Episode 212.1
(EP-212.1) #2
212 – Prophet #2
Aira’s room was generally bright.
From the sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling to the wide-open windows letting in the summer light.
But the air felt cooler and quieter than necessary.
“Who allowed you to barge in here!? This is the Queen’s chamber! Leave immediately!”
Also, Lily the servant was making a loud noise that could make one’s skin crawl.
Considering the volume of her voice, it was hard to imagine that Aira was laying on the adjacent bed.
Seuk-.
Elga stepped forward, pushing her aside and approaching the bed.
“What are you saying, little one? Step aside. You know who I am, don’t you?”
She then proceeded to shake the sleeping Aira by the shoulder. Perhaps only Elga could treat Aira in such a manner.
“Hey, wake up. Why are you sleeping all day? You missed all the events.”
“…….”
There was no response from Aira. With that much shaking paired with the talking, a sleeping person’s eyebrows would normally twitch or even toss and turn.
But Aira remained still with a steady, even breath, like sleeping beauty who bit into a poisonous apple.
“Why isn’t she waking up?”
Noticing Elga’s slight confusion, Mirna, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward.
She lightly touched the sleeping Queen Aira’s forehead, and became rather serious.
“By all accounts, this isn’t normal sleep. It’s magic.”
“You’re saying that this is a sleeping curse or something?”
“Well, I’m not sure about Queen Tarantera’s magic and sorcery. But what I can be sure of is that she won’t wake up with just physical contact.”
“Really?”
Elga frowned in disbelief.
Then, as if she had come to a decision, Elga suddenly slapped Aira’s face. I knew that this wasn’t out of Elga’s character and that they were cousins, but I couldn’t help holding my breath.
“Hey, are you kidding me!? Wake up!”
Jjak. Jjak.
Wasn’t that crossing the line? I briefly tensed, thinking how Aira might erupt in anger. But soon, that tension morphed into a strange worry.
Because Aira still didn’t wake up.
“Hey, when did this start?”
Elga asked the servant. This was the first time I’d seen her this serious. It sent a chill down my spine.
This reminded me of the time when Elga rained blood in the palace. She might have been acting like a docile cat in Ark, when in fact, Elga was a killer lion.
In the face of such authority, even the stubborn servant, Lilly, couldn’t resist. She trembled beneath the black cloth and softly answered.
“I, I tried to wake Her Highness up this morning, but she wouldn’t….”
“What do you mean? Since this morning? Why didn’t you tell me about this urgent matter!?”
“…….”
Lilly remained silent. Meanwhile, it seemed that Elga couldn’t bear it any longer. She raised her hand and slapped Lily’s cheek.
Pak-.
It didn’t sound like a slap on the cheek from the dull volume. However, Lily didn’t even scream despite falling on the ground.
“…….”
She was just trembling. Then Elga lifted Lily by the collar.
“Aira is the Queen of Angmar. Don’t you understand that if something happens to her, the very existence of the kingdom is at risk? Do you really think that a mere servant can keep such a big issue a secret?”
Elga’s anger was justified.
Beyond being just cousins, Aira was the Queen of a nation. For her to be trapped in a deep sleep for unknown reasons, and then a servant tried to hide it?
Even if it was me who concealed the fact, Elga would not spare me from her hand and use violence. That was how serious this matter was.
In such a state of anger, could anyone dare to dissent against Elga?
“Lady Lioness, what’s more important right now is understanding Queen Tarantera’s condition. It would be wise to calm down first. And, keeping things a secret might actually be for the better.”
Well, there was one…
“Mirna, must you oppose just for the sake of opposing even in such circumstances!?”
“If you interpret my words that way, then I fear you have truly disappointed me this time, Lady Lioness.”
The agitated Elga, and the calm Mirna. Their attitudes were clear.
Elga pursed her lips, wanting to say something, before casting and releasing her grip off Lily, who silently slumped in the corner.
Mirna asked Lily.
“How many people know about this?”
“No one but those here. There’s no need to tell everyone that Her Majesty Tarantera isn’t waking up. The Queen must maintain a perfect image….”
“Regardless of the reason, if this spreads, it’ll cause uncontrollable panic. For now, it’s best to keep it contained within our control.”
Mirna’s words were reasonable. We didn’t know what impact Aira’s condition spreading could have. It was like an embargo, so to speak.
“First of all, we should work it out on our own. Then everything will return to normal as if nothing happened.”
However, Elga disagreed with Mirna’s opinion.
“That’s what you Dracos think, you just love burying things. What if we keep it a secret and something big happens? What if it’s beyond what we can handle?”
Elga’s point also had some merit. It was possible that we might miss the golden opportunity if we just bury it away. There were many things that covering up wasn’t the best solution for.
“Mirna, you’re wrong.”
“No-.”
Edited by: faker