The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 8: The Golden Cage

Chapter 8: The Golden Cage

The morning sun streamed through the window, gently brushing Lydia Silverleaf’s eyelids.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked around.

A luxurious bedroom.

Silk sheets.

A beautiful garden visible through the window.

This was her life now.

“Morning already…”

Beside her, her mother, Celeste, was still asleep.

Her mother’s face was serene, the shadows of past anxiety and fear gone.

Two months had passed since they began living in Lord Silver’s secondary residence.

“Father…”

Lydia stood by the window, gazing at the sky.

She was beginning to accept that her father, who had left for his mission at the mines, would likely never return.

At first, she thought his task was simply delayed, but now she was starting to face the truth.

“At least we’re safe…”

That must have been her father’s wish.

To protect her and her mother, he had staked his life.

Lydia let out a deep sigh.

At 15, her life had taken a path she never could have imagined.

Once, she was promised a radiant future as a star of high society.

A splendid marriage, a happy family, and a respected position as a noblewoman.

Now… she was Lord Silver’s mistress.

“Miss, breakfast is ready.”

A maid knocked softly on the door and called out.

“Thank you, I’ll be there soon.”

Lydia approached the vanity and looked at her reflection.

Still young and beautiful.

But in the depths of her eyes was a shadow not seen in girls her age.

“Lydia…?”

Her mother woke and sat up.

“Good morning, Mother.”

“It’s morning already. Where is Lord Silver?”

“He’s not here yet. They say he’s out in town on business.”

Celeste showed a relieved expression.

She, too, was trying to adapt to this new life.

With no other choice, acceptance was their only option.

“There’s a palace banquet tonight. We need to prepare.”

Lydia nodded slightly at her mother’s words.

By Lord Silver’s “consideration,” they were permitted to attend high society events.

Of course, there were likely ulterior motives behind it…

—

That evening, Lydia and Celeste were in a carriage heading to the palace banquet.

Both were dressed in the finest gowns, adorned with jewels.

All provided by Lord Silver.

“I’m nervous…”

Lydia murmured softly.

It was her first major social event since their fall from grace.

“It’ll be fine. Let’s conduct ourselves with the pride of the Silverleaf family.”

Celeste’s voice carried resolve.

No matter the circumstances, she would not lose her noble pride.

“But everyone knows, don’t they? About our situation…”

“Even so, hold your head high. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Her mother’s words gave Lydia courage.

Yes, she had done nothing wrong.

She was merely at the mercy of fate.

When the carriage arrived at the palace, the two took a deep breath and straightened their postures.

“Let’s go.”

At the entrance, they gave their names, and the guard looked slightly surprised but checked the guest list and let them pass.

The moment they stepped into the grand hall, Lydia noticed immediately.

All eyes were on them.

And most of those gazes were filled with curiosity.

“That’s the Silverleaf family’s…”

“Fallen, yet dressed like that…”

“Rumor has it they’re with that merchant, Leon Silver…”

Whispers reached her ears.

Lydia lifted her chin and walked forward with her mother, maintaining a perfect smile and graceful demeanor, as taught in her social lessons.

Then, she saw her.

Eleanor Frostheart.

The lady of the Frostheart family, hailed as the kingdom’s greatest beauty.

Beside her, as always, was her fiancé, Alexander Granblue.

Lydia’s heart ached.

She had once dreamed of being chosen by a chivalrous nobleman like Alexander.

And indeed, before her social debut, many young nobles had shown interest in her.

But now…

Eleanor and Alexander noticed them and approached. Lydia braced herself.

“Ladies of the Silverleaf family, it’s been a while.”

Eleanor’s voice was polite on the surface, but her eyes held clear suspicion and something… like contempt.

“Lady Frostheart, Lord Granblue.”

Celeste returned a courteous greeting.

“It’s been some time.”

Lydia also bowed slightly.

She felt Eleanor’s cold gaze appraising her.

“You look well, which is a relief. I hear you’ve been under the care of Lord Leon Silver lately.”

Eleanor’s words carried a hint of sarcasm.

She might know.

She might know their situation.

“Yes… Lord Silver has been very kind to us.”

Lydia maintained her composure, but inside, anger and humiliation swirled.

“I hear Lord Silver is soon to be ennobled as a baron. Congratulations.”

Eleanor’s voice dripped with disdain.

“Truly climbing the ladder of success. Using various… methods.”

The insinuation made Lydia’s face flush with heat.

Did Eleanor know everything?

Even that they had become Lord Silver’s mistresses?

“Lady Lydia.”

Alexander spoke gently.

His eyes held a trace of sympathy.

“I offer my deepest condolences regarding your father’s passing.”

Lydia’s eyes widened in shock.

She hadn’t yet been informed that her father’s death was officially confirmed.

“Father…”

Her voice trembled.

Alexander realized his mistake and looked troubled.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you hadn’t been informed…”

“What happened?”

Celeste asked urgently.

Eleanor answered.

“Baron Silverleaf was reported to have died during an investigation into the cause of the Frostheart mine explosion. It was only confirmed yesterday.”

Lydia’s legs gave way.

So, her father was truly… gone forever.

“Lydia!”

Alexander caught her.

The strength of his arms made Lydia’s tears nearly spill over.

“This… wasn’t supposed to happen…”

The words slipped from her lips, and Eleanor’s expression shifted.

“What do you mean?”

Lydia snapped back to herself and hurriedly swallowed her words.

“It’s nothing.”

Eleanor’s sharp gaze fixed on her.

“You, Silver, and the explosion at my family’s mine… could there be some connection?”

Lydia felt a chill of fear at her keen intuition.

If Eleanor uncovered the truth…

“Eleanor, let’s leave it for now.”

Alexander gently took his fiancée’s arm.

“They’re going through a difficult time themselves.”

His kind words pierced Lydia’s heart.

“Lord Alexander…”

Inside, she was screaming.

She had wanted her first love to be with someone like Alexander, not someone like that man.

But now… her body and heart had reached a place from which there was no return.

“Excuse us.”

Lydia bowed deeply and left the scene.

Her mother followed behind her.

In a corner of the hall, Lydia wiped her tears with trembling hands.

“Why… why did it come to this…?”

Celeste embraced her daughter’s shoulders.

“Lydia, be strong. This is our fate now.”

—

Two days after the banquet, Lord Silver returned to the secondary residence.

He seemed in an unusually good mood.

“I have good news.”

Lydia and Celeste greeted him in the parlor.

“My barony has been officially confirmed. Strong recommendations from the royal family and a vast amount of tribute seem to have been well-received.”

“Congratulations, Master.”

The two bowed in unison.

“This solidifies my social standing. And…”

Silver looked at Lydia.

“I have something to discuss with you both.”

“What is it?”

“Lydia, I want to adopt you as my daughter.”

Lydia looked up in surprise.

“Adopt… me?”

“Yes. By day, I want you to shine as a baron’s daughter, as you did before, a flower of high society.”

“But… at night…”

Her words trailed off.

The implication was clear.

“Exactly.”

Silver smiled.

“It’s a measure to maintain appearances. Celeste, I’d like you to continue managing the household.”

“We will repay your kindness, Master.”

Celeste responded quietly.

They had no choice.

“From Lydia Silverleaf to Lydia Silver.”

Silver said the name with satisfaction and nodded.

“We’ll start the procedures tomorrow.”

Lydia nodded with mixed feelings.

On the surface, she could return to high society as a noble baron’s daughter.

But in reality… she remained his possession.

Like a bird locked in a golden cage, she had false splendor without freedom.

This was her new life.

“Father… is this alright?”

She asked silently in her heart.

Her father had given his life to protect them.

And now, they were surviving.

That was what he had wanted…

“Lydia, tomorrow we’ll go have a new dress tailored.”

Silver’s voice brought her back.

“Yes, Master.”

She put on a perfect smile.

The mask-like smile she had honed in high society, unbreakable in any situation.

—

That night, Lydia walked alone in the garden.

The moonlight glowed silver, illuminating the flowers.

“Eleanor Frostheart…”

She couldn’t forget that woman’s piercing gaze.

She seemed to suspect something.

If the truth came to light…

“But that’s Silver’s problem.”

Lydia murmured quietly.

All she could do was play the role given to her.

As a flower of high society and as Silver’s mistress.

“I’ll survive… and someday…”

A glint of resolve shone in her eyes.

Someday, she might reclaim her life.

Until that day, she had to live strongly.

“Father, please watch over me.”

Lydia prayed to the starry sky.

And she resolved to accept her new name—Lydia Silver.

This, too, was her survival strategy.

A way to live as comfortably as possible within the golden cage.

In the moonlight, the girl’s shadow swayed quietly.

The shadow of a 15-year-old who had already learned the harshness of life.