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Chapter : 23
“Could there really be such a thin and fragile barbarian?”
Illenne had only ever seen the Makairie people as tall, strong, and well-built. But Elfreda was different.
She was tall, but her skin was extremely pale, almost like a sick person’s. Her body was so thin that she looked like she could collapse at any moment.
Of course, she had already collapsed after falling into the water—but still, her appearance was completely different from what Illenne had expected. It left her shocked, and she kept looking at her.
Since Illenne was the only maid in the central palace, taking care of Elfreda naturally became her responsibility.
Whether she liked it or not, the woman was the future queen, and the king needed this marriage. So Illenne took care of her with care.
“Help me… please… save me…”
Elfreda groaned and cried repeatedly while suffering from a high fever. It seemed like she was having nightmares about falling into the pond.
Listening to her nonstop made Illenne feel slightly annoyed at first—but at some point, she started to feel sorry for her.
Was it because her face was so pale and weak, like someone who had not eaten properly?
Or because she had come alone to a foreign enemy country and almost died right after arriving?
Whatever the reason, Elfreda’s impression was not as bad as Illenne had expected.
And the longer she cared for her, the more Illenne’s suspicion faded.
It was not only because of her fragile appearance or gentle, sorrowful eyes.
“Illenne, thank you. You are being so kind to me.”
“Illenne, I’m sorry. I must be bothering you too much.”
Elfreda Machi constantly said things like “thank you” and “I’m sorry,” even for small matters.
Her slightly timid behavior and the way she seemed to always watch others’ reactions came to Illenne’s mind.
It was very strange for someone who was said to be the Makairie princess who conquered the East and made the world fear her.
Even a low-ranking noble would not act this careful toward servants. From her behavior, she looked less like a princess and more like a fallen noble who had grown up carefully watching others.
But her birth was clearly noble. So Illenne had to accept that she was simply someone who thought too much about others.
Gradually, Illenne began to think that Elfreda might not be as cruel or dangerous as she had believed.
To put it more honestly, she seemed so kind that it almost felt wrong to watch her all the time.
But this kind of thinking was dangerous to say in Machi’s royal palace.
Still, even if she could not fully remove her suspicion, maybe it was not bad to soften her hostility a little.
This was not about countries anymore. It was about human beings.
At least in Machi, Elfreda was completely alone and powerless.
Unless she betrayed Machi, there was no need to stay so guarded.
With that thought, Illenne softened toward Elfreda a little more.
“Is there nothing worth showing mercy for?”
Suddenly, a voice broke her thoughts.
It was Ainar’s displeased voice.
He added,
“I’m not sure sending you to the Queen is a good idea. Nothing disappointing better happen.”
“Of course not. I have no intention of betraying Machi, regardless of my feelings toward her.”
Illenne’s voice was firm as she answered.
“No matter what anyone says, I am a loyal servant of Your Majesty and a faithful citizen of Machi.”
In truth, Illenne did not think Elfreda would disappoint her like that—but she kept that thought to herself.
For now, it seemed more likely that something interesting would happen than something dangerous.
The king was clearly not acting as usual, and the queen had the kind of presence that even changed Illenne’s first impression.
Elfreda lay still on her bed with a hopeless expression, as if she were dead.
She was afraid to start her day.
Even during her strict queen training before becoming queen, mornings were hard—but they were not frightening. She believed she could solve things if she tried hard enough.
But this was different.
This was not something she could solve. And things were only going to get worse with time.
She had tried every possible solution over the past few days, but every attempt had failed.
It was no longer something she could handle alone.
“…If I do it now…”
Elfreda finally reached a decision.
“…I should honestly tell His Majesty and ask for help.”
Of course, she did not think Ainar was unaware of the situation.
But speaking to him directly and asking for help was a different matter.
It meant admitting her own incompetence and bothering him.
She wanted to avoid troubling him with inner palace matters if possible, but if things got worse…
“Your Majesty, someone has come from the central palace.”
At that moment, the maid’s voice made Elfreda sit up in shock.
Her heart dropped.
Had he already lost patience with her incompetence and made a move first?
With a trembling voice, she asked,
“Why…?”
“I’m not sure about the details.”
Her careless answer made Elfreda’s anxiety grow.
She quickly put on a robe and left her bedroom.
But as she approached the reception room, a familiar figure came into view.
“…Ah.”
Her heart, which had been heavy and anxious, suddenly began to beat faster in a different way.
The woman turned around after sensing her presence.
Elfreda gasped in surprise and joy.
“Illenne!”
She quickly walked over and grabbed Illenne’s hands tightly.
“What are you doing here? How have you been?”
“Yes, Your Grace. But you…”
Illenne frowned slightly.
“You seem even thinner than before.”
“Ah… is that so?”
Elfreda scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
Illenne looked at her with concern.
Then she asked,
“But why are you here? Did something happen with His Majesty?”
“Ah.”
Illenne stepped back and formally bowed.
“I respectfully greet the mistress of the royal house. I am Illenne Hagen, appointed by His Majesty to serve Queen Elfreda in the Solar Palace starting today.”
At those words, Elfreda’s face changed in shock.
Illenne felt a little disappointed seeing her reaction.
“…She’s not happy?”
From their time in the central palace, she thought Elfreda liked her.
Had all her kindness been just politeness?
Illenne felt slightly hurt.
She asked directly,
“Are you not happy that I came?”
“Of course I am. But…”
Elfreda answered honestly, looking troubled.
“Illenne, I just… don’t think being here is good for your career.”
“What do you mean?”
“So when you choose a marriage partner later…”
Elfreda hesitated.
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to stay in the central palace rather than here? Unless you were forced to come under royal order…”
“That’s not it. I did come under His Majesty’s order, but…”
Illenne answered calmly, with a gentle smile.
“I am happy to be serving Your Majesty here.”
“But still…”
“If you are unhappy with me being here, please say so. I can report it to His Majesty.”
Illenne looked straight into Elfreda’s eyes.
“What matters most to me is your feelings, Your Majesty.”
“Of course, of course I like you…”
Elfreda answered honestly, though hesitantly.
Illenne’s face brightened quickly.
“But still…”
“Shh. You don’t need to say more. Nothing else matters.”
Elfreda still looked like she wanted to say more, but Illenne was faster.
“I understand what you are worried about. But there is no need to worry. I am originally from the central palace, only temporarily assigned here. Even if you try to send me away, I will still have somewhere to go.”
Hearing that, Elfreda’s expression relaxed slightly.
Illenne then asked playfully,
“So, should I take that as meaning you are happy I’m here?”
