The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 5.1

Ejnar Machi sat at the desk with a proper posture, his eyes fixed on the documents sent by his aide, Bette, in Makaeri. Reading the documents filled with internal affairs of Makaeri, he soon mumbled as if not surprised.

“They say they were focusing on reigning, yet their military strength is steadily increasing.”

Robert, the attendant who had been by Ejnar’s side, opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“Now, even though the Emperor is far behind Gunnar, he is still his only son. We can’t afford to be complacent.”

“The exchange is clearly one step above Gunnar. At least Gunnar didn’t sell his daughter to gain a country.”

But for an incompetent person, it was a wise choice. It might be of little use since he had already seen through it, but…

“What about the incident at Tems Palace last time?”

“As expected, it was Marquis Piece’s doing. Since I gave a warning, such incidents won’t happen again.”

When Ejnar publicly announced that he would welcome a Makaeri woman as Machi’s Queen, it was natural that most citizens opposed the decision.

However, when Ejnar justified his decision with Makaeri’s apology and the significant economic benefits this marriage would bring, most people reluctantly followed, even if they didn’t agree. Since the person who lost their family to Makaeri was okay with it, there was no justification for others to interfere.

Nevertheless, some continued to oppose the Makaeri-born queen to the end. He had increased the security forces just in case, but he had not expected one of them to cause trouble.

“Anyway, it’s fortunate that Your Majesty went there at that time. Otherwise, it could have been a headache. Of course, even if she’s alive, she’s a troublesome woman…”

With no visible response to the last sarcastic remark, Robert spoke with a somewhat awkward face.

“Anyway, I didn’t expect that woman to keep her mouth shut. After experiencing such an event… maybe it’s because she’s from Makaeri or resembles her father, but there’s something ominous about her.”

Ominous.

Ejnar mumbled the description Robert had given of Elfreda, recalling the woman he had seen the previous night. Unlike their first meeting, she seemed noticeably flustered when their eyes met. Were her frantic movements an attempt to avoid him or an effort to approach him?

The answer was so clear that even a child could understand, and it was something welcome to him. Understanding what kind of existence she was to her husband was undoubtedly a good thing. The incident on the first night was proof of that. Regardless of whether she was ominous or not, she was certainly not a foolish woman.

Nevertheless, he felt somewhat irritated for unknown reasons.

Pondering over it, he eventually realized that his emotions had cleared up after resolving the issues that arose. He spoke with a more relaxed voice.

“She must know her own situation well. There’s nothing to gain from causing a commotion.”

“What if that woman caused a commotion without any possibility of gaining anything?”

“Still wouldn’t have changed anything. I intervened so she would have pretended I have no association with the royal family, and Makaeri wouldn’t have wanted to break this marriage anyway.”

Therefore, he wasn’t pleased with the conclusion that he was to marry in the end. Ejnar’s expression turned oddly cold, and in response, Robert cautiously spoke.

“This marriage is not absolutely necessary for our plan. I’m worried that Your Majesty might suffer too much.”

“Though it will perfect our plan even more.”

He was satisfied with that.

Despite the woman ruining his mood just by hearing the news of her entering the palace, despite her being a woman whom he had contemplated whether to kill while she lay as if dead with an innocent face, despite her being a woman he had wished would just drown and die when she fell into the water.

Still, even so. Suppose it was for something greater. For the ecstatic feeling of victory that would follow. Couldn’t he endure a bit of this disgust?

After all, that kind of disgust wouldn’t be worse than the agony of death.

So, he smiled more plainly than his heart would suggest.

“Suffering in the body is worse than suffering in the mind. It’s not like I’m whining when I think about those who tirelessly run around day and night for their homeland in enemy territory.”

In this matter, when the party involved said such things, he couldn’t muster the nerve to interfere. Robert redirected the conversation.

“Anyway, it seems Ilene said she has awakened. Would you like to go check on her?”

But he regretted it immediately. Seeing Ejnar looking at him as if he had heard nonsensical words, Robert quickly added.