MHC 06

Chapter 06

A suffocating silence filled the air. Chloe still couldn’t tell whether it meant agreement or refusal.

“That’s nonsense.”

When he finally spoke, it was with a deeply disappointing answer.

“…What do you mean, nonsense?”

“Divorce? Absolutely impossible. I’ll pretend I never heard that, Chloe.”

The repeated refusals drove her into despair. The precious emotions she had carried since yesterday began to crumble.

“Why…?”

The king knew her situation. He had criticized Calis and even comforted her when she was left alone. He had promised to fully support her—yet now, the one thing she wanted most was being ignored.

“Why…?”

Her father’s immediate rejection, without even a moment’s hesitation, left her utterly disheartened.

Crash.

The shock froze her body. Already exhausted, she couldn’t hold onto the teacup—it slipped from her hands.

The shattered teacup turned into worthless shards. The tea, said to be imported from a foreign land, soaked into the grass, and the birthstone rolled away across the ground.

“…He…”

The king must have misunderstood something.

He was her father, who cared for her so deeply. There was no way he would cast her aside like this.

“He said he loves another woman…”

Chloe repeated what she had just lamented.

“I see.”

And came Ballont’s dry response.

Only then did Chloe understand.

No matter how many times she repeated herself—dozens, hundreds—his reaction would remain the same.

The king who once raged on her behalf would not grant her divorce… only abandonment.

“He even brought his first love into our home despite talking about guilt toward the royal family!”

“I see.”

“And because I argued with that woman… he struck me across the face and humiliated me in front of everyone!”

The more she spoke, the angrier she became—and the more pathetic she felt.

“Then I’ll drive the mistress away. But divorce is out of the question.”

“You’ll chase her out? After everything that’s already made me a laughingstock, how much more ridiculous do you want to make me, Father?”

“Make you a laughingstock? Then what about you—trying to divorce just because your husband doesn’t love you? How much disgrace should our royal family endure because of you?”

His words emptied her mind.

“…Do you truly believe I’ve disgraced the royal family?”

Her chin trembled. She tried not to cry, but her vision blurred.

The apology… was all a lie.

After that incident, the king had sent her a long letter of apology, claiming it was all for the sake of the royal family.

She had accepted it. She had tried to survive that pit of malice.

How could you…

The excessive kindness he showed the next day wasn’t out of fatherly love.

It was all to coax her back into that hell.

No…

This couldn’t be happening. Even her last lifeline couldn’t abandon her.

Staggering, Chloe rose to her feet and walked into the palace, leaving the shouting king behind.

There, she saw Violet having tea with her siblings. Spotting Chloe’s pale face, Violet hurried over.

“My dear, what happened? Why are you crying like this?”

Violet held her, warm and comforting—just like yesterday. Her sisters approached as well.

Yes. They would be different.

They had to be.

“He… he brought another woman…”

As Chloe spoke through her tears, Violet gently patted her back.

“I wanted a divorce… so I told Father…”

But before she could finish, the comforting hand stopped.

Violet’s face had gone expressionless. The warm smile disappeared, replaced by a cold stare.

“A royal princess speaking of divorce? Watch your words, Chloe.”

Her tone was flat.

“You know how divorced women are seen. You could even be branded a witch. How can you be so immature? As a princess, you should endure that much!”

Then her sisters chimed in, their concern replaced with irritation.

“It’s not even illegal anymore. More people are taking mistresses these days—you’re not the only one suffering. Just endure it. A royal princess getting divorced? Don’t bring disgrace to the family.”

“My marriage prospects are already on the line! If Father’s reputation drops because of your divorce… I hate it! I want to marry well!”

Ah…

Even the place she fled to became another trial.

For one who tried to defy fate, only despair remained.

Chloe wanted to go home.

But now, she had nowhere left to return to.

“Call a carriage… quickly.”

Chloe suffered from a headache as she waited. Thoughts swirled chaotically in her mind.

After arriving at her destination and feeling the cold air, she calmed down slightly.

“Thank you. You may go now.”

“The king ordered me to escort you back to the palace…”

The driver hesitated.

“Don’t worry. I’ll return on my own.”

She handed him a gold coin. Enough to satisfy him.

“Yes, yes! Please call for me anytime!”

He left immediately.

“…Shall I go?”

Stretching her stiff shoulders, she tried to shake off her fatigue.

This village lay some distance from the palace. About an hour’s carriage ride away stood a temple.

Since the king refused, only the high priest remained.

Though they revered Calis almost like a second god, perhaps mentioning Helena might change things.

If I appeal to their sense of guilt…

But the temple gates were shut.

Visitors weren’t allowed before the monthly ritual—and this time, it would be closed for an entire month.

“…I have no choice.”

She left her name and purpose:

“Chloe Arhen: Request for an audience with the High Priest.”

Descending the temple steps, she was greeted by blazing sunlight.

“…It feels like a waste to leave already.”

She didn’t want to return to the duke’s house.

So she wandered the village instead.

She bought a simple brown dress, then searched for desserts.

After a long wait, she finally ordered cake and sat on the terrace.

“…Ah!”

Suddenly, a boy ran into her.

Luckily, a passerby caught her before she fell.

The boy, however, ran off without apologizing.

“Didn’t I tell you to be careful?”

A man with red eyes glared at the boy. His voice was just as cold.

“…H-here…”

The boy handed over a wallet.

The man checked the name and photo, then counted roughly a hundred gold coins—an amount equal to a month’s living expenses for a normal family.

Yet he showed no interest.

He tossed the coins back to the boy.

“You did well. Keep it.”

“Th-thank you!”

The boy ran off happily.

The man stepped forward.

Chloe was still there, eating her cake.

Seeing her peaceful 모습, the man smiled faintly.

“I found you.”