The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 1.1

“His Majesty won’t be coming tonight.”

As the haughty voice of Marchioness Magnum pierced her ears, Elfreda hesitated for a moment, but that was all.

In truth, she had already braced herself for this. Throughout the wedding, she had received no hint of goodwill from her husband or anyone else. It had been this way ever since she arrived in the kingdom of Machi, so it was nothing new.

The unpleasant stares were expected.

She had come from the Makaeri Empire, far from Machi. Even though she was only a half-blood, she carried the blood of the Makaeri royal family. To the people here, that meant she bore the blood of the barbarians who had killed their former king and prince.

So, she told herself not to be too hurt if her husband, who had lost his uncle and cousin at the hands of her grandfather, hated her. If they knew, it would be natural for them to condemn her as shameless and impudent.

As Elfreda steeled herself with these thoughts, Marchioness Magnum’s haughty voice continued.

“So, let’s remove the Queen’s wedding dress now—”

“Chief Lady-in-waiting!”

At that moment, a lady-in-waiting rushed into Elfreda’s chamber with shocking news.

“His Majesty the King has arrived.”

The Marchioness’s previously arrogant expression faltered for a moment at those words. However, true to her experience as the former queen’s chief lady-in-waiting, she quickly regained her composure and asked,

“Is that true?”

“Yes. He’s just arrived at the palace gates…!”

“His Majesty is entering.”

Following the central palace servant’s announcement, several footsteps were heard. At the news of the King’s arrival, the ladies-in-waiting, who had been awkwardly gathered around Elfreda to remove her wedding dress, quickly lowered their heads.

Elfreda looked at the strong man entering the room, slightly dazed. The man was as tall as her barbarian father, forcing her to tilt her head to see him properly.

Even in the dark of night, his brilliant golden hair, which could be recognized from afar, was the first thing to captivate her eyes.

As she lowered her gaze in a daze, she met his deep, forest-green eyes reminiscent of a lush summer forest.

Mesmerized by the beautiful eyes that had captured her from the very first moment, Elfreda forgot to greet him and simply continued to stare. Of course, she hadn’t expected him to come, so she was distracted.

Elfreda wasn’t the only one taken aback.

“Your, Your Majesty… What brings you here?”

Marchioness Magnum asked with a clearly flustered expression. The King glanced at her briefly and replied indifferently,

“Is it unusual for the groom to come to his bride’s chamber?”

It shouldn’t be. However, for the couple married today, it was indeed unusual.

The King had seemed displeased all day, given that he was marrying a woman with the blood of the barbarians who had killed his uncle and cousin. It was only natural to assume he wouldn’t show up on their wedding night.

But Marchioness Magnum quickly realized,

‘Indeed, it would be a significant diplomatic insult for the wedding night to begin poorly.’

Elfreda had come as part of a peace marriage. There was a certain decorum that needed to be maintained, even if the reality was different.

‘It seems he will only be here briefly.’

With this thought, Marchioness Magnum flashed a satisfied smile and bowed her head.

“I apologize for the lack of preparation due to your sudden arrival.”

“There’s nothing to prepare.”

As I would be leaving soon.

Marchioness Magnum was waiting for those words to be added, but instead—

“Why are you still here?”

—The King’s questioning tone jolted her heart.

‘This isn’t…’

“Are you not leaving?”

Not right.

“Do you intend to watch me spend the night with the queen?”

No, this was definitely wrong. The Marchioness, forgetting all decorum in her confusion, stared directly at the King. His displeased gaze was unmistakably directed at her, not at the so-called barbarian woman. It was as if he was looking at an intruder.

The Marchioness, momentarily stunned, only managed to twitch her lips before quickly biting them and bowing her head again.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, all the ladies-in-waiting in the bedroom withdrew, leaving Elfreda alone with the King. Elfreda continued to stare at his profile, still unable to grasp the situation.

‘Ejnar Machi.’

Elfreda silently repeated his name, which she had recently learned, over and over in her mind. From head to toe, he was flawless and beautiful, and his name was just as perfect.

As she stared at him blankly…

“Your face will get stuck like that.”

Before she could fully grasp the meaning of the brief remark, Ejnar turned and met her gaze.

Elfreda’s face turned red with surprise. Although she hadn’t expected to go unnoticed, she felt extremely embarrassed now that she had been caught. Without realizing it, she lowered her head and muttered,

“I’m sorry.”

Seeing her like this, Ejnar approached with a look of disapproval.

Though it was only a few steps, each sound of his footsteps made her heartbeat race more intensely.

“Ah…”

Finally, his cold fingers touched her chin.

Elfreda reflexively lifted her head. She found herself face-to-face with him at a very close distance, just like their wedding ceremony earlier. It felt as though her breath was getting harder.

“A queen of a nation shouldn’t lower her head so easily.”