Chapter 9
“Se—”
Elfreda spun around, her expression frozen in pure shock.
“Lady Serina…”
“It has been quite a while, Elfreda.”
Standing before her was the legitimate royal daughter of Makaeri. By right, the bridal gown Elfreda wore belonged to this woman. Serina Makaeri glided closer, a brilliant grin lighting up her features.
“What a pleasant surprise to find you here. Have you been faring well?”
Serina spoke with the casual familiarity of an equal, ignoring Elfreda’s seniority. Fearing the consequences of such disrespect being overheard, Elfreda signaled her protectors to depart immediately. Serina didn’t seem to care about the privacy, her gaze roaming over Elfreda with feigned innocence.
“You look so thin. Is the local cuisine not to your liking?”
“How are you present? Reports claimed the diplomatic ship had been lost at sea.”
“Do you think I would miss a royal wedding? The moment the word reached me, I boarded a vessel at once.”
“I see…”
“Save your gratitude. You are about to undertake a vital mission, so it was only proper for me to be here for you.”
Elfreda’s brow pinched together, unsettled by the strange remark. Serina didn’t hesitate to elaborate.
“The ceremony is over, but I imagine it was a sight to behold. You possess our mother’s features, after all. You must leverage that allure to ensnare the King. With your help, we might claim Machi without a single soldier falling in battle.”
“…What are you suggesting?”
“Goodness, look at that face. Are you playing dumb, or are you truly this dense?”
Serina let out a laugh at Elfreda’s bewildered stare.
“Do you honestly believe our father sent you here just to trade in spices? You are far more gullible than I imagined.”
“…Then, I am—”
The horrifying reality of her union finally dawned on her. Elfreda spoke through a haze of disbelief.
“If I conceive a child with the King, is the plan to use that heir to turn Machi into a puppet state?”
“It took you this long to piece that together?
“Princess!”
“Once you produce an heir, that boy will inherit the crown. With your Makaeri blood, directing your son to serve our interests will be effortless.”
Was she destined to be a traitor to her new home, doomed to be hated by her subjects even after death? And to use her own child in such a scheme?
Elfreda shook as the cruelty of Serina’s words sank in. Her voice was barely a whisper.
“So, your arrival was simply to ensure I remember my task.”
“I assumed you were already aware. Having to explain every detail is exhausting. Are you genuinely that dim-witted, Elfreda?”
Serina’s smile remained flawless.
“Now that we understand each other, heed this warning: do not attempt any clever diversions. If your incompetence costs us anything, I will expose your true heritage. Imagine the fallout. A fraudulent princess from a hostile land, useless to Machi? They would likely strip you bare in the town square and pelt you with stones to rally the troops. Or perhaps something even more agonizing.”
Elfreda had braced for such threats, so she met Serina’s mocking gaze with a forced stillness.
“Try to be intelligent for once, Elfreda. Oh, and my mother—whom you adore so much—sends her best. She offers her blessings on your nuptials and expects you to be a subservient queen here.”
Elfreda flinched at the mention of the woman.
Noticing the reaction, Serina sneered.
“Why do you cling to my mother’s memory? It is truly pathetic. You aren’t a child anymore.”
“….”
“You are like a discarded stray that still wags its tail for a master who threw it away.”
Serina, born of the Empress’s blood and raised in luxury, could never comprehend Elfreda’s heart. Elfreda had lost her biological mother at birth and lived in the shadows, clinging to the brief window of kindness the Empress had once shown her.
Though the Empress’s warmth had long since cooled, Elfreda could not erase those memories. She had no one else to receive the love she craved. She knew she couldn’t expect affection from her new husband.
She was aware of how desperate she seemed to others, but their understanding didn’t matter. She often felt like a fool in her own eyes.
“Regardless, because of your departure, my own debut and wedding in Makaeri will be grand affairs. Mother will be delighted.”
“…I am sure she will be.”
Elfreda’s response was thick with a bitter taste she tried to swallow.
“I truly hope you find the joy I cannot, Your Highness.”
“…What?”
Serina’s face contorted in a flash of rage. She swung her hand, striking Elfreda across the face.
Slap!
The force of the blow snapped Elfreda’s head to the side. She cradled her burning skin, staring at Serina in pure astonishment.
Serina’s eyes burned with open hatred.
“The arrogance. You speak as if you are making some grand, noble sacrifice for me.”
“I only meant…”
“Indeed, it is only right. I shall marry well in Makaeri and be content. And I hope you enjoy your life here, being touched by the nephew of the man our grandfather slaughtered.”
With that final venomous remark, Serina turned and walked away.
Elfreda remained motionless, hand pressed to her cheek. She briefly regretted being alone, then decided it was better this way. Serina would have likely acted out regardless of witnesses. Sending the guards away had spared her further public shame.
‘…This is nothing new.’
She felt a wave of self-disgust that even as a queen, she was still subject to such treatment. She bit her lip, composed herself, and began to walk as if the assault had never happened.
“Ah…!”
Just as she started to move, a hand clamped around her wrist. Startled, she turned to find Ejnar standing there. His face was twisted with irritation, his eyes locked on her face. She quickly tried to shield the red mark on her skin.
“…Explain. This?”
“It is unimportant.”
Elfreda fumbled for an explanation.
“I was feeling drowsy… I struck myself to stay alert…”
The excuse sounded ridiculous even to her, but she had no alternative. Admitting Serina had hit her was impossible. If the truth of her identity came out, the people of Machi would do much worse than a single slap.
Elfreda tried to project a smile.
“I suppose I was too forceful. I should retire for the evening.”
“You expect me to believe that? It is obvious…”
“It makes no difference whether you believe it or not.”
Ejnar looked stunned by her sudden defiance. He tightened his jaw, his voice dropping into an angry rumble.
“Fine. It is no concern of mine.”
Had she pushed him too far? Elfreda felt a pang of regret at his frigid tone. She should have been more diplomatic instead of acting like she wanted him to hate her.
“Go and tend to yourself. You look pathetic.”
Was the mark that visible? Flustered, Elfreda bowed her head and hurried away from him.
‘I thought he was occupied at the party. Why was he out here?’
She couldn’t shake the memory of his icy stare.
Perhaps it was the shame, but the pain in her cheek finally began to throb in earnest. Her vision blurred.
A single, searing tear escaped and tracked down her skin. The salt made the bruise sting, but the crying wouldn’t stop. She didn’t stop weeping until she reached the Solar Palace.
The residence was a masterpiece of luxury, far surpassing the Tems Palace, yet she couldn’t appreciate the grandeur.
When she stumbled inside, the servants looked shocked but remained silent. Their eyes were full of questions, yet they performed their duties without a single word of comfort. The coldness was sharp, but Elfreda preferred it to the lie she would have had to tell.
They pressed ice to her face to dull the inflammation.
The salve they used worked wonders. By the time Marchioness Magnum arrived, the redness had faded into something barely noticeable. However, the Marchioness’s keen eyes missed nothing. She looked at the Queen and spoke flatly.
“His Majesty will not be visiting your chambers tonight.”
It was expected.
Elfreda thought of Ejnar’s parting look. Her cheek seemed to pulse at the memory. Perhaps his absence was a blessing.
The realization that she was a tool for usurpation weighed heavily on her. Knowing she was meant to bear a child to steal his kingdom made it impossible to look him in the eye. It might be easier to live as a shunned queen, ignored and disliked.
…At least that way, she could retain some shred of her soul.
As she spiraled into these thoughts—
“Ladies, begin undressing the Queen…”
“Chief handmaid!”
A sudden announcement cut through the room, leaving Elfreda breathless.
“The King has arrived.”
