Chapter 04
Adeline wanted to say, “I can go alone, so you can leave now.” Just two days ago, she’d navigated the path to the secluded palace without any trouble.
But after a minor commotion caused by a palace attendant discovering the central courtyard empty, she couldn’t act carelessly again.
Though she was soon to be married, she was confined to her residence until she received official permission from the royal palace. Adeline’s green eyes dimmed with a distant shadow as she reminded herself of the harsh reality.
“Did I hold onto a shred of hope?”
Perhaps, foolishly, she had. On the train to Kassel, she’d allowed herself a fleeting wish: maybe the harsh rumors about Lars were exaggerated. She needed that hope to endure what lay ahead.
But they weren’t exaggerated.
When she met the man in person, his eyes were clouded and lifeless. It was clear there was no hope of redemption unless a miracle occurred. A man who was so consumed by alcohol didn’t seem capable of change.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but think of her nephew, Colin. The last time she’d seen him before leaving Lechern, he’d sobbed uncontrollably.
“Auntie, do you have to go?”
“Colin…”
“If you leave too, I’ll be so scared… When will I see you again?”
Adeline felt powerless, unable to promise him anything. But she gathered herself, hooked her pinky with his, and spoke with determination.
“I’ll do everything I can to see you in Kassel as soon as possible. But you have to eat well and listen to the doctor, okay? That way, you’ll be strong enough to take the train to Kassel.”
“I promise I will!” Colin clung to her hands, nodding earnestly, his tear-streaked face desperate for her reassurance.
That was the last time she saw him. Adeline had to find a way to bring him to Kassel after her wedding, no matter what. It wouldn’t be easy, but she had to make it happen.
Lost in thought, Adeline reached the secluded palace where she was staying.
“Thank you; you may leave,” she told the guide, and soon after, the palace staff also dispersed.
Though it was a guest space, and everything from meals to basic amenities was well-managed, she couldn’t ignore the superficial attitude of the palace workers. They seemed indifferent, likely reflecting Lars’s tarnished reputation, even among the palace staff.
‘If he’s lost the trust of those serving him, how could they possibly respect his future wife?’
With a sinking realization, Adeline leaned against the window, bathed in fading moonlight.
For a moment, she thought of Michael Meitner, the man she’d met two days earlier. She couldn’t pinpoint why his face resurfaced—there was no significant reason to dwell on him. Brushing aside the thought, Adeline reminded herself of her bleak reality: she expected nothing from her soon-to-be husband.
She hated how far her life had fallen. But she knew the truth—her future was likely to grow darker.
The only reason Lars still held any position of power was thanks to his mother, the queen, who protected her reckless youngest son.
‘If the crown prince—who sees his brother as a thorn in his side—becomes king…’
Adeline’s mind spun with endless worries. She paced restlessly, eventually drifting into a light sleep just before dawn.
But her fragile peace was shattered by shocking news early the next morning: Lars Rosenberg had died suddenly the previous night while partying in a secret chamber.
Michael Meitner emerged from the shower, refreshed by the cool water, and headed to the changing room. It was late evening, and the clubhouse gym was almost empty. Fridays were quieter, with many people attending parties or social gatherings.
Michael climbed the stairs to the restaurant on the third floor. The panoramic windows showcased a glowing sunset, painting the sky with vibrant colors. He decided to stay and dine here rather than go elsewhere.
“Welcome, Count Meitner,” the server greeted him, leading him to a table with a clear view of the city.
As he finished placing his order, a familiar voice called out.
“Michael! Here you are again. I didn’t see you at the indoor tennis court earlier.”
Tobias Anders greeted him casually and sat down uninvited. Tobias, the eldest son of the Marquis of Anders, had just finished his workout, his hair still damp.
“I went swimming today,” Michael replied with a shrug. He’d known Tobias since childhood and expected that his quiet dinner was now out of the question.
As predicted, Tobias wasted no time launching into a stream of questions.
“Michael, when are you getting married?”
“Eventually.”
“To whom?”
“No idea.”
Michael’s vague answers made Tobias throw up his hands in mock defeat.
Though Michael was handsome enough to attract a line of admirers, he didn’t rush to marry. Unlike his peers who wed in their mid-20s, he seemed indifferent to settling down.
Tobias couldn’t help but speculate. ‘Could it be Valentina? If so, does that mean she’s not just his mistress but his lover? No, surely not.’
Michael pretended not to notice Tobias’s curiosity. He wasn’t interested in marriage or addressing the rumors about him and Valentina Tern. Let people think what they wanted—it didn’t concern him.
Then Tobias shifted the topic.
“Michael, you’ve heard about the diamond and gold reserves in southern Lechern, right?”
“Of course. That’s been the talk of the town.”
Tobias leaned in, his tone dropping conspiratorially.
“They’re saying the Lechern princess is stuck without allies, and now her second fiancé is dead. Who would want to marry someone surrounded by such misfortune?”
Michael chuckled lightly. People’s imaginations often ran wild, and the rumors about Adeline were no exception.
The truth, he knew, was simpler. Her family’s downfall and her fiancé’s death were byproducts of war, while Lars’s demise was purely his own doing.
But to Michael, it was just another story that didn’t involve him.
