CHAPTER 202: THE DEVIL’S PALACE

Olga sat with Leonid as he read to her. His small voice was steady, though sometimes he stumbled over a word, and each time he did, he quickly corrected himself. His eyes shone with pride as he tried to show her he was improving.

When he finally finished the page, Olga gave a smile that seemed warm but carried an edge to it. "You’ve been improving, my dear son," she said softly, brushing her hand across his hair. Leonid’s chest puffed with joy. Nothing made him happier than to be praised.

"That’s because I want to be as smart and strong as brother," Leonid answered without thinking. His eyes glowed as he said it, the name of his brother like a small flame in his heart.

Olga’s smile vanished. She snapped, her voice sharp like the crack of a whip. "How many times must I tell you not to mention that devil? He is a monster, Leonid. A monster! He wants you dead. But you never listen to me."

Leonid’s small hands clenched over the book. His voice trembled, but he spoke back with courage. "Stop calling him that. Brother is not a devil. He’s not a monster. He’s brave and strong. He doesn’t want me dead. In fact, he saved—"

"Shut up!" Olga cut him off, her voice fierce and cold. She rose halfway from her chair, her eyes blazing. "Not another word from you. He tried to kill you, did you forget so soon? I don’t know why you are being so stupid. I don’t want to hear another word about him, or you will regret it."

Leonid’s throat tightened, his young eyes filling with tears, but he bit his lip hard and stayed silent. He refused to cry in front of her. He refused to let her words crush the love he carried for his brother.

Just then, a knock came on the door. Olga turned sharply. A servant entered, bowing. "Your Majesty, the Grand Duke and Duchess have arrived."

Leonid’s face lit up instantly. A big smile spread across his lips. "Brother is here!" he said with joy, forgetting his mother’s anger. But when his eyes flicked to her, he saw her glare. That heavy look warned him to keep quiet.

Olga turned to him with cold authority. "I want you to finish all these books before the day ends."

Leonid’s mouth fell open. "But Brother is here. I want to go see him." His voice was soft, almost pleading.

Olga’s eyes narrowed, her tone like poison. "Leonid Romanov. You will do as I told you. Don’t think of leaving this room." She stood up swiftly, her dress rustling as she turned and left without another glance.

Leonid’s lips trembled. His little hands pressed against the book, but his heart wasn’t in it anymore. His heart was running down the hall to find his brother.

---

Just as Ivan and Lydia entered the palace, the air shifted. Lydia’s mind was hazy, her thoughts spinning. The long journey, the trial that awaited her, and Olga’s shadow pressing against her heart—it was all too much. Her fingers trembled as she walked. She tried to steady them by folding them together, but nothing helped.

Ivan walked just a few steps behind her. He could see her unease in every small movement, in the way her shoulders tensed, in the way her steps faltered slightly. His own hands itched to hold her, to take away the storm inside her chest. But he stayed back, afraid that one wrong move would only make it worse. His silence was heavy, almost painful.

Then they heard footsteps. Olga.

She walked toward them with the calm of a predator, her face composed but her eyes full of poison. Her lips curved into a smile that was sharp as a blade. "What a lovely sight," she said mockingly, her voice sweet but dripping with venom.

She turned her eyes to Anna. "And who are you?"

Anna froze under the sudden attention. Her hands shook a little as she bowed her head. "My name is Anna Petrovna, Your Majesty. I’m Her Highness’ lady-in-waiting."

Olga’s smile widened. "Ah, so you’re the new lady-in-waiting. Ah and I don’t see Lady Orlova. She must not have been able to travel because of her pregnancy." Her tone was soft, almost careless, but every word was chosen to hurt. "She is carrying His Highness’s child, after all. She must be careful."

Lydia’s heart thudded. For a moment, the words pressed against her chest like a knife. But she stood tall, her face calm, her expression unreadable. She told herself she must not show weakness. Not before Olga. Never before Olga.

Olga’s sharp eyes searched Lydia’s face for cracks, for any sign of pain. But when she saw Lydia’s expression was calm, almost indifferent, she twisted the knife deeper. "You must have been shocked about the trial and all," she said, her voice now carrying a fake concern, dripping with false sweetness. "Don’t worry, His Majesty won’t exactly dismiss you as the Grand Duchess. It’s all just formalities. You only have to stand before the senate and answer a few questions."

She gave a little sigh, as if she pitied her. "Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll be there. I’ll make sure you don’t get cruel questions. You don’t have to worry. I’m by your side."

Lydia’s body burned with anger, but her face remained calm, like a still lake hiding fire beneath. She turned not to Olga but to Katherine. "I’m exhausted from the travel. Have them prepare a hot bath for me."

Her tone was soft, commanding, and completely ignoring Olga’s existence. With her head held high, Lydia walked past Olga as if she were nothing more than empty air. Anna and Xenia hurried to follow her.

Olga stood frozen, her face calm but her blood boiling. She could feel the slap of being ignored burning across her pride. But she forced herself to stay composed. Her nails dug into her palms, hidden beneath her sleeves.

Katherine gave a polite bow. "If you’ll excuse me, Your Majesty." She walked after Lydia, leaving only Boris and Ivan standing there with Olga.

Boris cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Your Majesty. I have to see His Majesty." He left quickly, sensing the tension crackling in the air.

Now it was just Ivan and Olga.

Olga turned to him with a smirk. Her fake tone was gone. Her voice dropped low, sharp, and poisonous. "Tomorrow will be a splendid sight," she said with satisfaction. "I know the Grand Duchess is acting all tough now, but the members of the senate will chew her alive. You should see the endless list of things she’s being accused of. I wonder how she will defend herself. Poor thing, she might even cry."

She leaned closer, her eyes glinting with cruel delight. "Just like that day she begged me to cancel our deal. Do you remember? She said she loved you and didn’t want to hurt you. It was almost painful to watch her beg. Almost."

Ivan’s fists clenched tightly at his sides. His jaw hardened, his teeth grinding together. He could feel the rage burning inside, but he forced it down, forced his face to stay cold. His voice came out low and sharp. "I don’t know what game you are playing, Olga. But I’d advise you to end it. Or else."

Olga laughed softly, a cruel laugh that carried no joy. "Or else what? Don’t forget, Ivan, I am the one with the advantage. You still owe me." Her eyes gleamed as she added, "Unless..." She let her words trail off, her lips curling into a smile. "Never mind."

She turned, her skirts brushing against the floor, and walked away with that smirk still on her lips. Her voice floated back like poison in the air. "He’s just where I want him to be. He can’t do anything."

Ivan stood alone in the wide hall, his face blank. But inside, the storm raged. His heart thundered in fury, every word Olga had spoken burning him from within. He wanted to break something, to shout, to drag her lies into the open. But he couldn’t. Not now. Not yet. He had to suppress it. He had to wait.

His hands shook slightly at his sides as he stood still, the palace air warm around him, but his body cold with rage. He forced a deep breath, but it did nothing to ease the fire in his chest.