Chapter 56
Riana brought tea along with medicine. She placed a single teacup on the table along with a teapot, warmed on the tray.
“Leave now,” Arden said, and she promptly withdrew. He opened the cap of the medicine and applied it to her wrist.
“It… doesn’t hurt.”
“You look like you’re in pain.”
“Then just don’t make it hurt, right?”
“I won’t.”
Only after he finished applying the medicine did he pour tea into the cup. Soon, silence lingered between the two of them. The only sound was the continuous clink of the teacup being set down. As the tea in the teapot began to run out, Arden finally spoke.
“It seems like it’d be better to change the physician.”
“The new physician is doing a fine job. It’s just that my health isn’t good; it’s not the physician’s fault.”
“I don’t like him. I feel like he’s hiding something.”
“…Is that so?” Leticia inhaled sharply. Could it be that he knows something about the physician?
The sudden visit already didn’t sit well with her. No matter how much she thought about it, it seemed like he came because he knew about her meeting with Helaise. Even though he always acted recklessly, he had his reasons. He must have come now to verify the suspicions he had about Helaise.
“You seem to have doubts about Helaise. Is that why you came?”
“His face doesn’t sit well with me.”
“You don’t believe in things like that. If there’s something you’re worried about, you should tell me so I can understand. Your Highness, conversations start from things like this, not grand gestures.”
She didn’t expect an immediate response to her words. Arden stroked the handle of the teacup with his fingers, a lazy smile on his face.
“I heard Verotin, who supposedly went to study abroad, is in the kingdom. What do you think about that?”
“…Verotin is in the kingdom? That’s impossible. Why would someone who went abroad for studies be in the kingdom?”
Leticia responded as calmly as possible. His blue eyes studied her relentlessly, as if waiting to seize on even the smallest slip. He fixed his gaze on her.
“Well, I suppose you didn’t know either. I thought maybe you were hiding something from me.”
“What would I have to hide from Your Highness?”
“The person asking for a divorce and always acting like they’re about to leave—what couldn’t they do?”
Arden leaned back in his chair and rested his elbow on the armrest. With his chin propped up and his legs crossed, he stared at her intently.
“With eyes that show no regret, you say things so easily,” he chuckled softly.
“Well, it’s fine. It’s better than doing nothing at all. I suppose talking isn’t so bad after all.”
“……”
“Why don’t we try being more honest in our conversations?” he said as he straightened his posture and swirled the teacup in his hand. He gazed at the swirling tea inside the cup before slowly lifting his eyes to Leticia.
His movements were slow but elegant, and she quietly observed him. Her red lips moved hesitantly a few times before a sweet voice finally slipped out.
“I wonder what kind of plan you’re devising this time with that clever mind of yours.”
“…It seems Your Highness thinks I know something about Verotin entering the kingdom. But if you’re not going to believe me, why ask?”
Leticia furrowed her brow and glared sharply at him. Why bother asking if he wasn’t going to believe her anyway?
“I’m not talking about Verotin. I want to know what you’re aiming for with this divorce. Oh, but don’t expect me to agree to it. That won’t happen.”
“It’s not too late. There are plenty of people who would love you, so why not find a new queen among them?”
“You talk as if you don’t love me anymore,” Arden said, taking a sip of tea, his lips curling into a deep smile. That intense smile felt like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
“It’s better if you don’t lie. I don’t like lies.”
“…I’ve already told you I don’t love you anymore. Is your pride hurt? Even if you don’t want to admit it, you should.”
“Leticia,” Arden put down the teacup and stood up, positioning himself in front of her. He bent forward and gently grasped her chin, tilting her face toward his.
Their gazes locked as he softly cupped her jaw.
“You’re terrible at lying,” he said as he closed the distance between them, their faces now so close she could feel his breath. Leticia didn’t look away, meeting his gaze head-on.
“I’m not lying.”
“You’re lying,” he said with a wide grin.
“You’re looking at me like you love me to death. Ah, should I show you again to make you understand?”
Arden lifted her effortlessly, carrying her over and seating her in front of the vanity. Leticia’s face flushed red.
“Look closely. See what kind of expression you’re making right now.”
He leaned down, sweeping her hair back from the nape of her neck. His face neared her ear, and he turned his head slightly to whisper in a low voice.
“Who would believe you with eyes like that?”
Leticia clenched her fists as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was flushed, and her golden eyes trembled violently. His gaze pierced through her, taking in everything.
“You think hiding your feelings is easy?” he asked, his voice unusually melancholic. He gripped her shoulders tightly before stepping back.
“It’s time for a meeting. I’ll leave now.”
Arden left the room, leaving Leticia sitting at the vanity with a dazed expression. Once alone, she stared at her reflection in the mirror before finally lowering her head and burying her face in her hands.
Tears streamed down her face as she hugged her knees. It was as if a dam she had barely managed to hold back had suddenly burst, and the tears fell uncontrollably, soaking her knees.
❖ ❖ ❖
Leticia lay in bed, motionless, with ice packs placed over her swollen eyes. Joanna had made the ice packs for her, as Rueena and Lavalance were too busy. Thanks to the ice, the burning in her eyes had lessened somewhat.
“You should start feeling better now.”
“Yes, it feels like the swelling is already going down.”
“And later, please take a look at this. Rueena said a letter arrived and asked me to give it to Your Majesty.”
“A letter?”
Leticia sat up abruptly and set the ice pack aside. Handing the ice pack to Joanna, she said, “It looks like the ice has melted quite a bit. Could you bring a new one?”
“Yes, I will,” Joanna said as she took the ice pack and left the room. Only after the door closed did Leticia check the letter. Since there was no seal, it seemed to be from Seongha.
With trembling hands, she opened the letter and began to read slowly.
“I received your letter. I cannot give you much time. If anyone becomes suspicious, it will be difficult to find another opportunity. If you come to the place marked on the letter in a week, we can meet. I hope everything unfolds as you desire. P.S. Once you’ve checked the location on the map, burn this letter.”
Leticia read the letter over and over. It seemed the Pope of Arcerion was truly willing to help her escape.
“Thank goodness…”
This time, things wouldn’t be as sloppy as before. She was planning to use magic to ensure Arden wouldn’t be able to get up or stay awake. Last time, Arden had been careless, leaving the guards and knights around her lax in their duties as he tried to investigate her. But this time, she wouldn’t be so lucky.
Leticia took out some paper and began sketching the palace layout.
“I’ll make a rough sketch and then go over it again to improve it.”
As long as she figured out her escape route, getting out wouldn’t be difficult. The key was tricking the knights and sneaking out of the palace late at night.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Your Majesty, I’ve brought the new ice pack,” Joanna said from outside the door. Leticia quickly hid the map in her robes and told Joanna to come in.
As she placed the ice pack over her eyes, Leticia fell into thought.
“I’ll have to walk around the palace at night and observe where the knights are stationed. There’s only one chance at this.”
Leticia closed her eyes, trying to get some rest. When night finally came, she used the excuse of feeling stifled to take a night walk. As she passed the knights stationed at the entrance of her room and descended the stairs, more knights were standing guard.
As Leticia headed toward the palace gates to reach the garden, she noticed knights stationed all around. The security seemed tighter than before.
Casually strolling through the garden, Leticia began forming her plan. Starting today, she intended to take walks at the same time every day, becoming a familiar presence in the eyes of the knights. She would make it seem like an ordinary part of her daily routine, so even Arden wouldn’t suspect a thing.
