Chapter 85
The Traitor’s End
When Ellua, who had rushed out just moments ago, returned, Borens and Jane hurried toward her.
“Where did you run off to in such a hurry? Your Highness, what on earth happened? Your dress…”
The two of them were shocked at the state of her ruined dress and hair.
“Jane.”
At Ellua’s firm interruption, Jane finally noticed the unusual expression on her face.
She could tell immediately that something serious had happened—serious enough to make her tense up herself.
They had spent a long time together, but this was the first time she had ever seen Ellua this angry.
It made her doubt whether this was the same gentle and kind person she thought she knew.
Borens seemed to be thinking the same.
“Where is Mari?”
“Mari? She’s probably still working in her assigned area.”
“Bring her here. In front of me.”
“Yes, I’ll get her right away.”
At Ellua’s command, Jane hurried out of the palace to fetch Mari.
Standing beside her, Borens recalled that she had gone toward the stables earlier—and realized immediately that the recent incident must be related to Mari.
She’s done something unforgivable.
He knew well that the only reason Ellua hadn’t acted sooner, despite knowing everything about Mari, was because she had been willing to overlook it.
A storm is about to hit the palace.
It wasn’t long before Jane returned with Mari. Judging by Mari’s expression, she had no idea what was going on.
“I’ve brought Mari, Your Highness.”
“You called for me?”
Jane carefully stepped beside Borens, while Mari looked at Ellua in confusion.
Ellua glanced at her once, then walked straight toward her.
“Your Hi—”
But Mari could not finish her words.
Smack!
Ellua’s hand flew up and struck her across the face so hard that Mari’s head snapped to the side.
Everyone nearby—Borens, Jane, and even the servants who had been working—froze and stared in shock.
Silence fell over the palace, broken only by gasps of surprise.
It was even more shocking because it was Ellua. She had always laughed off mistakes and had never once laid a hand on a servant.
Mari herself was too stunned to speak. Then the pain from the slap reached her, her cheek swelling bright red almost instantly.
Ellua stood motionless, staring at her.
Mari, finally realizing what had happened, pressed her hand to her burning cheek and looked at Ellua with trembling eyes.
“Y-Your Highness… What is—”
But again, she couldn’t finish.
Before she could make excuses, Ellua swung her foot—still in a heeled shoe—and kicked her hard in the shin.
“Aaagh!”
Unable to withstand the force, Mari collapsed to the floor.
The pain was far worse than before. She lifted her head to protest—but the look in Ellua’s eyes froze her solid.
Mari was certain.
Ellua could kill her at any moment—without hesitation.
Her body began trembling uncontrollably, against her will.
“The slap was punishment for hurting Harris. The kick was for hurting me. Compared to the injuries I suffered, this is barely anything.”
“W-why are you doing this to me…”
“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”
“Huh?”
“I’m asking whether you actually don’t know. Every word that comes out of your mouth from now on—you’d better choose carefully. Because next time, I’ll take your tongue.”
It was the first time Mari had ever heard such a cold, merciless voice from Ellua. Tears welled in her eyes.
And this was only the beginning.
Everything Ellua said was deadly serious. There was not a hint of exaggeration or mercy.
She forced herself to calm down and spoke again.
“I heard from the stablehand. That you bribed him to cause the accident during the riding competition.”
How—?
Only then did Mari finally understand the situation. Desperate to survive, she immediately shook her head.
“It wasn’t me! I don’t know anything about that!”
“You don’t?”
“No! I don’t even understand what Your Highness is talking about! I’m being framed!”
Ellua didn’t expect a confession. She didn’t need one.
“Then tell me—where were you at that time?”
“O-of course I was in the palace, doing my duties!”
“Then surely someone here saw you.”
At Ellua’s smiling remark, Mari froze. She hadn’t thought that far ahead—she’d assumed she’d never be found out.
What do I do?
Just then, Borens approached and reported quietly.
“Your Highness, the knights have arrived.”
“Tell them to come in and take her away.”
The knights Ellua had summoned through Vandel had arrived just in time. At the mention of knights, Mari panicked and grabbed Ellua’s dress.
“It really wasn’t me! Please, believe me! I’m being framed!”
On her knees, tears streaming, Mari begged desperately.
Ellua looked down at her and lowered herself to whisper quietly—so only Mari could hear.
“Did you really think I didn’t know which rat you belong to?”
Mari’s tears stopped. She froze completely.
“Did you really think I didn’t know who ordered you to spy on me?”
“T-that’s…”
“Don’t expect to live. I’ll make sure of that. You’re about to learn—just how terrifying the power of the ‘insignificant’ princess you always looked down on can be.”
Having said everything she needed to, Ellua stood up and walked toward the knight waiting for her.
“I hope I didn’t show you something unsightly, Sir Kenry.”
“Not at all. We will escort the handmaiden.”
“Please do.”
Mari resisted to the very end, but she couldn’t fight off the knights. She screamed her innocence until her voice faded into the distance.
Ellua watched her go, then turned away and walked deeper into the palace as the servants whispered in terror behind her.
