Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 140

“Please understand what I’m about to say.”

Count Raviate spoke concisely but with conviction.

“Lady Anika of House Semenov was subjected to unspeakable abuse by the late king. By the time Her Majesty arrived at the Central Palace, she had already passed away.”

This was Count Raviate’s suggestion to push the timeline of her death a few days earlier. To someone unaware of the details, the death of the late king’s concubine shortly after the new queen’s arrival could be misconstrued.

“Wait. What are you saying? What do you mean?” Ivan Semenov, with a bewildered expression, asked in disbelief. “We were told that Anika was the favored concubine of the late king. When we reached out, we were assured she was well and not to worry.”

“Lord Semenov, did you have frequent contact with her? Did anyone meet Lady Anika in person during that time?”

“No, we were only told she was well…”

“Think about it. Why would someone who is well avoid contact or meetings with her family?”

However, Count Raviate’s explanation didn’t seem to reach Ivan. Ivan Semenov raised his voice in protest. “I heard that as a foreign concubine, her position was precarious. She wanted to become fully assimilated into Esquillir’s society. And wasn’t it because the late king cherished her so deeply that he refused to take a queen, keeping only Anika by his side? How can you speak of abuse?”

In truth, Sellas had cleverly prevented Vermel from taking a queen, fearing that the presence of a queen from a strong family might weaken his control over the king. Vermel, who held a grudge against the Salachez family, was also reluctant to bring in a queen. However, this was an internal matter of the Esquillir royal family, which the Principality of Sidate wouldn’t have known about.

Count Raviate glanced at the royal couple before continuing. “Vermel brought chaos to the Kingdom of Esquillir with his brutal and irrational reign. Therefore—”

“No, Anika was delighted when the late king filled her room with all kinds of jewels and flowers. Her letters, her letters clearly said so…”

Ivan’s voice grew increasingly louder.

“So, you’re saying Anika is dead?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“What happened to her body? Where is it?”

“She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered in the river, according to her last wishes.”

“You didn’t even provide a proper grave?”

Ivan’s face turned red with anger. He had only just found his long-lost sister after more than a decade, only to be told that she had already passed away. He had no time to compose himself.

“The Queen of Esquillir, the one who killed her brother and usurped the throne, slaughtered his concubine and discarded her body like trash!”

“Ivan! What nonsense are you speaking?”

The Sidate envoy was startled, but even he had tears welling up in his eyes. It was impossible to remain composed in the face of the tragic end of a beloved young lady who had been so cherished by her family.

Miesa remained silent for a moment. Given the current situation, it wasn’t unreasonable for them to reach such a conclusion.

“Eirik, this isn’t working. Count Raviate, please step outside.”

“……”

Eirik hesitated for a moment before nodding at Count Raviate. Even he could see that this tangled situation wouldn’t be easily resolved.

As Count Raviate exited with a bow, the room became momentarily chaotic. Miesa quickly gestured to Eirik using a series of hand signals.

[Woman], [Body], [Deliver].

Eirik responded swiftly in kind.

[Day], [Impossible], [Night].

Miesa pondered the meaning of his signals for a moment before nodding. Digging up the late king’s grave in broad daylight would cause an even greater scandal.

Meanwhile, Eirik sent her one last signal. [Two days later].

Miesa understood. Tomorrow was the New Year’s festival, so it was best to keep the situation calm until then.

After a brief silence, Miesa spoke. “Anika was, in fact, buried with the proper respects. The only ones who know the location of her remains are myself, the Margrave, and my trusted advisor, Duke Salachez.”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

Lord Semenov stammered, his face a mix of anger, confusion, and sorrow. But Miesa didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence.

“I will explain everything the morning after the New Year’s festival, in my office. If there is a trustworthy woman among your delegation or among the Sidate citizens residing in Esquillir, bring her with you.”

Eirik silently raised his eyebrows. He hoped that the inclusion of a woman didn’t mean what he feared, but Miesa had already made up her mind.

“Until then, I ask for your understanding that I cannot provide a full explanation.”

Miesa then stood up. As she slowly walked out of the reception room, she could feel Ivan Semenov and the Sidate envoy glaring at Eirik as if he were their mortal enemy.

“Your Majesty, how much do you intend to reveal?”

“I will show them my scars and expose Vermel’s atrocities.”

“And what of your dignity as a queen?”

Miesa shook her head. “Dignity isn’t important right now. Ivan undoubtedly thinks I drove Anika to her death. It’s too unjust to let that stand.”

“They’ll likely shift their anger toward me instead of you.”

“I would hate that even more. Why should you have to bear the sins of Vermel?”

As Miesa frowned, Eirik hesitated for a moment before letting out a deep sigh and nodding.

“…There’s no other way, is there? We’ll do as you wish, though it’s unlikely they’ll leave quietly. We can only follow your decision.”

For now, the antidote for Finime would have to be put on hold. If they acted rashly, it could lead to even greater complications.

***

The New Year’s festival proceeded in a calm atmosphere.

As the High Priest began the New Year’s blessing, and the rites were offered to the goddess for the prosperity and safety of the year, the expressions of the Queen and the Margrave remained somber.

That night, Eirik and Salachez, accompanied by Tilberg and a couple of knights, exhumed the king’s grave.

The next morning, Ivan Semenov, along with the Sidate envoy and a Sidate lady who had accompanied them, stood in front of the office door early in the day. When a sturdy attendant announced their visit, the office door was opened.

In the center of the office stood a coffin adorned with ornate decorations and jewels. Even to the eyes of a foreigner, the coffin was unusual, and beyond it, the queen and her consort stood with solemn faces.

“Before we open the coffin, I have something to explain.”

The Queen of Esquillir began to speak, and the Margrave followed.

“The Principality of Sidate has been at war with Esquillir for a long time, so I believe you are somewhat familiar with the circumstances.”

The three Sidate envoys looked at the Margrave. However, they could not hide the underlying resentment they felt toward the Cladnier family.

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

“I’m not trying to pick a fight. It’s basic to gather information about the opposing nation during wartime, so I’m saying that the Principality likely knows a bit about the internal affairs of Esquillir.”

The three Sidate envoys fell silent. Meanwhile, Eirik continued speaking. “I’m not sure how much you know about the late King Vermel’s tyranny, but you may have heard that he slaughtered the Salachez family, his maternal relatives, under the pretext of restoring royal authority and took countless lives.”

The Sidate envoy, of course, was aware of this story. Even Ivan Semenov had vaguely heard of it. However, Ivan glared at Eirik with a fierce look and argued. “But that doesn’t lead to the conclusion that he abused Anika. Even the Cladniers cut down everyone before their eyes but care for their own family and allies with great affection.”

It was pointless to argue. Eirik sighed deeply and gestured to Miesa.

[Scars], [Share], [Not necessary].

In this situation, showing Miesa’s scars wouldn’t solve anything. There was no need to expose the queen’s body to foreigners. After confirming Miesa’s nod, Eirik raised his voice again toward the Sidate envoys.

“Then how do you explain why Her Majesty went to the trouble of interring Anika Semenov in the royal family’s tomb?”