“Yes. Salmon.”

Even after hearing Kailen’s confirmation, Adeline wore an expression of confusion. Her thoughts were transparent as she tilted her head ever so slightly.

Had someone else sent the sandwich instead of her?

Was it really just a coincidence?

Kailen stifled a laugh that threatened to escape and slowly rubbed his chin.

“Still, the sandwich with chicken and mustard was exactly my taste.”

As he uttered the word sandwich, he thought to himself that it was a childish notion, something only a kid would come up with.

But the reaction before his eyes right now was extremely, extremely satisfying.

Adeline raised her eyes and scrutinized his face thoroughly, seemingly trying to gauge something.

“…Right, a sandwich with chicken…You like meat.”

She seemed to have finally realized that the idea of it being a coincidence was absurd.

Kailen hadn’t eaten it—he hadn’t even looked at the contents. So her goodwill had simply crumbled to nothing.

That must have been the reality she’d awakened to.

Adeline’s lips parted somewhat dejectedly and emptily, her drooping eyes revealing her inner thoughts.

But unfortunately, she didn’t seem to have completely let go of that last thread of hope that there might be some misunderstanding. From the way she didn’t appear to be suppressing anger, it was clear she didn’t think he was deceiving her.

“Yes, it was delicious enough that I’d like to ask for it again.”

Is she foolish…?

All she needed to say was one thing: I never made a sandwich with salmon or chicken.

Go ahead and lay bare your entire heart.

Get angry and ask if I’m mocking you.

But she didn’t want to know the detailed circumstances, and in the end, she didn’t ask any questions. Eventually, Kailen was the first to speak, pretending to check the time.

“Has it gotten this late already?”

Sometimes when he thought of her, he felt like his throat was being blocked, but now his airways felt completely clear, as though that had never happened. Dimples formed above his lips as they curved in a graceful line.

Princess, since I’m showing you such petty depths because of you, you should show me your depths too. No, you should show me even more than that.

He liked seeing her on the verge of tears because of him.

He wanted to make her cry.

Kailen found it thrilling to watch Adeline suffer because of him, yet try to stand tall and endure, since all she had left in her life now was him—wearing the pathetic mask of a husband.

“Well then, I’ll get ready for work. Sleep more.”

“Okay… Have a good day.”

Kailen turned toward the bathroom without lingering. Rustle, rustle—sounds could be heard. It was the sound of Adeline flinching and burrowing into the blankets.

A thrill ran up his spine, equal to last night’s pleasure when he’d forced open her plump lips and made her take his c*ck.

* * *

“My lady, it seems the royal palace has sent a carriage and people. You should hurry outside.”

“From the royal palace…?”

The visit from the palace came without warning.

Adeline was a bit surprised by Tanya’s urgent report. Since there had been no prior contact about what this was regarding, it felt somewhat sudden.

When she opened the estate’s door, a man claiming to be from the palace stood before Adeline with an excessively polite attitude. His tone was close to consolatory, but the king’s will permeated every form of address.

“His Majesty has expressed deep regret over the tragedy that occurred at your meaningful wedding. Therefore, to console your hearts and bless your future, His Majesty has bestowed these gifts.”

As he spoke, he brought out boxes he’d prepared in advance, one by one.

Several bottles of vintage Port wine and liqueur, a tableware set and table runner engraved with the royal crest, a carpet and blanket woven with double-headed eagles, a porcelain incense burner with lily patterns, and finally, a pair of talismanic medals said to ward off misfortune.

Looking at each item individually, they couldn’t be called excessively expensive. 

If released at an auction market, they’d be at a level where a few upper-class noble families might acquire them as keepsakes. 

However, when they bore the mark of being the king’s gifts, the meaning changed somewhat.

Adeline looked at the seal placed on top of the boxes. The pattern stamped in the wax was clear and undisturbed.

“This is an excessive consideration.”

She bowed her head in greeting. Her words of thanks were proper in form, yet not lengthy.

Next, as the man stepped back, two women who had been standing behind him came forward. 

Both appeared to be in their early to mid-twenties. Their attire was neat, and their accessories weren’t excessive. However, their appearance didn’t hide their palace affiliation.

“I am Alisha Melcher.”

The woman who bowed first introduced herself. Her tone had a bit of composure, and her gaze didn’t waver excessively. No explanation was needed to tell she was management-level.

The woman standing behind also briefly stated her name. It wasn’t particularly memorable.

“These two worked in the palace’s women’s quarters and have been assigned to serve you, madam, by His Majesty’s command.”

Though they were called maids, Adeline wasn’t naive enough to miss the meaning.

In short, they were watchers sent by the royal palace.

She’d thought it somewhat random to send gifts only several days after both the marriage and that chaos, and she was right.

Having read the king’s true intentions, Adeline was displeased but didn’t show it in her expression. If the king had directly ordered this arrangement, refusal wasn’t her choice to make.

Adeline looked at them for a moment, then slowly spoke.

“You’ve worked hard coming all this way.”

Alisha bowed once more.

“By His Majesty’s command, we will serve you with devotion.”

Her tone was obedient but not servile. However, she seemed to have no intention of either hiding or flaunting her role as a watcher.

After the palace official withdrew, Adeline called for Mrs. Lien.

“Mrs. Lien, this is difficult for me as well, but since it’s His Majesty’s will, it’s hard to refuse. For now, please arrange quarters for them and treat them appropriately.”

“Understood. Don’t worry, my lady.”

Mrs. Lien didn’t add any particular objections to the sudden appearance of outsiders. Though she couldn’t explain in detail, the lady seemed to have understood Adeline’s meaning.

The reception room after everyone had withdrawn. Adeline turned her head to look toward the window. On the table remained one unopened box. The double-headed eagle pattern looked down at her without a word.

* * *

She’d been reading a book while leaning against the cream-colored sofa in her private reception room. But suddenly Mrs. Lien came looking for her, and Adeline stopped turning the page.

“You’re saying I have a visitor?”

Mrs. Lien nodded. It was surprising that she had a visitor, but more than anything, Adeline grew somewhat tense that Mrs. Lien herself had come to announce the visitor’s presence rather than Tanya or another maid. The visitor’s identity seemed unlikely to be ordinary.

“Yes, his name is Anton Stanley. He revealed he came from Her Former Majesty’s Harden estate, so I first guided him to the first-floor hall reception room, but…”

After choosing her words for a moment, she carefully added.

“Shall I bring the guest up here?”

“Ah, you said Anton?”

Adeline, who momentarily showed delight, composed her expression properly. She felt an uncomfortable gaze from behind. It was the gaze of Alisha Melcher, the maid His Majesty had given her in the name of grace.

Even the other maid dispatched along with Alisha.

Conscious of the two, Adeline looked at Mrs. Lien and smiled.

“What a welcome guest. Anton is the grandson of the steward who served my mother in Harden.”

“I see.”

“Please guide Anton here. Ah, and please take good care of the guest as well.”

“Understood.”

After Mrs. Lien left, Adeline closed the book on her lap, set it down on the table, and looked at the two maids standing behind her.

“I’d like you to excuse yourselves for a moment.”

Alisha, with her chin pulled down, stood with both hands politely clasped in front of her. Alisha didn’t avoid Adeline’s gaze as she gave the instruction. She smiled faintly.

“Shouldn’t I remain here to attend to you, my lady?”

Ignoring Adeline’s wishes, Alisha gestured to the other maid Ann beside her to leave.

However, Adeline issued an order for both Ann, who was quietly withdrawing while reading the room, and Alisha to leave.

“If I need attendance, I’ll call for it separately, so both of you may leave.”

It was as gentle as always, but in a tone that left absolutely no room for retreat.