The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 85

“Shall I say… my own way of having you?”

 

Rayleigh spoke nonchalantly.

 

“I thought about being satisfied with just being your lover. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I wanted to have a child too. Especially if it’s with a man as exceptional as you.”

 

“Ha…”

 

Frederick had completely given up. With the princess pushing like this, he really had no other options.

 

“I’ll wait for you to make a wise decision. So, think it over. Oh, but don’t think about it too long—if you hesitate, you might miss the right timing.”

 

Rayleigh smiled.

 

 

“You went to see Rayleigh, didn’t you?”

 

When Frederick visited Rubens, the latter already knew about Frederick’s visit to the princess.

 

“Her Highness told you, I suppose.”

 

“She only mentioned you came to see her. Did you two talk? Is she going to release your wife?”

 

“It seems unlikely.”

 

“Just as I thought…”

 

Frederick’s expression was stiff. Rubens let out a small sigh.

 

“I tried to convince Rayleigh. Told her the Duchess of Winstaine isn’t the kind of person who would do such a thing. But she said she wouldn’t know for sure unless she spoke to you directly.”

 

Ah. Frederick let out a quiet sigh.

 

“So I figured she wanted something from you, and if you two had a good conversation, things might work out. But I guess it didn’t.”

 

“I’m considering going to His Majesty.”

 

“What…?”

 

Rubens’s eyes widened at Frederick’s words.

 

“If I offer to go through the Binding Ritual, perhaps he’ll relent.”

 

“Are you out of your mind?”

 

“Wouldn’t that be a good thing for Your Highness? You’d have me permanently bound to the imperial family.”

 

“No. Absolutely not. I’m serious!”

 

Rubens vehemently shook his head at Frederick’s words.

 

“I’ve always welcomed your help of your own will, but not through this kind of method. I may have asked you for help, but I never intended to bind you. That’s not what I want.”

 

“I don’t think I have a choice anymore.”

 

“I want to help you… but Rayleigh won’t listen to a word I say. Vladimir’s also up in arms because he thinks someone laid hands on his half-sister. I’m sorry. I wish I could be of more help…”

 

“No, I understand. I know Your Highness’s heart is in the right place. I know you’re doing what you can.”

 

Rubens felt heavy-hearted. He knew Frederick was uncomfortable getting too deeply entangled with the imperial family, and yet he had been the one to ask for help. He felt guilty for it.

 

He also couldn’t help but wonder if calling Frederick to the capital had caused all of this.

 

But what was done was done—regret was useless now.

 

“Sigh… I understand how you feel, so I can’t just stop you. But please, think very carefully about this. Once the ritual is performed, there’s no turning back.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Frederick bowed to Rubens and left. It felt as if a heavy stone had settled in his chest.

 

‘That… I truly hate.’

 

The ritual placed a seal on the soul of a Swordmaster, making it impossible for them to ever disobey the imperial family. Once performed, it could not be undone until death.

 

Even Crown Prince Rubens had tried to stop him from going that far.

 

‘But is there any other way?’

 

As he agonized over the matter, one face flashed through Frederick’s mind.

 

‘I need to see Mikael.’

 

Though that man was Vladimir’s right-hand, and it felt like walking into a tiger’s den, Frederick turned his steps toward the temple.

 

 

“Ma’am, please step out. A special order from the Imperial Family has granted your release.”

 

The door to the underground prison opened. Grace stepped out through the iron bars, still stunned.

 

“Um… does this mean I’ve been found innocent?”

 

“Yes, ma’am. Your innocence has been proven. The trial has been annulled.”

 

Why, though? Of course, it was a good thing—but at the same time, she was curious. Someone must have intervened behind the scenes, but she had no idea who it could be.

 

‘Was it Frederick?’

 

But even he would’ve had a hard time finding a reason to get her released. She resolved to ask him once she was out.

 

“Grace.”

 

“Frederick! You came!”

 

Frederick was already waiting for her at the entrance of the prison. Grace hurried over to him. She was so glad to see his face after several days, though he looked pale and worn. She felt a pang of guilt—was it because of her?

 

“Are you hurt? Are you okay?”

 

“Yes, I’m fine. I was just down there for a few days, that’s all.”

 

“That place can’t have been easy to endure…”

 

“You know how sturdy I am. Really, I’m okay.”

 

Grace gave him a big smile. Of course, those few days in the underground prison had been cold and miserable, but she didn’t want him to worry.

 

“And thank you for coming to meet me.”

 

Grace embraced him. The relief of seeing Frederick greet her as soon as she got out of the dreadful prison was overwhelming. The two walked side by side toward the palace.

 

“I thought I’d never get out… It feels so good to be free and see you again.”

 

Grace chirped cheerfully as she clung to Frederick’s arm.

 

“Do you know, by any chance, why I was released?”

 

“I’m not sure myself.”

 

Frederick averted his gaze to the air, ever so slightly. But Grace didn’t notice.

 

“Anyway, do you have any idea who might’ve framed you?”

 

“Not really. It’s so hard to find any evidence.”

 

“But you must have a hunch. Someone who disliked you, maybe?”

 

“Well, my sisters from my birth family never liked me. But I don’t think they’d go this far…”

 

Grace tilted her head.

 

“You mentioned you gave a handkerchief to one of the princess’s maids. It’s possible she was bribed.”

 

“Is there any way to check that?”

 

“I have a lead. I just wanted to hear your side again to be sure. Whoever did this to you will have to pay.”

 

Frederick’s eyes burned with resolve.

 

“I’m just relieved to be released…”

 

“But I’m not. Someone slandering you like that—it’s an insult to me, too.”

 

Grace tried to gently stop him, but Frederick was adamant.

 

“It’s also a stain on the honor of House Winstaine. Of course… what angers me most is that you were the one who had to go through all this.”

 

“Thank you, Frederick.”

 

Grace hugged him around the neck. Her husband was such a strong, dependable man—always fighting for her.

 

“And I’m sorry.”

 

“For what?”

 

“For what I said before… Asking if I had to live by your rules. I know you only said what you did because you care about me… but I didn’t understand that then.”

 

“No, it’s okay. It’s only natural to feel that way. I just… I only want you to be safe. That’s all.”

 

“I know, Frederick.”

 

Frederick gently embraced her back. Grace smiled and held him tighter.

 

Whatever resentments she had melted away like snow. Because she knew—more than anyone else—how much he cared for her.

 

 

“Good afternoon, Lady Fenton.”

 

Amelia, who was standing in the Princess’s palace as usual, was startled by the visitor.

 

“D-Duchess Winstaine…”

 

The woman who had been imprisoned for the attempted poisoning of the princess, then sensationally released. The same woman who had handed her that infamous handkerchief.

 

“Are you here to see Her Highness…?”

 

Amelia asked with forced calm. It wasn’t easy to act casual in front of Duchess Winstaine.

 

“No, although there is a major misunderstanding between me and Her Highness. I wasn’t planning to talk about that today. I’ll visit her soon.”

 

Grace smiled sweetly at Amelia.

 

“Today, I came to see you, Lady Fenton.”

 

“M-Me…?”

 

Amelia’s voice trembled. Had she been caught? She’d colluded with Lady Reinheim to frame Grace, but it had all been verbal, and the payment had been arranged through untraceable means.

 

“I think I’ve found the one who framed me.”

 

“……”

 

“My husband heard from His Highness the Crown Prince what kind of poison was detected on the handkerchief. He then looked into the merchants in the capital who deal in such substances. And what he found… was very interesting.”