Chapter 11

No, why does everyone think that Mion and I slept together?!

I was dumbfounded and irked. At this point, Julia even thought it was wrong of her to not be involved with Endimion.

“It may be impossible for at least one of you. I’d advise seeing to the introduction of a concubine before it’s too late.”

“Apologize Duchess Hyde. Those words are rude to both his majesty and me.”

My sister-in-law’s bizarre words finally made me pop a vein on my forehead. You’ve said unspeakable words no one would dare say, but why are you avoiding my eyes?

In this cold atmosphere, the little boy hid behind his mother, anxiously observing the unfolding situation. At that time, Miladi, who could be seen with rows of muscular servants from a far, cheerfully shouted out towards Iris,

“……I apologize if you’ve felt uncomfortable. But please think seriously about taking in concubines.”

Iris, who gave a smile that looked to be intended for her stepmother, sent her son ahead then bowed her head. Julia was dumbfounded and tried to ask again, but she couldn’t fight when Miladi was approaching.

She stared at Iris with an unpleasant look, vowing to send a letter to the Duke of Hyde asking for an apology.

“There are conservatives who don’t like Your Highness and the former Queen’s blood. I am talking of succession as those outside the royal family can’t speak of it.”

“Iris Hyde, stop it. This doesn’t concern you, by his majesty and me…!”

Surprisingly, however, the next moment, Iris bent down and gave a deep bow.

It was too much courtesy for her, a current Duchess and royal, to do, especially coming from someone who had turned a blind eye to Julia in the beginning. While Julia was surprised, Iris spoke in a low voice.

“…my friend still hasn’t forgotten his majesty. She even attempted suicide when her father tried to marry her off, saying she couldn’t do this anymore. If you can’t have a successor, please show mercy to her.”

Then she walked to Miladi’s house with a clouded face.

‘What?’

The confused Julia turned away, but Iris never turned around and went to the palace with Miladi. Only Miladi, who had missed the scene while trying to soothe Ed, waved her hand to signal that they would meet again later.

“She still likes Mion?”

Julia, who was left alone, had a blank head. Are you saying that she couldn’t forget her childhood feelings and even attempted to kill herself?

‘This is serious.’

Julia, who hurried back to the palace, was lost in thought. Iris was very rude, but in the end, it was no different from Miladi’s advice. It left her heartbroken.

Furthermore, when I sent an official request of apology to the Duke of Hyde, I found out that what Iris had said was true.

Although officially the reasons were different, a few months ago a lady from a foreign country was so sick that she had to stay in. And the conservatives are complaining that their worries aren’t being taken seriously.

Unfortunately, both his mother, the late baroness, and his wife, the princess of a rural kingdom, were becoming Endimion’s perfect faults. It was really time to  have a successor.

But to do that, one needs to get pregnant right away….

‘Let’s bring in a concubine.’

Julia made up her mind. In fact, she had thought of just closing her eyes and asking Endimion about getting a baby. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but it was better than giving my husband to some other woman I didn’t know.

But the fact that Endimion knew everything and hid it all from her, made her less confident.

“Maybe Mion doesn’t want to have a baby with me.”

Otherwise, why didn’t he tell me? He just needs to say ‘this is the situation, so we have to sleep together’.

In addition, I couldn’t stop thinking about Iris’s words.

I thought a concubine with a powerful family would serve him better than one with the favor of God. As Miladi said, if you choose a concubine with a good personality and not greedy for power, you will be guaranteed your retirement.

‘…even if it isn’t that lady.’

Julia, who sent the news of having something to say to Endimion, grumbled in her bath.