Chapter 38.
Reah’s Awakening
Early in the morning, Millie was arguing with the maids who worked in the West Palace. Word had spread like wildfire around the palace that Robby was my lover.
“Of course, the West Palace maids don’t believe it. Anyone who knows Her Majesty even a little would know it’s nonsense.”
Even in her frustration, Millie tried her best to reassure me.
“Then why did the West Palace maids tell you about it?”
“They wanted to let me know quickly so we could take action before Her Majesty’s honor was damaged. No one here actually believes the rumors.”
I was already in a sour mood after hearing Robby’s ridiculous suggestion that we run away together. Hearing this first thing in the morning only made me feel worse.
As I frowned, Millie lowered her voice and asked,
“Who do you think started such a stupid rumor? It couldn’t have been Young Master Robby, right?”
“Robby? With his pride? As if he’d spread a rumor that he’s my lover.”
“Right? So who could it be then?”
As Millie murmured to herself, a thought came to mind and I asked cautiously,
“Millie, did you know that Robby liked me?”
“Of course! He was always timid about everything as a child, but whenever he saw Your Majesty, his eyes would light up.”
“Ugh, why didn’t you tell me?”
Sigh~ Millie had noticed, and I was the only one who didn’t know!
“You really didn’t know? I thought you were just pretending not to. I mean, it was obvious Your Majesty didn’t feel that way about him.”
Millie gave me a sheepish look.
I suddenly felt guilty—had my obliviousness given Robby false hope for too long?
“He’s probably over it by now. Isn’t that why he came all the way to Fritan to see you?”
Millie, unaware that Robby had asked me to run away with him, assumed he’d moved on. Honestly, any sane person would think the same.
“All those rumor-mongering bastards should be rounded up and punished!” Millie exclaimed, clenching her fists.
I had a good idea who it might be. Robby had recently met Shine, the princess of Malau, and had even heard from her own lips that she’d spent the night with Mik.
The only person who stood to gain from linking me and Robby in a scandal was one person in this entire castle.
I stood up and called for Adel and Sophie.
“I’ll be meeting with Duke Xenon and the Malau delegation in my office. Prepare an outfit that’s not flashy but imposing. And Millie, tell Duke Xenon and all members of the Malau delegation to be in my office in two hours.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Millie, Adel, and Sophie hurried out.
I had considered quietly waiting until Mik returned—but no more.
It was time to show that wretched brat exactly who the Queen of Fritan was, and what she was capable of!
Exactly two hours later, I was seated at the head of the Queen’s reception room, dressed in full splendor and majesty.
Duke Xenon and the four Malau delegates stood before me, puzzled.
In a calm voice, I addressed Duke Xenon.
“Duke Xenon, please recite the exact contents of the treaty Prince Mikrok signed with the Kingdom of Malau.”
Having been given advance notice, the duke brought out the treaty and recited its previously reported contents.
“So, the treaty doesn’t mention the thousand tons of thermal magic stones the Malau delegation brought?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
I turned to the Malau delegation.
“Then explain yourselves. Why have you brought tribute not stated in the treaty to Fritan?”
One of them stepped forward—a strikingly handsome man, the most seasoned of the group.
‘That must be Julmon, Princess Shine’s escort knight.’
“The thermal magic stones we brought were an additional item agreed upon after the treaty was signed. We’re delivering one thousand tons out of a total of three thousand.”
“I see.”
I slowly turned to Duke Xenon and asked,
“Even if we return the thousand tons of magic stones, there will be no issue with the treaty signed by Prince Mikrok?”
“None at all, Your Majesty…”
The duke looked visibly flustered.
“Though Prince Mikrok may seek clarification upon his return.”
As expected, Duke Xenon remained level-headed.
“I’ll provide that clarification myself.”
Rising from my seat, I turned to the Malau delegation and spoke coldly.
“You will pack your belongings and return to your country at once. The full thousand tons of magic stones will be loaded onto your wagons. Take them with you within two hours.”
They were too stunned to reply.
“If I see any of you still in Fritan Castle after that time, you will be executed on the spot by the Royal Guard. You’d best hurry.”
The escort knight was the first to recover and objected.
“With all due respect, the magic stones were delivered under Prince Mikrok’s orders. We fear that returning them could cause diplomatic friction between our nations.”
Expected resistance.
I glanced at Millie, who slipped out quietly and returned with a knight—one who had gone on the last monster-slaying expedition but hadn’t joined this one.
“I heard that Prince Mikrok departed from Malau Castle at dawn, after spending just one night there.”
“That’s correct, Your Majesty.”
“And what did he say to the knight commander?”
The knight glanced upward as if recalling, then looked back at me.
“He said that though there was an unpleasant incident at Malau Castle, at least it meant Your Majesty could spend the winter more warmly.”
“I see. You may go.”
As the knight left the room, I turned to Duke Xenon.
“Prince Mikrok accepted the magic stones out of concern for my comfort. However, the leader of the Malau delegation—”
I shot Princess Shine a frosty glare.
“—has spread falsehoods about me and Prince Mikrok in just a few days, undermining public sentiment within the castle. I will no longer tolerate such recklessness.”
Princess Shine looked up at me, pale and speechless.
Her escort stepped in again.
“There must be some misunderstanding…”
Ignoring him, I focused my gaze solely on Princess Shine. Now was not the time for mercy.
“Misunderstanding? Then answer me, Princess Shine. Did you or did you not say that my long-time friend, Robby Stone of the Haren Empire, is my lover?”
Clearly not expecting such a direct question, she floundered, unable to speak.
The knight beside her looked pained—he knew it was true.
“No matter how precious those stones are, they’re not more valuable than the honor of myself and Prince Mikrok. I’d rather freeze in the cold wind atop this castle than warm myself with a gift from someone whose tongue is a blade.”
I turned again to Duke Xenon.
“Well, Chancellor? Will my decision be a problem once Prince Mikrok returns?”
“Not at all. I will carry out your order immediately.”
He bowed and withdrew from the room.
I turned to the Malau delegation with a satisfied smile.
The escort knight, white as a sheet, knelt before me and bowed his head to the floor.
“Please forgive us. Our representative is still young and inexperienced. We promise this won’t happen again. Please, show mercy just this once.”
The other delegates knelt as well, but I didn’t spare them a glance. My eyes remained fixed on Princess Shine.
So? Don’t you have anything to say to me?
She simply trembled, biting her lip. I turned away as if the conversation was over.
“I… have committed a grave sin.”
A voice of surrender called out behind me.
I turned to see Princess Shine kneeling.
“Please, out of respect for my father, the King of Malau, accept our tribute. I promise I will never act so recklessly again.”
I approached her slowly and whispered clearly into her ear.
“How can I believe that? You declared, right to my face, that you’d spend the night with my husband. How do I know that tongue won’t turn into a blade again?”
Without warning, she pulled a dagger from her robes and slashed her own tongue.
Before anyone could react, blood gushed from her mouth as she smiled weakly at me.
The Malau delegates rushed to catch her, stunned.
Even I, shocked, quickly pulled out a handkerchief to stop the bleeding.
As I focused on stopping the blood, a heat surged up from my core, and a powerful current gathered at my right fingertips.
I held her jaw with my left hand and forced her mouth open.
While the Malau delegation stood frozen, I pressed my thumb into her mouth and gently brushed over her tongue.
A deep golden light pulsed from my right hand.
The Malau delegates gaped in astonishment.
As I focused, I felt her severed tongue begin to knit itself back together.
When it was fully healed, the current vanished, and the golden light faded.
I withdrew my hand and stood up slowly.
“Take the princess to the West Palace and let her rest.”
Julmon, her escort, turned to me and asked,
“Did Your Majesty heal her?”
“I’ll believe her just this once. The tribute will be accepted. But what happened here must remain a secret.”
I gave no further answer, only an order. The Malau delegation pledged their silence on the spot.
“That includes Princess Shine. I trust there will be no more slip-ups from her lips while in Fritan Castle.”
They bowed and carried her out of the room.
As soon as they were gone, a wave of dizziness hit me and I nearly collapsed.
“Your Majesty!!!”
Millie, who had been waiting behind me, rushed to support me.
I was suddenly exhausted—as though all the energy in my body had drained.
“I’m fine, Millie. At least I didn’t faint this time. I must be getting used to it.”
I smiled faintly to reassure her.
But as I turned to leave, I froze in place.
A vivid vision surged before my eyes—of a flaming beast roaring toward me with a deafening crash.
The fire engulfed Mik, Sir William, and our entire knighthood.
The heat of it wrapped around my face.
Clutching my face with both hands, I let out a scream of agony and collapsed.
