Chapter 43

On the final day, just before the two of them departed for the Luthemia Republic—

The Queen, seated in the audience chamber, pointed at Cynthia and said to Massera,

“Leave the princess here.”

Her face showed not even a hint of humor—she was completely serious.

Massera looked back and forth between Cynthia and the Queen without saying a word.

“It’s not like that. We only slept together, that’s all.”

Thinking he might’ve misunderstood her relationship with the Queen, Cynthia hurried to explain.

When Massera furrowed his brows, the Queen, still serious, spoke again.

“I’m joking. My daughter and granddaughter will arrive soon, so you’d best be on your way.”

Cynthia smiled as she caught the queen winking slyly.

After saying goodbye to the queen and leaving the audience chamber, Cynthia clung to Massera’s arm, locking arms with him.

She was in a very good mood after enjoying the rest of their schedule to the fullest.

“I had so much fun, thanks to you. And thank you for buying me gifts.”

Massera looked down at her with his usual blank expression.

“What did I buy you again?”

“Oh come on, don’t pretend you don’t know—you got me that get-well cat charm, the feng shui charm that brings in wealth, the plate to commemorate the queen’s coronation, the Monopoly board game, the teddy bear…”

Since all of it was bought with Massera’s money, Cynthia kept expressing her thanks.

Like the "kind words onion experiment," she thought maybe if Massera was frequently exposed to positive talk, he might eventually become a kinder person to her. That was the thought behind it.

TL/N: The “Kind Words Onion Experiment” is a popular social experiment and metaphor in Korea used to illustrate how kindness or positive words can make people feel more secure and healed emotionally.

“General, you’re such a kind and good person. You never get annoyed, and you do everything I ask.”

“Stop with the positivity brainwashing.”

Hmph, pretending he doesn’t like it—Cynthia smirked slyly.

Massera cleared his throat and continued.

“...I’m surprised though. I knew you were sociable, but I didn’t expect you to win over even Queen Medeia.”

The Queen’s demeanor made it clear that if anyone messed with Cynthia, she wouldn’t let it slide.

He had known the Queen for longer, so how had Cynthia managed to get her on her side in just one day?

“We’re business partners. And you’ve got important connections, so I should leave a good impression.”

Honestly, theirs wasn’t a marriage of love like most couples. They had married solely for a goal.

‘Business partners. So that’s how she sees it.’

For some reason, Massera didn’t like the sound of that. He couldn’t explain why.

[“You seem to have a good relationship with your wife, General.”]

Just then, a graceful and composed voice spoke in Medeian from behind them.

Princess Charlotte approached the two with a smile.

[“Though I do wonder if one can truly fall in love with the person who caused their misfortune.”]

***

Cynthia looked at the princess’ elegant yet aloof face, thinking she somehow resembled Helene.

‘Is she saying this outright, knowing I don’t understand Medeian?’

Cynthia kept her smile steady, showing no reaction.

Massera glanced at her briefly and responded in Medeian.

[“Why do you say that?”]

[“The offer I made you before—it still stands.”]

Massera remained expressionless.

[“I’m a married man, as you know.”]

Cynthia realized that the "offer" she referred to was a marriage proposal.

Stepping closer, the princess gave Cynthia a friendly smile before lowering her voice.

[“I intend to reject King Blake’s marriage proposal by claiming I am in unrequited love with you. The Queen has a weakness for such narratives, you see.”]

The word “unrequited love” made Cynthia’s heart jolt.

‘She’s only using that as a tactic to get out of it, so why does it bother me?’

Princess Charlotte reached out to shake Cynthia’s hand and added—

[“It’s up to you to explain the situation to the princess ahead of time to avoid any misunderstanding, General. It may not be necessary—but just in case.”]

Still pretending not to understand, Cynthia took her hand and shook it.

‘But wait, isn’t King Blake that old, woman-chasing king? Isn’t that just awful?’

Being pushed into marriage was the same for everyone, especially in this world where marriages were typically arranged for familial gain.

Feeling sorry for her, Cynthia gave her hand a firm squeeze.

“You were born to be loved. I truly hope you’ll live free and happy.”

The princess glanced at Massera, asking him to translate Cynthia’s words.

In response, Massera adjusted his sleeve and replied in a detached tone—

[“She says you’re annoying and should leave quickly.”]

Hey! Don’t twist my words! Don’t make it sound like I said what you’re really thinking!

But she could only scream inwardly because she was supposed to not understand Medeian.

Princess Charlotte smiled with her eyes.

[“What a joker.”]

Charlotte watched the backs of the two leaving.

Would there ever be another person besides Massera who recognized her true worth?

“General Vicente. I need a partner who will remain loyal for life and support me through it.”

“Even if it’s not me, someone suitable for you will surely appear, Your Highness.”

“But the princess is too lovely to just sit back and wait for a chance…”

Charlotte didn’t understand Luthemian, but the words “love,” “free,” and “happy” from Cynthia’s earlier comment were perfectly clear to her.

***

At the port, on the dock.

“Hurry up! You’re so slow! Do you have any idea how much work this is because of you?”

A man barked at the woman beside him.

The woman, carrying heavy luggage in both hands, was pale and panting for breath.

It was Anita, who had once served as a maid in the House of Count Queensguard.

The only servant who hadn’t tormented Cynthia, Anita, had survived thanks to Cynthia’s warning and fled from the Count’s estate.

She had been hiding in Medeia with her lover Hans, but now they were being deported after getting caught for illegal entry.

“Huh?”

On her way to third class, Anita’s eyes widened as she spotted someone heading to the top level—first class.

It was Cynthia, dressed in fine clothes unlike her days as a maid, walking arm-in-arm with a tall man in a military officer’s uniform.

“What are you dawdling for?”

Hans gave her a shove, making her drop the luggage.

As curses rained down on her, Anita could only stare blankly at Cynthia.

The handsome officer had platinum blond hair and mysterious eyes, looking every bit like a prince as he courteously escorted her.

Suddenly, Anita noticed the parasol in Cynthia’s hand. It was the farewell gift she had once given her.

After it was revealed that Cynthia was the daughter of Count Queensguard, her story of marrying a dashing man and leaving had felt like something out of a romantic fairytale.

‘Unlike me, Cynthia is living like a princess.’

Anita had believed her own life—running away with the one she loved and starting anew—was romantic too. That was until she opened her eyes to the harsh reality.

Following Anita’s gaze toward first class, Hans’s eyes glinted with greed.

“What, you know some noble up there? Go ask them for some money or something.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Anita shook her head in denial.

It would only lead to problems if she ran into Cynthia now.

The Count had killed all the servants to cover up Cynthia’s humble past as a maid.

And if that truth came to light, it would be just as bad for Cynthia. Telling Anita to run far away and stay hidden had likely been her final act of kindness.

‘If the Count finds out I’m still alive… I’ll be killed.’

Instinctively, Anita placed a hand on her belly.

Hans looked at her pale face for a moment, then smirked coldly.

“We’ll find out soon enough whether you’re lying or not as we look around first class.”

***

In the past, Anita had thought her lover, Hans Everett, was a good man.

He was the illegitimate son of a noble and a maid, and if lucky, he might even be granted a leftover noble title.

She had hoped that by marrying him, she too—once a lifelong maid—might rise to nobility.

But more than anything, she had been deeply grateful to Hans for running away with her.

That was before he was caught pretending to be a noble in Medeia and they were forced to flee.