The next morning.

Margaret entered Ines’s bedroom earlier than usual to help her dress. It had been a long time since she had assistance with putting on a dress.

In truth, dressing without help was not easy.

There had been times when she couldn’t wear a dress that fit well simply because she couldn’t properly tighten the corset.

As a result, she mostly wore comfortable dresses that didn’t require a corset or asked a maid for help only with tightening the chemise underneath.

Thanks to this, Ines finished getting ready faster than usual and glanced at Margaret.

Since revealing her scar, Ines had been wary of Margaret. Although she had been told not to worry, she secretly feared that Margaret might share her secret.

It had only been a day, but it seemed that Margaret hadn’t spoken to anyone. She didn’t appear to have any intention of doing so.

While Ines was deep in thought, Margaret, who was fastening the buttons on her dress, asked, “Would you like me to cover your back with makeup? I thought it might help conceal the scar.”

Ines flinched at the mention of the scar on her back.

“…What did you say?”

“The scar. I thought covering it with makeup might reassure His Majesty a bit. Honestly, isn’t the reason you don’t keep maids or attendants close because of this scar?”

“That’s true, but…”

Ines trailed off, unable to grasp Margaret’s exact intentions.

Margaret gently wrapped an arm around Ines’s hesitant shoulder and continued, “Do you know what rumors are circulating outside the palace? There’s a ridiculous rumor that Her Majesty is so ill-tempered that no one wants to be near her. It’s all because Her Majesty refuses the service of maids.”

Ines had already anticipated and prepared for such rumors.

But what could she do? There hadn’t been anyone trustworthy enough to expose her back to.

“Even the daughter of a wealthy merchant doesn’t dress alone. But since Your Majesty insists on doing everything yourself, rumors are bound to spread. So why not try covering the scars with makeup? Unless someone looks very closely, they won’t notice the scars.”

The scars had been there for so long that most of the redness had faded. It would be hard to notice unless someone touched them. It wasn’t a bad suggestion.

‘If I could really cover the scars with makeup…’

Many things could change for the better. Perhaps even her relationship with Carlos…

A glimmer of hope appeared on Ines’s face as she raised her head.

“Then, could I ask you to do that?”

“Leave it to me.”

Margaret smiled confidently at Ines’s request. She immediately began applying powder to Ines’s back. After some time had passed, Margaret spoke while continuing her work.

“It’s done. Would you like to see it in the mirror?”

Margaret held a hand mirror behind Ines, who stood before a full-length mirror. Ines saw her smooth back reflected between the mirrors.

Ines gasped and touched her back.

“It’s really seamless…”

“From now on, I’ll powder your back every day after you bathe.”

“Every day?”

Ines was surprised by Margaret’s proposal. It seemed like such a laborious task. But Margaret nodded as if it were completely natural.

“Yes. It’s best to be prepared for any situation.”

Ines felt a surge of gratitude toward Margaret. She was the only person whose attitude hadn’t changed after seeing her back, and she was going above and beyond to help her.

Ines felt guilty for having doubted her intentions, even for a moment.

“Thank you so much…”

Ines gave a shy smile. For the first time, she felt like she had a friend she could confide in about everything besides her mother.

“Don’t mention it. What I do is nothing special.”

Ines was pleased with Margaret’s kind response, and then she suddenly clapped her hands as if she had remembered something.

“By the way, has there been a reply to the letter I sent to the Countess Ankerid?”

“Not yet. It seems she’s been slow to respond due to her poor health.”

“Really…?”

Ines lowered her head at the news that there was still no reply.

She feared that the lack of response might not be due to the Countess’s health but rather because she didn’t like her.

It made sense that she would dislike someone who could be seen as a flaw for her son, who had become king after enduring so many trials. With that thought, a bitter smile appeared on Ines’s lips.

“Shall we take a walk after you put on the dress, Your Majesty? Staying in the room too much isn’t good for your health.”

“…Yes, alright.”

As Ines was putting on the dress again, following Margaret’s advice, there was a knock, and a voice asked if they could come in.

Ines quickly adjusted her clothes to hide the scar and granted permission. A familiar face entered—it was Raella. Her expression was serious, as if something urgent had happened.

“Your Majesty, have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

Somehow, she had a bad feeling.

“They say that Countess Ankerid, His Majesty’s mother, has passed away.”

And her ominous premonition turned out to be correct.

* * *

The funeral took place in a solemn atmosphere. Held in the palace chapel, it was on a scale reminiscent of the previous king’s funeral.

Although she held the title of countess, her status as the biological mother of the current king drew everyone in the kingdom to gather.

Before Carlos became king, such a gathering would have been unimaginable.

Like many royal mistresses, Countess Ankerid did not enjoy a favorable reputation.

Even noblewomen who became mistresses were often treated like courtesans, so as a gypsy, she was regarded as nothing more than a filthy pr*stitute.

Holding such a woman’s funeral as a state event sparked diverse opinions among the people.

“Anyone would think the king had died.”

“She just got lucky having a son who became king.”

Some believed the countess’s funeral was excessive,

“But still, she was His Majesty’s mother. She deserved at least this much. It’s sad, isn’t it? Her son became king, but she passed away before she could truly enjoy it.”

“Indeed. She suffered so much in her youth.”

Others felt the countess’s funeral was justified.

One of the noblewomen whispering nearby remarked,

“Honestly, I think it’s a relief she passed away now. She was so disregarded by everyone in her youth. Imagine if she had become the queen mother. Honestly, is there anyone here who wouldn’t find that awkward?”

“Madam, watch your words. There are many ears listening.”

The woman next to her scolded her. However, the noblewoman merely shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.

“So what? I doubt the queen thinks differently from me. If she had any respect for her mother-in-law, she would have brought her to the palace long ago.”

At that moment, Ines, who had been quietly listening to the noblewoman’s raised voice, clutched her skirt. Unfortunately, she couldn’t refute the noblewoman’s words.

Regardless of the reason, the fact that she hadn’t taken care of the countess, her mother-in-law, was undeniable. She couldn’t claim she was blameless.

As Ines remained silent, the murmurs directed at her gradually increased. She couldn’t hear their exact words, but they were certainly not pleasant.

Ignoring the stares, Ines stood up. Leaning on her cane, she moved forward to lay a flower. It had been a long time since she had been the center of attention, so each step was cautious, fearing she might stumble.

As she approached the coffin, her heart grew heavy. When she finally reached the front, she looked at the countess’s face.

Ines stared intently at the countess’s peaceful visage, tilting her head in puzzlement.

‘Was this how she looked?’

Something felt off. In her memory, the countess’s hair had been lighter, and her skin clearer. Moreover, her appearance seemed slightly different from what she remembered.

‘Could it be because she was so ill?’

Considering the countess’s illness, it wasn’t surprising. Hadn’t it been said that her health had deteriorated so much she couldn’t even attend the coronation?

Furthermore, she had reportedly been bedridden for years. Without sunlight, her skin tone would naturally have changed.

‘She was such a beautiful person…’

Ines recalled the first time she met the countess. The rumors that the late king had been entranced by her dancing were true. Though she came from a wandering gypsy background, she possessed an elegance and grace that rivaled any noblewoman.

Feeling that the countess had suffered throughout her life, Ines’s own heart ached. She turned her head slightly to the side and spotted Carlos, who had laid his flower before her.

It was a face she hadn’t seen in a long time.

—

T/N: Honestly feels so good that Ines has an ally and a friend now. Way to go Margaret!