The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 30 The Redemption of Sin

Leticia's hand was still trembling holding the sword. His breathing is irregular. Isabella's attacks left her a little exhausted.

It had been a long time since he had held a sword. Although Leticia was actually not very skilled, she was still able to carry out basic movements. And the words of Grand Duke Faust proved that his abilities were very poor.

She felt lucky that Isabella was willing to teach her daughter. If Leticia taught Judith, maybe her daughter's sword skills would suck just like her. 

Leticia looked into Gerald's eyes. Seen snarl. He fears his ability could affect his working relationship with Gerald. 

Gerald wanted to see the abilities of the people who brought him together. Actually Gerald can check it out for himself by fighting Isabella. However, he instead gave the sword to Leticia to assess the durability of the sword made by Count Landel. Leticia realized Gerald's intentions.

Grand Duke Faust did not make any sound after that. Gerald walked towards Leticia and Isabella. He passed them both to the door. He turned his head open, "I'll go to the mercenary's place. You calm down, Empress, Isabella." 

"Good, Sir." Isabella.

"You can go after it calms down, Empress," Gerald said without looking at Leticia.

Gerald left them both. Leticia dropped her sword then retreated slowly towards the chair then dropped her body. His feet felt weak. Either he's scared of Gerald or he's in shock from Isabella's surprise attack. Leticia looked at her trembling hand and then grasped it.

Isabella sheathed the sword and approached Leticia. He sat in front of her. "Are you okay, Leti?" ask Isabella to worry. 

Leticia smiled as her best friend started calling her nickname as a child. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm fine, Bella."

"It's not your intention to demean you, Leti. I think you're just worried that if anyone comes after you, you can't protect yourself." 

Leticia shakes. "Grand Duke Faust's words were correct, my movements were too stiff. Unlike me, your skills are getting better, Bella."

"Thank you, Leti. That's because every day I practice and you teach me."

Leticia smiled wryly. "When you get mad at me, I never practice again. My father never allowed me to hold a sword."

Isabella was silent for a moment. After solidifying his mind, he looked at Leticia's hand and then grasped it. Isabella felt Leticia's hand tremor getting weaker. Isabella looked at Leticia softly.

"I can train you in my house at night, how?"

"I'm afraid to trouble you."

"It's okay just once a week."

"All right, Bella."

They both smile. However, Leticia's smile quickly faded at the thought of her offer of Count Landell. Grand Duke Faust did not give any answer to him at all. 

"Will Grand Duke Faust be supplying weapons from Count Landell?" ask Leticia.

"Most likely yes. The sword has a strong endurance, usually the sword will be broken immediately when attacked by people who use aura. Besides, it seems like Master is interested in that stone you brought. You will not bring the stone home if you do not intend to buy it" Isabella said trying to convince Leticia.

"That's it. I was actually worried that you really wanted to kill me, Bella."

"Actually I vented my anger on you first."

Isabella took her hand off Leticia. They both looked at each other and laughed. Their first laugh after all this time. The confusion between the two has disappeared. The invisible wall that bounded the two slowly collapsed.

"The Witch Leader of the Tower came to the Faust residence when Judith was training a few days ago."

"The action is hard to predict." Leticia was trying to keep her face from looking suspicious.

"Is there any guarantee that he and the Imperial Witch Leader did not betray us, Leti?" isabella asked still suspecting the two witches.

"They won't bless us. I guarantee it, Bella," Leticia said firmly.

"Why can you be so sure?" Isabella squinted her eyes.

"They were orphans and came from commoners. However, they had the talent to be witches, so I financed them to learn magic without my father's knowledge. We have been friends until now. So you don't have to worry about them."

"Why are you helping them?" Isabella looked at Leticia. 

"They have talents and dreams, but no money. I want their dreams to come true in place of me who can't achieve my dreams. I am happy to see them succeed. It feels like my dream has come true."

Leticia's eyes were closed imagining that. Isabella kept silent waiting for Leticia to continue her explanation. His friend's story continues. Leticia opened her eyes.

"Maybe I just want to get over my guilt for you, Bella. As penance I help them."

Isabella's eyes widened. He's speechless. Silence occurred between them for a few seconds. Feeling the need to say something he said, "I forgive you, Leti. You don't have to feel guilty anymore."

Leticia smiled broadly. He nodded, holding back his tears. Finally his best friend forgave him. Those were the words he had been waiting for a long time. Leticia was breathing. Looking up at Isabella. No more tears in his eyes. 

Isabella smiled, "I'll try to trust them, Leti."

"Thank you, Bella."

Recalling something, Leticia took out a pouch containing two magic stones. "I almost forgot about it. It's a magic stone to communicate, Bella. One for you and one for Grand Duke Faust." Leticia took out the magic stones one by one. The one that was red for Isabella and the one that was black for Grand Duke Faust.

"I'll give it to you, sir." Isabella received both stones.

"It's time for me to come back, it looks like I've been out for too long." Leticia stand.

"Be careful on the road, Leti." Isabella stood up

"See you, Bella." 

The woman before Leticia slowly faded away as the magic stone had been activated. Leticia had already reached her room. Emilia as usual was a little worried that her master was continuing to leave without any anxiety though.

Leticia changed clothes and allowed her makeup to fade due to the fight earlier. Emilia helped him.

Leticia picked up a pen and wrote a message to Count Landell about the possible arrival of interested people in the goods in his blacksmith's workshop. Leticia asks Count Landell to keep the man's identity a secret. He hoped Count Landell's efforts would be successful. 

Leticia did not seal the message with a melted candle. He handed it to Emilia.

"This is a letter to your father. Please send this message, in your name, Emilia. You can read it if you want to know the contents and keep this a secret."

Emilia was a little confused, then read the letter to her father. His eyes grew bigger and then he nodded. "Good, Empress. I'll deliver it."

Emilia immediately entered the letter and exited Leticia's room to carry out her employer's orders. 

Leticia just hopes Isabella's words are true. Grand Duke Faust was interested in supplying Count Landell's weapons. Leticia remembered the red eyes that were ready to pounce on her at any moment. There was a time when the eyes were usually visible. But those eyes scared him. He had to hone his sword skills again, so as not to make Grand Duke Faust cancel their cooperation at any time.