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Chapter : 24
“Are you going to drive me away?”
“No, of course not!”
Startled, Elfreda quickly waved her hands and confessed.
“I’m really happy you came, Illenne… truly.”
Illenne was also from the central palace, but from what she could tell, she did not seem to have been influenced yet by the Marchioness of Magnum. It felt like she was the first person in the palace who had treated Elfreda kindly. So at least in this vast palace, she could have one person on her side—someone she could trust even a little.
As that thought reached her, Elfreda suddenly felt a surge of emotion, and her eyes grew warm. It was relief, peace, and hope—the hope that she might be able to breathe and live like a human being in this palace, even just a little.
“I’m really glad.”
Illenne, who had been quietly watching her, suddenly embraced her without saying a word. Elfreda, held in Illenne’s arms—who was shorter than her—blinked quickly as her eyes stung. She felt like she might cry. As if sensing her feelings, Illenne spoke warmly.
“I will serve Your Majesty with all my heart, even if I’m lacking. That’s why His Majesty sent me here.”
At Illenne’s last words, Elfreda’s expression changed slightly.
‘His Majesty…’
She naturally thought of last night. He had pushed her so hard, almost as if he was angry, and at some point, Elfreda had lost consciousness because she could not endure it anymore. Of course, when she opened her eyes again, he was no longer there. It felt like the moment when he had once lain beside her until she fell asleep had been just a dream.
Lately, everything had been difficult for her, and even his ordinary actions now hurt her strangely. And then she blamed herself for feeling that way.
And now, to issue a royal order like this the very next morning…
Elfreda took a short breath and murmured.
“How kind…”
“…Hmm, I’m not sure about that. I don’t really know.”
Illenne answered awkwardly.
“Anyway, please tell me if there is anything I can help with.”
“I’m embarrassed to say this, Illenne, but I’m in a bit of trouble right now.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please tell me.”
Elfreda honestly told her everything that had happened so far. When she finished, Illenne had to struggle hard to hide her shocked expression.
The Marchioness of Magnum was far more cruel and petty than she had imagined. And the maids were no better. Telling lies that the Queen had a bad relationship with her mother and childhood friend?
‘Even if Her Majesty has no experience in high society, this is too much!’
Even excluding such things from the Queen’s lessons had clearly been done on purpose by the Marchioness of Magnum. Illenne found it disgusting—destroying a person like that. How could someone use their noble position as head maid of the Queen in such a low, dirty way?
Illenne said firmly,
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I know some of the noble ladies who were invited.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I will visit them and try to persuade them.”
Of course, there was no guarantee she could persuade all of them. The Marchioness of Magnum had maintained her influence in high society since the previous queen’s time. Illenne, who had lost her mother early, could not compare to her.
‘But I can’t just do nothing.’
“Illenne, is there anything I can do?”
“I can only bring them to this reception room. From there, it will be Your Majesty’s responsibility.”
Illenne held Elfreda’s hand tightly.
“Please leave it to me for now. I will do my best.”
“Thank you so much, Illenne.”
Elfreda finally looked relieved. Seeing that, Illenne felt even more pity for her and gently patted her.
At the same time, in the central palace.
“…Why do you look like that again early in the morning?”
Ainar looked at Robert, who was clearly in a bad mood, with a tired expression. Robert immediately asked, as if he had been waiting for that question.
“Me? Why?”
“If you’re going to deny it, at least go look in a mirror.”
“What’s wrong with my face?”
After saying that, Robert asked with a serious expression.
“Why did you send her away?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean Illenne!”
Ah.
“Why did you suddenly send her to the Solar Palace?”
“What are you talking about? That’s your department. The inner palace can’t function otherwise.”
“Even so…”
Robert grumbled.
“Is it right for the central palace to have no maid?”
“The central palace never had maids to begin with, Robert. Only administrators. Lady Hagen was the exception.”
“…That’s true.”
Robert looked a little wronged as he kept losing the argument. Ainar smiled slightly and added on purpose.
“Well, now there are no more misunderstandings. Working as a maid in the central palace would have been better for her marriage prospects.”
“What?”
“Anyway, it’s only a temporary assignment. I’ll personally take care of Lady Hagen’s marriage prospects.”
At that, Robert’s face turned red and blue with frustration.
“Your Majesty!”
Ainar had to hold back laughter.
“Do you have no intention of marrying, Robert?”
“I don’t care about that right now!”
“Yet you’re younger than me.”
Robert quickly changed the topic.
“Is that really the only reason you sent Illenne to the Solar Palace?”
Ainar paused.
Illenne had asked him something similar as well.
Only then did he realize his actions could be misunderstood.
That he might be paying her special attention…
If he looked at it simply, it was not strange to think that way.
Ainar hardened his expression and asked.
“Then what other reason do you think there is?”
“That you sent Illenne there to make me work overtime out of spite.”
“….”
Ainar looked at him silently.
Then he let out a small laugh and shook his head.
“Oh no… I’ve been found out.”
“Your Majesty, seriously?!”
Robert complained loudly, but Ainar only sighed inwardly.
Who would think such ridiculous things?
She was Makairie, after all.
Soon after, the Marchioness of Magnum requested an audience.
Ainar met her alone, as expected.
“I greet Your Majesty, the Sun of Machi, the ruler of all things.”
Her etiquette was perfect, but her expression was somewhat disrespectful. She did not bother hiding her dissatisfaction.
Ainar naturally thought of Elfreda’s pale face—always saying she was fine, yet looking like a sickly, fragile woman. He pushed that thought away and spoke.
“I heard you requested leave due to a cold.”
It was clearly a lie, but she looked completely healthy.
“Is your health better?”
“Did Your Majesty hear that from the Queen?”
“The Queen is the only one who informs me.”
The Marchioness of Magnum gritted her teeth slightly.
“You seem to visit the Queen very often.”
“Is it a problem for a king to visit his queen often?”
“Not in ordinary circumstances, no.”
Her eyes said, You know that already.
Ainar stared at her expressionlessly. There was resentment in her eyes. As if saying—how could you do this? Anyone else might, but you should not.
