Chapter 817: The Last (50)

‘I didn’t know you were writing a letter. Looks like I came at a bad time… Oscar.’

‘It’s okay, Lee Kiyoung. It’s almost over, so…’

‘This time too…’

‘Yes. Because my mother might be worried, and… as I always say, you can call me Alice when there’s only the two of us. I feel like you’re being too unfamiliar with me… It puts my mind at ease when you treat me comfortably as before.’

‘I’m sorry if you felt that way, Alice, but I’m just expressing the courtesy you deserve.’

‘You know… I’m not the kind of person who deserves such treatment from you.’

‘I don’t think there is a distinction between those who deserve it and those who don’t.’

‘Yes. Right. Yes…’

‘As I always say, there is no such thing as a humble life. Some people differentiate, but all human beings are equal and have the right to enjoy what they deserve. The same goes for you. You don’t have to humble yourself. No matter what the circumstances you grew up in, all humans under Benignore are equal.’

‘I… I forgot for a moment.’

‘Are you nervous?’

‘…’

‘…’

‘Yes, I think I’m nervous. I think it’s scary… and heavy. Sometimes… Sometimes I dream.’

‘…’

‘In it, people who support me point their fingers at me. The comrades who believe and follow me point their fingers at me after climbing the stage as Oscar. When that happens, the Oscar on the podium disappears. The long hair that was cut comes back to life, and I can see Alice wearing a maid’s uniform. Alice, dumb, fearful, and pressured, looks around her with a pale face. Comrades throw stones at her, saying that they were deceived and asking if I have the right to lead them. If I really think that I’m someone great that can lead the new them…’

‘…’

‘I want to say something, but whenever I try, no voice comes out. I know Benignore is right. I also know that what you said is right. However… I guess I’ve been living like this for too long. Have you ever thought about that?’

‘…’

‘Have you… Have you ever regretted even the slightest bit of choosing me? Have you ever thought it was a mistake?’

‘Alice…’

‘No. I shouldn’t have said that. There’s no way you could make a mistake… I’m sorry.’

‘You don’t have to apologize.’

‘I-I should prepare… tomorrow’s speech.’

‘You were neither a fool nor fearful nor pressured. If you’re still worried, I hope you don’t forget that I’m always by your side, Alice.’

‘…’

“I never forget, Son of Light. However…”

“…”

“I am very afraid now that the Son of Light is not present. I’m scared that I’ll make the wrong choice. Maybe all of this is my responsibility. I can’t stand the fear of just thinking about it.”

—The traitors…

“…”

—The traitors deserve the judgment of their sins! I will give divine punishment to those who threw the glory of the Empire into the filthy water.

“Evacuate the citizens, soldiers! Let’s remember what we fought and won for!”

It was a memory that remained strong even in the process of running frantically.

The State that had spread wide, the comrades who had fought together for a great cause, the tall clock tower, and our splendid country that seemed to last forever.

The figure of the Son of Light who supported me in that… No matter how many years and many eons passed, I thought that those memories would remain in the State’s history.

I had thought that the day when the State’s light would fade would never come.

There was a bitter smile on my lips. I quietly looked outside, but a feeling of helplessness, a feeling that I couldn’t do something, covered my whole body.

Maybe I knew it was going to end like this. That might be why I was nervous.

I didn’t think his choice would be wrong. Perhaps the expression that I didn’t live up to his expectations would be appropriate.

“Revolution. A glorious victory.”

The Empire collapsed, and the State rose. A lot of things had changed, but many things didn’t.

The hungry people were still hungry, the poor were still poor, and those who couldn’t raise their voices still couldn’t. The will of the comrades faded and deteriorated, and I failed to protect the sacred democracy.

We won the revolution, but it was also a failure. I just denied it.

Those who were against the gods’ will were wrong and hadn’t proven that we were right.

The country was corrupt, and a new class had been created. Those above might have changed, but nothing truly did.

Perhaps, it was only natural that the Son of Light would be disappointed.

It might be the result of polluting the sublime will of the white, angelic man.

“Was he regretting it?”

—Kill the traitors!

“Sh*t! Hold on! Soldiers of the State! Just hold on a little bit, and the reinforcements will arrive!”

“Is this really the end? Oh, God!”

“Oh, Son of Light. Are you really going to leave us? Oh, Benignore. Are you really trying to judge humanity?”

I could see the maid Alice with long hair, wearing a maid outfit reflected in the mirror. I closed my eyes tightly.

“What are you doing here, Oscar?”

“…”

“…”

A woman with red hair. Right. There was this woman.

“Senator Charlotte.”

“I’m asking what you’re doing here.”

“I was looking outside.”

“You’re out of your mind. Are you leaving them?”

“I didn’t give up. Just… just… I’ve just been thinking a lot. The will of the Son of Light…”

“…”

“I was just thinking about the will of the Son of Light.”

“…”

“…”

“You fool and stupid bitch.”

“…”

“You are really foolish and stupid, you lowly maid.”

“…”

“I was a fool for believing that you were a good fit for a leader, insect. I was a fool to think that it was fortunate that you were standing here on behalf of my father and sister, lowly bitch.”

“Yes. Perhaps the princess is right.”

The person standing in front of me is truly a leader.

Looking at her with unshakable eyes and noble grace, never wavering, standing up again against any odds was how a true leader should be.

It must have been the image I had been picturing over and over in my head.

“I am not a princess.”

“I haven’t changed anything, Charlotte. I changed nothing, nothing. I’m a stupid, lowly, dull maid who can’t choose anything without the will of the Son of Light.”

“…”

“Someone said that human nature does not change. I denied that statement, but now I feel that it isn’t wrong. Even if I got a new name and a new role, I don’t think my essence has changed. I was a maid. Yes. I was Charlia’s maid. Only now have I become Oscar, but when I think about it now, I think that only the one I serve has changed. I went from Charlia’s maid to his maid.”

“…”

“I cannot go against his will, Charlotte. I can’t deny what he wants. It is you who’s best suited to be the leader of the State. You are the only one who can save it.”

“Really…”

“Look outside, Charlotte. They want an empire. Isn’t it the glory of the splendid Empire that those ghosts want? You’re the only heir left of it. You are the only hope that can save this place.”

My hand trembled. As I ripped the seal off my chest and slowly pushed it toward her, I saw her distorted expression. It was familiar. It seemed to hate and almost as if she had seen something dirty.

I couldn’t understand, but that made me feel relieved. However, soon enough, I saw her eyes filled with tears.

Her expression couldn’t be expressed in words. It made my heart stop for a moment.

“Many have died.”

“That’s why you have to save them! You can do it. You’ll be able to undo everything.”

“A lot of people have died to build this country, to establish the new State. Many died. This country was built with the blood and sacrifice of noble people. No matter what happened in it, that doesn’t change.”

“…”

“My father and sister also closed their eyes, and countless people who did not share their will buried their bones. The State is a country built by sacrifice, and… to my disgust, I was proud of all of this.”

“…”

“I was proud of the new citizens, I was proud of those who were able to unite their will, and I was proud of you leading a new country. Although I knew it was wrong to shed blood, I was happy to see how we were changing and that the blood of those who sacrificed for this land wasn’t spilled in vain in the end! I just got to feel it!”

“Charlotte.”

“However… However, in the end! All this was an illusion. Sacred democracy was also a mere instrument. Ha… haha… Hahahaha! The Son of Light is not the way in the end. He is not!”

“He was not wrong! Charlotte!”

“Shut up, you lowly thing!”

“…”

“How dare you look straight into my eyes and raise your voice tone! You should know your place!”

Slap!

At this, my face got hot.

My body turned with that sound.

“Keep your position, you disgusting insect. You chose it. It is your lowly roots that changed your destiny again.”

Charlotte raised her hands with tears in her eyes.

“I am different from you. I will not forsake it.”

“…”

“I will never forsake the State. I will not give up this blood-stained land. Never… Never.”

“…”

“This is not mine, so I will not take it.”

“He wasn’t wrong…”

“Then prove it, you imbecile.”

I could see the State’s seal falling.

The back view of Charlotte with her back turned and the loud noises coming from outside were all like a dream.

Tears dripped down without my knowledge. I kept crying out loud.

I held the stained seal tightly. There was no Oscar. She wouldn’t be seen as a hero who led a revolution, who led a brilliant country.

She ruined everything herself, looking like the wretched handmaid Alice with her mask removed.

However, she raised her body. Red cheeks, messy hair. With a dirty uniform…

She stood up.

Maybe… Perhaps…

That was most likely the first time for Alice.