Queen of Revenge - Chapter 82

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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 82
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“How are things at House Melshier? Are you managing well? Is the Marquis treating you kindly?”
After fabricating some excuse to the Royal Physician and obtaining medicine, I dragged Ahil by the hand to a secluded corner of the Corridor where no one ventured.
I worried that if I brought him to my Chamber, Catherine might catch wind of it and direct her ire toward him.
After wedging the boy into the narrow space between the Column and the wall, the words I’d been holding back finally spilled out.
“Melshier should be more than capable of protecting you. Is Catherine still searching for you these days? Are you free to come and go from the Royal Palace? What does Mother say?”
“…Sister.”
“How is your body? You haven’t consumed too much, have you? There are no side effects? What exactly did the Royal Physician say?”
“Sister.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Ahil gently lowered my wrist, his touch extraordinarily careful—as if handling a fragile chick.
“One question at a time, please…. I’m not sure where to begin answering.”
“Ah, yes. I suppose I was impatient.”
I could hardly conceal my excitement.
Meanwhile, Ahil had quickly grown composed after that first moment of discovery.
‘Do boys this age always develop so rapidly?’
I’d sensed it from our first meeting, but his height had shot up considerably, and his frame had undeniably filled out. The muscle definition in his forearms and his increasingly masculine jawline were unmistakable.
The boy who once possessed a fragile, precarious beauty—as if a single touch might topple him—had in mere months drawn perilously close to manhood.
“Is your body well?”
Ahil nodded, then belatedly added, “Yes.” The habit of answering through gestures and movements still lingered.
“Did I…do well?”
Ahil hesitated, glancing at me uncertainly.
The boy spoke in a wavering tone.
“Since you’re not here, I don’t know if I did well or not. I did as you instructed, but I’m not sure if I did it correctly or…if I did it well.”
With flushed cheeks and unable to meet my eyes, his face was breathtakingly beautiful. Yet he made no effort to hide the glimmering anticipation in his gaze—like a child hoping for praise.
“Should I praise you?”
At my question, Ahil’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.
The boy, who had been momentarily dazed, quickly nodded.
“…Yes!”
Ah, how adorable.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
The shadow that had once darkened the boy’s face months ago had vanished entirely. The dark bruises that had crept above his collar and the small abrasions had healed without a trace.
During his time here, he must have served the King, endured Catherine’s outbursts, and gone hungry day after day.
There was no doubt—House Melshier was treating this child properly.
Even now his beauty was remarkable, but once he reached adulthood, he would become truly breathtaking. My heart felt lighter, as if I had saved myself.
“If your life has improved from before, then you did well. It’s not something for me to judge.”
“But….”
“You are the master of your own life. Are you satisfied now that you’ve entered House Melshier?”
Ahil pondered briefly, then nodded.
“The Marquis is a good person. He doesn’t speak much, but he is considerate, and he accepted a mute bastard like me…. He tries to provide for me without want.”
“That’s fortunate. Then it’s settled.”
“Pardon? …Is that truly all it takes?”
Ahil seemed taken aback by my unexpected words.
I rose onto my toes and gently stroked his hair.
“And thank you. Your timing in bringing this matter to light has been tremendously helpful to me as well.”
Though Ahil received the praise he’d been hoping for, he didn’t seem pleased. Rather, he appeared somewhat disappointed.
“Is that truly the end of it…?”
“You’re a clever child, so Marquis Melshier will certainly consider you as his heir. He likely took you in with that very purpose from the start. The great nobles are cunning beyond measure, so don’t neglect your studies.”
Even as I spoke, I found myself tilting my head.
Had that sounded too much like nagging?
Ahil’s expression grew slightly downcast.
“Why did the Royal Physician come to visit? Are you unwell?”
“No. I simply needed an excuse to leave the palace.”
“An excuse…”
Ahil’s lashes lowered slowly. A shadow of contemplation flickered across his golden eyes.
Just then, the sound of maidservants’ footsteps echoed from beyond the corridor. It seemed preparations were hastening as the hour for the nobles’ audience approached.
Once the servants began moving about, it would become difficult to slip away. I quickly pushed Ahil toward the door.
“I should go now. It was good to see you, Ahil. Frequent meetings within the Royal Palace would be dangerous, but whenever time permits, we can meet outside the castle—”
“Sister.”
But Ahil caught my shoulder and pulled me backward. I stumbled into the boy’s embrace.
An elderly butler was passing just beyond the column.
Ahil lowered his head near my ear and whispered softly.
“He serves the Crown Princess. Be careful.”
I held my breath without thinking. It would be far from ideal if Catherine discovered me speaking alone with Ahil.
Fortunately, the large column was sufficient to conceal us.
The butler passed before the column without suspicion and soon disappeared beyond the corridor. Only after silence returned to the hallway did I exhale.
“Thank you. I’ll need to be more cautious within the palace from now on…. Will you let me go now?”
His hands rested upon my shoulders and back as he held me concealed. Whether from youthful vigor or something else, the boy’s warmth was intense.
“Sister.”
Ahil’s voice tickled my ear. At such close proximity, his golden eyes regarded me with persistent intensity.
“Is there nothing more you wish of me?”
I found myself momentarily speechless.
What could this child possibly be thinking to say such a thing?
As I didn’t answer quickly, a hint of anxiety flickered across the boy’s gaze.
“If I truly inherit the Marquis Melshier title, will you then be able to use me more effectively?”
“Well…”
Wasn’t that obvious?
I could readily think of roughly fifteen different ways to make the most effective use of Ahil.
House Melshier, along with Valer and Uter, was among the oldest noble families in Elovis.
Melshier was the only family besides Valer that had never once relinquished a seat of elder on the Royal Council with each generational succession.
It would take months to years to ascend to the Marquis position and be elected to the Council of Elders again, but if successful, it would become the decisive card to check Catherine.
From the way he carried himself, Ahil seemed to harbor an inexplicable fondness for me.
A child starved for affection is easy to handle.
But I didn’t want to do that.
Iolet sighed and patted the boy’s arm.
“You shouldn’t judge your own worth by others’ standards. I told you before—you must find your own path to survival.”
“You’re not saying no.”
“Didn’t I also advise you not to trust people?”
“Then what matters is my will, right? I want to be used by you, Sister.”
Iolet flinched at the boy’s unguarded words.
“Don’t say things like that.”
“Why not?”
Well, because saying such things with that flushed face sounds nothing but improper…
“You’re just a child.”
“I turned seventeen after my birthday.”
“You’re still a minor. I’m nineteen.”
When Iolet spoke firmly, Ahil tilted his head slightly.
“By birthday, there’s only a year and a half difference. …Do you really not need me?”
No, that’s not right. I’ve gone back five years, so strictly speaking, there’s a six-and-a-half-year gap between us. How pure was I at your age…
Instead of arguing that point, Iolet began to deliberate.
As he said, Ahil was no longer a child. Moreover, he was no longer a worthless bastard but a proper young master of the Melcier Family.
And right now, I was in no position to refuse help.
The conclusion came quickly.
“Then I won’t decline. I’ll use you.”
“Use me however you wish.”
“…First, take me to the Uter Duchy. Without anyone in the Royal Palace knowing. And you—if that’s a habit of yours, you should break it…”
As Iolet spoke with resignation, Ahil’s face finally brightened.

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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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