Chapter 58 - Hostage Queen Chapter 57 - Affectionate King Chapter 56 - Igor’s Wish Chapter 55 - He Cares For You Chapter 54 - Basil Chapter 53 - Garden Check (19) Chapter 52 - Maidenhood Gone (19) Chapter 51 - Taste of Wine (19) Chapter 50 - Tradition Annulled Chapter 49 - Yearning Kiss Chapter 48 - You’re Beautiful Chapter 47 - Dimi Over You Chapter 46 - I’m Sorry, Rihannan Chapter 45 - The Truth Chapter 44 - Anastasia’s Daughter Chapter 43 - I Owe It to Her Chapter 42 - Igor’s Clumsiest Best Chapter 41 - Queen’s Palace Chapter 40 - Human Nature Chapter 39 - Igor’s Debt Chapter 38 - The Medicine Chapter 37 - Women Love Flowers Chapter 36 - Public Disgrace Chapter 35 - A Wife Who Does Not Love Chapter 34 - He Liked Her, After All Chapter 33 - Are You Crying? Chapter 32 - You’re My Wife, I’ll Protect You Chapter 31 - Mother's Grave Chapter 30 - Rihannan and Arundell Chapter 29 - Your Majesty, Please Get Out Chapter 28 - Suicidal Impulse Chapter 27 - Igor’s Regret Chapter 26 - But Divorce Me a Year Later Chapter 25 - Long Time No See Chapter 24 - I’ll Kill You Myself Chapter 23 - I’ll Be Alright Chapter 22 - A Favor Chapter 21 - Danil Lyurik Chapter 20 - A Future Worse Chapter 19 - Suffer the Same Fate Chapter 18 - New Man Chapter 17 - The Dream Chapter 16 - There Was a Time... Chapter 15 - Young King Chapter 14 - Years Later Chapter 13 - If She Did Her Job Properly… Chapter 12 - Of Chrichton Blood Chapter 11 - I Don’t Want To Marry Chapter 10 - Life In Her Belly Chapter 9 - Dimitri Priebius Chapter 8 - The First and Last Chapter 7 - Feared Queen Chapter 6 - Send Them Out Chapter 5 - Wanting His Love Chapter 4 - Get Out Chapter 3 - Hertia Cesca Chapter 2 - Loveless Marriage Chapter 1 - Golden Bird’s Feather
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“I apologize for the interruption, Your Majesty,” Basil interjected, his tone respectful yet tinged with a touch of amusement. “I was merely jesting, Your Majesty. Rest assured, the chambers within the palace are impeccably soundproof. I couldn’t possibly overhear anything. I swear on my life. You can even verify later if any doubts linger.”
Igor’s stern countenance softened, albeit only slightly. Basil then dropped to his knees, clutching his throbbing leg in searing pain. The wretched creature had kicked him while he was stripped bare, his most intimate parts dangling vulnerably.
“Next time, should you dare to make such jests again, I shan’t show you any mercy,” Igor warned, his voice laced with a cold undertone. With a swift turn on his heel, he made his way to the bathing room, forcefully slamming the door shut behind him.
Basil blew out a breath, huffing in exasperation, and gingerly rubbed his knee, all the while muttering curses under his breath towards the ill-tempered and nasty king who seemed to relish his power.
Witnessing the beast’s horrid reaction to his innocent jest, cold sweat formed on Basil’s temples. If he had made the grave mistake of opening that door last night, he would have faced immediate execution. But he highly doubted it. The Goddess Queen, in whom he had unyielding faith, would surely protect his life.
“That brat was naught but a tender child when I first laid eyes upon him. Now, he has blossomed into a man and is finally wedded to a lady of unparalleled beauty,” Basil chuckled, his voice tinged with fond reminiscence.
Their initial encounter took place shortly after the brutal civil war that had engulfed Arundell came to a tumultuous end.
In the height of the civil war, the Queen Mother, then a princess, had given birth to a baby boy. She entrusted the child to a wet nurse while she ventured into the unknown, onto the blood-soaked battlefield.
By sheer coincidence, Basil’s mother, who had recently given birth herself, became a wet nurse in the palace. Instead of feeding her own daughter, she nourished the newborn prince with her own breast milk. No one knew whether the prince would ascend to the throne of Arundell or be forever branded as the son of a traitor.
When the civil war reached its conclusion, it was decreed that the infant prince would ascend to become the next king of Arundell.
Basil was on his way to visit his mother when he stumbled upon the little boy toddling around the palace gardens. With many young siblings of his own, Basil couldn’t help but feel a surge of compassion for the lonely child.
He lingered, coddling and playing with the young prince. It was during this time that the Queen happened to pass by and witnessed Basil’s interactions with Igor. Soon after, Basil was granted a residence within the palace.
While tending to and caring for Igor, Basil received an education within the palace corridors, elevating his status beyond that of a commoner.
As the years passed, and with the passing of the previous king, Igor ascended to the throne at a tender age.
Basil’s mother had long returned to their family home, but Basil chose to remain within the palace walls. Though he lacked noble lineage, living within the court with his humble duties fulfilled him. When Igor came of age and wielded the power to issue royal commands, he bestowed upon Basil the esteemed position of Grand Chamberlain, a move that shocked the noble class.
The title of Grand Chamberlain was typically reserved for the king’s most favored confidant, handpicked from among the loftiest of nobles.
Many within the nobility sneered and opposed Igor’s decision. At the time, he held little sway in the kingdom. Even the Queen Mother, who held Basil in high regard, disapproved of Igor’s choice.
However, the truth was… the real reason Igor bestowed such a high position upon Basil and kept him close was because he trusted him implicitly. Everyone else seemed unworthy and untrustworthy, driven by ulterior motives.
Basil was well aware of this fact, a testament to their shared history that had endured through the years.
Although Igor had evolved into a somewhat twisted, malevolent, and tyrannical man compared to his innocent youth, Basil still looked after him in his own way, despite his inward cursing.
And so, Basil felt a surge of emotions. It was as if his own younger brother had come of age and was now entering into matrimony. But above all, he was overjoyed that Igor was finally able to be with the woman he had harbored deep feelings for.
“These are the names of the esteemed guests who will be joining you for breakfast, Your Majesty. They have long expressed their desire to meet Arundell’s ill**trious king. Once the meal is concluded, they shall return to their respective homelands,” Basil informed Igor, his voice conveying respect and efficiency.
As Igor finished cleansing himself, Basil presented him with a paper listing the names of the honored guests.
Igor briefly glanced at the paper before turning his gaze to Basil. “…Hmm. Dimitri from Chrichton won’t be attending? Pray tell, why is that? And I notice that Marquis Preibius is physically present, yet his name doesn’t grace this list.”
Basil raised his head, his eyes widening in realization. Suddenly, a lightbulb illuminated in his mind as if he had just remembered an important detail. “Ah, indeed. Dimitri did not grace us with his presence this time, Your Majesty. Only Crown Prince Ivan and Marquis Preibius arrived as Chrichton’s representatives for the wedding ceremony. It is understandable that you were not privy to this information, as you were… otherwise occupied…” Basil’s voice trailed off, his words hauntingly soft as he muttered under his breath, “…indulging in the pleasures of the divine Queen, too consumed to notice such trifling details…”
Unbeknownst to Igor, he failed to catch Basil’s final words, for they surely would have dragged him straight into the depths of hell.
“What is their reason for not attending?” Igor inquired, his brows furrowing in curiosity.
“According to their statement, it is due to personal matters, Your Majesty. Though I find it rather unexpected. Dimitri holds a deep affection for his cousin, the Queen, but I can somewhat comprehend his perspective. His decision not to attend may be an indirect expression of his disapproval of the marriage ceremony. However, there is no need to worry or dwell on the matter. Even if he harbors such sentiments, what can he truly accomplish now?”
Basil’s response was appropriate and befitting of a trusted confidant.
Dimitri, now a baron, held no claim to the throne. He was devoid of power. When he had attempted to flee from Chrichton, he was imprisoned, rendering him incapable of taking any decisive action, while his cousin embarked on a marriage alliance in a foreign kingdom, unbeknownst to him.
Igor examined the list of names, lost in thought. Dimitri possessed no ambitions at present. Yet. He may be feeble and weak, but Igor knew that once he set his mind on something, he could become a formidable adversary.
Dimitri was a man who had ascended Chrichton’s throne through a bloody uprising, fueled by the seething rage that consumed him upon learning of his beloved cousin’s demise within the cold, dark confines of a prison cell, falsely accused of treason.
Dimitri was a man who cherished Rihannan dearly.
If the depth of his devotion in their past lives served as any indication, then the Dimitri of this existence loved Rihannan with an even more fervent intensity. His love for her had grown, flourishing with the extended time they had spent together.
Igor sighed in exasperation.
The future had undergone a profound transformation.
Dimitri would not resort to shedding blood, wreaking havoc, and massacring members of the royal family to seize the throne in this life, but Igor knew he needed to exercise caution. When it came to Rihannan, Dimitri was far from ordinary.
“…If he staunchly disapproves of this union, we must keep a vigilant eye on him. Instruct our spies in Chrichton to exercise caution and gather the necessary information,” Igor decided, his brows furrowed with concern.
Basil thought Igor was being overly cautious regarding a man stripped of political power, but he did not contest his decision.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Igor rose from his seat, a newfound vigor emanated from his countenance, the most fervor Basil had witnessed thus far.
Igor smiled. “Now, let us partake in breakfast, shall we?”
Left alone in the room after Igor’s departure, Rihannan swiftly wrapped her body in a blanket just before the maidservants entered. She then gingerly stepped out of the bed.
“Ah…”
Yet, as soon as her feet touched the cold floor, her strength waned. Her legs quivered, and she collapsed onto the ground. She was well aware of the cause of her discomfort. It wasn’t solely her lower regions throbbing with pain; her entire body felt battered and whipped from their nocturnal activities.
Desperately clutching the bed frame, she struggled to stand. At that moment, Duchess Cessley entered the room, followed by maidservants carrying a bath filled with warm water.
The Duchess noticed Rihannan’s plight and gasped in immediate surprise, rushing to her side.
“My Queen, are you alright?”
Rihannan met her gaze, offering a weak smile. “Mrs. Cessley… I apologize, but could you lend me a hand? I feel rather weak at the moment…”
“Oh, my goodness…” Duchess Cessley supported Rihannan, her eyes widening at the sight of her naked form peeking through the gaps in the blanket. She turned to the maidservants, who had just placed the bathtub down, and commanded, “Leave the room now, all of you. I shall attend to Her Majesty’s cleansing today.”
The maidservants nodded and exited the room, leaving the Duchess alone with Rihannan.
Rolling up her sleeves, the Duchess proceeded to assist Rihannan into the bathtub.
“That foolish king is utterly thoughtless! To leave his newly-wedded wife in such a state on their first night together!”
Colorful bruises adorned Rihannan’s body, clear marks where he had held her forcefully against her smooth skin.
“He ought to have known that our beloved Queen’s skin bruises easily. He should have exercised greater care during your first night together,” Duchess Cessley seethed, her anger palpable. “Did that fool even heed my warning?”
Despite her fierce tone, the hands that cleansed Rihannan’s body were gentle and tender, as if handling a fragile blossom.
Although Rihannan was not the target of the Duchess’s scolding, she found herself making excuses on his behalf.
“He did not mean to cause harm. Please, do not misunderstand…”
“Of course he did not! That foolish king lacks proper judgment! It is plain to see!”
Rihannan fell silent, refraining from saying anything further. Speaking further would only stoke the flames of the Duchess’s fiery temperament. With innocent eyes, she gazed down, watching the bubbles pop in her hand. She resembled a darling and innocent child who had committed a minor transgression.
“If that foolish king intends to seek your embrace tonight as well, you should kick him and cast him out the door. And should he persist, well… you know what to do. Although I doubt he would be so reckless, should such a situation arise, feel free to take the necessary measures. Do you understand?”
Blushing, Rihannan nodded quickly. Though she would never entertain the thought of kicking the king or resorting to the suggested action, she lacked the courage to refuse the Duchess, whose anger burned fiercely.
“Furthermore, My Queen, you should not allow that foolish king to have his way with you at his whims. His mind is currently clouded with fantasies, unable to distinguish between reality and desire. Men are far simpler creatures than you may imagine.”
Rihannan was amazed by the Duchess’s steadfast opinions and unwavering thoughts. Her previous Maid of Honor would urge her to conceive and bear the king a child hastily, but the Duchess held an entirely opposing perspective.
“In any case, it seems you will not be able to don the gown prepared for tomorrow’s banquet.”
“Pardon?” Rihannan looked perplexed.
“That gown, My Queen, boasts a rather plunging neckline.”
Observing the red marks adorning Rihannan’s neck and nape, the Duchess let out a deep sigh. Meanwhile, Rihannan breathed a sigh of relief. The topic was swiftly changing, and she seized the opportunity.
Chapter 58 - Hostage Queen Chapter 57 - Affectionate King Chapter 56 - Igor’s Wish Chapter 55 - He Cares For You Chapter 54 - Basil Chapter 53 - Garden Check (19) Chapter 52 - Maidenhood Gone (19) Chapter 51 - Taste of Wine (19) Chapter 50 - Tradition Annulled Chapter 49 - Yearning Kiss Chapter 48 - You’re Beautiful Chapter 47 - Dimi Over You Chapter 46 - I’m Sorry, Rihannan Chapter 45 - The Truth Chapter 44 - Anastasia’s Daughter Chapter 43 - I Owe It to Her Chapter 42 - Igor’s Clumsiest Best Chapter 41 - Queen’s Palace Chapter 40 - Human Nature Chapter 39 - Igor’s Debt Chapter 38 - The Medicine Chapter 37 - Women Love Flowers Chapter 36 - Public Disgrace Chapter 35 - A Wife Who Does Not Love Chapter 34 - He Liked Her, After All Chapter 33 - Are You Crying? Chapter 32 - You’re My Wife, I’ll Protect You Chapter 31 - Mother's Grave Chapter 30 - Rihannan and Arundell Chapter 29 - Your Majesty, Please Get Out Chapter 28 - Suicidal Impulse Chapter 27 - Igor’s Regret Chapter 26 - But Divorce Me a Year Later Chapter 25 - Long Time No See Chapter 24 - I’ll Kill You Myself Chapter 23 - I’ll Be Alright Chapter 22 - A Favor Chapter 21 - Danil Lyurik Chapter 20 - A Future Worse Chapter 19 - Suffer the Same Fate Chapter 18 - New Man Chapter 17 - The Dream Chapter 16 - There Was a Time... Chapter 15 - Young King Chapter 14 - Years Later Chapter 13 - If She Did Her Job Properly… Chapter 12 - Of Chrichton Blood Chapter 11 - I Don’t Want To Marry Chapter 10 - Life In Her Belly Chapter 9 - Dimitri Priebius Chapter 8 - The First and Last Chapter 7 - Feared Queen Chapter 6 - Send Them Out Chapter 5 - Wanting His Love Chapter 4 - Get Out Chapter 3 - Hertia Cesca Chapter 2 - Loveless Marriage Chapter 1 - Golden Bird’s Feather
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“I apologize for the interruption, Your Majesty,” Basil interjected, his tone respectful yet tinged with a touch of amusement. “I was merely jesting, Your Majesty. Rest assured, the chambers within the palace are impeccably soundproof. I couldn’t possibly overhear anything. I swear on my life. You can even verify later if any doubts linger.”
Igor’s stern countenance softened, albeit only slightly. Basil then dropped to his knees, clutching his throbbing leg in searing pain. The wretched creature had kicked him while he was stripped bare, his most intimate parts dangling vulnerably.
“Next time, should you dare to make such jests again, I shan’t show you any mercy,” Igor warned, his voice laced with a cold undertone. With a swift turn on his heel, he made his way to the bathing room, forcefully slamming the door shut behind him.
Basil blew out a breath, huffing in exasperation, and gingerly rubbed his knee, all the while muttering curses under his breath towards the ill-tempered and nasty king who seemed to relish his power.
Witnessing the beast’s horrid reaction to his innocent jest, cold sweat formed on Basil’s temples. If he had made the grave mistake of opening that door last night, he would have faced immediate execution. But he highly doubted it. The Goddess Queen, in whom he had unyielding faith, would surely protect his life.
“That brat was naught but a tender child when I first laid eyes upon him. Now, he has blossomed into a man and is finally wedded to a lady of unparalleled beauty,” Basil chuckled, his voice tinged with fond reminiscence.
Their initial encounter took place shortly after the brutal civil war that had engulfed Arundell came to a tumultuous end.
In the height of the civil war, the Queen Mother, then a princess, had given birth to a baby boy. She entrusted the child to a wet nurse while she ventured into the unknown, onto the blood-soaked battlefield.
By sheer coincidence, Basil’s mother, who had recently given birth herself, became a wet nurse in the palace. Instead of feeding her own daughter, she nourished the newborn prince with her own breast milk. No one knew whether the prince would ascend to the throne of Arundell or be forever branded as the son of a traitor.
When the civil war reached its conclusion, it was decreed that the infant prince would ascend to become the next king of Arundell.
Basil was on his way to visit his mother when he stumbled upon the little boy toddling around the palace gardens. With many young siblings of his own, Basil couldn’t help but feel a surge of compassion for the lonely child.
He lingered, coddling and playing with the young prince. It was during this time that the Queen happened to pass by and witnessed Basil’s interactions with Igor. Soon after, Basil was granted a residence within the palace.
While tending to and caring for Igor, Basil received an education within the palace corridors, elevating his status beyond that of a commoner.
As the years passed, and with the passing of the previous king, Igor ascended to the throne at a tender age.
Basil’s mother had long returned to their family home, but Basil chose to remain within the palace walls. Though he lacked noble lineage, living within the court with his humble duties fulfilled him. When Igor came of age and wielded the power to issue royal commands, he bestowed upon Basil the esteemed position of Grand Chamberlain, a move that shocked the noble class.
The title of Grand Chamberlain was typically reserved for the king’s most favored confidant, handpicked from among the loftiest of nobles.
Many within the nobility sneered and opposed Igor’s decision. At the time, he held little sway in the kingdom. Even the Queen Mother, who held Basil in high regard, disapproved of Igor’s choice.
However, the truth was… the real reason Igor bestowed such a high position upon Basil and kept him close was because he trusted him implicitly. Everyone else seemed unworthy and untrustworthy, driven by ulterior motives.
Basil was well aware of this fact, a testament to their shared history that had endured through the years.
Although Igor had evolved into a somewhat twisted, malevolent, and tyrannical man compared to his innocent youth, Basil still looked after him in his own way, despite his inward cursing.
And so, Basil felt a surge of emotions. It was as if his own younger brother had come of age and was now entering into matrimony. But above all, he was overjoyed that Igor was finally able to be with the woman he had harbored deep feelings for.
“These are the names of the esteemed guests who will be joining you for breakfast, Your Majesty. They have long expressed their desire to meet Arundell’s ill**trious king. Once the meal is concluded, they shall return to their respective homelands,” Basil informed Igor, his voice conveying respect and efficiency.
As Igor finished cleansing himself, Basil presented him with a paper listing the names of the honored guests.
Igor briefly glanced at the paper before turning his gaze to Basil. “…Hmm. Dimitri from Chrichton won’t be attending? Pray tell, why is that? And I notice that Marquis Preibius is physically present, yet his name doesn’t grace this list.”
Basil raised his head, his eyes widening in realization. Suddenly, a lightbulb illuminated in his mind as if he had just remembered an important detail. “Ah, indeed. Dimitri did not grace us with his presence this time, Your Majesty. Only Crown Prince Ivan and Marquis Preibius arrived as Chrichton’s representatives for the wedding ceremony. It is understandable that you were not privy to this information, as you were… otherwise occupied…” Basil’s voice trailed off, his words hauntingly soft as he muttered under his breath, “…indulging in the pleasures of the divine Queen, too consumed to notice such trifling details…”
Unbeknownst to Igor, he failed to catch Basil’s final words, for they surely would have dragged him straight into the depths of hell.
“What is their reason for not attending?” Igor inquired, his brows furrowing in curiosity.
“According to their statement, it is due to personal matters, Your Majesty. Though I find it rather unexpected. Dimitri holds a deep affection for his cousin, the Queen, but I can somewhat comprehend his perspective. His decision not to attend may be an indirect expression of his disapproval of the marriage ceremony. However, there is no need to worry or dwell on the matter. Even if he harbors such sentiments, what can he truly accomplish now?”
Basil’s response was appropriate and befitting of a trusted confidant.
Dimitri, now a baron, held no claim to the throne. He was devoid of power. When he had attempted to flee from Chrichton, he was imprisoned, rendering him incapable of taking any decisive action, while his cousin embarked on a marriage alliance in a foreign kingdom, unbeknownst to him.
Igor examined the list of names, lost in thought. Dimitri possessed no ambitions at present. Yet. He may be feeble and weak, but Igor knew that once he set his mind on something, he could become a formidable adversary.
Dimitri was a man who had ascended Chrichton’s throne through a bloody uprising, fueled by the seething rage that consumed him upon learning of his beloved cousin’s demise within the cold, dark confines of a prison cell, falsely accused of treason.
Dimitri was a man who cherished Rihannan dearly.
If the depth of his devotion in their past lives served as any indication, then the Dimitri of this existence loved Rihannan with an even more fervent intensity. His love for her had grown, flourishing with the extended time they had spent together.
Igor sighed in exasperation.
The future had undergone a profound transformation.
Dimitri would not resort to shedding blood, wreaking havoc, and massacring members of the royal family to seize the throne in this life, but Igor knew he needed to exercise caution. When it came to Rihannan, Dimitri was far from ordinary.
“…If he staunchly disapproves of this union, we must keep a vigilant eye on him. Instruct our spies in Chrichton to exercise caution and gather the necessary information,” Igor decided, his brows furrowed with concern.
Basil thought Igor was being overly cautious regarding a man stripped of political power, but he did not contest his decision.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Igor rose from his seat, a newfound vigor emanated from his countenance, the most fervor Basil had witnessed thus far.
Igor smiled. “Now, let us partake in breakfast, shall we?”
Left alone in the room after Igor’s departure, Rihannan swiftly wrapped her body in a blanket just before the maidservants entered. She then gingerly stepped out of the bed.
“Ah…”
Yet, as soon as her feet touched the cold floor, her strength waned. Her legs quivered, and she collapsed onto the ground. She was well aware of the cause of her discomfort. It wasn’t solely her lower regions throbbing with pain; her entire body felt battered and whipped from their nocturnal activities.
Desperately clutching the bed frame, she struggled to stand. At that moment, Duchess Cessley entered the room, followed by maidservants carrying a bath filled with warm water.
The Duchess noticed Rihannan’s plight and gasped in immediate surprise, rushing to her side.
“My Queen, are you alright?”
Rihannan met her gaze, offering a weak smile. “Mrs. Cessley… I apologize, but could you lend me a hand? I feel rather weak at the moment…”
“Oh, my goodness…” Duchess Cessley supported Rihannan, her eyes widening at the sight of her naked form peeking through the gaps in the blanket. She turned to the maidservants, who had just placed the bathtub down, and commanded, “Leave the room now, all of you. I shall attend to Her Majesty’s cleansing today.”
The maidservants nodded and exited the room, leaving the Duchess alone with Rihannan.
Rolling up her sleeves, the Duchess proceeded to assist Rihannan into the bathtub.
“That foolish king is utterly thoughtless! To leave his newly-wedded wife in such a state on their first night together!”
Colorful bruises adorned Rihannan’s body, clear marks where he had held her forcefully against her smooth skin.
“He ought to have known that our beloved Queen’s skin bruises easily. He should have exercised greater care during your first night together,” Duchess Cessley seethed, her anger palpable. “Did that fool even heed my warning?”
Despite her fierce tone, the hands that cleansed Rihannan’s body were gentle and tender, as if handling a fragile blossom.
Although Rihannan was not the target of the Duchess’s scolding, she found herself making excuses on his behalf.
“He did not mean to cause harm. Please, do not misunderstand…”
“Of course he did not! That foolish king lacks proper judgment! It is plain to see!”
Rihannan fell silent, refraining from saying anything further. Speaking further would only stoke the flames of the Duchess’s fiery temperament. With innocent eyes, she gazed down, watching the bubbles pop in her hand. She resembled a darling and innocent child who had committed a minor transgression.
“If that foolish king intends to seek your embrace tonight as well, you should kick him and cast him out the door. And should he persist, well… you know what to do. Although I doubt he would be so reckless, should such a situation arise, feel free to take the necessary measures. Do you understand?”
Blushing, Rihannan nodded quickly. Though she would never entertain the thought of kicking the king or resorting to the suggested action, she lacked the courage to refuse the Duchess, whose anger burned fiercely.
“Furthermore, My Queen, you should not allow that foolish king to have his way with you at his whims. His mind is currently clouded with fantasies, unable to distinguish between reality and desire. Men are far simpler creatures than you may imagine.”
Rihannan was amazed by the Duchess’s steadfast opinions and unwavering thoughts. Her previous Maid of Honor would urge her to conceive and bear the king a child hastily, but the Duchess held an entirely opposing perspective.
“In any case, it seems you will not be able to don the gown prepared for tomorrow’s banquet.”
“Pardon?” Rihannan looked perplexed.
“That gown, My Queen, boasts a rather plunging neckline.”
Observing the red marks adorning Rihannan’s neck and nape, the Duchess let out a deep sigh. Meanwhile, Rihannan breathed a sigh of relief. The topic was swiftly changing, and she seized the opportunity.
