After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 250

After returning from his secret outing to the Marlen District, the first news Shateian received was that the Emperor himself would be hosting a grand banquet.

The Emperor had even insisted on attending the event in person, despite his illness. It was a clear gesture meant to publicly support the First Queen and Prince Dillion as the true hosts of the gathering.

So even though Shateian was the legitimate heir born of the Empress, he still hadn’t been promised the Crown Prince’s position. His mood was understandably sour the next day.

“I don’t feel like working.”

He slumped back in his chair with a blank look, flipping through documents. Nearby, Ludmil sighed in exasperation.

“If you want to break up the First Queen’s faction, Your Highness, you need to work quickly.”

“I know, stop nagging me.”

Shateian grumbled, flopping over his desk. Ludmil shook his head at his master’s ever-changing moods. Maybe he should have just clung to Balak’s coattails and gone back to their home country with him.

Oblivious to Ludmil’s internal complaints, Shateian began making shapes with his hands, casting shadows across the desk in the sunlight. A butterfly, a fox, a bird. He flapped his hands for a moment before stopping abruptly. His red eyes drifted toward the garden-facing window.

Beyond the white curtains, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a slender figure, like a delicate doll.

‘I’ll go.’

Ludmil, who had silently stepped up to the desk, spoke softly. Shateian shook his head slowly and stood.

As he opened the door, a soft, surprised voice rang out. Recognizing the uninvited guest, Shateian raised an eyebrow.

Standing there was a woman with unstyled black hair falling over her shoulders, her expression innocent. He’d seen her just the day before as he was trailing after the Third Prince Hares, supposedly to investigate his strange behavior.

The only daughter of some rural Baron, if I recall.

She wore a wide-brimmed hat and had followed Hares around like a puppy. The rumor, according to the informants, was that the Third Prince had fallen for her at first sight during his travels—a story so romantic it was almost unbelievable.

“You must have taken a wrong turn, my lady. This isn’t the Silver Lily Palace where the Third Prince resides, but the Red Crystal Palace.”

“Oh, so you know who I am.”

The woman gasped in surprise. Shateian paused a moment, then spoke gently.

“Of course I do. You’ll soon be betrothed to my younger brother, after all.”

At that, she blushed before suddenly realizing who she was speaking to. There were only two people in the palace who could refer to the Third Prince as their younger brother.

“My apologies for my rudeness, Your Highness. My name is Rosalyn Valerie.”

Even as she bowed, she did so with a poise that was almost too natural for a country Baron’s daughter.

He turned to Ludmil.

“Escort the lady to the Silver Lily Palace.”

“Oh, I couldn’t trouble you. It was my own carelessness that brought me here.”

“But soon we’ll be family. Besides, I hope you’ll understand why I can’t let you wander alone.”

Her eyes widened behind her hand. She’d gotten lost, but if anyone saw her here, the rumors could be troublesome for them both.

“Then, I’ll gratefully accept your help, Your Highness.”

She gave a shy smile, her eyes shining in the sunlight.

“Not at all—it’s only proper.”

Shateian smiled as he saw her off, and even after she left, he couldn’t quite wipe the smile from his face.

Was that a bold provocation, or a subtle warning?

He threw himself onto the long sofa, his eyes growing languid. The memory of her sunlit eyes lingered vividly in his mind. Stifling another laugh, he closed his eyes.

No one headed for the Silver Lily Palace could possibly reach his. The princes’ residences were always kept separate from the Empress’ quarters.

Today’s visit was definitely for some purpose.

‘Perhaps….’

Maybe that glance they exchanged the other day hadn’t been by chance. Shateian’s curiosity was piqued as he recalled the golden eyes shining under her wide-brimmed hat.

* * *

It was officially announced that the ailing Emperor would personally host a banquet. The declaration sent shockwaves through the nobility. Everyone knew it was the palace’s way of distancing itself from the Wheddon scandal, but the news was received with surprising enthusiasm.

On the other hand, the victims’ families were less pleased. However, with Shateian publicly supporting the Emperor’s decision, any objections quickly died down. He claimed that it was only because the Emperor entrusted him with the case that he was able to bring Nathan to justice.

“If his brother had been in charge of this case, can you imagine how it would have gone?”

Faced with that, no one could really argue. The people accepted the forced ‘rest’ the Emperor handed down, realizing they, too, were growing weary of all the drama.

So, few paid much attention to the person the Third Prince brought back from his travels. It didn’t help that the Third Prince had always been overshadowed by his older brothers.

“A fiance?”

“Yes, he seems completely smitten.”

Sebelia looked genuinely surprised. The rumor was that the Third Prince had met the young woman, the daughter of a minor country baron, while traveling, and brought her home with him.