I’ve Been Ready for This for a Long Time
“After we married, you told me you wanted me to take it easy. You said you dreamed of a loving marriage, though you admitted it sounded naive.”
“……”
He remembered, didn’t he?
Looking uncomfortable, his gaze turned sharp with irritation as he looked at me.
“So what? What’s the point of dredging up the past now?”
“So it was all a lie, wasn’t it?”
“A lie? Of course not. I meant every word back then.”
“And yet, in the end, it turned out to be a lie, didn’t it?”
“… Enough of this, Clementina. Since when did you think you could speak like that to me, your king?”
Whenever things turn inconvenient for him, he hides behind his authority.
I’ve had enough of that.
I decided there was no point arguing further—after all, he wouldn’t take me seriously—so I simply held the documents out to him.
“Please review these.”
“I don’t know anything about this.”
“That would be a problem.”
“I told you already, Clementina. A divorce between the king and queen is not permitted. That is a royal command.”
“… I see. But what will the House of Lords say? Our marriage is a white marriage. We will never have children. Do you really think the House of Lords would endorse such a meaningless union?”
“You’ve been useful. Primarily in political matters.”
Was that supposed to be a compliment? He smiled faintly, so I returned a smile of my own.
Though inside, I was—
(Don’t mess with me.)
Furious. Naturally.
Because what he was saying amounted to: “You’re a convenient tool, so I’ll keep you around.”
Does he think I’m some disposable pawn?
Enough. I’ve reached my limit.
I am not some battery-powered robot. I am a human being with feelings.
Neglect my heart, and it dies first. That’s how it is for humans.
“Your Majesty. If it means annulling this marriage, I’m not opposed to undergoing a virginity inspection.”
“… What?”
His Majesty stared at me, dumbfounded.
A virginity inspection. It’s a sort of ceremony conducted to confirm the chastity of suspicious unmarried noblewomen. Undergoing it is considered a great dishonor—one that drags one’s reputation through the mud. But I didn’t care.
My reputation is already in ruins; one more scandal won’t make a difference.
What matters more is—
“Your Majesty. You are the king of Leviathan. A queen who doesn’t bear an heir is unnecessary. What you need is a child carrying your blood.”
I paused and then declared firmly,
“If you truly love that mistress, make her your queen. Have her bear you plenty of heirs. That is your duty as king, is it not?”
“… You always overstep.”
Mentioning his mistress. The child. His responsibilities.
Of course it offended him.
Annoyed, he spoke in a sour tone.
In the past, I would’ve gone silent at that expression of his.
Because, foolishly, I used to love this man.
A sense of duty, affection, self-restraint, and endurance.
For three years, I clung to those things as I lived, teetering between resignation and faint hope.
“I speak only as a loyal subject offering necessary advice. …That concludes our discussion. I sincerely hope we both receive an agreeable outcome.”
I stood to leave. He furrowed his brow, then called my name in a low voice.
“Wait.”
“… Yes?”
“Why is this room so empty? And your words just now… it sounds as if you’re leaving the castle.”
I shrugged at his words.
Clearly, he had no personal interest in me; maybe he hadn’t been listening. Still, as king, I assumed he’d at least been informed. Apparently not.
Without hiding my contempt, I looked down at him and replied,
“I’ve been granted extended leave. The approval has already been processed. I’m departing today.”
My words left His Majesty speechless.
What do you think about this chapter?
