Queen of Revenge - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15
Today’s first audience was with Kalande.
They were the rival nation that had plagued us with border disputes for years. If I could negotiate well with Commander Winterbark and reach a favorable agreement, I might even gain command authority over the Border Guard.
‘If I play this right, all of Elovis’s military forces will fall into my hands. Then I can drive a wedge into the Throne itself.’
As Catherine straightened her posture, the Butler bowed respectfully and announced.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess, Commander Winterbark of Kalande requests an audience.”
“Grant him entry.”
For Catherine, this was her first private meeting with Commander Winterbark. An inexplicable tension seized me, and my spine straightened involuntarily.
The moment the man opened the door and entered, the very air seemed to still.
It was entirely unexpected.
Catherine could barely breathe as he drew near.
My heart thundered wildly. His portrait had captured nothing of his true presence. What captivated me instantly was the intensity in his eyes.
He bowed lightly to Catherine.
“Kairon Winterbark, Commander of the Calande Northern Fortress, pays his respects to Her Highness the Crown Princess of Elovis.”
“Welcome to Elovis, Commander Winterbark.”
Throughout my years as Crown Princess, I had met countless heads of state. Yet never had I encountered anyone whose mere presence exuded such commanding authority—one that made the knees of those before him tremble.
What Kairon Winterbark radiated was primal terror. He was like an untamed beast roaming the wilderness, unshackled and wild.
And yet this man bent at the waist and pressed a kiss to Catherine’s hand. A scorching thrill ran down my spine.
‘Kalande’s… illegitimate son, wasn’t he.’
One who could swallow a kingdom whole with ease, yet was shackled by the blood flowing through his veins.
Because of that, he had languished in darkness for years, and now came before me to bow his head—a brilliant gemstone polished by suffering itself.
He was exactly like me.
Catherine could discern it simply by looking into his eyes.
How utterly suppressed Kairon Winterbark was. And precisely because of that, how desperately he clawed his way upward.
He was my exact counterpart.
Catherine’s voice trembled ever so slightly.
“Call me Catherine, Commander Winterbark.”
This was destiny.
There was no other way to explain it. A man bearing a soul identical to my own?
As Kairon took the seat she had offered, Catherine could not tear her gaze from him.
“I’ve heard much of the Northern Hero’s legend, but seeing you in person, I realize those tales contained not a shred of exaggeration or boasting. Your bearing is truly formidable.”
“Is that so?”
Kairon’s lips curved upward.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess differs greatly from the rumors. I had heard you were destined to be a formidable ruler, but seeing you now, you are even more….”
My heart raced as I waited for the words that would leave his lips.
“… girlish than expected.”
Catherine hastily pressed the back of her hand to her cheek.
Could this burning heat flooding my face truly be visible to him?
“Is that so? Honestly, it’s not a compliment I’d welcome as Crown Princess, but as a woman… I find I don’t dislike it.”
“All humans wear two faces, after all.”
As if to say he knew everything, Kairon narrowed his eyes. The enchanting smile that played across his strikingly beautiful features was utterly mesmerizing.
‘Do you perhaps recognize me as well?’
Ah, if so, I want to possess you.
Catherine thought absently.
I want to have this man—not as the Crown Princess’s consort, but as a woman.
“Did you enjoy last night’s banquet sufficiently, my lord?”
“Indeed.”
Recalling something, Kairon curled his lips upward. Boyish innocence gleamed in his sharp, defined gaze.
“It was far more enjoyable than I anticipated. I regret not being able to linger longer. The Maze Garden in particular was breathtakingly beautiful.”
“The garden seems to have captured your heart. Once the audience concludes, shall we take a stroll together?”
“Well, I’m afraid I may have other engagements afterward.”
Other engagements? What business could an ambassador from a foreign land possibly have?
After taking a sip of tea, Kairon broached an unexpected topic.
“Is access to the area near the East Tower of the Royal Palace normally restricted?”
The eastern wing of the Royal Palace was where Iolet resided.
Since last night, Catherine had stationed a considerable number of Guard Knights in the East Tower—a precaution to prevent any ambassadors who might show interest in Iolet from approaching her.
“That area is not a space befitting distinguished guests. There is little of note to see there anyway. The Queen’s Palace to the west of the Main Palace, this Crown Princess’s Palace, and the Separate Palace to the south are far more beautiful.”
“I see, so there is no way to go eastward….”
The man seemed dissatisfied with her answer.
Trailing off deliberately, he changed the subject once more.
“I hear His Majesty the King is not in good health.”
She had completely lost control of the conversation.
This too was a first for Catherine.
The more I observed him, the more overwhelming and desirable he became. Catherine suppressed the smile that kept rising to her lips.
“He wished to rest quietly. Since His Majesty has entrusted all ambassador audiences to me, please have no concerns. I shall certainly convey our conversation to him accurately.”
“Very well then, let us dispense with the preamble and proceed to the main matter.”
Kairon spoke matter-of-factly.
“I wish to propose marriage to Princess Iolet.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
Catherine could not immediately comprehend what she had just heard.
Bewildered, she asked again.
“What did you just say?”
“I wish to take Princess Iolet as my wife.”
Kairon kindly elaborated on what he had just uttered—as if, had she not heard, he would have personally stuffed the words into her ears.
“I fell for the princess at first sight. I fear I would regret it for the rest of my life if I let this opportunity slip away.”
The cold aura surrounding the man melted away like spring snow.
With an unmistakably lovestruck expression, Kairon Winterbark made his proposal.
“Therefore, I wish to send a formal marriage proposal through the Elovis Royal Family. Will you grant me permission?”
To her younger sister, not to herself.
Catherine’s face contorted into a grotesque mask of despair.
* * *
Early afternoon, past noon, The King summoned Iolet to the Main Palace.
There had been an audience with ambassadors since morning, yet the summons came sooner than expected.
With Bara’s assistance, Iolet had arranged her appearance impeccably before turning to Lucian, who moved to follow her.
“There’s no need for you to come along. The Guard Knights are waiting outside anyway—you can go with them. You and Bara should remain here.”
“Are you certain, my lady?”
“Enough. I’m hardly a child.”
Lucian fell silent for a moment, then answered with a bow of his head.
Iolet whispered to Bara, who trailed after her.
“Should a man with silver hair and crimson eyes come looking for me, tell him I have a guest. Keep him away from that brother as much as possible. Do you understand?”
Bara nodded with a bright smile.
Iolet patted the little guardian’s head reassuringly before making her way to the Main Palace.
‘What punishment awaits me now? My current state is little different from being under house arrest….’
Yet when Iolet entered the Audience Hall, the situation unfolded far differently than she had anticipated.
“A proposal of marriage, you say?”
Since my regression, this was the first time I had failed to maintain my composure.
I asked in bewilderment.
“Commander Winterbark proposed to me this morning?”
I had wondered why there was no word all morning, and now he had already proposed?
Barely more than half a day had passed since yesterday, and yet—

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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