Chapter 249 "I always thought you were my true love..."
She pulled me along and we ran through deep corridors, courtyards with green leaves and dark flowers, and cold palaces, until we arrived at the cold and dark council hall.
She lit the candlestick. "There was a meeting here that day."
As soon as she finished speaking, a group of elegantly dressed nobles suddenly appeared in the previously empty conference hall, whispering something around the long table.
Their faces were very clear in the candlelight. There was Grand Duke Ssack, Grand Duke Ssack's eldest son, Grand Duke Ssack's son-in-law, and so on—basically, a group of nobles.
"She must be killed immediately!" Grand Duke Sack said viciously.
“But she’s very capable, and she has powerful backers,” said the eldest son of Grand Duke Ssack. “We can’t act rashly!”
Someone burst into laughter. It was Grand Duke Ssack's son-in-law. "You're probably reluctant to give up your status as her daughter's fiancé. Once she dies, you won't be the lord of the Great City anymore."
"Don't talk nonsense!" The eldest son of Grand Duke Ssack slammed his fist on the table. "She has the backing of the Eastern Border's Benot and the Northern Border's Mamboa, and the Elven Realm might even stand up for her. What if she comes after us?"
“You’re overthinking it,” an old man said ominously. This old man was the father-in-law of Grand Duke Ssack. “Now that she’s dead, why would these men stand up for her? She’s already dead, why make a pointless sacrifice?”
That makes sense, and the nobles remained silent for a brief moment.
"Let's kill him, let's just kill him," someone suggested.
Others chimed in.
This woman is too dangerous!
He is strategic, energetic, fearless, and has powerful backers.
If she truly gains a foothold, they will be uprooted.
I stared in horror at the group of people in the candlelight—all of them were top nobles from the capital city.
They were all against me.
On the surface, it was Grand Duke Ssack who wanted to kill me, but in reality, it was a case of mass murder.
I retreated step by step.
I knew they hated me, but I never imagined they hated me to this extent.
I don't have noble blood from the Great Royal City, but I've devoted countless efforts to it, contributing money, labor, and even risking my life.
But they still want to kill me!
Everything I did was a bubble, all turned to dust.
A cold hand held me in its palm; it was the Elf Queen's hand.
Just as I was about to look up at her, the scene suddenly changed.
In the magnificent hall, soft, beautiful crystal chandeliers shone upon me. Wealthy taxpayers and nobles stood respectfully on either side. Just as I announced the start of the ball, they suddenly pounced on me, their daggers and knives piercing my body. My bodyguards rushed out to protect me, but they were no match for the attack of nearly a hundred men. Yes, even the maids and servants rushed out to kill me, frantically attacking me with their knives, showing no mercy even when the bodyguards' blades fell on them.
I was stabbed so hard I had a gaping hole in my body, and thick, fresh blood was seeping out from beneath me—
The crowd had dispersed at some point, and there were still dozens of men and women's corpses around me, their bright red blood flowing throughout the entire hall.
“Do not be afraid,” the Elf Queen’s gentle voice suddenly appeared in my ear, “Your courage will enable you to overcome everything.”
I woke up suddenly; it was already dawn.
My forehead, face, mouth, hair, and whole body were covered in sweat.
I sat up halfway, clutching the embroidered image of the Elf Queen tightly in my palm.
"The first summer ball is coming up next month, and the Finance Minister, Purchasing Minister, Home Minister, and other ministers would like to have a small meeting with you to discuss the budget for the ball."
During breakfast, Bai Ni respectfully reported at the table.
I nodded to indicate that I understood.
That day I did not handle any official business, but leaned back in the large rocking chair on the marble terrace, looking at the grapevines covered with dense green leaves.
Princess Yanni arrived unexpectedly, bringing with her a beautiful plate of watermelon.
“Speaking of which, the watermelons in the West are really good. The watermelons in the South haven’t even turned red yet, but yours are ready to eat.” She smiled and forked a piece into her mouth. “They taste pretty good.”
"Want a piece?" she said with a grin. "Don't worry, it's not poisonous."
“You can’t win,” I suddenly said. “Even if you beat me, you still can’t beat the nobles of the Great Royal City.”
She paused for a moment, then her expression returned to normal. "What are you talking about?" she asked, putting another piece of food into her mouth.
“This is not an ordinary murder case; Grand Duke Ssack is just one of the many.” I said slowly.
"Oh, who's in charge of that?" She immediately understood what I meant and asked with great interest.
I didn't answer, but said calmly, "Anyway, you can't win. Even if I die, the greatest reward shouldn't be yours."
"Oh?!" Her interest was piqued even more. "Tell me about it."
"Not only will I not reap the greatest rewards, but I won't be able to repay the loans after I die." I smiled. "With interest rates as high as thirteen percent, few nobles will be willing to take responsibility. They will push the debt onto me, saying that since I borrowed it, I should be the one to repay it. I will have two daughters after I die, so I'll let their fathers repay it. But these two fathers won't be fools. They weren't married to me, so they're not a proper couple. Why should they repay it? Your Queen's loan will be gone forever."
Princess Yanni leaned back lazily in her recliner, picked up another slice of watermelon, and said, "Stop trying to scare me."
I stood up with a smile, "Yes, I was just joking, don't take it to heart." Then I drifted away.
I know that I have already planted doubts in her heart.
In the quiet of the night, I suddenly remembered the romance novels I'd read. Whenever the heroine was in trouble, a prince charming or domineering CEO would always appear to save her. But whenever I encountered difficulties, I always had to fight alone. Occasionally, someone would come to my rescue, but it was always out of mutual benefit, not for my sake.
I have saved several princes.
Bernot, Mamboa, the Elf King, Daio, and Artis—I saved them all, but when I needed to be saved, not one of them came to my rescue unconditionally.
Cinderellas from the lower classes are always looked down upon unless they can truly benefit from it.
I picked up my pen, intending to write to Bernot, Manboa, the Elf King, or Daio. I am now in a life-or-death situation, and I don't know if they would be willing to help me.
He could pick up the pen and then put it down again.
I can't bring myself to say it.
My dignity, pride, reserve, and inferiority complex prevented me from speaking.
I sat on the carpet, gazing at the moonlight through the French windows, another sleepless night.
As dawn broke, I was sitting at the dining table having breakfast with my two daughters when I suddenly felt nauseous and vomited up all the bread I had eaten.
The imperial physicians rushed over and, after a thorough examination, declared that I was pregnant.
I was stunned and couldn't come to my senses for several minutes.
Judging from the dates, she must have conceived shortly after the Elf King arrived.
"At least two months," the imperial physician said decisively.
Two months ago, it was during the time when the Elf King and I were making love.
"I've been taking contraceptives, how could I be pregnant?" I asked the imperial physician.
"Contraceptives are not always effective," the imperial physician replied respectfully.
The Elf King is truly powerful! I exclaimed. She conceived with him, without any of the other women—Bernot, Manboa, Daio, or Paria—even though they all took contraceptives.
Princess Yanni laughed upon hearing this, "It seems you are still most destined for him."
I ignored her.
“I always thought your true love was Bernard,” Princess Yani chuckled.
"None of them are my true love," I said calmly. "None of them are reliable."
Princess Yanni laughed loudly, "Aren't all men like that?"
I looked up and sighed. How could I be so unlucky? It was a life-or-death situation, and now I'm pregnant.
But perhaps there is one advantage: I can legitimately write to the Elf King and ask him to send me more money or troops, which might come in handy.
Without further ado, I began writing to the Elf King, writing short and direct letters—I am pregnant, and you need to send me some money or troops.
The letter was mailed, and I collapsed onto the bed.
What I didn't know was that the Elf King on the other side already knew about my pregnancy when he received my letter. He sat in his vast royal study, a charming smile on his face.
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Author's note: Thank you everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!
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