58. Where did it go wrong (2)

In the end, Joshua relaxed his grip. Kelly tore the painting as if she had been waiting for it. Ariad’s face on the painting was unrecognizable as they scattered in the air. Joshua’s blank gaze landed on the pieces of paper on the ground as if he had lost everything. Kelly became more irritated by that look. She clenched her teeth hard and declared,  “I want us to have a baby as soon as possible.”

“….”

“Dream on. You can’t do it alone.”

Kelly’s mind became even more twisted every time she couldn’t control him. Could she ever experience true love this way? Perhaps, they could reach the end that she wanted if they could just take a few more steps. Well, Kelly could help him. Joshua’s eyes became even more exhausted as if he could no longer endure the huge wave of emotions coming out of him like a tsunami. “I won’t bother you anymore if you just try to do your responsibilities.”

Joshua snorted. All the intense emotions were carried and delivered even if only one sound was heard.

* * *

Nothing changed after a month. That day just revealed Kelly’s blatant feelings. In the end, even if they were married, they were worse than others, and maybe they were closer before that. Joshua didn’t even make an effort to listen to Kelly. He was confined to his office every time rumors had quickly spread through the palace’s servants. Every time she appeared in public, there were eyes that mocked her. Some looked at her sadly. One day, she got invited to the Duchess’s tea time. At first, Kelly made an excuse that she wasn’t feeling well. In truth, she didn’t have the confidence to bear the empress’ sympathetic stare. After calculating her disadvantages of not being there, she had to step out of the way. Kelly, who arrived late at the Duke’s residence, was guided into the garden. When she was about to say hello to the Duchess who invited her, her steps faltered along the way.

“Ariad Pearson, a noblewoman since birth, was great. The atmosphere now seemed different compared to the time when women tried to copy the style she wore even if they cursed her out like that.”

“That’s right. She was just that elegant. If it weren’t for her cheating nature, the Empress’ position would have naturally belonged to Ariad.”

“Her beauty is incomparable. The current crown princess———”

“There has never been a woman more beautiful than that. Compared to the current… .”

“What the hell were they doing? A noble lineage is distinguishable. The current crown princess has lived without being treated well, so she doesn’t have the elegance after being intimidated all the time. She can’t be the future empress. I don’t even think she was doing a good job. What else can she do?”

“She’s the kind of person who will automatically fade with Her Majesty, the Empress, once she loses her power.”

The space around Kelly became warped. Also, her nausea soared along with a terrible headache. When the aristocratic lady, who had dropped the pouch she had brought onto the floor, turned to pick it up, she couldn’t hide her embarrassment when she saw her.

“Princess Kelly. We were talking nonsense.” They tried to keep their expressions in check after the surprise. The same was true for the rest of the women’s faces who had turned their heads to stare at Kelly. Their smiles were so fake. Kelly stumbled back without realizing it and eventually turned around. She could hear them calling her from behind, but she couldn’t stop walking out of there Since then, Kelly had suffered from similar symptoms. Even when she was greeted by envoys from other countries, she felt like they were laughing at her. Suddenly, Kelly couldn’t breathe well on the spot that she had to clutch her heart. When she sat down, Joshua ordered the attendants.

“Help the princess in first.”

When her breathing calmed down to some extent, Kelly dashed to the room to cover herself with a blanket and hide her trembling body. Mary approached.

“Are you all right? Have some of this.”She said, handing over a steaming teacup.

“It’s chamomile tea. It’s good for mental and physical stability.”

Mary couldn’t finish the sentence when the hand protruding out of the blanket snatched the teacup. As a result, hot tea poured into her fingers. A fierce cry rang out in front of Mary, her face distorted with pain.

“You just laughed at me, didn’t you?”

“What?”

Kelly picked up the kettle on the table and threw it at her.

“You just laughed at me!”

*CLANK*

A falling shrapnel brushed Mary’s left face. The wound was quite deep that her skin was quickly stained with blood. When she felt something hot flowed on her face, Mary raised her finger to smooth it. Her pupils shook at the sight of blood. Kelly’s focus gradually returned to her.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I really am. I didn’t mean to….” She stammered.

‘Where did it all go wrong?’ Kelly thought. It was as if she was wearing something that doesn’t fit. As if this wasn’t her rightful place. Everything seemed to be holding her breath. One reason that went through Kelly’s head. Ariad. Her presence. Even if she disappeared to a faraway place, her existence that can’t be erased was ruining everything.