Chapter 2

Astonishment flashed in Sebastian’s eyes, but it faded when Vasya came over.

“Your Majesty, Queen Dowager Ysolde means for Lady Merione to depart today.”

Sebastian clenched his fist. He was about to speak when I forced down the pain to get up and curtsy to them both.

“Your Majesties, you need not worry about me. I shall depart at once.”

After saying this, I clutched my back and painfully draped a coat over myself.

“Meri…”

Sebastian reached his hand out to hold me, but I ducked his attempt.

Vasya was crying.

“Your Majesty, do you blame me for being cruel to Merione? Do you feel pained at her plight?”

Sebastian’s concern was evident.

“No, certainly not. I know that things are difficult for you as well, Vasya. Do not overthink this. You are my priority. I’m only afraid that Merione might resent you for this.”

Those words would have hurt me deeply, given how much I used to love him.

However, I knew that his treatment of me only made me Vasya’s target.

Naturally, those words no longer affected me.

After I left through the palace gates, misty rain began to fall.

It mingled with the blood still pouring forth, staining the Royal Way red.

Every step made me feel like I was being split apart, and I could barely stand up straight.

Yet, I knew that I would be closer to home after completing this journey.

The mist became thicker and thicker, so thick that I could barely see in front of me.

I suddenly felt myself in a warm embrace.

The next time I awoke, I was in my chambers.

Sebastian was holding my hand tightly.

“You’ve finally awoken. I heard you mumbling about home. Do you miss it? You’re unwell at the moment, but it is Vasya’s birthday feast. I can have your family stay with you for a time.”

Sebastian spoke gently, but I knew that he did not want me to see my family.

If so, he would not have asked me this.

Sebastian was worried that Vasya would be saddened by it.

Although I had been born in the Edolina household, I had been lost. I had only been found seven years ago.

Vasya was the daughter that the Edolina family had loved so dearly for nearly twenty years.

When I was found, Vasya had tried to kill herself.

We both fell into the water, where I drowned.

Or rather, the body of the original Merione Edolina had drowned.

It was through that death that I was pulled into this universe.

Ever since then, “my parents” had been distant toward me. The only blessing I had was to become Sebastian’s concubine, along with Vasya, although I was a simple village girl.

When my family found out Sebastian had slept with me after I cured him of poison, they were not at all happy.

They only warned me not to be too ambitious and especially not to sabotage the relationship between Sebastian and Vasya.

Later, when I was found to be pregnant, they force-fed me in an attempt to help Vasya.

In the end, I had a difficult labor and nearly died.

When Sebastian found out it was Vasya’s scheme, he did not even say anything. He only started treating me better after that.

He treated me so well that everyone thought he had really developed feelings for me.

I shook my head.

“It’s nothing,” I said.

After saying that, Runa, Vasya’s lady’s maid, who had come from the Edolina household, came in.

“Your Majesty, Queen Vasya has prepared dinner.”

Sebastian released my hand.

“Rest well, Meri. You must be present at Vasya’s birthday feast on the morrow.”

In the past, his solemnity would have convinced me that he truly cared about me.

However, I knew that he was worried rumors would spread that Vasya had caused Henrik’s death because of our poor relationship.

Only my presence at the feast would disprove such rumors.

If Sebastian truly cared, we would be in mourning instead of throwing a birthday feast for the baby’s murderer the day after his death.

Nothing mattered anymore.

As compensation, the System would make sure that those five dead souls would find new life in good homes elsewhere.

I nodded perfunctorily.

The next day, my maid, Astrid, had to slap on three layers of powder to hide the exhaustion on my face.

At the feast, I sat at the head of the table closest to the thrones.

Vasya was speaking happily with Mother and Father, and Sebastian’s gaze never left her.

Those in the castle were shrewd. Knowing the punishment that had been meted out to me the day before, no one dared to speak with me.

However, that was good, because at least I got some peace.

I had just taken a sip of mead when Vasya started vomiting.

Sebastian was immediately alarmed. His hand was stained with Vasya’s blood.

“Summon the royal healers!”

However, even after various examinations, none of the half dozen royal healers could figure out what was wrong.

Just then, the royal diviner, Master Gilpin Talebot, suddenly stood up. He had a compass in his hand.

“I have read the stars and found an abnormality in the constellations. Someone in the castle must have used witchcraft to curse the queen!”