The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 30.2

“The teacher will come to teach you the pronunciation. It’s an important event, so you shouldn’t embarrass yourself.”

Elfreda paused to think before asking.”

What if I don’t do well?”

“You’d receive even more mockery and disdain.”

Marchioness Magnum replied with a tone that suggested she couldn’t believe Elfreda needed to ask. Illene frowned and interjected.

“Marchioness Magnum, you shouldn’t speak to the Queen like that…”

“It’s true that the people take great pride in ancient Machi. If a ‘Makaeri person’ stumbles through it, they’ll think the Machi have been disrespected.”

Marchioness Magnum ignored Illene and continued speaking.

Her words were factual, causing Illene’s expression to stiffen. Though they used a modified version of ancient Machi for convenience, the Machi people firmly believed it was the most beautiful and perfect language in the world.

Regardless of status, their pride was immense. Therefore, if a foreign queen attempted to speak it clumsily at an official event, the sentiment would likely become even more negative, as they would view it as the great language being ‘contaminated’ by Elfreda.

Perhaps everyone was aiming for that.

With a slightly drained voice, Elfreda asked.

“What if I just quit now?”

“That’s not an option.”

Marchioness Magnum answered in a somewhat teasing tone.

“If you want to be recognized as the Queen of Machi, you have to succeed.”

“But Marchioness already don’t recognize me.”

Elfreda pointed out with an expressionless face.

“I’m no longer a Makaeri person here, Marchioness. Choose your words carefully.”

“….”

“Isn’t it better for you that the person you serve is Machi rather than a foreigner?”

“…I’ll be careful.”

The last remark made Marchioness Magnum’s expression tighten slightly, a hint of humiliation crossing her face. It was a familiar power struggle, but each time, it felt exhausting, and Elfreda felt a headache coming on.

Perhaps it was also the worry about the upcoming situation that contributed to it.

‘But still… I have to at least try.’

According to Marchioness Magnum, the outcome of this event might improve perceptions of her, even if only slightly. This wasn’t the time to pick and choose her circumstances, so Elfreda resolved to push herself to succeed in any way possible.

* * *

“How about quitting now?”

That was the first thing Ejnar said after finding Elfreda in the Solar Palace, still clutching the speech in her hands.

Elfreda twitched her lips in response.

“You must not have much faith in me.”

It wasn’t a question but a statement of certainty. Ejnar let out a hollow laugh.

“You’re quick-witted.”

“I’m trying.”

“This isn’t something that can be resolved by effort. Is the queen a genius?”

“It’s just about reading it well. There’s no need to be a genius.”

“…Ha.”

Ejnar let out a sigh, overwhelmed by frustration at that moment.

It wasn’t just about reading it, that was why.

Elfreda was thinking far too naively. Yet, he couldn’t tell her that.

No, there was no reason to. Her embarrassment had nothing to do with him. If the Queen couldn’t handle ancient Machi, it wouldn’t diminish the royal family’s authority; it would simply be her own problem.

In fact, it was rather ridiculous for him to be concerned about this issue, and perhaps he should be hoping for her failure more than anyone.

But…

As he watched this innocent woman, completely unaware, working so hard, it only fueled his irritation. Most likely, it was the frustration of not being able to express what he knew.

‘She’s working hard to read it perfectly.’

That much was evident. The dark circles under her eyes were proof of that.

With the preparations for the opening ceremony and practicing the speech, it must have been overwhelming. Ejnar didn’t like seeing her put in so much effort. She could have just let it go. Why was she making things so difficult for herself?

He gazed at Elfreda, whose eyes were glued to the speech, her brow furrowed.

She looked tired, her eyes growing narrower as if sleep was creeping in. Despite his presence, she remained focused on her desk instead of the bed, clearly absorbed in her work.

Ejnar sat on the edge of the bed, quietly observing Elfreda.

“And so, I believe that our ancient Machi is surely a creation of God…”

In that moment, Elfreda’s eyes began to flutter closed.

Ejnar instinctively sprang to his feet and rushed toward her. Just as she began to slump and fall to the floor, he caught her by the shoulder.

Holding her gently as if she were a delicate glass figurine, he let out a short sigh.

“…Really.”

She was a high-maintenance woman.