Chapter 88

It has been over a month since returning from Ryngberg. The palace room, which felt unfamiliar at first when she was newly married, is gradually becoming a place where she can feel at ease. She truly felt that she had returned. However, there was one thing that bothered her. It was about Alvis.

There was one day when Alvis did not return to the Crown Prince's Palace. The next day, he came back around sunset and spent the night with Elina, but she felt that he was a little different from the usual Alvis. His gentle embrace seemed to her as if he was trying to distract himself. Something might have happened. Occasionally, he would wince as if his wound was hurting, but Elina could only accept him as he was.

Only Elina and Sara were in the room. Perhaps because of this, she let her guard down and sighed involuntarily.

"Haa..."

"Is something the matter, Lady Elina?"

"It's not that something is wrong, but..."

It might have been Elina's imagination, but she felt that Alvis was acting out of character. That was the only day she felt something was off; after that, he was back to his usual self. So, there was no need to worry. After all, it had been several weeks. If someone were to say it was too late to bring it up, they would be right. It wouldn't be good to dwell on it. Elina forced a smile and shook her head.

"No, it's nothing. I'm just overthinking it."

"Is it about His Highness Alvis?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Since you often think about His Highness, it's the most likely possibility."

Elina was in the office assigned to her in the Crown Prince's Palace, working on her duties as the Crown Princess. Most of her tasks were related to orphanages and hospitals, which were directly managed by the royal family in the capital. Given what happened in Ryngberg, this was not a matter that Elina could ignore.

After finishing her confirmation work, she took a break, but her mind kept wandering back to Alvis. Even though she didn't say anything, Sara seemed to see right through her.

"Even if it's a small matter, if it bothers you, it might be best to ask him."

"That might be true. But it was just a slight concern. Maybe he wasn't feeling well that day or something."

"But you wouldn't be thinking about it if you didn't think it was different, right?"

Sara was sharp. It wasn't for nothing that she had been by Elina's side for so long. Still, it felt embarrassing to bring up that day. She couldn't say something as trivial as "he was different" and make it sound like she remembered everything.

"Lady Elina?"

"It's nothing."

"Hehe, you don't have to deny it so hastily."

Sara chuckled, but Elina was flustered. Perhaps because she had stopped working, her mind was wandering. Elina asked for some tea and picked up her documents again.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. When she allowed entry, Edward appeared.

"Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion."

"Lord Haswork, is something the matter?"

Since Elina worked in the Crown Prince's Palace, Edward often handled communication between her and Alvis, as well as urgent tasks. He must have had some business this time as well, but when she asked, he shook his head.

"Not exactly. I just wanted to share something with you."

The fact that he visited her during the day suggested that he didn't want Alvis to know. Since Edward was often by Alvis's side, he could have spoken to Elina at any time. If he didn't, it must be a sensitive matter.

"Can you wait a moment?"

"No, it won't take long. I need to return to His Highness Alvis soon."

As Elina put away her documents, Edward stood in front of her. He crossed his arms behind his back and straightened his back, making Elina instinctively tense up.

"Last week, His Highness Alvis personally executed the ringleader of the incident in Ryngberg."

"Wh-what...?"

"All the other perpetrators have also been dealt with. Here are the details; please read them."

Edward handed her a piece of paper, which Elina took. The content was brief, listing the name of the criminal and the execution details, all carried out by Alvis. The fact that he showed her this must mean something.

After reading, Elina returned the paper to Edward. He tore it up and gathered a faint blue light in his palm, turning the pieces into dust. It was likely his mana power. He was a graduate of the academy and from a noble family. As Alvis's attendant, this level of skill was not surprising.

"We cannot leave any evidence."

"I understand. But why show me this?"

"The ringleader, a young man named Torg... I only recently learned that he had a significant connection to His Highness Alvis."

The regret in his voice was evident, and Edward bit his lip.

"Lord Haswork..."

"He must have had some feelings for him. To have to execute such a person... He's trying to be strong, but it seems he's putting on a brave face."

Hearing this, Elina understood. The day she felt something was off with Alvis might have been the day he executed Torg.

"I intend to ask him to return early today. So, I'm asking you, Your Highness, to take care of His Highness Alvis."

"I understand."

Edward bowed deeply and left the room. In the now empty room, Elina stood up and walked to a bookshelf filled with books. She reached for a history book that recorded the lives of past queens. She opened it and flipped through the pages.

"Lady Elina?"

"I've read this many times since I was young. It's natural, as it contains the stories of past queens and concubines."

One of the things she was made to read since becoming Gerard's fiancée. The role of a queen and the significance of a concubine. The history of the Rubelia royal family and the measures taken to preserve their bloodline.

It's not uncommon for a queen to have no children, and there are cases where a concubine, rather than a queen, was kept. A queen is a politically significant figure, a leader of the country. A concubine exists solely for the king. A queen should not seek the king's love too much. Sometimes, she must correct him. That's why queen education is necessary.

"To marry someone who loves someone else. Even as a queen, it's like marrying the country. It's easy to say, but hard to do."

"That's true. If I may be so bold, everyone is a person... I'm truly relieved that you didn't have to go through such a marriage."

"Sara..."

"To me, you are a dear mistress before you are a Crown Princess. It's only natural to wish for your happiness."

"Thank you."

She wanted to say the same to Sara, but Sara firmly stated that she had no plans or desire to marry. However, Sara admitted that if she married and had children, she might be able to become a wet nurse for Elina's children, which made her heart waver a little. But that would be unfair to the other person.

"Why did you suddenly bring this up?"

Turning to look at Sara, she saw a serious expression. After the conversation with Edward, suddenly talking about past queens was understandable. Elina had acted on impulse, without a specific reason. She was just a little worried.

"Maybe I was a bit unsure if I could comfort His Highness Alvis."

"Don't worry. When His Highness is with you, he looks peaceful. That's why Lord Haswork asked you, isn't it?"

"If that's true, I'm happy. Thank you, Sara."

That evening, as promised, Alvis returned to the palace earlier than usual. He looked a bit reluctant, and Edward was scolding him, like brothers. The determined expression from earlier was gone, which felt very much like Edward.

"Welcome back, His Highness Alvis."

"Elina, I'm home."

Walking over, Alvis gently pulled Elina into his arms. Looking up at him, she could see the fatigue in his face. That was why Edward had insisted he return. Reaching up to touch Alvis's face, he opened his eyes in surprise.

"Elina?"

"Please don't overwork yourself."

"..."

He didn't say "I'm fine." Instead, Alvis took Elina's hand and gently squeezed it.

"Thank you."