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 29: A Revelation (Camilla's Side)

Chapter 29: A Revelation (Camilla’s Side)

Camilla, caught off guard by the king’s sudden coldness, still pressed forward.

“Your Majesty, may I ask why? I understand if it’s your decision, but… could you at least tell me the reason?”

She controlled her emotions, trying not to let her frustration show. 

Depending on the reason, she might still be able to turn the situation around. 

No, she had to. With any chance of reconciliation with Van gone, her only option was to secure her marriage to Albert.

But the king shattered her resolve right from the start.

“I had you under surveillance after that day.”

“Huh…?”

Surveillance?

She hadn’t sensed anyone watching her at all.

In the past, when she was still active, she would have noticed something off, even if it had been hidden.

It seemed ten years of living as a housewife had dulled her instincts.

She realized immediately that this was bad, but the king continued speaking.

“After our last conversation, I didn’t just take your word for it. I’m not so naive as to believe everything blindly. So first, you went to the church and used a teleportation array to travel to the Empire, correct?”

“…Yes.”

“Then, to make matters worse, you went to the Emperor’s private residence. While we don’t know the details of what happened inside, the observer saw Van training in the garden afterward. You must have thought that if you could confirm his noble lineage, you could win him back, perhaps even manipulate the situation to your advantage. Isn’t that right?”

“N-No, Your Majesty, that’s not true!”

“Is that so? Well, let’s move on to the next matter.”

The king continued, mixing in speculation, but he had no intention of listening to her side.

There was no room for argument. 

Next, he placed a stack of papers on the table. 

The cover read “Investigation Report.”

“Also, I had your past behavior investigated. Your trip to the Empire made it easier to gather everything.”

Camilla nearly let out a gasp but managed to hold it in.

It made sense—the royal family would, of course, conduct a background check before any marriage.

If the conversation had been limited to discussing her marriage to Albert, she would have ensured that certain people at the church stayed quiet. 

After all, it would be a scandal for those she’d been involved with.

But if they conducted the investigation while she was away and offered a deal in exchange for keeping their own misconduct hidden?

Everyone she had dealings with—whether it was for valuable documents or favors—had only used her as a means to their own ends.

If protecting themselves meant turning on her, they wouldn’t hesitate.

The king flipped through the report and spoke as he skimmed the pages.

“You claimed Albert took your purity, but that was a complete lie. And more recently, it seems you’ve even had a relationship with the young man who negotiated with Van while he was imprisoned. You truly are a despicable woman.”

In the end, the king had played her. 

He acted like he sympathized, pretended to be on her side, showing no hint of doubt, while quietly investigating everything behind the scenes. 

Even bringing up Van was probably a calculated move—he likely guessed that she would leave the country, making it easier to gather information.

“The reasons for not allowing your marriage to Albert are as I’ve outlined. Do you have anything to say?”

“No… nothing, except that Emilia—my daughter—is undoubtedly Albert’s child!”

This was her last card to play. 

Even if she couldn’t become queen, she could use her daughter to secure a place in the royal family. 

That was her only remaining option.

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“Yes. If you wish, you may use a Contract of Oath! If I’m lying, I’m willing to offer my life as the price!”

“Hmm… no, let’s not.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Listen, Camilla. Let me share a little parable with you.”

The king tossed the investigation report onto the desk and began speaking directly to her.

“A king once snuck out of his castle and bought the services of a courtesan. A year later, the courtesan showed up at the castle gates, holding a child, and caused a scene, claiming, ‘This is the king’s child!’ What do you think the king did?”

“…I don’t know.”

“He executed both the courtesan and the child. Whether it was true or not, it was only trouble for him.”

“…”

“So let’s pretend I didn’t hear your claim. After all, you are a hero who helped save the kingdom. However, if you go around spreading this story, you may meet the same fate as that courtesan at the gate. And believe me, I don’t wish any misfortune on a child who might be my grandchild. That’s all I have to say.”

It was clear—Camilla had no cards left to play. 

The king had subtly warned her that Emilia’s existence was not a trump card, but rather a dangerous liability that could cost her life.

He would let it go if she stayed silent, but if she spread rumors…

She managed to force out, “I apologize,” bowed her head, and turned to leave.

As she walked away, the king called out to her one last time.

“Perhaps it would be wise to return to your homeland with Emilia. Your parents were highly respected, even called ‘saints.’ As someone known as a saintess yourself, you should follow their example.”

The king’s words made her blood boil. 

Camilla remembered watching her parents, growing weaker in front of her eyes, until they stopped moving altogether. 

She had been left behind, trembling with fear and uncertainty.

And yet, people praised them as saints, completely ignorant of what really happened—so irresponsible. 

A surge of murderous intent took over her body, but then… she realized something.

It felt like a revelation. 

Despite the intensity of her anger, it wasn’t directed at the king.

Perhaps, now that her ambitions had crumbled and her future seemed hopeless, this revelation came to her.

She turned back, bowed deeply to the king, and thanked him.

“Your Majesty, thank you for your words. They’ve helped me realize something very important.”

“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it.”

It wasn’t just an empty phrase—it was sincere. 

Maybe the king thought she was thanking him for what he said about Emilia. 

But that wasn’t it.

As she walked out of the castle, Camilla felt a strange sense of peace. 

Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

She finally understood why she had been so desperate to climb the social ladder.

She had… loved her parents deeply.

All this time, she had tried to deny that feeling, convincing herself they were fools.

For years and years, she had been lying to herself.

That’s why she hated it all.

This world, with its empty words like “faith,” had stolen her loving parents from her. 

That’s why she had wanted power—to destroy this twisted world.

And now, she knew exactly how to do it.

The “Sealing Spell” that old Barnes had used back then.

It wouldn’t work for just anyone. 

But for her, a saint who had mastered holy magic?

She could figure out how to break that seal. 

She could find a way to access the gods themselves.

(So that’s why… I’ve been using this body, gathering knowledge and power for this purpose all along.)

As she muttered this to herself, Camilla remembered that man. 

Even though she had trembled in his presence, she couldn’t help but think at the time:

How ominous… and yet, how beautiful he was.

—If becoming that man’s wife is my fate… it wouldn’t be so bad.

She had taken a long detour to finally realize it.

So, Camilla—after leaving the castle—headed straight toward her true destination.