The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 61.1

“It looks like he followed the king. The masks are really interesting. I’ve met so many people, but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone who looks like Sir Robert.”

“Haha, right… I mean, how many people with red hair could there be?”

“I thought I saw Illene, but then I wondered if maybe I just missed you.”

“Really? You saw me?”

Illene suddenly looked startled and Elfreda quickly shook her head.

“I didn’t see him.”

“Ah, well then it seems I didn’t notice you after all.”

Elfreda laughed lightly and walked into the room, while Illene, following behind her, looked visibly pale, almost as if something were seriously wrong.

Illene wondered if the queen had noticed something and was bringing it up, but at the same time, it didn’t seem like it. That realization made her feel even colder inside.

She closed her eyes, recalling the events from two nights ago.

* * *

It was when she went to get a cocktail for Elfreda.

She had picked a strong drink for herself, and while she was choosing a refreshing one for Elfreda, someone gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

Thinking it was Elfreda following her, Illene turned around, only to find a man in a mask smiling at her.

“Alone?”

“I’m with someone.”

“Would you like to leave them and spend some time with me?”

“No. Well, goodbye.”

Illene, holding the cocktails in both hands, tried to walk past him, but then he stopped her.

“Then just give me a moment. Your figure’s exactly my type.”

The bluntness of his request took Illene by surprise. She shook her head, but just as the man seemed disappointed and was about to step back, a loud voice called out.

“Darling!”

The voice was loud enough to attract the attention of everyone nearby.

It seemed like some lady had snuck here and was caught by her husband. Illene clicked her tongue, but before she could walk away, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“I’ve been looking for you, darling.”

…Who would have thought that the lady was her?

“Didn’t you say you were bringing cocktails? What are you doing here?”

“You, you…?”

“Ah, so someone’s been flirting with my darling?”

At those words, the man who had been bothering Illene looked at the man who had appeared, then quickly raised both hands in surrender and backed away. Illene stared blankly at the man who had grabbed her wrist, still speechless .

“…You punk, what are you doing here?”

“What do you mean by that? Tch… I’m just protecting you from danger.”

“Danger? That man was about to leave anyway!”

“Men are all dangerous.”

“Wow, if someone heard that, they’d think you weren’t a man.”

“No, seriously, how did you know it was me? I’m wearing a mask and everything.”

“Do you think a redhead like you is common? Your voice gave it away, how could I not know?”

Illene snapped back, furrowing her brows.

“Then what about you? What were you trying to do calling me by such a ridiculous nickname?”

“Who else could it be? Even from a distance, it was clearly you.”

“Did you just take a wild guess? I’ll admit, your observation skills are impressive.”

Illene let out a scoff, then, as if realizing something, shifted the conversation.

“By the way, you come to places like this? I thought someone like you, all straight-laced, would find it boring.”

“What? No, I don’t! This is my first time here!”

Robert quickly explained in surprise.

“I’m just here accompanying the King, as his attendant. I’m here to serve, in this dangerous place!”

“The King? He never comes, so… this is something new.”

But then, the realization hit her, and a sly smile crept onto her face.

So, that’s why that guy asked what the Queen was wearing.

“Then the two met?”

“Yes.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll just have to go enjoy myself alone.”

“Alone? Here?”

“Yes. You go have fun too. Bye.”

Without hesitation, Illene tried to walk past him, but suddenly Robert grabbed her wrist again. As Illene turned to give him a confused look, she was stunned by what she saw.

“Hey, you crazy bastard!”

Robert had grabbed the strong cocktail she was holding and was gulping it down. Illene, shocked, snatched the glass from him, but it was already empty, and Robert had finished drinking the strong liquor.

Illene’s expression went blank.

“You, you’re a weakling! What do you think you’re doing drinking that?!”

In reality, Robert had grabbed the glass impulsively but now regretted it. Damn it, he should have stopped when he smelled it. But putting it down secretly would have been too embarrassing, so he foolishly drank it all.

“Uh…”

“Hey, get it together!”

As Robert staggered from the sudden drunkenness, Illene was shocked. She came here to have fun and ended up having to take care of a problem instead.

But leaving him here wasn’t an option…