Queen of Revenge - Chapter 40

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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 40
* * *
The Border Territory, influenced by the Unregistered Territory, knew no seasons.
I had arrived here in early March, and two months had passed since then—by now, the Capital would be ablaze with spring blossoms. Yet the vicinity of the Command Tower remained locked in the depths of winter, with only the occasional snowfall having ceased.
Iolet gauged the passage of time by glancing at the calendar in the Commander’s Office. By now, the Royal Family’s response should be making its way here.
In truth, I had expected it to arrive by now, though it was running later than anticipated.
‘Has something happened at the Royal Family? I can’t pinpoint anything specific. Unless Ahil has made a move.’
But it seemed unlikely that he would have acted so aggressively already. Only three months had passed, after all.
Still, the discovery of a new vein of ore in Elovis was a rare occurrence—happening only once in decades—so time would be needed to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Iolet closed the file she had been reviewing.
As she reached for the second file, the door to the Commander’s Office swung wide open as if on cue.
[Done!]
[!]
[Hurry] [Hurry] [Hurry]
Bara bounded in with a dancing gait, spinning circles around Iolet’s chair.
“Understood. I’m coming now.”
[Hurry] [Hurry] [Hurry] [Now] [Now] [Now] [Now]
She had been shut away in her new bedroom since morning, and it seemed she had finally finished whatever she was working on.
Lucian was entering behind Bara.
“How are you feeling?”
“Not badly.”
“Let us call it a day. I shall escort you to your bedroom.”
“No. I haven’t finished everything yet. I still need to take those documents—”
Lucian summarily dismissed her protests.
He rounded the desk and, approaching her chair, grasped its backrest and pulled.
The chair legs scraped across the floor as I was suddenly drawn away from the desk. Just as I managed to clutch the documents, Lucian lifted me into his arms. The forearms supporting my back and the crook of my knees were solid and unyielding.
“Bara, that bundle of papers tied with the red string over there—bring it too, please!”
[
That is not permitted.
]
Bara waved the word card, which Lucian had undoubtedly written for her.
“Don’t write strange things for Bara, Lucian.”
“I am not merely the Fiancé of the Princess.”
Lucian carried Iolet out of the Commander’s Office without another word.
The Guard Knights moving about the Command Tower quickly stepped aside as they passed.
Iolet exhaled softly.
“…This is not a good habit…”
To reach the new bedroom, one had to climb the stairs. As a patient, it was impossible for Iolet to make the journey from the Commander’s Office to her bedroom on her own.
Someone had to carry her, and truthfully, in my assessment, Lucian was the only one I could trust with this.
I had tried being held by Bara once, but her smaller frame made the experience feel decidedly unpleasant.
In contrast, her Guard Knight exuded remarkable stability. There was no need to grip tightly, and even ascending and descending the stairs produced scarcely a tremor.
After being carried in his arms for an entire week already, this embrace had become remarkably comfortable.
‘But it’s only comfortable for me. Lucian must find it inconvenient. And the stares would bother him too.’
If rumors spread about this, her Guard Knight might actually throw himself out a window this time.
Iolet resolved to begin practicing walking alone starting tonight.
By then, we had arrived at my Quarters.
“Open the door, Bara.”
Bara grinned mischievously and threw open the Reception Room doors wide.
Iolet blinked blankly.
“Huh…?”
The Reception Room had been completely transformed in half a day.
I wondered what Lucian and Bara were putting their heads together about, only to discover they had been purchasing furnishings for my Chamber.
“We’ve placed orders with the Local Trading Houses for the immediately necessary clothing, bedding, curtains, and carpets. Dresses and jewelry have been ordered from the Canzail Trading Company and should arrive within the month.”
“…Oh.”
“Does it not please you?”
Iolet, who had been silent for a while, murmured softly.
“When I was young, I had a Chamber like this. When I lived in the Queen’s Palace with Mother.”
Of course, it was merely adequate in appearance, and paled in comparison to the glory I had taken for granted in my childhood. Yet it felt as though I had returned to those early days.
Looking back, it seemed Mother would smile and gesture to me.
Those days when Mother held me generously in her embrace and Benedix gripped my hand tightly beside me.
Perhaps such purely happy days would never come again.
Bara, gazing up at Iolet intently, signed.
‘Princess, you don’t like this?’
Bara’s round eyes glistened with worry.
Iolet stroked the head of Bara, who clung to her waist.
“No, I love it. It’s warm, and it smells wonderful. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to rest comfortably. Thank you.”
Only then did Bara exhale in relief, pressing a hand to her chest. Then she glanced behind Iolet and gestured.
‘The Royal Family’s dog doesn’t seem to like it.’
So Lucian had been reduced to nothing more than a dog in Bara’s eyes.
Iolet turned to look at Lucian. His expression was his usual impassiveness, devoid of particular emotion, yet the way his eyes swept across the Bedroom was distinctly dissatisfied.
“You don’t seem entirely pleased, Lucian. You looked like you were accomplishing some long-cherished ambition.”
“It seems strange to me that you would be satisfied with merely these things. Even ordinary nobles enjoy this much as a matter of course.”
“Well, that’s because you’re the son of a wealthy house.”
Iolet caught herself at the words that had slipped out carelessly.
It was her practice to avoid mentioning his family in front of Lucian whenever possible.
Fortunately, Lucian moved past it without expression.
“When a lord’s frugality becomes excessive, the shoulders of subordinates grow light as well. One must know how to enjoy before one can know how to seize.”
“Ah… yes.”
Iolet nodded with an uncertain feeling.
‘Did he just call me his lord?’
Since Lucian knelt before her and asked her to become his queen, he had never once directly acknowledged her as his master.
What could have prompted such a change of heart?
‘Perhaps the shopping expedition proved more satisfying than expected.’
“Did you purchase anything yourself?”
“Pardon?”
“It seems you found something worthwhile. That’s fortunate.”
Iolet smiled broadly, while Lucian furrowed his brow in confusion.
“Please finish reviewing the catalog I brought yesterday. I intend to place an order for the inner curtain fabric today.”
“Hmm, even if I look at it, I can’t make sense of any of it…”
Half-dragged onto the sofa, Iolet began reading through the fabric catalog instead of the documents that had been taken from her.
Lucian folded the shawl he had removed from her shoulders, while Bara swiftly gathered the various pamphlets scattered across the table and brought them over.
That was when Marcel knocked from beyond the door.
“Come in, Commander. What is it?”
“A messenger has arrived from the Capital. However, it is…”
Perplexity was written all over Marcel’s face.
“Who has come?”
“It is Perein Jr., the eldest son of the Perein Marquis Family.”
Lucian dropped the shawl he had been folding with precise movements.
Iolet’s hand, turning the pages of the catalog, froze in place as well.
Lucian’s elder brother had arrived from the Capital.

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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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