Sharp words were directed at Ines, as if they had been prepared in advance. He was clearly mocking her.

“Even the maid you were desperately searching for didn’t like you and ran away.”

Ines, who grasped the hidden meaning behind the words, met Carlos Ivan’s gaze. She wondered what his intention was with this attitude.

“……What exactly are you trying to say?”

“It’s amusing that you chose farm work over the position of the queen’s maid.”

It was as if there was no longer any need for respect. Carlos continued in an arrogant tone reminiscent of Joseph.

“I also heard you injured your hand. Did you get into a fight with a maid?”

“This is…….”

Ines hurriedly hid her hand behind her back and let her words trail off. It seemed that the man who had just left was talking about something related to her.

“Ines.”

Carlos looked at Ines’s injured hand with disapproval.

“You said you didn’t want to be my blemish. Yet, everything you do is full of flaws. You insisted on having only your own people, so I went through the trouble of finding a maid from your family, and even that was rejected.”

Although there were underlying circumstances, on the surface, his words weren’t wrong, so she couldn’t refute them.

“Find a suitable maid for yourself. Anyway, even if I bring a maid from the duchy, it seems no one wants to serve you. And I will appoint a lady-in-waiting. This is not a matter to delay any longer.”

“…….”

Ines clenched her fist at Carlos’s pointed words.

Currently, she was the subject of gossip for not having a single lady-in-waiting by her side.

She didn’t even need maids who disregarded her, but she doubted if anyone would want to become her lady-in-waiting just because she wanted it.

Since she no longer had the backing of her family or her husband’s affection, no one would volunteer to be her lady-in-waiting.

‘But I can’t just stay like this.’

Hadn’t she resolved just before entering this room? As long as she was by Carlos’s side, she would do her best. Having come to be with him with difficulty, she had decided to become a wife worthy of him. It was a resolution she made just a few minutes ago.

With that, Ines organized her thoughts and spoke up.

“Alright. I’ll soon shortlist those who can be ladies-in-waiting. Regardless of which family they belong to, if we recruit, there will be applicants……”

But before she could finish her sentence, Carlos stood up and handed her a few sheets of paper.

It was more like he threw them at her rather than handed them.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already selected the ladies-in-waiting. They will enter the palace starting tomorrow.”

Ines asked again, wondering if she had heard wrong.

Already selected the ladies-in-waiting?

The selection of ladies-in-waiting was entirely the queen’s prerogative. No matter how much he was the king, he couldn’t interfere with selecting ladies-in-waiting. This unilateral notification was tantamount to ignoring Ines.

“They are people I will keep close and use. At least the authority to make personnel decisions should be mine…….”

As Ines was about to protest, Carlos cut her off, as if he hadn’t finished speaking.

“Your status as queen is already in the dirt.”

“…….”

“I selected them personally so that, at least with reputable young ladies as your ladies-in-waiting, you might maintain some dignity as queen.”

So just quietly follow my words.

Carlos’s gaze seemed to convey that message.

It was absurdly one-sided.

Even in the gloomy room, his red eyes shone like a wildfire.

It created the illusion that if she reached out carelessly, her whole body would be engulfed in flames.

Ines, who was silently observing Carlos’s face, grasped her necklace.

She felt foolish for coming to thank him with a hopeful heart just moments ago. Ines responded in a resigned voice.

“……Alright. I’ll do as you wish.”

* * *

The next day dawned.

As Carlos had said, news arrived that the newly selected ladies-in-waiting had entered the palace that morning.

Before they came to greet her, Ines sat at her dressing table and looked in the mirror. The one difference from before was the necklace Carlos had given her, now hanging around her neck.

She fiddled with the pendant with an unreadable expression.

‘I just wanted to say thank you….’

Not only did I not receive any gratitude, but I was also treated like a fool who couldn’t even gain the favor of a cherished maid.

Moreover, all my opinions were disregarded, and I was directly involved in selecting the maids.

It felt as if a heavy stone had been placed in my chest. My determination to try hard quickly faded.

Was this really a relationship that could change just through my efforts? Such negative thoughts crossed my mind.

The newly appointed maids came to Ines’s room to pay their respects.

The maids took turns demonstrating their manners before Ines.

“Hello, Your Majesty the Queen. It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I’m Margaret Desley from the Count of Desley.”

“I am Uriel Hamilton from the Viscount of Hamilton.”

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty the Queen. I’m Raella Colsen from the Count of Raella. I hope you have been well.”

Ines’s gaze, which was carefully examining the maids greeting her, settled on Raella.

Naturally, Raella had also become her maid. But…

‘The Count of Desley shouldn’t have a daughter.’

Ines’s gaze shifted to Margaret. She was familiar with the Count of Desley family. Although she had never seen their faces because they rarely left their territory, it was one of the families with a long lineage.

However, Ines had never heard of the Count of Desley having a daughter, so she couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Noticing Ines’s gaze, Margaret stepped forward.

“I’m a distant collateral relative of Count Desley. I became the Count’s adopted daughter to take the position of Your Majesty’s maid.”

“…I see.”

All the maids were daughters from prestigious families. Interestingly, they were all women of marriageable age.

While the Queen’s maids were often selected from young ladies of similar age to the Queen, it was generally noblewomen who could advise the Queen who were chosen.

And even though they were women of similar age, it was customary to select noblewomen who were mostly married.

It was extremely rare for all three maids to be women of marriageable age.

No woman would want a younger and prettier maid to catch her husband’s eye.

Especially given the country’s unfavorable attitude towards illegitimate children, families were reluctant to send unmarried daughters to be the Queen’s maids.

Breaking such a custom to apply could only mean one thing.

‘They must think I won’t last long in this position.’

Faced with a reality that was hard to deny, Ines managed a stiff smile.

Considering she previously had six maids, this was a modest number, but she was rather pleased.

In the past, the room was often so crowded with people that it sometimes felt suffocating. If the problem then was the maids who were essentially her father’s spies, this time it seemed like a different issue would cause concern.

Look at them even now. Dressed as if they were going to a night ball, their blatant appearance made it clear why they had become her maids.

Ines chose to ignore their intentions and greeted them.

“Let’s get along well from now on, all of us.”

But what else could she do?

Although Carlos Ivan had been aware of the nobles’ intentions, he was the one who had chosen them.

All Ines could do was extend a welcoming greeting, hoping to foster good relations.

“Today, there are no special events, so please go in and rest. Don’t forget there’s a tea party in a few days.”

When the maids entered the palace, it was customary to host an annual event. As the lady of the house, Ines invited noblewomen and young ladies from prestigious families to introduce the newly appointed maids.

Originally, this event should have taken place immediately after she was appointed queen, but it was delayed because the maids hadn’t been selected.

“Yes, Your Majesty the Queen.”

The maids seemed eager to rest today, so they readily agreed. However…

“It’s almost mealtime. Would you like to join us for a meal, Your Majesty the Queen?” asked the youngest lady, Uriel.

Then Margaret, standing beside Uriel, interjected.

“Surely, Her Majesty the Queen would dine with His Majesty?”

“Really? I heard that the two of you haven’t dined together since your marriage.”

Uriel’s innocent question prompted Margaret to glance at Ines. Whether Uriel asked intentionally or by mistake, it was a situation that could upset Ines.

However, Ines was more troubled by the question itself.

It suddenly occurred to her that she had never even shared a cup of tea with Carlos.

Ines discreetly clenched her skirt.

Rumors about the distance between her and Carlos had likely spread widely. One reason might be that they hadn’t even shared a meal.

‘There’s no benefit in showing the maids that my relationship with Carlos is strained.’

Through their words, the news would spread to social circles and eventually reach the ears of commoners, just as her mother already knew the palace’s affairs.

Ines, who had been silently biting her lip, finally spoke.

“I was planning to have lunch with His Majesty today, so please enjoy your meal among yourselves.”

The maids were surprised by Ines’s unexpected statement, but they quickly composed themselves and showed their respect.

“Then have a pleasant time, Your Majesty the Queen.”

As soon as the maids left, Ines sighed.

A wave of fatigue washed over her. She had merely exchanged greetings with the maids.

Ines pressed her temples with her fingers to ease the sudden headache.