CH 14

Chapter - 14 || I Can't Lose Everything Now

Natalia couldn't help but mutter,

"Why...?"

I can't give up because of this.

"Why!"

In front of me was a pot of Maiden Lilies that suddenly started to wither.

Until then, they had been opening bud after bud.

There were several pots, but they were all in the same condition.

"No...! No! No! Bloom..."

Just as Natalia was frantically collecting the fallen petals,

"Natalia!"

Alexander, who had heard the report from Jacek, came running in.

"Your Majesty..."

Natalia looked up, her eyes full of tears.

Alexander's face was full of despair.

Natalia had heard it too.

There had been a series of natural disasters recently, and that the ship had sunk even though they had done nothing to stop it.

She knew that people were still talking about Elvira as if she was a saint.

But Natalia would not back down.

Natalia thought of herself as a hard worker.

Being a commoner and soon to be queen was hard work in itself.

She was lucky enough to be taken in by Baron Zwoto right after her mother died, but everything else was the result of hard work.

Baron Zwoto wanted to use Natalia's good looks to make her the future wife of a wealthy merchant.

He was older than Natalia's father, and a very ethereal man.

However, Natalia did not give up when she found out.

From that point on, she energetically participated in various balls.

In order to find someone who would save her.

She was happy when she met Alexander, who was dressed like a nobleman's snob, at a masked ball in the middle of nowhere.

Alexander pretended that he was Alex, the son of a trader.

It was cute that Alexander thought he could hide it, even though he was apparently more well-bred than a trader's son.

Natalia pretended to believe it.

After several private meetings, Natalia confided in him that she had fallen in love with 'Alex' for real.

She then cried out that she was destined to become the second wife of a wealthy merchant, and that he should leave her here.

She said that she could not betray her father who had taken her in.

It was a gamble.

But the odds were against him.

Alexander, who was having a hard time accepting himself as royalty, couldn't let go of the person who had accepted him for who he was.

'Let's get married,' said Alexander.

'I can help you.'

'I'll do anything to help you.'

There was no lie in his words.

Alexander consulted with the High Priestess and began to make plans to get rid of his political marriage partner.

He was a little surprised that the High Priestess would cooperate in such a matter, but I guess they had their own agenda.

It didn't matter to Natalia.

At first she had thought that a side queen would be enough.

But,

Count Hermannie Huskevi offered from the shadows, "In any case, let's make you a full queen instead of a side queen."

My father, the temple, and Natalia all agreed.

Alexander, who had been dissatisfied with his overqualified fiancée, also agreed.

I didn't feel guilty about kicking out a young lady who had been a duchess and a candidate for sainthood since she was born.

Because, surely, the young lady had only ever slept on a soft futon, hadn't she?

I don't know if it's the queen's education or what, but she always looks so boring.

I think it's better to have Natalia around, because she makes everyone smile.

It makes them happy.

Alexander, my father, the High Priestess, and Count Huskevi.

So,

That's why.

Natalia couldn't give up because of this.

I can't lose everything now.

Natalia said while crying.

"Natalia will pray..."

Alexander was silent, staring at Natalia.

"I will pray, just as Elvira did. I am sure that Heaven will forgive Natalia and recognize Natalia as a saint."

"But..."

Alexander muttered to himself as he looked at the miserably scattered petals of the lilies.

Natalia gently took Alexander's hand.

"So, Your Majesty... I have a request."

Alexander probably anticipated what Natalia would say.

If Natalia can't back down, then neither can Alexander.

"Do you know a good artisan who can keep a secret?"

"Natalia..."

"It's just for now. If Natalia prays properly, she will become a saint. Why don't we just fake it for the unveiling with a lily that looks exactly like the real thing?"

Natalia's words were so straightforward that Alexander could not say anything.

But,

It's true.

Maybe Natalia was right.

Natalia added softly,

"If we continue like this, Prince Patrisch may take the throne. Natalia knows that you are doing your best. Natalia can't let that happen."

Alexander's cheeks twitched at the mention of Patrisch's name.

"Just for now."

Natalia's tears trickled down her face.

"Yes, just for now..."

Alexander nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes with his fingers.