Chapter : 1
“His Majesty will not be coming tonight.”
The arrogant voice of the Marchioness Magnum pierced Elfreda’s ears. Elfreda paused for a moment, but that was all.
In truth, she had already expected this. Throughout the entire wedding day, she had not received even a trace of a kind look from her husband—or from anyone else. Since arriving in the kingdom, it had always been like this, so it was not something new.
The unpleasant gazes directed at her were, in fact, natural. Elfreda had come from the Makaeri Empire, far from this land of Machi. Though only half, she carried Makaeri blood. To the people here, that was the blood of the barbarian race that had killed their former king and prince.
So even if her husband, who had lost his uncle and cousin to her grandfather’s hand, disliked her, she told herself not to be too hurt. If they knew, they would call her shameless and brazen. While Elfreda steadied her mind like this, the sharp voice of Marchioness Magnum continued.
“Then, please remove the Queen’s wedding dress—”
“Head maid!”
Just then, a maid hurriedly entered Elfreda’s bedroom with shocking news.
“His Majesty the King has arrived.”
At those words, the arrogant expression on Marchioness Magnum’s face cracked for a brief moment. But as expected from someone who had once served as head maid to the former queen, she quickly regained her composure.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. He has reached the palace gates—!”
“The King is entering.”
Following the voice of a central palace servant, several footsteps were heard. Upon hearing that the king was coming, the maids who had surrounded Elfreda to remove her wedding dress quickly bowed their heads in confusion.
Elfreda stared blankly at the tall man entering the bedroom. He was as tall as her barbarian father, so she had to lift her head to look at him.
The first thing that captured her eyes was his radiant golden hair, shining like the sun, noticeable even in this dark, starless night. As she slowly lowered her gaze, she met deep green eyes, like a lush summer forest. Those beautiful eyes that had captivated her at first sight made Elfreda forget even to greet him, and she could only stare.
Of course, she had not expected him to come at all, so she was also confused and dazed. But she was not the only one feeling this.
“Y-Your Majesty… what brings you here?”
Marchioness Magnum asked, clearly flustered.
The king glanced at her and replied indifferently.
“Is it strange for a groom to visit his bride?”
Of course not. But for this couple, it was strange.
The king had looked displeased all day. It was only natural—he had married the daughter of the barbarian race that killed his uncle and cousin. So it was assumed he would not come on the first night.
But Marchioness Magnum quickly realized something.
‘Well, refusing the first night would be a major diplomatic insult.’
Elfreda had come here as part of a political marriage. At least publicly, they had to treat her as a queen, even if reality was different.
‘He must just be here briefly.’
Satisfied with that thought, Marchioness Magnum bowed her head.
“I apologize for the lack of preparation due to your sudden arrival.”
“There is no need to prepare anything.”
He would leave soon anyway.
That was what she expected him to say next.
But—
“Why are you still here?”
The king’s questioning voice made her heart drop.
Something was wrong.
“Are you not leaving?”
This is bad.
“Are you planning to watch me sleep with the queen?”
No—this was definitely wrong.
Marchioness Magnum, now flustered, forgot her manners and looked directly at the king. But his displeased gaze was clearly not directed at Elfreda, but at her. As if she were an unwanted intruder.
She opened her mouth slightly, then quickly bowed.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. We will withdraw.”
And so, all the maids left the room, leaving only the king and Elfreda alone.
Elfreda looked at him in confusion.
“Ainar Machi.”
She silently repeated the name she had recently learned. From head to toe, he was flawless and beautiful, even his name suited him.
“Your face will wear out if you keep staring.”
Only after a moment did Ainar turn his head and meet her eyes.
Startled, Elfreda’s face turned red. She lowered her head in embarrassment.
“Forgive me.”
Ainar looked at her with slight dissatisfaction and stepped closer. With just a few steps, his presence filled the room.
“Ah…”
His cold fingers touched her chin. Reflexively, she lifted her head.
Their faces were now very close, just like during the wedding earlier that day. Again, it felt hard to breathe.
“How can a queen of a nation bow her head so easily?”
At his disapproving tone, she almost lowered her head again, but his fingers stopped her.
Elfreda thought in embarrassment that he was right. She was no longer a half-princess of Makaeri, but the queen of Machi. Still, she had lived seventeen years always looking at others’ faces, and such habits could not disappear so easily.
“Then… did you come here for a reason?”
When she spoke nervously, trying to fill the silence, Ainar let out a faint, almost mocking sound.
“Is it strange for a groom to come to his bride’s room on his wedding night?”
“That’s not… but…”
After hesitating, Elfreda spoke honestly.
“I thought you wouldn’t come.”
“Why?”
“Because you hate me.”
“I?”
At that, Elfreda felt a small hope rise. She carefully asked,
“…Don’t you?”
“Good. At least you understand your position.”
But that hope was crushed immediately.
His cold gaze made her shrink.
“I can’t like you.”
“…I see.”
Elfreda accepted it calmly. She could not afford to look hurt in front of him.
“Then… you can leave now.”
He stared at her.
Elfreda added quickly.
“If it’s for diplomatic reasons, you’ve stayed long enough—ah!”
In that moment, Ainar suddenly pulled her into a kiss.
Her eyes widened in shock. His tongue pushed into her mouth without hesitation.
Hot, wet, overwhelming.
He moved like a starving beast finding water, invading her completely.
“Ah… haah…!”
For Elfreda, who had never even been kissed, it was far too much, far too fast.
When he finally let go, her face was completely flushed.
Ainar looked at her and muttered with a faint laugh.
“If you react like this already, what will you do later?”
“Your Majesty…”
“It won’t be difficult for me to be with you.”
He began slowly removing the hair ornaments from her head. Her tightly bound hair fell down in waves.
Despite his gentle movements, his gaze was cold.
“There is no need to pretend in front of others.”
“But if you don’t like it, say so. I have no interest in forcing my wife.”
Elfreda could not answer.
After a moment of silence, Ainar seemed to decide to leave and turned away.
“Your Majesty.”
She grabbed his sleeve in panic. Not even his wrist—just his sleeve.
“Don’t go.”
“….”
“Don’t—ah!”
He turned back and kissed her again.
This time even more intense.
Elfreda could not think, could not breathe, could not resist.
Step by step, she was pushed back until her legs touched the bed. She fell back, and he supported her and laid her down gently.
Ainar positioned himself over her and kissed her neck hungrily.
Her body trembled as heat spread through her skin.
She unconsciously grabbed his hair.
Then—
He stopped.
Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at her.
And in that moment, Elfreda felt the warmth vanish.
His eyes were cold.
Completely cold.
As if none of what just happened had mattered.
Elfreda’s heart sank.
Four months ago, she had received a sudden order echoing in her ears:
“Elfreda, you will go to Machi and become the queen.”
Only now did she understand why she was here.
This was a punishment.
To share a bed with a man who hated her, and never forget her place until the day she died.
