After seeing Uriel enter Carlos’s bedroom, Ines’s routine returned to its previous state.

Ines, who had once strolled through the garden whenever she had the chance, now spent her days confined to her room. She had reverted to the gloomy state she had been in when she refused to marry Carlos.

Raella casually commented on this change to Ines.

“It seems you’ve stopped searching for strange plants. It’s a wise decision. If people knew the Queen had such a pointless hobby, they might gossip.”

Raella appeared pleased that Ines no longer wandered through the garden. As a lady-in-waiting, following Ines around had been quite a chore for her, especially since she believed the autumn sun was damaging to her skin.

Raella’s voice was bright, oblivious to Ines’s recent low spirits. In contrast, Margaret quietly poured tea into Ines’s cup, choosing to remain silent.

“By the way, it seems Lady Uriel Hamilton is unwell again today. Such a lack of responsibility.”

When Raella mentioned Uriel’s name, Ines flinched.

“…Indeed. It’s already been four days since Uriel said she was ill.”

Ines’s voice trembled slightly as she lifted her teacup.

As Raella had noted, Uriel hadn’t left her room for days.

This had been the case since the day she entered Carlos’s bedroom.

Ines tightened her grip around her teacup.

The timing of Uriel’s absence due to illness troubled her. It was enough to send Ines’s imagination spiraling, and not in a positive direction.

‘Yesterday, Baron Hamilton visited the palace.’

Before meeting the King, Baron Hamilton had sent a message requesting permission to visit the Lily Palace, citing his daughter’s illness.

But that was likely an excuse. Surely, something had been discussed between Uriel and Baron Hamilton regarding her night with Carlos.

No matter how naive a young lady might be, she couldn’t have orchestrated entering the King’s bedroom on her own.

Perhaps there had been a secret conversation with Carlos. For instance…

As Ines’s eyes filled with worry, there was a knock on the door, and someone entered the room.

“Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”

“…Uriel.”

It was Uriel.

Her face looked haggard, confirming the truth of her illness after four days. Her eyes were shadowed, as if she hadn’t slept well.

“You look unwell, despite your illness.”

“…Yes. I have something to discuss with Your Majesty regarding this.”

Uriel’s voice was subdued, a stark contrast to her previously lively demeanor. Seeing this, Ines quietly set down her teacup, feeling a sense of unease.

Was she about to announce that she had become the King’s concubine? As Ines anxiously watched Uriel, she spoke.

“I’m resigning as a lady-in-waiting.”

Uriel’s words were unexpected.

“Resigning as a lady-in-waiting?”

“Yes. My illness seems serious, so I need to leave the palace and recuperate at our estate.”

Ines wasn’t the only one surprised by this. Raella, beside her, questioned in disbelief.

“Resigning so suddenly? Weren’t you just lively and bustling around the palace not long ago?”

Uriel frowned slightly at Raella’s question but continued speaking calmly.

“I’ve been unwell for the past four days and consulted a doctor. It appears that I’ve inherited a hereditary illness from my family. Therefore, I’ve decided to stay at our estate with my father for the time being.”

“Baron Hamilton as well?”

“Yes. His Majesty has already granted permission.”

Ines tilted her head at the news that Uriel’s father would also be leaving for the estate. It was unusual. Someone who should be solidifying his position in the capital was suddenly returning to a rural estate.

Why would someone ambitious enough to send his daughter to the King’s bedroom do such a thing?

Ines pondered this for a moment before shaking her head.

‘Perhaps it’s for the best.’

If Uriel remained as her lady-in-waiting, Ines would have been unable to sleep at night. She would have been anxious, wondering if Uriel was with Carlos whenever she was out of sight.

This was undoubtedly a fortunate turn of events for Ines. Moreover, since Carlos had approved it, her opposition wouldn’t change anything.

With a brief sigh, Ines looked up at Uriel.

“Alright, I understand. Thank you for your service.”

“May you remain healthy and safe.”

Uriel paid her final respects to the Queen and turned to leave.

Watching Uriel’s departing figure, Ines felt an inexplicable unease.

‘Ah, I should stop thinking about it.’

It was enough that Uriel had left, just as Ines was once again trying to steady her thoughts.

A maid entered to inform Ines that the bath was ready. Before Uriel arrived, she had instructed them to prepare hot water to lift her spirits, and it seemed everything was set now.

With that, Ines rose from her seat and began to walk.

At times like this, all Ines could do was refresh herself with a bath.

Soaking in hot water would help clear her cluttered mind and improve her mood.

Thinking this, Ines instructed the two maids.

“Everyone, please leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two maids, aware that Ines did not want assistance during her bath, bowed and exited. Ines entered the bathroom and took a deep breath.

The warm steam and the gentle sound of water made her feel at ease.

Plop, plop.

Ines tossed aside her dress and carefully slipped into the bathtub.

As she slowly combed her fingers through her hair, Uriel’s words suddenly came to mind.

‘Yes. His Majesty has already granted permission.’

“So Carlos has already given his consent…”

Did Carlos really allow it because Uriel was sick? If not…

A sudden ominous thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly shook her head.

“Is she pregnant? No way.”

What was she even thinking?

Even if she had conceived that night, it had only been four days. It was too soon to tell if she was pregnant. Ines’s lips twisted at her own foolishness.

“I was really shocked.”

She realized that she couldn’t think rationally because Carlos had been with another woman.

“I hate it, really…”

She hated herself for feeling jealous when she had no right to be.

She detested feeling betrayed by him when she was the one who had betrayed Carlos first.

It made her feel petty.

As self-loathing surged within her, Ines’s shoulders slumped.

At that moment, she heard a noise and sensed someone nearby.

Startled, Ines turned around. What she saw was…

“…Margaret?”

It was her maid, Margaret. Ines trailed off, taken aback by the unexpected presence.

“Why are you here…?”

She had clearly told everyone not to come in. Surprised, Ines looked at Margaret with wide eyes. Margaret, too, seemed frozen, staring at Ines as if she had seen something shocking.

Only then did Ines realize she was exposing her back. Horrified, she quickly submerged herself under the water.

Ines hugged her knees with her arms, her face pale.

‘I’ve been found out.’

She was usually cautious during baths, but today she had been too lost in thought to notice. Her hands trembled at the unexpected situation.

Ines held her breath as she recalled Margaret’s earlier expression. Judging by her stunned face, Margaret must have seen the scars on her back. Ines feared what Margaret’s reaction would be.

‘What if she realizes the secret behind the scars on my back?’

Even Joseph had quickly noticed that she wasn’t the beloved daughter of the Duke’s family as she was known to be.

‘Even if she doesn’t realize it, what if Margaret tells others about the scars? What if it reaches Carlos’s ears?’

As these unsettling thoughts continued to consume her, Margaret, having regained her usual calm demeanor, picked up what had fallen.

“I’m sorry. I knocked several times, but there was no answer. It’s just that… you seemed anxious these past few days, so I brought some essential oils.”

Margaret spoke as if she hadn’t seen the scars on Ines’s back.

“It’s lavender. The scent helps calm the mind and body. If you dissolve it in the hot water and soak, it’ll ease some of your tension.”

“……”

However, Ines couldn’t respond. She was afraid she might say something wrong.

What excuse could she make? Should she say she fell down the stairs as a child? But anyone could see that the scars on her back were marks of abuse, as if she had been whipped.

Should she bribe the maid to keep her mouth shut? As she was engulfed in these thoughts, Margaret quietly approached and set down the essential oils beside Ines. Then, in a gentle voice, she softly whispered.

“Don’t worry. What I saw today, I will pretend I didn’t see.”