May Every Wound Be Fatal - Chapter 9.2
The long-awaited outing was a failure. Reyna, regretting yet again how foolish she had been, walked past Priscilla with slow steps.
It was then.
“Prince Kassian really liked this place, did he not?”
Startled by the sudden comment, Reyna stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her.
Then, Priscilla asked another unexpected question.
“When will you return to Kaldirac?”
“……”
Reyna did want to return to Kaldirac. She knew she appeared to be chased away by her sister-in-law, but even so…
The moment Priscilla asked that, stubbornness welled up deep within her heart.
“…I do not understand what you mean by returning. I am the mistress of this castle, Lady Priscilla.”
Reyna was a highborn lady of the proud Dazbel family. Even if she were to die, her pride would remain. Her desire to return to Kaldirac was ultimately a desperate attempt to hold on to the last remnants of her dignity. It was a kind of survival instinct.
“I admit I have been too negligent toward my guest. You may use the garden freely from now on.”
Yet ironically, that was all she had left. Her tightly clenched fists trembled despite herself.
After watching Reyna silently for a moment, Priscilla spoke softly.
“There is no need to strain yourself. The king will pass the throne to my child.”
Reyna, who had barely maintained a blank expression, felt her face falter.
“…What did you just say?”
Priscilla showed no sign of agitation.
“I said that even if the queen bears the prince, the next ruler will be my child.”
“…Madness. You are insane, Lady Priscilla.”
Reyna was horrified. Unless she were truly mad, she could not dare to recite the palace rumors in front of the queen as if they were fact.
Yet Priscilla responded calmly.
“Oh, Your Majesty. I am simply telling you the truth for your sake.”
Her tone feigned concern. Reyna was both astonished and angry.
“How dare you… If you continue to spout nonsense, I will inform His Majesty…”
“Do you trust His Majesty, Your Majesty?”
As Reyna was momentarily at a loss for words, Priscilla lowered her voice like a whisper.
“He has no intention of seeing an heir from you.”
“……”
“Have you not wondered why the queen’s womb has remained empty until now?”
“…What are you saying? Shut your mouth…”
“This is not Kaldirac. This is Elmaril, the king’s land. Everything passes through his hand.”
Reyna’s lips finally parted, and Priscilla whispered like a serpent.
“Poisons are bitter by nature.”
***
With a pale face, Reyna walked out of the garden in silence and remained quiet until she returned to her room, nearly in a daze.
Finally, the only one she spoke to was her most trusted maid, Karla.
“Who manages the medicinal herbs sent from Kaldirac?”
Startled by the sudden question, Karla replied with curiosity.
“The scholar of the palace manages them.”
“The teas that are brought out each time for intimacy?”
“The scholar delivers them on schedule as well.”
Reyna fell silent once more. Karla sensed that something serious was afoot.
“Your Majesty, is there a problem…”
It was then that the king entered the queen’s chambers without warning, even though it was not a day appointed by the scholar.
The queen’s maids were hurriedly dismissed from the room. Reyna sat upright, expressionless, observing the scene.
Elizer approached her with long strides. Reyna finally stood and bowed her head to him.
He said it was unnecessary.
“Have you met Priscilla?”
Though she suspected he had rushed here fearing something might have happened to his sister-in-law, she could not help but release a small, resigned laugh.
“Ha…”
To think she could meet him so easily. If she had known sooner, she would not have needed to follow him to find his sister-in-law.
But there was no need for worry. She no longer had the mental or physical strength to do so.
When Reyna smiled without replying, Elizer frowned and grasped her shoulder firmly.
“Reyna, what did you talk about with Priscilla?”
He looked unusually anxious. Reyna stared blankly at his unfamiliar expression before speaking.
“…Your sister-in-law has nothing to worry about. I said nothing at all.”
Elizer pressed his hand harder against her shoulder, disbelief evident in his eyes.
For a moment, Reyna felt the lingering anger within her flare up. Once it ignited, her heart could not be restrained.
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