The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 25.2

In the ensuing silence, he thought for a moment. If the hostility ran so deep, perhaps it would be acceptable to reveal his true feelings to that woman.

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

It was precisely because of that hostility that he couldn’t risk losing his composure and inadvertently revealing his feelings to Elfreda. Moreover, the more people who knew a secret, the greater the chance it would be leaked. There was no need to reveal the truth prematurely.

Yet Ejnar couldn’t have predicted that, much later, he would come to regret his caution. It was something he hadn’t even considered at the time.

* * *

Elfreda couldn’t hide her amusement when she saw Marchioness Magnum as soon as Illene arrived at Solar Palace. Although she knew that every eye and ear in the palace belonged to the Marchioness, this was rather blatant.

She felt a bitter taste in her mouth and asked politely.

“Is your health better now, Madam?”

“Thanks to your concern and the long vacation, I’ve made a full recovery.”

Marchioness Magnum answered with a lie, not flinching in the slightest.

“Your Majesty!”

A bright voice called out from a short distance, followed by the sound of graceful footsteps approaching.

Illene, who had left Solar Palace that morning and hadn’t even unpacked after returning from her extended leave, was back.

‘Was everything going well?’

Elfreda, noticing Illene’s bright expression, cautiously hoped for the best.

As Illene entered Elfreda’s office, she briefly looked surprised to see Marchioness Magnum there. However, she quickly regained her composure and greeted Elfreda warmly.

“It’s been a while, Marchioness Magnum.”

“It has been a while, Lady Haegan. I hear you’ll be staying at Solar Palace starting today?”

“I received a royal order to serve the Queen by Her Majesty’s side. I look forward to working with you.”

Marchioness Magnum didn’t respond particularly, but Illene, seeming to expect nothing, reported to Elfreda.

“I’ve returned, Your Majesty. Due to the timing, I couldn’t visit many people today, though I’ll make more effort tomorrow.”

“What are you saying, Illene? I’m already very grateful for your efforts on my behalf.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

Illene, who modestly nodded her head, turned to Marchioness Magnum and explained the situation.

“I met with a few of the noble ladies who received invitations to the tea party. None of them attended the tea party, though. It seems perfectly coordinated.”

“Other ladies-in-waiting didn’t prove to be much help, then?”

“They said they didn’t know the noble ladies who received the invitations or that their relations were poor. It seemed perfectly coordinated.”

While Elfreda flinched at the repeated accusations, Illene continued unperturbed.

“Now that the Marchioness has returned, I feel reassured. Perhaps the timing of this return is just as perfectly coordinated.”

“…Is that so?”

“You have extensive connections. Having been in the royal court for decades, no one will refuse your requests.”

“….”

In this situation, if Marchioness Magnum couldn’t gather the noble ladies for the tea party, it would tarnish her authority.

Had Elfreda made the same statement, she might have found a way to avoid the issue. But Illene, who had spent years serving as the King’s maid and was well-versed in social circles, wasn’t someone easily fooled by flimsy excuses.

The corners of the Marchioness’s mouth twisted into a smirk.

‘It seems Lady Haegan has a surprisingly favorable opinion of that barbarian.’

Perhaps an attachment had formed when she cared for the ailing queen before the royal marriage. It was unpleasant to see her so actively assisting the queen, almost as if it were a royal command.

It felt like a betrayal.

If she were truly aligned with Machi, it should despise the queen. Surely, the King hadn’t instructed her to be this diligent in aiding the queen.

With Illene’s arrival at Solar Palace, everything seemed to unravel.

Marchioness Magnum couldn’t shake the feeling that she had somehow fallen into her own trap.