The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 47.2

“I’m Serina, the Princess of Makaeri. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Ah, you’re the sister of the Queen…”

Rachela, naturally recalling the incident that the woman in front of her had caused in Machi months ago, felt a strange twinge, but she kept her expression and greeted her warmly.

“I’m Rachela of Giver. Just like the Queen, you are incredibly beautiful. The Empress must be a great beauty as well.”

It was a compliment that completely rubbed Serina the wrong way, given how different she was from Elfreda. Serina smiled tightly and replied.

“Thank you for the compliment. You’re beautiful as well, Princess. If I may ask, are you still unmarried?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

“My goodness, why hasn’t someone as beautiful as you gotten married yet?”

Rachela was taken aback by the sudden question, while Ejnar remained expressionless. Elfreda, looking at Serina with a confused face, gently tugged at her, but it was no use.

Serina even continued speaking.

“I just don’t understand. If there’s no one you’re interested in, would you like me to help arrange something for you?”

“Yes? No, no, I’m fine. Um, I would prefer to marry someone from my own country, if possible.”

“Oh, you don’t like the barbarian Makaeri?”

“Excuse me?”

Serina’s sudden outburst made Elfreda’s face turn pale, more so than Rachela’s. Was she really out of her mind?

“Serina.”

Elfreda lowered her voice and, more sternly, grabbed Serina’s sleeve and stopped her.

When Serina looked at Elfreda with a pout, she quickly brightened her expression and turned her attention to Rachela.

“I was just joking. It’s only natural to prefer someone from your own country. After all, it’s most stable when people marry those similar to them.”

Her words seemed to be aimed directly at Elfreda, causing her to flinch slightly.

Without realizing it, Elfreda’s gaze turned toward Ejnar, whose expression remained unchanged. In that moment, the way he seemed entirely unaffected by Serina’s words gave her a strange sense of relief.

Thanks to Serina stepping back a bit, the awkward atmosphere was somewhat alleviated. Rachela tried hard to hide her discomfort and responded calmly.

“I was actually thinking of looking for a husband soon. But if I need help, I’ll let you know.”

“Please do. With your beauty, I’m sure you’ll find someone in no time.”

With a smile, Serina then turned her gaze toward Ejnar and greeted him.

“Ah, Your Majesty. Happy birthday. I’m so glad to see you again and under such pleasant circumstances.”

“I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.”

“Of course. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Then, as if she had almost forgotten, Serina added.

“Oh, and please take good care of my sister. Living in a foreign land isn’t easy, right? I’m always worried about my sister.”

Elfreda bit her lip at the blatant lie.

Serina and the people of Makaeri clearly didn’t care about her well-being. Even if the Empress occasionally thought of her as Serina had just said, it didn’t mean she truly worried for her.

“Of course, Your Majesty will take good care of my sister, but you’re so busy…”

Serina, pretending to be the caring younger sister, took Elfreda’s hand and placed her own on top of it.

“If she has a child, it will surely help her settle in and feel more at home in Machi.”

Serina brought up the topic of children once again.

Elfreda stiffened, unconsciously glancing at Ejnar. They had never discussed children, and she had no idea what his thoughts on the matter were. However, she had a strong suspicion that his views wouldn’t be positive.

‘Of course.’

She was from Makaeri, the princess of the barbarian nation that trampled this land. Who would want to have children with the enemy of their family? Elfreda couldn’t even bear to think about it, let alone expect it.

She became silent and held her breath, waiting for Ejnar to speak.

To her surprise, Ejnar gave an unexpected response.