I Don’t Want to Be Loved (Web Novel)
chapter-76

Chapter 76: Igor’s Debt

The Duchess’ quickly picked herself up and removed the laughter on her face, donning a thoughtful look thereafter. And then she bowed. “I disrespected you, My Queen. Please forgive me. I never meant to laugh at you,” she sighed and continued, “Listening to the Queen, I thought 

“His Majesty’s anxious concern is useless, after all.”

 Regardless, it doesn’t excuse my disrespectful action.”

Rihannan tilted her head as Igor’s name suddenly popped out. “What does that mean?”

“His Majesty’s been on edge and anxious since planning the national marriage.” The Duchess looked at Rihannan’s surprised face. “My Queen, I have lived in the royal palace with my husband until passing away. From then on, I lived a quiet life in the countryside without intents of coming back to noble society. Truth be told, I was satisfied with the quiet life I lived. But a year ago, His Highness called me back to the palace and informed me that he will marry and the kingdom will soon have a queen. His Majesty asked, no, pleaded that I stay and help you, My Queen.”

“You already knew the woman he’d marry was from Chricton?” Rihannan asked indifferently.

The Duchess shook her head. “No. His Majesty did not give me any more information than that, but considering that His Majesty meticulously prepared everything from the beginning, I had thought our new queen would be of a common background and I was sure our new queen who had lived abroad for years would be worried, doubtful even upon return.”

The Duchess had misunderstood the details, the details of Igor intending to bring her back from the very beginning. His sight was never on her but the princess, but Rihannan did not bother correcting the Duchess. 

It was too complicated.

“I will give you the answer you asked of me earlier, My Queen. In truth, Her Majesty was driven away by His Majesty.”

Rihannan looked at the Duchess wide-eyed, her lips shaped to an ‘o. She did not expect the Duchess to answer her straightforwardly.

The Duchess smiled and met Rihannan’s eyes. “Not only that, His Majesty treats her as someone who never existed.”

“Like she doesn’t exist?”

“Yes, My Queen. His Majesty and the Queen Mother have not seen each other in years. His Majesty treats her coldly since long ago. It was natural that she resolved to move to another palace. I don’t believe there is a mother who can stand the cold and silent treatment from her son. Moreover, she was once the most powerful figure in the country.”

Rihannan never expected this. She knew Igor loved his mother deeply despite her faults, despite her flaws, despite their constant bickering views, and despite the setbacks from her. Despite this, he’d always take care of her health and well-being. Rihannan knew this better than anyone else because she’d seen him watch over his mother from the sidelines.

She questioned the thought of Igor treating the Queen coldly as if she never existed. And did he not grab onto the seat of power relatively easy in this as opposed to his past life? It seemed… irrational that his hatred for her would grow to this extent.

“The people of the kingdom believe the powerful queen had been ousted by her son, the king. My Queen should know what everyone in this kingdom knows. Do you have any other questions? I will answer to the best of my ability.”

Rihannan surmised the Duchess would repeat the same words of a monotonous puppet like her previous Maid of Honor. Most Maids of Honor wore the same character and demeanor, but the Duchess was… different.

“Why did you accept the position as maid of honor?”

Rihannan knew the Duchess preferred the quiet life in the countryside after the death of her husband. The colorful life in the capital did not suit her. There must be a reason why she made the decision to remain in the capital.

“If you’re wondering why, My Queen. It is not because I owe His Majesty, but on the contrary, His Majesty owes me.”