TQDT 22

Chapter : 22

Why?

Ainar could not understand at all why Elfreda was acting so arrogantly and distant like this. It was ridiculous. He had heard that people from Machi avoided even the slightest contact with the barbarians—but the opposite? He had never heard of such a thing.

Unless this was the pride of a princess from Makairie, looking down on the king of a small nation like Machi.

This woman had a talent for getting on his nerves in many ways. Ainar shifted one arm that had been holding Elfreda, making her position unstable. Compared to being held with both arms, this was far more dangerous. Elfreda clearly looked frightened.

And yet, she still clenched her trembling hands tightly and kept them pressed against her chest.

Ainar was speechless at that sight.

He wanted to see how far she would go like this, so he walked toward the bed with large strides.

Even as Elfreda’s face turned pale, she did not try to grab his shoulder. Instead, she only tightened her clenched hands even more.

Ainar looked at her coldly until they reached the bed. Then, feeling irritated, he finally let go of her other arm as well.

“Ah!”

Elfreda fell onto the bed.

It was a soft bed, so she was not hurt. But Ainar became angry at the fact that even at that moment, she had not tried to hold onto him.

He might have simply turned around and left right there.

But as she fell, Elfreda’s dress slipped down in a very ungraceful way. Ainar felt a dull heat rise in his lower body again, just like when he first entered the room.

In the end, he climbed onto the bed and pulled down her messy dress completely. His emotions had become more intense, and his hands moved much faster and more roughly than usual.

In Machi, the king’s maid was often considered a mistress.

But Illenne was different. She served the king without any sexual meaning. He only kept her by his side because he valued her intelligence.

At first, people doubted this, but over the years, seeing their steady and proper relationship between ruler and subject, they had no choice but to believe it.

Moreover, Illenne was truly sharp and intelligent, and she helped the king in many ways.

“Lady Hagen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“From today, you will work in the Solar Palace.”

So when Ainar gave this order early in the morning, Illenne was a little surprised, but she quickly understood his intention.

Still, she asked as if she did not know.

“Do you mean I am to serve the Queen?”

“…Not exactly.”

Ainar thought for a moment before answering.

“More like monitoring.”

Illenne smiled slightly and pointed out.

“But isn’t the Queen already being watched by Countess Magnum?”

Countess Magnum was a woman who deeply hated Makairie, just like Ainar, who had lost his family.

The Solar Palace was not a place where Elfreda could easily communicate with enemy nations, and even if she tried, Countess Magnum would not allow it.

She was desperate to use even small issues to remove the Queen.

At Illenne’s words, Ainar paused, then corrected himself.

“What I mean is, that is not the main purpose.”

“Then…?”

“It seems Countess Magnum is not cooperating with the Queen as much as expected.”

Illenne nodded in agreement. They already knew how badly she treated the Queen.

The reports Illenne occasionally heard were unpleasant, but the central palace had no reason or justification to stop it.

It was not proper for the king himself to interfere with the position of head maid traditionally held by Countess Magnum. Also, there was no noble lady suitable to replace her.

No one considered serving the “barbarian queen” an honorable position. In truth, whoever sat there would not help the Queen anyway.

“Countess Magnum’s hatred toward Makairie is too strong. She is not suitable to serve the Queen.”

“Then it would be better if you go and give the Queen more practical help. The inner palace is clearly not functioning properly.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“What do you mean?”

Ainar asked, looking confused.

Illenne smiled faintly.

If the inner palace was not functioning properly, the king could remove the Queen and let Countess Magnum run things instead.

After all, she had effectively controlled the inner palace for years. Using the Queen’s lack of experience as an excuse would not raise objections.

But the king was treating Elfreda as a proper Queen.

For someone who had lost family to the Queen’s grandfather, this was an unusually kind attitude.

Ainar was a rational and objective ruler who loved Machi above all else. So Illenne knew this situation was not normal.

And Countess Magnum likely noticed it too.

Illenne decided to test him a little more.

“As you say. However, the Queen has not asked Your Majesty for help.”

“……”

“And there is no need to give her authority in advance either.”

Because everything she said was correct, Ainar paused.

Even he knew this order was not like him. But it was a kind of stubbornness.

Last night, Elfreda had refused to speak about her situation. She also did not reach out to him.

When he saw her struggling and finally collapsing in exhaustion, Ainar had suddenly become curious.

What would she do if he helped her first?

Would she remain proud and not show gratitude? Or would she feel ashamed but still thank him at least on the surface?

If it was the first, he would take back his help and make things more difficult for her.

If it was the second, it would be an amusing game.

“At least at first, we should treat her as a Queen. It will also make the marriage alliance look better to Makairie.”

“Yes, that would be better for appearance.”

“And you can always return to the central palace anytime. Don’t feel uncomfortable. I will call you back soon.”

“I don’t find this situation unpleasant.”

“You don’t look like it.”

Ainar asked her.

“Was working by my side not enjoyable?”

“Of course not. It is just…”

Illenne smiled and looked at the king.

He still did not understand his own condition. It was strange enough that it was not surprising he didn’t realize it.

Still, Illenne saw this situation positively.

“I have wanted to serve the Queen for a long time.”

“…The Queen? Since when?”

“Since I first saw her here.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It may sound rude, but she looked pitiful to me.”

To be honest, Illenne had also disliked the idea when she first heard that Elfreda would become Queen of Machi, like most Machi people.

But unlike Ainar or Countess Magnum, she had not lost family to Makairie. Still, Makairie was an unpleasant and uncomfortable nation to Machi.

However, the “barbarian Queen” stayed quietly after arriving, and Illenne eventually forgot about her.

Then one day, she heard that the king had pulled the Queen out of the water after she fell in.

When Illenne first met Elfreda after that, she could not help but be shocked.