Weeks Later
I became Crown Prince Demetrius’s primary consort.
Shortly thereafter, my sister Helena’s wedding to him was held in grand fashion.
An elder sister as the primary consort, and a younger sister as the secondary consort—what a grotesque arrangement.
Demetrius poured all his affection on Helena, never sparing a thought for me.
(I don’t mind. I don’t love him either.)
From childhood, I had been molded into a queen—trained to suppress my emotions, equipped with the intelligence and education to govern. I had been a marionette for as long as I could remember.
I vaguely recall being a spirited, free-spirited child. But that was long ago.
* * *
One morning, Court Physician Lord Shakespeare remarked,
“Your Grace, you seem unwell.”
I snapped out of my thoughts.
“…It’s nothing.”
The morning checkup was a routine part of royal life. As usual, I sat in my chambers, being examined.
(To drift into thought—it’s not like me. I’ve always lived with a deadened heart.)
I blamed this lapse on the court physician.
“Your Grace seems greatly troubled,” he said. “Hermia, you don’t have to hide anything from me.”
His tone suddenly softened, and I hesitated. He gazed at me earnestly through his glasses.
“Have you forgotten me, Hermia?”
His whispered words startled me. This man was my childhood friend.
“…I remember, Lysander. We used to play together as children. I never imagined we’d meet again at court.”
I spoke with no trace of emotion. Lysander smiled warmly.
“I’m so glad! You didn’t seem to notice me during my visits, so I thought you’d forgotten. I’m glad I finally spoke up.”
Gentle, timid Lysander—my cherished childhood friend, and my first love.
“How did you, the son of Baron Oniro, come to bear the name of the illustrious Shakespeare family?”
“I was recognized for my abilities and adopted by the Shakespeare family. I graduated from the Royal Medical Academy and earned qualifications as both a court physician and a forensic scientist. I’ve been serving here since a few years before you married into the royal family.”
“I see. Congratulations on your remarkable success.”
“All of it was for you. I worked hard to rise to a position where I could stay close to you.”
His sudden confession left me stunned.
“I was content to support you from the shadows, as your husband’s queen. But this—this is outrageous! Your sister, a secondary consort, acts as she pleases… How can such tyranny be allowed?”
“Stop,” I interrupted sharply.
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