How To Get My Husband On My Side

Chapter 18

"I am deeply regretful, My Lady. I was truly foolish. I asked you to go first, but when you went missing, I feared Iz's reaction so I unwittingly ended up lying to him... Really, I am so ashamed of myself."

Freya, repeatedly bowing her head and eyes glistening with tears, seemed to be truly apologetic. If I had been unaware of her and my husband's relationship, I might have forgiven her.

She said she was scared of Izek's reaction? Bullshit. They're childhood friends, what is there to be afraid of? Not to mention that if she had truly been sorry, she would have told him the truth no matter how late it was. But she was only speaking the so-called truth when it was only us two in the room? I had to admit that she knew how to play her cards well.

Depending on how I were to react here, I'd get to know Freya's true self. I would, of course, continue to act like an innocent fool, incapable of feeling resentful. Especially if it was her.

"It's quite all right, Lady Furiana. You didn't know that something like that would happen. I understand why you did it, so don't trouble yourself with it."

"If I hadn't made such an offer in the first place, My Lady..."

"It's really okay. If I could tell you a little secret, it was actually quite fun! This was the first time I've experienced such a thing, since these things don't happen in Romagna. I do feel sorry for the knights who had to work so hard until late at night to find me, but I'm fine."

When I beamed at her with a wide and stupidly benign smile stretching my lips, she only kept quiet and gazed into my eyes, searching for something. Then, as if she had found it, her own lips curled into a happy grin, looking like she had just cracked a secret code and rejoicing in it. I might have been influenced by my own ill feelings towards her, but it seemed like she was ridiculing me.

"I see what you mean," she said. "I'm glad My Lady is well. Feel free to let me know if there's anything I can do for you in the future."

Suddenly, I understood why I hadn't felt any animosity coming from her towards me. To her, I was not worth the effort of enmity. She probably only saw me as an annoying fly buzzing around her perfect head, something she wouldn't even need to lift her hand for to slap away. I was a joke to her.

Freya's position was unparalleled in the North. A marquis' daughter and the childhood friend of the king's nephew and niece. I didn't know what I did to offend her, but no matter what had happened and no matter what I said, there was no way that anyone would believe me.

It was kind of ironic that in these trying times, my last ray of hope was my cold-blooded husband. The problem was that I hadn't even seen a single strand of hair of his since that night. To make matters worse, I couldn't even dare to think about taking a step outside of the castle, even after my injured ankle had healed.

The guards watched me like hawks, their eyes wide open and looking for any small mistake I would make, seemingly delighted about me being scorned. Ellenia, too, seemed to be angry with me and stayed apathetic, taking on a lackadaisical attitude.

This situation was so shitty. I couldn't leave the castle and I couldn't even check on my husband to see if I had a chance of surviving or not, damn it all!

All the power lay in his hands. I had tried my best to sow the seeds, but it was up to him to do the reaping. I didn't even want to imagine what would happen if he were to still opt for sending me back home.

"The banquet will be held soon."

At least Ellenia was less cold-hearted compared to her absent brother. She had decided to visit me once in a while at best and kindly remind me of the upcoming event. I had forgotten all about it, to be honest.