Since Isabel wasn’t in the picture yet, it seemed possible.

From what she saw before, Mie seemed to like Chetter quite a bit.

‘I need to ask her again today.’

If she confirmed Mie’s feelings for Chetter, she could figure out what to do.

* * *

Mie’s quarters were as modest as Hinael’s.

Looking around at the unadorned interior, Mie smiled sheepishly.

“It’s nothing special, right?”

“It’s so neat; I love it. It’s exactly my taste.”

The two burst into laughter simultaneously, realizing it wasn’t about taste but their inability to decorate lavishly.

Hinael waved her hand nonchalantly.

“Oh, I was just trying to comfort myself. Dea, could you bring the refreshments you prepared?”

Mie also ordered her maid to bring the tea.

Soon, their private tea time began in the small reception room.

Hinael took a sip of tea and exclaimed.

“This is so fragrant. What kind of tea is it?”

“It’s daffodil tea. I drink it often because I like the subtle floral scent.”

“I see.”

Hinael silently sipped her tea, pondering how to bring up the topic of Chetter.

It was Mie who broke the short silence, thankfully bringing up the difficult subject first.

“Congratulations again on your marriage.”

“Thank you.”

“I can’t wait to have my ceremony and move to the Count’s estate.”

“R-Really? Aren’t you sad about leaving the palace?”

Mie took a deep breath, her expression filled with mixed emotions.

“I have a confession to make… Actually, I’ve had a one-sided love.”

“What?”

“I’ve been in love with the Count.”

This was truly unexpected. Mie had been so quiet that Hinael hadn’t noticed at all.

Of course, she hadn’t realized it in her past life either. Mie had liked Chetter but ended up as Lutz’s wife.

Mie seemed to accept her circumstances easily.

“I believe in destiny. I’ll do my best for the person I’m given.”

Mie had genuinely been happy, saying she was grateful to His Majesty for approving the marriage and to the Princess Consort, who had made it possible.

“I didn’t get to say it at the banquet, but I was really worried. I felt like I was intruding between the Count and the Princess Consort.”

“Oh my! Mie, what a misunderstanding. That’s absolutely not true.”

“I know. Anyway, I’m so happy the Count chose me.”

Seeing the love in Mie’s eyes brought a wave of sadness over Hinael.

‘You should be loved.’

Hinael fiddled with the glass bottle hidden in her sleeve. She thought it would be useful for Mie, who longed for Chetter’s love.

Suddenly, a loud warning echoed in her mind.

‘No! Interfering might lead to worse outcomes.’

This was a matter between a married couple.

If it’s discovered, using a virgin’s perfume might anger Chetter instead.

It dawned on Hinael that she should only test fate on herself.

Since Mie’s feelings for Chetter were deep, she would likely make her own efforts. Just as Hinael had tried various ways to prevent her husband from being taken by Isabel.

‘It’s best to leave it to Mie for now. Let’s carefully decide after observing the situation.’

I need to act based on solid information.

I can’t recklessly jump in like placing a bet in a gambling game.

As she reflected on her impulsive actions, Mie asked softly.

“You had the ceremony this morning, is it alright to come here right away? Won’t His Highness be looking for you?”

“He’s very busy wrapping up procedures with the envoy. Actually, we’re leaving for Trycas tomorrow.”

“What? That soon?”

Mie was so shocked that she stood up abruptly. The teacup tipped over, but she only looked distressed at the thought of parting with Hinael.

“I was just starting to get close to Your Highness…”

“We can write letters.”

Hinael naturally suggested a way to stay in touch.

She wiped the spilled tea from Mie’s hand and gently pulled her back to her seat.

“We can exchange greetings and share things we can’t say out loud. Being far away might actually make it easier to talk openly.”

“Indeed, there won’t be any rumors.”

Mie, half-jokingly, half-seriously, reassured herself and repeatedly promised to send letters.

* * *

That evening, Dea entered the room with a gloomy face.

“Her Highness the Fifth Consort has been in tears since earlier. She said she didn’t know you’d leave so suddenly…”

“I’ll sleep with Mother tonight.”

Her voice came out choked and strained. Her nose stung so much it felt numb.

Though she was struggling to save a life destined for tragedy, the thought of parting from her mother was unbearable.

Hinael spoke, her voice trembling.

“Since it’s the last night, I’ll go to Mother.”

“Of course. Do as you wish, Your Highness.”

Hinael, her cheeks wet with tears, clung to Dea and forced out her words.

“Dea, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“…You stay in Sarr.”

Dea shook her head in disbelief at the shocking words. She pleaded desperately like a puppy separated from its mother.

“Why? Did I do something wrong? If so, I’ll fix it immediately. Please take me with you. Please?”

“It’s not that. I know how dedicated you’ve been to me.”

“Then why are you saying this all of a sudden?”

“A difficult journey awaits. I don’t want to make you suffer too.”

“If it’s a difficult journey, I should stay by Your Highness’s side. How can you handle everything alone without even a single maid?”

“His Highness will assign new maids.”

Dea shook her head fiercely. Tears welled up and splashed sideways.

“No! They’ll be from Trycas, right? How can foreigners serve Your Highness properly? The food, the culture, everything is different. Please, let me stay with you. Please…”

Dea broke into sobs mid-sentence.

“My time serving you has been short, but I was sincere. You reminded me of my late sister… I truly care about you, like family.”

“Dea…”

“Please, take me with you.”

“Are you okay leaving your mother behind?”

Dea had a mother who was alone after losing her husband. Hinael thought she would naturally choose her mother over her lady.

She didn’t want to burden Dea with the decision, so she brought it up first, but Dea vehemently refused.

Hinael felt more worried than happy.

“Dea, if you don’t want to stay in the palace, you can leave. I’ll talk to my mother and arrange a small land for you…”

“No, Your Highness. I don’t want to live well off your charity. My mother… recently met a man and is living with him…”

“Really?”

“Yes. If I go home, I’ll have to awkwardly live with a stepfather I don’t even know. I don’t want to disturb them.”

It seemed Dea had grown very attached to Hinael. But how happy could she be living far from her homeland?

People say you can even fall ill from homesickness.

“Take some time to think about it until tomorrow. Once we go to Trycas, I can’t guarantee when we’ll return to Sarr.”

“My mind won’t change, but I’ll think it over once more.”

Fearing Hinael might reject her firmly, Dea hurriedly prepared for her to go to the Fifth Consort’s quarters.

* * *

Dawn broke through the twilight.

The early morning air was unusually cold for summer. As soon as Hinael opened her eyes, she looked at her mother lying beside her. Though she seemed happy that her daughter had become the Princess Consort, Hinael could only imagine her true feelings.

Despite her brave front, her mother would burst into tears whenever their eyes met.

Sleeping together for one night might not be much comfort, but they held each other and reminisced for a long time.

They laughed together, recalling the time they were scared upon encountering the King in the garden, thinking how childish they had been.

They cried when talking about how her mother nursed Hinael through a severe cold for days.

And deep into the night, they cried and promised to meet again someday, blessing each other and wishing for each other’s well-being.

As if Hinael’s sorrowful gaze had tickled her cheek, her mother soon woke up.

“Hinael, you’re awake already?”

“You should sleep more.”

“How can I waste precious time on sleep on a day like this? If we want to extend breakfast time, we need to get up and wash up quickly.”

Her mother pressed her swollen eyes gently and cheerfully got out of bed.

‘This time, I won’t bring my mother any bad news. I’ll make sure she doesn’t live each day in despair and tears.’

Hinael vowed to bring her mother to live happily with her someday, away from the neglect and loneliness of the palace.

* * *

The envoy gathered at the main gate of the royal palace. After everyone arrived, even the King and Queen came out to see them off.

But Lutz, who should have been present, was nowhere to be seen. The strange thing was that Varsel seemed unusually calm despite Lutz’s rudeness.

It seemed Lutz had explained the situation and asked for understanding in advance. Hinael, unaware of this, was simply bewildered.

But as she pondered the reality, self-pity washed over her.

‘What am I expecting?’

Lutz had said she could gain the title of Princess Consort, but it would be in name only.

She wouldn’t gain power, authority, respect, or even his attention.

She had hoped he would at least play along until they left Sarr, but it seemed that hope was in vain.

It was already burdensome to go along with it, and after the unpleasant incident with the high priest, he must have hated everything.

Even Varsel, the King of a nation, couldn’t complain.

After exchanging final farewells with the envoy, Varsel dismissed everyone except Marsily. Then he called Hinael closer.

“Hinael, come closer.”

For the first and last time, her father allowed her near.

She thought he must have felt pity for sending his daughter away on a long journey. Especially since it wasn’t a normal royal marriage but a situation where she was being sent as a hostage.

But even that was a delusion and a misconception. His first words were utterly selfish.