Chapter 94
‘His Highness never once said such a thing to me.’
She had never asked what he truly thought. Was it that he believed love and reality were two separate things? Or did he find the position of Imperial Princess a burden to her? Or perhaps, as he had once said, he had only ever been waiting for the day they would leave.
“If His Highness truly becomes Emperor, even as only his mistress, I am certain he would take great care of you.”
Lost in old memories, she stayed silent for a moment before forcing herself to answer more brightly.
“Of course he would, but…”
“Wouldn’t you suit the role of an Empress instead?”
“I’ve never hoped for such a thing.”
Lynette cut in firmly, silencing Lara and Mari, who hesitated. Even if that day were ever to come, by then she would already have left with Sillian.
Besides, it was doubtful Euphen even sought the throne at all. The Imperial Castle had always been a place where rumors spread quickly, only to vanish just as fast.
“Somehow, I can’t picture His Highness entering a political marriage.”
“Oh, come on. He’s a prince, of course he would.”
“But isn’t it unusual that he hasn’t married until now?”
“That’s true. But if he really is aiming for the throne, he’ll likely marry soon enough.”
Mari and Lara chattered on.
To them, it seemed already decided that Euphen was striving for the crown. If the one they served ascended the throne, then naturally, those under him would rise to better positions as well.
Lynette listened quietly, her gaze lowered.
Was this the thing Euphen had been hiding from her all along? If so, the pieces did seem to fit together.
‘But why keep it from me?’
Because she was a fake Guide? Because she was merely a maid? Because he knew she could never be of use to him?
That he had come to such a resolve on his own, and that not a single word of it had reached her, weighed on her chest with bitter heaviness. It felt as though her limits had been drawn firmly, as if no matter how much she struggled, she could never cross them.
Would he answer her if she asked him directly?
She took a sip of her tea.
It should have been sweet, yet she tasted nothing at all. Listening to Mari and Lara’s idle chatter only made her heart sink further.
***
Lynette knocked on the office door.
“Come in.”
The answer came at once. As she stepped inside, Euphen greeted her with a ready smile.
“You came right away. What were you doing?”
“I was resting.”
“I hear you’re getting along well with your personal maids. I’m glad you seem to like them.”
“Thank you.”
She once more gave her thanks for bringing Lara to her. He smiled briefly, then moved toward her.
“Today, I’ll only have time now.”
He reached out his hand. Lynette gazed at it, then slowly lifted her eyes to his. Euphen tilted his head with a faint smile, as though wondering why she hesitated.
She grasped his hand tightly. So hard that he looked startled before breaking into laughter.
“Lynette, you’re not as fragile as you look.”
“…”
“Now let go.”
Perhaps because he hadn’t been using his power since learning of the side effects of Guiding, the pain wasn’t severe. Yet as she held on without a word, Euphen’s expression gradually stiffened.
“Release me, Lynette.”
He tried to shake her off, but she clung harder, tightening her fingers desperately. He clenched his teeth, prying at her fingers one by one. But then he stopped, perhaps fearing he might hurt her if he forced her hand away.
“Why are you doing this, Lynette?”
“Your Highness, do you truly desire the throne?”
His brows furrowed.
“Lynette, let go.”
“Am I not meant to know of it?”
“I don’t know what you heard or where, but rumors run rampant in the Imperial Castle.”
“Then… you mean it isn’t true?”
She searched his face, but instead of lying, he lowered his gaze and let out a deep sigh. Her hand throbbed with dull pain, and though her grip threatened to weaken, she only held tighter.
“I wish you didn’t know.”
“Why not?”
Without waiting for his answer, she pressed on, words spilling out… words she never could have spoken to the Euphen of her past.
“Is it because I’m a fake Guide? Or because I’m only a maid? A woman who can be of no use to Your Highness…”
“Enough!”
He cut her off sharply.
“First, let go.”
“Please answer me.”
“Is that answer worth more than your life?”
“Yes.”
“…Haah.”
He let out a long breath and ran his hand over his face. His darkened blue eyes fixed on her.
“Yes. It’s true. I will claim the throne.”
…It was true. But why had he changed?
Her desperate grip loosened, her hand slipping away. Euphen quickly stepped back, as though afraid to touch her again.
“Why…?”
Her voice trembled. Was it her fault he had changed?
In her past life, every difference in the path of fate had sprung from her own foolish choices. Each time, events twisted, yet still followed the same cruel flow.
Had she driven a man who only wished for peace into a brutal struggle for the throne? The thought chilled her to the bone.
She stared at his sealed lips, then asked again.
“Why?”
“Because I must.”
Euphen’s reply came with a bitter smile.
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