Chapter : 20
“She’s only been married for how long, and she’s already acting like a doting wife? How ridiculous.”
Of course, for Makaeri, it was actually a good thing that Elfreda was gaining Ainar’s favor. But it should never work in a situation like this.
The princess of Great Makaeri being forced to personally apologize to a lowly illegitimate woman—how could such a thing even make sense in this world?
“If you keep hesitating, the King will find it strange. Princess, please…!”
“Shut up! I said I’ll do it!”
With a low growl, Serina finally took a deep breath and looked straight at Elfreda. Then she spoke quickly without even pausing to breathe.
“I’m sorry, sister. I regret causing you trouble because of this incident.”
Elfreda was completely at a loss for how to react to an apology that did not contain even a trace of sincerity. Serina’s voice sounded more like a declaration of war than an apology. Wanting to end this situation quickly, Elfreda awkwardly smiled and nodded.
…So I’ve actually received an apology from Serina.
Of course, it was not sincere at all. But the fact that she had formally apologized at all felt unbelievable. It was like the sky and earth had flipped. Elfreda was still dazed.
Serina looked at Ainar as if asking if this was enough. The Makaeri envoy beside her quickly spoke.
“We only hope this incident does not damage the friendly relations between our nations, Your Majesty.”
“Of course.”
Ainar smiled lazily and turned his gaze back to Elfreda.
“The Emperor of Makaeri has given me such a beautiful gift.”
He was smiling, but his eyes were not.
Elfreda forced an awkward smile in return, but it was so stiff that Serina and the envoy would have noticed immediately if they were closer.
“……”
Ainar stared at her silently for a few seconds, then looked away again.
Afterwards
After completing the apology, Serina immediately returned to Makaeri.
She probably thought she would never have to apologize to someone like me in her entire life.
She likely wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. No matter the reason, Serina had broken her own pride with her own hands.
The guards who had killed civilians were all executed according to law, and compensation was given to the victims’ families. Once it became known that Serina herself had apologized to the royal couple, public opinion—which had been on the verge of exploding—gradually calmed. In the end, Makaeri had taken all necessary measures, so people decided to wait and see.
Meanwhile, Elfreda regained her official duties that had been taken by Countess Magnum.
Even though things had been resolved, the countess did not look pleased. Elfreda quietly looked at her and said,
“It would have been better if I had been removed from my position this time.”
“Huh?”
“…That’s what your expression is saying, Countess Magnum.”
The countess’s face slightly stiffened. Elfreda smiled.
“Just a joke. More importantly, we should reschedule the tea gathering that was postponed, shouldn’t we?”
“…Yes, I suppose so.”
The countess answered with a tight, forced smile.
“We’ll set it for a week from now. Is that acceptable?”
“Of course.”
At Elfreda’s gentle reply, the countess sneered inwardly.
So you think you’re really the queen of Machi now just because this incident went well?
She intended to make Elfreda painfully realize she was mistaken.
The First Tea Party
This was the first tea gathering Elfreda would host after becoming queen.
She spent the entire week preparing carefully—decorating the reception room beautifully and selecting pastries with great care to make a good first impression.
But…
“…This is…”
None of it mattered if no one came.
Elfreda could not hide her shock as she looked at the empty reception room.
“Not a single person came.”
Standing stiffly beside her, Countess Magnum spoke in a pitiful tone.
“As you can see.”
“……”
“What should we do?”
“Why did everyone refuse to come?”
“Well, they probably had their reasons. Unexpected schedules, illness… something like that.”
The countess smiled faintly.
“Or perhaps they simply didn’t want to come.”
Elfreda turned to look at her. Her expression was blank, but it looked like she was smiling.
At that moment, Elfreda realized the countess had interfered in advance and bit her lip.
“If no one cooperates, the royal court won’t function properly.”
“Of course, that must not happen.”
But no solution came to mind.
Attending tea parties was entirely voluntary. Even if Elfreda made a fuss, it would only turn her into a laughingstock in high society. She could not even use Ainar’s authority, as internal palace matters were not supposed to involve the king.
Elfreda felt trapped.
“Countess Magnum, what should I do?”
At her honest question, the countess let out a light laugh.
“Well… if they are refusing to come because they do not recognize Your Majesty, then there is nothing I can do.”
“But isn’t that exactly why you are here? To help me?”
Elfreda spoke firmly, trying to stay calm.
“To help a foreign queen who knows no one here. Or is that too difficult?”
“No one can change people’s hearts so easily.”
“We must at least try. I want to know the preferences of the ladies I invited.”
At that, the countess gave a mocking smile.
“Oh? Are you planning to shower them with gifts?”
“If I’m too inexperienced to earn their favor properly, then I’ll have to try anything.”
“A good attempt.”
Then the countess suddenly frowned slightly as if she was troubled.
“However, Your Majesty, I think I may need to take a few days of leave due to poor health.”
“…What?”
“I’ve been feeling unwell since this morning. I’m afraid I might pass it on to you.”
Elfreda was speechless.
The countess added casually,
“Please ask the other maids for help. They also know high society well.”
“How long will your leave be?”
“Until I recover… at least three days. Maybe a week.”
That was too long.
By then, the rumor that no one attended the queen’s first tea party would spread throughout all of high society.
While Elfreda hesitated, the countess coughed lightly in a fake, pitiful way. Elfreda rubbed her temples and waved her hand.
“Then go rest.”
“Please take care of yourself as well, Your Majesty.”
Elfreda did not respond to the fake concern.
If the countess was determined not to help, there was no point keeping her here.
She decided to follow her suggestion.
“Do you know anything about Duchess Egisa?”
“Not really… I’m not close with her.”
“Then what about Countess Viennon?”
“She doesn’t get along with my mother…”
The maids were just as unhelpful.
Elfreda let out a small, empty laugh.
Of course. A woman who controlled all the noble ladies would not leave the maids alone either.
Even the tutors she had before becoming queen were under the countess’s influence. They would not help her either.
In short, Elfreda had no allies at all.
And as a queen, she could not simply go personally persuade each noble one by one.
She felt completely trapped.
Three days passed like that.
