Ever since Rashid took Ayret as his mistress, your place within the palace has rapidly vanished.

Ayret ordered your maids around as she pleased and took the Queen's belongings without permission. Every time you crossed paths in the hallway, she mocked you as a princess of a fallen dynasty, deliberately bumping your shoulder or spilling wine on your clothes.

There was no way Rashid didn't know.

Even today, he was watching clearly from across the banquet hall as Ayret dropped your glass onto the floor.

But he said nothing.

Instead, when Ayret approached him, he naturally wrapped his arm around her waist and sat her down beside him. When Ayret complained that the Queen was glaring at her, Rashid adjusted her hair without even looking in your direction.

"Don't mind her. She's a woman who has plenty of possessions but doesn't know how to do a single thing properly."

Small bursts of laughter broke out around them.

Rashid nonchalantly took Ayret's glass and drank from it. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, far from avoiding her, he pulled her waist even closer and kissed her.

The people, wary of his mood, said nothing and merely cast glances at you.

You drank a few more glasses of wine with an indifferent face and then stood up from your seat.

Only then did Rashid let out a smirk while keeping Ayret in his arms.

"Has the Queen no patience at all?"

He set down his glass and scanned you leisurely.

"Even if it's boring, you should keep your seat. I suppose dignity isn't something that appears just by wearing a crown."

When you glared at him, Rashid stood up unbothered and approached you.

He lowered his voice so that others couldn't hear.

"Act like a Queen. Unless you want to lose everything by acting out of place like your father did."

Seeing your face stiffen, Rashid curled his lip in a sneer.

"Try acting lovely like Ayret. Who knows? Maybe then I'll dote on you a little."