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Chapter 64
In the end, Kesare and Sophia left without saying a single word.
Of course, Maybel hadn’t expected them to respond anyway.
But having said it so clearly in front of so many people—
They would at least have to watch themselves for a while.
That alone was already a great gain.
“…We’ll be taking our leave as well.”
Among the crowd where no one dared to speak, Zigmunt was the first to break the silence.
“Something unpleasant has happened, and I’m concerned about the child.”
As he said that, pulling Maybel close to his side, his voice was rigid.
‘Is he… angry?’
The way he held her hand tightly felt firm—
As if he would support her no matter what she had done.
That was why she had just gone for it—
But… had it been a mistake after all?
Maybel looked up, trying to read his expression—
But it was useless.
The chandelier’s light was too bright, hiding his face.
“Yes… you may go.”
Francesca replied, her voice somewhat drained.
She looked like someone who had been betrayed by something she had trusted.
It seemed the Empress had truly believed in Sophia.
Maybel didn’t know what kind of persuasion Kesare had used—
But that only made it more absurd.
Anyone could have figured it out with a little thought.
If Sophia had truly been a good mother, she wouldn’t have abandoned Maybel all this time.
Even if she had fled from Kesare, she should have at least tried to find her once.
Or appeared at the trial to testify for her child.
‘Or at least tried to contact me while I was at the Grand Ducal estate.’
But Sophia had remained silent all this time—
Only to make a grand appearance at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.
That alone proved it—
She wasn’t acting out of love, but trying to use her.
And yet, they hadn’t noticed.
In the end, the one to be pitied was the Crown Prince.
His birthday banquet had been ruined by the complicated affairs of adults.
That aside…
Glance.
Maybel cautiously looked at Zigmunt, who walked silently while holding her hand.
Now that they had left the chandelier-lit hall, the corridor was dim—
She still couldn’t see his expression.
But his steps were slow and small—
As if he were carefully matching her pace.
Unable to bear the awkward silence, Maybel spoke.
“Um—”
“That kind of thing—”
Their voices overlapped.
“You go first.”
“No, you first, my lord.”
“I said you go first.”
After going back and forth, Zigmunt finally spoke first.
He took a brief pause, gathering his thoughts.
“…What you said earlier was something you didn’t have to say yourself.”
Was that… a reprimand?
Or criticism?
‘Maybe I made him worry again…’
A cool breeze brushed against Maybel as they exited the building.
It was still too early for spring flowers at the Grand Ducal estate—
But the imperial garden was already filled with floral fragrance.
Under the dim early evening sky, it was beautiful.
Zigmunt stepped in front of Maybel, who had been quietly staring ahead.
Still holding her hand, he knelt one step below her on the stairs.
Their eyes finally met.
Then—
“But what you did just now was very admirable.”
To her surprise, Zigmunt was smiling gently.
There was no anger—
No frustration at her for speaking such words—
Nor at himself for putting her in that situation.
His eyes held only pride and warmth.
Encouraged, just like in the banquet hall, Maybel spoke.
“You said it was something I didn’t have to say… but I thought it was something I had to say.”
Zigmunt simply smiled, waiting for her to continue.
After a brief hesitation, Maybel spoke honestly.
“…Because I hated it. Seeing people… think even a little bit well of them.”
Remembering her time as the “ghost lady” no longer hurt much.
Perhaps because Zigmunt had given her a name.
But remembering the time she lived with Sophia—
That was harder.
Even if she had been neglected either way—
Her memories of that time were always filled with Sophia’s harsh words.
So Maybel forced herself to speak clearly.
Sophia was not a good person.
Not a good mother.
She was someone who had hurt her.
“And… I wanted to tell people. That I don’t consider them my parents.”
She added that she would no longer call Kesare and Sophia father and mother.
Understanding her meaning, Zigmunt pulled her into a tight embrace.
“You’re right. I was wrong.”
“This was something you had to say—something only you could say.”
He gently stroked her back, praising her—
Again and again—
Until the subtle trembling she hadn’t even realized faded away.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage—
Kesare and Sophia were shouting at each other.
“You—just what kind of woman are you?! As a mother, what did you do to that child?!”
“You think I treated her that way for no reason? Think about what I was going through back then!”
“So it’s my fault again? You’re blaming me for suspecting you again? I already apologized for that! How long are you going to hold onto it?!”
At Sophia’s protest, Kesare shot back, sounding exhausted.
His cold, weary expression made Sophia’s eyes well up.
“You made me miserable! I made you happy, but you—!”
“Who made whom happy? You? Me? And you dare say that?!”
Bang!
Unable to contain his rage, Kesare lashed out, kicking violently.
“Ahh!”
He kicked the chair Sophia was sitting on, unleashing his fury.
“You think I don’t know? The real reason you pushed me to become duke! It was all because of Zigmunt!”
“W-what are you talking about…?”
At the sudden mention of the name, Sophia—who had been trembling—looked up in shock.
Her wide-eyed expression, as if she knew nothing, only irritated him more.
“You liked him. That man—the Grand Duke! But you got engaged to me just to survive. Am I wrong?!”
“W-what are you saying?! Why would I—!”
Her face turned pale at his harsh accusation.
But Kesare didn’t listen.
“Still pretending! You’ve always been like this. Even with evidence everywhere, you deny it and try to blind me!”
“Dear, that’s a misunderstanding! I love you!”
“Do you? And is that love proven by carrying another man’s child—and then handing that child over to me?”
At that—
Sophia fell silent.
She had thought everything had been resolved—
But nothing had changed.
Kesare still doubted her.
Still believed Zigmunt was the other man.
‘How… how can this be…’
Tears filled Sophia’s eyes.
Through her blurred vision, Kesare still looked at her like a traitor.
Covering her face with both hands, Sophia sobbed.
Her chest ached unbearably.
She wanted to jump out of the carriage—
Because even now, she still loved him.
Pathetic. Painful. Miserable.
‘If I had known… I wouldn’t have come back…’
Even knowing nothing had changed—
Why had she taken his hand?
That hand he had desperately reached out to her last winter—
Why… why had she…?
Grinding her teeth behind her palms—
Sophia recalled what had happened months ago.
