The Immortal Queen Cannot Escape the Lies and Obsession of the Demon — Not That She Wants To - Chapter 07

I pass through the drawing room door with Fols, who had been ordered to remain silent.

Once again waiting before my eyes is a man with a stature that could rival a knight, standing before Ariana.

“…Marquis Mathias, I wouldn’t blame you if you remained seated to receive me, you know?”

“Of course, I’m aware of Your Majesty’s considerate nature. But please forgive me. As one who was present at that scene last night, I couldn’t suppress my concern for you.”

“…Fols, close the door quickly.”

I give the order with a sigh, and the drawing room is sealed shut.

The moment we’re separated from the hallway, the Marquis sheds his gentlemanly mask.

“Really, really are you alright? I planned to just bring Theo to your room, see your face if possible, and return immediately, but I was led to the drawing room and you were there in full welcoming style. I’m quite shaken up about this, you know?”

“Yes. That’s coming across very clearly.”

Though the shaken aspect is intense, being showered with this parental-like emotion of being unable to help worrying leaves Ariana no choice but to nod solemnly.

Theodor’s birth parents had passed away from an epidemic, leaving behind their newborn child. The Marquis, who was Theodor’s biological father’s brother, took him in and raised him as his legal son.

With that background, this affectionate man who knew both little Theodor and young Ariana had witnessed last night’s tragedy. This reaction was only to be expected.

“My body is fine, as you can see. I’ve rested properly and eaten as well.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. Still, it’s truly mysterious, Lady Ariana’s poison-resistant constitution.”

The fatal wound had been completely healed through exhaustive treatment, while the poisoning was countered in time thanks to her resistance. Regarding the remaining length of Ariana’s life, they were covering it up with such explanations.

Even the doctors couldn’t understand her abnormal recovery speed, mistakenly attributing it to special immunity developed during her sickly days.

She had only repeatedly suffered from catching colds easily and stomach troubles. It wasn’t as if she had become immortal.

But since it was convenient, she didn’t correct them and remained silent.

If the truth about the immortal queen being the result of a sinister demon creature’s technique were revealed, she would likely be executed immediately.

So, Ariana feigned ignorance with “I find it mysterious myself,” before straightening her posture.

“I imagine the assassination incident and the host’s absence caused significant confusion. Though I had urged vigilance even during peacetime, our emergency response was inadequate. I’m deeply ashamed.”

“No, no, don’t be unreasonable about that situation. By leaving it to Lord Valerio and withdrawing on your own, you minimized the confusion. Your response was more than sufficient.”

At least from the Marquis’s perspective, it seemed she had done the minimum required as king. Ariana secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The Marquis closed one eye and exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.

“Today I came as ‘the uncle who gives shoulder rides.’ Let’s skip the formal talk.”

“…In my current state, I might crush you, uncle.”

“Don’t be silly. My shoulders wouldn’t budge even with your weight. But Lady Ariana has become a proper lady now. You might have gained the weight of a crown compared to your previous feather-like lightness. At my age, I don’t want to be scolded for being disrespectful by being too enthusiastic.”

If he lifted her up like during her childhood before the coronation, he would certainly be scolded from all sides.

There was no direct blood relation between Ariana and Marquis Mathias himself. Superficially, they were merely royalty and nobility who had once lived nearby.

Seeing Ariana’s tension ease as she giggled, the Marquis indicated the inner door with one hand.

“I ended up talking too long. Theo is waiting inside. I’d like you to show him your face and reassure him.”

“Understood.”

The drawing room was divided into front and back chambers.

Normally only the front room was used, but the inner room served as a place for top-secret discussions away from the ears of servants and guards.

“Fols, please wait here.”

Following the order, Fols bowed quietly and took position before the door.

(…Well, since I can hear everything normally, kicking me out is pointless anyway.)

Though modeled after human ears in appearance, their structure was completely different.

Fols’s ears had been distinguishing the movements of the restless child in the inner room since earlier.

Whether they intended to discuss things they didn’t want overheard or hide circumstances. Everything was perfectly clear. But since it was an order, he silently saw them off.

Unaware of her knight’s thoughts, Ariana knocked on the door and proceeded to the inner room.

Across the table were two sofas facing each other. The masked child who had been sitting properly on one of them hurriedly stood up.

“Lady Ariana! A-are you alright? Father said you drank poison.”

“As you can see, I’m fine. Let’s sit and talk, Theo.”

Though the black mask covering from the nose up made it impossible to read his expression, his trembling voice and quivering lips sufficiently conveyed his worry.

Regretting that she should have brought the tea from the front room, Ariana sat down on the same sofa as the child Theodor sitting beside him.

“Since it’s just the two of us now, it’s fine to remove your mask.”

“Yes.”

Responding happily, Theodor let out a breath of relief as he removed the mask that was practically a full face covering.

Peeking through the gaps of his soft-looking platinum blonde messy hair were pink and light blue irises. He innocently narrowed his Earth Eyes, a trait appearing in the royal bloodline and directed his straightforward affection toward Ariana.

“I know it’s necessary, but when I wear this, it’s hard to see properly. I’m glad I can see Lady Ariana’s face clearly.”

“Me too. I’m happy to see Theo’s healthy face.”

The children bearing the royal bloodline of the Fenizard Kingdom now reduced to just the two of them joyfully celebrated their long-awaited reunion in peaceful harmony.