Transmigrated Into The Body Of The Cursed Prince Wife
Chapter 117: Forgiveness

Chapter 117: Forgiveness

The next day, as the sun rose from the horizon, the palace was a chaotic place as every one of the guests was now busy going around preparing for the awaited ceremony the next day. Mothers urged their daughters’ servants to make sure nothing went wrong while they urged their sons to make sure not to miss the opportunity of picking a bride that came from a powerful kingdom, as ceremonies like this were taken as an opportunity to strengthen alliances through marriage.

Most of the guests didn’t come because they truly cared about the Emperor adding another year or because they truly wanted to celebrate his birthday; they were here for that one purpose, to build and make connections.

And as all of this was going on early in the morning in the inner palace, Ave had just woken up from sleep. She opened her eyes but didn’t immediately sit up as her mind was still in the processing state of what had happened last night, and when it slowly began to return to her, she turned to the side where Lucian had slept beside her last night. As expected, he was gone, with only a little crease on the pillow that gave away that he had slept in her bed, and for some reason, she was glad he wasn’t here, she didn’t know how she’d be able to face him after last night.

She rarely broke down like that in front of anyone, and the fact that she had been a crying and trembling mess made her feel a bit embarrassed, and not to mention she wouldn’t want him questioning her about anything. Recalling how he had held her and even draped his legs over her, she felt a rush of heat make its way to her neck and settle on her cheeks.

Feeling more like herself this morning, she couldn’t believe she had clung to him like that last night when she herself had said she didn’t want to get close to him emotionally. The thought of his warm lips on her neck sent her heart into skipping a beat, and she quickly stumbled out of bed to rid herself of his scent.

Passing by the desk, she stopped when she noticed all the drawings were gone. He must have taken them, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful that he hadn’t allowed her to wake up to it again this morning. The desk was cleared of anything that would give away the fact that she had sat there and drawn anything last night, even the bowl-like cooler he’d used to bring food last night was gone from the desk.

Ave felt a surge of warmth spread to her heart at the thought of his consideration. She couldn’t recall the last time anyone had considered her or done anything for her sake. She had lived in a cold household that felt nothing like a home but more like hell.

She had grown up taking care of herself with no one to make her feel the warmth of care, and if Lucian’s behavior last night didn’t touch a chord in her heart, she would be lying to herself. But then again, she was an expert in lying to herself, thus, she decided to ignore that one loose brick that had fallen from around the walls she had put up to protect herself and her heart from any emotions of attachment to anything or anyone.

She had learned from childhood that nothing in this world could last forever, and to save yourself from breaking when you lose that thing, it was best you never form any attachments to it in the beginning so when you lose it, you wouldn’t lose yourself along with it. Which was why she had lived a carefree life and didn’t care about anyone’s feelings when she ran her mouth or did things, and perhaps that was also why she never had any friends in all of her life.

And just like she had always done, she would continue that way until she was out of this world and back to her time. Though she would miss a few things here, they would remain as a lovely dream once she went back, a dream she would revisit whenever she wanted to feel cared for. Especially last night, she would revisit the scene with Lucian to feel that warmth again, but she could never allow herself to live in it forever.

Because she didn’t belong here, the body she was possessing wasn’t hers nor was the life. Her only mission in life had been to be successful enough to have the spotlight and make her father pay, along with his family, and she’d had that spotlight and success. The only thing left was to go back.

And with that thought, she felt her determination and resolve to go back rebuild. She took a deep breath and was about to go on and start preparing for the day, as tomorrow was a big day for everyone here, especially when she would be performing a dance with the princesses, when she heard a frantic knock on her door that made her jump slightly at the repeated knocking.

A frown settled on her face, and realizing she was still wearing pajamas from her time, she quickly thought about a nightdress from this time and it transformed before she called out, "Who is there?" as she walked warily toward the door.

"I-it’s me, Milady," came Lydia’s voice, which sounded strained and forced, causing Ave to hurriedly unlock the door and pull it open, only for the girl to hurry inside the room and press her back against the door while she locked it, her expression looking so pale and almost ghostlike.

"What’s wrong? You look sick!" Ave exclaimed in panic as she reached out to pull Lydia’s shoulders and led her to sit on the bed, but Lydia hastily pulled away from her and bowed her head, even that action seemed like it was taking too much energy from her.

"I didn’t come here to take much of your time, Milady. I want to confess something to you and also tell you something important..." She choked out as she was fighting to hold back a cough that she knew would come with blood. Lydia knew her time was drawing near with each passing minute she didn’t go to report anything to the Empress that would earn her an antidote. Thus, she had decided to come clean of her crimes to her mistress so she would die with no guilt in her heart and no regret.

However, Ave on the other hand didn’t think there was anything more important than first seeing to Lydia’s health when she looked like this. She put on a strict expression and reached out to push the girl down to sit on the edge of the bed. "Before you tell me whatever it is you want to, let me first see to it that you are healthy."

She had completely forgotten to even inform Lucian about bringing Lydia back to her side, and now that she looked sick, Ave couldn’t help the guilt she felt at the thought that she had abandoned the girl to suffer in the hands of the people in the main palace.

Lydia hurriedly stood up from the bed and fell to her knees, her head bowed down with her forehead kissing the floor. She then cried out, "Please listen to me first, Milady. I am unworthy of your kindness. I have never been loyal to you since the day I was assigned to serve you. I have stabbed you in the back countless times. Just like you were taken by the Empress for her mission, I was taken for another one," she cried out, her shoulders shaking with her sobs, causing Ave to freeze in place.

"I am unworthy of your mercy, which is why I have come to confess my crimes to you. I am willing to take any punishment you bestow upon me after this," she said and then began to confess.

"When I was assigned to serve you, Her Majesty had made me swallow a poisonous pill that would slowly kill me from the inside until I took an antidote that would fight the poison for a week. She made me report everything you do and anything I noticed from His Highness to her in exchange for the antidote. If I fail to report to her, then I get no antidote... I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Milady, but trust me when I say, I have never liked what I did. I have never once slept peacefully for my betrayal, but because I was selfish to want to live, I couldn’t help but go against you... I am sorry..."

Ave was at a loss for words as she looked down at the wailing girl before her. Though she wasn’t Selene and hadn’t been the one the girl had betrayed, she couldn’t help but feel the stab in her heart. Apart from Lucian, she had trusted Lydia the most. But then, upon reflecting on it, she realized it was no fault of the girl. The Empress was a woman without a heart who would use any means to get what she wanted, and Lydia and Selene just happened to be more innocent victims, just like Lucian had been.

Though it would be a lie if she said she wasn’t surprised by this revelation, but upon seeing how the girl began to cough violently with droplets of blood dropping on the polished floor, Ave didn’t think twice before she reached out and grabbed her shoulders.

"The poison is taking effect on you, Lydia," which meant she hadn’t reported anything to the Empress lately, and the fact that she had come to confess to her made Ave not hesitate in supporting her and helping her to the bed, even though she tried to pull away.

When Lydia tried to climb down, Ave warned strictly, "If you move from there, I will not forgive you for your betrayal and instead report it to the second prince," and that worked like magic and the girl froze in place, her eyes widening before looking guiltily down at her lap where her hands were wringing nervously together, and Ave saw a tear drop from her eyes fall to her hands.

"I... I am sorry, Milady. I was selfish for desiring to live, I_"

"Wanting to live isn’t selfish, Lydia. It’s in human nature to want to survive," Ave said, her tone softening. She stepped closer, her gaze gentle yet firm. "We all have that instinct, and if I were in your shoes, I would choose to live as well.’’

Lydia’s eyes, filled with tears, met Ave’s, and Ave knelt down, taking her trembling hands in her own. ’’Look, I am not saying what you did is right either, and instead of you keeping it to yourself, you should have shared it with your mistress and gotten her to work with you and help you, but the past cannot be changed. And since you had the heart to come here and tell me, it means you are willing to redeem yourself.’’

Lydia sniffled, trying to hold back more tears, but Ave squeezed her hands gently. ’’The important thing now is that you came and told me this before I found out from someone else, and that you’re willing to do better. That’s all I need to forgive you. You’re not selfish. You’re just trying to survive, like anyone would.’’

Lydia broke down in more tears as she grabbed Ave’s hands into hers and squeezed them gently to show her gratitude. She had come here with the thought of being killed, as she knew her mistress wasn’t known for forgiving easily, and the fact that she had been forgiven made her tears stream down her face uncontrollably.

’’Thank you... thank you,’’ she cried, and Ave pulled her in for a hug and patted her back. "It’s okay. Now that you are willing to turn a new page, it will be good if you tell me anything you know about the Empress’s plans and everything you have reported to her that might get Lucian or me into trouble in the future."

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