CHAPTER 38…………
: Lea’s Awakening
Early in the morning, Millie was arguing with the maids working in the rear palace. Rumors were spreading rapidly that Robbie was my lover, centered around the rear palace.
“Of course, the maids of the rear palace don’t actually believe that. If they knew even a little about Your Majesty, they’d naturally think it’s nonsense,” Millie explained earnestly, trying to reassure me despite her anger.
“Then why did the maids tell you about the rumor?” I asked.
“They passed it to me so that someone could quickly take action, just in case it harms Your Majesty’s honor. No one in the rear palace actually believes it,” she said.
I was already irritated by Robbie’s suggestion to run away with him, and hearing this first thing in the morning only made me more unpleasantly annoyed.
Seeing me frown, Millie lowered her voice and asked, “Who would spread such nonsense? Surely, it wasn’t Lord Robbie, was it?”
“How could Robbie, with his pride, start a rumor claiming he’s my lover?”
“Exactly. Then who could it be?”
Hearing Millie mutter to herself, I asked, just in case, “Millie, did you know Robbie liked me?”
“Of course. Ever since he was young, he’s always been shy, but whenever he sees Your Majesty, his eyes sparkle,” she said.
“Ugh, why didn’t you tell me?”
Sigh~ So Millie had noticed all along, and I was the only one oblivious!
“Really, you had no idea? I thought you were pretending not to notice. Anyone could see that Your Majesty has no other feelings for Lord Robbie,” Millie said, looking at me awkwardly.
I felt a twinge of guilt, wondering if my cluelessness had led Robbie to harbor false hopes for so long.
“Lord Robbie has probably given up by now. That’s why he came to see Your Majesty even in Pritan, isn’t it?”
Completely unaware of Robbie’s proposal to run away with me, Millie was convinced he had completely given up. Well, any sane person would think the same.
“The people spreading such baseless rumors need to be caught and punished!” Millie clenched her fist in indignation.
I had a suspicion already. Robbie had recently met Princess Shine of Malau and had heard that she spent a night with Mick.
The only person who could profit by linking Robbie and me in scandal was someone in Pritan Castle—just one person.
I jumped up from my seat and called Adele and Sophie.
“I’ll be meeting Duke Zenon and the Malau envoy in my office. Prepare suitable attire—less flashy, more dignified. Millie, tell them to come to my office in two hours.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Millie, Adele, and Sophie quickly left the bedroom.
I had considered waiting quietly until Mick returned, but I decided I would no longer hold back.
I would show the Malau troublemaker exactly who the Queen of Pritan is and what she is capable of!
Exactly two hours later, I sat on the throne in the audience hall of the Queen’s Palace, dressed with both splendor and dignity.
Duke Zenon and the four Malau envoys, unaware of the reason for this meeting, stood before me with puzzled expressions.
I calmly ordered Duke Zenon, “Duke Zenon, please present the contents of the agreement Prince Mickrok made with the Kingdom of Malau accurately.”
Duke Zenon took out the pre-prepared document and recited the contents of the agreement that had already been reported.
“So, the agreement does not mention the one thousand tons of heat-retaining magic stones brought as tribute by the Malau envoy?” I asked.
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
I then turned to the Malau envoys.
“Answer me. Why did you bring tribute that isn’t included in the bilateral agreement to Pritan?”
The most experienced and attractive among the envoys stepped slightly forward.
‘He’s the Shine Princess’s bodyguard… Jumon, right?’
“The heat-retaining magic stones we brought were an addition made after the agreement was concluded. We brought only one thousand tons of the total three thousand tons first.”
“Then…”
I slowly turned to Duke Zenon.
“Returning the one thousand tons of heat-retaining magic stones would not affect the agreement signed directly by Prince Mickrok, correct?”
“Of course, Your Majesty, but…”
Duke Zenon looked flustered at my question.
“Prince Mickrok may return and demand an explanation.”
As expected, he remained rational even in this situation.
“I will provide that explanation myself.”
I slowly rose and continued, coldly addressing the Malau envoys:
“Return to your country immediately, taking all the heat-retaining magic stones with you. They must be loaded onto your carts and leave within two hours.”
The Malau envoys were so surprised they forgot to respond.
“If you appear in Pritan Castle after two hours, you will be executed by the royal guards. Move swiftly.”
The Princess’s bodyguard was the first to regain composure and protested:
“Forgive me, but this tribute arrived by Prince Mickrok’s command. Returning it unilaterally might cause diplomatic friction between our nations.”
This reaction was expected. I signaled Millie, who had quietly gone out and returned with a knight.
He had participated in the recent monster extermination with the Special Knights but was not included in this mission.
“During the last mission, Prince Mickrok departed for Pritan Castle at dawn after spending a night in Malau Castle.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What did Prince Mickrok say to the commander at that time?”
The knight paused to recall, then answered:
“There was some unpleasant commotion at Malau Castle, but thanks to that, Your Majesty will be warmer this winter. That is what I heard him say.”
“Understood. You may leave.”
After the knight left, I turned to Duke Zenon:
“Prince Mickrok received these stones for my comfort this winter. Yet, the representative of your envoy—!”
I turned my cold glare toward Princess Shine.
“In just a few days, you’ve tarnished the reputations of Prince Mickrok and me, spreading unverified rumors and disturbing the people of Pritan. I will no longer tolerate this recklessness.”
The princess looked up at me, startled, while her bodyguard intervened.
“Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding…”
I ignored Jumon entirely and focused only on Princess Shine. It was time to deal with her alone.
“A misunderstanding? Then answer me, Princess Shine. Did you not once declare to the world that Lord Robbie, my long-time friend from the Harun Empire, is my lover?”
She seemed stunned and could only part her lips, unable to respond.
The bodyguard’s face also reflected disappointment—he already knew it was Princess Shine’s doing. Insolent!
“No matter how precious Malau’s magic stones are, they are not worth more than the honor of Prince Mickrok and me. I would rather endure the winter wind at the top of Pritan Castle than accept a blade disguised as a tongue,” I said.
I turned to Duke Zenon again:
“Prime Minister, will this decision cause any problems when Prince Mickrok returns?”
“No problem, Your Majesty. We will execute your orders immediately,” Duke Zenon bowed and left.
I smiled in satisfaction at the Malau envoys.
Then the princess’s bodyguard, whose face had turned pale, knelt before me and lowered his head to the ground.
“Please forgive us. The representative of our envoy is young and inexperienced, causing great offense to Your Majesty and the Pritan royal family. We will ensure this does not happen again. Please forgive our misdeed.”
Other envoys knelt as well, but I ignored them, keeping my gaze fixed on Princess Shine.
‘Do you have nothing to say to me?’
Biting her lips, she trembled. I turned as if the matter were concluded.
“I have committed a grave sin,” came a voice from behind me.
I turned to see Princess Shine kneeling.
“Please accept these tributes as a token of my father, King Malau’s sincerity. We will not act recklessly again.”
I slowly approached her and spoke clearly into her ear:
“Do you think I could believe that? You are the woman who declared you would spend the night with my husband. When will that tongue strike me with another blade?”
Then Princess Shine pulled a dagger from her robe and cut her own tongue. It happened in an instant.
“Is this… madness?”
Blood gushed from her lips, and she looked at me faintly smiling.
The Malau envoys rushed to support her. I, too, grabbed a handkerchief to stem the bleeding.
As I thought about stopping the bleeding, a sudden heat surged from my abdomen, and a strong current formed at my right hand.
I held Princess Shine’s chin with my left hand and forced her mouth open.
While the Malau envoys stood frozen, I inserted my thumb into her mouth and slowly traced her tongue.
A strong golden light emanated from my right hand into her mouth.
The Malau envoys gawked in astonishment again.
Focusing on my fingertip, I felt her partially severed tongue gradually rejoin.
When it was fully restored, the current and golden light disappeared.
I withdrew my finger and slowly stood up.
“Escort the princess back to the rear palace to rest.”
Jumon, inspecting her mouth, asked me:
“Did Your Majesty heal her?”
“I will give her one chance. Accept the tribute upon her return. And everyone must remain silent about what just happened in this room,” I declared. The Malau envoys swore secrecy.
“Princess Shine is no exception. No more careless words in Pritan Castle.”
The Malau envoys supported the princess and left the hall.
Once they were gone, dizziness hit me, and I staggered.
“Your Majesty!!!”
Millie hurried to support me.
I felt extreme fatigue, as if every exertion drained tremendous energy.
“It’s alright, Millie. At least I’m not fainting as before. Perhaps I’m getting used to it?”
I smiled faintly to reassure her.
As I turned to return to the bedroom, I was forced to stop.
A tremendous roar and a blazing fireball appeared before me, charging like a wild beast.
The flames enveloped my husband Mick, Sir William, and our knights.
The vision radiated intense heat across my face.
Covering my face with both hands, I screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground.
