The Queen Who Deserves To Be Tainted - Chapter 9.2

With a sharp sound, her head jerked violently. Holding her stinging cheek, Elfreda looked at Serina in shock.

Serina glared back, not hiding her displeasure.

“How presumptuous. Someone might think you’ve come here to make a noble sacrifice.”

“I just…”

“Yes, as it should be. As you said, I’ll get a good husband in Makaeri and live happily. And I hope you do, too, receiving plenty of love from the nephew of the man our grandfather killed.”

With these venomous words, Serina left.

Elfreda just stood there, holding her cheek. She regretted coming alone but soon shook her head, thinking it was for the best. Even if others were watching, she doubted Serina would have restrained herself. It was fortunate she had sent her guards away earlier.

‘…It’s nothing new, after all.’

Her only feeling was self-loathing at being in such a position, even after becoming the queen of a nation. Elfreda bit her lip briefly, then moved on as if nothing had happened.

“Ah…!”

Elfreda was about to leave, but someone suddenly grabbed her hand, stopping her. Startled, she turned around to see Ejnar with a crumpled face, his gaze fixed on one spot. She instinctively covered her red, swollen cheek.

“…Now. This?”

“It’s nothing.”

Elfreda hurriedly excused herself.

“I was just sleepy, trying to wake myself up…”

Though she felt foolish making such an excuse, she had no choice. She couldn’t admit that Serina had hit her. If her true origins were revealed, the entire Machi would be slapping her cheek.

Elfreda forced a smile.

“But I might have overdone it. I should go back now.”

“Do you expect me to believe that? Clearly…”

“There’s nothing you can do if you don’t believe me.”

Ejnar’s expression turned bewildered at her brazen response. He pressed his lips together, then spoke in a seemingly angry voice.

“Fine, it’s none of my concern.”

Had she been too presumptuous? Elfreda flinched at his cold voice, immediately regretting her words. She should have responded more kindly. There was no need to act like someone intent on being disliked.

“Go back and get treated. It’s unsightly to look at.”

Was it that bad? With an awkward expression, Elfreda lowered her head and quickly distanced herself from him.

‘I thought he was at the reception. Why did I have to run into him there?’

She recalled Ejnar’s cold gaze.

Was it embarrassment? The cheek that was hit started to ache belatedly. Trying to bear the pain, her eyes began to tear up.

Finally, a hot tear rolled down her cheek. The salty tear made the sore cheek sting more. But tears continued to stream down her face, not stopping until she reached her new residence, the Solar Palace.

The Solar Palace, befitting the Empress’s residence, was more lavish and majestic than the Tems Palace. However, she wasn’t in the mood to be captivated by its beauty.

As she entered weakly, the handmaids looked surprised but said nothing more. They seemed very curious about the situation but only silently treated her wounds without a word of concern. It was a cruel treatment, but Elfreda, not wanting to fabricate a story, preferred it that way.

They applied cold ice to her face to reduce the swelling.

Thanks to an effective ointment, the swelling on her cheek subsided quickly, and by the time Marchioness Magnum returned, it had improved to almost unnoticeable levels. However, the Marchioness observed Elfreda’s cheek with a sharp eye and then casually mentioned it to her.

“His Majesty will not be coming tonight.”

That figured.

Elfreda recalled Ejnar’s last cold gaze at her. The memory made her cheek throb again. It might be better that he was not coming.

The real reason she was here was not for a marriage of peace but to use a child born to her to usurp Machi. Knowing this truth, she felt unable to face Ejnar as if nothing had happened. Perhaps it would be better to face disdain from the first night and continue to live as a neglected queen.

…At least then, she could face him with some dignity.

As she was lost in these thoughts.

“So, ladies, help the Queen remove her bridal dress…”

“Chief handmaid!”

Elfreda couldn’t believe her ears at the sound.

“The King has arrived.”