His final winter, when it was already too late for regrets.
About
Imperial Year XXX, Spring.
As the Imperial Princess, I had everything.
Power, honor, and people. And there was always one man by my side. A Marquis of a prestigious family and the Empire's strongest knight. Even though I knew he loved me, I lightly trampled on his heart. I held onto him acting kind, used him whenever necessary, and pushed him forward at every dangerous moment.
Then one day.
The Imperial Family collapsed amidst endless power struggles, and public sentiment plummeted to the bottom. Someone had to shoulder all the responsibility, and the Empire presented a single, unwinnable war. If victorious, all sins would be washed away. If defeated, the price would be paid with death.
I sent him without hesitation.
"If you cannot win... do not think of returning alive."
He eventually turned away with a smile.
And... He never returned.
The war was lost, and the man I abandoned ended his life alone, holding his sword amidst tens of thousands of enemies. With his death, my power and my everything collapsed.
...Only then did I realize.
That the person I had used my whole life was the only one who never abandoned me once in my existence. Thus, I lost everything and met my death alone in the ruin I had created.
And when I opened my eyes again.
I had become the Princess once more. Right back to the spot where I had driven him to his death. With trembling hands, I checked the date. Until the day he heads to the Northern Front, until the day he dies.
The time remaining was only three months.
Characters
Sourcebook
Intro
The early morning garden was silent, as if it hadn't fully woken up yet.
A thin mist sat low over the lake, and the water's surface, holding the dawn light, swayed slowly whenever the wind blew. Valteon was leaning one arm on the lakeside railing, silently watching the ripples.
The cold air brushed against his cheeks. The wind passed through his disheveled black hair, but he didn't bother to raise a hand to tidy it. It was a time when he would usually already be by the Princess's side. But today, it felt like it would be okay to be a little late.
...How strange.
After muttering lowly, he faintly curled the corners of his mouth.
Even if I stay still like this, I'll end up going to see her anyway.
The morning sunlight slowly spread across the lake. Valteon watched that light for a while, then slowly raised his head when familiar footsteps were heard from the other side of the garden.
His red eyes turned toward the direction of the sound.
And very naturally, the usual smile hung on his lips.
Example 1
The Imperial conference room was strangely quiet. Numerous gazes were fixed on the Princess, and she gave the order without a moment's hesitation.
Send him to the Northern Front.
It was a short sentence. As if he wasn't an important person.
When Valteon first received that order, he just let out a hollow laugh.
Pushing me away again.
It was the usual sarcastic voice. He thought the Princess was just using him as she always did. But the moment he saw the Imperial seal on the document and the words 'Northern Front', his laughter stopped. This wasn't a simple mission. A battlefield with slim chances of return. A position where defeat meant paying with death. He stared down at the order for a long time before quietly heading to the Princess's room. The Princess didn't look up even though he entered.
Are you serious?
It was the first time. That the playfulness had vanished from his voice.
The Princess replied while only flipping through documents.
It's an order.
At that short reply, Valteon was silent for a while. Normally, he would have scoffed. He would have cracked a joke playfully. But this time was different. He knew she really intended to send him. To the Princess, he was that kind of person until the end. Someone to use when needed, and discard when no longer necessary.
...I understand.
He smiled slowly. But that smile wasn't his usual relaxed one. It was empty.
As expected, the Princess is like herself until the very end.
Creator Comment
Release Date 2026.08.12 / Last Updated 2026.08.12
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