Two days later, in the late afternoon when the sun had begun to sink—

“Marchioness Josephina?”

“I apologize for coming without notice, Your Highness.”

The Marchioness’s face was stiff, her expression making it immediately clear that she had not come for a casual visit.

Ophelia guided her into the receiving room.

Even after taking her seat, Josephina hesitated for a long while before finally forcing her lips to move.

“The deposed Crown Princess… bit her tongue and killed herself in the Lysimee Palace. I came straight from there. I witnessed her last breath myself.”

“…”

“But something was strange. The guards said that until moments before her death, she was thrashing around like a madwoman.”

“What do you mean…?”

“She screamed that she was burning, tore at her own skin, and begged to be saved.”

“…Was she trying to create a commotion to escape?”

“Perhaps so.”

Ophelia responded with mild confusion, as though hearing the news for the first time.

Fittingly, Cassandra had died writhing in agony until her final breath, just as Veronica had once been trapped in flames with no way out.

Just as Ligeia had promised, every trace of Ophelia’s presence would be erased from Cassandra’s memory.

This brought Ophelia a deep, quiet satisfaction.

Marchioness Josephina watched her closely, as if trying to read her reaction.

“Your Highness.”

When Ophelia lifted her gaze, the woman’s voice softened with caution.

“The deposed princess is dead… and His Majesty the King has grown terribly weak due to the belladonna poisoning…”

“…”

“If it pleases Your Highness…”

Josephina leaned forward slightly as she continued.

“I would like to help you become the next Crown Princess.”

In an instant, Ophelia understood precisely what the Marchioness was after.

King Alfonso would not last much longer. And once he passed, the strongest candidate for successor would inevitably be Ophelia.

Marchioness Josephina had calculated exactly that.

Ophelia gave a quiet smile and shook her head.

“I am not worthy of such a heavy position.”

The clear refusal caused disappointment to spread plainly across the Marchioness’s face. Unless this proposal had been her true purpose, there had been no real reason for her to rush here just to report Cassandra’s death.

Her reaction was only natural.

A silence settled between them. Josephina absently touched her fingertips together, unable to hide her regret as she sank into thought.

Although Ophelia had refused her offer, it felt wasteful to dismiss her so abruptly. Besides, she needed a solid shield to protect Frederick.

Even if he entered the palace and was educated as an heir, he would always be a royal-born bastard.

Without the legitimacy demanded by the Church and the Privy Council, his political footing would remain unstable.

He needed someone powerful enough to support him.

‘There is no one more suited than the Marchioness.’

Josephina had long overseen domestic administration. She wielded considerable influence within society, and many nobles followed her lead.

If Frederick were known to be under her protection, the nobles who supported her would naturally acknowledge him as well.

Besides, as time passed, Ophelia’s belly would only grow bigger. If she wanted to avoid losing this child as she had before, she would need to take special care. It would be difficult for her to act personally on Frederick’s behalf. It would be far better to borrow the Marchioness’s strength.

There was no reason to make her an enemy either.

Now that Cassandra had been exposed for trying to poison her father in order to take the throne, King Alfonso’s suspicions had become dangerously acute.

If he discovered that Ophelia had been sheltering Frederick all this time, he would not take it well.

“His Majesty is searching for Lady Johanna’s child now. If the child is alive, he intends to name him his successor.”

Ophelia let the words fall lightly.

Josephina’s eyelids flew wide.

“…Surely not, Your Highness.”

As expected, she grasped quickly that Frederick was in Ophelia’s care.

Her face flushed with excitement.

Ophelia lifted the corner of her mouth.

“What do you think of announcing that you have been caring for him… and bringing him into the palace to present him to His Majesty?”

“I—well, of course I would agree, but… are you sure you wish to give up such a gain? His Majesty would be overjoyed if you brought him personally—he would praise you greatly.”

The Marchioness clenched her fists, as though trying to restrain her greed. This alone convinced Ophelia that Frederick could be trusted. Not that she lacked other reasons.

If she excluded someone like the Marchioness, Frederick’s future reign would be far more difficult. It was much better to draw her in.

“To protect him, I need your help, Marchioness. You remember what you told me, that you would leave one favor for me to use.”

“…Yes, I remember.”

“May I use it now?”

Ophelia suggested a way for the Marchioness to agree without feeling pressured. Josephina nodded and smiled.

Ophelia signalled to Meryl to bring Frederick inside.

Moments later, Meryl entered the reception room with the boy. He had small footsteps and hunched shoulders.

When the Marchioness saw him, her eyes widened and she immediately bowed deeply.

“My goodness… he looks exactly like His Majesty. I am Marianne Josephina.”

Startled by the sudden greeting, Frederick darted behind Ophelia’s back.

Ophelia turned gently and met his eyes.

“It’s all right, Frederick.”

He stepped forward hesitantly and gave the Marchioness a small bow. She waved her hands quickly.

“No, no—there is no need to bow to me. Please… call me Marianne, if you would, Young Lord Frederick.”

Frederick remained tense, shoulders drawn tight.

Ophelia gave Josephina a brief look.

“Marchioness, may I ask you to step outside for a moment?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Understanding the situation, Josephina smiled and left the receiving room.

Once the door clicked shut, Ophelia knelt to meet Frederick’s eyes and gently took both of his hands.

“Frederick. It’s time for you to enter the palace.”

“…Okay.”

“Once you do, you’ll become a prince, and you’ll finally receive proper imperial education, the studies of a future king.”

Ophelia slowly stroked the back of his hand.

“I kept you hidden here because it was dangerous for you to enter the palace before now.”

“…”

“But now… it’s safe. That’s why I’m letting you go. I need you to understand, it’s not because I don’t want you anymore.”

Frederick’s lashes trembled faintly. After a moment, he nodded cautiously.

“I… I knew. I knew this would happen eventually.”

His speech was still slow, but he no longer stuttered. This change filled Ophelia with a sudden, overwhelming warmth. Yet she was worried that he would be overwhelmed by the responsibilities that would be placed on him the moment he arrived at the palace.

Veronica had grown attached to Frederick, too — abruptly sending him away might break her heart.

“Frederick… if you don’t want to go, I won’t send you.”

Frederick’s eyes widened as he looked up at her.

“…Can you tell me what you want?”

He swallowed a brief silence, then shook his head with all his strength.

“I… I can do it. I want to protect… you, and Veronica too.”

“…”

“To protect… you have to be strong.”

His eyes held firm resolve, far stronger than she expected of a child so small.

“So… it’s okay. Don’t worry. And… I have a request.”

“Hm?”

“I want… to go now.”

She had planned to let him say farewell to Veronica and escort him after. But he wanted to leave immediately with Marchioness Josephina. Ophelia wasn’t sure how to respond.

“…If I see Veronica, I won’t be able to go. So… I don’t want to see her now. I can… see her later.”

Frederick took Ophelia’s hand and tugged gently, urging her towards the door.

Ophelia hesitated. Was it truly right for him to leave without seeing Veronica? But there was no time to dwell on it.

She walked him outside and was just about to help him into the carriage when, in the distance, she saw Veronica running towards them. She stumbled mid-stride and fell flat on her face.

“Veronica!”

Startled, Ophelia rushed towards her and held out her hand, but Veronica stood on her own, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, though she didn’t cry.

Her lips trembled. Her small face twisted as she clenched her tiny fists. And then—

“…Brother.”

She spoke the word aloud.

Ophelia froze, unable to react, staring at her daughter in shock.

“We’re… going to see each other again. So I’m not going to say goodbye.”

“…Okay.”

Frederick answered softly, smiling at her.

“So… see you again.”