Chapter 544: Why Am I Still Unable to Win His Heart?

The Princess panicked when she heard the voice.

She quickly hung up the phone and turned to look at Ayre, still shaken.

"What are you doing here?" The Princess’s first reaction was fear and shock. She only relaxed after seeing it was Ayre.

"I just told you. I’ve been looking all over for you. Who were you on the phone with?" Ayre asked as she walked in.

The Princess shook her head. "No one. Just a good friend."

"A good friend who scares you like that?"

For a moment, Ayre had thought her sister had done something wrong. ’But why would she come to this room to make a call, and be so secretive about it?’

The Princess was incredibly nervous. She asked Ayre, "So, what did you hear just now?"

"What do you mean? I just got here. I’ve been looking for you for ages. Didn’t you say your husband is always too busy to spend time with you? Well, I brought him with me. He finished work early today. All his meetings are done, and he doesn’t have to travel, so he can finally spend some quality time with you. I’ll have someone make something nice for dinner so you two can have a proper meal together."

Ayre knew that her brother-in-law was the King and was always swamped with work. He had endless meetings every day, or else he was away inspecting other regions.

Although they were husband and wife, the Princess and the King rarely even had time to share a meal.

Knowing that Ovillette had a light schedule today, Ayre had gone to find him.

With a stiff smile on her face, the Princess went downstairs with Ayre.

Downstairs, Ovillette was waiting. He hadn’t been back to this home in a very long time.

The entire nation believed they were a deeply loving couple, little knowing that this affection was all an act.

"Darling, you’re back," the Princess said with a faint smile.

Ovillette nodded. "Yes. I’ve been busy lately."

The two of them seemed more distant than strangers. Over all these years, they had never had a child.

The Princess desperately wanted one, but the King wasn’t so willing. He rarely even touched her.

He often made excuses not to come home. In short, unless it was absolutely necessary, the King and the Princess hardly ever saw each other.

The Princess never imagined that even after Ovillette lost his memories, and despite all her scheming to marry him, this would be the result.

’But I am the supreme Princess. As long as I can hold onto this position, nothing else matters.’

"So, what would you like for dinner? I can cook myself. We can just have a simple family meal."

Ovillette had no particular cravings. "No, that’s alright. Let the servants do it. You don’t need to go to the trouble."

Ayre could feel the awkwardness and tried to smooth things over. "See, sis? Your husband is so considerate of you."

The Princess also smiled. "So, will you be staying the night? Mom and Dad said they haven’t seen you in a long time either."

This magnificent Royal Palace was like a gilded cage. She was imprisoned within it, bearing the envious gazes of the world, but only she knew what her life was truly like. Now, she found herself yearning for the world outside.

She was even beginning to question whether everything she had done all those years ago—fighting with all her might to marry this man and obtain supreme glory—was right or wrong.

Ovillette knew it had been a long time since he’d stayed the night. He thought for a moment. "Alright, I’ll stay tonight."

The Princess was overjoyed. "Then I’ll have someone change the sheets and duvet cover. We’ll put on a fresh set."

As the Princess bustled off, the King felt no joy in his heart.

He always felt as if he had forgotten something very important, but he could never remember what it was. And every time he saw the Princess, his mood grew heavy.

A profound sense of guilt would wash over him, but he knew with deep certainty that this guilt was absolutely not for the Princess.

That evening, the servants prepared a large meal. Ayre made an excuse and left, leaving only the King and the Princess.

The Princess even served the King some food, looking every bit the part of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

The King refused. "Don’t trouble yourself. I can get it."

"Darling, I... We’ve been married for over twenty years now, and we’re not getting any younger. You’ve spent so little time with me over the years, and lately, I’ve been feeling more and more lonely. I was wondering... if we could..."

The Princess spoke slowly, her well-maintained face belying the fact that she was nearly fifty.

She knew she was getting older. This might be her last chance to have a child.

If she didn’t conceive now, she would never have the opportunity.

Just as the Princess was hesitating over how to bring up the topic of a child, the King’s phone rang. He glanced at it. "It’s a work call. I need to take this."

After hearing whatever was said on the other end, the King hung up and stopped eating. "Something’s come up. I have to leave. I’m sorry I can’t stay with you tonight."

"It’s alright..." A deep look of disappointment flashed in the Princess’s eyes.

’Even with Winter Mercer gone, this man still won’t give me a second glance.’

’But I can’t accept it. Why is it that even without that woman, I’m still not enough?’

’Ovillette doesn’t even remember her anymore. Can’t he learn to love me?’

At first, the Princess had worried that Ovillette might fall for another woman, but as the years passed, he seemed to have lost all desire.

The Princess dug her nails into her palm, her gaze sharp and fierce.

...

「Lustre, Police Station.」

A beautiful, fashionably dressed person was escorted in from outside.

A short while later, Ruby Sterling was brought to the visitation room in a wheelchair.

Upon seeing the person on the other side of the glass, Ruby Sterling grew agitated. "Claire! Claire! My precious daughter!"

Tears welled up in Ruby Sterling’s eyes. "You’re finally back in the country! You have to save me! Get me out of here!"

"You told me to go ahead without worry. I wouldn’t have dared to if it weren’t for you! And I never snitched on you," Ruby Sterling whispered.

Claire Sherwood hadn’t said a word yet, but Ruby Sterling was already rambling. "The hearing is in two days. If I can’t get out, and they sentence me, I might be stuck in here for the rest of my life."

"Claire, I haven’t lived long enough! You have to save me."

Claire Sherwood said, "I know. It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry, I’ll get you out."

"Claire, you really are Mommy’s good girl! I love you!" Ruby Sterling exclaimed.

Now that Claire Sherwood was back, she could rest easy. ’With Claire here, nothing is a problem.’

Claire Sherwood didn’t chat with Ruby Sterling for long. Her visit was even shorter than the last time Ivy Sherwood had come to see Ruby Sterling.

After leaving the police station, Claire Sherwood made a call.

Ivy Sherwood saw the unknown number and immediately hung up without answering.

A moment later, a text message arrived on her phone: "It’s Claire Sherwood. We need to talk."

Ivy Sherwood knew Claire Sherwood would return to the country sooner or later and would definitely look for her, but Ivy had no intention of seeing her.

"No time." Ivy Sherwood replied with just two words.

Soon after, another message appeared on her phone: "I’m at your door. Open up."

’Claire Sherwood actually came to my house?’