IGJDW 12

Chapter 12

Is this Seth’s story?

Finding it hard to agree, she hurriedly changed the subject.

“Your Majesty, may I ask one thing—no, would you permit me to ask a question, Your Majesty?”

The King gave her a look of utter disdain as she floundered, unsure of how to phrase her words.

“Have you not even learned how to speak properly yet?”

“I-I apologize. No, I mean, I am deeply sorry.”

She couldn’t help but feel wronged. After all, the King had summoned her before she even had the chance to learn court etiquette. Lowering her gaze in dejection, she sighed inwardly as the King clicked her tongue briefly.

“Forget it. I never expected you to have any manners in the first place, so just speak comfortably.”

“Oh, thank you!”

“So, what is it you want to ask?”

“Ah, um, by any chance, are you and the Duke related by blood, Your Majesty?”

The two of them looked so alike that one could easily believe they were siblings. But was it appropriate to ask? Evelyn hesitated, glancing at the King cautiously, who now looked amused.

“It seems that guy really hasn’t told you anything.”

“…No.”

“To be precise, Seth’s father is my fifth cousin, and Seth’s mother is the daughter of my aunt.”

At this point, Evelyn tried to draw a complicated family tree in her head but quickly gave up. No wonder their ancestors forbade marriage within eight degrees of kinship—the family tree was a complete mess.

“He’s my nephew, but honestly, I can never figure out what’s going on in his head.”

The King sighed heavily and then looked at her with a different expression. The air shifted, indicating that the main point of the conversation was about to begin. She instinctively swallowed nervously.

“Do you know why Seth is looking for a wife?”

“No. All I heard was that it was due to unavoidable circumstances.”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“I am curious, but is it something I should know?”

When she widened her eyes and asked back, the King chuckled. Then, with a hardened expression, she said:

“It’s because of Larisa Moore.”

Of course, Evelyn had no idea who that was.

“Is she someone famous?”

“…”

The King, momentarily taken aback by her lack of knowledge, soon explained with an indifferent face.

“She was Seth’s fiancée but ended up having an affair with my younger brother and marrying him instead.”

“Gasp, what an incredible person.”

She couldn’t help but click her tongue inwardly. The fact that Seth even had a fiancée was surprising enough, but the fact that she had cheated on him was even more shocking.

Lady Larisa, does she have nine lives or something?

It was something she could never, ever imagine doing. Just the thought of the look Seth would give if someone cheated on him made Evelyn’s insides freeze. Shivering slightly, she whispered quietly:

“To risk her life having an affair… in some ways, it’s almost admirable.”

The King, seemingly uncomfortable with her odd admiration, cleared her throat and added:

“Just so you don’t misunderstand, Seth never liked her.”

“Was it a political marriage?”

“Who would arrange a political marriage with a nanny’s daughter?”

Then what was it?

Evelyn tilted her head in confusion, and the King answered straightforwardly:

“It was because of his father’s orders. The late Duke took Larisa Moore in as an adopted daughter because she resembled his deceased wife, and later, he intended to make her his daughter-in-law.”

What the heck, that crazy father.

“But it seems Larisa Moore wasn’t satisfied with being a Duchess. As soon as she got engaged to Seth, she set her sights on my younger brother and became a Princess Consort instead.”

“She was an ambitious person.”

Risking her life to climb the social ladder—she was truly passionate.

Evelyn’s words, which sounded almost like compliments, seemed to irritate the King, who frowned.

“The problem is that she’s now about to get divorced.”

“Huh?”

What was this? She had achieved her dream, so why get divorced?

“Is there a reason for the divorce?”

“The reason doesn’t matter.”

No, it definitely felt like it mattered.

As Evelyn stared at her intently, the King reluctantly explained, her expression displeased.

“The former King stripped my younger brother of his right to succeed the throne. Larisa Moore was also demoted to Countess, and her dream of becoming Queen was shattered.”

Ah, so Larisa Moore’s ultimate goal was to become Queen. And since that was no longer possible, she was seeking a divorce?

“The important thing is that after the divorce, she’ll return to the Ducal household. Since she’s the late Duke’s adopted daughter, it’ll be hard to stop her if she insists on going back to her family.”

“Oh…”

Living under the same roof with the ex-fiancée who had abandoned him—what a spectacle for gossipers. People would gleefully munch on popcorn. Of course, from Seth’s perspective, it would be an awkward and unpleasant situation.

“Can’t you just kick her out by force?”

“That would not only damage public opinion but could also provoke the late Duke into taking action. If he sides with her and stirs up trouble, it’ll be very problematic.”

The late Duke? Seth’s father?

“He’s still alive?”

The King’s expression turned very peculiar. She looked at Evelyn as if she were the most disrespectful person in the world, and Evelyn awkwardly smiled.

“Since the current Duke inherited the title, I assumed he had already passed away.”

“He’s alive and well. He’s just holed up in the estate, living in seclusion.”

“Ah, I see. It’s good to hear he’s still alive.”

“…”

Let’s stop here.

No matter how Evelyn tried to explain herself, the atmosphere was awkward. The King, also looking uncomfortable, changed the subject.

“That’s why Seth urgently needs to find a wife.”

“So that’s how it is.”

Evelyn nodded quickly. However, the King’s expression was far from satisfied. Perhaps it wasn’t the reaction she had been expecting. Evelyn quickly raised both hands and exclaimed:

“Wow, that’s exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you so much!”

Before she even finished speaking, the King pinched her cheek.

Why, though?

“When I’m with you, it’s impossible to stay serious.”

“People don’t necessarily have to live seriously all the time—ow!”

The King only stopped tormenting her when her cheek turned red. Evelyn held her burning cheek, pouting. It wasn’t just the King’s face that resembled Seth’s; the King’s love for teasing was exactly the same. No wonder people say appearances are important.

At that moment, the King sighed.

“I ordered Seth to find a wife because I wanted to ensure Larisa Moore couldn’t even approach him.”

“Ah.”

The King’s idea was certainly not bad. If Seth married a young lady from a good family, that would indeed solve the problem.

“But you must be disappointed that he brought someone as insignificant as me.”

“Hmm, I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed.”

The King cleared her throat as if she’d been pricked by something. Evelyn couldn’t understand why the King reacted that way when she was simply stating facts.

“Since I’m a slave from a vassal state, you’re worried that Larissa won’t give up. Instead, she might look down on me and push even harder. Is that what you are trying to say, Your Majesty?”

“If it’s Larisa Moore, she’d likely try to get rid of you. That would be easier and more convenient for her.”

“Gasp, really?”

The King chuckled faintly at Evelyn, who looked utterly shocked.

“To be surprised over something like that—if you ever step into high society, you might faint on the spot.”

“…”

Wasn’t high society supposed to be a place for mingling and building friendships at balls?

Wait, was it actually a battleground where people bathed in the blood of their enemies?

“There’s no need to be so scared. No matter what happens, Seth will protect you. Didn’t he already risk his arm today to keep you safe?”

The King sighed as she spoke. Evelyn, noticing the subtle tone, cautiously asked:

“According to your words, Your Majesty, I’m the Duke’s shield. Shouldn’t I be the one protecting him, then?”

“No, Seth brought you here because I ordered him to find someone to fill the position. He wouldn’t have brought you to use as a shield.”

For some reason, Evelyn’s heart twinged at those words.

The King wasn’t scolding her, nor had she said anything hurtful, so why did Evelyn feel this way?

‘Is this acid reflux?’

Evelyn rubbed her chest to soothe the strange ache. The King, who had been watching her curiously, spoke again.

“Evelyn Gran, as you are now, you’re nothing but a burden to Seth. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?”

The King’s words hit the mark, and Evelyn’s expression grew gloomy. She had thought she was repaying the Duke’s kindness, but instead, she was holding him back.

Seeing her dejected state, the King cleared her throat awkwardly before adding:

“But if you become my maid, you can become Seth’s shield.”

“What? How?”

“A maid of the King is considered a person of the King.”

According to the King, being a maid of the royal family was a highly honorable position. The job mostly involved attending to daily tasks and occasionally conversing with the King. It was also a way for young ladies from noble families to catch the attention of powerful figures.

“By becoming my maid, I can lend you my authority. That way, you won’t lose in a fight against Larisa Moore. And those who look down on your status won’t dare to speak so easily.”

The King’s gaze seemed to ask if she still wasn’t convinced. Evelyn gave a nervous smile.

“May I ask the Duke first?”

If Evelyn were to take on a second role, she’d need her employer’s permission.

The King laughed at her cautious request and generously said she’d give her a day to decide. Evelyn had expected to be scolded for being presumptuous, but the King’s response was surprisingly lenient.

“The Duke mentioned that your body is quite weak, so don’t overdo it. Stay put and rest quietly.”

Having said all she needed to, the King left abruptly.

Left alone, Evelyn let out a long sigh.

“At least I’ve bought myself a day.”

She needed time to process all the new information she’d just learned.

Seth, the King’s nephew.

Larisa Moore, his former fiancée and soon-to-be a divorcée.

The King, who deeply disliked Larisa Moore.

The former Duke, who seemed likely to side with Larisa Moore.

The relationships were far more complicated than Evelyn had expected, and her head hurt just thinking about it.

The problem was that she couldn’t take everything she’d heard at face value. While the King’s words might not have been lies, it was unlikely she had revealed the whole truth.

She wanted to hear Seth’s side of the story, but her employer showed no signs of coming to see her.

‘Does he not know I’ve woken up yet?’