Chapter 38

Episode 38

The Queen’s words, spoken as if making lighthearted conversation, were truly something to behold.

“Our Yulina was so heartbroken when she heard of the Marquis’s engagement.”

Only then did the King, as if suddenly realizing something, speak nonchalantly.

“Yulina was disappointed, but it couldn’t be helped.”

“I thought she might enjoy spending time at our estate with me, as fellow princesses, but alas, it was not meant to be.”

“I think so too.”

As Madeline chimed in naturally with words of praise, Princess Yulina raised her chin even higher, clearly putting on an air of elegance.

A good relationship?

Hardly. It was obvious she had chosen Yulina as her daughter-in-law because she seemed easy to manage and she wanted to benefit from the Cronon royal family.

Yulina, however, seemed completely unaware that she’d been chosen precisely because she was easy to use.

Ilian felt like he was about to go beyond sighs and end up with a headache.

Had they all really conspired together—from the Queen on down—to orchestrate this entire event?

“Come to think of it, the Grand Madam must be terribly heartbroken. I haven’t had the chance to offer my condolences.”

The King, focused on the meal and beginning to eat, looked indifferent, and Alec, attempting to mediate, quickly stepped in to change the subject.

Just from the way he cut off Yulina, who looked ready to say something more with a displeased expression, one could tell his disposition.

It was at least a relief to have one sane person among these delusional people.

“…Thank you. His Highness the Crown Prince is very thoughtful.”

After that, the atmosphere inevitably grew heavy.

If Madeline pretended to be cheerful here, she would seem heartless about her father’s death.

Lydia was honestly curious about what Madeline wanted from this gathering.

Perhaps she wanted to solidify her public position.

It was annoying that she chose to belittle Lydia while elevating Princess Yulina to do so, but in truth, Lydia’s mind had long been preoccupied with the new clue she had discovered today, and the royal banquet had already faded to the background.

Still, there was only so long she could pretend to pick at her food, and as she let out a faint sigh, she noticed Ilian turning his head slightly to look at her, as if he had been listening despite the light, meaningless conversation going on.

“…Shall we go?”

“Now?”

“At this point, the King probably wouldn’t find it strange.”

Ilian spoke casually, cutting into the conversation so abruptly it would have been rude—if it hadn’t been for the circumstances.

“So, what I was trying to say back then was…”

“We’ll be taking our leave now, Your Majesty.”

“Oh my, already?”

“Marquis, can’t you stay just a little longer…”

As if triggered in sequence, voices trying to stop him rang out. But Ilian stood up, taking Lydia’s hand.

“Lydia seems tired. It’s best we retire early and let her rest.”

Lydia, who only wanted to leave this place, hoped desperately that her face looked convincingly tired.

Honestly, after the busy morning of preparing for this outing, it wouldn’t even be a lie to say she was exhausted by this late evening.

“Then only the Marchioness can return first.”

Unbelievable.

Princess Yulina’s shamelessness surpassed even Madeline’s.

Whether she realized it or not, she hastily added,

“It’s just a shame to see you leave so early. We rarely get to meet like this.”

“Indeed. That could work.”

Madeline’s added remark, seemingly casual, was Ilian’s breaking point.

Lydia tugged on his hand, signaling him not to start a pointless argument, and once again, Alec stepped in.

“They’re newlyweds—surely we can’t separate them already. I have business to attend to myself, so I’ll leave with them.”

With that, he suddenly stood up, disrupting the tense atmosphere, then gave Ilian a look to indicate they should go.

“Yes. Marquis, it was good to see you again.”

“…We’ll be going now.”

With the Crown Prince stepping in and even the King signaling agreement, the Queen had no choice but to hold her tongue.

Lydia followed closely behind Ilian, almost hiding behind him, and only let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding once they passed through the doors.

“First of all, I’m sorry.”

Alec turned around after personally closing the door and looked genuinely apologetic as he spoke to Ilian.

“I didn’t know it would be like this.”

“It showed.”

Ilian’s curt reply made Alec let out a long sigh.

Walking alongside them with a tired expression, he responded,

“I thought she’d given up when Yulina stopped clinging to me and whining.”

“You didn’t even know Madeline Ines had entered the palace?”

“She came in like one of the many palace maids—never formally announcing her visit to Father but always coming in with Mother’s permission.”

As if anticipating more complaints from Ilian, Alec quickly cut him off.

“I know. I was careless. That’s why I said I’m sorry.”

“Get Madeline Ines out of here immediately. Are you planning to let her cause more trouble?”

“Of course I want to. There’s no reason to keep someone here who’s of no help to relations with the Ines Kingdom. But just throwing her out might give them an excuse to make a fuss…”

After walking for some time, they found themselves on a quiet path that looked like a secluded trail.

Lydia, while listening to their conversation, knew it wasn’t her place to join in and naturally walked a few steps behind.

Then, startled by the sudden sound of urgent footsteps, she turned around.

“Marchioness. Please wait a moment.”

“What is it?”

Lydia glanced back and forth between Ilian and Alec, who were deep in what seemed like a one-sided scolding session.

Still, she couldn’t help but pause her steps as they walked farther ahead.

“Her Majesty the Queen requests a private audience.”

The woman, who appeared to be a royal maid, spoke politely but with an overbearing tone, clearly implying Lydia had no choice but to comply.

Honestly, Ilian might’ve been able to refuse, but Lydia had no grounds to do so.

Yet, it was obvious there was another motive behind summoning her alone like this, and she wasn’t too keen to comply.

Should I make up an excuse and decline?

It wasn’t fear.

Whether she was becoming more like Ilian or simply found comfort in his presence, she knew that if she called him, he would easily dismiss the maid’s request.

But at the same time, she felt a desire to end everything today—whether it involved the Queen, Princess Yulina, or Madeline.

If it comes to it…

Lydia fingered the small glass vial she always carried in her pocket. Inside was a liquid that caused hallucinations if one came too close.

Of course, it had no effect on Lydia herself, but she carried it at all times because it could help confuse others and give her a way out of any situation.

“Please lead the way.”

And Lydia was glad she responded to the “Queen’s” summons, because—as expected—it wasn’t the Queen waiting for her in the middle of the bridge crossing the pond, but Madeline.

Thinking that Ilian’s cynicism had surely rubbed off on her, Lydia couldn’t stop herself from speaking.

“I didn’t know Her Majesty had been replaced without my knowledge.”

“…You.”

Before the maid could even react, Madeline, who had spotted her first, snapped sharply.

“You. How on earth did you manage to ensnare Ilian?”

“We became a couple because we like each other.”

Ah, so this was what she’d used the Queen’s authority to summon her for? Lydia almost laughed in disbelief.

She didn’t know what kind of threats Madeline planned to use to separate her from Ilian, but she couldn’t exactly say, “Don’t worry, I’ll be gone from his side in a year with no trace left.”

“There’s no way Ilian Esteban would do that. He’s just like my father—so self-centered. There’s no way he would.”

That was true. There was no affection between them.

“Maybe people change. You wouldn’t know, since you weren’t around.”

“You think you can speak to me like that and get away with it?”

“Yes.”

Lydia responded without hesitation, deliberately sounding impudent.

She had only behaved politely in front of others because there was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.

But just like the last time Madeline barged into the estate, if a confrontation was what she wanted, Lydia wasn’t about to back down.

In every way, she had the moral high ground. At the very least, she hadn’t lured someone out under false pretenses with such transparent tactics.