The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 3.2

The familiar loneliness enveloped her, but the loneliness felt even more poignant in the distant foreign land.

Elfreda closed her eyes and envisioned how she would spend her time here.

Everyone might dislike her, but she would have to be kind to everyone. She would have to smile and speak warmly, making an effort not to be too much of a target for hatred.

It was at that moment that a chilling sensation enveloped her darkened vision as she closed her eyes. Soon after, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching cautiously. Elfreda naturally assumed it was a lady-in-waiting coming to tend to the fire.

However, the footsteps felt heavier and gradually drew nearer.

She sensed her body tensing with an inexplicable tension. It would be a simple matter to open her eyes and confirm who it was. Yet instinctively, the thought dominated her mind that she should not do that. Somehow, it seemed like she should pretend to be asleep.

Before she knew it, her hand concealed under the blanket began to tremble.

—Ssrrngg.

An unmistakable sound brushed her ear. She tightly shut her eyes and bit her lip. There was no longer any room for doubt.

‘… They’ve come to kill me.’

Since the first day she set foot in this land, someone in Machi disliked her. The bitter hostility pointed at her throat. Should she open her eyes and scream now? No, was that even possible? Before she could even open her mouth, wouldn’t her throat be pierced by the blade?

Elfreda couldn’t figure out what to do. Suddenly, a hot teardrop rolled down the side of her eye.

She didn’t want to die.

If that was the case, maybe she should try reasoning. If they spared her, she would comply with whatever they wanted. She had to stay alive somehow.

Elfreda slowly opened her eyes.

Amidst the pitch-black darkness, a dim candle revealed who was in front of her. A masked figure as dark as the night was pressing a blade against her throat.

She struggled to remain calm as she opened her lips.

“…Spare me.”

The masked figure seemed even more surprised by her calm demeanor. She took a short breath before pleading in a weak and feeble voice.

“If you spare me, I’ll do whatever you want.”

“All I want is the annihilation of the barbarian.”

The expression that seemed like it was a fixed thing. Elfreda’s breath caught in her throat at the intense hatred emanating from the figure’s exposed eyes. She realized that she couldn’t escape her fate and despaired.

Finally, the figure raised the blade, and she stopped breathing, closing her eyes once more.

“Kuohk!”

A sharp scream echoed.

Soon after, a heavyweight and thick blood soaked through her chest… but none of it was hers. Elfreda trembled as she barely opened her eyes.

The suppressed scream burst out.

“Ah…!”

The figure who had aimed the blade at her just a moment ago, the figure who mercilessly raised the knife despite her plea, was now sprawled before her, bleeding profusely. The warm blood that had been vividly alive just moments ago seeped into her neck, causing her whole body to convulse.

Elfreda let out a breath and shed tears as warm as the blood of the deceased.

Through teary eyes, the suddenly bright sun appeared. She struggled to open her eyes and blinked twice, yet the golden sun remained unchanged.

“What luck.”

Wiping the blood off his radiant golden hair, the man murmured. It was a crazy thought entirely unsuited for the situation, but the low tone of the voice, which she heard for the first time, was comforting.

Elfreda met the man’s gaze.

Despite her lying down, the man looked quite tall. His deep green eyes, gazing at her indifferently, had a noble air, and his nose, showed by the light, was as sharp as a sculpture. The lips beneath them were delicate as if drawn by a brush.

He looked like a painting drawn on rich-colored velvet.

“It’s a hassle to find another bride.”

The following words revealed his identity.

Elfreda struggled to breathe and met the man’s gaze. Her consciousness was in jeopardy as if she would collapse at any moment. Still, she felt she had to say at least this before losing consciousness.

“Thank you….for saving me.”

Perhaps it was an unexpected first word.

With the man’s smile as the last thing she saw, Elfreda closed her eyes completely. She was certain that he wouldn’t save her just to kill her afterwards.

Ironically, this man was the person she hated more than anyone else in the world.