Stolen Crown Princess (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 86

Early that morning, Edwik changed his clothes, entrusting himself to the hands of his attendants. His complexion had not fully returned, but compared to the past few days, he felt wonderfully light.

It was miraculous. Just days ago, he had felt as though his entire body was burning away in a raging fever, yet in the blink of an eye, not only had his temperature dropped, but he had regained enough strength to move about.

The bewilderment that followed immediately upon regaining consciousness was somewhat resolved by the words of Jade, who had been watching over him.

[“Eve came by. You were suffering so terribly that I sent word to her without thinking, and she arrived right away this morning. She stayed by your side for quite a while before leaving—but now I worry she might have drawn the Empress’s ire.”]

Jade couldn’t easily shake his heavy expression. Because of that, Edwik too grew worried about Ibelia, yet at the same time, it seemed precisely this reason had allowed him to rise from his sickbed so astonishingly fast.

Ever since revealing Ibelia’s long-concealed childhood story, Edwik had been gripped by fear. The image of his daughter’s face just before she left the Crown Princess’s palace refused to leave his mind.

Ibelia had worn a look of hurt unlike anything he’d ever seen before. Moreover, she seemed deeply pained, overwhelmed by the shock of a sudden revelation.

That face wouldn’t fade from his thoughts for even a moment, leaving Edwik unable to eat or sleep. He had never regretted a decision from his youth—made for his daughter’s sake—so bitterly. It was this burden of guilt that had brought on his fever.

It was heartening to learn his daughter, who hadn’t even sent a simple message, had come to see him—but knowing she’d come because of his illness surely weighed heavily on her heart as well.

Edwik let out a heavy sigh. Just then, as if his dressing was finished, the attendants standing nearby stepped back. Only then did Edwik, who had been examining his attire in the mirror, turn toward the head steward.

“Prepare the carriage. I will go to the Imperial Palace.”

His voice, issuing the command, was firmer than ever before. Though late, the time had come to act—for Ibelia.

Eustia stepped gracefully into the rather spacious banquet hall. Gadro, who had arrived earlier, lifted his head to look at her.

His gaze, briefly meeting hers before drifting away, remained as indifferent as ever. Eustia bit her lower lip but, as if nothing had happened, took a seat opposite Gadro with a gentle smile.

“I’m a bit late, Your Majesty.”

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