Queen of Revenge - Chapter 25

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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 25
According to Kairon, even possessing the jewels would impose restrictions on resurrection if one’s body remained incomplete.
Since he had been beheaded and his severed head sent to Kairon, the explanation held considerable credibility.
Iolet rubbed the nape of her neck with the back of her hand, where a dull ache lingered.
With this rare opportunity to converse with Kairon, Iolet decided to pose the questions she had been holding back.
“Are the Demon Tribe in the Unregistered Territory the sort capable of dialogue and negotiation?”
“Most are sentient beings. Malicious, cunning, and specialized in manipulating the human psyche. Troublesome creatures. Though I’ve observed their bonds with their own kind are remarkably strong.”
His response was concise yet contained precisely the information Iolet needed.
Kairon draped the fur cloak he had removed across Iolet’s shoulders.
“It’s fine. I have the cloak my knight gave me as well….”
“What good is a scrap of cloth against the Northern cold?”
Kairon scoffed and swiftly snatched away the cloak covering Iolet’s knees, hurling it through the window.
“Your Highness, is something the matter—.”
The cloak caught on the window frame just as Lucian approached on horseback, the fabric draping across his face.
Kairon clicked his tongue.
“It’s obvious he’s following orders of questionable intent, yet I don’t understand why you tolerate it.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow your meaning, Lord Winterbark.”
“The Princess surely understands, and you must have your reasons, so I won’t press further….”
The sound of hoofbeats clattered from outside the carriage.
Kairon seized Bara’s card case and swiftly inscribed new messages on the blank cards.
Returning them to Bara, he fixed his gaze upon the carriage door.
“The way he carries himself—like a man robbed of his lover—is rather grating.”
Almost simultaneously, the carriage door burst open.
“Your Highness.”
Lucian, his hair tousled by the cold wind, swept his gaze across the carriage interior.
Upon spotting Kairon seated directly beside Iolet, his expression hardened in an instant.
“It’s fine. Nothing’s amiss, Lord Winterbark. Has the road thawed completely?”
“Nearly all of it. More importantly, Commander Winterbark, it is improper in both Elovis and Kalande to intrude uninvited into a lady’s carriage. I must ask you to withdraw.”
“Not merely a lady’s carriage, but my betrothed’s. Is Elovis truly so rigid?”
“An unmarried man and woman remain strangers regardless. Perhaps some restraint is warranted.”
“Anyone listening would think me a scoundrel.”
“Precisely. Now that you understand, please depart.”
The tension between the two men dissolved the moment Iolet broke into a cough.
Still coughing, Iolet caught her breath.
“I’m fine, really—haah—while we’re pausing our journey, might I trouble you for a cup of warm water, Lord Winterbark? And Commander Winterbark, I think it best you rejoin your company.”
“…Very well. I shall return momentarily.”
The instant Lucian reluctantly closed the door and departed, Kairon clicked his tongue.
“I can’t tell if he’s wary of you as a threat to eliminate or as a rival.”
“The former, surely. He’s too rigid—he simply wishes to eliminate any possibility of impropriety on my part.”
Iolet drew Kairon’s cloak tighter around herself as she replied.
“I have no wish to provoke my knight. So please refrain from any words that might antagonize him, if you would.”
* * *
The carriage traveled for two more days before finally arriving at the Border Junction.
I needed to continue northward for approximately two more days, while Kairon Winterbark would cross the border here to enter Kalande’s territory.
“We must part ways here. I cannot accompany you to the Elovis Border Guard Garrison, after all.”
Kairon Winterbark made no effort to hide his displeasure.
“To meet my betrothed, I must circle around the Unregistered Territory—a journey of a week.”
“You’ll need to travel to the Capital of Kalande anyway.”
Though I had received consent from Elovis, the Kalande Royal Court was equally invested in this marriage.
Kairon Winterbark planned to proceed directly to Hespelt, the capital of the Kalande Kingdom, to obtain final approval from the royal court.
“Our next meeting will be in roughly two months. Travel safely.”
“You truly need no escort?”
“These two are sufficient. And I have other knights as well.”
“I’m not entirely convinced, I must confess.”
Kairon Winterbark did not bother to lower his voice. His gaze fixed upon my back carried a sharp edge.
Six knights under the Black Eagle had accompanied us on this journey. Each was skilled enough to hold their own anywhere. To disparage the elite forces of another kingdom was considerable rudeness.
Lucian stepped forward, making no attempt to conceal his displeasure.
“She is our Princess. We shall serve her well, so depart without concern.”
“Only ‘our’ when it suits you, I see.”
Kairon Winterbark spoke in a low, mocking tone.
“Dragging along a string of mice who can’t even step forward properly.”
“What did you just say?”
I exhaled silently. Over the past fortnight of travel, I had grown weary of the invisible tension between these two men.
‘Their relationship is worse than I expected….’
Whenever I found myself alone with Kairon Winterbark, Lucian would attach himself under the guise of protection.
It seemed he had decided to conduct intensive surveillance until we reached the border, rather than report my scheme to the King.
‘Though I cannot be certain—he may have informed my Elder Sister even if he kept silent with Father.’
I seized Kairon Winterbark’s arm and pulled him aside.
I whispered softly, ignoring Lucian’s furrowed brow.
“If you speak of mice—are there those following us?”
“Four or so. I cannot say with certainty whether they belong to the Elovis Royal Family. I haven’t seen them make contact with him.”
The only force capable of pursuing us this far was Catherine.
But if Catherine had discovered my true intentions, she would have settled matters in the Capital rather than trailing us.
Then who were these followers?
“I’ll ask you to investigate their backing. And I need personnel who can remain hidden from our own knights’ eyes. Is that possible?”
“It’s simple enough until just before the Command Tower. If we pose as Elovis soldiers, we could even infiltrate the tower itself.”
“Good. And if there’s a way to share information quickly between us—a means connecting the Northern Fortress and the Elovis Command Tower.”
“I’ll leave a hawk. It’s quite intelligent and should prove useful.”
A large brown hawk that had circled overhead for days descended onto my forearm. The power of its hook-like talons was tremendous.
Kairon Winterbark steadied me as I wavered.
“If it’s nearby, news should reach us within a day. Anything else?”
“That’s enough. I have what I need.”
Kairon Winterbark seemed like a man unfamiliar with hesitation. Like a general store that produced the right goods the moment an order was placed, answers came back instantly whenever I asked.
“You produce answers as though you had prepared them beforehand.”
“I possess that much capability, at least.”
The sensation of confirming that my counterpart was brimming with willingness to cooperate with me was quite peculiar.
“Then I do hope you’ll take care of yourself, madam.”
Kairon bowed and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.
My earlobes flushed faintly as I murmured, “I’m not a madam yet.”
It was surely meant as a lighthearted jest. Yet that bittersweet chocolate tone of his voice set my heart racing without reason.
His lips against the back of my hand were terribly warm.

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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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