Chapter 83: Masks Slips on The Garden.

Chapter 83

Sigrid emerged from the heavy mahogany doors of the Queen’s private quarters, stepping once more into the open, grand corridors of the palace. Her silver-embroidered dress rustled softly over the marble floor as she made her way toward the central palace gardens.

As she walked, her crimson eyes surveyed the high arched windows, and her thoughts drifted toward Soren. She wondered how much longer his audience with the King would take, reasoning that if her calculations were correct, their discussion pertained entirely to the looming conflict with the Kingdom of Engrosia. It was that very war, in her past life, that had elevated Duke Soren’s military standing to staggering heights across the continent. She recalled how that victory had marked the first time she ever set eyes upon the unyielding Warlord of the North during her former tenure as Ragnar’s neglected queen—a man she had completely failed to tame or comprehend in that bitter past.

Stepping into the lush, sunlit courtyard, Sigrid paused beside a manicured flowerbed filled with vibrant, blooming lilies. She leaned down slightly to admire the delicate petals, noting with a faint, wry sense of appreciation that the flowers were one of the rare beauties in this court she could admire without reservation, apart from Soren himself. At the sudden thought of her husband, a small, amused breath escaped her lips. Smiling faintly to herself, she straightened her posture and turned the corner of the stone pathway, intending to wait near the central fountain.

Her quiet reflection was abruptly shattered as a figure rounded the corner from the opposite direction at a hurried pace, colliding directly into her shoulder. The force sent the intruder tumbling backward onto the gravel path with a dramatic, high-pitched scream. Sun-kissed golden hair cascaded over the fallen woman’s shoulders, obscuring her face for a brief second. Sigrid stood her ground, her posture immaculate, but as the golden locks cleared to reveal Maria’s pale, wide-eyed face, Sigrid’s expression instantly soured into cold disdain.

Scowling down at her step-sister, Sigrid considered simply walking away and leaving her on the dirt path. However, Maria scrambled to her feet with practiced haste, brushing off her skirts before freezing in place as her gaze landed on Sigrid. "Sister? What are you doing here?" Maria asked, her voice laced with sudden caution.

Sigrid offered no response, turning her back to leave, but Maria took a step forward, her tone sharpening slightly. "Sigrid! Answer me."

Sigrid paused, slowly turning her head to glare at her with chilling indifference. "Why do you insist on making my existence so utterly miserable, Maria? I have made it exceedingly clear that I hold no desire to associate with you or hear your voice."

At the harsh words, Maria instantly lowered her head in a display of practiced, helpless shame, her shoulders trembling as she began to sniffle softly. "I... I apologize, sister. I did not mean to offend you. I was merely concerned for your well-being. Are you truly alright? After that night... when I saw you with Count Varenne..."

Sigrid’s crimson eyes widened slightly in pure incredulity as she looked down at Maria with a mixture of disgust and pity. So Ragnar did not tell her a single truth regarding what transpired three days ago, Sigrid realized internally, a dark amusement stirring beneath her calm exterior. She genuinely believes I was dragged off and punished for some scandalous scheme.

"Oh? And whatever do you mean by that, Maria?" Sigrid asked smoothly, her lips curling into a faint, deceptive smile that hid her cold calculation.

Maria wiped an unseen tear from her eye, looking up with an expression of earnest, sweet concern. "Count Varenne is involved in wretched, illegal dealings, sister. Ragnar has been searching for grounds to lock him in the imperial dungeons for weeks, especially after learning that the Count planned to execute some terrible, evil trade three days ago."

Sigrid raised an eyebrow, maintaining her tranquil composure. "And how, pray tell, are you so intimately familiar with Count Varenne and his private affairs?"

"Ragnar told me everything, of course," Maria replied hastily, placing a hand over her heart. "He mentioned that some of his spies found out you were going to help the Count."

Sigrid held back a scoff, analyzing her sister’s words. She truly possesses some vague knowledge of the future, though it is clearly flawed and devoid of actual detail. She knows the broad strokes of events, yet remains completely blind to the immediate present. Aloud, Sigrid tilted her head with mild disdain. "And why would I ever offer my aid to a man like Count Varenne, or allow myself to be used as a pawn by the Crown?"

Maria frowned, visibly thrown off by Sigrid’s icy demeanor and complete lack of distress. Sigrid’s smile widened imperceptibly. Do not be so foolish as to believe I will walk blindly down the same path of ruin as in my past life.

"I am perfectly well, Maria," Sigrid continued, her voice dripping with subtle malice. "Though I must admit, three days ago I received a rather unexpected, frantic visit from Prince Ragnar himself."

At the sound of Sigrid addressing the imperial heir so casually by his given name, Maria’s eyes twitched, a crack appearing in her fragile, innocent facade.

Sigrid leaned in slightly, a taunting smile playing on her lips. "He approached me so forcefully, so urgently, that one could not help but wonder why the Crown Prince of this empire was chasing after a woman who wants absolutely nothing to do with him. And do you wish to know the most fascinating detail? He stared directly into my eyes and practically begged me to swear silence regarding his shameful conduct, all while in the imposing presence of my husband, the Duke." Sigrid placed a delicate hand over her mouth, feigning a sudden burst of dramatic regret. "Oh dear, I suppose I just broke that promise. What a terrible shame."

Maria’s breath caught in her throat as her face went pale, her mind wildly trying to reconcile Sigrid’s words with her own assumptions. Observing her Maria’s panic, Sigrid felt a surge of cold satisfaction at how easily she had reframed the narrative to sow suspicion.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I must take my leave," Sigrid said, adjusting her silk mantle. "Soren will undoubtedly be searching for me soon."

As Sigrid stepped past her, Maria blurted out anxiously, "Sigrid, wait! You really shouldn’t spread such wild lies! He was only there because he was supposed to arrest—" Maria cut herself off mid-sentence, clapping her hands over her mouth as horror crossed her features.

Sigrid stopped dead in her tracks, her ears perking up as her gaze locked back onto Maria like a hawk targeting its prey. Her desperation almost made her confess her own hand in that evening’s trap, Sigrid observed mentally. Aloud, her voice turned razor-sharp. "He was supposed to what, Maria?"

Maria laughed nervously, stepping backward. "Nothing! It is nothing at all! I merely meant that you should be far more cautious regarding your status."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Sigrid demanded coldly.

Maria attempted to recover her composure, faking a look of pitying hesitation. "I only mean that... well, you seem to believe that Soren—"

"You will refer to him as Duke Aethermor," Sigrid cut in firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Maria’s jaw tightened in annoyance, but she complied through gritted teeth. "Fine. The Duke was considered a suitable match for you only because you were deemed entirely unworthy of the Crown Prince."

Sigrid let out a quiet, mocking laugh. "An amusing correction, Maria. You were merely the Prince’s second choice, considering he sought my hand first. I wonder why you take such immense pride in receiving what I tossed aside."

Maria’s eyes flashed with anger. "Who would not take pride in being chosen by the imperial heir? I am to be the future Queen of this empire!"

"Even if it required you to crawl into his bedchambers like a desperate, shameless creature just to secure his favor?" Sigrid retorted smoothly, her gaze cold and piercing. "You were only given that position because I rejected him. Duke Aethermor is a far superior man in every conceivable metric."

Maria’s face flushed red with unbridled fury, her delicate composure disintegrating rapidly. "How dare you! How dare you speak to me in such a vile manner!"

"How else should I address a woman who resorted to shameless seduction to achieve her standing?" Sigrid asked, stepping closer until she was looking down at her step-sister. "You are no different than your wanton mother. While I recognize that women must sometimes use harsh methods to survive in this court, watching you stand there, mocking me while puffing out your chest, is truly comical. At the end of the day, you will always remain a second choice."

"Lies! You are lying!" Maria shrieked, losing all semblance of her gentle persona. "I was always first! Father loved me first, Mother cherished me first, and Ragnar chose me! I will be crowned Queen, while you are trapped with a beast!"

"You speak of those things as though they are magnificent achievements," Sigrid said calmly, tilting her head.

"To be Queen is the highest achievement in the realm!" Maria declared, lifting her chin with a smug, defiant glare.

Sigrid looked at her for a moment before letting out a soft, pitying sigh. "How utterly foolish."

Maria began to fake tears once more, though her voice was laced with spite. "You only say such bitter words because you are consumed by jealousy! You know I will always be cherished more than you, and that my fate is far more fortunate!"

Sigrid remained silent, watching the pathetic display with detachment. She pondered how she could have ever trusted this girl in her past life—how she had been so blind to the venomous ambition beneath Maria’s innocent act.

Seeing Sigrid’s silence, Maria let out a sharp, breathless laugh, her eyes gleaming with manic triumph. "In the end, I shall triumph over everyone! Unlike you, I possess a grand trump card—a power that will guarantee my absolute victory! You think marrying a mere Duke will save you from your place? You are dreaming, Sigrid!"

The fool is so blinded by rage she is openly boasting of her secret advantage, Sigrid thought dryly, well aware of Maria’s strange foresight as she is a Gifted.

"I will sit upon the throne," Maria spat, dropping all pretense of her saintly act. "And you, you foolish, arrogant girl... you signed your own death warrant the moment you bound yourself to the Duke of Aethermor!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Sigrid offered a faint, unbothered hum, stepping backward and sinking into a brief, immaculate curtsey. "Well then... I would far rather meet my end alongside Soren than spend a single lifetime bound to Ragnar. Farewell, Maria. And Hope you get better, it seems you are not in thr right state of mind."

Sigrid turned to walk away, but stopped after taking a few paces. Looking over her shoulder, a serene, chilling smile danced across her lips. "A word of friendly advice, Maria. Do not place your absolute faith in whatever premeditated dreams you cling to. A single, deliberate touch is all it takes to send a heavy wheel veering off its intended course."

Leaving Maria standing frozen and fuming on the gravel path, Sigrid walked away without looking back, her mind already turning toward her husband and the true battles ahead.