I Will Become the Queen of the Enemy Country

“Ugh…ah.”

As Elise tried to get up, she nearly slumped back onto the floor. If Karan hadn’t swiftly caught her, she would have had an unfortunate meeting between her pelvis and the hard ground.

“Morning has come, Elise.”

“I couldn’t even show my face at last night’s banquet. I should at least join you for breakfast.”

Elise squirmed in Karan’s grasp, trying to break free, but he simply scooped her up and laid her on the bed.

“Regina must have handled it.”

Karan massaged Elise’s waist. His large, warm hands kneaded firmly through the thin fabric, releasing the tension from her overexerted muscles.

It was a far cry from last night when Karan had pounced on her whenever her eyes so much as wandered, insisting she not think.

He was gentle, tender now.

Elise surveyed her body under Karan’s ministrations. He had been rougher than usual yesterday.

Thanks to that, she hadn’t been able to dwell on thoughts of Richter. Her mind felt clearer, though her body ached.

So that was Karan’s intent.

She had resented the soreness in her waist, but understanding his thoughtfulness, she felt immensely grateful instead.

And watching him lie beside her, caressing her tenderly, filled her with affection.

“Should I return the favor?”

Elise placed her hands on his firm abdomen.

“That might not be wise.”

Karan’s brow furrowed.

“Why? Does it tickle when I massage you?”

With a sigh, Karan slightly lifted the blanket draped over his hips.

“No. I may not be able to leave this bed today.”

Elise’s face flushed red as she swiftly withdrew her hands from his body.

****

“Your Highness, what is in that box by the way?”

After breakfast and sharing tea with Elise and her acquaintances brought by Jasmine, Karan lingered by Elise’s side.

One by one, the others excused themselves, catching Karan’s eye. Fiona ushered them all out, offering a palace tour.

Left alone, Elise inquired about the long box Karan had brought last night.

“You finally ask.”

As if waiting, Karan rose and retrieved the oblong box. He placed it on the table.

“Curious?”

Uncharacteristically teasing, Karan drew it out.

When Elise nodded eagerly, he stroked his chin in mock contemplation.

“What will you give me for showing you?”

“Are you bargaining with your fiancée, two days before our engagement?”

Hard to tell if he was joking or serious.

“Nothing too demanding.”

Karan pulled Elise’s hand onto the box.

“Just promise that whenever you wish to share your worries, you’ll think of me first as the recipient.”

That’s all.

With just that promise, he’d overlook your vexations from last night.

Karan whispered, laced with concern for Elise.

‘I caused His Highness more worry.’

Staying silent wasn’t the solution. Karan was trustworthy, someone she should confide in.

She resolved to tell him.

“I just need to open the box?”

Elise asked. Karan removed his hand covering hers.

Though he wished to appear nonchalant opening it, Elise’s burning curiosity made her quickly flip the lid.

Inside lay a pristine white sword. The handle was leather-wrapped for grip, but under that wrapping, was a pure white bone.

A Skele Sword, forged from the bones of the Skeletons from the 2nd Gate.

“Your Highness…”

Elise was rendered speechless with gratitude.

Refining skeleton bones into weapons was no simple feat.

In her previous life, it became easier after the technique advanced, but now predated that discovery.

Regrettably, Elise did not know the precise method, so she had asked Karan.

To introduce any blacksmith capable of working Skeleton bones, if he came across one.

Yet Karan had not only found a smith, but commissioned this weapon.

“Do you like it?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

The pale sword seemed to emit its own glow. Despite no ornate decorations, its unique color made it appear radiant.

Not just beautiful to behold–like appetizing fruit–this blade was lighter and far sturdier than existing swords.

“The blacksmith coveted the material, wondering where I procured it. Your eye is a treasure, Elise.”

“The blacksmith’s hands are the treasure. Did you leave them any other Skeleton bones?”

“Not yet. I await your permission to proceed.”

“Please do so immediately, Your Highness. For weapons for your soldiers.”

“My soldiers? I thought it was merchandise to be sold?”

Elise’s eyes went wide.

“Why would you sell such a precious item? It all belongs to you, Your Highness. And this first sword is yours.”

Elise extended the sword she had delicately cradled in her palms.

That the initial fruits of her labor belonged to him–it was deeply moving.

As Karan reached to take the sword,

“Ah!”

Elise pulled it back. Karan tilted his head quizzically.

“Let me engrave a magic rune onto it.”

Uniquely for his alone.

“Isn’t it one-time use? Don’t trouble yourself needlessly, Elise.”

Knowing the immense effort engraving runes took, Karan dissuaded her.

“I’ll reapply it whenever it fades. Come collect it tonight, alright?”

Karan didn’t protest further, pleased at being invited tonight. He intended to cherish the sword graced by Elise’s rune, using it sparingly to prevent its erasure.

Elise returned the sword to its box and poured some tea.

The Bedrokkan brew tasted exquisite after so long.

Karan followed suit, lifting his cup.

A cozy warmth enveloped the two as they sipped, content in the comfortable silence. Elise made no further conversation until her cup emptied.

Finally setting it down with a clink, she spoke.

“Your Highness, sister Iris came yesterday.”

She recounted the entire story about Richter.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Karan immediately stated upon her finishing.

“No, I…”

“You are not to blame.”

Elise felt awkward. She had intended to ask how to stop Iris’s misdeeds from escalating, but he had preemptively assuaged her guilt–striking right at her sore spot.

The bright countenance Elise had maintained gradually dimmed.

“Richter’s death wasn’t because Iris is wicked, nor because you corresponded with him. Iris killed Richter not because he revealed things to you, but because he knew her secrets. Think logically, Elise.”

Elise slowly mulled over Karan’s words, eventually nodding sluggishly.

“I know Richter’s death is tragic.”

Though she considered it a mercy.

As candid as Elise had been, Karan could not match her honesty.

“I won’t stop you from pitying him. But Elise, if you wish to take action, it should be uncovering whatever wicked scheme Iris is hatching–not self-reproach.”

She had done well in confiding in Karan.

“You’re right. That would be the way to ease Richter’s unjust fate?”

“No, Elise. That’s not it.”

Karan furrowed his brow. After speaking eloquently, he suddenly struggled to choose his words carefully.

“What I mean is…I don’t want you to suffer. Not about righting Richter’s injustice, but…in other words…”

Words failed this native speaker in conveying his heart’s intent. If only he could bare his chest instead.

Seeing his frustration, Elise laughed lightly.

“Do I look like a fool?”

“No, it’s just that Your Highness’s warm heart touches me so deeply, it tickles my chest.”

What did I just say?

Karan raised his eyebrows.

“You’re trying to console me, to prevent me from getting hurt, aren’t you?”

Elise’s smile deepened.

“Yes, I won’t get hurt.”

A beauty with wits too–the gods must favor me, to have given her to me.

“I won’t get hurt. I won’t dwell on matters I couldn’t have changed.”

Elise picked out exactly what Karan wanted her to hear. Her words delighted him, like an engagement gift.

****

Karan left before lunch. Elise then had Jasmine join her for a small memorial for Richter.

“Jasmine, Richter must have uncovered something, for Iris to go so far as to kill him.”

“You really think that Miss Iris did that? If it came to light, it would cause an uproar.”

“If it’s Iris, she must have done it.”

She must have been confident she wouldn’t get caught.

“Jasmine, is there anyone trustworthy in Bedrokka?”

“Our journalists, for one. For an incident like this, they’d risk their lives investigating. And they’re discreet, of course.”

“I can’t have it published as a story.”

“Uncovering the truth is what matters.”

“Then I’m asking you. Find out what Richter discovered about Iris and how he died while she’s here.”

Karan told Elise she bore no responsibility, but she disagreed.

Taking responsibility for what she could–that was how Elise avoided getting hurt.