May Every Wound Be Fatal - Chapter 20.1
“Queen.”
Aellin, the maid, called Reyna cautiously.
Reyna did not respond. She had been staring into some empty space ever since she returned to the palace after following the young servant outside.
Aellin was afraid. Reyna’s behavior reminded her too much of Karla, who had lost her composure after losing something precious.
‘What if even the queen ends up like that?’
Her lips would not form the words.
“…I, I did find the child you mentioned…”
Reyna reacted to the word “child” and turned to look at Aellin. Aellin lowered her head as she met Reyna’s gaze.
“Apparently, she is dead.”
“…Dead?”
“It seems she slipped on the stairs. It was a sudden accident…”
Reyna, who had been staring blankly with parted lips, interrupted Aellin’s words abruptly.
“And?”
“…Yes?”
“If that child is dead, then Priscilla?”
A look of discomfort flashed across Aellin’s face as she lifted her head, unsure how to respond.
“…Lady Priscilla said she did not know the servant child. She was a child she had never seen before.”
Reyna was silent for a moment. To be precise, she was waiting for Aellin to say something more.
“…Is that all?”
“I am sorry, Your Highness.”
Aellin did not know what else to do but bow her head once more.
“…….”
There was no way to press Priscilla further. Reyna sensed that Karla’s death would be buried in this way.
The despair was overwhelming.
Even though she knew Priscilla’s words were meant to torment her, she could not control the guilt she felt for Karla.
Reyna knew that Karla had wanted to live. She knew that Karla was breathing because she had no choice but to survive for Reyna.
Reyna had quietly sent several palace servants outside, but she could not send Karla. She did not want to remain alone in this massive prison.
The result had been devastating.
Karla had met a cruel death.
“No, Queen. Your maid died that way because of you.”
Priscilla had, in a sense, achieved part of her goal that night. Her words were a curse, tightening around Reyna’s neck.
Reyna even began to feel disgusted about herself, just as Priscilla had said.
‘…I cannot end like this.’
If things continued this way, she would not even be able to see Karla’s face after death. She had to find a way to take revenge on Priscilla.
Reyna tried to leave the queen’s palace.
The secret passage leading outside had already been blocked. She opened the door abruptly and commanded Lyman and his men, who were blocking the way.
“I will punish Priscilla myself. Stand aside.”
If no one would act, she had no choice but to do it herself.
However, no one obeyed the hollow command of the queen.
“We will escort you back to your chamber.”
The knights each grabbed one of Reyna’s arms.
But Reyna, consumed by the thought that she had to kill Priscilla at all costs, did not step back.
“How dare you lay a hand on me!”
Such chaos happens every day.
Those who witnessed the queen’s madness no longer hid their displeasure. They whispered that the queen had finally gone insane and pitied Lyman, the king’s knight, who endured her daily rampages.
“You cannot leave the queen’s palace.”
“Get out of my way!”
Reyna pushed and struck Lyman roughly as he blocked her path.
The other knights and servants watching frowned openly, but Lyman did not scowl or show irritation.
It was understandable. In truth, Reyna had no strength in her body. Every time she tried to push or strike, she was the one who was thrown back.
“…….”
Lyman began to feel genuine concern for Reyna. At this rate, it seemed she might actually die right before his eyes. Just then, Reyna staggered as if her legs had given out.
“Queen―.”
Lyman, rarely showing surprise, reflexively reached out to support her.
At that moment, Elizer, the King, who had come without anyone noticing, pulled Reyna’s waist with his strong arms.
Lyman, having not sensed the king, could not hide his startled expression, though he instinctively knelt on one knee.
“…Your Majesty.”
Lyman, bowing politely, glanced up.
Reyna, dizzy and weak, seemed unaware of who was holding her.
Elizer remained silent for a while, waiting until she could breathe properly again. Then, slowly and carefully so as not to startle her, he lifted her into his arms.
Reyna, utterly drained, collapsed into his embrace, letting her body go limp.
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