I Was Told 'No One Would Miss You,' So I Became the Empress of Another Country - Episode 21

A few days had passed since the shocking event of Crown Prince Leon being stripped of his title.

The royal court was still in turmoil, but strangely, my heart had begun to regain its calm.

Ever since my engagement was broken, I had been lost in uncertainty. But Logan had reached out his hand to me, showing me a new future.

My father called me to his study and quietly spoke.

“…You’re planning to go to the Empire, aren’t you? I heard that Emperor Logan invited you.”

His deep blue eyes held both concern and affection.

I lowered my gaze and answered honestly.

“Yes. To be honest, I still have doubts. But in this kingdom, my position remains unstable. And who knows what Leon and Flora might do next? I’d rather go to the Empire and find a new path for myself.”

“I see. It’s your life. If this is your choice, I won’t stop you. However… be careful. Once you leave for the Empire, turning back may not be so easy.”

His words were only natural.

As the daughter of the Kreutzfeldt Duke, it was expected that I might one day become the queen of Lowell Kingdom.

Abandoning that future to marry into another country was a major decision.

But I could no longer turn back.

“Father, thank you for everything until now. In the Empire, I will prove my worth and live with pride.”

As I spoke, my father gently placed his hand on my head.

That warmth reminded me of my childhood, filling me with nostalgia.

“…Don’t push yourself too hard. If things ever become too difficult in the Empire, you can always come home. No matter what path you choose, I will always be proud of you.”

Holding back the tears welling up inside me, I bowed deeply.

The next few days were hectic as I prepared for my departure to the Igleia Empire.

Though my maids were surprised, they offered to help, saying, “If it’s for you, my lady, we’ll do whatever we can.”

Lydia, of course, came rushing over to help me organize my belongings.

“You’re really leaving, Celestia. But… I think this is the right decision.

You can’t stay here and keep enduring Leon and Flora’s harassment.”

“Yes. Lydia, I can never thank you enough. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to stand back up.”

Lydia squeezed my hand tightly.

“I feel the same. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you… Don’t forget me, okay? Write to me whenever you can. And if possible, I’ll come visit you.”

“Of course.”

The maids watched our exchange with bittersweet smiles.

Though there was sadness in leaving the Kreutzfeldt Duke’s household, they supported my decision.

In the midst of all this, I overheard news about Leon.

After being temporarily stripped of his title, he was venting his frustrations everywhere.

Apparently, he had also heard rumors about me and was now saying something ridiculous.

“If I take Celestia back and get engaged to her again, Father will surely reconsider my position…!”

Such selfish nonsense wouldn’t work now.

He must have panicked upon learning that I was preparing to leave for the Empire.

But it was too late.

I had no reason to return to him.

As for Flora, although she avoided exile, her position in the court was weakening.

Her reckless behavior, using Leon for her own gain, had finally caught up with her.

Few nobles were willing to support her now.

I could easily imagine the noblewomen, who loved gossip, whispering, “Flora is finished.”

Finally, the day of my departure arrived.

As I boarded the carriage, Lydia and the maids saw me off with tearful eyes.

My father stood a little further away, arms crossed, but his gaze was filled with deep concern and care.

“Father, I’m leaving now. I will do my best in the Empire.”

“…I’m proud of you.”

Etching his words into my heart, I stepped through the gates of the royal capital without looking back.

As the Kreutzfeldt Duke’s carriage rolled away from the stone-paved streets, I felt a flame of determination ignite within me.

The capital seemed to be buzzing with rumors about my departure.

People were surely whispering, “Is the duke’s daughter really marrying into the Empire?”

But I wasn’t afraid anymore.

For me, this journey was the first step toward a new life.

I would cast aside the humiliation of being deemed “unnecessary” and prove my strength to the world.

Someday, I would stand tall and make them regret everything—
Leon, Flora, and anyone else who ever looked down on me.