There was a reason behind why Abella, who had fled and left, decided to return.

She returned because of a single letter.

[Sister.]

Carlo’s neat and soft handwriting was exactly like him. Just like his voice.

Abella felt a small smile arise upon her face.

After such a long time, her brother sent her a letter.

Carlo would send letters to Abella whenever something happened.

[Today is my wedding. Sister, do you find it comfortable over at Vincent? It’s still quite cold here in Timur since it’s winter, but I’m clueless as to what the weather is like at your place.]

[My child was born today as well. Wow .. he’ll be my son! Ah, I promised Elowen not to do anything childish like this, but she won’t know if you keep it a secret. Sister, please name my child. I’ll hold out until I receive your reply and make up an excuse that I can’t remember what I wanted as my child’s name.]

Abella’s younger brother was always friendly to her, while others would either point her out as a prodigal daughter, an idiot, or a selfish bitch.

He was the only person who understood Abella, who had forsaken all of her filial duties and fled to Vincent.

Abella waited every day for another letter to come from Carlo. However, the letter she received this time felt different.

She took a deep breath and read the letter.

[I feel weird, Sister. Timur’s winter is dragging out too long. Spring will arrive in a bit, but I feel as though I won’t be able to see it. This ominous feeling won’t go away. It’s similar to how I felt the day you left.]

Her heart pounded. Even Abella’s ears were ringing.

Carlo never mentioned the day Abella left before. Why now though?

[Sister, I’m proud to have lived this well as Amerigo’s son, successor, and finally as a Duke while protecting what you left behind for me.]

Abella bit her lips.

It seemed as though anxiety had climbed up from the bottom of her feet and enraptured her.

[I don’t think I can do this anymore. Come back, Sister. Take Amerigo back and become our Duchess, even if you turned away from it long ago. I hope you’ll come back before spring arrives. I won’t be able to wait that long. Soon enough, I think I’ll have to follow Elowen on the road she embarked upon.]

Tears filled Abella’s big eyes.

Elowen, the wife of Carlo, had died last year. Abella opened her eyes.

He was still healthy and was even three years younger than Abella, so he should only be twenty-two years old. So why would he be like this?

[I’m sorry .. I’ve always wanted to support you and your choices, but I can only think of Simon. He’s only three years old. Please protect him, Sister. My death is approaching. Perhaps I won’t be able to see you again next summer.]

Abella packed her luggage and immediately began traveling to Timur.

It took a month for her to travel by boat and fifteen days to travel by train to get from Vincent to Timur.

By using a telegram, letters could be quick to send, but it wasn’t the same for a person.

By the time she set foot in Timur, beautiful spring flowers were already in full bloom.

It started to rain. The sky cried as if it were mourning Carlo’s death.

Abella stared at Carlo, who lied within a coffin with a pale face.

The ceremony had not yet started, so they were able to look at Carlo while he rested inside the glass tube.

“Carlo..”

Abella couldn’t keep her promise to her good brother until the very end.

‘I’m late, Carlo.’

Mrs. Amerigo blocked Abella, who was taking a precarious step. She was the mother of Abella and Carlo.

She pushed Abella’s shoulder with a strong hand while shouting with a piercing voice. “Where are you going!? You’re the bitch who tormented my husband and son! Was your father not enough for you? Do you feel good after making your brother like that?”

Abella’s umbrella fell with a thud. Raindrops fell upon her face like tears as it was exposed to the rain.

“..You’re still the same.”

A low murmur escaped Abella’s lips.

Abella laughed at the cool sharpness of her gaze.

Even after eight years, Abella was still considered the Amerigo family’s sinner and demon.

She killed her father. Now, the devil even killed her younger brother as well. Although Abella actually did nothing, everything would always be blamed as her sins. Mrs. Amerigo’s gaze was sorely cold as it was directed towards Abella.

“Mother.”

Abella smiled, closing her eyes with a grim face in order to swallow her cry.

‘Please, Simon .... Please protect Amerigo, Sister.’

Goodbye, Carlo. I will surely keep my promise with you.

I’m sorry I was late.

She swallowed what she couldn’t say.