The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 41.1

“Maybe make her take a little poison. Then, His Majesty’s heart will soften and will look at Your Majesty again.”

Ejnar lost his words for a moment, feeling a chill from the glint in her eyes. After a while, he finally spoke again.

“You’re truly cruel.”

“Cruel?”

Marchioness Magnum retorted, her eyes wide with shock as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have.

“Who was it who brought down my lord and then severed the neck of her husband and son too…?”

“….”

“Unfortunately, Gunnar died, but his granddaughter has fallen into our hands.”

Like a hunter who had found its prey, the Marchioness grinned, exposing her fangs.

“It is only right to seek revenge so that those three may rest in peace in the afterlife.”

Her words made Ejnar reflect on why he had married Elfreda. As he silently stared at the Marchioness, filled with cold rage, she seemed to decide he needed time to think.

She smiled and lowered her head.

“Then, I shall take my leave now.”

With that, Marchioness Magnum left, and Ejnar slowly sank into his chair. Only one phrase she had left echoed in his mind.

“Make the queen love me…”

The peace marriage with Makaeri was necessary for two major reasons.

The first was to blind them as much as possible while leading Makaeri to its eventual ruin. The second was to reassure them that he was playing along with their plans so they wouldn’t find a reason to attack the March.

While the first reason didn’t directly serve the peace marriage, the second was essential. Contrary to popular belief, Ejnar didn’t want a single drop of Machi blood spilled because of the war. His ultimate goal was to avenge his uncle and cousin without unnecessary sacrifices.

To achieve that, Makaeri couldn’t touch Machi until then.

Even though Gunnar’s son was a coward, He knew he still sought to consume Machi without shedding blood. In a situation where Machi was at a military disadvantage, it was his duty as king to minimize risks and protect his people.

But if Elfreda were to fall in love with him—if she could be moved to act according to his will—then perhaps there would be an unexpected benefit to this plan.

“The queen loves me…”

Love.

As he uttered the unfamiliar word, he recalled Elfreda, who had once tried to keep her distance from him. He also thought of the moment when she had suddenly grabbed his injured hand. Would a love-struck Elfreda desperately try to hold onto him? Would she plead, gripping his hand tightly to stop him from leaving? Would she entwine her legs around his waist, press her body close, and beg him not to go?

As his thoughts reached that point, Ejnar shuddered with an indescribable pleasure.

Watching that scene seemed quite amusing, so Ejnar decided to accept Marchioness Magnum’s advice as he had no reason to decline her counsel.

Being a little kinder wasn’t difficult, especially when they were so close, and once she fell in love with him, how he acted afterward could be decided at that time. It wouldn’t be too late to think about it then.

* * *

Ejnar’s birthday was just a week away.

While he was busy resolving various problems caused by a sudden weather disturbance in the East Sea, Elfreda was also preoccupied with the final preparations for the birthday banquet, ensuring everything was perfect.

Unlike the opening ceremony, there was the added pressure of foreign dignitaries visiting. She couldn’t afford to make a mistake. Working tirelessly, even cutting back on sleep to ensure the event was flawless, one day, she was interrupted by a visitor.

“Princess Rachela requests to meet with Your Majesty.”

Her hand froze as she was going through some documents at the news Marchioness Magnum delivered.

She had heard a few days ago that Princess Rachela had arrived at the palace. However, it wasn’t customary for the queen to meet every guest personally, and since there was to be a banquet with the dignitaries after the birthday celebration, Elfreda had thought nothing of it.

She hadn’t expected them to request a meeting first. After a brief silence, Elfreda asked.

“…What is the reason for her request?”

“It seems there is no special business. She simply wishes to have tea with Your Majesty.”