Chapter 30
“They say the queen is trying to kill Harriette.”
“I even heart that she went so far as saying she fed poison to the already-ill ducal lady to end her life.”
News about Harriette spread quickly, and public opinion against Kalynia worsened. But Kalynia didn’t doubt her own skills. There was nothing wrong with the remedy she’d made—the effects would start to show soon.
And, as she had believed, the news arrived that Harriette, who had been in a feverish, critical state, was recovering her strength. Her health improved significantly, and after taking the medicine a few more times, her heart condition also got much better.
Having saved Harriette, Kalynia was now full of confidence in front of Duke Hamilton.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. I dared not understand Your Majesty’s deep intentions.”
And just as she had warned, Duke Hamilton had to stand on his head. He continued to apologize profusely, saying he was sorry for doubting her.
Kalynia didn’t forgive him easily. After all, it had been humiliating when he spread rumors that the queen intended to poison his daughter with wolfsbane.
She had never made a potion intended to kill anyone—not even when it came to sedatives.
“Your Majesty, how long must I, uh, how much longer do I need to stand on my head?”
“Until the wounds in my heart from being doubted heal.”
“But, right now, all the blood is rushing to my head, and I feel dizzy…”
Standing on his head at his age was surely difficult. She had at least let him lean against the wall, but he continued to complain.
Whether he felt dizzy from the blood rushing to his head or not was no concern of hers. Let it rush until his head burst for all she cared.
Kalynia intended to keep him like that for several hours longer.
“Your Majesty, please forgive my father.”
Harriette, who had returned to her position as a lady-in-waiting, pleaded for her father’s forgiveness, which softened Kalynia’s heart. Killing her lady-in-waiting’s father, especially one who had only just returned, wouldn’t be wise for her future comfort.
At an appropriate time, Kalynia forgave Duke Hamilton. She didn’t forget to warn him, though, that there would be no mercy if he doubted her again.
“They say Queen Kalynia saved Harriette Hamilton with a miraculous potion!”
“So, it wasn’t out of jealousy that she cursed her?”
“I think it was a staged act. She made her sick on purpose and then ‘cured’ her.”
“What’s the need for that? The queen is far more beautiful than Harriette Hamilton anyway.”
Thanks to the incident with Harriette, opinions about the witch queen gradually began to change. Because of this, people who once avoided the queen’s potions now began to desire them.
As people experienced the effects of her potions, word spread again, and public opinion quickly turned favorable toward Kalynia.
“Queen Kalynia is a kind witch. That’s what people are saying. So, how do you feel? Are you happy?”
The rumor reached Vylon’s ears, and he assumed she would be pleased with the sudden rise in her reputation.
But Kalynia did not welcome it—not at all.
“A kind witch? There’s nothing more insulting to a witch than that!”
“Why is that an insult?”
Vylon asked, bewildered.
“Great witches are great because they’re all evil! Humans always describe our fairness and integrity as wickedness!”
It wasn’t feigned modesty—she genuinely seemed repulsed by the idea.
Vylon couldn’t understand her reaction, especially since he had seen her interact with people who had benefited from her potions.
“But still, aren’t you happy to hear people thanking you?”
“Well…”
“You looked pleased to me.”
Kalynia stammered, struggling to answer.
Not pleased? Then what did I see? You were definitely happy.
Vylon smirked, teasing her.
“…Yes.”
Kalynia eventually confessed, though her response was short. Despite his efforts to get her to speak more respectfully, she still sometimes slipped into casual language. Although Vylon had often corrected her, he now didn’t mind as much. If no one else was listening, he let her be.
“Yes, it makes me happy.”
Especially now, her short response seemed more endearing than if she had forced herself to speak formally. There was something honest, even cute, in the way she admitted her feelings.
“Hey, you.”
Forget what he’d just thought—”Hey, you” was far from cute. It was unfit for addressing her husband, the king.
“Call me ‘Your Majesty,’ or use my name.”
Vylon corrected her immediately. Kalynia hesitated, then parted her lips.
“Vylon.”
Vylon’s eyes widened, surprised that she had actually called him by name. Though he had suggested it, it felt oddly different to hear her say it.
If he had to say whether he liked it or not…well, he didn’t mind. Something about it tickled his heart in a way he hadn’t expected.
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