Chapter 11
Nadia doubted her own ears. She stood there in disbelief as the maids brought in a large box from outside.
Blinking slowly, Nadia approached them.
She carefully opened the box wrapped in deep blue velvet. On the pure white cushion lay a sapphire necklace and earrings.
Small diamonds surrounding the large sapphires maximized their brilliance, making Nadia squint slightly.
“His Majesty also invites you to tomorrow evening’s banquet.”
Why?
Nadia nearly blurted out the question but barely held it back.
She wasn’t the only one confused. Even the maid delivering the King’s message looked incredulous.
Nadia turned to Olga, as if asking for help.
Olga, frowning, finally spoke after a brief silence.
“You should wear these.”
“Did I do something wrong recently?”
Olga let out a dry chuckle at Nadia’s question. Yes, that was a natural reaction. Olga shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
The vague answer only made Nadia more uneasy. She knew too well what the King felt toward her to simply welcome his favor.
He was the one who had overlooked countless insults to her as Queen. There was no way he would suddenly send comfort.
“…Tell him I’ll attend.”
Her mind was in turmoil, but she couldn’t refuse the King’s invitation.
***
Late the next afternoon, Nadia wore a deep blue dress and the sapphire necklace and earrings she’d received.
The blue ensemble made her golden hair shine even more brilliantly. And…
“How do I look?”
“……”
Her beauty strangely reminded Olga of Agnesa. Unconsciously, Olga’s brow furrowed with a sudden wave of discomfort.
“Is it not good?”
Nadia, noticing the reaction, sounded anxious. Olga bit her lip, then shook her head with a short sigh.
Of course, that didn’t reassure Nadia.
“If anything’s missing, please tell me, Madame.”
“It’s fine. You couldn’t be more adorned.”
“But…”
Nadia looked like she wanted to say more but held back, as if she knew she wouldn’t get the answer she wanted.
A wise decision. Olga had no intention of speaking her true thoughts.
Suddenly, she found herself strange for holding back. She could have easily hurt Nadia, but for some reason, she didn’t want to.
‘If I say something, she’ll just fuss over changing the dress.’
Yes, I simply donn’t want more trouble.
Olga rationalized.
Just then, word came from the central palace that the banquet was ready. Nadia left the Queen’s palace looking uneasy.
The weather, warm during the day, had turned chilly by dusk.
With an ivory shawl draped around her shoulders, Nadia walked slowly toward the central palace, trying to compose her nervous expression.
“Oh.”
Nadia let out a small exclamation. Olga turned her gaze in the same direction and saw Albina approaching.
Judging by her direction, she must have left the central palace. Nadia hesitated, then greeted her first.
“It’s been a while, Countess Vellevin.”
Recently, whenever they met, Albina ignored Nadia.
It was bold, considering Nadia could punish her at any time if she wished, even if Albina was the King’s favorite.
But Albina behaved as if she knew Nadia wouldn’t do that.
Olga thought Albina would ignore her again, and Nadia didn’t look like she expected a response.
But when Albina was close enough to take in Nadia’s appearance, she stopped.
“Ah…”
Nadia looked a little surprised and stopped as well. Albina’s gaze landed on the sapphire necklace at Nadia’s throat.
She stared at the necklace, then slowly moved her gaze to the earrings. Olga saw Albina’s tightly pressed lips tremble slightly.
“That’s a necklace I haven’t seen before.”
Albina spoke in a slightly cracked voice. Nadia reflexively touched her neck.
“Oh, this… It was a recent gift.”
“I see.”
Even after the dry reply, Albina’s gaze didn’t leave Nadia’s neck.
Nadia suddenly thought Albina might bite her throat.
But was it really just her imagination?
At that moment, Albina slowly reached out and grabbed Nadia’s necklace.
As if gripping a collar.
“It’s beautiful.”
She stroked the necklace in silence. Nadia stayed still, even through the rude gesture and tense silence.
“But it doesn’t really suit you, Your Majesty.”
Suddenly, the necklace string dug into the skin at the back of Nadia’s neck.
Nadia gasped in pain as Albina yanked the necklace forward. The string snapped, and the large sapphire tumbled to the ground.
Nadia stared in disbelief at Albina’s hand holding only the broken chain and the gems on the floor.
After a moment, she spoke in astonishment.
“…What do you think you’re doing, Lady Vellevin?”
Even at Nadia’s stern voice, Albina’s expression was calm. At that moment, Nadia realized just how little her position meant.
If Albina had ignored her as usual, Nadia would have let it go, but this was too much.
“You know I’ve overlooked your rudeness until now.”
“Yes. That’s why I can do something this outrageous, isn’t it?”
Albina gave a slight mocking smile, though her eyes were cold.
Even though Nadia, who had endured every insult, was finally angry.
“I’m sure you won’t punish me or tattle to His Majesty. This time will be the same.”
“It was a gift from His Majesty.”
“Oh my.”
Albina covered her mouth as if surprised, but her reaction seemed forced.
“Then I’m even more glad I broke it. Go ahead, punish me or tell His Majesty.”
Albina dropped the remaining chain and stepped on it. As Nadia frowned and watched, Albina leaned in close.
“If you’re going to punish me, I’ll accept it. Go ahead.”
“……”
“I knew it.”
Seeing Nadia only frown and stare at her, Albina snorted softly. Then, with a faint smile, she tucked Nadia’s fallen golden hair behind her ear.
“You’re clever.”
In a gentle whisper, Albina moved her hand to Nadia’s earlobe.
She took Nadia’s sapphire earring without hesitation.
“I’ll take this too.”
Nadia didn’t reply, but Albina passed by her without a care.
Albina had never crossed the line this far before, so even Olga and the maids, though pleased, looked surprised.
Olga checked on Nadia, who suddenly turned and spoke.
“Let’s go. We’ll be late for the banquet.”
Her voice was as calm as ever. Olga asked,
“Are you going like this?”
“It’s too late to turn back.”
Olga didn’t press further. Nadia entered the central palace and, guided by attendants, headed to the banquet hall.
“Her Majesty, the Queen, arrives.”
The great doors swung open, and Nadia immediately faced Lev, who waited for her, already sipping wine.
Nadia hesitated, then stepped inside. After a few steps, she stopped and bowed deeply.
“I greet the great sun of Arbat.”
Lev studied Nadia for a moment, then frowned slightly.
“You’re not wearing the gift I sent.”
“……”
Olga watched Nadia’s lips, tense to see what she would say.
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VKotaku28
And her I thought, you cannot fall lower. The only way I would accept FL ending up with ML is if the ML’s should switches with a loving reincarnator/transmigrator