Chapter : 2
Four months earlier. Imperial Palace of Makaeri.
“Elfreda, you will go to Machi and become its queen.”
At the sudden words, Elfreda was completely stunned. The person she had come to see, carefully dressed with nervous anticipation, had not even offered a proper greeting. Instead, those words were the first thing she heard.
Seeing her dazed expression, the Empress spoke again in a somewhat gentle tone.
“You do know where Machi is, don’t you?”
Elfreda had heard of it before. An island nation so far that even from the nearest port, it took over a week by ship. It was also one of the few countries around Makaeri that was not its vassal.
In other words, Makaeri had already attempted to invade it—but failed. Everyone knew there was an irreparable rift between the two nations.
But more importantly, Elfreda, a bastard daughter, was unfit for this political marriage.
“I thought Princess Serina was supposed to go there…”
At the mention of the Empress’s biological daughter, her gaze sharpened instantly. Elfreda quickly lowered her head. She had spoken carelessly.
While Elfreda berated herself internally, the Empress spoke in a strict voice.
“As you know, Serina’s coming-of-age ceremony is next spring. I would like her to stay by my side for it, but His Majesty the Emperor is insisting on speeding up this marriage.”
Then the Empress smiled and gently patted Elfreda’s head.
“You are also a legitimate princess of the Empire, so there is no issue. No one will find it strange that you are going in her place.”
“My daughter.”
The words contrasted sharply with her gentle tone. The separation between Serina and Elfreda was clear, and Elfreda’s expression darkened.
Once, until 18 years ago, Elfreda had also been the Empress’s daughter. Born illegitimate, she was taken in as an adopted daughter when the Empress—unable to bear children—found the abandoned newborn Elfreda after her mother died.
But less than a year later, the Empress miraculously became pregnant. After her biological daughter Serina was born, Elfreda was naturally discarded. Not only by the Empress, but by the entire imperial court that already looked down on her.
For 17 years since then, Elfreda had constantly sought even the slightest affection from the Empress. But the Empress treated her coldly, as if those early days of kindness had never existed. Once Serina was born, Elfreda was nothing more than an unwanted reminder. And so, over time, she was hated more and more.
“Also, considering the age gap between you and the King of Machi, you are the appropriate choice.”
“…I’m sure they won’t like me there.”
Elfreda spoke carefully.
“I don’t think Machi would want a bastard princess as their queen.”
“That is something the Emperor will handle. You don’t need to worry. As long as you keep your mouth shut, there will be no problem.”
Her voice turned slightly colder, irritated by the reply. Elfreda instinctively lowered her head.
“…I apologize. I overstepped.”
“It’s good that you understand.”
The Empress smiled gracefully.
“When you go to Machi, behave properly. You are representing Makaeri. It would be unacceptable for the name of Makaeri to be spoken lightly by those weak people. Those pathetic beings who know nothing but pretending to be noble.”
“I will try to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Yes, you should.”
Satisfied, the Empress’s expression softened.
“Now go. I have an important appointment.”
Elfreda bowed silently and turned to leave.
But at that moment, someone rushed into the reception room and shoved her aside.
Elfreda fell heavily onto the floor, but the person didn’t even look at her and ran straight to the Empress. The Empress immediately stood up with a bright smile.
“Serina!”
“Mother!”
“You silly girl, what if you fall running like that?”
“It’s fine, I won’t fall. I’m a bit late, aren’t I?”
“No, not at all. You came at the perfect time.”
“I brought freshly baked cookies from the kitchen to have with tea!”
“As expected, you are the only one who thinks of me, Serina.”
The room quickly filled with cheerful voices as servants prepared tea.
Elfreda sat on the floor, staring blankly. It felt like she was in a completely different world despite being in the same room.
Not jealousy—she told herself she had no right to feel such a thing toward the Empress’s true daughter.
“…Aren’t you leaving?”
A sharp voice cut through her thoughts.
The Empress and Serina looked at her with irritation. Elfreda quickly stood up, bowed, and left.
Behind her, she could hear Serina’s laughter and the Empress’s warm voice blending together like music.
Strangely, that moment hurt her more than being told to go to Machi.
Realizing she would never belong there beside the Empress’s real daughter was even more painful than being sent away.
A few days later
Not long after being told to marry, she received notice that all preparations for her departure to Machi were complete.
Elfreda boarded a heavily loaded ship, accompanied by many attendants and lavish gifts. Yet despite the grandeur, her heart was heavy throughout the journey.
It wasn’t sadness at leaving her homeland, nor discomfort at the servants treating her with care she had never known before.
It was fear.
Even if she survived the dangerous sea journey, her future in Machi was completely dark.
The purpose of this marriage alliance was to establish relations between Makaeri and Machi. Machi produced rare spices highly valued worldwide, but Makaeri could not secure them due to distance and political hostility.
More importantly, Machi was one of the few countries not conquered by Makaeri’s first emperor, Gunnar. A dangerous strait made invasion nearly impossible.
Even that alone had already made them enemies.
But years ago, things worsened. Machi’s former king died in battle against Makaeri during a failed expedition, alongside his prince. After that, hatred between the nations became absolute.
Eventually, Machi cut all diplomatic ties. Makaeri was forced to apologize and propose this marriage alliance.
‘A discarded piece.’
A bastard princess like her could be thrown away without consequence. Officially, she was the Empress’s eldest daughter—but that was only in name. Once her identity was revealed, she would be even more despised.
The title of queen brought her no excitement, only fear.
After about nine days at sea, Elfreda finally arrived safely in Machi.
At the palace gates, she was greeted.
“Welcome. I am Marchioness Magnum, the one who will be attending you from now on.”
The woman’s expression was anything but welcoming.
Elfreda smiled anyway.
“Nice to meet you, Marchioness Magnum.”
“This way. I will guide you to your residence.”
As she followed, Elfreda studied the palace carefully.
A nation of culture and strong military power. One of the few that had resisted Makaeri’s conquest.
The royal palace reflected that dignity—vast and refined, unlike Makaeri’s imperial palace, which was grand but somewhat crude in comparison.
While Elfreda admired it, voices reached her ears.
“So that’s a barbarian? She’s looking around like she’s never seen anything before.”
“The Makaeri palace is just big and ugly, right?”
“Of course. Barbarians wouldn’t know art.”
The whispers pierced her clearly.
