I’ve Become a S*ave Bride - Chapter 20

‘What is his problem, seriously…?’

A wave of frustration surged within her, but Ophelia forced herself to swallow her rising complaints.

It was because she suddenly remembered a conversation she had with Daws—her husband.

“I don’t understand why Cameron’s always so worried, Daws. I mean… I’m doing pretty well, aren’t I?”

“Don’t take it too personally.”

“But…”

She had wanted to pour out her frustration and sense of injustice, but Daws spoke faster.

“Cameron is the second son of Count Sharell.”

That simple, offhanded sentence from Daws was more of a clear warning than anything else. Right now, Daws needed allies. Standing in opposition to Prince Acel—his rival for the throne—and the powerful Marquis Kades from Acel’s maternal family, Daws desperately needed someone to counter them.

And unfortunately, the family of that rigid vice captain was exactly the kind of ally he needed. That’s why Daws had warned her not to make an enemy of him.

“If we want to build power, we don’t have a choice.”

He hadn’t said that for any other reason. The original faction supporting Daws—the so-called “new intellectual elite”—had turned their backs on him.

‘If not for them…’

She wouldn’t need to walk on eggshells around the vice captain like this.

‘I thought things would change once I became crown princess—no, the prince’s wife.’

But they hadn’t. People like “Lenette” still existed in her life.

In other words, people she had to tread carefully around.

‘If only it weren’t for that so-called intellectual group…’

To be honest, Ophelia couldn’t quite understand why they had abandoned Daws. Wasn’t it more important for a vassal to follow the royal leading the faction, not the faction leader themselves?

However, the new intellectual elite behaved unexpectedly the moment the Claremont family was purged.

They, who had always clashed bitterly with the aristocratic faction—namely, Prince Acel’s supporters—suddenly began cozying up to them.

It meant they had decided to distance themselves from Daws.

‘Cowards… If Clermont was so important to them, they should’ve opposed it openly…’

It was strange how they remained silent when ‘Clermont’ was destroyed for treason, only to turn their blades on Daus now.

“Sigh…”

As she retraced the tangled web of political relationships, Ophelia rubbed her temple and let out a weary breath.

‘It’s too complicated… I don’t even want to understand it…’

“Politics is always like that. In the end, it’s all about justifying your position. There’s no real substance.”

That’s what he claimed, but truthfully, Ophelia had no idea what he truly meant by that—or how she was supposed to act going forward.

All she could do was trust and follow Daws.

She glanced sideways at the vice captain, Cameron, with a slight pout.

‘…Right. Daws asked me to do this.’

To secure the Sharell family as a firm ally.

‘So I have to endure it.’

Trying to steady her emotions, Ophelia stepped into the office.

“Everyone’s looking so much happier, don’t you think? That’ll make them work even harder, right?”

She asked Cameron in the brightest voice she could muster.

But unfortunately, her effort was quickly overshadowed by his unchanging concern.

“Their expressions are brighter, Your Highness. But to be honest, I’m still concerned. The number of workers showing up is steadily decreasing. Just yesterday, there were twenty-three people present at this time. Today, it’s dropped to nineteen.”

“…Well, that’s because I allowed flexible work hours.”

She put particular emphasis on the term “flexible,” as if it were something impressive.

But rather than being impressed, Cameron simply furrowed his brows and offered a bitter smile.

“Your Highness, this isn’t the early morning. It’s almost noon. For workers not to show up by this hour is clearly a serious issue.”

“They agreed to work late since they started late.”

“And you believe them?”

“If I don’t trust them, who will?”

“……”

Cameron clamped his lips shut, at a loss for words. Then, after a quiet sigh, he pleaded with her gently.

“These are people being paid fairly for their labor. Please don’t go out of your way to consider their circumstances too much.”

‘Don’t go out of your way…?’

That was the final straw. Ophelia’s face twisted with frustration.

‘Why is he talking like that?’

The old Ophelia might’ve accepted such words without issue. She had quietly endured even when Lenette always spoke to her in a commanding tone.

But things are different now.

She was no longer in a position to simply accept being

Determined, Ophelia looked up at Cameron and spoke clearly, word by word.

“Well, I don’t see it that way. It’s not like there’s been a rise in unexcused absences, right? And everyone had valid reasons. I’m just treating them with basic decency. And they’re clearly grateful for it. You saw it earlier, didn’t you? They all welcomed me.”

Having spilled her words in a rush, Ophelia pressed her lips together and widened her eyes as if daring him to argue back.

In the end, Cameron backed down.

“…I apologize, Your Highness. I was overly concerned.”

But honestly? From the forced smile on his face, it was clear he didn’t understand her intent—nor did he agree with her approach.

It was nothing more than a superficial concession.

“……”

That made irritation bubble up inside her like she was sweltering in the heat, but she held it in.

Eventually, Ophelia also forced a smile and shook her head.

“No, it’s fine. I understand your concerns, Vice Captain. In fact, I appreciate it. Thank you for worrying.”

Her words were just as superficial—but at least she put a bit more effort into her tone and expression than Cameron had.

Just as the conversation began to wrap up, someone knocked on the office door.

“Come in.”

Ophelia straightened her voice, sat down, and put on a smile.

Unaware of the tense conversation earlier, the technician entered and only saw the calm, benevolent face of a manager.

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, um… It’s nothing urgent, but… I was wondering if I could take the day off tomorrow. It’s my son’s birthday…”

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

“Miss Lenetta!”

It was just as Lenette had finished lunch and stepped outside for a walk along the artificial waterway.

“Out for a walk, are you?”

The soldier who approached Lenette with a beaming smile was one of the patients she had treated—despite his cold-looking appearance, he was quite chatty.

“Yes. Staying cooped up in my room was making me feel bloated.”

“Well, yeah. You can’t leave the palace, Miss Lenetta… Ah, oh no. I didn’t mean to say that…”

He occasionally slipped up like that.

But honestly, Lenette didn’t mind. She actually preferred it. In those careless remarks, she often picked up bits of unexpected information.

“Oh, right! Miss Lenetta, after loosening up the muscles like you told me, the pain in my shoulder’s completely gone.”

“Remember what I said? If you stop just because it feels better, the pain will come back.”

“Of course!”

He grinned, baring his teeth, and then suddenly clapped his hands together like he’d just remembered something.

“Miss Lenetta! I told my older brother about your amazing method, and he found it really interesting.”

“Did he?”

“Yes! So, I was wondering—would you be willing to take a look at someone he knows? His mother-in-law’s been suffering from a chronic condition for a while now. Even after seeing doctors, she hasn’t improved. They’re especially worried since she’s elderly.”

Lenette frowned slightly, mirroring the serious expression on the soldier’s face, and nodded.

“Chronic illnesses in older patients are harder to treat.”

“But if it’s you, Miss Lenetta—”

“Sorry, but I can’t.”

Just as he was about to move into full-blown praise and flattery, Lenette cut him off with a firm refusal.

“It’s not within my role.”

Her role. Yes, she was the eighth wife of the master of this secluded palace—not a physician.

With no long-winded excuse or awkward justification, her response was sharp and clear. The soldier awkwardly scratched his head.

“Ah… Right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Rather than giving a token polite refusal, Lenette chose instead to restate the reason she had come outside.

“I should get some walking in before the sun gets any hotter.”

“Ah! Yes, of course!”

The soldier, who had been standing a little too close, suddenly realized the distance between them and hurriedly stepped back.

Lenette gave him a gentle smile.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

Leaving behind just those few words, she walked away at a calm, steady pace.

Watching her retreating figure in a daze, the soldier scratched his head and muttered to himself,

“She’s definitely kind… but somehow, she still feels hard to approach.”