The Answer to a Cheating (Ex)Husband is Remarriage - Chapter 64

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“Is that really true, Marin?”

“Yes. That day, His Highness the Second Prince even struck you, Milady. And I remember it clearly because it was so shocking. Lady Willoughby, chasing after the man who had just hit her friend. I didn’t tell you before because I thought it would only upset you…”

“No, thank you for telling me. Hearing this from you makes me even more certain I did the right thing by sending Grizelle away.”

At Marin’s words, the ladies-in-waiting murmured among themselves. One by one, they turned their backs on Grizelle, abandoning any sympathy they might have held.

“Even a carriage is wasted on Lady Willoughby.”

“Unbelievable. How could someone act like that?”

“And after all that, she dared to covet the position of family lady-in-waiting. How shameless.”

Confirming the shift in the maids’ sentiment, Sylaria smiled gently as she clasped Marin’s hand. Thanks to Marin, turning the room’s atmosphere had been almost effortless.

‘So Grizelle went that far that day… then she probably won’t retreat easily this time either.’

From the sound of it, Grizelle was willing to throw herself at Arendtert without hesitation. If so, she would hardly give up just because Sylaria had dismissed her.

‘I’ll need to consider what she might attempt if she stays in the palace.’

Finishing the conversation with the ladies-in-waiting, Sylaria picked up her book again. By now, they were entirely on her side, bustling about to brew fresh tea for her.

When the story she was reading was nearing its end, Cora returned and handed her an envelope brought by an attendant.

“What is this, Cora?”

“An invitation from Countess Faustina Lacroix, Milady.”

‘She really sent it?’

Sylaria blinked, surprised as she accepted the envelope. In truth, she had been half-doubtful even after agreeing to attend. Sometimes, such invitations were nothing more than polite formalities.

Yet Countess Lacroix had not forgotten and had sent a proper invitation. It hadn’t been an empty courtesy.

‘I should go, shouldn’t I?’

Now that it had arrived, attending was the proper thing to do. And considering the influence Lacroix held over high society, it was wise to cultivate a relationship.

The fact that the Empress herself had coveted the Countess only made her value higher.

‘I need to find out if Lacroix has truly aligned herself with the Empress.’

Sylaria intended to learn whether Countess Lacroix’s earlier meeting with the Empress had been a mere courtesy or if she had become one of her trusted allies.

Depending on that answer, Sylaria could decide whether to keep the countess as a friend or prepare for her as an enemy.

“What has you so deep in thought?”

“Euclid.”

A cool shadow fell across the invitation she was reading, followed by the deep timbre of Euclid’s voice. When she looked up, his eyes met hers, and he smiled faintly, warmly.

“Countess Lacroix sent an invitation?”

“Should we go together?”

Euclid stepped around the sofa and sat down beside her. Dust clung faintly to his shirt, likely from the training grounds.

“I’m free that day, so I can accompany you.”

After scanning the invitation, Euclid casually brushed at the dirt on his shirt as he spoke. But Sylaria didn’t answer right away. When she stayed silent, he tilted his head slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s something else I’d like to ask you, Euclid.”

“Go ahead.”

Euclid gave a light nod of his chin, his face serious as he listened. Then Sylaria finally spoke.

“Please go to the Shastir Gorge.”

“That’s the region Arendtert was supposed to lead the expedition to.”

“I know. That’s exactly why I’m asking. I want you to take Arendtert’s place.”

Euclid fell silent, thinking, then nodded once without hesitation.

“Alright. Changing the expedition assignment isn’t difficult. The Holy Knights’ schedule falls under my command, after all.”

At his ready agreement, Sylaria’s lips curved in quiet satisfaction.

Shastir Gorge.

The only place in the Davoud Empire where monsters appear even without the opening of a ‘Maw’.

Because of this, the imperial family regularly dispatched Holy Knights there to hunt and purge the creatures. This year’s expedition was meant to be just another of those routine operations.

‘But this year will not be routine.’

This year, something unusual would occur at the Shastir Gorge, something that would change Euclid’s future forever.

Sylaria looked at her steadfast, dependable fiancé and smiled.

It was time to set him on the path to becoming the Imperial Crown Prince.