The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 38.2

If that was the case, it was indeed a successful scheme.

Ejnar, having just finished bathing in cold water, experienced a moment of realization. If she used the strategy to avoid him during the night, he could easily break that strategy during the day.

“Robert.”

He called his servant and began to give him instructions.

* * *

“Last night, the King also visited.”

Illene relayed the news to Elfreda, who was sitting at her desk early in the morning as usual. When Elfreda’s expression hardened with embarrassment, Illene quickly added.

“I told him you were resting. I’ll make up an excuse about the monthly cycle starting today.”

“Thank you, Illene. I’m putting you in a difficult position.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty. This is my job, but…”

Illene glanced at Elfreda and sighed softly before asking.

“Can I help you a bit now?”

“I’m grateful for your goodwill, Illene.”

“I expected you to say that.”

At her words, Elfreda felt a bit flustered and replied.

“Do I seem a bit frustrating?”

“Not at all. That’s why I like you.”

Just as a grateful smile spread across Elfreda’s lips, Marchioness Magnum approached with news.

“Someone has arrived from the central palace.”

Elfreda tensed slightly at the unexpected news. Was it because she had been turning him away these past few days, claiming she was too tired?

Moments later, Robert entered, and Elfreda, trying to mask her nervousness, asked her question.

“What brings you here, Sir Robert?”

“Oh, the King has invited the Queen to lunch.”

“…Me? Who else will be there?”

“No one. You are the only one invited.”

That meant it wasn’t an official banquet where the Queen was needed. But why…

Elfreda was puzzled and unable to understand the situation when Robert cautiously changed the subject.

“Your Majesty, I just wanted to check if you took my last conversation seriously.”

Feeling quite tense, she looked at him curiously. Robert glanced subtly toward Illene and asked with an anxious expression.

“About what I mentioned last time. You didn’t take it to heart, did you?”

“What… Ah.”

Elfreda quickly realized what Robert was talking about and smiled brightly as she nodded.

“Thank you for what you said back then, Sir Robert. It was a great help.”

At her words, Robert’s expression turned pale in an instant.

“How did what I say could have helped you…?”

“Well? Quite literally. It kept me from getting lost too often.”

Then, Elfreda added with a heartfelt gaze directed at Robert.

“Please keep it a secret from His Majesty that we discussed this. Just this once, I beg you.”

“…So it was your doing.”

When Illene growled openly from the side, Robert fumbled, looking flustered as he tried to explain himself.

“Oh, no. I didn’t mean it like that at all…”

“Are you trying to backtrack now after saying something like that?”

“Don’t blame him; it was my decision, Illene. I’m actually grateful to him.”

Elfreda quickly came to Robert’s defense, and though Illene couldn’t argue further, she still shot him a withering glare. After all, his comment from last time hadn’t been merely careless—it had solidified Robert as someone they disliked.

His expression gradually shifted to one of dismay.

* * *

When Elfreda arrived at the central palace banquet hall, she found only Ejnar waiting there.

She entered cautiously as though stepping onto unfamiliar ground. An invitation to lunch without the presence of the Queen could only mean one thing: it was a request to share a private meal together, just the two of them.

The situation left little room for any other interpretation, and her heart raced with anticipation. Elfreda greeted Ejnar, who regarded her with an unreadable expression.

“I greet the beautiful master of Machi.”

“It’s been such a long time since I greeted the beautiful mistress of Machi.”

Ejnar immediately retorted, bending his finger to count the days.

“It’s been how many days since we last saw each other?”