She didn't rush to open the box, because that would be too purposeful.

Although she always felt that Char had given her the box on purpose, she couldn't guarantee it 100%.

She walked up the stairs again, calmed Arthur, who had been frightened by her, and began to clean Char's room.

For her, cleaning is also a way to vent her emotions and divert her attention.

Char's room was not at all surprising, the carpet was messy like a bird's nest, the walls were mottled and peeling, the gray-white curtains on the bed had fallen a thick layer of dust, and there were many strange books on the table, and there were many delicate crafts in it.

These should be the magic items Char is talking about.

To be honest, it was like a pigsty to say that it was a mess, and Alicia felt that it was a compliment to him.

However, this room was easier to clean than downstairs, because there was no particularly stubborn dirt, only some dust, and she and Arthur quickened their movements, and conquered this last room in the morning.

But I really didn't find any strange contracts or the girl's heart or anything like that.

She also washed Char's curtains and his dusty clothes, and pulled up a rope outside the moving castle to dry them.

To cooperate with her cleaning, the castle was docked at a large lake so that Cassifa could draw water.

It is located in a valley between the town of Romir and the snowy fields, and the water in the lake is very clean.

Alicia moved the chair that Char had been occupying to the lake, and it was a fine day.

The clear water of the lake reflects the blue sky, and the water and sky are the same color.

On both sides were green mountains and forests, and in the distance, she could see snow-covered mountains, which she had never seen before.

By the time she had done everything, it was almost dusk, and the sun was setting, and the golden light was shining on the lake, and a breeze was blowing, brushing the hem of her skirt like the arc of her hair in the wind.

The grass at your feet swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound, and the surface of the lake sparkled.

She sat in her rocking chair, looked down at the box in her hand, and after a period of mental construction, she opened it.

There weren't many things in the box, a worn-out rag doll, a necklace, and an unpainted letter.

The rag doll was her favorite toy as a child, it was a birthday present from her father, and the necklace was a relic of her mother.

It was also given to her mother by her father, and although it was not even worth a hundredth of the brooch she had sold, it was still her mother's favorite thing to wear when traveling.

She silently opened the envelope, opening the letter inside, with trembling handwriting on it.

My dear Alicia,

By the time you read this letter, I may have left you, don't be sad, everyone has to go through this stage in their lives.

And compared to many people, I actually lived a long life.

At the time of writing, you have been missing for eight hours, I haven't slept all night, and I have mixed feelings.

While worrying about your safety, I also feel that my death may also come....

So I have to write this letter and leave something for you.

I don't know if this letter will reach you, but whoever sees it, please put it in the hands of my beloved daughter....

Since your mother died, you haven't spoken to me about anything.

Hide all the pain and sorrow in the bottom of my heart.

Start trying to learn court etiquette that you didn't like in the past, and make yourself like a princess.

Your eyes have lost their light, and I have not protected the light in your heart.

Perhaps, you hate me in your heart.

Hate me.... Kill your mother.

I used to think I would never regret it, but when you disappeared and my death fell, many possibilities flashed through my mind.

What a wonderful person your mother is, kind and peaceful, she never wanted to be a queen and enjoy any glory and wealth.

She only hopes to live safely and happily with her family.

And just that, I can't give it to her....

I've often wondered if if there would have been a different outcome if we had left this country in the first place.

But in this world, how can there be so many ifs....

At the beginning, your grandfather took me to the slums of the imperial capital once.

It was a miserable scene that I could never imagine in my life, the people of the empire who were impoverished by the exploitation of the aristocracy.

Therefore, I decided to change all this, and I took you back to the palace and inherited the throne, full of enthusiasm and self-confidence, thinking that I could bring change to the country with the power in my hands.

But the reality is always cruel, and the power vortex in this country is deeper than I imagined.

It is so deep that even if he becomes the owner of the highest power in this country, he still can't break free from it.

I lost your mother, paid the price, but in the end nothing changed.

My life has undoubtedly failed.

But the funny thing is that if I had to go back in time, I might still have made that choice.

....

The tip of the pen paused here for a moment, leaving a large black dot at the end.

....

I'm always greedy to have it all.

Self-righteous to think that I can choose the best fate for you.

The same is true of the marriage arranged for you.

I want you to be safeguarded with the best possible security and to keep you out of this maelstrom of power.

At the same time, they also want to make the country more stable.

But it seems .... Nothing was achieved....

Half a month ago, when the prince of the West Francis Empire was about to arrive in the imperial capital, you had a big fight with me.

That was the first time you had spoken to me since your mother's death.

But I have not been as you wished.....

At the time, a lot of thoughts flashed through my mind, except for the ones above.

I thought about you and my fate as royalty, I had resisted, and I knew the cost of rebellion.

Compared to the tragedy in the future, I think you can at least marry someone who loves you.

Since that day, I have been regretting every day, regretting that I shouldn't have said so much to you, and regretting that I should have listened to you more.

But you.... Ignore me anymore.....

I think I should have broken your heart.

After your disappearance, my mind was on my mind a lot.

Whether it was the alliance of the West French Empire, or the fate of Britannia.

As long as you can be safe, as long as you can be happy and happy, these things are actually insignificant to me.

This country, this location, has consumed me and your mother, and I will never let it devour you again!

If you can come back safely, Alicia, go for whatever you want.

And also... I'm sorry, my daughter.

This is something I've always wanted to say, but never said......

......

Alicia read the contents of the letter in one breath, and she was silent, just holding a position, motionless.

After some time, she took a deep breath with a shudder, folded the letter again, put it in the envelope, and put it back in the box.

There were one or two more waves on the calm surface of the lake that were not obvious, but then, three, four, countless waves rippled on the surface of the lake.

There was a rattling sound from the water and the grass, and the dark sky was cloudy, and the rain was heavy like black droplets of blood.

Alicia sat like that, bathed in the rain, which slapped on her face and ran down her cheeks.....