Chapter 212
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
“Are you sure the medicine was contraception?”
“Miss should know better.”
Emilia shrugged. Dahlia must have brought the pill from Mikhail’s clothes, so it was definitely contraceptive, considering she knew what kind of pill it was.
‘There’s no way she got involved with another man in the span of a month.’
Even though Dahlia hated her, she was a noblewoman with dignity.
No matter how the marriage came about, she was still the Duke’s wife. It seemed unlikely she would have conceived with another man in just a month.
“If you had another man’s child, Brother would certainly come to his senses.”
“Miss, the royal family is going to be dismantled. Even if they pull Adrian down and sit someone else on the throne, it won’t last long.”
“…Are you worried about me?”
“Yes. I’m worried about you.”
“You’ve tried to kill me several times, but now you’re worried? How very considerate.”
“Nothing remains after hatred. Think carefully about what you want and what you’re really after.”
Once she sat on the throne, what would she fill the emptiness with? The people were uninterested in the power struggles.
They were indifferent to each other’s grudges and hatred. Only their own safety mattered, and the troubles of the wealthy nobles didn’t concern them.
“The change has already begun. If you accept it and move forward, you might gain something else.”
“Are you giving me advice? Worry about your own situation. Honestly, my new sister-in-law has her own soft spot.”
Dahlia took a sip of her tea and looked away.
“Such bad luck.”
That was the end of their conversation. Emilia stared at Dahlia, who was lost in thought.
She appeared much calmer now, and Emilia felt a sense of relief.
Living day by day in hatred and anger was like pushing oneself into hell.
❖ ❖ ❖
Mikhail frowned at Adrian, who was staring at Dahlia.
“Your Majesty, it feels like my face will be pierced, I can’t get any food down.”
Dahlia wiped her mouth with a napkin and spoke.
“Did you tell the Duke about our conversation?”
“Oh, Your Majesty. I don’t recall having a conversation. When did we even talk?”
Dahlia blinked innocently, as if she knew nothing.
“It seems like you don’t remember.”
“I don’t know what conversation you’re referring to, but I don’t remember.”
Dahlia smiled slyly. Mikhail already knew they had spoken in the cafe, so he didn’t step in.
“You lied to me.”
Adrian took a bite of the meat and chewed, watching Dahlia’s face as she seemed to try to feign ignorance and deflect the conversation.
“I was hoping to see what the Duke had lost that was so valuable, but it looks like I was completely deceived.”
“Did you really believe Dahlia’s words? To trust the words of someone who hates the King more than anyone else… It seems the King has some naive sides after all.”
“Indeed. I didn’t think I would ever see such a side of myself. Is there anything the Duke can’t let go of?”
“I can’t let go of everything I have. It seems the King still doesn’t understand me well.”
Adrian wiped his mouth with wine, removing all humor from his face.
“I’m really curious about where the woman with the brown bob went. She seemed to be the leader of an anti-royal faction.”
Adrian’s gaze shifted to Emilia, who continued to eat without flinching.
She sighed quietly before speaking.
“I’ve already heard about the commotion outside. Your Majesty, there’s nothing left for me. Is the fall of the Loren family not enough to satisfy you?”
Emilia put down her knife and looked at Adrian.
“Both my parents and Loren family are gone. I have no power or motivation left.”
She spoke as if she was indifferent, but Adrian didn’t let go of his suspicion.
“The Duke was supposedly stabbed by a woman, huh? A man who rushed into Delphora like a madman and then gets taken down by a woman left alone. Would you believe that, as his wife?”
It was strange, as Adrian said. Anyone else who heard the story would likely have a puzzled expression.
Emilia wiped her mouth with a napkin, trying to hide the slight tremble at the corner of her lips.
Why hadn’t Mikhail avoided it? She thought it must have been because it was the sword she had aimed at him.
She too wanted to ask him something directly.
“It seems even the Duke can be careless sometimes. Perhaps he couldn’t bring himself to raise his sword against a woman.”
“I have a different thought. I think the Duke might’ve been the kind of person who couldn’t avoid such a thing. Well, we’ll find out soon enough.”
“Your Majesty. Do you think the Duke’s family is connected to the anti-royal faction?”
Emilia looked confused. Of course, she didn’t know that Mikhail was involved with the faction.
“It seems likely. They must be interested in bringing me down.”
Adrian nodded in agreement. Mikhail didn’t join the conversation. There was no need to answer and make matters worse.
Dahlia, unable to stay silent, spoke up.
“It’s strange. I could just take the seat of the one who brought me down, so why would we oppose the royal family?”
Dahlia shrugged her shoulders.
“I’m only obsessed with getting back what’s mine.”
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