The Abandoned Princess’ Secret Bedroom - Chapter 34
Chapter 34
“You have suppressed the stigma.”
The next day, Llewelyn granted Ernel’s request for an audience. He sat down and stared at Llewelyn. Somehow, it was similar to the expression Tristan had last night. Resentment, maybe?
“Llewellyn.”
“Yes, Ernel.”
“I feel betrayed by you.”
“Huh?”
He felt betrayed. Does that mean that he was sad that she did not try to sleep with him again?
“Betray? How could I betray Ernel?”
“Didn’t you reject my visit yesterday?”
“That’s because I didn’t feel like meeting anyone…”
“But you had a man!”
“…”
Llewelyn had no retort. With his cheeks puffed out, he looked like he was going to pout indefinitely.
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you.”
“I feel like I’m the only one thinking of Llewelyn.”
He puckered his lips, and Llewelyn laughed.
“Do you know how much I depend on Ernel?”
“…”
“Without Ernel, it would have collapsed already.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes. In fact, I was so glad that you came again today. It was also you who found out about my curse.”
“…”
“I am always grateful.”
As Llewelyn spoke softly, Ernel’s exaggerated pout dissipated. Then, Ernell raised his eyebrows as if he had suddenly realized something.
“By the way, Llewelyn.”
“Yes?”
“You seem to have changed a bit.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You used to feel like the sun had been extinguished, and you never asked for help.”
“Is that so?”
Llewelyn had built a fortress around herself to feel comforted and protected. Without letting Almondite, Tristan, or Bastian in, she was safer.
But she had already lost to Tristan. Bastian’s warm heart was also accepted.
Llewelyn thought.
‘Have I changed?’
“I like the change, but I also hate it.”
“Why?”
“There are too many men around.”
“…”
“Llewelyn is so attractive that I’m a little scared.”
Her heart was pounding as she processed his words. Ernel was really good at seducing women. This man was a bad priest.
“The Patron speaks very blasphemous words. I don’t see it that way.”
“I have been ungodly from birth, so there is nothing I can do about it.”
When he spoke about his birth like that, Llewelyn was speechless. Ernel continued.
“And Llewelyn, you don’t seem to believe me.”
“…”
“It is true that I have a crush on you.”
Llewelyn felt like she couldn’t trust Ernel’s compliments anymore. Llewelyn grinned as she reciprocated his lie.
“Yes, I have a crush on the Patron too.”
As she smiled, his eyes widened. Ernel couldn’t quite understand. Why was she stepping on his heart like this?
He knew why he cared. It was because he was curious about her. But thinking about it, his involvement was overkill.
Ernel had mobilized the church’s Paladins to wipe out the Warlocks. It was not because of the return of Almondite, but rather because of the woman before him.
When he came to the Capital, he ordered his men to arrest and torture all warlocks. It was all because of Llewellyn’s stigma.
Beside this woman, there were many men. However, the strange thing was that even though she was cursed to sleep with men, she did not give her heart to a single opponent.
If this abandoned princess gave away her heart, who would she give it to?
So Ernell decided to keep an eye on Llewelyn. No clues had been found. After looking through the crime records of the past few years, he found no mass murders. There were only wars between countries.
Who had placed such an ugly and insidious curse on a fragile person who had lost any way to protect themselves? A curse that made you desire a man. He twisted the corners of his lips.
Perhaps the person who placed the curse didn’t want to destroy Llewelyn, but instead have a relationship with her… Could the relationship itself be a goal?
“Patron?”
Llewelyn raised her head and smiled. Her amber eyes fluttered and gleamed like jewels. Straight teeth were revealed between the curled corners of her mouth. Ernell suddenly had a desire to kiss her.
But if he kissed her, he knew he wouldn’t be able to control himself and would become a beast. Llewellyn was charming. What if not only him, but other foolish men felt this lust?
“Llewellyn.”
“Yes?”
“Beware of those around you.”
“…”
“Everyone except me. No, even me.”
Was this a reasonable warning? He didn’t know. Ernel could not force Llewelyn to do anything. But he wanted this woman to trust him the most.
Bastian was listening to Pamela. She was listing off the preparations needed for founding day. His gaze slowly turned to Llewelyn. Fortunately, Llewelyn seemed to have gotten over the issue of Alpheus’s room.
“I will have to prepare for the foundation day soon.”
Bastian nodded at Pamela’s words.
He glanced at Llewelyn, but she wasn’t paying attention. It was natural. She hadn’t been to a festival for the last four years.
Bastian’s blue eyes locked on to Llewelyn’s hair. She had her reddish-brown locks braided into a single braid, which she hadn’t worn in a long time.
Unless it was a big event, Llewelyn always wore her hair down. As she moved, he saw glimpses of her graceful neckline, white neck, and collarbone. Her rose-colored dress made her face look radiant.
“Your Majesty?”
Bastian came to his senses. He looked at Vivian, who was sitting next to him. He groaned inwardly as disgust arose. Vivian was smiling brightly. It seemed so fake. She made his insides shrivel up.
“Wow!”
A child’s clear voice was heard. Bastian spoke with a frown.
“Why don’t you take him to his room? He is very noisy.”
“Huh?”
“He is disturbing the meeting.”
Bastian looked away from the child. He didn’t want to be around him.
“It’s natural for a child to make noise, so why are you acting like this to your queen?”
Bastian laughed at Pamela’s brazen words.
“Excuse me? We aren’t even married, how is she a queen?”
“Of course she is! She gave birth to a half decent prince.”
Pamela laughed. Bastian’s eyes bored into the side of her face as anger flashed in his eyes. From an early age, Pamela had taken control of everything in the Royal Palace. Bastian felt frustrated again.
“Your wedding is going to be grand. Oh, but before that, the founding ceremony.”
“Unfortunately Mother, I have no intention of getting married.”
“Now, why are you saying this in front of Ms. Maud?”
Pamela’s face hardened. She looked at Bastian with an expressionless face, the same one she used when she scolded him as a child. In the past, his mother’s face was scary. But now, it was different. Bastian realized his position too late.
“Let’s go back to the founding ceremony, mother.”
Bastian changed the topic. Pamela bit her lip when her son challenged her. Instead of getting angry, she glared at Llewelyn. As if it was all her fault.
Llewelyn was horrified. She didn’t say a word, and just watched the confrontation unfold.
“Mother has been in charge of planning it for a long time, so please take care of the banquet following the ceremony.”
At Bastian’s praise, Pamela’s face softened. Being in charge of hosting the banquet was proof that she was the most powerful person in the Royal Palace. Pamela decided she would keep pushing him on the marriage issue in the future.
“Good.”
“The guests you invite will trust your wisdom. However, please do not exclude anyone from the five noble families.”
“Of course.”
Did he say that with Almondite in mind? Llewellyn was puzzled. But she smiled bitterly when she thought of the Marquis of Delis, one of the five noble family members whom Pamela had had a bad relationship with.
“Then, Your Majesty, what about Ms. Maud?”
“Why should I care about her?”
Bastian looked angry again.
“Of course you should! Even if you are not married, it would be disgraceful to treat the mother of your child like this.”
“So what do you want?”
“Why don’t you make Miss Maud wear gold like Your Majesty?”
“Are you saying you want her to become the golden raven?”
“Do away with the golden raven. I’m just suggesting she wear gold.”
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