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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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“Queen Christine, how are you feeling now?”
Artel’s voice was bright as she asked that question.
Even without hearing the answer, one could tell by observing from the side.
Christine’s physical condition was at its peak like never before.
Noble.
That was the only word to describe it.
From the tips of her hair to her fingernails.
It was hard to believe she had been bedridden just an hour ago.
“……”
However, no answer came from Christine.
It wasn’t that Christine deliberately didn’t answer.
She simply had no time to pay attention to Artel’s words.
What explanation was needed for what had just happened?
‘Jekkiel…’
Jekkiel had helped Christine.
No, rather than saying he helped, it would be more fitting to say he saved her.
She wanted to deny it with various reasons, but his shredded arm and his earnest gaze had buried all of Christine’s doubts.
And there was one fact that bothered her even more.
‘The kiss… it definitely helped with the recovery.’
Yes, that was the biggest concern currently penetrating Christine’s mind.
There were other ways for vampires to restore their life force besides sucking blood.
The next most efficient method was sexual intercourse, followed by sleeping in pitch-black darkness, and so on…
Among them, the aspect of relationships needed to be carefully considered.
To increase life force through contact between vampires.
For that to happen-
‘Love must be a prerequisite.’
In a way, it was a natural condition.
If life force could be restored without emotions as a prerequisite, why would the Seven Deadly Sins exist in the demon realm? Vampires would have already exploited it all.
Christine’s face stiffened.
Love.
Love, you say?
She had thought she hated Jekkiel ever since the moment she was dragged into the demon realm’s prison.
‘Surely that was the case.’
Perhaps her feelings of love and hate towards him had been stuck in her heart like glass shards.
However, even excluding Christine’s feelings, there was one more point of doubt.
‘Jekkiel.’
Are you saying you have even the slightest bit of such feelings for me?
Truly, are you really saying you have such feelings? Even a little bit?
The engagement ring that had been on the man’s left ring finger suddenly came to mind.
Why did he appear wearing it?
Why did he appear at the banquet and save Christine’s life, why did he save Christine even while having his arm bitten off, why did the kiss have an effect?
The reason was unknown.
But the result was evident.
Wasn’t Christine currently maintaining the best condition ever?
“Um, Queen Christine?”
The subordinates following behind carefully called out to Christine.
Only then did she realize.
She had been standing absentmindedly for a moment, forgetting even what she was supposed to do.
Let’s put aside the questions that couldn’t be resolved immediately for now.
First, she had to deal with the coronation.
“Queen Christine.”
“Yes.”
“When you march, will you have subordinates positioned on both sides of you?”
Normally, she would have immediately answered, ‘That’s not necessary.’
Because having subordinates beside her while the Sin of Pride carved its pattern and marched could be seen as acknowledging that her own abilities were that lacking.
However, Christine hesitated.
Because of the words Jekkiel had whispered after the kiss.
-There is a traitor. Make sure to position subordinates on both sides when you march.
-It’s fine if you don’t position them. However, in that case, make sure to wear a high-level shield.
“Hmm.”
You’re always like that.
You always say and do things that confuse me without revealing the reason.
Christine turned around and examined the faces of her subordinates.
The subordinates, not knowing the reason, looked at Christine like a baby bird.
Seeing their expressions and gazes, it was impossible to think there could be a traitor among them.
Not even a bit.
“It’s fine. I’ll walk alone.”
“Understood.”
After that, silence briefly ensued.
The subordinates gently clung to Christine and checked her accessories and attire.
“Queen Christine.”
It was Artel again this time.
“Yes.”
“That bastard Jekkiel… what on earth is he thinking?”
I’m curious about that too.
Christine barely managed to hold back from answering like that.
Artel must have thought Christine was angry, as she immediately bowed her head.
“I apologize. I’m aware that I’m being unusually talkative today, to the point of being rude. However, there are too many things I’m concerned about…”
“It’s alright. Please speak.”
Relieved by Christine’s answer, Artel carefully continued.
“Jekkiel is definitely not someone who acts based on emotions. For that kind of guy to willingly give up one arm and heal you, Queen Christine, I’m extremely worried about what he will demand in return.”
“What he will demand in return…”
What he took as the price was Christine’s first kiss.
That was all.
No, perhaps even that couldn’t be called a price.
Thanks to that kiss, Christine was able to stand here like this now.
Christine asked unintentionally.
“Artel.”
“Yes, Queen Christine.”
“Then, what do you think Jekkiel will demand as the price?”
As if imagining something she didn’t even want to think about, Artel’s expression turned serious. She barely parted her lips.
“May I dare to say it out loud?”
“Of course.”
“I… At first, I thought that bastard might be aiming for your eyes this time, Queen Christine.”
“And now you think differently?”
“Yes, that’s right. I felt I had to tell you, Queen Christine…”
“What is it?”
Artel’s expression changed again.
This time, it wasn’t an expression as if she had imagined something unpleasant, but a puzzled expression as if she had thought of something she couldn’t understand at all.
“Actually, Jekkiel demanded a price from us.”
“From you all?”
“Yes. But that price…”
“What was it?”
“No matter what happens, we must be loyal to you, Queen Christine. That’s all.”
Surprise flickered slightly on Christine’s face.
Although she didn’t show it outwardly.
“Isn’t it a bit strange? Of course, we would be loyal anyway, so why would he impose such a condition? I’m saying this because I’m even more worried than usual, since he’s doing something he normally doesn’t do.”
“…Let’s discuss this matter later.”
“Ah, yes. I understand. I apologize.”
Inhale, exhale.
I don’t know.
I don’t know.
I really don’t know.
Why are you doing this to me now…
Phew…
After regulating her breathing, Christine displayed an expression befitting the Sin of Pride on her face.
The coronation was starting now.
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Click-
Click-
The footsteps of the Sin of Pride, who began walking in front of everyone, were steady.
That steady sound of her heels felt, in a word, precise and beautiful.
The queen’s haughty face, with her chin raised as if she could look down on anything, perfectly showcased the dignity of the newly appointed Sin of Pride.
An intricately sculpted work of art came to life and moved.
It was enough to make one wonder if it was a living being moving or an endless series of painted artworks.
If she suddenly stopped walking at any moment and became trapped in a picture frame, it wouldn’t seem strange at all.
Clap clap clap-
Thunderous applause filled the banquet hall.
The cheers were so loud that they drowned out any other sound.
At that moment.
Swish.
Someone gripped a dagger in their hand, holding it in reverse.
Taking a deep breath, they gazed at the Sin of Pride walking in front of them.
It was the noblest and most beautiful figure of all.
Like a cat stalking its prey, they stealthily narrowed the distance with her white back.
Click-
Click-
She was still walking forward.
After all, she wouldn’t even think of looking back.
Someone muttered those words.
With this, the curse was activated.
‘……?’
However, Christine continued walking.
Completely unaffected.
Impatience grew.
At this rate, the plan would have to be changed.
There was no choice but to directly execute her!
Immediately drawing out the dagger, they kicked off the ground.
With all their might, they thrust the dagger towards Christine’s neck.
Clang-!
No, they tried to thrust it, but they couldn’t.
The dagger was blocked, as if by a wall, unable to penetrate the queen’s flesh.
‘A shield…?!’
With a gasp, the onlookers couldn’t hide their surprise.
The applause quickly transformed into murmurs.
At that moment.
Thud-!
The one who had targeted Christine from behind had their body suddenly freeze as if their time had stopped.
Their body was fixed in midair in that posture, like a preserved insect.
“Ugh, urgh?!”
“How unfortunate.”
A voice cold enough to condense the murmurs in an instant.
The one whose body was fixed was none other than Kiaru.
Kiaru could only barely roll his eyes to follow the owner of that voice.
“That curse is on me, you see.”
“Wha… what?!”
Jekkiel.
What entered their sight was Jekkiel, steadfastly standing with a noble bearing despite coughing up blood.
Everyone stared at him with wide eyes.
Christine was no exception.
“…I don’t understand.”
Ptooey, he spat out a clump of blood and continued.
“Vivian is a cunning fellow. But not stupid. She would never use such a shallow trick.”
One step.
Two steps.
Jekkiel approached Kiaru.
“So I was curious. Who on earth came up with this foolish plan?”
The distance between the man and Kiaru completely closed.
Kiaru’s body, fixed in midair, was already drenched in sweat.
“It wasn’t a difficult problem. Because there was a fool who had Vivian visit the bedridden Christine to create an alibi.”
“Ho… how…”
Kiaru’s body trembled.
However, Jekkiel didn’t give him any attention.
He turned his head and looked towards Christine.
“Well, of course, it wasn’t my guess.”
“What?!”
“How about it, Sin of Pride? All the guesses you made were correct.”
“Th… that can’t be! Christine kn-, kn-, knew everything from the beginning?”
Kiaru’s outcry.
Christine, who had been standing still with a surprised face, finally blinked her eyes.
The betrayer’s gaze wasn’t the only one directed at her.
Everyone’s gazes were on Christine.
Half of the gazes held the question of whether she had foreseen the loyal subordinate’s betrayal and prepared for all of this, while the other half held awe at how remarkable she was compared to their previous expectations.
It was shocking enough that Kiaru had betrayed her.
It would be normal to be shocked by that.
But that wasn’t the case.
In the midst of that commotion, the queen’s gaze was-
‘Again, Jekkiel.’
Solely focused on the man with an exhausted appearance.
He was relentlessly helping Christine.
-If you face a crisis, I will definitely be by your side.
This isn’t good.
The puzzle pieces in her mind started fitting together on their own.
-I simply didn’t accept the engagement annulment on my side.
Stop it.
Stop it.
Stop.
She wanted to stop thinking.
But at the same time, she knew.
This thought would never stop now.
Her face felt hot.
Her hands trembled.
Eventually, she quietly clutched her left chest.
It was ridiculous.
Her heart, which wasn’t even in her body, felt like it was beating.
But then, Jekkiel spoke once more.
“Everyone is waiting for your answer.”
The man looked like he was struggling to even breathe.
In that man’s red eyes, Christine-
“My queen.”
For a moment, she saw herself from fifteen hundred years ago.
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thanks for the chapter.
I knew it.