I Will Become the Queen of the Enemy Country

In the royal palace of Bedrokka, David meticulously examined the report brought by his aide.

“So, they’ve already solved the gate problem in Tetris. Is that even possible?”

Bedrokka was just now barely assembling an expeditionary force and planning operations.

“It’s absurdly fast. So, we’re checking if they spread rumors with lies.”

“Is it possible to verify?”

“The eyes and ears of Bedrokka are everywhere, Your Highness.”

David nodded while focusing on the report. He reviewed the report for a long time.

‘They entered as soon as the gate opened? And there are only 6 people in total? Does that make sense?’

The aide said it could be a lie, but if you interpret his words in reverse, it means there’s a chance it could be true.

‘Is this Karan guy that great?’

There wasn’t much known about Karan. To be precise, they didn’t pay much attention to him on this side.

The country of Tetris itself was not a diplomatically important country that Bedrokka had to pay close attention to.

Nevertheless, there was an exchange between the royal families, but it was difficult to maintain continuous friendship as three families alternately took the throne in Tetris.

Bedrokka’s chronic prejudice of ignoring Tetris also affected the severance of exchanges.

‘King Tyllo is preparing to pass the throne to his son.’

If so, it means that they have produced a king three times in a row from Lysandro.

‘Will the dynasty continue?’

However, the dominant opinion among Tetris experts was that the next king would not be Karan.

But for some reason, David was bothered by Karan.

David had always been like this.

He was drawn to those who were quietly doing their work and waiting for their opportunity under the surface, rather than those who were running a successful path.

For example, like Elise.

Karan also attracted attention in a similar context.

‘But the two of them conquered the gate together.’

That’s why it couldn’t be conclusively said to be a lie.

Elise has been smart and talented since the old days.

David thought that Chase’s missing Elise would be the biggest mistake in his life.

Speaking of which, Chase is in a hurry these days.

David put down the report on the desk.

“How is Chase doing?”

“He often hangs out with Baron Dominic and Count Hans.”

“Dominic…you mean the one who was the captain of the Royal Knights?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Baron Dominic led the Royal Knights until five years ago.”

How did they connect?

It doesn’t seem to have any common points.

“So, what is the relationship with Count Hans?”

“Count Hans is the maternal family of Lady Worton. Since he was engaged to Miss Iris, wouldn’t they have started going back and forth between families?”

“Inter-family exchanges, good.”

The aide looked at David’s face. David looked really happy.

Even if the position of the crown prince is firm, Chase’s growth would be a threat to David, but he didn’t care.

Thus they, the subordinates, were more worried and fidgety.

“Your Highness, shall we increase the number of people watching His Highness Chase?”

“There’s no need.”

David shook his head. His soft hair fluttered and scattered.

“It seems that Chase has finally made up his mind. As a brother, I shouldn’t interfere with him solidifying and defending his position, right?”

David sincerely welcomed Chase’s growth.

He felt sorry for his younger brother who couldn’t see the light because of his shadow.

But he couldn’t help him. Behind him were many families and countless people associated with him.

Chase’s growth, he was happy as a brother, but as a crown prince, it was unpleasant, so David was satisfied with just watching.

‘When I become king, I should take good care of Chase.’

A friendly smile bloomed on David’s face. On the contrary, the aide’s face darkened.

****

In the small reception room attached to Karan’s bedroom, Elise, Besti, Haltbin, and Rosh were gathered. It was because of Elise’s summoning order.

Elise was like the sky during the rainy season. Her face was full of dark clouds, and there was no room for a ray of light to penetrate.

“His Highness tried to wake me up but fell asleep instead. What on earth happened, Besti?”

Elise pressed her throbbing head.

“Miss Elise, why don’t you rest first and we’ll figure out what happened later? You woke up after two weeks.”

Rosh was worried about Elise.

“Countess, Doctor Leber said there’s nothing wrong with my body. Do you doubt his skills?”

“Not that, but…”

“Then stop worrying about my body. And is it time to worry about me now?”

Karan is not conscious. They say he’s been numb since the ritual to wake up Elise.

His vital signs were also weak. His heartbeat was very slow and his face was so pale that he looked like a corpse at first glance.

It was cruel of them to take care of her health in this situation. It seemed like they saw her as a person without blood or tears.

“Explain what happened first. I’m fine.”

Elise urged those who were tightly closing their mouths.

Those including Rosh exchanged glances with each other. It looked like they were plotting against Elise in front of her.

In fact, Rosh didn’t know how Karan contributed to the ritual.

That’s because Besti didn’t tell her much about the content of the ritual.

So there was nothing more to say.

“Is it because I’m not yet His Highness’ fiancée?”

“Huh? Miss Elise, what do you mean?”

“Are you trying to deceive me because my position is not clear?”

“No way! Us deceiving Miss Elise. No! Absolutely not. And regardless of the engagement ceremony, Miss Elise is His Highness’ fiancée. Because His Highness said so.”

“But why are you avoiding my question? Why did you hide the fact that His Highness collapsed when I woke up?”

Elise recalled when she woke up from sleep and looked for Karan.

[His Highness was writing a report to send to His Majesty Tyllo…]

[His Highness went to organize the gate…]

[His Highness was checking on the soldiers…]

If the answers given by the three people were not different, she would have waited without knowing the fact that he had collapsed.

“That’s…”

Haltbin chewed his lips.

“It’s an order from His Highness.”

With a slow and rough voice, Besti stepped forward.

“But I don’t know if His Highness’ command is right. So I don’t know if I should follow it.”

Haltbin opened his mouth wide. It was no different from saying that she would openly disobey Karan’s command.

If Karan had heard it, it would have been a disrespectful word that would result in her neck being cut right away.

“Besti, tell me. Why did His Highness Karan get to this point…What exactly is the method of treating me…”

“I will tell you everything. But before that, I would like you to send the others out.”

“You heard? Everyone, please leave.”

Elise looked at Haltbin and Rosh without delay. Haltbin messed up his hair at the tone of voice that seemed to drive out unwanted guests.

It was too late to stop Besti.

“Let’s go.”

Rosh, who didn’t know Karan’s inner situation, had no thoughts. She had no intention of getting involved in the matter between Karan and Elise, so she got up and welcomed the expulsion order.

Only Haltbin hesitated and couldn’t go out right away.

“His Highness said not to tell…”

“Get out.”

Haltbin was dragged out by Rosh’s hand. When the noisy noise disappeared, Besti said.

“It’s a side effect of using mana.”

“Mana?”

Besti explained the ritual in detail.

As the story progressed, Elise’s face lost its color. Elise bit her lower lip to suppress the groan that was about to burst out.

Karan is a magician? And he was born with the qualities of a great magician? But why can’t he use magic?

Apart from the confusion, a wave of deep emotion also came.

Of course, it was His Highness who activated my regression.

One of the questions Elise had been holding since her regression was resolved.

But why did he do that?

‘No, that’s not important. His Highness risked his life for me? Was he in pain when he activated the regression? So, did he risk his life for me twice?’

Questions followed one after another. And her stomach churned at the surprising fact.

“His Highness said he would be fine. He said it wouldn’t be too painful…”

Bestii’s eyes moved towards Karan. The words hidden in the words she dared not say.

Karan’s pain would be beyond imagination.

Elise couldn’t lift her head in apology.

“His Highness is just asleep now. You can think of it as exhaustion. The more important thing is fundamental treatment.”

Besti brought up the words she had been pondering while looking at Karan’s condition.

“Treatment? What kind?”

“His Highness is a magician. But for some reason, he can’t use magic. If this state continues, mana will become poison. Because what is stagnant tends to rot.”

“Does His Highness have to use magic? Even if he has to endure such tremendous pain every time?”

Elise got angry in an uncharacteristic way. It felt cruel to say that he had to use magic in front of someone who had lost consciousness from using magic.

“The point is that His Highness needs to find a way to use magic without being in pain.”

Besti smiled kindly, as if understanding her sharp reaction.

That smile soothed Elise’s sensitive nerves. Elise sighed deeply and touched her forehead.

“I’m sorry, Besti. I got too excited. I’m usually not surprised by anything, but I can’t believe His Highness collapsed, and I’m the reason…”

Elise closed her mouth tightly as if tears were about to pour out. Besti nodded her head.

Elise tried to look at this situation objectively. And she thought about what she could do for Karan.

Quite a long time passed. Elise, who was focused, didn’t even know that Besti had left and Regina had put down tea for her.

The teacup cooled without Elise touching it. Each time, Regina changed her teacup.

Clatter.

It was when she was changing the tenth teacup. At that small noise, Elise lifted her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Miss. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Regina was startled. She looked at Elise nervously with a tense face.

Elise softened her sharp gaze.

‘I made those around me uncomfortable.’

Elise looked around with a low sigh. It was dark outside the window. Quite a lot of time had passed while she was lost in thought.

“Regina, it’s okay. But have you had dinner?”

Elise kindly asked about Regina’s well-being. Tears welled up in Regina’s eyes, who had been observing Elise.

“Ah, Miss, are you really okay?”

She had a lot she wanted to do when Elise woke up. She even wanted to have a party.

But she couldn’t. Elise, who was contemplating Karan’s problem, exuded a cold atmosphere that Regina dared not approach.

Cold and rational, unbelievable for a 20-year-old lady.

Regina was secretly afraid, wondering if people had changed in two weeks.

This was because there was a precedent where Elise, who had slept and woke up in the past, showed uncharacteristic behavior for a while.

But with just now’s laughter and affectionate tone, Regina’s doubts completely flew away.

Elise was still Elise. Elise opened her arms towards Regina, who was hesitating and sobbing.

“Come here, Regina. You check for yourself. Whether I’m okay or not.”

With a cry like a child, Regina burrowed into Elise’s arms.

****

The next day, Elise called Haltbin. Elise casually looked at Haltbin.

And she was sure.

Haltbin also knew Karan’s secret.

And she learned that Karan had tried in every way to cure her incurable disease.

“There is no data I haven’t seen. Except for one place, the forbidden library of Bedrokka. As you know, unless you are royalty, you cannot enter the forbidden library of Bedrokka. I tried to make a diplomatic request, but the relationship with Tetris was not good, and His Highness would not want to awaken as a magician in Bedrokka…”

It meant that it was impossible.

“Does that mean you gave up? Knowing that His Highness would be in pain?”

“I didn’t not try. We also went to Bedrokka regularly.”

Haltbin quickly made an excuse.

“We also tried to contact people on the Bedrokka royal palace side.”

After hearing the explanation, a faint memory came to mind. Karan, who had been circling around her…

‘Did he try to woo me?’

From Karan’s point of view, Elise, who was about to become Chase’s companion, would have been easier to approach than the royal family, and had less resentment with Tetris.

‘So that’s why… to get into the forbidden library of the Bedrokka royal palace…’

It seemed like she knew why Karan had been circling around her in the past and why he had staked everything on her regression.

‘He needed someone to help him.’

She found a clear answer to his past behavior that had raised questions. But her stomach was in turmoil, instead of feeling refreshed.

It felt like a book was sticking out from the neatly arranged bookshelf.

What should I call this?

Elise sighed deeply to soothe her complicated insides.

“Did His Highness think the answer would be there?”

Haltbin slowly nodded his head. Although not certain, the only remaining place was there, and a single clue he had barely found pointed there.

“Then I should go, to Bedrokka.”

“Huh? You’re going back to Bedrokka?”