All Chapters of The Consort Who Walked Away: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

After Helena Clarence came back from petitioning the Emperor, she went straight to the west wing where Lucian was staying.She didn't come out until evening, and even then, she only glanced toward my wing in passing.Whenever I'd tried to find some way to keep her with me a little longer, she'd always make an excuse to leave.Even on the days she stayed home, she never spent more than a couple of hours with me.I'd made scenes. I'd argued.But she always told me to be sensible.She said she'd already married me, so I ought to be more generous, and that I shouldn't pry into her affairs.So I learned to be generous. I learned to give in.And she brought another man home.She was even carrying his child.So that was what "being sensible" had meant all along: paving the way for another man.Late that night, I blew out the candle and got ready for bed.Then came a soft knock at the door.Three long, two short. Helena's usual knock.I pulled on a robe and got up. To my surprise

Chapter 2

Only swords and sparring had ever interested her, and ledgers gave her headaches.She wouldn't read them closely, let alone notice the separation agreement I'd secretly drafted and tucked at the bottom of the stack.As long as she stamped it with her royal seal and sent it to the palace, we'd be free to go our separate ways and each find our own happiness.I stood quietly off to the side, folding fan in hand, not the least bit nervous."If Your Highness finds all this too much, I could take some of it off Master Lucian's hands."Helena would never agree.I knew she was afraid Lucian would be bullied, so she wanted to give him the best of everything.Sure enough, her expression stiffened. Without even looking, she stamped her royal seal on the documents one by one."Julian, I'd like to let you keep running the household, but you've worked far too hard these past few years."The physician said you need to rest. We may still have a chance to have a child."A child. How touching.

Chapter 3

She was just doing it at the cost of my dignity.Which noble couple in the capital didn't attend banquets together?And which wife paraded a man with no standing around town for everyone to see?That day, as usual, I went to pay my respects to Helena's mother, Lady Beatrice.The moment I walked in, I saw Lucian clinging to Helena's arm, looking very pleased with himself.Helena sat beside him, her eyes full of a tenderness I'd never seen before.The moment Lady Beatrice saw me, her face darkened. Her tone was cutting."You still have the nerve to show your face here? You've been married to Helena for five years, and you still haven't given her a child. You won't even let her take a paramour."If Helena hadn't met Lucian and gotten pregnant, you'd have ruined the royal family's dignity!"I froze mid-bow and looked up at Helena, but she only turned her face away awkwardly.She had no intention of speaking up for me.It wasn't the first time Lady Beatrice had given me a hard ti

Chapter 4

Under the maids' puzzled stares, Helena looked a little uncomfortable.I gave a thin smile and climbed into the carriage alone."Julian, you're so slow."Inside, an elegantly dressed Lucian smiled and greeted me.Now I understood why Helena had pulled away. I lowered my eyes and let out a scoff.Once I understood, it didn't hurt anymore.On the way, I kept my eyes on the scenery outside the window and refused to spare either of them a glance.But for some reason, whenever I happened to look back, I always met Helena's dark, unreadable eyes.I had no interest in intruding on their little world, anyway.The peonies were lovely, and the banquet went smoothly.Aside from the sons of the noble houses sizing me up, sneering, and occasionally throwing a pitying look my way, it all seemed perfect.Lucian was finally presented to the Emperor, but it didn't go well.His Majesty's face went cold, and he confronted Helena on the spot."I invited the noble and scholarly houses today. Y

Chapter 5

"Who said you could come in?"The flush on Helena's face drained away instantly, and she snapped, "You're my husband, and I'm your lawful wife. Why can't I come in?"Ignoring her, I called a maid in."Her Highness is drunk. Help her back to the main wing."Helena pushed the maid away and sat down on the couch."Who said I was going back to the main wing?"I nodded as if I understood and said, "Then take Her Highness to Master Lucian's rooms."Helena, whose eyes had already drifted shut, shot to her feet and glared at me furiously."Julian, have you lost your mind? You'd send me to another man's bed?"Do you even think of me as your wife anymore?"Remembering what I'd overheard that day, I gave a thin smile."And you? Have you ever thought of me as your husband?"Helena froze, and her tone softened."Julian, I know you're unhappy that I'm marrying Lucian."But you can still stay by my side."And I... I just... I just want to give you a child."I laughed coldly, my voice

Chapter 6

Looking at the couple in their wedding clothes, Marlow gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes."Oh, Your Highness, what unfortunate timing."But I wouldn't dare delay reading His Majesty's decree. I trust I'm not intruding?"He said that, but who would've dared say he was?Helena quickly got to her feet and answered respectfully, "You're joking, Chamberlain. What decree has His Majesty sent?"The guests outside couldn't help whispering among themselves."It's the princess's wedding day. It has to be a decree granting honors.""Obviously. Everyone in the capital knows the Emperor personally granted her this groom. He must be adding to the celebration.""Well, if that's true, her husband's going to be humiliated. First the Emperor arranges the new marriage himself, then he sends honors on the wedding day. I'd bet Lord Julian won't be able to show his face among the capital's society wives after this.""Shh, keep your voice down. Don't let Lord Julian hear you."I felt the pity

Chapter 7

I laughed, bitter and resolute.I straightened my rumpled collar and knelt before Marlow, slowly and firmly."Please read the decree, Chamberlain."Marlow nodded, opened the case, and took out the golden decree.Everyone hurried to kneel.Only Helena was still standing there in a daze.For some reason, she was suddenly struck by a sense of dread, as if she was about to lose something precious."Wait."At Helena's command, everyone turned to look at her, confused.Had she lost her mind? She was telling the Emperor's chamberlain to wait?That was what everyone was thinking.Lady Beatrice was so frantic, she grabbed the hem of Helena's wedding gown and hissed, "Helena, kneel. Whatever it is, it can wait until he's done."Kneel, now!"Helena opened her mouth to speak, but met Marlow's displeased stare."Your Highness, you've interrupted the reading of an imperial decree more than once. Could it be that you're unhappy with His Majesty?"Hearing the threat and displeasure in h

Chapter 8

The carriage His Majesty had personally sent for me arrived too. In case of trouble, he'd sent more than twenty attendants along to help move my things.They worked fast. In less than an hour, everything was packed.Before I left, Helena caught hold of me, her voice trembling."Julian, did you ask the Emperor for the separation?"I smiled and pulled my sleeve out of her grip."Yes. You could ask the Emperor to let you marry again. Why couldn't I ask him to let me leave?"Her pupils trembled. Her voice was hoarse."You knew?"I nodded. "His Majesty told me a long time ago."I almost found it funny."Helena, what made you think the Emperor would ever take your side?"Have you forgotten? The reason you married me in the first place was because I had His Majesty's favor."A flash of regret crossed her eyes. She really had forgotten.After marrying me, she'd quickly been raised to princess.Her mother's rank had risen with her.When the late Emperor died, since she was the on

Chapter 9

I frowned, but before I could say anything, my manservant, Milo, snapped, "Your Highness, have some decency!"Please don't call my lord by his first name. People might get the wrong idea."Helena's face darkened, and she glared at Milo in displeasure."How dare you! You think you can talk to me like that?"Milo gave a cold snort, not the least bit intimidated."Your Highness is mistaken. I serve Lord Julian, so naturally I'm going to protect his good name."Don't lose your head, Your Highness. You have your own husband now. Don't mix them up.""You...!"Helena turned red with anger and couldn't get a word out.As my manservant, Milo had never mocked her so openly before.I stood to one side with my fan, grinning.Milo was Milo. A few words, and Helena's composure cracked.Lucian's brows shot up, and he snapped, "What an insolent servant. Like master, like man."I gave a cold laugh and was about to answer when Helena cut in first."Enough. Stop making things worse."Lucia

Chapter 10

In less than a year, Helena couldn't stay in the capital any longer.The Emperor ordered her to leave for her estates in Lyria.But after so many years of luxury in the capital, how could she endure the hardship of life out there?The once-glorious princess's residence became a joke at court.I faced it all with calm, and I asked His Majesty and the Empress for grain and flower seeds.I went to experienced farmers to learn the best ways to work the land.The north was harsh and bitterly cold. It was precisely because the Norvik clans lacked food and clothing that they kept raiding our lands.I wanted to bring our farming and weaving methods north, to teach them to farm and provide for themselves. That was the surest way to bring peace to both our peoples.When everything was ready, I put on my envoy's formal robes.It was the first time in my life I'd ever left the capital.But I felt no fear at all, because I was doing this for my country.On the day I left, the whole city

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