CHAPTER 198: THE JOURNEY THROUGH LOVE AND LONGING PT1

The carriages were already ready for the long journey to the capital. The soft clatter of horses’ hooves echoed faintly in the courtyard outside. Servants moved quickly across the marble halls, their hurried steps and murmurs carrying the heavy weight of the coming journey.

Inside her chamber, Lydia was already dressed for travel. The spring sun filtered faintly through the tall windows, throwing a golden sheen across her cream dress. The fabric hugged her slender frame with quiet elegance, and the diamonds at her throat caught the light in flashes. Her earrings glimmered as she moved, every detail of her appearance screaming boldness and quiet defiance. She stood tall, her chin lifted, though her eyes betrayed the turmoil stirring inside her.

Xenia was already by her side, fixing the last fold of her sleeve with her usual brisk but loyal care. Lydia’s handmaid said nothing, but her presence was steady, firm, the kind of silent reassurance Lydia needed but would never admit aloud.

The door creaked open softly. Katherine stepped inside, her face pale but calm, her hands folded in front of her as if to hide her nerves. Her voice was gentle, almost motherly.

"Everything for your travel is ready, Your Highness," she said.

Lydia gave a quick nod. "Let’s go now. There’s not much time. If we leave at once, we can reach the capital by noon tomorrow."

She was about to step forward when Katherine’s voice, low and hesitant, broke the air.

"Are you sure about this?" Katherine asked softly. "What if... what if something bad happens?"

For a brief second, Lydia froze. She did not want to hear those words, because they echoed her own hidden fear. She could almost feel her chest tighten. But she lifted her chin again, forcing strength into her tone.

"Nothing bad will happen," she said firmly. "Let’s go."

Katherine’s shoulders slumped slightly. She sighed, her eyes filled with worry that words could no longer hide. She nodded then, as if to surrender to Lydia’s decision, and fell into step behind her, following Xenia and Lydia toward the door.

The echo of their footsteps filled the corridor as they left her room. The palace air felt heavier than usual, as if the very walls whispered doubt and judgment. They descended toward the stairs, and Lydia’s gaze remained sharp and proud, though her stomach twisted. She knew eyes would be watching her today — some waiting for her to fail, some silently hoping she would not.

At the top of the staircase, they ran straight into Tatiana.

Tatiana’s smile was sharp, smug, the kind that cut without mercy. She tilted her head, feigning surprise, though her eyes were gleaming with mockery.

"I see you are leaving for the capital," Tatiana said sweetly, though her tone dripped poison. She gave a small laugh, as though she had been waiting for this very moment. "I just heard the news."

She pressed a hand lightly to her stomach, a gesture that was as deliberate as it was false. "I really wish I could accompany you, but you know... I am pregnant. Traveling far distances isn’t good for my baby."

The smirk never left her face. She leaned closer, her voice dropping into mock sympathy.

"But do you want a piece of advice? Don’t have too much hope. The senate members are ruthless. You should have known... when you were behaving so recklessly, that they would come after you."

She gave a little sigh, pretending to think. Then she added, almost too loudly, "Don’t worry, I’ll pray for you. That everything goes well. But if it doesn’t... then I will finally be the Grand Duchess, just as planned."

Her laughter was quiet, sharp as glass.

Lydia’s face remained unreadable. She did not let her features twitch, did not let her voice betray the storm building in her chest. That calm composure of hers — that stillness — made Tatiana’s stomach twist with unease.

Lydia turned as if to leave without saying a word. Then, her voice, soft but cutting, drifted back over her shoulder.

"Make sure you take care of your baby. I wonder what will happen if something happens to it. All your dreams will be squashed."

Her words were almost a whisper, but they struck like thunder. She left the hall without looking back.

Tatiana froze where she stood. The smile on her lips faltered. Her hands trembled slightly as she pressed them against her gown.

"What... what does she mean?" she muttered to herself, her confidence shaking.

Xenia leaned close to Lydia as they walked, her voice sharp with disgust.

"She’s not even pregnant. Look at her, talking like that," Xenia whispered. "Your Highness, you really should get rid of that witch."

Katherine, who had stayed quiet, finally spoke. Her voice was lower, but just as firm.

"Really, Your Highness. Xenia is right."

Lydia said nothing. Her eyes darted around as they moved through the palace corridors, as if searching for something she couldn’t admit aloud. She told herself it was habit, that she was only looking at her surroundings. But deep down, she knew the truth. She was searching for him.

For Ivan.

She tried to push the thought away, but her heart gave her no peace. Was he here? Would he come with her? Or had he already chosen to distance himself, to leave her to fight this battle alone? She shook her head slightly, scolding herself in silence. "Are you really thinking about him now?"

They walked quietly, the tension hanging between them unspoken. The palace doors loomed ahead, and with every step Lydia’s chest grew tighter.

Outside, the air was warm with spring. The fragrance of fresh earth and blooming flowers floated around them. Yet Lydia frowned as soon as she stepped into the courtyard. There were not one, not two, but three carriages waiting. The glossy wood and gold accents gleamed under the sunlight. The horses stamped their hooves restlessly, the air filled with their breath.

Lydia turned sharply to Katherine. "Why are there three?"

Katherine lowered her gaze, her voice calm but carrying a weight Lydia immediately caught. "My apologies, Your Highness... His Highness is coming too."

For a moment, Lydia forgot how to breathe. She blinked, the words striking her with both relief and disbelief.

"What? He is coming?" Her voice was softer than she intended, carrying an almost childlike note of surprise.

Katherine nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. Also... I believe Boris is too."

Before Lydia could even respond, she turned instinctively toward the palace doors.

And there they were.

Ivan and Boris.

The sight made her heart stumble. Ivan’s tall figure moved across the marble steps with quiet strength, his stride firm, his eyes fixed ahead. The sunlight caught in his dark hair, his broad shoulders carrying an air of command that seemed impossible to ignore. Beside him, Boris followed steadily, his presence solid and dependable, like a shadow that never left its master.

Lydia’s breath caught in her throat. She stood frozen in her cream gown, diamonds glittering faintly at her neck, her heart beating too fast, too loud. She wanted to look away, to hide the trembling inside her chest, but she couldn’t.

Ivan was coming with her.