The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 5.2

“Well… You don’t necessarily have to go. She caught a severe cold. Looks like she’s overworking herself trying to keep up with the queen’s lessons.”

“Make sure she doesn’t die. I don’t have the intention of using my money to arrange a Makaeri funeral.”

With those words, Ejnar naturally imagined the woman’s death. However, perhaps because it lacked a sense of reality, he felt no emotions, no more than the death of a passing ant.

* * *

When Elfreda opened her eyes again, her condition seemed better than before she fell asleep. Her throat still hurt, but it wasn’t the feeling of being slashed by a blade, and her fever seemed to have subsided a bit.

“You’re awake!”

Just as before she went to sleep, the handmaid, Ilene, greeted her. Elfreda felt that even this greeting alone was incredibly warm.

Such kindness felt unfamiliar and even awkward.

“How long did I sleep?”

“About fifteen hours.”

Elfreda’s eyes widened at those words. She hadn’t realized she had been staying here for such a long time.

“Is your body feeling better?”

“Thanks to you. But more importantly, how do I get from here to Tems Palace?”

As Ilene kindly explained, Elfreda quickly understood, nodding her head.

“Thank you. I’ll go now.”

“Now? No!”

“Why not?”

“Of course not. You’re still ill.”

Before that, she was a lowly barbarian woman.

She remembered hearing the maids whispering behind her at some point. Despite the unexpectedly kind king bringing her here alive, he would undoubtedly find this situation unpleasant. Already, they were going to be a couple from the beginning. She didn’t want to make more noise here.

As Elfreda tried to get up with her shaky body, Ilene was surprised and grabbed her.

“Please rest more here. The palace doctor also said you need to rest!”

“I can rest at Tems Palace. Everyone will be waiting.”

Even saying that herself was amusing. Wait? She hoped she had never come back from death.

“Thank you for worrying, Ilene, but I’m really fine.”

Ilene looked awkward at Elfreda’s stubbornness.

“Then, I’ll take you to Tems Palace.”

“No need. I can manage alone.”

Before Ilene could insist more, Elfreda took a step away from her.

“Take care, Ilene. I hope to see you again if I get the chance.”

She sincerely expressed her wish.

It was the first miraculous kindness she had received in this unfamiliar land where she knew no one. If she ever encountered it again while staying here, the current warmth would bring her joy.

However, it didn’t mean Elfreda hoped Ilene would come to Tems Palace. Her kindness would surely be incomprehensible to the fellow maids, and she might face unnecessary criticism. She didn’t want to bring harm on a kind person.

With her back straightened, Elfreda left the room.

People passing by noticed her fragile appearance, but no one offered help or greeted her. Yet, she wasn’t hurt by the familiar indifference. She simply walked on determinedly.

“What are you doing now?”

Until she heard that voice.

Elfreda unconsciously stopped her struggling steps.

For a moment, she forgot. The miraculous kindness she had received wasn’t just from Ilene… No, that kindness had a more nonsensical aspect.

How could he save someone of the enemy’s blood twice?

It might seem puzzling, but the fact itself was already causing her heart to beat too fast. The trembling engulfed her entire body.

Demanding her to think differently was too much of a request and was a privilege for others. Elfreda slowly closed her quivering eyelids and took a deep breath, and only then, after calming down, could she turn around.

Suddenly, the sun fitting for midday appeared, stealing Elfreda’s attention and thoughts. Ironically, at that moment, she thought she should apply what she had learned from her etiquette teacher just the day before.

“Machi’s brilliant sun—”

Although that was as far as she got.

As Elfreda slightly bent her waist, her head bent up. Her body began to sway helplessly, just like on the balcony last night.

“Ah…”

Eventually, she lost her balance and was about to collapse when a strong grip firmly twisted her waist. Elfreda’s blank eyes captured the bright sun above.

Because of the blinding light, her gaze slowly descended.

Then, dark and deep emerald eyes reminiscent of a towering, dark forest met her hazy vision. It was the moment when Elfreda, struggling with all her might against the force pulling her in either direction, tried to regain her composure.

“Really.”

The crimson lips moved gracefully.

“You’re a handful.”

The noble and deep voice, golden hair and green eyes, possessed a peculiar charm that inexplicably improved people’s moods, even though it was not a compliment. The belated embarrassment was too insignificant to calm her pounding heart.