Do Your Best and Regret

Chapter 88

Diancee.

Those three syllables sent waves through Conrad's heart. Olivia's diary flashed clearly in his mind as he couldn't sleep properly. After his faith in his father was shattered, Conrad stayed up all night reading Olivia's diary. His desperation was greater than his regret for reading someone else's diary carelessly. It wasn't because of his affection for his sister or his bloodline that he never looked back on. He just wanted to relieve himself of the quilt he felt for pushing a child who was only six years old to such an extent.

He had hoped that there would be even just one line in this diary that would give this child some breathing room. In the five volumes of his diary, Conrad finally discovered something that made him truly happy for the first and last time. It was a story that happened when Olivia was nine years old and on the Prince's eleventh birthday.

"For the first time, my father spoke to me first. It was so good. He told me to become a Princess. At first, I just thought I had to do well, but after meeting His Highness the Crown Prince, I really wanted to become the Crown Princess. Because His Highness the Crown Prince is like an angel who helped me. Smiling brilliantly seems to be a story about someone like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"It's really good. When I become Crown Princess, my father will talk to me every day, and His Royal Highness will also stay with me. Then I can stay with my brothers and Ethella. It's nice just to think about it. As my mom said, if I do my best, everything will come true."

It was funny. Out of those five books, there was only one moment when she was happy. That made Conrad feel even more heartbroken.

After that, Olivia tried her best to see that 'brilliant smile' even once more. Because she whipped herself despite no response after all his efforts. So Conrad had no choice but to ask the Prince.

"Olivia,"

A sharp pain scratched the inside of his neck mercilessly.

"Did you really think she was your fiancee?"

"Yeah..."

Leopold's relaxed face, as if he was going to answer right away, gradually hardened. His sea-colored eyes were wide and irritated, and his lips, which were smiling cynically, were tightly pursed.

Soon, a heavy energy settled in the office. In a gloomy atmosphere like a thick fog that no one could escape from, Leopold quietly thought of Olivia. Did he think of Olivia as his fiancee?

Yes, it was a very obvious question. If the person next to him is not Olivia, who is she? But why couldn't he answer right away?

Leopold pursed his lips. Of course, that one word just lingered in his mouth. A pain arose in his chest as if someone was squeezing his heart. If he says this, will he feel at ease?

It was then,

Knock knock.

The door opened without permission with a light knocking sound. It was Maria Ethel who stuck her head out through the door. The moment Maria and his eyes met, Leopold unconsciously looked at the Duke. The Little Duke's amethyst-colored eyes looked at him with an inexplicable gaze. His fingertips tingled strangely.

As if she had nothing to do with this heavy atmosphere, Maria spoke cheerfully like a fairy.

"Ah, a guest has arrived. Excuse me, Leopold. You don't know how long I've been looking for you to prepare for the banquet."

"Then, I will just get up and see."

"Ah..."

When the Little Duke stood up, Leopold took a deep breath. He thinks he needs to answer something about the previous question. In this situation, everything felt like an excuse.