Chapter 22
“I drank from the glass Marianne gave me at her coming-of-age ceremony. It must have been mixed with a paralytic dr*g.”
“I heard that Princess Marianne hates Madame Katana. But why did the Marquis help Princess Marianne?”
“He is the princess’s lover.”
Rambaud’s mouth shut.
Lionel recalled a blurry but passionate night. Even though he slept for a day, to him, it had only been a few hours since he spent the night with Madame Katana. He raged like a wild beast. He repeatedly took her, his body continuously giving in to its carnal desire.
Even though he was high on dr*gs, it was difficult to tolerate his own actions. Rambaud looked at Lionel and sighed.
“Still, you look better than I expected. You were lucky.”
“Was I really lucky?”
Lionel got out of bed.
“Find out where Madame Katana is, right now!”
“Why?”
“She saved my life. And she might be carrying my child.”
The faces of Rambaud and Michelle, the escort who just opened the door, turned red.
Michelle came in and quickly closed the door.
“Keep your voice down. It would be bad if anyone heard.”
Lionel asked the two of them.
“Are we being monitored?”
They nodded. Rambaud grumbled as he pondered the situation.
“The princess tried to kill her fiancé so the King is watching us.”
Marianne’s prank went too far.
There was a purpose for killing Lionel beyond breaking their engagement.
Marianne wouldn’t be pleased with Lionel’s survival. It was obvious how she would deal with Madame Katana.
Lionel stared blankly at the shadows of the buildings beyond the shaded windows.
After reaching a conclusion, he told Michelle.
“Request a private audience with His Majesty. And find the Marquis Quill. But Madame Katana’s whereabouts comes first.”
“Alright.”
***
Another day passed. Time was meaningless to Riv. Her limbs were stiff as she had been crouched down and she hadn’t eaten a thing. Her thirst and hunger were gone.
She couldn’t sleep well so she woke up repeatedly. Her eyes were bloodshot.
El, who brought Riv’s meals, came in the morning.
“Riv, are you alive?”
El was worried about her. Her complexion was not good.
El was Marianne’s sympathizer when Riv died in the past.
She didn’t like nor hate El. El must know that someday, just like Riv, she will be removed.
“Eat, Riv.”
El was cautious of her.
Although she was not tied up, Riv was in the worst physical condition so it would be impossible for her to threaten or hurt El.
“If you don’t eat, you won’t be able to survive. We don’t know how long you will be imprisoned here.”
Riv realized that El was worried about her.
Riv sat motionless and looked at the tray that carried warm soup and soft bread.
She raised her head.
“El, I have a request. Let me meet the queen.
“Riv, are you crazy?”
El shook her head. Riv could barely speak.
“Shouldn’t I expose Princess Marianne’s promiscuous affairs? You know very well that she has crossed the line.”
Even if the Royal Family was involved in indecent scandals, it was a different story if it was Princess Marianne. It wouldn’t be handled the same compared to her older brothers.
Marianne had just become an adult and she was not married. It would be difficult even for the royal family if the unmarried princess were to engage in debauchery.
“If the princess’ actions were discovered, who do you think will be held accountable? It will either be me, you, or one of her head maids.”
Queen Selina knew that Marianne liked to play with fire, but she didn’t know to what extent.
“If I die at the hands of Princess Marianne, who do you think will be next?”
Riv felt dizzy. It was difficult to maintain her consciousness.
“El, stop Princess Marianne. She must not harm the Duke of Sentoren.”
“I-I tried to stop Princess Marianne, but it was no use.”
El sobbed. Come to think of it, Marianne would have never listened to a maid’s advice.
Riv gathered her last strength.
“The princess has brought in Marquis Quill. It will be your turn once I’m dealt with.”
El flinched. Riv couldn’t say her next words.
El, who was staring at her with pity, said.
“I will deliver your words to the Queen. But I cannot guarantee that the Queen will come see you.”
El was relieved to see Riv barely raising her head and blinking her eyes, still alive.
El pointed to the tray with the food she had brought.
“These dishes were personally requested by the princess to the chef. I don’t know what’s in there, but if I were you, I wouldn’t eat it.”
“…. Thank you.”
El left without acknowledging Riv’s words.
Riv, who had pushed the food aside, later disposed of them in the toilet.
‘Not yet… I don’t want to die.’
***
Princess Marianne couldn’t sleep.
Early in the morning, her Elon language tutor holding a stick appeared.
“Princess Marianne, it’s time to study.”
“W-What?”
Her tutor was waiting for her, saying that she had neglected her class with the excuse of her coming-of-age ceremony.
Marianne’s cute act didn’t work on the small old man holding a stick.
Before the dreadful Elon private lessons were over, Princess Marianne had a visitor.
Queen Selina appeared, wearing a vivid dark green dress with a dazzling ruffled collar.
“W-What’s wrong, mother?”
The queen’s dress, the pure white wig she was wearing, as well as her heavy makeup, were splendid and full of dignity.
“Marianne, lucky you were here.”
It was important for Selina to raise Marianne into a perfect daughter.
Behind the queen were the queen’s maids.
Marianne opened her mouth in embarrassment.
“Mother? What’s going on?”
“Monsieur Franco, leave.”
The Elon language teacher quietly retreated.
Marianne felt annoyed as she looked at her mother and her proud maids.
This wasn’t a good sign.
“What are you doing here this morning, mother?”
“I heard you locked up Riv.”
“So?”
Marianne got up from her seat and arrogantly faced her mother. Although Marianne wore high-heeled shoes, she was still below Queen Selina’s eye level.
“Marianne, you’ve gone too far.”
There was only a chill in Queen Selina’s eyes, examining Marianne’s meek satin dress and messy hair.
“I lovingly birthed you, but why are you so rotten?”
“I didn’t know mother was so rude.”
“Rude?”
“My mother left me alone growing up. I’m an adult now, so please don’t interfere with my life.”
Queen Selina laughed.
“Usually, princesses don’t use the mistress to take care of their fiancé on the day they come of age.”
Marianne was furious.
“Mother, that’s all b*llshit and a misunderstanding! Riv, she’s spreading rumors.”
“Why are you mentioning Riv?”
Marianne was momentarily confused. She wondered if Riv had moved the queen, but now she revealed her plan.
Queen Selina clicked her tongue. She understood the situation at once.
“Oh my God. You’re my daughter, but you’re be so stupid. You almost killed the Duke of Sentoren, and then you tried to get rid of him even though you knew he was alive. Do you know how hard your father is trying to fix this?”
“Uh, mother, you are wrong about that.”
“Are you really going to argue that the Duke was almost murdered, and Riv alone was behind it all? Riv, where the hell is that girl? Is she already dead?”
“Oh, not yet.”
When Marianne answered, Queen Selina was stunned by her daughter’s st*pidity.
“Not yet? Where is Riv?”
“Why does mother care about that girl? It doesn’t matter if she dies!”
“Of course it does. You’re such a fool!”
Queen Selina clicked her tongue and nodded to her maids who accompanied her.
“Take care of Marianne and keep her locked up.”
“Mother, what are you talking about?”
The queen had already left and her maids smiled at Marianne.
“Princess Marianne, the Queen has ordered that we educate you properly.”
Marianne cursed and flailed, but she was still dragged away by the queen’s maids.
“Where is Riv?”
“Th-This way.”
The queen headed to meet Riv, guided by the head maid.
The lock on the brown room where Riv was being detained was released.
She heard the door open, but her stiff body did not move. The door creaked open, but no one came in.
Instead, only a voice was heard.
“Where is Riv Katana? What the hell is this stench?”
Riv was brought out by the queen’s maids.
The queen clicked her tongue, as if Riv’s condition was displeasing to the eyes. The maids covered their noses at the stench emanating from Riv’s body.
The queen stared at Riv as she fell to the floor.
The queen’s diamond necklace and earrings were exceptionally shiny. In contrast, the queen’s eyes were colder than the jewels.
“You look like a mess, Riv.”
Riv, who could barely raise her head, opened her mouth.
“It’s been a while, Queen.”
Riv faintly answered. The queen stared at Riv in annoyance.
“What did you call me for?”
They moved to the green room.
The queen’s maids prepared a chair for the queen.
In fact, the queen was bothered standing alone with Riv.
“Riv, you’re in bad shape. I was told you had something to say about Marianne? Speak.”
Queen Selina did not have deep affection for her daughter and sons. Her life was more precious to her than anyone else’s.
Riv looked at the queen.
“Queen, please let me leave the palace.”