Chapter 5: The Wife Who Doesn’t Return

Three days had passed since I left. In the capital, red silk still fluttered from the Crown Prince’s residence. Sebastian had just escorted Clarissa Ashmore into the palace to meet the noble ladies. The new consort was summoned for a private audience with the Queen Mother.

Sebastian stood in the corridor, jaw tight with worry. "She hasn’t come back in three days?"

A guard bowed his head. "Your Highness, the Crown Princess said she was going to the charity shelter and wouldn’t be returning for a few days."

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. "Did she make a scene? Cause any trouble?"

"No, Your Highness. She just went out, came back, then left again. She only said she was going to the charity shelter."

So the Queen Mother was right, Sebastian thought. No matter how innocent Elise seemed, once a woman entered the palace, she learned how to play the game. Her calmness—no tears, no drama—was just a way to get his attention. Not a single complaint, but she kept mentioning the charity shelter, dropping hints about where she’d be. She just wanted to make him feel guilty, to remember their past, so he’d go after her.

But he’d already explained—marrying Clarissa was just a temporary move to secure his place as Crown Prince. And on the wedding day, he’d made it clear to Clarissa—he would never love her, only give her a child.

What Sebastian didn’t expect was for Clarissa to agree so easily. She could have married any unmarried prince, but she wanted Sebastian, even if it meant being just a consort.

Now, it seemed to Sebastian that Elise only cared about her own feelings, never about his. Since she was sulking, he’d wait and see if she’d come back for him. If Elise loved him, surely she’d understand the weight he carried.

"Should I send someone to look for the Crown Princess?" a servant asked hesitantly.

"No need. Let her go," Sebastian said, convinced that without him, Elise wouldn’t last long in the capital. She’d come back, crying and begging.

Five more days passed… Still no word from the Crown Princess.

"Don’t worry, Your Highness. Her maid said she took some valuables with her. As long as she’s in the capital, she’ll have enough to eat and drink. No one will trouble her."

Sebastian frowned, staring at the closed door.

Clarissa let out a soft sigh, her voice tinged with envy. "I’m so jealous of her freedom. Whenever she gets in trouble, Your Highness always fixes it. If I did the same, I’d be punished at home, and here, people would gossip."

Sebastian stayed silent, but his face grew darker.

Suddenly, a messenger rushed in, breathless. "Report! Your Highness, the Crown Princess… she isn’t at the charity shelter!"

Sebastian shot to his feet, his wide sleeves knocking over a teacup. "What did you say!"

"She… she left all her valuables at the shelter and said… she said…"

"Said what!"

"She said she wouldn’t be coming for a while."

Not coming? Or… not coming back…