Chapter 212

The tablecloth embroidered with precision was spread out over the long table with a ‘swoosh’.

The ornately decorated conference room was all ready to welcome the guests.

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

A nervous expression was evident on Ayla’s face as she was organizing the tableware.

As the meeting time approached, it seemed that her lips were drying out.

‘The Queen of the Raff Kingdom has decided to come.’

‘The Queen?’

‘Our relationship became estranged because of what happened before… It’s a pretext to promote our friendship.’

‘The Queen is coming, but why do you need me? It’s a place where the senior maids are supposed to be.’

‘If we take a step-by-step approach, I believe something will come out. No matter what, the circumstances of this incident are weird. Ayla, I want you to come to the conference room.’

‘Even so… She will be offended if she finds out I’m the daughter of the Count. What will we do if what we have worked so hard to prepare is ruined?’

‘She’s not a person swayed by emotions, so it will be fine.’

Scenes from the conversation she had with Theon last night flashed through her mind.

Ah…

A heavy sigh escaped from between Ayla’s lips.

It was an ill-fated relationship.

One shattered her family.

The other disgraced the queen’s prestige.

There was no way they had good feelings for each other.

The Queen of Raff may never recognize her, but what is the reason for attaching her to her?

She did not understand his words that she was not a simple attendant and that she should serve the queen completely.

“Greetings to the Queen.”

“It is an honor to see the beautiful Queen.”

Ayla’s eyes trembled slightly at the noise coming from outside.

The secretaries who got up from their seats all greeted the queen at once.

‘She has finally come.’

The Queen of Raff did not favor a noisy atmosphere.

For that reason, only the minimum number of people necessary were inside the conference room.

Thanks to that, she was able to see her from quite far away.

The back of the Queen, seen through the thin linen curtain, was elegant at first glance.

Her neatly rolled up blonde hair shone beautifully in the light.

The golden dress, which seemed to take on the color of her hair, was neither excessive nor insufficient.

Although she was a queen that didn’t have any special ornaments, she was dignified by herself.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

Even her kindness when greeting the subordinates.

The respect for the Queen was revealed in the eyes of those who faced her.

Contrary to that, Ayla’s expression as she looked at the Queen was not bright.

It wasn’t just because of their difficult relationship.

There was obviously something weird.

For some reason, the Queen’s voice, which she heard for the first time, wasn’t unfamiliar.

***

“Long time no see. Estella.”

Theon gave a light greeting to Estella, who had come to the conference room.

Estella squinted her eyes and spoke bluntly.

“Were we close enough to call each other by our names?”

“It wouldn’t be a bad thing if we got close from now on. Sadly, the Queen is raising a blade.”

“You shouldn’t have played pranks in the first place.”

“Your words are excessive.”

“Didn’t you insult the Raff Kingdom by using a person below you?”

“I invited you here to clear up the misunderstandings between the two countries. Please don’t let go of the hand the Stellen Kingdom gave you.”

A smirk appeared on Estella’s lips as she listened to Theon’s words.

“So, what is it that you want to say? Since you called me all the way here, you must have something important to tell me.”

“It was for a simple reason. Trust between the kingdoms.”

“At this point, what good is trust?”

“A small friction between the two countries cannot make the neighboring countries terrified.”

As they are the representatives of each country, the battle of nerves between the two was huge.

The secretaries, lined up in a row, swallowed dry while watching the situation.

The heavy silence continued for a while.

It was only broken by the regular sound of heels coming from the end of the conference room.

Tap, tap.

Ayla was seen holding a tray behind Estella’s back.

A neatly designed teacup and teapot, and small cakes were placed on the shiny silver tray.

Ayla, who had a stiff expression on her face, as if she were nervous, approached the two of them.

“I will prepare the tea.”

Estella’s red eyes turned to Ayla.

Estella’s expression, which had been giving an unpleasant look since a while ago, changed strangely.

As if she couldn’t believe what was in front of her, the Queen blinked her eyes over and over again.

Estella’s red eyes were fixed on Ayla, who put the teacup down.

Feeling the stinging gaze, Ayla’s blue eyes turned to Estella.

“!”

Ayla’s expression, as she looked at the Queen, was no different from Estella’s.

The two looked at each other with their eyes wide open and opened their mouths at the same time.

“Estelle?!”

“Helena?!”

***