The Lowest Royal Returns

"A nightmare...? Y-Yeah... something like that."

"Huh... I hope you're doing okay," Noa replied, worried. "Lady Sophia told me to bring you some sweets for helping her earlier."

With those words, she put down a whole box of sweets. It was full to the brim. Raelis knew how good his mother's cooking was, so when he spotted the sweets, he was able to tell that she was the one who made them all.

Lydia's eyes widened, then narrowed.

"I'll... I'll eat them a bit later. Thank you, Noa," Lydia said softly, dismissing the head maid.

However, Noa wasn't having it. She sat down beside Lydia and extended her hand, tapping Lydia over the head a couple of times.

"Look, nightmare or not, you mustn't let it get you down. Despite our current state, we are Varekan maids. I am honored to be here, and I truly hope you understand what honor we've been given," Noa said, narrowing her eyes.

"So I truly wish you do not see this position as a punishment. Rather, see it as something that might bear fruit in the future, if that is what you desire."

Lydia stared at her for a few moments, unsure of what to say.

But she didn't have to say anything, as Noa simply picked out a single bagel from the box, then brought it up to Lydia's mouth, dangling it.

"Come on. Eat it. I know how much you love sweets," Noa said with a pout. "If you don't eat, you'll have to do Isabel's part of the job. And I don't need to remind you how lazy she can be."

Hearing that, Lydia's hunger surpassed her hesitance, and like that, she began eating the bagel, then shortly after, the remaining sweets in the box.

All the while, Raelis watched the entire scene unfold from the sidelines with a blank look.

He was fully determined to kill Lydia, but after seeing this... he wasn't sure anymore.

Sure, the box of sweets seemed insignificant at a glance, but his mother wouldn't cook just anyone these types of dishes.

She was a good judge of character too, so she must have realized Lydia wore expensive jewelry, and yet she still went through with it.

...Why? Raelis thought, his brows furrowed. Why would you help a traitor?

Before Raelis knew it, Lydia finished her box of sweets, and then shortly after, Noa left with a satisfied look.

And just like that, the two were alone again.

The same frightened look appeared on Lydia's face as she recalled what had just happened a few minutes ago. She looked around frantically, but she couldn't spot him anywhere.

But when she glanced forward, she spotted Raelis sitting on the far end of her bed, glancing off at the wall aimlessly.

"Lydia, I don't believe in second chances," Raelis said in passing and turned toward her, a serious look on his face.

"But my mother believes that you're worth keeping around. For that reason alone... I shall spare your life," he added, his voice lowering. "But if you ever even dream of going behind her back, I will make sure your death will not be painless. You have my word."

With his final words, silence ensued, but it didn't last very long, as Lydia rose from her corner and stood up, slowly approaching him.

She stepped in his line of sight, and with a heavy breath, she nodded, then bowed.

"I promise to remain faithful to your family. I also promise that whenever Zeri or any of your siblings contact me, you will be the first person to know," Lydia said in a low voice. "All I ask is your trust... Rather, I ask you give me the opportunity to make you trust me."

Raelis stared at her, his expression unchanging.

"I find it hard to trust people, Lydia. I've developed this sense, you could say. Maybe it's from my mother? Who knows..." Raelis trailed off, his expression hardening. "However, my instincts are currently telling me I shouldn't trust you. I should kill you here and now so that there are no more problems in the future."

Hearing that, Lydia flinched, and as she opened her mouth to speak, Raelis interrupted her.

"But I trust my mother. And since my mother trusts you, I have no choice but to trust you as well," Raelis added.

But deep down, he didn't truly trust her. She betrayed him in the past when he was at his lowest. Because of her, his life was ruined.

How troublesome... Raelis thought and brought the hilt of his dagger straight onto Lydia's forehead, knocking her out.

He placed her on the bed, and in the next instant, he jumped into the shadows, navigating through the entire mansion and eventually arriving in front of his mother's room.

Raelis knocked, and not even a second later, the door swung open, revealing his mother, who was slightly surprised to see him.

"Raelis...?" Sophia muttered. "I thought you were going to leave?"

"We need to talk," Raelis said, stepping inside and sitting on the couch.

He confused his mother further, but even so, she sat opposite him and offered some tea. However, he refused, choosing to go straight to the point instead.

"Lydia has accepted Zeri's bribes. I believe she's going to betray us," Raelis said plainly, narrowing his eyes. "We need to get rid of her."

His mother rolled her eyes, then sighed.

"Raelis, she is a young woman. She does not know any better," Sophia replied. "And I'm not trying to be naive. I truly mean it in a figurative sense. She is young, so she is very easy to manipulate."

Raelis raised a brow. "You're telling me that all this time, you were simply trying to manipulate her?"

"Ever heard the term 'keep friends close, but enemies closer'?" Sophia giggled, yet in the next instant, her expression turned serious.

"She is someone I trust with a heavy heart, but she is the only person who has ties with the people who are against us. If I can utilize her as an asset, then I believe the future will be much brighter for the both of us."