The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 39.1
“…I’ve been a bit tired lately.”
Feeling embarrassed, Elfreda mumbled an excuse, fiddling with the tips of her fingers.
He watched her quietly. The woman who had habitually ended every sentence with an apology had, for some reason, omitted it this time.
Ejnar, unsure if he should like it or not, muttered to himself.
“Well, you must be busy.”
Elfreda awkwardly smiled. Despite the clever plan she’d set, her expression management seemed a little too lax, making Ejnar click his tongue involuntarily. No matter how he looked at it, his queen’s face was too honest, given the dark thoughts behind it.
“Sit down.”
She awkwardly sat across from Ejnar.
Soon, a stream of servants entered, placing delicious appetizers on the large table.
Elfreda picked up her fork and glanced at Ejnar. Watching him eat his salmon salad with an indifferent expression made her finally realize.
This was really a meal for just the two of them.
Her heart began to race faster than when she first stepped into this room.
However, throughout the meal, there was little conversation between them. Elfreda was usually quiet in Ejnar’s presence, and lately, she felt even more reserved after sending him away from the Solar Palace a few days prior. The lingering discomfort only added to her silence.
Normally, he couldn’t stand the quiet and would break it with small talk. This time, however, he simply cast her probing glances without speaking a word.
Yet, despite the familiar stillness, Elfreda didn’t find it unusual. She continued the meal, simply enjoying the moment, happy to be sharing this mundane time with him. It almost felt as though they were truly a married couple.
“….”
She had no idea that, during the silence, his mood was growing increasingly sour.
“Thank you for the wonderful lunch, Your Majesty.”
After finishing the cherry panna cotta for dessert, she spoke with a satisfied smile to express her gratitude. Even by that time, Ejnar still said nothing, only staring at her.
However, Elfreda, accustomed to his silence, concluded with a smile.
“It was a pleasant time. You must be busy, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Leave?”
That was when Ejnar spoke for the first time. He looked genuinely surprised, seeing Elfreda as though she were actually going to leave. As she awkwardly began to rise, he quickly stood and walked over to her.
Elfreda met his gaze with a puzzled expression, unsure of what the issue was.
The banquet table had been so large that, even while seated across from him, she hadn’t seen his face up close. Now, as his face filled her vision, her expression tensed, and she bit her lip slightly as if she was completely unaware that she was driving him mad.
Ejnar’s brow furrowed in frustration.
“So, you’re just going to eat your meal quietly and leave?”
“…Ah.”
Only then did she realize that what he wanted wasn’t simply a shared meal.
But right now… that wouldn’t be possible. No, maybe it’d be fine here. After all, he wouldn’t expect her to take off all her clothes, would he?
As she was contemplating this, Ejnar’s brow furrowed even more tightly.
“What are you thinking right now?”
The growl in his voice woke Elfreda up.
“In front of me.”
“Nothing… Just…”
Elfreda stammered.
“I just realized why Your Majesty called me here.”
“You just realized?”
Ejnar looked at her with a curious expression as he looked at her nodding.
“So, why do you think I called the Queen here?”
“….”
Elfreda glanced behind her. Since dessert had already been served, if she didn’t make too much noise, no one would come in.
Hesitating, she subtly lifted her dress.
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