CHAPTER 104
Translator: Rae
***
The Queen’s Lover
“…Are you all right, Your Grace?"
Whitney barely caught her breath before she sat down. She didn’t even have the strength to answer.
“How in the world do you do this every single day?”
“Well, we’ve been doing it consistently since we were young,”
Zegmon scratched his chin as he looked down at her. Completely drained, Whitney barely managed to stand with some assistance.
“It looks like this is going to take a while. I’m struggling just to hold the sword properly.”
“Your Grace is doing well, though. If it’s too difficult, switching to a dagger might be a good option,”
“A dagger is only useful when the distance is already close, isn’t it?”
Zegmon nodded. It didn’t seem like the best solution after all.
“Maybe I should just carry some poison instead.”
“...Excuse me?”
"It’s nothing.”
Whitney said with a bright smile, brushing off her clothes. It might be faster to find a method that suited her better.
"Uh… I think I might be able to help.”
Sienna, who had been watching quietly, hesitantly raised her hand. Sienna grinned and pulled a cord from her pocket.
The technique she demonstrated seemed particularly useful for women. She explained that she often used it in the place she had previously stayed. It was astonishing—using a simple cord to subdue an opponent. Even with a lack of strength, it seemed feasible with enough agility.
“We should keep this a secret among ourselves. It wouldn’t be good if others found out we were learning something like this.”
“Of course! Your Grace should only use it in emergencies.”
Sienna beamed and pulled a cord taut.
“Sienna, I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
"I'm happy to help.”
Fortunately, the technique Sienna taught was easier to pick up than Whitney had expected. Wrap, pull—if strength wasn’t enough, shifting her weight and falling backward added extra force to tighten the cord.
"Where did you learn this?"
“Hmm, when I was away from the duchy, I had to do all sorts of jobs just to survive. That place was rough, and as women, we needed at least one way to protect ourselves. People went missing all the time.”
“Missing?”
Sienna proceeded to tell her about Yohareim, the village she once lived in. It was a place where widows and children lived together, with many women struggling to protect themselves. Danger was a constant presence.
“What about the investigation?"
“They looked into it, but it was useless.”
“...I see. You said its name was Yohareim, right?”
Sienna nodded. Whitney found it strange that people had gone missing, yet the investigation had led nowhere. Judging by his expression, Zegmon seemed to have shared her thoughts.
“We should look into it.”
"Really? Everyone will be happy to hear that.”
"Don't worry. I’ll ask His Highness for help.”
Whitney tightened her grip on the cord, refocusing on her training. She was in the middle of practicing the technique again when she spotted Sheila running toward her from a distance.
"Your Grace! A letter from the royal family has arrived!”
Whitney halted her training at Sheila’s urgent call.
"But… weren’t Your Grace supposed to be practicing swordsmanship?"
Sheila tilted her head in confusion. Whitney quickly hid the cord behind her back and shrugged.
***
Whitney climbed into the carriage, settling into her seat as the wheels began to roll.
What kind of expression should she wear when she arrived at the royal palace and faced the others?
‘I just hope I won’t run into Her Highness the Queen.’
Across from her, Zegmon observed her carefully before finally speaking.
"Will you be all right?"
“Surely, there won’t be a bloodbath in the royal palace.”
“If they’ve been driven to the edge of a cliff, who knows?”
"I don't think it's that serious.”
They had k*lled the criminals, but there hadn’t been any further movements. However, if they touched upon what the queen was hiding, she might come forward directly.
"What do you think, Sir Zegmon?"
"Is it because of what Lady Sheila said earlier?”
She nodded. If people had gone missing, the royal palace must have received reports and taken action. Even though it was a small village, there had to be someone overseeing it, so they couldn’t have been completely unaware.
“Since I’m already heading to the royal palace, I now have a reason to meet His Highness as well.”
Strange things seemed to be happening in the Kingdom of Luowen.
Upon arriving at the royal palace gates, Whitney made her way to the palace where Violet resided. She was having tea in the garden when she spotted Whitney and smiled.
"Welcome.”
Violet dismisses the maids. Whitney took the letter from her pocket and placed it on the table. Upon noticing the seal, Violet smiled brightly and opened the letter.
“With this, it seems like there won’t be any issues if you leave after the banquet. What do you think?”
“Yes. As long as His Majesty the King agrees.”
Whitney nodded. That part didn’t seem to be an issue. If it were discovered in Phaetonthra that Maurice had a child, there was no doubt it would cause outrage. Realizing their disadvantageous position, Violet would be able to return home.
“I didn’t call you just because of the letter. This time, I’m hosting the royal banquet, and I need the wine distributed by the Duchess Regnant.”
“Is Your Highness asking me to supply it for the banquet?”
“Yes. I think it would be beneficial for you as well. His Majesty the King likely won’t have any objections. What do you think?”
“It’s a great opportunity for me, so I have no reason to refuse. Thank you.”
She readily accepted Violet’s proposal.
"Is it difficult for you to stay here?”
“Well, it’s not too bad. Things run the same way here as they did where I used to be. And since His Highness Prince Carl seems to be preoccupied elsewhere, he doesn’t come looking for me as often, so it’s fine.”
Although her expression turned fierce the moment she mentioned Prince Carl, Whitney pretended not to notice anything.
“Then, since I’m here, I should meet with His Majesty the King before I leave. I have things to discuss…”
“Go ahead. If you happen to run into Her Highness the Queen, just say that I called for you regarding the banquet preparations.”
"Thank you.”
Whitney bowed to Violet and rose from her seat. As she walked toward the main palace with Zegmon, an unpleasant figure appeared in the distance.
'Oh, I took the wrong path.'
As she hurriedly turned to leave, the person seemed to notice her attempt to slip away and called out her name in a loud voice.
"Duchess Regnant of Orleans!"
“...He has sharp eyes. Sir Zegmon, please don’t step in.”
Whitney stopped in her tracks and composed her expression. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and smiled at him.
"It is an honor to greet the first sun of the Kingdom of Luowen."
“Lately, people have been talking about you so much that it’s impossible for me not to hear the news related to you.”
"It's just a small business.”
Carl’s red eyes slowly scanned her from head to toe. Whitney instinctively clenched her fist at his gaze, which made her uncomfortable.
“I quite like that look in your eyes. Tell me, who else dares to look at me with such contempt?”
He grabbed her chin roughly and smirked. Leaning in, closing the distance between them, his gaze naturally shifted to Zegmon.
"A knight who does nothing while his master is humiliated?"
“There’s no need to stain your hand with blood, isn’t there? There are too many eyes watching, so please restrain yourself.”
“Ha! And even if I don’t, what’s the problem?”
His red eyes narrowed as his fingers lightly traced her chin, then slid downward.
“Your defiance provokes me, Duchess Regnant. I’m not someone who needs to concern himself with the gaze of others. And yet, you dare to suggest that I should?”
“The higher your position, the more you should be mindful of how others perceive you, Your Highness. Especially when it concerns the one who will be marrying your younger brother.”
Witney gently pushed his hand away.
“Which is why we should grow even closer. After all, we’re to be family. Oh, did you know?”
Carl chuckled, his voice laced with amusement as he leaned in slightly.
“If my dear brother were to die, his wife would become mine. So wouldn’t it be better for us to be well acquainted?”
She had heard of such traditions before. Of course, she had the right to refuse. However, judging by Carl’s demeanor, he wouldn’t allow that to happen so easily.
"It sounds like Your Highness is going to k*ll His Royal Highness Prince Cheston."
“How could I? I don’t mind having my dear brother around. He’s rather good at stirring up interesting situations.”
Carl made no effort to hide his amusement, his fingers idly brushing against her skin as if testing her patience. Just as Zegmon was about to intervene, unable to hold back his anger, a new voice cut through the tension.
“Your Highness Prince Carl, is that you? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Carl flinched.
At the sight of the newcomer, Carl instinctively took a step back. His usual arrogance wavered, momentarily replaced by a look of unease. Whitney’s eyes narrowed.
'Why? Why does he seem afraid?’'
His discomfort was evident.
“...Isn’t this the Marquis of Aroche?”
Carl’s crimson eyes trembled slightly. Whitney seized the opportunity, subtly putting distance between them.
“What brings you to the royal palace? If I remember correctly, you’re not a court official.”
“I happened to see the Duchess Regnant of Orléans and simply couldn’t resist coming over to greet Her Grace. After all, is there any place a businessman can’t go? Wherever there’s profit, we follow.”
“I should be going now. I nearly forgot I have a training session.”
He left in a hurry, almost as if fleeing the scene. It was clear that his relationship with the Marquis of Aroche was strained. But more importantly…
Whitney snapped her head to the direction he came from.
‘He came from the queen’s palace… but why?’
Her head turned sharply. Carl clearly looked uncomfortable, and with the way he eyed the marquis warily, had successfully cleared off all doubts in her mind. He was related to the queen in some way.
‘So Marquis of Aroche really is the lover of Her Highness the Queen.’
Cheston had his suspicions as well, so this wasn’t an unfounded guess.
And now, everything made sense—why the marquis had taken such an interest in the Linze’s Winery.
***
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