Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 28: Ten Years

Chapter 28: Ten Years

Camilla fell silent in response to Mariabelle’s question. 

With the heavy penalty of “death if you lie” hanging over her, even speaking the truth now would require courage. 

And considering her earlier story was mostly lies, it made sense that she’d hesitate. 

Mariabelle didn’t let up, though.

“Oh? What’s wrong? Please, do tell us the story again.”

“…”

Wow. Mariabelle’s relentless pressure was clear, and Camilla’s face twisted with frustration.

Still, this stalemate wouldn’t get us anywhere. 

Plus, I couldn’t leave everything to Mariabelle—it was my issue with Camilla to settle, after all.

“Mariabelle, that’s enough. Her silence is the answer. Isn’t that right, Camilla? So… just answer me one thing.”

“What…? What do you want me to say?”

Camilla’s tone was sullen, as if sulking. I asked the one question that would put an end to it all.

“In these ten years… was there ever a moment—even for a little while—when you truly loved me?”

As soon as I asked, memories of the past ten years raced through my mind.

The day the king introduced her to our party, saying, “This is the famous saint everyone’s heard about.” I was so captivated by her shy smile and the way she bowed that I couldn’t respond right away.

The time I was gravely injured and lost consciousness, only to wake up and learn that she had spent the entire night casting healing magic on me. That’s when I realized my feelings for her.

The day she accepted my proposal, and we were married, surrounded by everyone’s blessings.

The day Emilia was born, and I, an orphan, finally had a family for the first time. I remember feeling so happy…

“…Not even for a single day.”

“I see. Understood.”

It turns out I had been the only one under a false impression this entire time.

I thought we loved each other, that we were a family, bound by that connection even when we argued.

But in the end, I had been alone in that house all along.

“Thank you for being honest. This helps me put my feelings to rest.”

“Hmph. Honest? You forced me to say it with that contract.”

“True. But you didn’t have to answer. You could have stayed silent, yet you still chose to speak.”

“…”

“Because of that, I won’t take any further action here. Even though we’re not blood-related, I won’t take Emilia’s parent away from her. As much as I resent you, you’re still her mother. Please take care of her.”

“You have no right to tell me that.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. But don’t ever show me your face again—either of you. There won’t be a next time.”

We exchanged silent glances for a moment.

Eventually, Camilla stood up, signaling that she was about to leave. But before she did, she looked down at me and, with a bitter parting remark, said:

“That bullshit attitude of yours has always disgusted me. It makes me sick.”

Smack…

Almost instantly, Mariabelle stood up and slapped Camilla across the face.

“How dare you…! Even if Lord Van forgives you, I won’t! I’ll kill you!”

“Stop, Mariabelle.”

“But Lord Van!”

“It’s alright. Let’s end it here for today.”

As I held Mariabelle back, Camilla glared at us coldly, but after a moment, she turned on her heel and left without another word.

Now, I needed to thank her.

“Thank you, Mariabelle. You really helped make this go smoothly.”

“It’s nothing, it’s fine… but…”

Her body trembled for a while, and then she began to cry, tears streaming down her face.

“I-I just can’t… Ten years of your life, wasted… for someone like her…”

“Yeah, I’m frustrated too. But… I gained something from it as well. Not everything was for nothing. Besides, right now… I have someone by my side who’s willing to get angry for my sake.”

“Lord Van… I’ll do my best, for the next ten, twenty years, and beyond…”

Mariabelle buried her face in my chest, and I gently wrapped my arms around her back.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

What… what… what is this!?

On her way back from the Empire, Camilla’s mind was consumed by rage.

While she was angry at Van, her fury towards the princess far outweighed it.

Born into a noble family, pampered, and effortlessly inheriting everything she could ever want without needing to lift a finger.

To be humiliated and outplayed by such a girl was unbearable. 

Camilla couldn’t let it go; she had to do something.

As for Van, he was no longer an option. 

Even though the contract’s effect only applied to that specific moment, there was no chance he would return to her. 

Fine, she would stick to her original plan.

She couldn’t be the Empress, but becoming a queen would be enough.

While the kingdom wasn’t as powerful as the empire, it was still a nation.

One day, she would manipulate Albert into provoking a conflict with the Empire and make that little princess bow to her. 

She didn’t have a plan yet, but she was determined to figure it out.

For now, her next step was to see the king and move forward with her marriage to Albert.

Upon her return, Camilla quickly visited the royal castle and requested an audience with the king. He agreed to see her right away.

But the moment the conversation started, the king said:

“Camilla, about that discussion we had the other day…”

“Yes, I’ve decided to accept—”

“No, it’s off.”

“…What?”

“No ‘what’ about it. There’s no way I can allow you to marry Albert.”