“The king greatly fears retaliation by the Fontana family and reportedly captures any survivors he finds. If we ignore this, the Leveaux family might eventually be seen as complicit.”
“────”
His tone was one of genuine astonishment.
“Why don’t you worry about yourself instead of the future of the Leveaux family? No matter how much effort you put in, they will only despise you and never show a bit of gratitude.”
“That may be true, but… once my role here is over, I intend to return to the convent…”
Her humble words made Silvio narrow his eyes in displeasure, but then he shrugged and sneered.
“That’s if they even accept you.”
He had a point. Idyllia’s reputation as a concubine to the enemy had spread, making it unlikely that any prestigious convent would want to associate with her.
“…”
More hurt by his mocking attitude than the truth of his words, she managed a small smile.
“…If it’s a remote or strictly disciplined convent, they are more forgiving of a volunteer’s past.”
“I see.”
“That suits me just fine.”
“What do you mean?”
“I won’t have to worry about running into old acquaintances or being summoned by my sister to handle impossible tasks anymore.”
She tried to sound joking, pretending not to care about Marianna’s attitude or his mocking laughter. However, Silvio clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Do as you wish.”
He spat the words out and left her standing there alone.
Worried that she had upset him, she was relieved when Silvio sought her out again the next time they met, acting as if nothing had happened on the terrace. He continued his efforts to build ties with the Leveaux family. One evening, accompanied by Idyllia dressed in a stunning gown, Silvio attended a soirée. He soon encountered the head of the Leveaux family and his wife, stopping to speak with them. While the head of the family exchanged words with Silvio, his wife ignored Idyllia, who nonetheless decided to speak up.
“Good evening. How is your daughter?”
“────…”
The couple’s daughter, now sixteen, was preparing to enter the court. Idyllia thought this topic might engage the wife, but she continued to ignore Idyllia, fanning herself indifferently. Gathering her courage, Idyllia pressed on, addressing the woman’s profile.
“The Grand Duke of Noelheim has extended an invitation to a dinner for you and your daughter. I hope you will consider it positively and support it.”
In response, the woman muttered into her fan without looking at her.
“How presumptuous. What do you think you are, a mere concubine?”
She lowered her voice so that only Idyllia could hear.
“Your place in this court will only last as long as the Grand Duke remains in this country. You should not delude yourself about having any future here.”
“────…”
Idyllia stood there as if doused in cold water.
(I…)
She clasped her trembling hand with the other.
(…Will I never be treated as a proper human being again?)
Shameful tears welled up as she faced the reality of her scorned status. Although she knew she was despised, this blatant reminder was too much.
“…”
She wanted to retort, but the shock left her voiceless. Unable to cry in public, she stood there, frozen like a doll. Just then, a cold voice responded to the woman.
“Such shallow thinking.”
It was Silvio, speaking without hiding his irritation. Apparently, he had overheard the exchange.
“It seems you don’t realise that you are being protected because of Idyllia.”
“Protected by her? What do you mean?”
“It means if I tire of her, I will take your daughter as my concubine next.”
“…”
The cruel declaration caused everyone nearby to pale. It was widely known that the king had sent Idyllia to Silvio as his concubine. If Silvio wished, such a scenario was not impossible. Everyone likely thought the same. In the tense silence, Idyllia gathered her composure and, undeterred, addressed the head of the family.
“Five years ago, an unfortunate incident occurred between us. I don’t expect us to overcome it immediately. However, making an effort to reconcile would not be in vain for either of us.”
Feeling the weight of the gazes upon her, Idyllia straightened her back and managed to speak with a steady voice despite her pounding heart. Beside her, Silvio clapped his hands sharply.
“While reconciliation between our families is important, our primary focus now should be on open discussions regarding the ceasefire agreement. That is the purpose of my invitation. Please do not misunderstand.”
He spoke to the surrounding crowd, casting a quick, stern glance at Idyllia for acting on her own initiative. His gaze, though seemingly critical, held a gentle warmth.
“Furthermore, anyone who makes derogatory remarks about my loyal partner, who is trying to assist me, will have to answer to me.”
He looked around and declared firmly,
“From now on, any insult directed at her will be taken as an insult to me.”