Chapter 59
59
Despite Laurent's provocation, there was no change in Maria's expression. Rather, Maria looked down at Laurent with a face full of contempt.
"That man and I, we slept together, you know? He probably has a Red Dragon Tattoo on his back, right?"
A Dragon Tattoo? That meant she had seen Gunther's bare body. The State Ministers began to murmur. But Maria was not shaken at all. Rather, it was Laurent who was embarrassed by Maria's unchanging expression. She emphasized again to Maria that Gunther was no different from Henry, just a man faithful to his desires.
"Great King, is there any need to tolerate such insolence?"
"Behead the criminal who insults the Queen Consort!"
"Cut off her limbs immediately and throw her into the desert!"
The State Ministers were all indignant. However, Gunther was also silently watching Maria's reaction. As the hall became noisy, Maria raised her hand to stop them. Soon, the murmuring room was as quiet as a mouse. As Maria took a step closer to Laurent, all eyes were on her.
"So? Do you want to brag to me?"
"What?"
"I don't really care if you roll around with every man in the world like a prostitute. Should I be surprised that my man is among those many men?"
"You're still bluffing. Women who lose their men because they don't have the ability always make excuses like that."
Laurent was not intimidated by Maria's momentum. Those who watched were amazed and clicked their tongues or sighed in pity.
"Laurent Seradu, are you mistaken that you have conquered the men you wallow with?"
"It's not a mistake, it's the truth."
"No, that's your misunderstanding. Just as you need a toilet to dispose of urine, men want to relieve their desires with you."
Maria's voice was colder and sharper than ever.
"You're still pretending to be generous, Maria Stuart."
Laurent sneered at Maria. She was the woman who maintained the dignity of an Empress even when her mistress gave birth to a child in front of her, so how could that habit go away? But she was a little worried because Maria seemed to have changed a little. She couldn't find any trace of Maria's unstable appearance when she and Henry had an affair. She was more human back then. But she was not someone who would be swept away by Maria's bluff. She didn't care if she was called a prostitute who slept with anyone. After all, the one who laughs last wins.
'Get a grip, Maria is no match for me. And I can do it.'
Laurent smiled brightly and looked at Gunther, who was sitting on the throne far away. Every man in the world is bound to want her. It was as natural as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. What man would refuse her, as tempting as Eve's apple? Also, men don't like women like Maria, who are stubborn and think they are the only ones who are good. But Laurent's determination was overshadowed by Maria's one word.
"Count Laurent Seradu is just a terrible woman who can't even compare to Nancy Ackman, who is from a mere peasant family."
"Shut up!"
Laurent shouted, struggling violently, as if she was angry.
"In the end, you were robbed of your husband and even your Empress position by the maid you trusted!"
Maria slowly bent down and sat facing Laurent. She was lost in thought for a while, looking at Laurent. It was only for a moment, but Nancy, who was always by her side like a younger sister, came to her mind. But Maria quickly shook her head and escaped from her soft emotions.
"You're right, Laurent."
"?"
"But I'm alive. But you're going to die soon. No matter where or what you are, it's over when you die. And you know."
"..."
"Life is very long. You have to live it all to know who the real winner is."
That meant Nancy was also in danger. Maria spoke as if casting a final curse and quickly got up from her seat. There was nothing more to say to Laurent, so it was time to end it slowly. She was too tired to accept Laurent's trivial puns anymore. After all, this was the last time she would see Laurent.
Maria turned around and headed for the head seat. But Laurent did not let her go as Maria thought.
"Maria Stuart! Fight me one last time!"
"What to do?"
Maria was surprised, but the hall was buzzing again. What did Laurent just say to her? A criminal asking for a fight? Maria burst into laughter and turned to Laurent.
"A fight... you want to fight?"
"Maria, be honest. Don't you want to kill me? Just like the Seradu knights slaughtered the Stuart family?"
At her provocation, Maria clenched her fists without realizing it.
"I've been practicing swordsmanship since I was a child, so I'm confident that I can beat any male knight. But Maria, you're not very good, but you can swing a sword, right? How about a fight? Who knows, you might be lucky enough to kill me?"
To be honest, Maria didn't expect Laurent to make such a suggestion. Come to think of it, Laurent Seradu was a strategist with a naive charm. But the problem was that she was extreme and her worries were shallow. She didn't know why she always thought the other person was weaker than her.
"A fight between the Seradu family and the Stuart family, let's see who can protect the family's honor."
"That's ridiculous."
It was Gunther who settled the situation. He had already come down from the throne and was standing next to Maria. He looked down at Laurent with a scary face. He could no longer tolerate the criminal's arrogance. There was no need to show unnecessary mercy when killing her would end it.
"Drag that criminal to the cliff and throw her off. Just like her brother did to Maria."
"Yes, Great King."
His subordinates bowed and answered his command.
"Let's go, Maria. Don't deal with her anymore."
Gunther gently wrapped his arm around Maria's shoulder and comforted her. But Maria's face was already full of anguish. Even when Gunther tried to take her to her seat, she remained unmoved. As the soldiers began to drag Laurent away, she shouted and made a fuss.
"Maria! Are you scared? Are you afraid you'll die helplessly to me like your family members?"
"You rotten bitch!"
As Laurent hurled abuse at Maria even as she was being dragged away, Nora, unable to stand it, chased after her and cursed. Even in the midst of all this, Maria's face looked very complicated, as if she was worried about something. Then, as Laurent's shouts faded away, Maria opened her mouth.
"Stop."
At her command, the soldiers brought Laurent back in front of Maria.
"You said you wanted to fight?"
"Yes, a sword fight. I'll give you a chance to kill me. But if I win..."
"If you win?"
At Maria's question, Laurent's lips curled up to one side.
"I'll take that man."
Laurent said boldly, looking at Gunther. Then Gunther shouted in a thunderous voice with a dumbfounded expression.
"Solskjaer! Bring the sword! I'm going to cut that bitch's throat right now."
Solskjaer hesitated, as if he was dumbfounded by Laurent's provocation, but Nora waddled over, pulled the sword from his waist, and brought it to Gunther.
"Gunther."
Maria called Gunther, who was angry with his face turning red and blue, affectionately.
"Please let me handle it."
Maria bowed slightly to Gunther and politely requested. She asked him to give her the power of life and death over Laurent.
"She's not worth it, Maria."
"That's right. She's not worth it, but she could be my entertainment."
"Entertainment?"
Maria then kissed Gunther lightly and said, gazing at him intently.
"I won't lose."
"Ma...ria."
Maria caressed Gunther's surprised face with the back of her hand and smiled brightly.
"And I will never lose my man."
At her answer, Gunther felt a thrilling shiver down his spine. In fact, he thought that Maria would doubt him even a little because of Laurent's lies. But there was no sign of that at all, and he felt joy that she called him her man.
"Laurent, I accept your offer to fight."
Maria responded to Laurent's request with the most benevolent face in the world.
* * *
Gunther walked along the corridor, holding hands with Maria affectionately.
"That woman's words are lies."
"What words?"
Maria asked back with a face as if she didn't know what Gunther was talking about.
"That I slept with her."
"I don't believe it. If I have to believe one of you, of course I believe Gunther."
"?"
Gunther was surprised by Maria's composure and even stopped walking. Any woman in the world is bound to be sensitive to women's problems that happen to her man. Moreover, it is a common reaction to doubt and question her man. But Maria didn't do any of that. Did she judge the situation so calmly? Or does she completely trust her man? As expected, not just anyone can wear the crown. But Gunther was a little worried. He knew that Maria had learned swordsmanship, but he wondered if she could really beat Laurent...
Of course, the victory or defeat of the two was not very important to him. If Laurent won even one in ten thousand, he was going to kill her on the spot. But Maria smiled and answered as if she had read Gunther's worries.
"I will definitely win against Laurent."
"Yes, Maria is a brave and righteous woman."
"No. I will win by any means."
Gunther looked at Maria with a puzzled face. It was not a statement that was like her usual self. He was confused about the exact meaning of the words "by any means." Was Maria going to use some kind of trick? At that moment, Gunther was startled to see Maria's sky-blue eyes shining with murderous intent.
"I'm going to kill her in the most cruel and painful way."