Chapter 26
Leandro stood before his mother in her private quarters, his arms folded across his chest, still fuming from the breakfast earlier. Queen Lucia paced slowly, her steps deliberate, her eyes cold as they considered their next move.
“You need to get closer to Azalea,” Queen Lucia finally said, her voice measured. “Make sure she trusts you.”
Leandro’s brows furrowed, his mouth twisting with distaste. “How do you expect me to do that? She barely knows any of us, and Federico is all over her. The girl is nervous around him.”
Queen Lucia stopped in her tracks and turned to face her son. “Exactly. She feels isolated and confused. If you play your cards right, she’ll cling to anyone who shows her warmth.” She gave Leandro a pointed look. “That’s where you come in.”
Leandro sighed, his fingers tapping lightly against his arm as he mulled it over. “You think she’ll open up to me? She probably doesn’t trust anyone here.”
“She will if you approach her the right way,” Queen Lucia said with a slight smile. “Make her believe you’re on her side. Make her feel like she has an ally in this family. Once she believes you’re a friend, we’ll be able to use her to learn what we need about Federico.”
Leandro’s eyes gleamed with understanding as his mother’s plan settled into place. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll start with small steps. But the moment I sense any suspicion from her, I’m pulling out.”
Queen Lucia nodded, satisfied. “Good. Just make sure Federico doesn’t catch on.”
—
Later that afternoon, Azalea sat on the edge of her bed, staring out at the vibrant gardens from her bedroom window. Despite the magnificence of the castle, everything felt cold to her-too big, too distant. She felt like an intruder, not a bride.
“My lady,” Vick’s soft voice interrupted her thoughts. “You’ve been cooped up in this room for hours. It might help to take a walk and stretch your legs a little. The fresh air will do you good.”
Azalea glanced back at Vick, her maid’s face full of concern. She hesitated for a moment, not really in the mood for a walk, but Vick was persistent. “Please, my lady. You’ve been through a lot. A little distraction could clear your mind.”
Azalea finally relented with a small sigh. “Alright, Vick. Let’s go.”
The pair left the room and strolled through the castle corridors, the silence between them comfortable. Azalea couldn’t help but feel a little lighter, away from the dining table where the weight of eyes and whispered judgments had weighed on her heavily.
Vick led her outside into the courtyard, where the gardens sprawled with their delicate flowers and perfectly trimmed hedges. As they wandered farther from the main building, Azalea’s mood began to lift. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Just as they rounded the corner of the garden maze, they came to a secluded spot by the fountain. And there, sitting on the stone bench, were Federico and Maya. Their heads were close together, their expressions casual but the intimacy between them was undeniable.
Azalea stopped in her tracks, her stomach twisting into a knot. Federico’s face, which had been so distant and cold with her, now held a warmth that was unmistakable as he spoke to Maya. They weren’t laughing, but there was a comfort in their proximity, a shared understanding that seemed natural.
Azalea turned to Vick, her voice barely above a whisper. “Are they always like this?”
Vick hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Yes, my lady. They’ve known each other since childhood. Maya is… important to him.”
Azalea frowned, feeling her chest tighten further. “Do you think he… loves her?”
Vick gave a small shake of her head. “Federico sees Maya as a friend, my lady. They’ve shared many years, but it’s nothing more than that. He may not show it, but your marriage is important to him. He’s a man who hides his feelings well.”
Azalea bit her lip, still unconvinced. It wasn’t just Federico’s coldness that bothered her-it was the effortless way he seemed to open up to Maya, while barely acknowledging her.
Without a word, Azalea turned away from the scene before them. “Let’s go back inside,” she said softly.
Vick nodded, falling into step beside her. As they walked back toward the castle, Azalea’s mind raced. Would Federico ever see her as more than just a contract wife? Or was this all she would ever be to him-an obligation, something to fulfill a deal?
—
Meanwhile, in another part of the kingdom, the air was lighter and filled with the sound of soft laughter.
Ophelia and Mack sat comfortably in their small but well-furnished bedroom, their hands intertwined as they lounged on the chaise near the fireplace. Mack grinned as he leaned back, his arm draped casually over his wife’s shoulders.
“I must say,” Mack began, his eyes glinting with satisfaction, “I never thought this day would come. To have Azalea out of our lives and no longer meddling in our plans… it feels like a weight has been lifted.”
Ophelia chuckled softly, resting her head on his shoulder. “I know. With her gone, we can finally live in peace. No more worrying about her loyalty, no more looking over our shoulders wondering if she’ll turn on us.”
Mack’s smile widened as he looked at his wife. “We did well. It was smart, to send her off to marry into the royal family. Now she’s their problem.”
Ophelia nodded, her face serene. “And the best part? Federico doesn’t even care about her. He’ll keep her at arm’s length, and she’ll have no one to rely on there. She’s out of our hair for good.”
Mack laughed, his mood bright. “Finally, we can focus on our future. Just the two of us, building the life we’ve always wanted without her around to spoil it.”
Ophelia sighed contentedly, closing her eyes as she savored the moment. “It’s perfect, Mack. She’s exactly where she needs to be, far away from us. Now we can live the life we deserve.”
Mack raised his glass in a mock toast. “To a life of freedom, my love. No more Azalea.”
Ophelia clinked her glass against his, her smile radiant. “To our happiness.”
As they drank, the glow of the fire reflected in their eyes, a spark of triumph dancing between them. Little did they know that the distance they had sought from Azalea might not be as complete as they thought-and that their satisfaction might be short-lived. The tangled web of secrets, alliances, and betrayals still loomed large, ready to ensnare them when they least expected it.