Chapter 179: Side Story 35 

Jeremiah gave up on trying to make sense of the chaos. He could clearly see the stars spinning in Alexa’s eyes. Jena’s bombshell had basically shoved Alexa into another dimension. Feeling dizzy, Jeremiah pressed a hand to his temple.

The first thing he needed to do was get Sylvia and Jena out of the room. There was a reason why both Ysildus and Jeremiah had allowed the two girls to run wild without stepping in. The goal was to use them to uncover evidence of Count Jertho’s treason.

Cunning as ever, Ysildus had devised a way to get what he wanted without lifting a finger.

He was convinced, utterly certain, that Count Jertho was up to something. There was no way a sly old fox like him would just sit still. The man believed everything was within the palm of his hand, so he had to be the one holding the leash.

Jeremiah had staked his life on the idea that Ysildus was right. And Ysildus had never been wrong about these things. So now, what needed to be done was…

“Lady Jena. Lady Sylvia. I think it would be best if you both returned for today.”

“Your Highness!”

Jeremiah gave Sylvia a faint smile.

“It seems Alexa came here with something important to say. Would you be so kind as to give her some space, Lady Sylvia?”

“But…!”

Sylvia glanced at the dazed Alexa with evident displeasure, but she couldn’t defy the master of this vast imperial palace.

“Jena. Let’s go.”

“…Fine.”

Jena shot Alexa a glare full of resentment. She couldn’t understand why this girl, of all people, was causing such a fuss. What baffled her most was the fact that the prince was taking Alexa’s side. Even the people of Thersion had come to their senses and chosen her over Alexa. Did Prince Jeremiah not know that?

He was going to be Emperor soon. Shouldn’t he be able to weigh benefits and losses?

Clicking her tongue, Jena spun on her heel. Jeremiah said nothing about the rudeness of the two young ladies. He simply let out a long sigh.

Now what?

“Uh… Alexa?”

“Ysildus is trash… Ysildus… Ysildus…”

“Alexa! Don’t be ridiculous. Alexa?”

Jeremiah waved a hand in front of her face. Alexa blinked slowly.

“Are you okay?”

Alexa gave a slight nod.

“Ysildus… is marrying Lady Jena?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Jeremiah quickly shook his head. Truthfully, he could have taken this opportunity to drive a wedge between Ysildus and Alexa. It was something that would eventually come to light anyway. But seeing himself step in and explain like this… Jeremiah really was Ysildus’s friend.

He gave a wry smile and said, “Lady Jena is helping to prepare a wedding. But Alexa, whose wedding do you think it is?”

“Huh?”

“Lady Jena’s just being used. There’s no way Grand Duchess Essellia would be thinking of anyone other than you when it comes to marriage.”

Alexa blinked. Her ears heard the words, but her brain was slow to process them. The whole thing with Ysildus had clearly left her shaken. Her lips parted slightly.

“Used… Lady Jena is being used? But then why would she…?”

“Alexa, how about you sit down and have some chocolate?”

Jeremiah suggested awkwardly. She clearly needed time to gather her thoughts, and maybe a little sugar to go with it.

* * *

“So… wait… you mean the Grand Duchess is preparing a wedding between me and Ysildus with Lady Jena’s help?”

Jeremiah nodded.

“And the reason you’re just letting Lady Jena and Lady Sylvia do as they please is because of Count Jertho?”

“Exactly!”

Why on earth was he the one feeling nervous? Jeremiah couldn’t understand. Wasn’t it Ysildus who should be having this conversation?

Alexa nodded slowly.

She got it now, at least the general idea. 

Truth be told, her mind had been entirely preoccupied with the Queen lately, and she hadn’t been paying much attention to anything going on in the palace. Besides, the Thersion people were such masters of nonchalance that they never got caught doing anything shady.

But still…

‘A wedding?’

According to Jeremiah, her wedding with Ysildus was right around the corner. It didn’t feel real at all. No one had even told her.

“Oh my god. So there’s only, what, a week left? Until my wedding?”

“…I’m surprised Ysildus hasn’t said anything yet.”

Jeremiah smoothly shifted the blame onto Ysildus. Alexa blinked in disbelief. She hadn’t expected this at all. No wonder Essellia had been so busy lately. It was all for the wedding.

My wedding.

“Um… Alexa? Didn’t you come here because you had something to say?”

Jeremiah changed the subject, trying to escape this minefield. 

From here on out, it was Ysildus’s responsibility. If the guy hadn’t even proposed yet, that was on him. Jeremiah had caught him now and then urging Essellia to move the wedding plans along…

What the hell was he doing that he couldn’t even propose properly?

Jeremiah clicked his tongue inwardly, filled with frustration.

“Oh! Right… I actually came to talk about something kind of difficult.”

Alexa took a deep breath. She’d completely forgotten her original purpose in the midst of all this dazing around. She had something very important to say.

“Something difficult?”

Jeremiah tilted his head.

“…It’s about the Queen.”

“Ah.”

Jeremiah’s expression went blank.

“She’s been visiting me a lot lately.”

“If it’s because of me, and she’s bothering you, you can just tell her not to come.”

“No, it’s not that! I came because I wanted to hear what you think, Jeremiah. The Queen seems very eager to see you.”

“Well, of course. I’m going to be Emperor soon.”

“Jeremiah…?”

The stark bitterness in his tone made Alexa widen her eyes. She’d never seen Jeremiah react this way before. The gentle smile that always lingered on his face had vanished, replaced by a coldness hidden beneath.

“That’s not what I meant. The Queen… she’s genuinely worried about you, Jeremiah.”

“If that worry was real, she would’ve come to see me when rumors were flying that I was dying. Instead of staying locked up in the palace.”

The reason Jeremiah had always pretended not to know what the Queen was up to was because he didn’t want to care. While lying in bed recovering, he’d had plenty of time to think about her. She had definitely known he was back. And still, she hadn’t come.

Just like when she sent him off to Thersion. Just like now. For the Queen, her own safety always came first. She probably didn’t want to make enemies by being too obviously concerned about a dying son. She was the kind of person who would throw her child into the fire to protect herself.

The Queen had abandoned Jeremiah. And Jeremiah had abandoned her in return. He would never take her hand again.

“Jeremiah…”

“She didn’t even show her face when I was on the brink of death, and now she’s trying to reach me through you? Hah. Alexa, that woman’s always been like this. She only cares about herself. Her child means nothing.”

Alexa shook her head firmly. The Queen she knew…

‘But how much do I really know about her?’

She’d only spoken to her a handful of times since arriving at the capital. Wouldn’t Jeremiah, her own son, know her far better than she did? Maybe Alexa was crossing a line by saying these things.

“…Even so, I think you should at least talk to her. She outranks me, Jeremiah. I don’t have the right to tell her not to come. If you don’t want to see her, I think you should say it yourself.”

Alexa spoke gently, carefully.

No matter what decision the two made, she was only a bystander. This was the best she could do.

“You’re right. I was asking too much of you. Asking you to turn away my mother for me.”

Jeremiah slowly ran a hand through his hair.

“She won’t bother you again. I’ll make sure of it.”

He smiled faintly.

“And now, Alexa, it’s time for you to start preparing for your wedding. You’ve only got about a week left.”

“Ah!”

Alexa clapped her hands together.

“It still doesn’t feel real. Am I really getting married?”

“If I heard right, then yes. Everyone seems to think so. Alexa and Ysildus are getting married soon.”

Thinking about it again, it really was a lame way to announce an engagement. Not even a drop of romance.

Did Ysildus just forget to propose because he was busy? If that’s the case…

‘What if I propose instead?’

That’s not a bad idea.