Chapter 119: The Lady and the Queen (Part 2)
At this moment, silence reigned.
The Lady could feel the warmth radiating from the young woman’s delicate hand, and she understood that warmth came from deep within her heart.
She sensed Her Majesty the Queen’s goodwill towards her, and likely knew the source of that kindness. This wasn’t the first time she had engaged in candid conversation with the young woman across from her, acting more like friends rather than engaging in polite discussions about their countries’ relations. In fact, ever since they met, they had hardly spoken about the war at all.
However, the mistress of Winter City was acutely aware that this young and extraordinary King Ethanbel would never make a decision to betray the Shanter Army.
That confidence didn’t stem from the Lady’s own imagination nor from any agreement made between the Queen and Duke Skarlick. It was solely based on the Queen’s sincere and fervent attitude. Once it became completely transparent, anyone could see…
This beautiful woman, still a child in the Lady’s eyes, and her story with her Pepé—the profound emotional bond between them—had become crystal clear since the moment she first saw her in the Holy City.
She was the same as herself…
The same…
They both adored that pitiful little girl.
But…
The child they cherished had decided to leave the world before anyone else could grasp it.
The Lady’s eyes suddenly grew red-rimmed.
How long had it been…
How long had Skarlij begun to tread lightly, never daring to utter her daughter’s name in her presence…
Everyone…
Threw caution to the wind, avoiding that name around her…
They didn’t dare allow themselves to think about any memory concerning their daughter…
Yet, despite this…
The nightmares persisted, haunting her relentlessly.
How many nights had she dreamed of the girl, still a little munchkin with two pigtails bouncing as she ran, calling out “Mommy!” from afar…
How many nights had she dreamt of their reunion three years later, where her little girl hadn’t grown much, but drunk, in front of a table full of people, blurrily called her “Mom” again…
In those dreams…
Countless vivid memories, flashing alongside her beloved child—an explosion, fireworks ablaze in scarlet hues, swiftly swallowed by a dark abyss…
In those moments, her daughter seemed to quietly call out, “Mommy.”
That tiny girl, bloodied in so many dreams, or perhaps engulfed by unapproachable flames, stood before her, crying out, “Mom, it hurts so much…”
And then she would wake up.
And then, the pain would crash over her like a fierce tide, continuously battering her already fragile heart.
So on many nights, her tears would flow like a dam overflowing.
The longing that grew with each passing day tortured every nerve in her body.
She desperately wanted to see her daughter again.
Just like the miracle two years ago, one day, she would open her eyes, and her child would be lively and suddenly appear before her…
Every time she thought of this, she found it hard to breathe.
She had become a weak, grieving mother unable to withstand any emotional upheaval.
Simply because she understood that such a miracle wouldn’t happen again.
All she had were the nightmares replaying her daughter’s true form; those images, she knew, would likely haunt her until her last breath…
Surely…
The Lady choked a little, gazing into Victoria’s radiant, sun-like eyes.
Surely, she felt the same as she did…
Whenever she thought of these memories, her heart felt sliced open…
“I… I’m fine, heh.”
Moments later, regaining her composure, she fought down the urge to display that weak façade again, buried the tidal wave of sorrow that was about to erupt, blinked her moist eyes, and once more offered the Queen a smile.
That smile seemed somewhat weak and powerless: “You see, sometimes I just get a little sick… and it almost started again, please don’t laugh at me…”
“……”
Her Majesty remained silent.
After a brief moment, perhaps sensing the Lady’s emotions had stabilized, she quietly released her hand, tidied the Lady’s collar, brushed off the snow that had settled there, and after pondering for a moment, her eyes sparkled as she said to the Lady: “While in the Royal City, I lived just down the street from her, in mansion number 2, and she in number 3, gazing at each other through the windows. The first time we met, she jumped through the window and secretly leaped into my garden, only to be caught by my subordinates.”
“Hmm…”
Surprised by the sudden sharing, the Lady paused. She remembered hearing this story from the Queen two years ago during the wake in the Holy City, but didn’t know why it was being repeated now.
Perhaps just to comfort herself…
So, with her curiosity piqued, she nodded and quietly awaited the Queen’s continuation—she often felt like a nervous, overly sensitive woman, fearing the mention of her daughter’s name while desperately wanting to know more about the stories of where her daughter had really lived.
“During that time, she didn’t like me very much… Heh, our personalities clashed. She despised my haughty demeanor and even whispered to others that I acted like everyone owed me money… That reached my ears, but she never knew.”
Her Majesty’s voice was rarely so gentle; when she wasn’t trying to wield her words like a blade, they flowed softly into one’s ears like a mountain stream.
“We fought side by side in the Royal City during that incident; it marked a turning point… and I realized I might… have developed some feelings for her.”
After saying this, Victoria’s eyes remained focused, even though the depths of her pupils trembled, her gaze still locked onto the Lady’s.
In the Queen’s gaze, she could see hints of shock and turmoil reflected back.
Ah…
Though she had hinted at it before.
This time, Victoria had laid her feelings bare. It was only natural for the Lady to feel shaken and flustered; she didn’t know how to respond: “Your Majesty, you… Hehe, who wouldn’t like that girl?”
“You know what I mean.”
But the Queen’s attitude was as steadfast as iron, showing no signs of wavering.
Two years…
She was better able to recognize the scorching feelings in her heart, feelings that others simply couldn’t accept.
“But… this… you’re both women… it just doesn’t make sense… this, this…”
“So I just wanted to tell you this, nothing more.”
Seeing the Lady at a loss, Victoria quickly shifted the subject, her piercing eyes moving away, looking once again into the distance where the snow fell: “Tonight, or at the latest tomorrow night, the Church will make its move. They’ve been brewing this for a long time. I just informed Duke Skarlick and now I’m letting you know. Be cautious. What I said earlier was only to clarify my stance.”
“…Ah, yes… I’m already aware of these matters.”
The Lady sighed in relief.
“It’s nothing.”
The Queen said calmly: “Don’t underestimate the severity of the situation. Their actions could be worse than you imagine. And it may be difficult for me to intervene when the time comes, so prepare yourselves… The night is late; let’s head back.”
“Understood, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern.”
The Lady lifted her skirts in a gesture of respect: “I’ll keep your words close to my heart.”
The wind whistled through the air, swirling snow around them.
Moments later, the two figures, one in black and one in white, descended the staircase, step by step, back to the dark towers of the castle.
“Lady…”
As they moved further away, their voices faded into the falling snow.
“Hmm?”
“A few days from now, for her birthday, I’d like to wear men’s formal attire and host a celebration for her. Will you and the Duke be able to attend?”
“Ah…”
“Is that not agreeable?”
“…Sigh, fine…”
“If you want to hold it, then go ahead…”
“Let it be…”
“Let it be that we send her the good news of victory in battle… she’s always thinking of it…”
“Then, I thank you, Lady.”
