Instead of Growing Distant…

It wasn’t divorce, nor separation… But “planning to throw me away”? That was nothing less than a passionate love confession — the kind even ordinary men in the streets would be too embarrassed to say. The concubines seated around the table all wore dazed expressions.

‘Did those words really just come out of the mouth of the cold, arrogant Crown Prince?’

Unable to believe the situation, the concubines looked at each other, blinking in confusion. It was the exact moment when months of rumors about discord between the Crown Prince and his wife came to an end.

“Just who is it that’s been spouting such nonsense?”

Kincaid asked in a voice that suggested he might strangle the culprit on the spot, and Hailey casually shrugged her shoulders.

“They’re just rumors floating around the palace, so I can’t say where they started…”

Then, Hailey deliberately turned her head to glance toward the people seated at the table before replying to Kincaid again.

“No one in this palace would dare go against Your Highness’ will, so I’m sure the rumors will die out soon.”

It was as good as an open warning that anyone spreading baseless gossip wouldn’t be left alone.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Baroness Priya?”

Suddenly being addressed by the Crown Princess, the baroness flustered and hurriedly answered,

“Of course, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

Hearing her response, Hailey smiled sweetly at Kincaid.

“Since even Baroness Priya — who’s so well-informed about palace rumors — says so, I don’t think we need to worry any longer.”

Even with Hailey’s crisp answer, Kincaid’s expression remained unsatisfied. He had wondered why, upon returning to the capital, she had coaxed Burnett into coming to the Lily Palace — only to discover there was this little ploy hidden behind it.

‘No… I can’t let my guard down around her.’

Before their marriage and even after, Hailey had always been someone Kincaid could never afford to underestimate.

‘Not that this audacious side of her isn’t part of her charm…’

Thinking something that would shock any of the noble ladies present, the Crown Prince suddenly gazed intently at his wife. The simple white dress Hailey was wearing looked oddly familiar.

“You’re wearing Empress Delphina’s dress?”

Confirming that Hailey had once again worn one of his late mother’s dresses — her keepsakes — Kincaid frowned.

“I know the clothing allowance for the Crown Princess is far from small, so why do you always wear my mother’s dresses?”

At his words, the atmosphere chilled once more.

‘Wait… that dress belonged to Her Majesty Empress Delphina?’

Everyone in the palace knew how deeply the Crown Prince missed his mother, who had passed away early, and how carefully he treasured her belongings. That he had given one of those precious keepsakes to the Crown Princess was already astonishing — but more than that…

‘That means we called Empress Delphina’s dress old-fashioned and shabby…?’

The faces of a certain countess and viscountess, who had been trading such insults, turned pale. If the Crown Prince heard that they had mocked his late mother’s keepsake, the two might be expelled from the palace immediately.

‘No — not just those two. It’s possible every single one of us here could be thrown out.’

Could it be that the Crown Princess had worn Empress Delphina’s dress today with this exact situation in mind? Only now did the concubines begin to realize the full weight of what they had done.

“Clothes are made to be worn, and it’s far too much of a waste to just store away such a beautiful gown, don’t you think?”

Hailey grinned, coaxing Kincaid.

“Besides, in a year like this, when disasters have severely afflicted the people, it wouldn’t do for the Crown Princess to indulge in luxury.”

“!”

The concubines gathered there let out another silent scream. For today’s picnic, each of them had prepared brand-new dresses and jewelry. Sure enough, the sharp-eyed Crown Prince swept his gaze over the concubines, all dressed to the nines, and spoke coldly.

“Come to think of it, I’d heard that the budget for the concubines had been greatly reduced, making it difficult to run each palace — but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

At the Crown Prince’s words, the concubines sensed the tragic truth that, for the foreseeable future, commissioning new dresses would be impossible. Especially Baroness Priya, who had led the planning of today’s picnic — her mouth had gone dry.

‘I only meant to bring her here to give her a little humiliation…’

But the Crown Princess had not only seen through her scheme and skillfully crushed it, she’d also seized the leash on every concubine present. Even Baroness Priya, who was well-versed in palace intrigue, was stunned by such astonishing skill.

‘What else does she have up her sleeve?’

Now, Baroness Priya feared nothing more than the Crown Princess’s next strike.

“By the way, Your Highness the Crown Prince, have you just returned from an audience with His Majesty the Emperor?”

“You’re asking me that after dragging me here straight from my return to the palace because you wouldn’t stop nagging?”

When the Crown Prince shot back in exasperation, Hailey turned toward Baroness Priya. The baroness, dreading what fault might be found next, heard Hailey bid her farewell.

“Regrettably, I must take my leave. It seems I should return to the main palace with His Highness the Crown Prince to have an audience with His Majesty.”

“It was an honor to have you attend, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

Before anything else could come out of Hailey’s mouth, Baroness Priya hurriedly offered her parting words. After that, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess left together, arm in arm.

Only once the two had departed from the Lily Palace did the picnic attendees breathe a sigh of relief.

‘Far from growing distant, it’s clear Her Highness the Crown Princess has His Highness the Crown Prince firmly in the palm of her hand.’

Just which fool had started such a ridiculous rumor…? The concubines scowled, filled with resentment.

***

“I don’t know the full story, but I do know you’ve managed to use me yet again.”

As they walked toward the main palace, Kincaid murmured quietly.

“You must have had a reason for walking into that den of greedy foxes wearing my mother’s dress, right?”

“That’s true, but you’re partly to blame for my choice. You were gone from the palace for nearly a month without a word — of course strange rumors were going to spread.”

“Strange rumors? You mean that nonsense earlier about divorce?”

“Yes. The talk was that you’d abandoned me, and I was left to live a lonely, neglected life. The rumor even went so far as to say that right after His Majesty’s birthday celebration, an official divorce announcement would be made.”

“What?”

Kincaid frowned, displeased.

“In that case, I’ll have to find out exactly who’s responsible for spreading such absurd lies.”

Before a needless storm of bloodshed could sweep the palace, Hailey moved to stop her husband.

“I’ve already taken care of it, so there’s nothing you need to worry about. But the Crown Prince’s Palace will be in a bit of disarray for a while — please bear with that.”

“Are you planning to replace the maid?”

Catching on quickly, Kincaid’s question earned a nod from Hailey.

“This time it was just a trivial rumor, but who knows what secrets might be leaked next? I need to bring back the maid who originally served in the Crown Prince’s Palace.”

“Do as you see fit.”

“Oh, and while we’re seeing His Majesty, I’ll have to ask him to reinstate Marilyn as chief maid. Ha, now that I think about it, I’ve got so much work ahead of me.”

Kincaid gave a faint chuckle at her grumbling.

“You’re a capable person — I’m sure you’ll have it all wrapped up soon enough.”

“Of course I will.”

Answering with confidence, Hailey turned and instructed the maid following them to stop. Then, walking with Kincaid to the fountain, she finally asked her husband,

“So what exactly have you been doing for the past month?”

She made sure her voice couldn’t be overheard by the maid as she pressed him. She had suspected from the moment he missed his scheduled return that Kincaid hadn’t simply been inspecting the border. No matter how petty he could be, he wouldn’t have stayed away from the palace for an entire month over personal grievances.

“I already know that Sir Arthur Klare secretly returned to the capital and then left for the border again with military forces.”