I Will Become the Queen of the Enemy Country

“Curious, aren’t you? See for yourself at the banquet.”

In the banquet hall, Karan kept emptying his glass. The clear and pure liquid was so potent that even a small amount could knock out a bear, but the Tetris people enjoyed drinking it. Karan drank it like water.

“Your Highness, I heard you conquered the gate. Congratulations.”

“I knew Your Highness could do it. You’ve taught the Bedrokka a lesson, haven’t you?”

People flocked around Karan. They flattered Karan to make themselves look good.

“Everyone, step back.”

Every time, Karan scattered them like shooing away flies.

“Your Highness, let me pour you a drink.”

“Didn’t you hear me say step back? Don’t block my view.”

The person who came with a glass of wine awkwardly stepped back and followed Karan’s gaze.

Karan was looking at the entrance.

And where he was standing was right in front of the entrance.

He stood tall in a position where anyone entering couldn’t help but see him, staring intently at the entrance.

His eyes were burning so intensely that one might worry they’d bore a hole.

‘Is he waiting for the woman named Elise? Has he really fallen in love, as the rumors suggest?’

According to the rumors my daughter picked up, Karan was in the midst of a romance of the century.

[That ruthless and uncompromising His Highness has fallen for a woman? Stop talking nonsense.]

[Father! It’s true. That’s why he must have brought the woman from Bedrokka. She even had a fiancé. And do you know what’s more surprising? He brought her fiancé with him!]

The news of the arrival of Elise and Chase added credibility to the rumors, but he still didn’t believe it.

‘Who is His Highness Karan? He’s famous for not crying even when his mother passed away. He’s in love? That’s ridiculous.’

However, his thoughts changed the moment the heavy door opened and Karan’s expression changed.

“Miss Elise Worton and Count Rosh Dex are entering.”

The annoying atmosphere surrounding him disappeared, and the oppressive feeling that seemed to strangle people also vanished.

Instead, warmth flowed around him. And Karan smiled a radiant smile.

The man was quite shocked by that smile.

“It was Rosh.”

Karan muttered. The man was surprised again at his tone of relief.

‘His Highness was worried? About what? What was he worried about that he feels relieved?’

While thinking about this, the man shifted his gaze from Karan.

Not only the man who offered Karan a drink, but the banquet hall was full of surprised people.

“Rosh Dex? Lord Dex?”

“That lame count is in charge of that woman’s escort?”

“Wasn’t she staying in Dex’s territory? How is she here…”

“Oh my, they sent Count Rosh Dex, who we’ve only heard about, as her escort.”

“So the rumor is true? They say that woman gave a big gift to Dex’s territory.”

“What is it?”

The curiosity about Elise intensified due to Rosh’s appearance. And the burdensome attention that Elise had to receive was divided.

It was a good thing for Elise. But her luck ended there.

The atmosphere reversed with the appearance of the person who followed Elise.

“Prince Chase Royal Bedrokka is entering.”

Elise’s fiancé Chase, who was rumored, entered the banquet hall.

“Prince Chase, please come in.”

And the one in charge of his escort was Duke Odilon.

“How did he…”

It was surprising for Haltbin, who had experienced all sorts of things following Karan, that Duke Odilon was in charge of Chase’s escort.

“Shut your mouth.”

Karan manually closed Haltbin’s open mouth and headed towards Elise at the entrance of the banquet hall.

Thanks to Karan’s haste, he was able to reach her before Chase could talk to Elise.

“Elise, welcome. And Count, you’ve worked hard.”

“It’s an honor to be in charge of Miss Elise’s escort, Your Highness. Miss Elise, if you need anything, please let me know at any time.”

There was no need for the person in charge of the escort to do all the work, but Rosh willingly took on the task.

Regina was denied entry at the entrance because she was not a Tetrisian.

“Thank you, Rosh.”

Elise had no intention of asking Rosh for help, but she gratefully accepted her intention.

“I’d like to guide you from here.”

Karan looked at Rosh. At the look telling her to go elsewhere, Rosh leaned her cane to the left.

“Elise, there’s nothing special about a Tetris banquet. You just drink and dance.”

As Karan kindly explained to Elise and moved his steps, Chase stopped their steps.

“Your Highness Karan, may I join the guidance? I have to greet His Majesty.”

Karan barely held back his rising anger. Although it was his territory, he had to behave more modestly for Elise.

“Didn’t Duke Odilon take charge of Prince Chase’s escort? You can move with Duke Odilon.”

“Since the person in charge of Elise’s escort is heading elsewhere, I told Duke Odilon to go as well.”

Chase pointed to the left with his finger for confirmation.

Sure enough, Duke Odilon was already sharing a glass of wine with a group of nobles.

“I’ll call him.”

“There’s no need. It’s not like we don’t know each other. Right, Elise?”

The tone in which Chase called Elise was overly familiar.

“Oh, Elise! They say you were engaged, it seems you two were quite close.”

“That’s right. It seems it wasn’t just a strategic engagement.”

“I’m not sure about that, but one thing is certain. It seems the Prince of Bedrokka was sincere to that woman. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chased her all the way here.”

“Shh, it’s not that. My dad heard that it was to lay the foundation for exchanges between Bedrokka and Tetris…”

“Pfft, do you believe that? Would you go to Bedrokka for exchanges? Where there are only strangers?”

The chatter of the wives and maidens grew longer. They whispered and lowered their voices so that Elise and Chase couldn’t hear, but all of it reached Karan’s ears, who had exceptionally developed hearing among the Tetris.

Karan’s jaw tightened.

He knew such dog-like rumors would circulate. That’s why he tried to prevent Elise and Chase from meeting, but things turned out this way.

‘I was too complacent.’

He thought Chase, who had no connections in Tetris, would quietly look around for a while.

‘I got hit.’

“Your Highness Karan, won’t His Majesty wait?”

Chase lifted the corners of his mouth. The banquet hall fluttered again at his flower-like smile.

Chase exuded an atmosphere that was not seen in Tetris men.

Somehow protective, and giving off a wild feeling, more of a beauty than a handsome man, shall we say.

‘He’s making good use of the weapons he has.’

Karan, who had underestimated Chase, reproached himself and offered his arm to Elise.

“Let’s go, Elise.”

There was nothing to be done now that things had turned out this way. Karan was going to quickly greet Tyllo and leave the banquet hall with Elise.

Elise didn’t give Chase a glance and hooked her arm in Karan’s.

Karan and Elise started walking side by side. Chase, who started a beat later, stood next to Elise.

Chase added fuel to the burning rumors.

***

The banquet celebrating Karan’s return ended, having only produced a great deal of gossip about Elise.

Somehow, Tyllo was kind to Elise throughout the banquet.

Bennet also kept a proper distance and was polite.

Elise didn’t stay long in the banquet hall. She felt that Chase was eagerly waiting for a chance to talk to her.

Just like when she arrived at the banquet hall, she returned to the palace under Rosh’s escort.

Rosh, looking tired, kept Elise company for a while before leaving.

Only after she left did Elise realize how terrible she felt.

For the first time in a long time, Elise felt a deep sense of defeat.

Regina was denied at the gate, and due to Chase’s cunning tactics, rumors arose…

“I wanted to trust and wait for His Highness.”

But it seemed difficult.

Elise decided to immediately implement the plan she had prepared.

“I’ll be busy starting tomorrow.”

So she should spend tonight comfortably. Elise shook off her sense of defeat and lay down on the bed.

And in the morning, as soon as she opened her eyes, she went to find Bennet.

“The Queen Mother has not woken yet. If you have something to say, please make an appointment and come later.”

Perhaps the effect of Karan clinging to Elise last night was not insignificant, as Bennet’s courtiers also showed formal courtesy to Elise.

It was quite different from the glances they shot at her on the first day’s walk.

“If there are no special appointments in the morning, I would like to wait. There must be a reception room, right?”

“If you insist on waiting, I will guide you.”

The maid took Elise to the reception room of the Queen’s Palace. Then she served Elise a simple tea.

It was just a few pieces of dried fruit and hot water, but Elise thanked her.

The maid was taken aback by the unexpected thank you.

‘People from Bedrokka are all arrogant…’

But she seemed different.

“What are you hesitating for, come out quickly, Jun.”

The maid called Jun bowed and left the reception room.

From then until noon, Elise was in the reception room alone.

“Um…the Queen Mother usually sleeps in the morning.”

Jun often came in to explain the situation to Elise. Of course, it was a lie, and Elise knew it all.

“That’s right, Jun. Thank you for telling me.”

“Are you going to wait more?”

“Um… I’m getting tired of waiting, should we call it quits?”

“Ah! Are you leaving? That’s a good decision.”

Jun blushed.

“I didn’t say I was leaving.”

Elise muttered with a slight smile.

“Huh? You just said you were going to quit…”

“Yes, I’m going to quit waiting. I’m sorry, Jun, but could you deliver this note to the Queen Mother? She’ll come out as soon as she sees it.”

“Ah… but the Queen Mother is sleeping…”

Elise took off the pin she had in her hair and handed it to Jun. Then she winked and whispered to Jun.

“I knew you were lying, Jun.”

Jun’s hand, which was caught, flinched.

“Don’t be surprised, Jun. I’m not scolding you for lying. Let’s say the Queen Mother is sleeping. Jun, you just leave the note in the Queen Mother’s quarters and come out.”

Jun’s eyes shook.

“What I gave you is not a bribe, but a gift. I think it suits you, Jun.”

What Elise gave Jun was a jasmine hairpin that Iris had so wanted.

Jun looked down at the hairpin and bowed her head. Jun returned the hairpin to Elise. Elise raised her eyebrows. Elise didn’t expect her to refuse.

‘She definitely wanted it.’

“I’m really sorry for lying. It’s obvious that the Queen Mother won’t come out, and it’s so pitiful to see you waiting…”

Ah!

Jun lied for Elise. To reduce her meaningless waiting a little.

“I’ll deliver the note. I don’t know if the Queen Mother will come out right away.”

Jun turned around. Her ear tips were red. Jun was embarrassed. She was caught off guard by her tactics and her greed for the hairpin.

While feeling embarrassed, Jun thought to herself.

‘The Queen Mother will never come out.’

Jun, who had served the Queen at close quarters, predicted. But her prediction was completely off.

“I need to see Elise right away!”

As soon as she saw the note, the Queen Mother jumped up from her seat.

Jun was curious.

What on earth was written in the note that moved Bennet’s heavy buttocks?