The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 11.2
Impulsively, her hand reached towards Elfreda’s neck. Her fingers were so tense they seemed ready to strangle Elfreda. However, the Marchioness soon regained her composure and exhaled deeply.
‘It wouldn’t be right to kill her like this.’
She recalled how the noble queen, who had taken her in as an orphan and cared for her as her own sister, passed away. She collapsed and suffered from depression after being shocked by the death of her husband and son.
The death of this detestable woman should neither be quick nor less painful.
‘…She must be killed slowly.’
She must never experience happiness since coming here. She should die struggling in agony.
The Marchioness resolved firmly before she entered Elfreda’s bedroom with a grim expression and whispered instructions to a close maid. The maid, initially surprised, soon smiled, understanding the Marchioness’s intentions.
“Don’t worry. Everything will go as the Marchioness wishes.”
* * *
“Please wake up. The sun is high in the sky.”
Elfreda struggled to open her eyes to the cold voice. However, before she could move properly, a sharp moan escaped her lips.
“Ah…!”
The intense pain she felt in her back was reminiscent of the night before. As Elfreda grimaced and slowly sat up, Marchioness Magnum spoke to her with a stern voice.
“Entertaining His Majesty last night does not excuse you from today’s laziness. You have a busy schedule today.”
However, it was still early dawn, and Elfreda had just woken up, making the Marchioness’s remark seem more like spite. Still, she asked without complaint.
“What’s on the schedule today?”
“As the new queen, you must host a tea party to greet the ladies.”
In Machi, the queen’s workload was lightened by sharing various royal duties with the noble ladies. In some cases, a lady in charge knew much more about a matter than the queen herself. Cooperation from the ladies was essential for the smooth running of the royal household.
“I will set the schedule and send out the letters.”
“No, I’ll do it.”
“You will?”
Even with a questioning look of ‘You?’, Elfreda firmly replied.
“I want to, since it’s my first time.”
“If you wish.”
Marchioness Magnum didn’t object.
After washing and changing dresses, Elfreda sat down at her desk. She prepared a white paper, a quill, and even a dictionary in case of mistakes. The maids quietly sneered at her serious demeanor, but Elfreda diligently crafted each line of the letter.
“The chances are high that many won’t come…”
To increase attendance, it was crucial to write with as much sincerity as possible. Whether it would be effective was uncertain, but…
‘It’s worth trying my best.’
After much deliberation, she completed the letter and handed it to Marchioness Magnum with a slightly tired expression.
“Please send this.”
“Very well. Now, you need to review this year’s budget for Solar Palace.”
“…Bring it to me.”
Elfreda felt the tiredness creeping in but smiled without showing it.
* * *
That morning, the faces of the central palace attendants were uniformly gloomy, except for Robert, who was the only one smiling.
Unable to hold back, Ejnar asked.
“Why does everyone look so down? Except for you.”
“Today, everyone’s precious day’s wages are all mine.”
When Ejnar looked at him with a puzzled face as if asking what he was talking about, Robert opened his mouth again.
“You went to Solar Palace last night.”
“Everyone’s been making no sense last night.”
Ejnar replied harshly.
“Is it so strange for a groom to visit his bride’s chamber?”
“If that bride is the enemy’s bloodline, then yes, it is strange.”
Robert added with a smirk.
“I was the only one who bet that Your Majesty would visit the bride’s chamber.”
Ejnar looked at his attendant as if he was looking at trash.
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