v5c54p2 The Curtain Raises Slowly
v5c54p2
The Curtain Raises Slowly
Immediately, the maids bent their backs and retreated, giving Scarlet furtive glances before retiring, as if they were afraid that the unworldly girl would offend the queen too severely and be beheaded. The round-faced maid even risked her life by grabbing Scarlet’s hand and giving it a firm shake. Naturally, her movements did not go unnoticed by Constance, but she pretended to have seen nothing. Once the maids had left, she said, "Although it’s your first meeting with them, they seem to care about you a lot. Do you know the situation of the Highlanders in Kirrlutz?"
Scarlet was not a puppet, so she could feel the concern from these young girls of the same birth. Though she was slightly touched, she remained silent.
"What a stubborn little girl," Constance remarked. "But it will do you no good to be stubborn. You are the countess of Kirrlutz today, and you will forever be one. Whether you accept this title or not, you must pledge your allegiance to me."
She warned, "I can tell you unequivocally, Scarlet, that if you dare to leave the White Rose Garden at San Cotepe Palace even half a step, then I will send an army to attack Aouine and hang that beloved count of yours."
Scarlet looked at her in disbelief, her face paling from terror. However, Constance, unbothered, continued, "Of course, until you swear allegiance to me, I will set aside that land in the Wilderness of Four Realms as your territory, as promised. But remember, there is not much time left for you. I’m sure that you do not want to gamble with the future of your Lord Brendel, do you?"
The Highlander almost staggered to their feet when she heard that name coming out of the queen’s mouth, and for a moment, she felt like the world was spinning around her. Even though she felt helpless, she mustered up her courage that seemingly came from nowhere.
Gritting her teeth, she raised her hand, and the emerald-coloured lance suddenly appeared in her hand. With a low, beastly growl emitting out of her throat, she raised it and stabbed Constance in her abdomen, almost piercing through the Silver Queen. Then, as if she was drained of energy, she panted. She looked up but could not see any signs of pain on Constance’s face. Instead, the latter looked at her grimly. "Is this your answer?"
"You…" Scarlet looked at the lance in her hand in bewilderment.
Constance raised one hand and placed it on the Azure Lance, then pulled it out of herself inch by inch. Glancing at her blood-stained abdomen and then at Scarlet, she shook her head in disappointment." Azure Knights acknowledge you; there is no way you or your Azure Lance can hurt me. Go down. You need to clear your head. But mark my words, if you dare act rashly again, I’ll be the first to take Aouine to the task."
Scarlet was petrified.
"Guards!" Constance shouted coldly with one hand over her abdomen. "Bring Countess Mitra down."
A moment after the guards escort Scarlet away, a look of resignation finally appeared in her eyes as she grimaced before releasing the hand pressed to her abdomen. Her palm was already covered in blood. However, instead of summoning a bishop or physician, she glanced behind a bush in the garden and said coldly, "Come out. It’s not decent to be sneaking around."