The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 21.2

“You must try harder to ensure I don’t have to worry.”

“…”

“Then, I must also make an effort in other areas.”

“Yes…?”

Before she could ask, Ejnar’s large hand reached forward and grasped the front of her gown.

“…”

Elfreda looked at him with a bewildered face. His face was expressionless, yet he clearly looked upset.

What might have seemed a tender gesture was purely mechanical. Her chest, which had swelled more than usual ahead of her cycle, was crushed in his hand. Elfreda gradually felt her body becoming wetter as she accepted his touches without moving.

“Umm…”

As Ejnar skillfully moved his hand, the strength began to drain from her body. His hand gradually moved lower, from above her navel to below, slowly tracing a path before his other hand, seemingly annoyed, began to peel off the dress draped over her shoulders.

The dress slipped loosely downward, and Elfreda increasingly struggled to stand upright. She wanted to move to the bed, but for some reason, Ejnar remained still. His feet didn’t move at all, only his hands.

“Ah…”

Despite her making strained noises, he was still. Finally, as the dress could no longer fully cover her and slipped down, Ejnar slid his hand to the flowing gap.

Elfreda couldn’t resist and looked up at him.

But Ejnar met her gaze calmly. His face was dry and did not match his actions, as if he would not do anything more until she spoke directly. Her legs were so weak that she almost stumbled, and she managed to speak with difficulty.

“Huht, Your Majesty…”

“Yes.”

He responded quietly.

“Say it.”

“Could we… move to the bed?”

Ejnar’s eyebrow twitched at her crying voice. He twitched his lips and murmured.

“You’re good with words.”

“Yes?”

“I thought my Queen..,.”

Ejnar pulled his hand lower without hesitation.

“Was a simpleton who couldn’t even speak her mind.”

“Ah…!”

“Fortunately, it seems that’s not the case.”

But why won’t you say anything else, huh?

Ejnar swallowed the rest of his words.

When he first learned that Elfreda was facing difficulties, he observed her actions quietly. As expected, no one came to assist his queen, and it was clear she now had only one person to turn to.

He waited.

Still, she did not come. Perhaps she felt embarrassed to ask for help, so he came to her directly and even asked explicitly.

Yet, until the end, this woman didn’t seek his help.

Why was that? She was someone who ended up speaking her mind when cornered, so why wouldn’t she ask for help in this situation?

He was filled with curiosity to the brim, but his pride was hurt. It seemed demeaning to offer help to a woman who didn’t even think to inform him of her situation. Why should he go to such lengths for this woman? No, why was he even showing kindness to her to this extent?

To a fake queen who dared to swallow up his Machi.

Suddenly, a sense of rage surged within him. It was unclear whether this rage was essentially about the woman’s mere existence, about her keeping silent to him specifically, or about his own feelings for giving so much concern to such a woman.

He didn’t want to keep this rage to himself any longer.

Ejnar suddenly lifted Elfreda off her feet. Elfreda screamed softly and flailed her hands in the air. She tried reflexively to grab his shoulders but quickly clenched her fists instead. Despite being high enough to make one fear fall, she held herself bravely.

Ejnar’s expression twisted at her.

Aahh. So, she didn’t want to talk about her situation to her husband and didn’t want to touch his body, was that it?