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Rafael promptly took his leave, making his way to Everspring Palace.
Kylie was well aware of his visit and had someone summon him in. She knew that Sophie’s refusal to allow him to take a secondary wife was driven by jealousy and selfishness. But men, as Kylie saw it, were never quite the same as women. No matter how loudly they proclaimed otherwise, men always had their flaws.
Salvador, diligent as he was, hardly visited the harem. However, that didn’t mean he was above it. Didn’t he still keep the harem and concubines? And when a woman caught his eye, it was not uncommon for him to visit her several times a month.
Kylie didn’t believe there was a man alive who wouldn’t indulge himself when the opportunity arose, Rafael included.
She had always thought that Sophie’s marriage to Rafael was a step up-an ambitious second marriage for a woman who had once been discarded. Even if they had affection for one another, her jealousy would always make it difficult for him to tolerate her.
Though the plan had failed, Kylie was determined to make sure Rafael knew that she, as his sister-in-law, was only looking out for him, out of concern about his legacy and heirs. Even if he didn’t appreciate her intentions, he would have no choice but to acknowledge them.
With this in mind, she sat upright in her golden-threaded chair, watching Rafael enter with the same poised, strong stance he always had.
Etiquette couldn’t be ignored, so Rafael inclined his head and said, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Kylie smiled warmly. “No need for such formalities. Have a seat.”
Then, she turned to Lydia and instructed, “Bring in some refreshments.”
However, Rafael straightened up, replying, “I won’t stay long. I’ve only come to say a few words, then I’ll leave.”
Kylie raised an eyebrow.
“Why so serious? Do you have some misunderstanding of me?” she asked, her tone half teasing, half serious.
Rafael was bound to find out about it sooner or later, but how Sophie had spoken about it in private or how much she had twisted the truth-was anyone’s guess.
“I’m also worried about misunderstandings, which is why I’ve come personally to speak to you, Your Majesty. Did you originally intend to have Lady Xavier from the Earl of Southstead’s family be my secondary wife?” Rafael asked.
Kylie nodded without hesitation. “I did. Lady Xavier is a woman of great virtue. She is both graceful and wise, with a kind and dignified manner. She’s a fine match for you.”
Smiling, she continued, “I’m always thinking of the both of you, Rafael. You and Lady Sophie have been married for so long, and yet there’s still no sign of a child. I’m sure Aunt Helen is growing anxious, but your wife’s stubborn nature likely makes it hard for her to discuss it. So, I thought I might step in and help. I didn’t realize…”
She shook her head with a bitter smile. “Lady Sophie was furious when she heard about it. She even scolded the messenger I sent. I’m afraid she’s now upset with me as well. Honestly, I only meant well, but now I’ve ended up being the villain. I’m truly at a loss…”
Rafael interrupted, “Your Majesty, please stop with your so-called good intentions.”
“Your wife… What did you say?” Kylie was about to continue but suddenly realized something was off. She looked up in surprise and asked again, “What did you just say?”
Rafael’s eyes were cold, his jaw tight with restraint meant that you’ve meddled where you shouldn’t, Your Majesty. Whether or not I take a secondary wife, or whether my wife and I have children, is no concern of yours. It’s between my wife and me. Your interference has only caused harm to our marriage. You’ve truly played the villain.”
The words hit Kylie like a slap. Her face flushed red, then pale, as anger and embarrassment flooded her all at once.
“Have you lost your mind? I did it for your own good, and you’re being ungrateful? You don’t even appreciate it?” she snapped angrily.
“I appreciate the intention, but I don’t accept the interference,” Rafael said coldly. “Because of your suggestion, Sophie, Kas been upset for days. Doing something bad with good intentions is foolish, but if there are ulterior motives behind it, that’s unforgivable.”
He didn’t give the queen a chance to respond. With a stiff nod, he turned and began to leave.
“You’re mad! You’re truly mad!” Kylie’s voice cracked with frustration and disbelief. “Rafael, you ungrateful fool! I was only trying to help you secure an heir!”
Rafael’s steps faltered for just a moment, and he glanced back over his shoulder.
“You can’t even manage your own son. What gives you the right to meddle in someone else’s affairs?” he retorted, his voice sharp.
Without another word, he walked out.
Kylie had never been humiliated like that before. Even when Salvador was furious with her, it had only ever resulted in a few sharp reprimands or perhaps a temporary house arrest.
“Who does he think he is? How dare he come here and behave like that in front of me?” she fumed, her face flushed with anger.
“I’ve been concerned about his heirs because of his military service. And this is how he repays me? Thinking I have nothing better to do than meddle in his affairs? If he doesn’t want a secondary wife, there are plenty of men who would be happy to have her.”
Her head throbbed with the pressure of her indignation. She had never encountered someone so ungrateful.
Lydia could only watch in bewilderment as the queen seethed.
Wasn’t the original plan to use finding a secondary wife for the Hell Monarch as an excuse to summon Sophie to the palace and pressure her into compliance? How did it suddenly turn into the queen genuinely caring about the royal family’s heirs?
Lydia thought Kylie was making excuses out of anger, but such excuses seemed unnecessary and only served to agitate herself.
“You need not be so upset, Your Majesty. You weren’t really trying to help him find a secondary wife, were you?” Lydia ventured cautiously.
Kylie shot her a sharp look, her frustration growing. “Regardless of my personal feelings, I at least pretended to care for his sake. And what does he do? He doesn’t appreciate it and shows no respect. He dared to speak so disrespectfully in front of me! His insolence is unforgivable. And you-what nonsense are you speaking now? Do you think everyone can treat me like this?”
Lydia immediately fell silent, realizing that any further words might make the situation worse. But deep down, she was worried. Kylie always dreamed of achieving great things. But if she couldn’t even handle a small setback, how would she ever succeed?
The plan to manipulate Sophie had failed, but that didn’t mean it was the end. There were always other ways.
The more Kylie thought about it, the more furious she grew.
“He clearly doesn’t respect me. If he doesn’t, then he certainly doesn’t respect His Majesty either. You’ll go see Connor tonight, won’t you? When you do, make sure to offer your greetings to the queen dowager on my behalf as well. And tell her what happened. The queen dowager is a woman of great sense and will not tolerate such disrespect.”
Lydia nodded, agreeing to pass on the message when she made her evening visit to Serenity Palace. When she relayed the story to Victoria, the latter barely reacted.
Without lifting her gaze, she coolly said, “Our queen is certainly an interesting one. His Majesty wants to see the Hell Monarch’s line end, but Her Majesty, with her great benevolence, seems more concerned about her brother-in-law’s heirs than her own son. How very thoughtful of her. She truly is an admirable sister-in- law.”
Lydia froze, her shock palpable. She quickly dropped to her knees in apology, explaining that it was all a misunderstanding.
Victoria’s gaze remained fixed on her. “You’re a clever woman. Let me give you some advice: Keep a close watch on your mistress and make sure she doesn’t make the same mistake again. She should use wit of hers-the same wit that got her to where she is-and think carefully about everything. She needs to know what to do and what not to do, whom she can offend and whom she cannot. She must be aware of her limits.”
The queen dowager dismissed Lydia with a wave, even forbidding her from seeing Connor.
When she returned to Everspring Palace, she passed on Victoria’s message.
Kylie sat in stunned silence for a long moment, her mind racing. Finally, she murmured, “His Majesty wants to end the Hell Monarch’s line? What does that mean? Hine
Majesty isn’t that cruel, is he? Does he not want Sophie to have Rafael’s children?”
Lydia sighed, watching as Kylie struggled to piece it all together. “My dear queen, if the Hell Monarch has no sons, then there’s no threat to the throne.”
Suddenly, Kylie’s mind seemed to latch onto a single thread of understanding, and a heavy weight settled in her chest.