Chapter : 12
“You made a bet on something only you knew? How cowardly.”
Robert was the only one who knew Ainar would go to Elfreda’s bridal chamber on the first night. Among Ainar’s close aides, only Robert knew about Ainar’s plan to use Makaeri’s intentions against them.
“But still, ignoring the bride on the first night… isn’t that basically declaring war on Makaeri?”
“Everyone assumes Your Majesty isn’t afraid of war.”
As if that were possible.
Unlike Machi’s people, who would not hesitate to go to war, Ainar preferred peace. Not because he lacked confidence in victory, but because he lacked confidence in not losing.
He no longer wanted to lose even a single person from Machi. Revenge for his uncle and Anders did not necessarily have to be carried out with Machi’s blood. If they were here, they would not have wanted it either.
More importantly, since Makaeri had made the first sly move, there was no need for Machi to act overly noble.
At that moment—
“Your Majesty, your Verona tea.”
A servant brought a warm teacup and placed it on Ainar’s desk. Ainar nodded slightly, and the servant withdrew. In contrast, Robert clapped his hands in admiration.
“As expected, you are very thorough.”
“…”
Ainar did not reply and lifted the steaming cup of tea. Though born royalty, it was something he had rarely ever expected to drink—but the aroma pleased him more than expected.
Meanwhile
On her first day as queen, Elfreda was overwhelmed with an unbelievable amount of work. Even after dinner, she could not leave her desk.
It was already past 10 p.m. when everything finally ended. Exhausted, she prepared for bed. While changing into her nightdress with the maids’ help, she naturally thought of last night.
…He won’t come today.
Elfreda understood. Last night, he had come only to avoid giving diplomatic complications.
In political marriages, it was common for husband and wife to live almost like strangers after the first night.
She let out a faint laugh.
How immature, Elfreda.
When had she been so careful about suppressing such thoughts? When had she decided she would rather be a coldly treated queen?
Yet now that she thought he might stay distant, a painful loneliness filled her chest. It felt like she had already crossed a river of no return.
It’s fine.
It was a feeling she should simply not notice. A feeling she alone would be hurt by. She was used to that.
“His Majesty is on his way to the Sol Palace.”
“…Pardon?”
Elfreda froze at the unexpected news. The maids were also shocked.
“Shall we say you are unavailable?”
Elfreda shook her head quickly.
“No. I can see him.”
While the maid left, Elfreda’s heart pounded wildly.
“W-what should I do?”
“Just stay calm and don’t make a fuss.”
At the maid’s scolding, Elfreda forced herself to breathe deeply. But she could not hide her flushed face.
Soon, she heard footsteps approaching. Her heart beat so fast she could barely breathe.
Finally, Ainar appeared before her.
Just like yesterday, he wore his military uniform. It looked like he would leave soon, just like last night.
Elfreda felt a slight disappointment, but quickly hid it and smiled.
“The great sun of Machi—”
Then their eyes met.
Her mind went blank, and she quickly bowed her head.
“…I greet you.”
Her voice, confident at the start, ended weakly.
Ainar looked at her silently and signaled the maids to leave.
After they left, Elfreda still kept her head lowered. Ainar finally spoke, losing patience.
“Now that I think about it, you greet more formally than your own maids.”
Embarrassed, Elfreda slowly lifted her head.
“I told you before—it’s not good for a queen to lower her head so easily.”
“…But…”
She hesitated.
“You are Your Majesty.”
“…What?”
“In front of you… I thought it was acceptable.”
“Hah.”
Ainar let out a dry laugh.
“So you only act like this in front of me?”
“There’s no one else I do this to.”
Really? he thought.
Because she had bowed so easily in front of her sister.
He almost said it sarcastically but stopped himself.
“What brings you here…?”
“Why do you think I came?”
Ainar stepped closer.
“As a husband… to his wife’s bedroom.”
“…Ah.”
Her heart pounded so loudly it hurt.
She realized something then.
I’ve been waiting for this moment all day.
Her face turned red with embarrassment. Ainar noticed her left cheek again, now healed and smooth, unlike last night.
…Last night.
A memory surfaced, and he sighed in irritation. Elfreda flinched.
“…I didn’t mean for you to leave.”
Ainar looked at her.
Elfreda panicked and explained quickly.
“I mean… I wasn’t asking why you came in a bad way…”
At that moment, Ainar stepped forward and kissed her.
Elfreda froze in shock, then slowly closed her eyes and accepted him.
Compared to yesterday, she was more obedient. That pleased him.
He deepened the kiss, holding her tongue firmly and not letting go.
“Mm…”
Her soft moans made her body tremble. Ainar felt a strong urge to trap her completely.
He held her waist tightly and gently touched her cheek—the one she had been struck on.
“Ahh…”
“Today…”
He slowly pulled away.
Her slightly dazed expression made something tighten inside him.
He brushed her slightly swollen lips with his thumb.
“Seems like you weren’t sleepy today.”
“…What?”
“Your face looks fine.”
Mentioning last night, confusion flashed in her eyes.
And again, Ainar thought of the question he had ignored.
Why had this woman—now Queen of Machi, once a princess of Makaeri—been treated so harshly by her own blood?
