Chapter : 5
Ainar Machi was sitting properly at his desk.
In front of him were documents sent by his close aide in Makaeri, Relbet. He read the reports about internal affairs in Makaeri with his eyes lowered.
After going through the dense writing, he muttered as if it was almost funny.
“So they say they are focusing on peace, but their military power keeps increasing.”
Robert, the servant who stood beside Ainar, spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“Even if the Emperor is currently said to be weaker than Gunnar, he is still his only son. We cannot afford to be careless.”
“He is definitely more cunning than Gunnar. At least Gunnar wasn’t the type to sell his daughter to gain a country.”
But for someone incompetent, it might be a wise choice. Though now that it has already been seen through, it is not very useful anymore.
“What about the incident at Thames Palace last time?”
“As you expected, it was the work of Marquis Peace. He was properly warned, so it will not happen again.”
When Ainar announced that he would take a Makaeri woman as Queen of Machi, naturally all the citizens opposed the decision.
But when Ainar used Makaeri’s apology and the huge economic benefits of the marriage as justification, most people reluctantly accepted it. After all, the man who lost family to Makaeri himself said it was fine, so others had no strong reason to object.
However, some people continued to strongly oppose a queen from Makaeri. Extra guards were added just in case, but no one expected there to be traitors among them.
“Still, it was lucky His Majesty went there himself. Otherwise, it could have become a serious problem. Of course, even if she is alive, she is still troublesome…”
Robert added the last words as flattery, but Ainar did not respond at all. Feeling a bit awkward, Robert quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, I did not expect that woman to stay silent. After something like that… Maybe she is sly like her father, or just naturally suspicious.”
“Sly.”
As Robert muttered that word to describe Elfreda, Ainar naturally recalled her from last night.
Unlike their first meeting, she had clearly panicked the moment she saw him. Her confused movements—were they trying to avoid him, or approach him?
The answer was obvious even to a child, and it pleased him. It meant she clearly understood her place as his wife. Staying silent about the first night incident was also the same. Whether she was sly or not, she was certainly not foolish.
And yet, for some reason, he felt unpleasant.
After thinking about it for a moment, he found the cause in the chaos that happened afterward, and his feelings became clear again.
In a much calmer voice, he said:
“She knows her situation well. There is nothing to gain by making a fuss.”
“What if she had made a fuss without understanding that?”
“Even then, nothing would change. I saved her, so I would have acted as if it had nothing to do with the royal family. And Makaeri would still not want to cancel this marriage.”
So, in the end, the conclusion was that the marriage was unavoidable. Ainar’s expression turned slightly cold.
Seeing that, Robert spoke carefully.
“This marriage is not even necessary for our plan. I am just worried it may cause you unnecessary stress.”
“But it will make our plan even more perfect.”
That was enough for him.
Even though just hearing news of her entering the palace ruined his mood, even though he once thought about killing her while she lay unconscious like a dead body, even though he wished she had simply drowned quietly in the water—still.
For a greater goal. For the overwhelming victory that would come after.
This level of disgust was something he could endure.
That kind of feeling was nothing compared to the pain of death.
So he smiled lightly, more emotionally distant than sincere.
“Emotional stress is nothing compared to physical hardship. People are risking their lives day and night for the country while working in enemy land. I cannot afford to complain.”
On this matter, Robert no longer had anything to say.
He quickly changed the topic.
“Anyway, Ilene said she has woken up. Shall you go check on her condition?”
But he immediately regretted it.
Ainar looked at him as if he had just said something completely out of nowhere.
Robert quickly added:
“Of course, you don’t have to go. She has a bad cold. She seems to be overworking herself with queen training.”
“Make sure she does not die. I have no intention of paying for a Makaeri funeral with my own money.”
With those words, Ainar casually imagined her death.
But it felt unreal.
It brought no emotion at all, like the death of a passing insect.
Elfreda woke up again.
Her condition was better than before she fell asleep.
Her throat still hurt, but it no longer felt like it was being cut by a blade, and her fever seemed to have gone down a little.
“You’re awake!”
The same maid as before, Ilene, greeted her warmly.
Elfreda found her kindness unfamiliar. It made her feel slightly embarrassed.
“How long did I sleep?”
“About 15 hours.”
Elfreda’s eyes widened. She had not expected to stay here so long.
“How are you feeling?”
“Thanks to you. By the way, do you know how to get from here to Thames Palace?”
Ilene kindly explained it to her. Elfreda listened carefully and nodded.
“Thank you. Then I’ll go now.”
“Excuse me?”
Ilene finally realized what Elfreda meant and panicked.
“Now? No, you can’t!”
“Why not?”
“You’re a patient!”
Before that… she is a lowly barbarian woman.
Elfreda remembered hearing maids whispering about her before.
A kind king had saved her and brought her here, but she knew this situation would be unpleasant for many people.
She did not want to cause more trouble between them, especially since their marriage already seemed unstable.
Ilene tried to stop her as Elfreda stood up weakly.
“You need to rest more! The palace doctor said so!”
“I’ll rest at Thames Palace. They are waiting for me.”
It sounded ridiculous even to her.
Waiting? They probably wished she would never come back.
“Thank you for worrying, Ilene. But I’m really fine.”
Ilene looked troubled.
“Then I will take you to Thames Palace.”
“No need. I can walk alone.”
Before Ilene could say anything more, Elfreda stepped away.
“Take care, Ilene. I hope we meet again if possible.”
It was a sincere wish.
In this strange land where she knew no one, Ilene’s kindness felt like a miracle.
If they met again, she would remember this warmth.
But she did not wish for Ilene to come to Thames Palace, since others might mistreat her kindness.
Elfreda left the room with her back straight.
People saw her walking unsteadily, but no one helped her.
Still, she did not feel hurt by it. She simply kept walking forward.
Until she heard a voice.
“What are you doing?”
Elfreda stopped without realizing it.
She had forgotten.
That kindness was not the first miracle she had received.
In fact, there was something even more unbelievable about it.
How could someone save the family of an enemy twice?
Just thinking about it made her heart beat too fast.
She slowly turned around.
And there he was.
Like the sun in the middle of the day, he took all her attention.
Without thinking, she tried to follow the etiquette she had learned.
“The shining sun of Machi—”
But that was all she could say.
Her head spun, and her body began to lose balance like it had by the railing that night.
“Aah…”
She was about to fall when a strong arm caught her waist firmly.
Her blurred eyes met the brilliant “sun” above her.
Too bright.
Her gaze slowly moved down.
Dark green eyes appeared—deep like a swamp.
Either way, both drew her in too strongly.
As she struggled to stay conscious, he spoke.
“Really.”
His red lips moved gracefully.
“A troublesome woman.”
Even though his voice sounded like praise, it strangely made her feel warm.
The embarrassment that followed was far too small to overcome the pounding of her heart.
