Chapter 1

No matter what, this is too much.

The moment Elise entered the grand hall of the palace, she couldn't help but stop in her tracks at the scene that greeted her eyes.

Although she had arrived late, it was because she had received an urgent message from the envoy who had welcomed the special envoy from the neighboring country at the border.

Despite having been doing the work of a queen up until now...

"Oh, Your Majesty, how skillful you are!"

"For someone who was just taught the other day, Hana is quick to learn."

"That's because Your Majesty is such a good leader."

In the center of the grand hall, illuminated by dazzling chandeliers as bright as daytime, the saint Hana, who had recently arrived in the Kingdom of Rienline from another world, was dancing. Her chestnut hair, slightly longer than her shoulders, swayed softly as she danced in the king's arms, making it hard to tell who the queen was. It must have been her preference. The dress, made with layers of pink lace, similar to what Elise had seen in movies from her previous life, was adorned with white floral embroidery from the chest to the hem, making her look like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.

Hana, dancing in her gently spreading rose-colored dress, was undeniably delicate. Perhaps because of this, the sight of her slender back being held by the king's silver-haired figure as they danced together felt like watching a perfect pair. When the king's pale, clear blue eyes gently gazed at Hana, Elise's heart unexpectedly skipped a beat.

"Hey? Even if she is a saint from another world, isn't she overstepping? The first dance is supposed to be with her partner..."

"Even so, the queen is being overlooked, and this is already the second round. No matter how much their relationship has cooled..."

"But, she is also a saint. Perhaps His Majesty prefers his partner..."

Unaware of Elise's presence, the young noble ladies giggled as they spread rumors, causing Elise to sigh involuntarily.

"Cough"

That's why Gitt, standing next to her, deliberately cleared his throat loudly. The noble ladies, who had been gossiping, must have noticed Elise standing with her light blonde hair braided, as they looked embarrassed and hurriedly ran into the crowd.

"Please don't worry, Lady Elise. You are the undisputed saint and queen of this country."

"Gitt..."

He must have been worried about her. His light brown eyes looked at her with concern, and she couldn't help but smile wryly.

However, before Gitt could say more, the music ended. As applause and cheers erupted from the people in the hall, the two in the center slowly walked over.

Then, a young priest hurriedly stepped forward in front of the king and Hana.

"Your Majesty, I congratulate you on the arrival of the second saint in our country."

The priest, who had been dispatched by the temple to serve Hana, the newly arrived saint, bowed his light brown hair and respectfully looked at the king and the saint standing side by side.

"From ancient times, when a saint appeared in our Kingdom of Rienline, they were welcomed as the companion of the king of that era to build the prosperity of the country. Therefore, I humbly request that this time, Hana be welcomed as Your Majesty's companion..."

"That guy!"

Gitt, standing next to Elise, suddenly turned with a bitter expression.

"Just because he wants to advance in the temple! Even though Your Majesty already has Lady Elise!"

"Now, now..."

Elise couldn't help but feel drained as she tried to calm him, but perhaps her voice was heard. The king's gaze briefly glanced at Elise before returning to the priest kneeling before him.

"But, there can only be one queen."

"You could get a divorce! In the reign of the 13th King Ihar and the 25th King Zakzes, even though the king already had a queen, when a saint appeared, they divorced and welcomed the saint as the queen! As a result, our Kingdom of Rienline achieved even greater prosperity, as is clearly recorded in the national history!"

(Well, to boldly suggest a divorce in front of the current queen...)

Is he brave, or has he finally gone too far?

Now, what will the king say...

The entire hall held its breath, but the king's gaze briefly moved to Elise.

"Your Majesty..."

However, the king's gaze immediately shifted to the delicate face of Hana, who was looking up at him with a worried expression as he took her arm.

He smiled reassuringly.

"Yes, don't worry. I won't let anything bad happen. But, this isn't the place to discuss such matters."

"He's running away..."

Elise couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

However, Gitt, who had heard everything, looked angry and red-faced.

"How can you take such words seriously! The queen of King Reinhardt is and will always be Lady Elise alone!"

"No... I'm not bothered by it..."

(I can understand why he would say that. If you look at my usual relationship with Reinhardt...)

But, for some reason, Gitt, standing next to her, was looking at Elise with tears in his eyes. He gently wiped his eyes with his arm.

"How brave... Coming from a distant foreign country at such a young age..."

Then, he held Elise's left hand as if pledging his loyalty, while crying.

"Though I am unworthy, I may not be as reliable as His Majesty, but I will do my utmost to protect Lady Elise..."

"Oh, don't say such things. I always trust you the most."

"Lady Elise..."

"So, can you tell me another fun story with your usual smile? Okay?"

She smiled encouragingly.

"Hmm"

However, the moment Elise smiled at Gitt...

When did he come up behind them? The sound of his shoes clicking, and when she turned around, there was King Reinhardt, arms crossed, looking at the two of them.

However, his eyes, which were smiling as if holding back something, were extremely cold.

He looked at Elise, who had noticed him, and the corners of his lips curled up.

"Quite impressive. Leaving the king alone in the hall and chatting happily with your attendant."

"Reinhardt."

(Bad—why is he in a bad mood!)

Why—just a moment ago, he was clearly dancing happily with Hana.

But, in the presence of everyone, the content of his words did put her at a disadvantage, as she hadn't even sent a message.

So, she bent her knees slightly to apologize.

"I'm sorry. A sudden messenger came from the border, so I was consulting with the minister and arrived late for the ball."

"Consulting? Hmph. As always, a fine queen. To take charge without consulting the king, who am I to order you?"

"I'm sorry. I intended to inform Your Majesty later—"

(Oh no, is he in the worst mood?)

Just a moment ago, he seemed fine, but the eyes looking at her were getting colder.

"Your noble intentions are commendable, but in truth, you must think I'm a less reliable king than that man, right?"

(Oh no! He heard what we were just talking about!?)

Moreover, it seemed he had misunderstood what he heard. Yes, the words could be interpreted that way, but that wasn't her intention at all.

"Reinhardt..."

So, she looked up anxiously, but Reinhardt's narrow eyes were now piercingly looking at her.

Without hiding his displeasure, his lips were curved into a thin smile, making her catch her breath.

"What? You look so tense. Could it be that you're unhappy because I didn't deny the talk of divorce just now?"

"No, that's not it, but—"

(Rather, I'd say the opposite...)

However, her careless words seemed to have finally touched a nerve. The moment they left her mouth, Reinhardt's eyes, which had been smiling coldly, clearly turned angry and glared at her.

"Listen! Even as the king, I cannot defy the country's rules! Just as I married you, a saint, when a new saint appears, the change of queen has been repeated in the national history! Never think that your current position is secure!"

"Ah!"

She had tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but it seemed to have only worsened. Reinhardt, turning his tall back to her, walked into the crowd.

From a distance, Hana ran over to him.

"Oh... Why does it always end up like this..."

(Does it always end up like this...)

She knew. She knew that her actions displeased Reinhardt.

But, why, no matter how hard she tried, did things never go well?

"Don't worry, Lady Elise. I'll explain to His Majesty later that your delay was due to an unavoidable emergency and clear up the misunderstanding in our conversation..."

"Gitt"

So, she felt relieved by the concerned words from her side.

"It's fine. This is just how it usually is between me and His Majesty."

(Though... )

She was indeed getting tired of this daily routine that had been repeating since she came here.

(Maybe, I should just get a divorce...)

Recalling the words she often muttered to herself recently, Elise sighed quietly, hidden by her golden hair, so no one would notice.

I will post the second part of the story today.

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