, who pretended to be weak from breakfast, came into the bedroom saying that she should sleep late under the pretext of being tired from the birthday party, adding that she shouldn't be disturbed by anyone.

Having never been involved in an incident for being the precious Princess, the maids quietly withdrew without questioning Ophelia's behavior.

And when everyone had gone, Ophelia, who had placed a large teddy bear on her bed, walked out of the Palace through the terrace together with Harley.

It wasn't that difficult to go down to the terrace. Because Harley, who was used to crossing the terrace, made small stops at the Palace.

It was a very small path, so adults couldn't get through it, but for small Ophelia it was possible. After leaving the Palace wearing a cloak that covered her closely, Ophelia followed Harley to the place where the servants came and went along the deserted path. She then quickly hid in the waiting servants' carriage.

The whole series of situations to get there was smooth, but Ophelia thought her heart would burst if she was caught until the carriage completely escaped from the Yellow Star Palace. But in the end, she wasn’t caught and now she is alone in such a wide square.

‘In front of my dad's statue!'

"Oh! Great… Yes,”

Ophelia, who was naturally trying to yell dad, quickly changed her words at the looks around her. Then, she lowered a rather rude looking finger that was pointing at the Emperor's statue.

When the gazes that had been focused on her for a while scattered again, Ophelia breathed a sigh of relief. She was excited to leave the Imperial Palace, but she had to be as cautious as possible. It shouldn't have caused a scandal. When the Princess's status is revealed, the news will go to her father and mother in the Imperial Palace.

‘My dad wouldn't be so scary, but my mom would…’

"I'm afraid."

When Ophelia did something wrong, the only person who wasn't fooled by her cuteness was her mother. Unlike her dad and brother, her mom was very scary when she's angry.

‘So they can't catch me.’

Ophelia approached the fountain firmly so that her hood wouldn't come off and she could get a closer look at her dad's statue.

‘I have seen countless articles in the newspapers saying that my father's statue was placed in the square, but it was the first time I had seen it in person like this.'

"Attractive."

‘As expected of my dad.'

Looking at the statue of her father, who was called a tyrant, Ophelia gave a proud smile.

“Only 5 coppers for a chicken skewer! Eat delicious chicken skewers!”

At that moment, Ophelia heard a loud voice. When she turned her head towards the sound, she saw stalls selling food on one side of the square.

Ophelia, who blinked at the peddlers for the first time, headed towards it as if possessed.

"It looks delicious."

Street food that she had only heard of. From fruit skewers to chicken skewers to cheesy smothered meals on top of meat that she had never seen before. The smell of endless street foods tickled Ophelia's nose.

"…I want to try it."

Originally, she didn't come here to do this, but she couldn't resist.

Ophelia bought the most stimulating chicken skewer for her nose. The moment she took a bite of the sweet chicken skewer, Ophelia's purple eyes widened.

‘The fascinating taste that I feel for the first time.'

Ophelia quickly approached the owner of the chicken skewer shop after finishing her skewer.

“15 coppers, 3 skewers of sweet flavors.”

* * *

"Hmm…"

"Ellie, are you awake?"

“Ray…”

It was none other than Raymond who approached the bed while pacing on the carpet.

He brushed the hair from Ellie's cheek and put his hand behind her back as if he was familiar with this. Raising her upper body, he handed her a cup of water.

Propped up on a soft pillow, Ellie came to her senses as she drank the water Raymond handed her. She hadn’t fully recovered from the body aches that had continued since last night, but she felt lighter because she fell asleep early last night.

Handing the empty cup back to Raymond, Ellie asked.

"But… why are you here?"

Obviously, she had seen him off early in the morning on her way to the office. And after having a quick breakfast, she took medicine and fell asleep. If you look at the bright sunlight outside, it's not time for Raymond to come home from work yet, but why is he here now?

Raymond sat up in bed and said.

“I'm worried so I have to get my hands on things. I was working here because I brought urgent documents.”

"I'm fine, it's uncomfortable here."

The bedroom table was narrower than the spacious desk in the office. When Ellie's brow narrowed slightly, Raymond pressed the lines between her brows.

"Don't get angry. I'm just worried about you and you know it. The most comfortable place for me is by your side.”

With Raymond's sly smile, Ellie had no choice but to fall for it. She smiled slightly as if she couldn't stop him.

"What time is it right now?"

"Midday."

"Already?"

She seemed to have fallen asleep without energy from the medicine. Ellie, who realized that the morning time had passed, only then remembered something important.

“Did the Crown Prince go to the poor help center?”

Today was the last day of Ophelia's birthday festival and the day of the poor help center.

"Yes, he was here earlier and came to say hello, but you were sound asleep, so he said hello and goodbye, don't worry."

"I see."

Raymond said not to worry, but Ellie wasn't comfortable. On the last day of Ophelia's birthday festival, she was always in charge of volunteer work at the poor help center.

She had also taken the initiative because it was a good thing, but it was also a service for Ophelia in the belief that she would return as blessed. She was a child who miraculously came to her, so she hoped that Ophelia's future would always be happy.

Carlisle had already grown up and was praised by people, so he wanted to pave the way for Ophelia.

If she had known that the pains in her body would improve so quickly, she would have left as she was.

“At this point, Carlisle will have already started the event. We'll just be interrupting," Raymond said as if he noticed Ellie's disappointment.

"I know. I'm not going."

Now that she's not attending the event, she knows better than anyone that the Crown Prince can stand out. And that Carlisle will do well.

Carlisle, who carried out his Coming of Age Ceremony, had now been reborn as a perfect successor. It's like looking at Raymond… and Ellie, smiling, told Raymond.

"Now that I’m up, you’re going back to the office."

"Okay…"

He wanted to stay a while longer, but Raymond got up from the bed at Ellie's determined look.

“Okay.”

Ellie tugged on a string next to the bed as he watched Raymond walk over to the table. Soon after, the bedroom door opened and Helen walked in.

“Did you call, Empress?”

“Helen, the Crown Prince must be tired today, so tell the Crown Prince to take a bath of salts in advance, so that he can relieve his fatigue.”

"Yes, I will do it."

“And find out what Ophelia is doing right now. If she isn’t busy, suggest that they have tea together at the Princess Palace.”

“Oh… Your Majesty. The Princess said that she was tired after the birthday party and took a nap.”

"Nap?"

Ellie found what Helen said unusual. And Raymond's hand, which was arranging the documents on the table, also stopped.

Ophelia was so active that she didn't sleep well even if she asked to take a nap. But a nap suddenly.

"Doesn't she feel good?"

“According to the nanny, she didn't seem sick. She just told me not to disturb her because she was falling asleep."

"…That's weird."

Take a nap and say no one interrupts you. It wasn’t like childish Ophelia.

At that moment, Raymond turned his head to Ellie. Her eyes met with Raymond's. Raymond seemed to have felt as strange as Ellie.

An ominous feeling that they felt at the same time.

Ellie opened her mouth with a rigid face.

"Helen, I'm going to see Ophelia, so get ready."