The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 57.2

Illene couldn’t keep using her health as an excuse every time, after all.

‘Haa… I really am a fool. Really! Why did I drink when I’m so bad with alcohol?’

As Robert was swearing to himself that if he drank again, he would change his name to Haegan, Elfreda spotted Ejnar standing idly in the corridor leading to the banquet hall and couldn’t help but smile.

“I greet the great and glorious sun of Machi. Why are you standing here instead of entering?”

“I hear footsteps.”

Ejnar spoke slowly.

“One sounds like Robert’s, and one sounds like the queen’s. I wondered if you two were coming together.”

“So, you’ve been waiting?”

With those words, Elfreda noticed her heart racing a little and inwardly laughed at herself.

Though she spoke to Robert with a certain indifferent tone… in truth, she was the one giving immense meaning to Ejnar’s every expression, every word, every action of. She just told herself to keep her priorities straight, even as she acknowledged her feelings.

Ejnar grabbed Elfreda’s hand gently and pulled her toward him. Elfreda had no choice but to follow him. She could feel Robert’s gaze burning at her from behind, but she ignored it. With Ejnar casually crossing his arms, they walked toward the banquet hall, and he asked her:

“How’s your body feeling?”

“Thanks to your concern, it’s much better.”

After a brief pause, Elfreda asked quietly:

“…You really weren’t angry that day, were you?”

“Why do you keep thinking that?”

“More than usual…”

Elfreda hesitated for a moment, trying to find a less direct way to express herself before continuing.

“You seemed so absorbed, as if you were angry with me.”

“I was just showing you.”

Ejnar answered while slightly rephrasing his true feelings.

“There’s no need to enjoy a man you just met somewhere like that.”

…Wait, so does that mean he was angry after all?

“Why eat junk food when you have the best delicacies in front of you?”

Elfreda was about to ask if he meant that he was referring to himself as the ‘best delicacies,’ but she stopped herself. Honestly, she couldn’t deny it, and she didn’t feel like asking.

Of course, she couldn’t compare it to anything, but like he said, no one would ever say they didn’t enjoy the best delicacies they’ve experienced.

Elfreda merely tried to explain herself softly.

“I didn’t go there for that purpose…But it seems like you don’t believe me.”

“You were still with some man at the end.”

“Wait, you really didn’t believe me, did you?”

“He was tall, blonde like me.”

The additional words stunned Elfreda.

“It was just a conversation! How can you be jealous of something like that…?”

Elfreda realized she made a mistake as soon as the words left her mouth.

Jealous? There was no way. Jealousy is something you feel when there’s affection.

If he had to compare himself to anything, he was probably more like a colorful viper, not a cute teddy bear. She should keep her distance because he could hurt her, but he wasn’t cheap enough to just give away. That’s how he saw himself in relation to her.

“…You might be upset, but…”

Elfreda quickly changed the subject.

“If it bothers you that much, I won’t go next year. Anyway, Illene said she wouldn’t go next year either…”

Her tone softened, and Ejnar finally sensed something was off. Wait, this wasn’t the conversation he intended to have.

“Illene said she won’t go next year? Why?”

Why are you suddenly interfering again?

Ejnar looked at Robert, who had appeared behind them with an incredulous face, but Robert seemed to be oblivious, focusing all his attention on Elfreda. Elfreda briefly appeared flustered but then kindly responded.

“Well, I’m not sure. She hasn’t explained it… Sir Robert, do you enjoy the masquerade?”

“Huh? Me? No! I’m a man of great principles!”

“Well, not everyone at the masquerade lacks principles.”

“Ah, of course, I didn’t mean to say that about Your Majesty…”

With the conversation veering off course, Ejnar shot a frustrated look at Robert, but as always, Robert had no clue. Elfreda noticed the awkwardness and quickly tried to smooth things over in a flustered tone.

“Ah, I’m sorry, we’ve been talking among ourselves too much.”

“So, is Illene really that sick, Your Majesty?”

Of course, Robert remained completely unaware.