I Don’t Want to Be Loved (Web Novel)
chapter-85

Chapter 85: The Betrayal

The Duchess knew she could not prevent Rihannan from leaving. Convinced that the situation was unavoidable, she stepped back.

“…I await your safe return, My Queen.”

Rihannan nodded and followed the Countess to the carriage journeying to the seasonal palace. The palace the Queen Mother resided in was located on the cool highland and used mainly for relaxation during summer seasons. 

She resided in the seasonal palace for a month-long. Those were happy times. Igor visited her daily. She thought things might change, that maybe, this wastheir beginning. Then one day, Igor did not visit her. Curious, she went to his palace without notifying him in advance and saw him with Leticia… their bodies tangled together.

Rihannan looked out the window to shake off the painful memory. The road to the seasonal palace was strewn with fallen leaves. The autumn season had begun long ago in Chrichton, but Arundell was just now ushering to a new season. 

The Countess’s voice interrupted Rihannan’s thoughts as she looked out at the beautiful scenery of early autumn. “Queen, Her Majesty has been hurt by the series’ of events from the past. It would truly be of great comfort if you were to console her.”

Rihannan looked at the Countess. She was a quiet person. Never had any particular moments Rihannan could remember. Their only chance encounter was when she came to deliver the Queen Mother’s message. But this time, it was the Countess who sought her presence. 

Rihannan wondered what occurred in Arundell the past six years. She knew it impossible to ask Igor. Maybe she’ll gain new information from the Countess or the Queen herself.

“I’ve been gone for six years. After returning home, many things have changed and I feel embarrassed… to learn that Her Majesty left the palace… what happened, Countess?” 

The Countess further elaborated. 

Igor, still a young boy, secretly visited Duke Cessley. Igor knew the duke had inner antipathy toward the Queen Mother and thus recruited him as his loyal supporter. And then the tax investigation came which further sent the Queen’s followers into a downward spiral.

The Countess sighed. “No one knew what went through His Majesty’s mind. It all began in his nineteenth year. His Majesty swept away the Queen’s forces mercilessly and Her Majesty did not have time to pick up her feet as it happened overnight like a calamitous storm. She felt betrayed… by her own son, nonetheless. You have no idea how much pain she’s in.”

“How long does Her Majesty plan to keep the power in her hands?”

She did not mean to come off like she supported Igor, but it did. She knew the intense power struggle occurring between the mother and son duo. But now… the Countess pictures the Queen Mother as a victim of a tragedy. Rihannan found it difficult to believe. She knew the Queen desired power and did not hesitate to take control of it long after her son became an adult able to make sound decisions.

“Queen, do you think Her Majesty intended to hold onto the throne of power the rest of her life? Then you’re mistaken. She was biding her time. She had plans to give all of it to His Majesty at the right time.”

“But when will that be? And I’m sure it’s difficult to let go of that power given Her Majesty’s nature. Countess, I don’t think that timing is a matter for Her Majesty to decide alone. Isn’t Igor’s opinion just as important?”

The Countess looked at her.

“And I want to make this clear, Countess. My visiting Her Majesty is to keep our ties of the past intact and with respect to her relationship with my mother. If her sole reason is to maneuver me politically, don’t think that I’m not afraid to leave the palace right away.”