Ines’s calm demeanor wavered at the absurd threat.

“What do you mean…?”

“If you continue to refuse, even after cutting off the maid’s fingers, I’ll cut off the chef’s fingers next.”

“Carlos!”

Ines, who had been lying listlessly, called out Carlos’s name to stop him.

“How can you make such a terrible threat?”

“There’s only one of you, but many who work in the palace. And I know these threats work quite well on you.”

Unable to argue, Ines quietly bit her lip. This was exactly the reaction Carlos had expected. Since childhood, Ines had hated seeing others suffer because of her.

Ines’s eyes, which had shown signs of anxiety, cautiously observed Carlos’s expression. She doubted whether he would really do such a thing.

Noticing her thoughts, Carlos murmured softly.

“Why, do you think I won’t do it?”

Carlos was no longer the young man who was looked down upon by others. He was now the leader of the rebels and the king of a nation. But even so, he couldn’t completely ignore the opinions of the nobles and the citizens. Ines looked him straight in the eye.

“If you do that, you’ll face people’s criticism.”

“That might be better than letting you starve to death or sending you to a convent.”

“…”

“Besides, it won’t be worse than what Joseph and your family did.”

Ines felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

Her lips, which were about to protest his cruelty, stiffened. There was nothing wrong with what he said. The things her family and Joseph had done to the citizens were unspeakably cruel.

There was a reason no one criticized the illegitimate brother for taking his sibling’s place. The public sentiment towards the previous dynasty was at rock bottom.

None of the remnants of the former dynasty lived in this country anymore. They were either dead or had fled to other nations. And Ines was also one of those remnants.

She bowed her head, realizing she was as much an accomplice as they were. She understood she had no right to criticize Carlos. However, there was something she truly couldn’t understand. Why was Carlos doing this?

“Why are you going to such lengths? What’s the real reason you’re trying to make me queen, even if it means facing everyone’s condemnation? Is it…?”

After a brief hesitation, Ines continued.

“Do you still have feelings for me?”

She couldn’t bring herself to use the word “love.” Carlos’s eyes widened slightly, as if her question caught him off guard. But soon, he burst into hearty laughter and replied.

“Are you asking if I love you when you ask if I still have feelings?”

“…”

Ines answered with silence. Carlos nodded, seemingly agreeing.

“I suppose it could look that way. But isn’t it too presumptuous to think I would love you?”

It was the answer she had expected. Of course, Ines also believed Carlos couldn’t possibly still love her.

“Then are you seeking revenge? Because I betrayed you?”

“That seems more accurate.”

“Isn’t it enough already? My family has been destroyed, and all my relatives are dead.”

“No.”

Carlos lifted her chin and whispered softly.

“It’s not enough for me yet.”

“…”

“Ines, you need to be more unhappy.”

Carlos Ivan’s eyes burned with intensity as he looked at Ines.

At that moment, Ines tightened her grip on her skirt. Just then, another knock sounded, followed by the maid’s voice.

“Come in.”

As soon as permission was given, the maid entered, pushing a trolley laden with food.

Ines anxiously glanced between the food on the trolley and the clueless maid’s face.

The maid had no idea that her fingers had been part of the conversation in this room just moments earlier. Naturally, Ines’s gaze fell on the maid’s fingers gripping the trolley handle.

Carlos’s threat echoed in her mind. Her heart began to race each time the maid placed a dish on the table. When the maid finally set the meal completely on the table,

Carlos extended his hand to Ines.

“Shouldn’t you eat?”

“…”

Ines, looking back and forth between the man’s outstretched hand and the maid’s, eventually let out a low sigh. Then, feeling resigned, she took his hand.

Carlos smiled with satisfaction as he grasped Ines’s hand. He gently patted her shoulder as he helped her, with her unsteady steps, to sit at the table.

“It’s time to eat. Please, go ahead.”

His voice was gentle yet commanding, prompting Ines to slowly take a spoonful of soup. Despite the savory aroma teasing her nose, her stomach churned from eating for the first time in a while.

But he wouldn’t be satisfied with just one spoonful. Fearing he might threaten her again, she continued to eat the soup.

She couldn’t truly taste the soup. She couldn’t evaluate what ingredients were used or if the seasoning was right. Her only thought was to show him an empty bowl.

Thanks to Ines’s effort, the soup quickly disappeared. After swallowing the last spoonful, she rinsed her mouth with the water beside her and looked at Carlos.

Her eyes seemed to ask if this was enough. Only then did Carlos, as if his task was complete, rise from his seat.

He then wiped her lips, which were still moist from the water, with his fingers. For a brief moment, their gazes locked in the air.

But soon, Ines turned her head away to avoid it. Carlos chuckled softly and continued.

“I hope you regain your strength soon. You’ll want to look your best at the wedding, won’t you?”

“…I’ll try.”

With nothing more to say, Carlos began to walk away. Before leaving the room, he instructed the maid.

“Report to me whether the lady has all three meals each day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At his command, Ines clenched her fists.

* * *

From that day on, Ines’s routine became monotonous.

The maid, who previously didn’t care whether Ines ate or not, now stayed close by, waiting for her to finish her meals.

It felt like she was being watched. Yet, with Carlos’s threat lingering in her mind, Ines forced herself to empty her plate and then leaned back on the sofa.

Eating three meals a day, unlike her usual self, left her feeling unwell every day. Even before the rebellion, she had never been so diligent about her meals.

“Maybe I should go for a walk…”

Hoping that some fresh air might help, Ines opened the door, dragging her unsteady leg. But then,

“I heard she was ready to starve herself until the marriage was called off. But as soon as His Majesty arrived, she picked up the spoon like she’d been waiting for it.”

She overheard the maids gossiping as they passed down the hallway.

“It must have been an act all along. She thought she was doomed, but now she can be queen again—who wouldn’t want that? Honestly, it’s disgusting. It would’ve been better if she had just starved to death.”

The sharp words of the maids pierced Ines’s heart. However, she soon managed a bitter smile.

‘It’s only natural they’d think that way,’ she thought.

She knew she had become a laughingstock. What the maids misunderstood was that she truly intended not to marry him, even if it meant starving to death—at least until Carlos made those threats. Though she wasn’t resentful, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness.

‘But I suppose that’s inevitable too.’

Considering the trouble her family had caused, she felt she had to endure this much. She stood by the door for a while.

It was only when she no longer heard the maids’ footsteps in the hallway that Ines stepped outside.

Seeing the empty corridor brought her some peace. At least there would be no one to pass by and whisper about her.

She decided to take a short walk nearby, just around the back garden of Lily Palace. After all, she couldn’t go far with her leg.

Ines soon arrived at the garden and took a deep breath. The fresh air made her feel a bit better.

“The wedding will probably proceed as planned,” she realized.

The moment she saw Carlos threatening to cut off the maid’s fingers, she understood it. Even if she refused and objected, he would go through with the wedding. Eventually, she would become queen.