The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 18.2
“Why do you think she won’t apologize?”
“She’s quite stubborn…”
Elfreda trailed off before finally asking what she was most curious about.
“…If that happens, will I be dethroned?”
“….”
This time, Ejnar didn’t answer. Her potential dethronement wasn’t something that could be answered based solely on this incident. There had naturally been times when Ejnar considered her dethronement, but depending on how the situation unfolded, it could happen sooner.
Thus, the issue remained ongoing until then.
From Ejnar’s silence, Elfreda vaguely sensed this. It was something she had always thought was quite natural, but facing it now left a bitter taste.
* * *
—Crash!
Just beside the envoy from Makaeri, a glass flew through the air and shattered against the wall.
Having just finished his audience with Ejnar and gone directly to the guest palace, he swallowed dryly as he looked over the remnants of the shattered glass. Soon, a sharp scream as piercing as the broken glass filled the room.
“Are you insane?!”
Serina was livid, her eyes blazed as she was unable to understand the situation at all.
“You want me to apologize to that b*tch Elfreda? What did I do wrong?”
“Of course, Your Highness, you’ve done nothing wrong…”
The envoy stammered, trying to calm Serina down.
The Empress had held her long-awaited first child so dearly, so this violent and self-centered temperament was perhaps expected. For now, it was better to appease the Princess and then gently coaxing her would be the next step.
“Though diplomatic issues aren’t always about who is right or wrong. His Majesty the Emperor hopes to avoid any damage to our relations with Machi.”
“Why is my father so desperate to please this insignificant country? Can’t we just conquer them outright?”
The envoy was momentarily speechless at such a naive statement about the weight of war, but soon, he responded with a calm smile.
“Of course, it’s not impossible for the great empire of Makaeri. However, Your Highness, the Emperor has his reasons for acting this way. So please, turn a blind eye and apologize…”
“No, I can’t! I just can’t do it!”
Serina screamed as if she couldn’t stand to hear anymore. Her fearlessly defiant response stunned the envoy.
“If I keep holding out here, Father will come to rescue me.”
‘Ack! This is why I didn’t want to come here!’
It was clear she didn’t understand anything. The envoy felt like dropping everything and running away, but regrettably, his rabbit-like wife and fox-like children were waiting for him back in Makaeri.
He took a deep breath and decided to switch tactics to pleading.
“Just one apology from Your Highness could save the lives of countless people who would otherwise be sacrificed in a war. What a noble sacrifice that would be. Please consider it your duty as someone born of noble blood…”
“I said no!”
“….”
Then stay here, Your Highness. I’m going home.
While the envoy wanted to retort sharply and storm out, doing so might have gotten him executed before he could even make it back to Makaeri.
What should I do now?!
His mind was spinning, unable to think of any solutions, when suddenly he remembered something.
‘Ah, right. Now that I think about it…!’
The Emperor had given the envoy a silk pouch for use in case the situation became difficult. Remembering this, the envoy quickly retrieved it. Inside the pouch was a single note.
‘What does it say…’
The note contained just two lines. As the envoy read it, his expression turned to one of shock. Noticing the change, Serina asked with curiosity.
“What’s that?”
“…It’s something His Majesty the Emperor gave me.”
The envoy replied with a noticeably more composed voice.
“It might be good for Your Highness to read it as well.”
“Let me see.”
Serina took the note without much thought. However, as soon as she read the contents, her expression hardened quickly.
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