The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 35.2
Still, she didn’t believe he had orchestrated or participated in this cruel prank. If that were the case, there would have been no need for such theatrics. In fact, if he hadn’t hurt himself, she might have suspected him, and even if she had, there would’ve been little she could do about it.
What mattered was that he had endured such pain to help her… how kind of him.
“Did you anticipate this?”
“A little.”
Ejnar admitted candidly.
In truth, it would have been better for him to feign ignorance to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. Elfreda was a bit surprised, but Ejnar thought it was too artificial. Besides, he had no reason to act suspiciously since he was innocent.
“I thought someone would certainly want to undermine the barbarian queen who’s attracting attention for speaking in ancient Machi.”
“….”
“But there’s no need to be thankful. If the queen had recited that mess today, it would have ruined the opening ceremony we had all been looking forward to.”
There was no need for unnecessary misunderstandings. He seemed to say that, though Elfreda smiled as if it didn’t matter.
“Still, I’m grateful. After all, you took the time to care for me.”
“That’s not such a significant matter…”
“And… I’m sorry.”
At her words, Ejnar’s furrowed brow tightened even further.
“That’s a forbidden phrase…”
“I know…”
Not being able to meet Ejnar’s gaze, Elfreda glanced down, catching sight of his injured finger. She squeezed her eyes shut momentarily before continuing in a soft voice.
“I still feel really sorry that it happened because of me.”
Anyone would think he had been stabbed in the heart. It was just a small cut on his finger.
…Of course, it was a bit deeper than that, but it was still just paper.
‘I feel like a little kid right now.’
Ejnar had never received such exaggerated concern, not even from his deceased parents or the late king and queen, leaving him feeling both awkward and unexpectedly warm inside. After all, Robert had merely tossed him some ointment and walked away, saying it was unnecessary to call a doctor for such a minor injury.
“Have you received treatment from the doctor?”
Just then, Elfreda asked, her expression filled with deep concern. Her large eyes, glistening with unshed tears, looked just as they had back at the library, stirring a similar reaction in him. The sensation tightening around his heart spread downward, leaving Ejnar momentarily frozen.
He felt bound by it, swallowing hard as he shook his head.
This made Elfreda’s eyes widen, nearly to the point of disbelief at how large they had become, which, oddly enough, made him feel oddly pleased, so he couldn’t help but add.
“As I mentioned earlier, there’s no need to call the doctor for something like this.”
As she fidgeted, he continued in a deliberately indifferent tone.
“I really mean it. If you don’t believe me, you can check for yourself.”
“Yes?”
Elfreda looked back and forth between him and his injured finger, her earlier panic seemingly fading. Unlike earlier, when she had clutched his hand carelessly, she was no longer in such a startled state, so she hesitated.
As she hesitated, Ejnar slightly furrowed his brow and complained.
“See?”
“Excuse me?”
“It seems your concern was just empty words.”
“No, no, that’s not it…”
Elfreda explained, looking flustered.
“I just thought Your Majesty might be uncomfortable with me touching your body…”
He couldn’t help but laugh at that.
“What do you think we do every night, then?”
“….”
Elfreda’s face turned bright red in an instant.
So, even then, she couldn’t bring herself to say that she was trying not to grab him first. Instead, she cautiously approached Ejnar. She untied the handkerchief and gently took hold of his finger to examine it, her gaze narrowing as she did so.
“…You really should call for the doctor. The wound is quite deep. It’s not something to be taken lightly just because it was a paper cut.”
“Even if the doctor comes, they’ll probably just apply some ointment.”
Ejnar’s gaze shifted to the round container of ointment sitting on the desk.
“Robert just dropped it off earlier.”
“Oh, that’s a relief. Then I’ll just…”
As Elfreda bowed her head and attempted to step back, Ejnar immediately asked.
“Are you leaving?”
“Pardon?”
“There’s ointment, you know?”
“Ah, so…”
You don’t mean for me to apply it myself, right, Your Majesty?
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