Chapter 6

Even at a glance, their gaze was anything but friendly, and Nadia instinctively flinched.  

As she hesitated, unsure what to do, Lev turned away from her with Albina, leaving the reception hall.  

Arons was also startled by the sight. The groom leaving the wedding reception with another woman, not the bride, could only be interpreted negatively.  

Arons thought perhaps tonight the one serving the King would not be the Queen.  

He looked at Nadia with worried eyes, but she quickly composed herself and wore a calm smile.  

“Thank you for coming today. Thanks to you, I got to have at least one conversation at the reception.”  

“Your Majesty…”  

His concern only deepened. Nadia regretted her words, but outwardly finished the conversation as if nothing was wrong.  

“I should be going now. Young Duke, I hope you have a peaceful night.”  

Since the King left the reception with his mistress, there was no reason for Nadia to stay any longer.

Back in the Queen’s palace, Nadia shed her heavy reception dress and soaked in the bathtub.  

Even when the maids poured rose-scented oil into the steaming bath, she felt little emotion.  

‘Perhaps His Majesty won’t come tonight.’  

That thought actually brought her comfort.  

In truth, spending the wedding night with the King was a burden for her. She couldn’t imagine sharing the most intimate act with a man who hated her.  

Still, as a formality, Nadia put on a milky slip dress and sat on the bed, waiting for the King. Then,  

-dong, dong, dong  

The sound of bells echoed through the spacious Queen’s palace. It rang every midnight. By then, she had enough reason to give up.  

As Nadia prepared to slip under the covers, the maids beside her looked bewildered.  

“Could you turn off the lights?”  

The maids did so, leaving only a faint candle nearby. Nadia gave an innocent smile and wished them goodnight.  

“Sleep well, everyone.”

***

The next morning, Lev’s bedroom was tightly curtained, letting in not a single ray of dawn.  

Still, he woke at the usual hour. The King’s attendant, Anton, also entered the King’s bedroom at the exact time, even though it was the day after the wedding.  

When he drew the curtains, bright blue light poured into the room, highlighting Lev as he slowly washed his face. The weak blue glow and his movements created a strange, mystical atmosphere.  

Anton stared blankly for a moment, then quickly shook his head and greeted,  

“Good morning, Your Majesty.”  

“Yes, Anton.”  

Lev stared vacantly at the empty bed and suddenly thought of the woman who should have been beside him.  

“The Countess of Vellevin is still sleeping. Her Majesty, the Queen, went to bed as soon as it struck midnight.”  

Upon hearing the report, Lev let out a dry laugh. Anton added,  

“She seems quite clever. She must have known you wouldn’t come, Your Majesty.”  

“No one else visited?”  

“Pardon?”  

Anton asked in a voice of disbelief, not understanding the question.  

“Do you mean Young Duke Lordgin?”  

No answer came. 

My goodness, it must have been true. 

Anton’s expression was incredulous.  

“Surely Her Majesty wouldn’t do something so reckless. Adultery is punishable by death, Your Majesty.”  

“Do you know their relationship?”  

“Apparently, the Young Duke is a distant relative of the Queen. They’ve met often since childhood, mostly with him visiting the Turik Earldom.”  

“Ha.”  

Lev let out a dry laugh at the unexpected family connection.  

“It must be disappointing for the Queen. If not for her mother, she could have become the Duchess Lordgin.”  

“There were actually marriage talks between them.”  

What Lev said as a joke came back as the truth, and his eyes narrowed.  

“A long time ago, when they were children. But it is said that once the Countess of Turik was mentioned as a possible Queen, it fell through entirely.”

Since Arons was his cousin, if Agnesa Turik became Queen, his paternal aunt would become his mother-in-law, which could tangle the family line.

“Should I keep watch?”  

“I suppose so.”  

Lev answered, drinking water from the bedside table.  

“This is not Murk, so taking in one’s brother’s widow would be awkward, would it not.”

Anton, hearing such a sharp joke so early, couldn’t control his expression and looked dazed. Lev saw this and chuckled quietly.  

“Relax your face, Anton.”  

“You say such things and still ask for the impossible, Your Majesty.”  

Anton lightly shot back at Lev.  

“Dr. Chekhov is scheduled to visit this morning. And in the afternoon, you have the state council meeting.”

Lev nodded and got up.  

Even after the wedding, nothing had changed. His heart didn’t race from excitement, nor was he troubled by affection.  

He rather enjoyed the calm and peace.

***

The sameness of yesterday and today wasn’t just Lev’s experience. Nadia rose as usual and had breakfast.  

Her favorite potato soup, two slices of warm white bread, roasted carrots, and smoked ham were on the menu.  

“His Majesty spent last night with Countess Vellevin.”  

Even when Olga reported this, Nadia only nodded as if she’d expected it. Olga frowned at her calm attitude.  

Breakfast suited Nadia perfectly. If she’d married abroad, she wouldn’t have had such meals. She still felt more grateful to the King.  

“Now that you’re the new lady of the Queen’s palace, you must invite the society ladies for a tea gathering.”  

At those words, Nadia set down her bread. Suddenly, she felt a bit suffocated.  

“You know, Madame, I was never formally introduced to society. So I don’t really have anyone to invite.”  

“Are you saying you won’t host a tea gathering?”  

Would anyone even come if she did?  

Nadia wanted to ask, but soon realized it was a pointless question. She couldn’t neglect her duty as Queen.  

It wouldn’t be wise to show more flaws, especially since she didn’t know the King’s real intention in making her Queen.  

“Could you help me select suitable guests for invitations?”  

“Of course.”  

Olga’s cooperative answer let Nadia breathe easier. Still, she lost her appetite and didn’t touch her plate again.  

“What’s the schedule for today?”  

“Nothing special. It’s your first day.”  

“Then, may I look around the palace? Before the wedding, I stayed only in the Queen’s palace, so I don’t know the layout at all.”  

“If you wish.”  

Olga nodded readily.  

“But I wouldn’t recommend it.”

***

Nadia learned why Olga said that less than five minutes after leaving the Queen’s palace.  

“Isn’t that the Queen? Agnesa’s daughter?”  

“Yes. I heard His Majesty spent last night with Countess Vellevin.”  

“Oh my, she was alone like a wallflower at the reception. If it were me, I’d want to die.”  

Everyone passing by recognized Nadia and whispered. There were so many, if she punished them all, the entire palace staff would be in trouble.  

Even the maids, instead of getting angry at their master’s insults, giggled along, so Nadia just pretended not to hear. It made things easier for everyone.  

‘It’s not so big that I can’t memorize it.’  

She walked wherever her feet took her, trying to learn the layout, and began to get a sense of it. When she visited the palace as a child, it seemed vast as the sea.  

“Oh.”  

Then Nadia saw a garden she didn’t recognize. It was clearly well-maintained, and she was curious.  

Drawn in, Nadia approached the garden. One of the maids, watching, whispered nervously to Olga,  

“Madame, is it okay? This place…”  

“Nothing will happen.”  

Olga replied indifferently, and the other maids shrugged as if to say let her be. Nadia, unaware of any of this, entered.  

“Wow…”  

It was still spring, and the weather was a bit chilly, but thanks to the many flowers, buds were already visible everywhere. The abundance of lavender filled the air with a fresh scent.  

In the center, there was a fountain with a cherub statue and a quaint tea table for gatherings.  

The Queen’s palace garden was well cared for, but this independent garden was even more impressive.  

As Nadia wandered through the garden with interest—  

“Why is the Queen here?”  

At the sound of an annoyed voice, Nadia flinched and turned her head. Far away, Lev was glaring at her with a cold expression.