Chapter 10

She not only drew a line by not acknowledging her as a family member, she often argued with the line “if you have God’s favor…”. Although she is arrogant, shy, she doesn’t hold a bad heart; I don’t know why she is always like this. The former King and Miladi scolded her, but she did not get better.

Thanks to this, Julia always felt like a stranger even as she was respected in Semele and got close to Endimion. An expensive trophy covered in a wrapper called God’s favor.

‘And to call them an unsavory crowd. Is an opposition rising up again? I didn’t hear anything like that.’

At the beginning of the ascension, there was a group who had an issue with Endimion’s bloodline. But it quickly calmed down, and I didn’t know it had become a problem again after three years. Mion hadn’t said anything about this at all.

‘Oh, is this why mother suddenly brought up children and concubines?’

Although Miladi said it lightly, it actually turned out to be a serious matter.

Endimion’s reign has been peaceful, and no one notified me of it being otherwise. Most importantly I have been pushed out of politics since I am a foreigner here.

Julia’s eyebrows gathered together as her thoughts became more complicated.

Then, I was able to see Iris making a strange face.

‘Ha.’

Iris’ unique blunt and cold face made it seem like she was openly laughing at the country’s Queen. Julia gave her a firm look. She may be mild-tempered, but she wasn’t airheaded enough to be insulted in front of her eyes.

“I always appreciate the Duke of Hyde’s hard work. But I think the Duchess worrying about my husband and I’s family plans is beyond your standing”

It was a counterattack against Iris, who never recognized Julia as family. She singled out Iris’ position as no longer being a princess, but an outsider.

“…… ”

“As you said, I’m always being favored. This matter is not for the duchess, but for God to work on.”

I stroked Ed’s head, having spoken elegantly, as the child laughed knowing nothing. Iris’ eyelashes trembled.

Instead of feeling refreshed, Julia felt she was being childish. I wanted to get along with everyone.

Moreover, it wasn’t comfortable for her to be on bad terms with Endimion’s sister, who looked so much like him. Having stared at Iris, who was silent for a moment, she tried to reach out for reconciliation first.

“Actually.”

Out of nowhere, Iris lowered her eyes and started speaking. Julia flinched, not knowing what to say to her unexpected words. Iris bit her lips and slowly spoke out,

“My friend has been in love with his majesty since she was a kid. She was lovesick and was able to get engaged to him because the former King found her pretty. But everything went up into smoke because the Queen chose his majesty.”

Julia was embarrassed by the truth being uncovered after 12 years, and looked at Iris with some wariness.

The lady that Endimion almost got married to was Iris’ friend. That’s why she pushed me away since our first meeting.

“Then that lady was…”

“…yes. If my friend had become the crown princess, there would never have been a crowd who dared to hold unsavory hearts towards his majesty.“

This is true as the lady is a high-ranking aristocrat. The daughter of a family much stronger than Julia’s, princess of a rural kingdom, who would be helpful to Endimion.

Speechless, Julia raised her chin like a Queen.

“It was his majesty who proposed first, not I.”

“You speak the truth. However, even though the royal authority is strong, if our strong bloodline is disrupted it will adversely affect our dignity. Shouldn’t the queen empower his majesty by bearing a successor as soon as possible?”

“Duchess, these matters are none of your concern.”

It is true that as much as Semele is a great power, they place great importance on the royal bloodline. However, this is too much criticism to hear from not even my mother-in-law, but my sister-in-law.

Finally, the gentle Julia showed a noticeably unpleasant appearance. Iris desperately avoided eye contact, as though not wanting to look into her eyes, and spoke as though reading from a script,

“It’s been at least 3 years since the two of you have shared a bed. How could there not be any news? I think it’s a serious problem.”