I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 9

“Does your reaction mean you did not write this letter?”

“Y-yes. I don’t know anything about it.”

Sensing my surprise, Luans turned the letter over in his hands.
He examined it carefully, then murmured,

“I don’t understand. Why would someone impersonate you and do something like this…? Any idea who?”

“I don’t know what they’re trying to achieve. But there’s one thing I’m sure of — it seems like they’re trying to help me.”

“…I see.”

Luans tucked the letter back into his coat.

Then, he looked at me with those violet eyes and smiled.
“There’s no answer to be found by thinking on it now. In that case, we should consider what comes next.”

“You’re absolutely right, Lord Luans.”

“Just call me Luans. After all, you’re like a sister to me… though I’m sure that must be unpleasant for you, given the current circumstances.”

With a wry smile and a murmured remark, Luans straightened his posture.

“For now, I will take responsibility and order an investigation into my brother as a member of the royal family. His Majesty will also grant you an audience tomorrow. During that time, please allow us to offer a formal apology.”

“No… I’ve been saved this time. Thank you.”

“If you feel that way, then the person who delivered that letter can also feel at ease.”

Unlike his brother, Prince Luans wasn’t often spoken of.
Quiet, unassuming, always with a gentle smile—perhaps that’s why few had a strong impression of him.

But in truth, like Erik, he had been entrusted with state affairs by the current king… and carried them out flawlessly.

With how efficiently he handled things this time as well, I couldn’t help but feel he might be more capable than Erik himself.

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“Queen Filia, tomorrow… knights from your homeland, the Sylvan royal family, are expected to arrive.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“I’m surprised—so you already knew?”

In truth, a letter of celebration was originally set to be delivered tomorrow, marking five years since our marriage.
“Because of that, knights from Sylvan were already on their way to this country. I knew the news would reach them quickly, and they would arrive as soon as possible.”

“From tomorrow onward, my safety will be of utmost importance as well.”

“Our royal family will make every effort not to allow any further disgrace. I regret leaving now, but I must attend to state affairs… If anything happens, don’t hesitate to call for me.”

After Luans left, several knights were assigned to guard me.
They were carefully selected under the Prime Minister’s orders — people I could trust, so there should be no danger.

“I just hope… among the knights arriving tomorrow, he might be there too.”

A year ago—he was the one who warned me of Erik and the others’ conspiracy.
If one were to look at the record of castle entry from that day, a single name from my homeland’s knights was listed.

He was a knight of the Sylvan royal family.
But how did he know of the crown prince’s secret schemes?

And perhaps… the letter Luans received — could it also have been delivered by a knight from my homeland?
“I won’t know unless I ask… will I?”

There were still questions lingering, but for now, my goal had been achieved.
So I thought, as I sat on the edge of the bed in my private chambers.

“Prince Erik! Please wait! You cannot see her right now!”

“Out of my way! I need to speak with Filia!”

“Please stop. The Chancellor has ordered that you cannot meet with her right now.”

“What’s wrong with a husband and wife talking? I’ve only come to apologize. Are you trying to stand in the way of reconciliation between us?”

From outside the queen’s chambers, I heard the raised voices of a knight and Erik arguing.
I stood, wondering what was going on, when the door suddenly opened.

“There will be no trouble. I only wish to talk. Step aside.”

“But…”

“Enough. If you can’t obey the orders of the Crown Prince… consider your position lost.”

He likely brushed past the knight’s attempts to stop him, entered the room, and shut the door behind him.
The way he forced himself in with threats made me tense up.

But then—
Instead of anything else, he immediately dropped to his knees on the floor.

“Filia, I beg you.”

His crimson hair swayed as his emerald eyes looked up at me, pleading.
I didn’t need him to say it—I already knew what he was about to ask.

“At last, the time has arrived.”
I murmured softly, so he wouldn’t hear.
Holding back the overwhelming joy threatening to burst from my chest, I looked down at my husband—Erik—kneeling before me.

“This is all I have left. Please, listen to me. I can’t let them investigate… They mustn’t find out…”

Once the investigation begins, there’ll be no escape.
Sensing that, perhaps… he’s resorted to this last desperate measure: an apology.

“I know… I know you must be angry for all the things I’ve done. I blamed you for not bearing a child and forced so much onto you. I acted selfishly.”

The moment I had waited so long for had finally come.
Erik, Crown Prince of the Harvin Kingdom, now on his knees before me—begging, apologizing.

“I’ll apologize for everything—for as long as it takes. Just… please.”

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For five years, he used me.
He silenced me with scandal, humiliated me, and stripped me of my dignity as a woman.
He trampled over my life without remorse.

That’s why… I had longed—desperately waited—for this very moment.
So come on. Say it.
Say the words I’ve waited to hear––

“Please. I want you to divorce me.”

Ah…
How many times had I dreamed of this day?
How fiercely I had wished for it?

Now, as that wish bears fruit, with Erik bowing his head and begging before me, a quiet smile touches my lips.

“If our marriage ends, the scandal will fade with it, and suspicions of misconduct will disappear. So please… if it’s apology you want, I’ll give it a hundred times over. Just forgive me. Let’s settle this with a divorce.”

“……”

“Of course! I’ll make sure it’s on me—that I take the blame. You’ll be free, and no one will dare to speak ill of you. That’s why… I beg you.”

The five long, painful years I endured…
They were finally, finally about to be rewarded.

If I agreed to divorce him now, I could sever all ties with Erik, just like that.
I would be free from every chain that bound me—and return home without shame or reproach.

At long last…
This moment has truly come.

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But…

“But you know, unfortunately… I have no intention of forgiving you.”

Five long years of suffering.
Freedom? Release?
You think an apology is enough to make me forgive you?

With such naïve thinking, I could never face my homeland. I couldn’t return there with my head held high.
If I’m going to do this—then I’ll see it through to the end.
That’s the decision I made a year ago, and I’ve been preparing ever since.

So…

“I will not divorce you.”

“W-what!!? Wh-why!? I’m offering you an apology… freedom!”

“You think I’ll let you sweep your infidelity under the rug by divorcing now? Absolutely not.”

“Wh-why… after everything…”

“You really don’t understand, do you, Erik?”

How pitiful. How foolish.

There’s no way I’d accept that.
The investigation will continue, thoroughly and publicly.
I’ll make sure everyone knows the truth—that you committed adultery while bound by marriage.

You’ll answer for the grave insult you’ve brought upon both our nations—and the dishonor you’ve cast on mine.

A quiet settlement through divorce?
Never.

Hey, Erik.
I suffered for five years.

“Now it’s your turn, Erik.”

And after you’ve suffered enough—truly, deeply—

I’ll be the one to say the words you longed to hear:
‘I want a divorce.’