Chapter 19
Agitation gripped Elfreda as she made her way toward the throne room. It had been barely twenty-four hours since her last summons under identical circumstances. Robert, the King’s personal attendant, had been the one to deliver the news that her presence was required in the audience chamber once more.
The Queen wondered what could possibly be happening now.
When she voiced her apprehension, Robert’s expression shifted to one of mild astonishment. He informed her that Princess Serina was requesting a formal meeting with both the King and Queen.
His manner implied a shared understanding, as if Elfreda’s confusion was merely an act. However, the sheer weight of the news left her too stunned to catch his subtext. If Robert was correct, it suggested that Serina was actually prepared to offer an expression of regret.
The idea of Serina apologizing felt like a total contradiction. Elfreda trailed behind Robert in a state of disbelief, and even as the doors to the chamber loomed before her, she struggled to accept the reality of the situation.
Stepping inside, she fought to maintain a neutral mask. This was the very room where she and the King had shared a scandalous afternoon just yesterday. The memory sent a sudden heat to her skin.
Ejnar, already positioned upon his throne, shifted his gaze toward her. Their eyes locked, causing Elfreda’s blush to deepen, though his response remained perfectly clinical. He announced the Queen’s arrival to the room.
Elfreda bowed her head instantly, addressing him as the sovereign of Machi. A soft, knowing chuckle escaped Ejnar; he clearly saw through her flustered state. She pressed her lips together, trying to settle her pulse before taking her designated seat at his side.
From this elevated vantage point, the entire hall was visible.
Once she looked past Ejnar’s overwhelming presence, which usually dominated her focus, she finally noticed Serina. The Princess was seated with the rigid dignity expected of a royal from Makaeri, though no one ever truly felt comfortable in this space. Her face was a mask of irritation, while the Makaeri diplomat standing nearby looked like he was on the verge of a panic attack.
Elfreda wondered if her impossible theory was actually coming true.
As the wild possibility took shape in her mind, Ejnar spoke. His tone was unexpectedly mild as he noted the Princess’s desire for a joint audience.
Serina did not answer immediately. She bit into her lip with enough force to show her struggle before confirming his statement. Ejnar smiled thinly, referencing the message delivered by the Makaeri envoy the previous day. He asked if he was correct in assuming her intentions.
A heavy silence stretched through the room. Ejnar showed no signs of being bothered by the delay, appearing entirely composed as he waited for her to act.
In contrast, Elfreda felt a knot of anxiety tighten as she watched the Princess. She feared what might happen next. Serina’s features were taut with humiliation. The silence became so thick that the sound of breathing felt intrusive.
The screech of a chair sliding across the floor echoed through the hall. Every eye followed Serina as she stood up. She looked conflicted, her expression souring further after she cast a glance toward Elfreda.
Fury and embarrassment caused Serina’s heart to hammer against her ribs. Her hands were balled into tight fists. She couldn’t understand how she had been reduced to this.
She recalled the message she had received yesterday, urging her not to escalate the conflict and to simply yield once. It had advised that enduring a temporary setback was necessary for achieving greater goals.
The handwriting had been her father’s beyond any doubt, yet the contents had left her reeling. She was aware of his scheme to use Elfreda to seize Machi peacefully, and she knew maintaining diplomatic appearances was vital to that plan.
But was the mission so precious that she had to humble herself before Elfreda? Such a display of weakness felt beneath the dignity of the Makaeri people, who viewed the world as their rightful domain. She felt they should simply take what they wanted by the sword, regardless of the casualties. She resented her father for being so heartless toward his only child.
To be forced to beg for Elfreda’s mercy was the ultimate insult. Elfreda was a woman who had spent her life desperate for even a shred of maternal love.
Ejnar’s voice cut through her thoughts, his tone sharp and precise as he addressed her.
Serina looked into his eyes and saw a growing annoyance at her hesitation. She felt a violent urge to destroy this petty kingdom and tear the concerned look right off Elfreda’s face.
Unfortunately, Serina was blind to the fact that her father lacked the strength to win a war that even her grandfather had lost. However, she was not so reckless that she would openly defy a direct command from her sovereign father.
She decided to submit for the moment. In her mind, she was already planning to convince her father to return and raze this place once she was home. Yet the disgrace was so profound that her legs trembled. She had to summon every ounce of willpower to stand straight before she slowly lowered her head to the royal couple.
She spoke through gritted teeth, stating her regret over the incident where her guard had taken the life of a Machi citizen. She formally offered her apologies to the King in her capacity as a Princess of Makaeri.
As the words left her, her eyes burned with suppressed rage. The shame was nearly enough to drive her to tears. The thought of being judged by this minor king and his low-born queen made her skin crawl.
Serina gripped her hands so tightly her nails bit into her palms. She forced herself to look up.
Ejnar looked satisfied, but Elfreda simply looked bewildered. It was Elfreda’s expression of shock that truly stoked the fire of Serina’s hatred.
The King accepted the apology but noted that something was missing. When Serina questioned him, he pointed out that she had yet to address his Queen.
Serina’s shock was visible. She couldn’t believe he expected her to apologize to a woman she considered a mere insect. She snarled a response, asking if an apology to the King didn’t naturally include the Queen standing right there.
Ejnar remained stoic, arguing that the situations were distinct. He claimed the incident had damaged the Queen’s reputation and required a specific remedy.
Serina asked if such a gesture would truly satisfy the King’s requirements for his own standing. Ejnar replied coldly, stating that they simply needed to ensure such events didn’t repeat, for the Queen’s sake. He added that he would consider the matter settled if she complied.
Serina claimed the demand was reaching the point of excess. Elfreda, sensing the Princess was about to snap and fearing a diplomatic disaster, tried to speak up. But before she could get a word out, Ejnar silenced her with a freezing look.
In that moment, Elfreda realized the truth. This wasn’t about her well-being at all. Ejnar was using her as a tool to exert total dominance over Makaeri. She was merely the excuse he needed.
Ejnar turned his attention back to Serina, suggesting that a brief apology shouldn’t be difficult. He framed it as the bare minimum she owed her own sister after causing such trouble.
Serina suggested they could speak in private, but Ejnar cut her off. He remarked that she was fortunate not to be receiving another physical reprimand.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Ignoring the stunned silence of everyone present, Ejnar acted as if his comment was of no consequence.
The diplomat from Makaeri looked like he was about to collapse. The situation was spiraling out of control. He whispered desperately to Serina, begging her to just give a brief apology so they could end this.
Serina hissed back, asking whose side he was on. The envoy insisted that completing the apology was the only way to save the progress they had made.
For Serina, the madness of the moment was nearly unbearable.
