Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 169: A Letter From Lafad

Chapter 169: A Letter From Lafad

Melania finished reading the first few lines of the letter and shifted her brown eyes to the window to her right. It was the first letter from her parents that she received ever since she came to Geraldion.

’So Queen Fleur is a total liar too. This letter was sent just a week ago and it is already in my hands. It is obvious from the contents that my family never received my first letter either. My assumption was correct––Prince Valon intercepted my letter and did not send it out because he did not like what I wrote there.’

No matter how many times she mulled it all over, the princess still couldn’t identify what exactly was wrong with her first letter. Was Valon afraid that the Royal Family of Lafad would indeed break off their daughter’s engagement? Of course, Melania’s parents loved and cherished her but even despite all that, breaking off such an important marriage deal would have damaged Lafad’s reputation beyond repair, and with their already weakened place on the political map, even such doting parents would simply grit their teeth and advise their daughter to do the same.

Returning to the white pages clutched in her tanned hands, she resumed reading the letter, her fingers trembling slightly as her mind processed the text.

Her mother’s condition was rapidly declining.

Ever since that fateful day ten years ago when Queen Galia Lafad fell ill with an unknown infection that affected her nervous system, her legs stopped listening to her brain and she could no longer walk on her own.

Now, as it was stated in the letter from her father, King Illia Lafad, Queen Galia could no longer feel her legs at all. In addition, she had begun having a dull but persistent ache in her back and had trouble moving her fingers.

"Neither the doctors nor the healers know what to do anymore... Soon, she might be completely paralyzed."

Melania mouthed those words, following the pace of her eyes that continued to scan the letter.

In the next passage, her father stated that due to her mother’s deteriorating condition, he might choose to abdicate his title to take care of his wife. Her younger brother, Prince Kassian, would become the next sooner than they had planned king.

"Kassian is finally going to become the King of Lafad... This is a strange thought to process. He is only one year younger than me and yet, I still think of him as an immature child. Well... It might still take some time before the House of Nobles decides on his coronation, however, I might get a chance to visit Lafad as the Crown Prince will be forced to congratulate the family of his wife, the future queen, in person."

The young woman reread the same passage a few more times, something tingling within her chest as her big eyes continued to glide over the handwritten lines.

She always knew that her parents loved each other deeply and even after all these years and the hardships they had faced together, their love seemed to only deepen. They were the perfect example of a married noble couple and Melania had always dreamed that her prince would be just like her father.

Alas, there was a reason why they liked to say that this kind of love could only happen once in a millennium.

’Father is even ready to step down the throne to spend as much time as possible with Mother before she... This is the love worth writing books about. I wish I could experience it too.’

A single yet prominent tear ran down the lady’s soft cheek––the sole betrayer of her inner musings.

Once she finished reading the final line of the letter, as if timed perfectly, Loraline tapped her knuckles gently on the princess’s bedroom door and stepped inside with her quiet permission.

Turning away from her attendant, Melania quickly wiped the tear with her right palm, then turned back to Loraline, and offered her a subtle smile.

"Is there any important news, Your Highness?" The lady-in-waiting took a seat next to the princess and smiled as well, "My family did not share anything important with me. My sister gave birth to her second son, while my aunt ventured on a holiday to the royal resort! Ah, that woman! She should be thinking about her children’s inheritance but instead, she is spending all her money as if there is no tomorrow!"

Melania’s smile turned wider as she recognized the woman’s attempt to lighten her mood with another amusing story about her fascinating family.

"Well... It looks like my brother will ascend the throne soon. Father will step down to take care of the queen’s health."

"I see."

Loraline understood what it meant but decided against discussing the matter further which the princess accepted as her way of showing her consideration and was grateful for it.

The lady-in-waiting stared at the young woman in complete silence for several moments, then finally leaned closer, and asked,

"How are you feeling, Your Highness? Has anyone tried to pester you about your relationship with the Crown Prince after that day?"

Melania squirmed, recalling the discomfort of that annoying day.

Fortunately, despite her attendant’s fiasco with the pig’s blood, the princess still did not have to sleep with Prince Yanad. Whether he tried to be considerate and understanding or simply because the idea of sharing a bed with his wife was still unacceptable to him, Yanad refused to force himself on Melania and promised that he would talk to Queen Fleur and urge her not to interfere with their married life ever again.

"Her Majesty the Queen has not spoken to me ever since," the princess shrugged her shoulders, "I guess the Crown Prince succeeded and the topic of our bedroom life will not come up again in the near future."

Loraline could only sigh.

"His Highness Prince Yanad might not be such a bad person after all. At least he is tactful enough to not force your marital duties on you, leaving you enough room to breathe. If only he was not such an arrogant and stubborn young man, perhaps the two of you could really have a proper relationship."

Melania forced an emotionless smile in response. Her lady-in-waiting knew about her feelings towards King Yuraon but as her attendant and loyal adviser, Loraline had no choice but to stay grounded and level-headed.

"Well... Yes, perhaps. Anyway, I have to return to my guests; a few more minutes and they will start spreading rumors about how rude the foreign princess is. I invited them over to listen to some gossip, not to become the topic of one."