Marquis Descartes, who had been silent for a moment, looked up.

“A special ability?”

“Yes. You know there’s an ancient legend in our kingdom.”

“You don’t mean the story about the Flower of the Sun, do you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The ‘Flower of the Sun’ was a well-known legend that had been passed down in the kingdom of Tezever for generations.

It was said that the Flower of the Sun bloomed only on the day when the moon and the sun overlapped and that it possessed mysterious powers.

Children born to women who consumed this flower were believed to gain special abilities.

Listening quietly to Delmonsi, Descartes asked, “What does that legend have to do with Ines Claudia?”

“Decades ago, Duke Claudia left the capital with his knights for a while. He returned a few days after the sun and the moon had overlapped.”

“And?”

“At that time, there were rumors among the retainers that he had discovered something very precious.”

“Something precious? Are you suggesting it was the Flower of the Sun?”

Nodding quietly, Delmonsi continued, “Yes. Duke Claudia often boasted when he was drunk, saying that a child who would bring prosperity to their family might be born soon. And the following year, Ines Claudia was born.”

Marquis Descartes stroked his chin thoughtfully at Delmonsi’s words.

“But couldn’t it just be a coincidence?”

“You might think so. But you know that Joseph’s original fiancée was supposed to be a princess from Natassen until just before he became king.”

“……”

“Yet, as soon as Ines Claudia turned twenty, Joseph’s fiancée suddenly changed. Why do you think that happened? If my guess is correct, there must have been some sort of agreement between the duke and the royal family regarding Ines, whose abilities manifested late.”

If what Delmonsi said was true, it was worth observing the princess to see what abilities she might possess.

“Alright. As you suggested, it might be wise to watch how things unfold for a while.”

Marquis Descartes smiled slyly.

* * *

Tezever Royal Palace, Richard.

Richard Castle was bustling with life for the first time in a while. It was the day of the wedding for the newly crowned King Carlos. Of course, there had been much opposition along the way.

Some accused him of betrayal for daring to marry his brother’s woman. However, Carlos remained undeterred and proceeded with his marriage to Ines.

As Carlos, surrounded by people, was dressing in his ceremonial attire before the wedding, his chamberlain, Jeff, murmured to him.

“Princess Ines made a small request to Jeremy a few days ago.”

“Ines asked Jeremy for a favor?”

Carlos, fastening his cufflinks, looked up. His reflection in the mirror showed a hint of curiosity in his eyes. Jeremy was the one who had aided in his rebellion and was the first knight to breach the walls of the Claudia estate.

“Yes. A few days ago, she inquired about the whereabouts of the maids who worked in the annex of the Claudia estate.”

“She specifically sought out the maids from the annex?”

“Yes. Perhaps she was concerned about those she was close to in her youth.”

“……”

She had always been a compassionate woman. It was only natural for her to worry about the fate of the maids who had served her in the past. It wasn’t strange for Ines to seek out the maidens she had grown up with.

What puzzled him was why she had asked a knight she barely knew for such a favor. If his memory was correct, Jeremy and Ines had never even exchanged words before.

While Carlos furrowed his brow with an inexplicable sense of unease, a maid approached Jeff and whispered something quietly. Upon hearing the maid’s words, Jeff’s expression hardened.

Sensing that something unpleasant had happened, Carlos asked, “What’s going on?”

“Well, it seems… the Lady has caused a bit of a commotion. I heard she hasn’t even washed yet… She’s been so adamant that no one knows what to do.”

Jeff adjusted his monocle with a look of exasperation. It was because Ines, the bride of today’s wedding, was not cooperating.

With only a few hours left before the ceremony, she refused to dress up and wouldn’t allow anyone to touch her.

Her circumstances had changed, but after today, she would once again become queen. Naturally, no one dared to lay a hand on Ines without her consent.

“I thought there wouldn’t be any issues since she had been quiet for a while.”

Carlos clicked his tongue briefly as he adjusted his attire. From head to toe, he was impeccably dressed, looking perfect enough for the wedding to begin at any moment.

He had assumed she had come to terms with the situation since she seemed to be eating her meals on time lately. Apparently, he was mistaken.

He knew she was a woman with a will as strong as iron, but her continued resistance and refusal to accept the situation left a bitter taste in his mouth.

After pondering Jeff’s words for a moment, Carlos made a decision and began to move.

“I’ll go to Ines myself. And also.”

Before leaving the room, he gave Jeff an order.

“Find out where the maids who worked for the Claudia family are now.”

“Yes, understood.”

* * *

Carlos’s footsteps echoed loudly as he crossed the palace. When he finally reached the vicinity of Ines’s room,

a familiar voice resonated through the corridor.

“There’s no point in standing there. Everyone, leave.”

It was Ines’s voice. Her firm tone carried a clear determination not to undress.

As he entered the room where she was, he glanced around. The maids surrounding Ines wore troubled expressions. Had he not come himself, the situation would likely have remained unchanged. Carlos let out a short sigh and spoke.

“Everyone, leave.”

Those who hadn’t budged at her command moved swiftly at Carlos’s. Watching this, Ines furrowed her brow. She cast a sidelong glance at the unwelcome visitor and then turned her head away.

Carlos’s gaze fell on Ines as he surveyed the now-quiet room. Despite the few hours left until the ceremony, she had made no preparations. Seeing Ines in what was essentially her nightclothes, he tilted his head slightly.

“What are you doing now? Are you staging another pointless protest?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Ines replied to his question.

“It’s not that. It’s just… I dislike having people who aren’t mine attending to me.”

Finally understanding why she was still in her nightclothes, Carlos let out a dry laugh.

“So, because you were raised in luxury, you dislike being touched by strangers?”

Ines didn’t respond to Carlos’s comment. Her silence was as good as an affirmation.

With a brief sigh, Carlos walked over to where Ines sat, holding her ground with dignity.

“So that’s why you were looking for the maids from the estate? To keep trustworthy people around you?”

At his words, Ines quickly lifted her head.

“How did you know about that…?”

Ines was about to ask how he knew, but she stopped herself mid-sentence. The question was pointless from the start. Her ignorance lay in not realizing that any inquiry made to his subordinates would quickly reach this man’s ears.

In truth, it wasn’t unusual for her to worry about her family’s safety. She felt relieved that he hadn’t noticed anything. Just then, unexpected words came from him.

“If you want, I will find the maid for you.”

Ines’s eyes widened in surprise at the completely unexpected response.

“…Really?”

He nodded, as if to say he never lied.

“On the condition that you listen to me.”

Ines’s gaze wavered as she looked at Carlos. At the same time, a woman flashed through her mind—a maid in shabby clothes, looking frail. That maid was as precious to her as her own life.

‘If I just follow Carlos’s words…’

He probably wanted her to quietly prepare for the wedding. After all, Carlos had no intention of giving up on her.

There was no way she could escape this heavily guarded place without someone’s help.

Even if she refused, she would somehow end up attending the wedding. It was better to cooperate and get what she wanted.

‘If I do that, I can meet her.’

With the hope of seeing someone she thought she’d never meet again, Ines clenched her fist.

“Alright. But please keep your promise to find the maid.”

“I’m not a man who goes back on his word.”

Carlos muttered, shrugging his shoulders as if it was obvious.

Then he strode toward Ines.

“First of all.”

Suddenly, Carlos lifted Ines and headed to the bathroom attached to the room.

He placed her into the bathtub filled with water, almost as if tossing her in.

With a splash, the water overflowed from the tub. The tepid water soaked Ines completely.

“Carlos!”

Ines shouted at the man who had dropped her into the tub, startled. However, Carlos ignored her cries and leaned down.

Through the thin, wet fabric, her white skin was visible. Carlos, looking at it indifferently, continued speaking.

“Why, should I wash you myself?”