TQDD 11

Chapter : 11

Elfreda doing such intimate actions so casually made Ainar feel disgusted. Was that kind of contact even acceptable in their relationship?

“Ah!”

Ainar grabbed both of Elfreda’s wrists at once and lifted them above her head. Startled, Elfreda looked at him in confusion, but Ainar said nothing and immediately moved his hand downward.

She was slightly wet, but it wasn’t enough. This wasn’t good for either of them. Ainar brought his other hand to his mouth briefly, then removed it and inserted his long, elegant fingers.

“Ugh…!”

For Elfreda, it was a completely unfamiliar and foreign sensation. She frowned in discomfort. For some reason, that expression irritated him even more. Ainar gave a crooked smile and mocked her.

“Anyone would think it’s your first time.”

“What… ngh!”

“Acting innocent.”

Ainar moved his fingers inside her without restraint, as if mocking her. Elfreda’s neck tilted back and her waist twisted. To react this strongly to something like this—she must have been very sheltered in her homeland. Wet, sticky sounds gradually filled the room.

At some point, Ainar increased to two fingers. With each addition, Elfreda’s voice and reactions subtly changed. When he finally used three fingers, Elfreda—her hands still restrained—begged softly.

“Your Majesty… please…”

“Please what?”

Ainar had no intention of being kind. Watching her suffer gave him a strange, sadistic satisfaction. His patience was wearing thin, but if he could keep seeing this expression, he felt he could endure a little longer.

“Ah… ah!”

But the moment Elfreda let out a different sound than before, Ainar’s patience disappeared instantly.

He quickly withdrew his fingers and replaced them with himself. The pressure was completely different, and Elfreda cried out in pain.

“Ah, ngh…!”

She arched her back in pain, but Ainar still held her wrists and moved slowly. Her voice of suffering gradually began to change in tone. Noticing this, Ainar increased his pace.

Elfreda, flushed and half-lidded, looked at him—but Ainar felt no emotional response. Her expression felt like nothing more than acting.

Thinking she still had energy to make such expressions, he pushed her even further. Soon her expression twisted, and her louder sounds filled his ears. Ainar increased his speed until he finally released her completely.

“Haa…”

Feeling warmth inside her, Elfreda closed her eyes in exhaustion. Ainar, however, did not seem tired at all and still held her firmly in place. Their bodies were not fully pressed together.

Even though they had shared the deepest intimacy, Elfreda did not feel truly connected to him. Perhaps it was because of the minimal physical contact and his cold gaze throughout. So instead of warmth, she felt coldness.

“…”

Meanwhile, Ainar noticed a red stain on the white sheets, like spilled flower dye. But his expression did not change. Surely Makaeri had its own arrangements. They wouldn’t have failed to properly train a woman meant to become queen.

Ainar soon got dressed and left. Elfreda wanted to stop him, but she had no strength left. After a while, the maids came in, cleaned her body, and Elfreda drifted into sleep.

Meanwhile

Marchioness Magnum stared at the bedsheet brought from the queen’s chamber with a stiff expression. It was stained with both a man’s and a woman’s fluids.

Her hand clenched tightly until her knuckles turned white, and then she threw it at a maid with disgust.

“Burn it.”

She then entered Elfreda’s chamber. Approaching the bed, she saw Elfreda sleeping, her body cleaned and peaceful—nothing like what had happened earlier. The Marchioness’s face twisted in rage.

How dare that barbarian touch the Queen’s bed…!

In a sudden impulse, she reached toward Elfreda’s neck. Her grip tightened so much her knuckles bulged, as if she might strangle her.

But she quickly regained her senses and exhaled sharply.

No. Killing her like this is unacceptable.

She remembered how the noble queen who had raised Elfreda like a daughter had died—falling into illness after losing her husband and son, dying slowly in grief.

This girl’s death must not be quick or merciful.

She must suffer slowly.

She must never know happiness here. She must suffer until death.

The Marchioness left the room with a terrifying expression and gave instructions to her trusted maid. The maid, slightly surprised, quickly understood and smiled.

“Don’t worry. Everything will go as you wish.”

The next morning

“Wake up. The sun is already high.”

Elfreda opened her eyes weakly at the cold voice. Before she could move properly, a sharp pain escaped her lips.

“Ah…!”

The pain in her waist was similar to the previous night. Frowning, she slowly sat up, and Marchioness Magnum spoke sternly.

“Your Majesty receiving His Majesty last night is no excuse for laziness. Your schedule is full today.”

However, it was still early morning, and Elfreda had woken immediately—so it was clearly the Marchioness being harsh on purpose. Still, Elfreda asked calmly.

“What is the schedule today?”

“As you are now Queen, you must host a tea gathering and meet the noble ladies.”

In Machi, many royal duties were shared with noblewomen to reduce the Queen’s burden. In many cases, they were even more knowledgeable than the Queen herself. Cooperation from noblewomen was essential for the kingdom.

“I will arrange the schedule and send the letters.”

“No, I’ll do it.”

The Marchioness gave her a doubtful look—you?—but Elfreda insisted.

“It’s my first time, so I want to write them myself.”

“If you wish.”

The Marchioness did not stop her. After washing and changing, Elfreda sat at her desk. She placed white paper and a quill, even opening a dictionary beside her. The maids quietly mocked her, but Elfreda concentrated and began writing carefully.

The chances of attendance are probably low…

But she knew sincerity might increase the response rate.

Even if it doesn’t work… it’s better to try.

After much thought, she finished the letters and handed them to the Marchioness.

“Send them like this.”

“Very well. Now, you must review this year’s Sol Palace budget.”

“…Bring it.”

Elfreda already felt exhausted, but forced a smile.

Elsewhere in the palace

That morning, all the servants in the central palace looked gloomy—except Robert, who was smiling brightly.

Ainar finally asked.

“Why do all of you look so miserable? Except you.”