Ejnar Machi sat at the desk with a proper posture, his eyes fixed on the documents sent by his aide, Bette, in Makaeri. Reading the documents filled with internal affairs of Makaeri, he soon mumbled as if not surprised.

“They say they were focusing on reigning, yet their military strength is steadily increasing.”

Robert, the attendant who had been by Ejnar’s side, opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“Now, even though the Emperor is far behind Gunnar, he is still his only son. We can’t afford to be complacent.”

“The exchange is clearly one step above Gunnar. At least Gunnar didn’t sell his daughter to gain a country.”

But for an incompetent person, it was a wise choice. It might be of little use since he had already seen through it, but…

“What about the incident at Tems Palace last time?”

“As expected, it was Marquis Piece’s doing. Since I gave a warning, such incidents won’t happen again.”

When Ejnar publicly announced that he would welcome a Makaeri woman as Machi’s Queen, it was natural that most citizens opposed the decision.

However, when Ejnar justified his decision with Makaeri’s apology and the significant economic benefits this marriage would bring, most people reluctantly followed, even if they didn’t agree. Since the person who lost their family to Makaeri was okay with it, there was no justification for others to interfere.

Nevertheless, some continued to oppose the Makaeri-born queen to the end. He had increased the security forces just in case, but he had not expected one of them to cause trouble.

“Anyway, it’s fortunate that Your Majesty went there at that time. Otherwise, it could have been a headache. Of course, even if she’s alive, she’s a troublesome woman…”

With no visible response to the last sarcastic remark, Robert spoke with a somewhat awkward face.

“Anyway, I didn’t expect that woman to keep her mouth shut. After experiencing such an event… maybe it’s because she’s from Makaeri or resembles her father, but there’s something ominous about her.”

Ominous.

Ejnar mumbled the description Robert had given of Elfreda, recalling the woman he had seen the previous night. Unlike their first meeting, she seemed noticeably flustered when their eyes met. Were her frantic movements an attempt to avoid him or an effort to approach him?

The answer was so clear that even a child could understand, and it was something welcome to him. Understanding what kind of existence she was to her husband was undoubtedly a good thing. The incident on the first night was proof of that. Regardless of whether she was ominous or not, she was certainly not a foolish woman.

Nevertheless, he felt somewhat irritated for unknown reasons.

Pondering over it, he eventually realized that his emotions had cleared up after resolving the issues that arose. He spoke with a more relaxed voice.

“She must know her own situation well. There’s nothing to gain from causing a commotion.”

“What if that woman caused a commotion without any possibility of gaining anything?”

“Still wouldn’t have changed anything. I intervened so she would have pretended I have no association with the royal family, and Makaeri wouldn’t have wanted to break this marriage anyway.”

Therefore, he wasn’t pleased with the conclusion that he was to marry in the end. Ejnar’s expression turned oddly cold, and in response, Robert cautiously spoke.

“This marriage is not absolutely necessary for our plan. I’m worried that Your Majesty might suffer too much.”

“Though it will perfect our plan even more.”

He was satisfied with that.

Despite the woman ruining his mood just by hearing the news of her entering the palace, despite her being a woman whom he had contemplated whether to kill while she lay as if dead with an innocent face, despite her being a woman he had wished would just drown and die when she fell into the water.

Still, even so. Suppose it was for something greater. For the ecstatic feeling of victory that would follow. Couldn’t he endure a bit of this disgust?

After all, that kind of disgust wouldn’t be worse than the agony of death.

So, he smiled more plainly than his heart would suggest.

“Suffering in the body is worse than suffering in the mind. It’s not like I’m whining when I think about those who tirelessly run around day and night for their homeland in enemy territory.”

In this matter, when the party involved said such things, he couldn’t muster the nerve to interfere. Robert redirected the conversation.

“Anyway, it seems Ilene said she has awakened. Would you like to go check on her?”

But he regretted it immediately. Seeing Ejnar looking at him as if he had heard nonsensical words, Robert quickly added.

“Well… You don’t necessarily have to go. She caught a severe cold. Looks like she’s overworking herself trying to keep up with the queen’s lessons.”

“Make sure she doesn’t die. I don’t have the intention of using my money to arrange a Makaeri funeral.”

With those words, Ejnar naturally imagined the woman’s death. However, perhaps because it lacked a sense of reality, he felt no emotions, no more than the death of a passing ant.

* * *

When Elfreda opened her eyes again, her condition seemed better than before she fell asleep. Her throat still hurt, but it wasn’t the feeling of being slashed by a blade, and her fever seemed to have subsided a bit.

“You’re awake!”

Just as before she went to sleep, the handmaid, Ilene, greeted her. Elfreda felt that even this greeting alone was incredibly warm.

Such kindness felt unfamiliar and even awkward.

“How long did I sleep?”

“About fifteen hours.”

Elfreda’s eyes widened at those words. She hadn’t realized she had been staying here for such a long time.

“Is your body feeling better?”

“Thanks to you. But more importantly, how do I get from here to Tems Palace?”

As Ilene kindly explained, Elfreda quickly understood, nodding her head.

“Thank you. I’ll go now.”

“Now? No!”

“Why not?”

“Of course not. You’re still ill.”

Before that, she was a lowly barbarian woman.

She remembered hearing the maids whispering behind her at some point. Despite the unexpectedly kind king bringing her here alive, he would undoubtedly find this situation unpleasant. Already, they were going to be a couple from the beginning. She didn’t want to make more noise here.

As Elfreda tried to get up with her shaky body, Ilene was surprised and grabbed her.

“Please rest more here. The palace doctor also said you need to rest!”

“I can rest at Tems Palace. Everyone will be waiting.”

Even saying that herself was amusing. Wait? She hoped she had never come back from death.

“Thank you for worrying, Ilene, but I’m really fine.”

Ilene looked awkward at Elfreda’s stubbornness.

“Then, I’ll take you to Tems Palace.”

“No need. I can manage alone.”

Before Ilene could insist more, Elfreda took a step away from her.

“Take care, Ilene. I hope to see you again if I get the chance.”

She sincerely expressed her wish.

It was the first miraculous kindness she had received in this unfamiliar land where she knew no one. If she ever encountered it again while staying here, the current warmth would bring her joy.

However, it didn’t mean Elfreda hoped Ilene would come to Tems Palace. Her kindness would surely be incomprehensible to the fellow maids, and she might face unnecessary criticism. She didn’t want to bring harm on a kind person.

With her back straightened, Elfreda left the room.

People passing by noticed her fragile appearance, but no one offered help or greeted her. Yet, she wasn’t hurt by the familiar indifference. She simply walked on determinedly.

“What are you doing now?”

Until she heard that voice.

Elfreda unconsciously stopped her struggling steps.

For a moment, she forgot. The miraculous kindness she had received wasn’t just from Ilene… No, that kindness had a more nonsensical aspect.

How could he save someone of the enemy’s blood twice?

It might seem puzzling, but the fact itself was already causing her heart to beat too fast. The trembling engulfed her entire body.

Demanding her to think differently was too much of a request and was a privilege for others. Elfreda slowly closed her quivering eyelids and took a deep breath, and only then, after calming down, could she turn around.

Suddenly, the sun fitting for midday appeared, stealing Elfreda’s attention and thoughts. Ironically, at that moment, she thought she should apply what she had learned from her etiquette teacher just the day before.

“Machi’s brilliant sun—”

Although that was as far as she got.

As Elfreda slightly bent her waist, her head bent up. Her body began to sway helplessly, just like on the balcony last night.

“Ah…”

Eventually, she lost her balance and was about to collapse when a strong grip firmly twisted her waist. Elfreda’s blank eyes captured the bright sun above.

Because of the blinding light, her gaze slowly descended.

Then, dark and deep emerald eyes reminiscent of a towering, dark forest met her hazy vision. It was the moment when Elfreda, struggling with all her might against the force pulling her in either direction, tried to regain her composure.

“Really.”

The crimson lips moved gracefully.

“You’re a handful.”

The noble and deep voice, golden hair and green eyes, possessed a peculiar charm that inexplicably improved people’s moods, even though it was not a compliment. The belated embarrassment was too insignificant to calm her pounding heart.

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