The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 10.1

Shortly after, he dismissed the handmaids, leaving himself alone with Elfreda. Sensing her clear gaze, Ejnar let out a hollow laugh.

“You’ll wear out my face like that.”

As soon as he pointed it out, her face immediately reddened, especially the left cheek, which was noticeably more flushed.

‘It looks unsightly.’

He was displeased. Not just with her cheek and her face but everything about her.

Ejnar recalled the sight of Serena slapping Elfreda’s cheek hard, and he frowned. After all, she had now become the queen of a country, so the fact Serena, the Princess of Makaeri, treated her carelessly was an insult to Makaeri.

Still…

“I was just sleepy, trying to wake myself up…”

…Such a ridiculous excuse.

Listening to it, he was dumbfounded. Why? Because she was here for a political marriage and wanted to avoid discord between the nations? Or was she embarrassed to reveal the conflict with her sister to him?

Overwhelmed by the absurdity and unable to speak, a statement from Elfreda struck him hard.

“There’s nothing you can do if you don’t believe me.”

It was clear she had no intention of being honest. Frustration engulfed him.

‘…Why am I even bothering with this?’

As she said, it was beyond his control. He was the only witness, so there was no problem.

It was better if she kept quiet and let it pass.

He wasn’t curious about her situation or her relationship with Princess Serena. He saw no value in being curious and shouldn’t be curious. Ejnar was just disgusted with himself for meddling in her affairs. Who was it that had killed his uncle and his cousin?

The thought of it…

“I apologize.”

Only then did he snap out of his reverie.

Seeing Elfreda with her head bowed, he felt stifled again. Regardless of the circumstances, a woman adorned with the title of Queen of Machi should never lack confidence. The Queen of Machi, more noble and great than anyone, his bride.

He couldn’t stand to see the Queen’s dignity being self-diminished. Ejnar strode towards her and lifted her chin.

“A queen of a country should not bow her head so easily.”

Her startled face looked up at him fearfully, and he felt an odd tightness in his chest. It was an unusual feeling. Her moist eyes, her pale face, her trembling breath — it was as if he had been doused in a strong perfume, making his head ache.

“But why are you here…?”

“As I said earlier. Is it so strange for a husband to visit his bride’s bedroom on their wedding night?”

“That’s not it, but… I thought you wouldn’t come.”

“Why?”

“Because you hate me.”

“Me?”

“Is that…wrong?”

Her eyes looked up at him, seemingly hopeful.

Ejnar felt a thud in his heart at that moment. Just as he tried to decipher what it meant, his mind clouded like fog. He looked at Elfreda sternly for a long time, then narrowed his eyes, feeling his heart pound fiercely and blood rush through his veins.

A tight sensation spread from his chest downward.

“…You do understand your position well.”

After a long silence, he finally spoke the appropriate answer.

“I cannot possibly like you.”

“…Of course.”

A hint of disappointment appeared in her eyes.

Was she pretending, or was she genuinely disappointed? If the former, it was audacious; if the latter, it was laughably absurd. Did she really think he wouldn’t hate her, given she was the granddaughter of the tyrant Gunnar?

Looking at Elfreda, who seemed shameless, he felt annoyed by her seemingly innocent face. The heat starting inside him spread like wildfire throughout his body, reaching down to his waist.

“Then… maybe you should leave now. If it’s a diplomatic issue, you’ve been here long enough—”