The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 4.2

Let’s live as if we were dead. If he sees me, he’ll inevitably have to recall his dead family. Besides, if I act like this, he’ll probably dislike me even more.

Elfreda didn’t want to be more hated by him, so living like this would be better for both of them. After all, it wasn’t an unfamiliar situation, even in Makaeri.

With such thoughts in mind, ironically, her vision cleared.

“Ah.”

Even in the dark courtyard, a single star was vividly visible. It was only natural that he, as bright as the sun, captivated her. As she suspiciously looked beyond the pond, leaning dangerously over the low railing, it was impossible to doubt any longer.

It was definitely him.

…Why.

Why was he here? Marchioness Magnum clearly said that he wouldn’t come here.

Elfreda quickly fell into panic. She still didn’t want to encounter him. She anxiously observed his movements, hoping he hadn’t noticed her yet. Fortunately, it seemed like he hadn’t discovered her yet. All she had to do was quietly return to Thames Palace without any issues.

“…Ah.”

However, just when she thought that, the man’s eyes and hers collided in mid-air. It wasn’t at a close distance, yet their gazes seemed to intertwine tightly like they were pinned together.

Elfreda was engulfed in a momentary feeling as if her breath had stopped.

For the first time since that night when she was covered in someone else’s blood, the man’s gaze came to her mind.

It felt like she had returned to that night.

Her breath quickened, and he began walking towards her. Elfreda genuinely wanted to run away in this situation. When she, with a frozen body, was trying to hurry back to her palace.

“Ah…!”

Perhaps due to the urgency in her heart, her body was twisted. The misplaced step awkwardly twisted her body, and Elfreda, struggling to move, eventually fell downward.

— Splash!

A strong splash hit, and her body fell to the water.

Water relentlessly rushed into her mouth and nose. Until her breath was cut off and her eyes closed, it continued.

Continued.

* * *

Her head was boiling like a teapot, and her throat felt like it was being torn apart.

“Ah, umh…”

Elfreda groaned, slowly opening her eyes.

After blinking a few times, her hazy vision became clear. She saw an unfamiliar ceiling. Was there such a room in Thames Palace?

She breathed weakly with a dazed expression.

“Ah, you’ve awakened!”

A lively, unfamiliar voice echoed. It wasn’t a familiar voice. When she turned her head, a woman with short brown hair appeared. She seemed to be around her age, but she wasn’t a lady-in-waiting of Thames Palace.

“Just wait a moment. I’ll call for the court physician.”

Without waiting for a nod, the woman left. After a while, a court physician arrived to assess her condition.

“You seem to have caught a severe cold. I’ll prepare medicine for you, so please rest for a while.”

It wasn’t a lie. Her body shivered as if she had a fever, and her muscles ached all over. Elfreda wanted to ask what had happened, but before she could, she began to cough.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

“Oh no, you shouldn’t talk like that.”

“Ah….”

Her throat hurt so much that she couldn’t utter a word. She frowned deeply, clenching her throat, and nodded her head.

The brown-haired woman looked at Elfreda with pity and spoke.

“I’m Ilene. This is the Central Palace where the King resides.”

At that moment, Elfreda’s eyes shook rapidly. Ilene, misunderstanding it, smiled affectionately and explained.

“His Majesty the King personally brought you here.”

Hearing the incomprehensible story, her eyes seemed to freeze for a moment. After a while, when she regained her composure, she tried to get up in a hurry, but Ilene stopped her and spoke firmly.

“For now, please rest. The Princess needs more rest.”

“I…”

“You should listen to the court physician. Your voice isn’t coming out properly now.”

With a sore throat, Elfreda frowned.

She had to yield to Ilene’s touch, but even with her eyes closed, sleep didn’t seem to come. Her heart was beating faster than usual, disturbing her.

Just like before, it was because of the sun that appeared unexpectedly at night.

‘…Why on earth?’

He had saved her twice… The man who should’ve despised and hated her. The man who should have left her to die that day and today. It was regrettable that he seemed to be a more affectionate man than she had thought.