She would never be able to hold her own baby because no man would ever touch her like this if not a baby. A touch full of genuine affection, and eyes free of judgment. Her heart trembled when River Pelbrook’s rough fingers suddenly came to mind. Ellen pushed the memory into a corner of her head and sat cautiously in the opposite direction of Celia, holding the prince in her arms. Celia shook her head toward the drawing-room, buttering the bread.
“Have you seen the Duke of Madison?”
Ellen suddenly looked up at the queen when she heard the unexpected name.
“Is he the Duke of Madison?”
“Yes. He’s very close to Ced, who also studied abroad with him. But I’m a little scared of him, I’ve never seen him smile. He’s very different from his brother.”
If it was the Duke of Madison’s brother…Ellen’s heart fluttered again.
“Lord River?”
“You know him?”
Celia looked at her with her eyes wide open. At times like that, rather than a woman who gave birth to a child, Celia looked more like an innocent young maiden. Ellen lowered her eyes, feeling her face burning.
“He helped me bring the meal earlier.”
“Ah, because the Duke is here. Lord River is the Duke’s guard. Despite having different personalities, these brothers seem to share a close relationship. Lord River knows how to please the women. Aryll hates it.”
Celia giggled. A pleasant flush came over her face.
“Who knows how many times he complained about it! Once when Lord River kissed the back of my hand with his beautiful face as his first greeting. Or during an outing, when the whole country acclaimed him. Aryll threw a tantrum, forbidding anyone to let him enter the palace!”
Ellen was amazed that Aryll, who was known outside as the Sweet King for his gentle temper, could not hide his jealousy when it came to the Queen. Of course, he had good reasons to do so. Celia was so sweet and kind. No one will be able to dislike her if they get to know her.
“Their Majesties should let you go outside more often.”
While patting the prince with her arms, Ellen said in a small voice. She had never voiced her opinion. Except once, when she had asked for the queen’s maid of honor position. But it was a very wise choice. It was the best choice she had made in her entire life. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had to hold a warm baby that smelled so sweetly.
Ellen tried not to think about what would have happened to her by now if Celia hadn’t chosen her as a maid. The Wise King had accepted the request made by a trembling Ellen, though he did give an order stating that family visits or vacations to her hometown were impossible for a certain period of time, as she is the queen’s immediate maid. It was a real relief. She did not have to face her father and his questions to which she did not have an answer.
Let’s think about the future later. Later. Very, much later.
“Me? What would I do out there? I don’t know anything about politics. Besides, I’m not very graceful in front of people. Everybody thinks I was a fool.”
Celia waved one hand as if it were nothing. Ellen frowned slightly.
“You’re not a fool.”
“I may not be a fool, but I’m afraid of such a position. Most of the nobles are scary, and particularly the pretty women.”
Celia held up the other twin who had crawled toward her, sipped her tea with the other hand, and looked at Ellen with smiling eyes.
“I’ve seen your sister. Margaret of the South Horn family. Must have been at the Palace event. It was a few years ago though.”
Celia trembled for a moment and patted her laughing son’s butt.
“At first, when he heard that the Count South Horn’s daughter was coming, I thought it would be her.”
“She’s too pretty to do this kind of stuff. And besides, she’s engaged.”
Celia shook her head at Ellen’s humble words.
“If your sister had come, I wouldn’t have picked her. In fact, I probably would not have picked any of the women present there. Every one of them treats me like a fool while smiling in front of me.”
Ellen was stunned by Celia’s words. Celia smiled again due to her expression.
“I know those women still treat me like a fool. With those women next to us, all sorts of stories will spread about our lives. And I really hate it.”
“That’s why a royal servant must have a steel mouth.”