Jilted Guilt: the Mermaid and the Hunter - Chapter 8
“Move the mermaid to a different location.”
“Mhmm.”
Queen Elaine welcomed him warmly, and for the first time in a while, Rosander Wayne knelt on one knee and politely made his request.
Even though he had earned the position of royal guard with his exceptional swordsmanship, it was rare for him, who still lived like a hunter, to show such deference.
This piqued the queen’s curiosity even more about the nature of his request. Having been in his debt, she was willing to grant his request, no matter how outrageous, but he had trouble being entirely candid.
“Why?” Queen Elaine asked, amused by his manner of reporting his designated mission. What was it about the mermaid that sparked his interest?
For all his pretense of not caring about anything, Rosander Wayne was a man with a heart of gold.
For a while, she had been so preoccupied with the duties of the court that she almost forgot the valuable commodity she had left aside. It was the mercenary, Ross, who had brought it back to her attention.
Of course, he now carried the title “Lord Wayne,” but—Queen Elaine flicked her fingers, which had been idly stroking her chin, and summoned the servant who stood by at the entrance to the audience chamber.
“If you leave her there, she’ll die.”
The servant walked in, gingerly carrying a cushion with both hands. Queen Elaine, engrossed in examining the ruby ring on the cushion without sparing a glance at the servant, had her fingers trace over it. Yet Rosander persisted with his request.
“What if she dies?”
The servant discreetly drew back the curtain behind her, and the queen basked in the light that spilled over her finger, enjoying the ruby’s dazzling brilliance. The perfect size in her eyes. It was beautiful, but its value didn’t surpass that of her unique and troublesome piece of merchandise, which was quite a source of disappointment for her.
“Yes?”
“Why are you surprised?”
Catching the queen visibly flustered, Rosander tightened his lips again.
The queen took a step or two in the direction of the servant holding the cushion, and the direct midday light she’d been shielding from hit Rosander squarely in the face.
Specks of dust from the carpet scattered and settled on his wheat-colored hair, and his eyes narrowed instantly.
In the vivid light, the man couldn’t hide his discomfort.
“Some cleaning is in order.”
Queen Elaine addressed the servant and handed her back the ruby ring. While the servant left, Rosander remained in his kneeling position, waiting for the queen’s next words.
Queen Elaine leaned towards the window as if she were soaking in the sunlight with her entire body.
“I don’t believe I’ve given you orders to care for the mermaid.”
Even without turning around, she could sense Rosander’s gaze. A person’s nature couldn’t change. If he had tried to kill Eizentine, Queen Elaine would have found it rather comfortable to have a reason to execute him and alleviate her guilt.
However, Rosander was different. He cared for Eizentine as if she were his own daughter. He scolded and guided the princess, taking on a role beyond that of a mere guardian.
Thanks to him, the king had even entertained the absurd suspicion that his daughter with Queen Elaine might actually be Rosander’s child, which was nothing short of preposterous.
However, the queen paid it no mind. She had gained something far greater in exchange for her inability to conceive children. It was a kind of sacrifice to make Belphret’s dark magic entirely her own.
There’s no way Rosander could have read her intentions and acted on them, so she’s only increased the pain he’s enduring. He is a man who finds peace in self-pity, after all.
The queen absentmindedly picked up her scepter and examined it. In the bright light, she noticed it was cracked at the base.
Queen Elaine held the staff upside down and closely inspected the crack. There was a tiny green substance inside, just big enough to pass by unnoticed.
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she pondered. Yet another reason to revisit the royal archives.
“I didn’t ask for you to bring food, let alone assign guards for that mermaid. I simply let her be.”
“I see.”
Rosander calmly responded to the queen’s summons and rose to his feet.
“Are you sympathizing with it?”
“…”
“Didn’t you believe that you were more suited to being a hunter rather than a knight? Wasn’t that the case?”
His silence sufficed as an answer for Queen Elaine.
