Chapter 262. Christa’s Gamble (1)

Translator: Aura

/ Editor: SaWarren

Christa was currently in a difficult situation because of a rumor circulating in high society.

Originally, Christa used to have a very good reputation in high society. She was kind and careful with her words, as well as modest, despite being the queen. After her husband brought in other women, sympathy for her grew, and the nobles admired her for standing firm.

After her husband died, opinions were divided in two. One half felt sorry that she had lost her position as queen at such a young age, and the other half criticized her staying in the imperial palace.

However, those who criticized her also agreed that her situation was unfortunate.

Ever since she became queen, she had been worried about not having children, worried about her husband’s concubines, worried about Prince Heinley’s reputation, and suddenly she was forced to leave her position as queen.

But after the wedding reception, a strange rumor began to circulate that had undermined her reputation.

– Christa and His Majesty Heinley are having an affair.

Nobles tended to be tolerant of having concubines, but they had their own standards.

Was she having an affair with her husband’s brother? This was something that horrified the nobility.

As the matter seemed to turn serious, a lady-in-waiting to Christa spoke up awkwardly.

“Queen, I think it best for now to go to Compshire and observe the situation. Of course it’s a false rumor, but at a time like this, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”

Go to Compshire? Christa’s expression quickly stiffened at her lady-in-waiting’s suggestion.

She didn’t want to. She would have a comfortable life in Compshire, but she would be treated completely differently, as if her moment had passed.

Even her close circle would be displaced, being considered ‘the past generation’. Including family and friends.

Going to Compshire was to hand over all power to Navier, making Christa a trace of the past.

In other words, Navier would be ahead while she would stay behind waiting for her trace to disappear.

“Isn’t it just a rumor? Besides, it also affects His Majesty Heinley, why am I the only one who should avoid it?”

“That’s true… but the Emperor has always had a bad image…”

“Instead, no one had that image of the queen, so it’s even more surprising.”

Christa was saddened. Divorced Navier got a handsome new husband, how could she, who was still in mourning, be treated like that?

Besides, she was not much older than Navier.

At similar ages, it was very painful for one to have new hope, while the other is to become the dreary past.

Christa’s sad expression made her ladies-in-waiting nearly cry along with her.

Christa stared blankly at the picture on the wall in the distance.

After a long time. Christa finally came to a conclusion.

She had made a firm decision.

“Going now to Compshire would mean to accept the end of my life. I will stay there waiting for my death without any purpose.”

“Queen! No, absolutely not!”

“As long as that rumor circulates, nothing will change if I go to Compshire. The rumor will follow me. If I leave as if I were running away, the rumor could grow stronger.”

Speaking in a calm voice, Christa clutched her skirt and lowered her gaze.

What she planned to do now would be very risky.

But she didn’t want to lose everything without doing anything. At least she wanted to fight.

Under half-closed eyelids, her eyes shone brightly.

“Since it has come to this, I must take advantage of the rumor.”

***

In the evening, instead of going to the matrimonial bedroom, I put all the papers on the desk in my room and went to work.

I was having a hard time concentrating because my mind kept going to the matrimonial bedroom, but right now I found Heinley so frustrating that I didn’t want to see his face.

Although my thoughts were divided, I tried to concentrate as much as possible on my work.

Fortunately, I gradually regained my concentration.

But suddenly, I heard a knock from the door of the matrimonial bedroom.

The only ones allowed in that bedroom were Heinley and me, so it was definitely Heinley.

Instead of answering, I deliberately flipped the paper over as I dipped the pen into the inkwell.

Still, he kept knocking on the door.

– Knock-knock, knock-knock-knock, knock-knock-knock-knock, knock-knock-knock-knock-knock…

Far from stopping, he began to knock rhythmically.

Want to see who wins? I definitely won’t open the door. Let him do what he wants.

I snorted and grabbed the pen again.

But it was hard to ignore that noise while working.

Eventually, I grabbed the papers and crept out of my room, moving to the spare room across the corridor.

The spare rooms were rarely used, but they were kept clean and had desks to use.

I placed the papers on the desk and sat in the chair.

However, since there was a great distance between the desk and the door, I also found it difficult to concentrate because I felt nervous with my back to the door.

I had no choice but to move closer to the door.

When I put a cushion by the door and sat on it, I finally felt a little at ease.

After placing the papers in my lap and opening the door a little carefully, I felt even more at ease.

Good, so I can find out if Heinley comes out of his room.

“…”

But no matter how long I waited, Heinley didn’t come out.

Could he… still be knocking on the door?

I couldn’t hear anything from here, so I had no way of knowing.

As I looked through the papers I felt a strange worry.

What if he knocks on the door for so long that he fractures his hand? Or tore his skin?

That moment I collected all my papers, and opened the door to return to my room.

“!”

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Heinley standing in front of the door.

When did he come out? Wasn’t I attentive at all times?

Looking at him in bewilderment, Heinley murmured with a distressed expression,

“Do you detest me so much, My Queen? So much as to run all the way out here?”

“I didn’t run away, I had too much work to do…”

As I tried to explain why I was here, something came up inside me.

Why didn’t I go into the matrimonial bedroom?

If I complained, ‘You said I was heavy,’ I would look like a little girl obsessed with trivial things.

In the end, I hesitated before making up an excuse with another intention,

“You injured yourself falling off the horse. I assumed in that state you would be uncomfortable with me lying next to you.”

“My Queen. You know nothing happened to me, you’re doing it on purpose, right? Are you teasing me?”

“Think first who started teasing.”

I said sharply, turned around and headed for my room. Heinley followed me and insisted.

“I’m sorry for my poor acting. I just wanted to get My Queen’s attention, even if it was like that.”

I really… wanted to smack and kiss that mouth. Why was he talking so cute?

When I stared at his mouth, Heinley hesitated and quickly added,

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Obviously.”

“Are you very angry, My Queen?”

“Not that much. Besides, it wasn’t your poor acting that made me feel offended.”

“Really?”

“Think about it carefully. Though I don’t know if your conscience will be as heavy as I am.”

“!”

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