Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90 - Light And Shadow>
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112 - The Morning Comes>
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118 - After The Storm
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132 -
Chapter 133
Chapter 134 - Epilogue 1.3
Chapter 135 - Epilogue 2.1: Traces Of Life
Chapter 136
Chapter 137 - Epilogue 2.3
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141 - Epilogue 4.1: Ever After>
Chapter 142 - Epilogue 4.2
Chapter 143 - Epilogue 4.3
Chapter 144 - Epilogue 5.1>
Chapter 145 - Epilogue 5.2
Chapter 146 - The Most Romantic Weekend>
Chapter 147 - Short Stories 1.2
Chapter 148 -
Chapter 149 -
Chapter 150 -
Chapter 151 -
Chapter 152 -
Chapter 153 -
Chapter 154 - Short Stories 3.1: Unexpected Things Happen>
Chapter 155 - Short Stories 3.2>
Chapter 156 -
Chapter 157 -
Chapter 158 -
Chapter 159 -
Chapter 160 -
Chapter 161 - Short Stories 5.1: The Man Behind The Mask>
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164 -
Chapter 165 -
Chapter 166
Chapter 167 - Short Stories 6.2
Chapter 168 - Short Stories 6.3
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189 (End)
Categories Genre: All, Completed, Fantasy Status: Completed ______
Total Chapters in book: 189
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 189 Page No. 188 Page No. 187 Page No. 186 Page No. 185 Page No. 184 Page No. 183 Page No. 182 Page No. 181 Page No. 180 Page No. 179 Chapter 152 -
Chapter 152:
The teatime ended smoothly, but both Bina and the duchess knew that this was only the beginning of something big.
Before the duchess left, Bina said to her, “You probably have been very busy with taking care of your father-in-law that you haven’t seen Yulia in a while. She is off today and resting in her quarters. Please feel free to visit her and spend some time with her.”
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
The duchess bowed deeply, and she seemed genuinely thankful.
Bina grinned and stood up. It was time to visit her daughter.
***
Royal family maids didn’t get many days off. This was especially worse for Bina’s maids because they were shorthanded.
Within this year, both Loventis sisters, who came before Yulia, left after getting married.
The maids became good friends, and, therefore, Yulia was truly happy for them, but the sudden increase in workload for Yulia was significant and unwelcome.
Additional young ladies were hired to fill the spots, but they were inexperienced. Since Samantha and Agnes were too busy, Yulia ended up being the one who needed to train the new maids.
Yulia had been overworked because of these reasons. Bina felt bad for her and that was why she gave Yulia a day off today.
Yulia was having a lazy day with a nice book when her aunt came in for a visit.
“Oh, Aunty!”
Duchess Lonensia smiled broadly. “Are you well, Yulia?”
“Yes, thank you. I heard you came here for a meeting with the empress. How did it go?”
As one of the maids of the empress, Yulia knew her schedule very well.
“Yes, I met with her highness, and… I also gave her a piece of honest advice.”
“… Advice?”
The duchess smiled gently and changed the subject.
“By the way, won’t you offer your aunt a seat?”
“Oh! I’m sorry, Aunty! I got distracted; I was just so happy to see you…!”
Yulia blushed in embarrassment. It had been so long since she saw the duchess that she forgot her manners.
Yulia guided her aunt to the best seat in the room and ordered her servant to bring in snacks.
The duchess picked up her teacup.
“So… I heard the younger Loventis sister also got married recently?”
“Yes. Luckily, the sisters are living nearby, so they are very happy about that.”
“How nice. It would have been very nice if you also got to marry a nobleman who lives near your sister’s house.”
“… Sure.”
Yulia smiled awkwardly. She had gone through this situation before. If she told her aunt how she truly felt, which was that she didn’t want to ever get married, it would only make the situation worse.
“It’s all because of your awful father and your bitch of a stepmother.”
“…”
“My sister’s dowry should have been given to you, and your sister for your marriages…!”
Duchess Lonensia was still furious about Yulia’s father and her stepmother.
She continued, “Are they still trying to claim their ties to you now that you work for the empress?”
“… I sent back all the gifts and the letters they sent me.”
“Excellent. You did the right thing.” The duchess nodded in satisfaction and continued, “How dare they…!”
Yulia’s father and stepmother used to treat her and her sister poorly, but when Yulia became the empress’ maid, they changed their attitudes towards her. They started sending her friendly letters and gifts. They also often asked to meet her in person.
Yulia sighed because she knew exactly what they wanted from her. They probably wanted Yulia to use her connection to find a good marriage prospect for her half-brother.
Duchess Lonensia added, “They are a shameful bunch. Yulia, have you ever considered disowning them?”
“… pardon? I would love to, but there is nothing I can legally do.”
Empress Sa Bina legally distanced herself from her Bonafit family, but it was possible only because she was their adopted daughter.
She explained, “I think I just need to continue ignoring them…”
Suddenly, the duchess suggested an unexpected offer.
“How about you become my adopted daughter? You can become Yulia des Lonensia.”
“…”
Yulia became silent. She couldn’t understand the meaning of this offer.
Duchess Lonensia treated Yulia and her sister kindly because they reminded the duchess of her dead daughter. However, this didn’t mean the duchess treated the sisters like her own daughters. She never offered this to Yulia’s sister, who was now married. There was a clear understanding that their relationship was that of just nieces and aunt, so Yulia couldn’t understand the meaning of this.
She asked in a low voice, “Why are you telling me this, Aunty?”
What the duchess said next was shocking.
“So think carefully, Yulia.”
Duchess Lonensia smiled confidently and stood up. Yulia was nervously sweating as she bowed.
“… Yes. Take care, Aunty.”
After the duchess left, Yulia fearfully considered what her aunt told her.
“You can become the first wife of the emperor as Yulia des Lonensia. I can make it happen.”
Yulia remembered her aunt mentioning how her dead daughter could have been married to the emperor, but at the time, she didn’t think much of it.
Now, it was clear what the duchess planned for her. Yulia trembled as she stood up. She had to do something.
She headed towards the empress’ quarters.
***
Unfortunately, Yulia couldn’t meet with the empress. She had to return to her own room because Bina and Lucretius were together for a private meeting.
Lucretius said to Bina, “Her fever is finally down. I’m relieved.”
He hugged Bina, who still looked at Beatrice with a concerned expression. He put the back of his hand on his daughter’s forehead to check her temperature.
“She still had a small fever this morning, but it’s much better now. I think she will be back to normal by tomorrow morning.”
Lucretius squeezed Bina’s hand and kissed her cheek.
“I have been worried that you are getting thin from taking care of Beatrice.” He asked gently, “Did you eat dinner?”
“… I had a bite to eat. Don’t worry.”
Lucretius smiled knowingly. “So you mean you literally ate one bite, right?”
“No…”
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“What is it?”
“We are ready to set up, your highness.”
Bina looked curiously at Lucretius. What did he order?
“Bring it in.”
Lucretius’ servants came in with a large trolley that had its covers on.
‘What’s going on?’
However, Bina’s curiosity was quickly satisfied as the servants started to set up the table. Steaming stew, freshly baked white bread, and Bina’s favorite fish dish.
The table was set for two.
“You…”
Before Bina could say something, Lucretius quickly kissed her to interrupt her.
“…!”
Bina was about to get annoyed but slowly started to kiss him back with her arms around his neck. She was frustrated at how he treated her like a child, but his intention was good. Bina understood that Lucretius deeply cared about her, and she felt thankful.
After the passionate kiss, Lucretius guided her to the table by her hand.
“… now let’s eat. I’m hungry.”
Bina’s eyes widened. “Did you… not have dinner yet either?”
Bina skipped her dinner since she was busy taking care of her daughter, and she forgot about it. Lucretius had been working all day, which meant his servant would have prepared a dinner for him at his office. However, he obviously hadn’t eaten yet, which meant he didn’t eat on purpose.
“Yes. I heard you didn’t have a proper meal yet, so I didn’t eat either. I wanted to eat with you.”
“…”
Bina’s heart warmed at her husband’s thoughtfulness. They had been married for three years, and his feeling for her hadn’t changed at all.
Bina reached out to kiss his cheek lightly and whispered, “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
The couple began their late dinner.
Total Chapters in book: 189
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 290059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1450(@200wpm)___ 1160(@250wpm)___ 967(@300wpm)
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