Episode 90

The King of Winium welcomed our sudden visit with the utmost hospitality.

“I would like to invite you to a dinner banquet,” was the message conveyed through a servant, delivered with warmth.

That amicable demeanor persisted throughout the dinner.

Tielli, as before, was friendly and charming, her manner soft and approachable.

The King ensured we were served delicious food while carefully avoiding difficult topics.

His skillful diplomacy and sharp wit made it hard to see him as simply a “good person,” but at the same time, I felt confident he wouldn’t harm us.

Without realizing it, I found myself observing how the King looked at Tielli.

Though they didn’t overtly display their affection, there were several moments when their gazes shone with mutual confidence and love.

Oddly enough, I felt a sense of relief seeing that.

It made me realize that I cared for Tielli more than I thought, feeling a sense of closeness and affection toward her.

“What are your plans going forward?” the King asked as the meal was nearing its end.

Igon, who had just sipped his wine, responded.

“We plan to leave as soon as the preparations are complete.”

The preparations, of course, weren’t ours to make.

Igon was referring to Eunice’s readiness.

Tielli, fully understanding his meaning, stiffened slightly.

A brief silence settled over the table.

“I expected as much, but… it’s still too soon,” Tielli said, her voice tinged with regret.

Her tone was noticeably rigid.

“Yes. There are unresolved matters back home, so we need to return as quickly as possible,” Igon replied evenly.

Tielli’s spoon accidentally clattered against her plate.

It seemed an unconscious reaction.

The King reached out and gently grasped her wrist, offering her a soft smile.

Perhaps comforted by his gesture, Tielli returned a faint smile of her own.

“Next time, make sure to plan for a longer stay and enjoy some leisure. While it’s not as grand as the Empire, Winium’s capital is safe and full of sights worth seeing,” the King said with a bright smile.

“I will extend an invitation,” he added.

“It would be an honor,” Igon replied politely.

With that, they exchanged the usual formal pleasantries.

By the time dessert was served, the brief tension had dissipated, replaced by lighthearted conversation.

I spent most of the time talking with Tielli.

She didn’t ask probing questions, sticking instead to ones that could be answered with a simple nod.

After the meal, just before the servants were to escort us to our rooms, Tielli called out to me.

“May I have a word with you for a moment?”

Tielli first asked for my agreement before seeking Igon’s permission to speak with me privately.

We sat across from each other in a drawing room near the dining hall.

For a while, she didn’t say anything, simply staring at me.

Feeling puzzled, I tilted my head slightly, and she responded with a faint smile.

“You really do look alike,” she said.

‘Pardon?’

If I could have spoken, that’s what I would have asked.

But it seemed my expression conveyed my question well enough, as Tielli chuckled softly, her eyes narrowing in amusement.

“I know who you are… that you’re Evelyn’s real family.”

Ah.

Now that she mentioned it, I remembered Kenneth having a similar misunderstanding when I first entered the imperial palace.

I hadn’t expected that misunderstanding to reach Tielli, all the way across the sea in Winium.

Kenneth had seemingly done a decent job of keeping it under wraps, but somehow, Tielli had caught wind of it.

Hearing her explanation, I realized why she had remembered me, and why she had allowed me and Eunice to meet despite the potential risks.

Before I could even begin to deny it, Tielli spoke again.

“I didn’t tell everyone, of course. If the story got out, it could have put you in danger. Only Ulysses, Eunice, and I know.”

*Even the princess knows?*

My eyes widened in surprise.

I suddenly recalled the time before I left the palace, when Ulysses had confronted Kenneth about something.

Was it possible she had been arguing with him on my behalf?

It seemed unlikely, but I set the thought aside for now.

Tielli continued speaking.

“She was a good friend to me. I don’t know if she thought the same of me, though.”

Her tone was measured, almost as if she were reciting her feelings aloud, but it didn’t feel insincere.

I listened quietly.

“She was sensitive, and with that sensitivity came a certain delicacy. I benefitted greatly from her attentiveness.”

Was that so?

Tielli recounted stories from our shared past—details that I could confirm as true but felt oddly distant from, as if they had happened to someone else.

The version of me she described was wrapped in a veil of fond, beautiful memories.

“…I can’t say I was entirely blameless,” Tielli said, her voice tinged with guilt.

She hadn’t known beforehand, nor could she have done anything to change the events that unfolded, but her voice carried the weight of regret.

“For a while, everyone struggled… myself included.”

She paused, taking a sip of tea to steady herself, before continuing.

“I regret not stepping in to help more. I have a feeling that regret will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Her eyes locked onto mine, steady and resolute.

“That’s why I worry. I worry that sending Eunice with you might lead to similar regrets.”

Tielli seemed concerned that I might harm Eunice out of grief over my sister’s death.

I shook my head to reassure her.

“I know Eunice agreed to go, so maybe I have no right to ask this, but… please, take care of her.”

It was a plea not to kill her.

Since I had no intention of doing so in the first place, I nodded in agreement.

Seeing Tielli’s face brighten slightly at my response left me with mixed feelings.

A part of me felt envious that Eunice had a friend who cared for her so deeply.

‘Is that the end of this conversation?’

I thought we were wrapping up, but Tielli seemed to have more to say.

Her lips parted after taking another sip of tea, as if to ease her nerves.

“I don’t know if this is meddling, but I thought it might help,” she began.

Tielli proceeded to list several noblewomen who had been close to Evelyn and which families they belonged to.

“They’ll be willing to help you. That support could become a great asset when you eventually participate in social gatherings as the Duchess.”

It seemed Tielli was offering advice to help me adapt to the social world, out of concern that I might struggle.

‘I see… she’s trying to help,’ I thought.

Although Tielli seemed unbothered by it, I couldn’t help but question whether revealing myself as Evelyn’s family would truly be helpful.

Nobles wouldn’t take kindly to the nuance of my relationship with Igon—it could be seen as inappropriate, almost scandalous, given Evelyn’s connection to him.

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

No, that approach wouldn’t work.

Most influential nobles already knew the rumors surrounding Evelyn and Igon. Revealing that I was her sibling would only complicate matters.

As I mulled over these thoughts, Tielli spoke again.

“I’ll help you,” she said, her tone firm and sincere.

Her words were reassuring, and I naturally felt grateful.

Still, I couldn’t help but think that her assistance from Winium might not make much of a difference.

“It’s Duke Rodore’s wedding, after all. When you marry him, I’m sure I’ll receive an invitation,” Tielli said.

I nodded.

Even if attending might be difficult for her as a queen, it was customary to send an invitation to someone of her standing.

“When that time comes, I’ll go to the Empire… and I’ll help you until you find your footing in the social scene.”

Her words left my mouth slightly agape.

Even as a maiden of the Duke’s household, Tielli’s influence had been considerable. Now, as the queen of a kingdom, her clout was even greater.

While the imperial family might find it awkward to have a foreign queen involved in their social circles, for me, it was an undeniably favorable offer.

But why was she going to such lengths to help me?

Was she truly worried I might harm Eunice?

Perhaps my doubt was written all over my face, as Tielli seemed to read my thoughts and spoke again.

“This is just a gesture of goodwill. As I said earlier, I considered Evelyn a friend.”

Helping the family of a friend wasn’t difficult, she added.

After a few more explanations, Tielli finally stood.

We exchanged farewells following Winium’s etiquette, and I was escorted back to my room by a servant.

I felt strangely unsettled.

There was some comfort in learning that the nobles Evelyn had associated with held me in good regard during her lifetime.

‘I always thought they were only pretending to like me.’

When I entered the room, I found Igon already seated inside, as though it was the most natural thing.

I had assumed we would be given separate rooms since we weren’t married or even officially engaged yet.

‘Was this Tielli’s doing?’

The hour was late, and Igon seemed ready for bed, wearing a nightgown and a single-lens glass perched on his nose as he read through some documents.

“You’re late,” he said, setting the papers aside and spreading his arms slightly.

I knew it was an invitation for a hug, but I smiled and brushed his arms aside.

“Should I have the servants bring up bathwater?” he asked.

I slumped into a chair and nodded.

Closing my eyes briefly, I heard the servants arrive with the water. I dismissed them, indicating that I didn’t need assistance.

After undressing, I leaned against the edge of the bathtub, letting the warmth seep into my tired body.

Delicate rose-pink petals floated on the water’s surface, swaying gently with each movement.

I cupped the water and petals in my hands, letting them fall back into the bath as I played idly. A soft chuckle escaped me, my mood lighter than it had been earlier.

I wondered what Igon was doing.

He had been reviewing documents earlier—was there an urgent matter?

Curious, I turned my head toward the screen separating the bathing area from the rest of the room.

“…?”

There he was, standing silently behind the screen.

When our eyes met, Igon unfolded his crossed arms and held up a white towel as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

It was clear he intended to assist me with my bath.

His shameless expression was almost laughable, considering he had entered without a sound while I was bathing.

Even though the petals obscured most of my body, I instinctively covered myself with my hands.

Amused by my reaction, Igon let out a low chuckle.

“Let me help. You’re tired,” he said.

Considering half of my exhaustion stemmed from him, his words felt like adding insult to injury.

I shot him a glare, but that only seemed to entertain him further, as he laughed with a boyish playfulness I rarely saw.

With his hair styled to fall over his forehead, his already striking features appeared softer and more youthful.

I shook my head, unable to suppress a smile, and Igon knelt beside the tub.

A warm, damp cloth touched my shoulder, his hands moving gently as he massaged my tense muscles.

A contented sigh escaped me as the soothing touch relaxed me completely.

Drowsiness crept in, and my eyelids grew heavy.

I felt Igon murmur something softly, his lips brushing against my shoulder.

And with that, I let sleep take me.

 

 

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