Sustaining The King’s Life - Chapter 237

Faustina was having a hard time chewing her food. It wasn’t because she was having a toothache or anything—it was actually because she was feeling as if she couldn’t even look up. Lilianne’s eyes were on her from time to time, but mostly—”Your majesty, what were you doing in Magierstadt?”

The king was eating his breakfast with the two of them. Faustina couldn’t help but feel out of place. Lilianne was the only one striking the conversation and the king would occasionally answer. As usual, she looked dashing and alluring. No wonder she was labeled as the most beautiful girl in Feuersturm.

“I was doing political business.” The king smiled.

“Is that so?” Lilianne smiled sweetly. “How did you find me, your majesty?”

They continued talking for the duration of the breakfast, and Faustina was certain she was being out of place. Lilianne was knowledgeable about many things—and so the topics were unending. And Lilianne had ignored her for the entire time. And so, the moment breakfast was over and Faustina decided to return to her room, Maddie began to rant.

“I can’t believe it! She’s His Majesty’s betrothed?”

“You didn’t know?” Faustina was convinced that everyone in Feuersturm should know this now.

“I don’t. I doubt any of us know it—I think it isn’t official yet, M’lady. You still have a chance!”

Faustina blinked, and then smiled warmly at Maddie. “But I’m not competing over the king’s affection, Maddie.”

Maddie pouted. “But M’lady, I’m certain that the king favors you. Really favors you. Why else would he let you stay here in the palace? There isn’t any other explanation than because he wants to keep you to his side!”

Faustina only smiled. Of course, Maddie doesn’t know—because she was also the ones who were tricked. She wouldn’t know that the real purpose was that they needed to strategize once more in how to attain their goals. There wasn’t anything romantic about Faustina’s stay here at all. She was here because she was a valuable asset they need.

Before Faustina could even answer Maddie’s question, her chamber door opened, revealing the head maid along with two other maids.

Faustina blinked, seeing her cheek swelling up. “What happened?”

The head maid sighed. “She is starting to suspect your presence in here.”

The head maid of the castle is one of the people who knows Faustina’s identity. They are the ones who also made the veritas promise. “Lilianne Disfiegro isn’t also coming back home. She’s going to be here in a week.”

In a week? “That’s… during my duration.”

Maddie had a confused look over her face. “You’re close with the head maid, M’lady?”

The head maid then faked a cough.

“I am just reporting as per his majesty’s orders.” The head maid retorted. “The lady has an important business with his majesty, the king. He summons you, Lady Feuerlon, to the sapphire palace immediately.”

Faustina blinked. Already? She just finished having breakfast. “…Alright.”

“You will be expected to be there shortly.” The head maid then excused herself.

Faustina sat down to her bed, and as she did so, Maddie ran towards her and then held both of her hands.

“The s-sapphire palace, M’lady!” Maddie sobbed. “I can’t believe it! It’s too soon!”

Faustina couldn’t follow. “Um, Maddie… what?”

“I really can’t believe it. Why is it too soon? B-but I can’t say I didn’t expect it. When the king called for you, I already considered the possibilities but this was just too soon! And in broad daylight?!”

Maddie was hugging Faustina as she sobbed.

Faustina was getting dizzy. What was Maddie talking about? “What do you mean, Maddie…?”

“I’m talking about the king making you his consort candidate, M’lady!”

Faustina blinked. “Huh?”

“The sapphire palace!” Maddie’s eyes gleamed. “Doesn’t that ring a bell?”

The sapphire palace…

–a lesson of Lovellia several months ago—

“Listen, Lady Faustina. Here in Feuersturm, the jewel the castles have signify crucial things. The main castle is usually for political affairs, the emerald palace is used by government officials, and then the opal palace is for future heirs. So! Currently the Opal palace have no one occupying it, because both the ruby and the sapphire palace are empty.”

“The ruby palace and sapphire palace…?”

Lovellia nodded.

“The ruby palace is specifically made for the official queen of the king to reside to, if there is a second queen or third one. The ruby palace is for the only queen who is wed to the king and is considered to be the one to bear the first heir to the throne. The ruby palace is usually given to the queen who is the most favored of all. In any case, it has been unused by the late king—the late father of our current king, for he had only taken one wife and no other consort.”

Faustina listened.

“The sapphire palace is where the consorts reside. That is where they reside. Usually, the first consorts are the ones who are likely to be queens, But that may vary depending who is on rule. Take the Alexander Octavius II. He had numerous consorts and had five queens. But the queen he had chosen isn’t the first queen but actually the fourth. But the first queen’s child was the one who had inherited the throne.”

“So, pay attention. If ever you are called upon the sapphire palace—you must know what will happen next.”

**

The sapphire palace.

That is where the king brings his consorts. Faustina’s face then brightened up as she blushed furiously. “Wh-what! No?! That’s—the king wouldn’t call me for that, Maddie!”

“But the head maid said he called for you in the sapphire palace! What else could his majesty going to be asking for in the sapphire palace, M’lady? He’s going to ask you to be his first consort���oh…”

Maddie stopped,

“M’lady…”

Faustina’s expression changed as her shoulders slumped.

Consort.

That was a funny way to put it—there was no way the king would want her to be his consort when there already was Lilianne, his fiancé. And how does a mere Heilen compete with a girl who was the epitome of perfection?

“I’ll be going, Maddie.” Faustina smiled.

Who was she kidding? The king just invited her to the sapphire palace, maybe to discuss some affairs—and Faustina shouldn’t think so much about it anymore. Places do not mean a thing, especially when you are a nobody to someone who holds everything else to the palm of his hands.

**

Lilianne Disfiegro gritted her teeth as she threw a pillow on the wall. She sat down by the bed with trembling hands.

“That girl! Why the hell is she here?!”

Lilianne turned to one of the maids. “Tell me. Why the hell is she here?!”

“U-um…”

“First, she was with Ezekiel. Now, she’s with the king.” Lilianne rose from the bed. “Now don’t tell me that she’s from a branching family. Their blood is too thin they’re closely unrelated to each other! She can practically seduce the king and she wouldn’t even gain any rumors!”

Right. Her household—just a step above hers! Lilianne clenched her fist. That girl belonged to the Feuerlon house. She was supposed to be some sort of frail and sick girl, but she had the gall of staying in the king’s castle rather than going home!

“Tell me, is that girl seducing the king?”

“N-no, My Lady…” One of the maids answered.

“Oh, really?” Lilianne sauntered towards the maid. “Then why is she here, then?”

Lilianne wanted to insult her, but she was still a daughter of the Feuerlons. She was the daughter of the duke. And a daughter of a marquis cannot offend such important person. Lilianne clenched her fist. If only Faustina was someone who was of lower standing, then she might have dragged her outside the castle by her hair.

“Sh-she’s needed by the king, My Lady.”

Lilianne’s hand then landed to the maid’s cheek, and slapped her hard, making the maid tumble down to the floor. The maid held her sore, red cheek as she stares straight at the floor.

“Needed by the king? I can’t believe it.” Lilianne glowered. “You just said to the future queen of the country that another girl is NEEDED by her own betrothed. Do you know what punishment for that is?”

Lilianne was known to be someone who wants to have men for her own. And she took pride in it. No one will dare to cross her because she is the future queen.

Before Lilianne could hit the maid one more time, the door opened, revealing someone else.

Lilianne c.o.c.ked a brow, staring at the woman who wore a white and gold dress which hugged her curves. Lilianne had never seen her before, but she was feeling as if she met her, at least once.

“What’s happening here?” The woman asked, looking at Lilianne with her pale, yellow eyes—like tulips depleted of sunlight.

“Who are you to trespass this room?” Lilianne challenged.

“My apologies,” the woman bowed her head the smallest angle possible. “I am the High Priestess of Feuersturm, Sheilalev Ortfalcon.”

Lilianne blinked, “the clairvoyant who is with his majesty?”

“Y—”

Before Sheila could answer, Lilianne’s palms landed on her cheek.

“So you are that woman.” Lilianne said.

“The rumored woman who leeches on the king.”