“Since we’ll be married soon anyway, it’s not such a bad thing.”

At this, Ines pulled back, clearly expressing her firm refusal. Carlos smirked and straightened up.

“Stop wasting time and get ready quietly.”

Carlos seemed slightly angry. He probably thought she was resisting the current situation. But that wasn’t Ines’s intention.

“I just…”

Ines wrapped her arms around herself and shrank back.

“I just didn’t want to show my body…”

Her subdued voice was quietly drowned out by the splashing sounds of the bathtub.

* * *

Inside Richard Palace was the Crystal Bloom Hall.

It was named so because the thousands of crystals hanging from the ceiling resembled scattered flowers.

True to its grand name, this place, the most splendid in the palace, was primarily used for large events hosted by the royal family.

And as expected, the wedding of the two was held here in Crystal Bloom. Despite numerous objections, their wedding was so lavish and grand that it left the onlookers overwhelmed.

Those who expected a modest ceremony due to the bride’s awkward position were proven wrong.

Amidst the grandeur of the castle and with many nobles in attendance, the wedding ceremony was brief. It was declared in front of everyone that they were now a married couple.

However, no one sat in the family seats, where the couple’s happiness should have been blessed. Carlos’s mother, the Countess, was absent due to ill health, and no one survived from Ines’s family.

After the ceremony, the nobles who looked around the venue all clicked their tongues.

“Indeed, it’s fitting for the wedding of the notorious Claudia family’s villainess who once dominated the country.”

“Exactly. Doesn’t she fear people’s judgment?”

Everyone criticized Ines again, assuming that the once extravagant noblewoman had decorated the wedding venue lavishly.

However, she accepted the criticism silently. Although the rumors of her past extravagance were unfair, even she had to admit that this wedding was excessive.

Ines slowly surveyed her surroundings.

The opulent chandeliers and luxurious champagne. Various rare flowers that were hard to find in this season.

It was truly a lavish wedding. Even Joseph, who was excessive in formalities, hadn’t prepared a wedding of this scale. As she silently gazed around the hall, Carlos’s words once whispered to her echoed in her ears.

‘I may not be able to give you the grandest wedding in this country, but I will make you the happiest woman in the world.’

Contrary to his past promise, he gave her the grandest wedding in the country. But…

Unfortunately, she did not become the happiest woman in the world. With a faint, bitter smile at the harsh reality, Ines turned her head to look up at the man beside her.

Throughout the wedding, the man’s face remained cold, not sparing her a single glance. It was hard to believe he was the person who had so eagerly desired to marry her.

He simply linked arms with Ines, who couldn’t walk well without a cane, and chatted with those who approached him, as if she were nothing more than a trophy.

Just as Ines’s face began to harden, more people gathered around the couple. Like bees drawn to sweet honey, people flocked incessantly to Carlos.

“Congratulations on your wedding.”

Ines raised her head at the formal wedding greetings, recognizing the familiar faces that greeted her.

These were the nobles who had fiercely opposed her becoming queen. Most of them had harbored resentment or had past conflicts with the Claudia family.

Those who had been close to the Claudia family had either fled into exile or lost their lives during the rebellion. Likely, no one in this banquet hall was sincerely celebrating her marriage. Instead, they probably resented that she not only survived but also became queen.

Yet, like true nobles, they hid their true feelings and offered congratulations to the couple, likely mindful of the newly crowned King Carlos. All Ines needed to do here was stand beside Carlos, appearing as a beautiful ornament.

Thus, Ines refrained from joining the conversation, nodding quietly in gratitude instead. She lowered her gaze, observing people engrossed in their conversations, seemingly unaware of her presence next to Carlos. No one approached her to speak, which felt both tiring and tedious.

Even though she was the protagonist of today’s event, she felt like an uninvited guest.

‘If only this would end soon.’

She simply wished for time to pass. As the sun began to set, the atmosphere of the reception gradually reached its peak.

Perhaps it was the alcohol affecting them, but the nobles started to drop their masks and reveal their true feelings.

No one openly opposed the marriage anymore, given Carlos’s firm stance. However, those who had secretly hoped to make their daughters the new queen began to approach with other offers.

“Your Majesty, this is my daughter, Raella. Go on, greet him.”

Count Colsen, who had been praising the day’s splendid wedding, introduced his daughter to Carlos. She was a graceful young woman with water-colored hair, much like Count Colsen’s.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Raella Colsen.”

The young woman elegantly swept her water-colored hair to one side, and she was undeniably beautiful.

Count Colsen beamed with satisfaction at his daughter. Then, as if he had been waiting for this moment, he began to boast about her to Carlos.

“This child is so beautiful that she is called the flower of Tezever. Not only that, but she is also intelligent, and her teachers never hold back their praise. So, perhaps you might seek her company whenever you need someone to talk to, Your Majesty.”

On the day of the wedding, with Ines standing right beside Carlos, Count Colsen couldn’t resist pushing his daughter forward.

This was clearly an act of disrespect towards Ines. Yet, no one intervened. Most people were more curious about how Carlos would react.

Carlos, too, showed no particular reaction to Colsen’s behavior. In fact, he smiled pleasantly at Raella and continued the conversation.

“I’ve heard much about the Count’s daughter. She is praised as a virtuous woman by those around her.”

Raella’s cheeks flushed at Carlos’s smile. Seeing this, Count Colsen’s lips curled upward, sensing a possibility. Emboldened, he revealed his true intentions.

“In the past, our kings in Tezever often took concubines. It usually happened when the queen did not fulfill her duties.”

Even as he spoke, Count Colsen did not spare a glance at Ines. He completely ignored her presence as queen. However, Ines was not particularly bothered. She had somewhat anticipated this kind of behavior.

To Carlos, she was merely a blemish. That was why she had initially refused the marriage. Thus, the nobles’ reactions did not surprise her.

As Ines remained quietly silent, Colsen, thinking she was intimidated, spoke with more conviction.

“With the queen not receiving the love of the people, a woman who can gain their support is needed by Your Majesty’s side.”

With that, he subtly pushed his daughter in front of Carlos. Observing the two, other nobles cautiously began to add their voices.

“Count Colsen is right. Moreover, since the Count greatly assisted in the recent coup, many would have no difficulty accepting his daughter.”

As other nobles chimed in, Count Colsen, now emboldened, pretended to await Carlos’s response while subtly gauging Ines’s reaction.

“What does Her Majesty the Queen think about this?”

When Count Colsen posed his question, all eyes turned to her. It was a clear implication that everyone believed she was inadequate and that a more suitable woman should stand by the king’s side.

It was an unmistakable mockery.

However, regardless of the question’s intent, Ines actually agreed with Colsen’s idea. Hadn’t she even previously suggested to him that he should choose someone else, like the Count’s daughter, to replace her?

Therefore, instead of feeling offended by their question, Ines expressed her agreement and finally broke her silence.

“I agree with Count Colsen’s opinion.”

“…What?”

Colsen’s face registered confusion, as her response was unexpected.

“…Are you really saying you agree?”

“Yes. I think it’s a very good idea.”

Everyone was at a loss for how to react to the queen’s positive response, merely moving their lips without speaking. It was then that Carlos, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, stepped forward.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

He glanced down at Ines, who was holding onto his arm.

“Indeed, for the sake of unity among the people, a woman who has their absolute support is necessary.”