Chapter 31

Daphne’s brow furrowed instinctively at the self-deprecating and vulgar expression. As if pleased by the reaction, Callista spoke with even more excitement.

『You could be in a worse spot than a surrogate mother. You might not even get to be a surrogate mother. And surprisingly, those things might not even count as misfortune.』

As if she were talking about someone else, Callista was beaming and speaking in a nonchalant tone, but her grayish-brown eyes strangely held a clear glimpse of anger and frustration. So vivid that even with a feverish head, it was easy to notice.

『Because there are fates far more terrible than that. For instance, being no different from a ‘sacrifice’….』

Callista deliberately trailed off her sentence, casting a feigned look of pity at Daphne as if to say, that’s you. And Daphne realized what Callista wanted from her.

Callista continued as if singing.

『You can never escape your fate. Struggling will only bring a more sorrowful life.』

『…….』

『Ah, there is one thing you can do. Praying. And that is truly…. It truly tires the body and mind. Because the goddess Enna never answers.』

Daphne noticed that Callista wanted to feel a twisted sense of superiority through her misfortune.

The queen’s childish tantrum wasn’t worth dealing with. Ordinarily, she would have willingly nodded along as she wished and let it go.

But the moment Callista said she could never escape her fate, a strong sense of defiance coiled and rose in Daphne’s heart. Her already feverish head boiled easily, and Daphne couldn’t feign ignorance with a smile as she usually did.

And when Daphne seemed to remain still despite her provocation, Callista became a little more smug. She put on a feigned, benevolent smile and said.

『Accepting one’s fate is a difficult thing.』

Then, she added, raising her wine glass.

『Here, wine helps at times like this. Though only for a moment.』

Daphne was not unaware that revealing her emotions would only delight Callista further.

However, the old anger that had once raised its head was hard to hide. Daphne glared at Callista without realizing it.

『Haha.』

At Daphne’s sharp reaction, Callista finally let out a small laugh. Convinced that the Thessarian before her was in the same boat as her, no—in a much worse position, she had nothing to fear.

At that same moment, Daphne felt something snap in her head. Whatever it was, she could no longer bear it. Among all things, she hated Callista’s smile the most. She wanted that smile to crumble right away.

Daphne thus did something she would not normally have done.

『I am sorry, but Brother Joffrey….』

『Joffrey?』

『Did not permit me to drink.』

The corners of Callista’s mouth subtly stiffened. Daphne watched as her old anger and frustration, which she had glimpsed earlier, began to stir. It was somehow relieving.

Just then, Callista spoke, forcing an even deeper smile.

『…I am the queen, Princess Daphne.』

『But Brother Joffrey did not permit it.』

The smile vanished from Callista’s face in an instant. It was what Daphne had intended.

Her mood instantly soured, Callista glared at Daphne for a moment before whispering in a malicious tone.

『To not even be able to drink a glass of fruit wine as you please. You truly are more pitiful than I am.』

Regardless, Daphne lowered her gaze as if there was nothing she could do.

‘…You’re about to be sold off. And you call yourself a Thessarian.’

Callista felt that Daphne was ignoring her. With the added effect of the alcohol, Callista momentarily failed to suppress her long-held anger.

『What’s so great about you? In the end, you’re just the same as me.』

Callista snarled in a low voice. The young ladies sitting nearby sensed the serious atmosphere and held their breath. But even then, the queen’s banquet could have been considered a success, more or less.

Daphne remained silent. It was because she didn’t know that Callista’s patience was more fragile than an eggshell.

『You’re the same as me. All you can do is, yes. In your case, you’ll have nothing to do but wait for a future where you’re beaten to death by your husband!』

Callista immediately raised her voice. The queen’s curse was louder than the young singer’s song or the ladies’ laughter and chatter. The greenhouse instantly froze over.

This was not what Daphne had intended. Not having expected Callista to be this emotional, Daphne was rather flustered.

Realizing the ominous atmosphere belatedly, Leah tried to approach Daphne. Fearing things would get bigger, Daphne quickly signaled Leah with her eyes not to come closer.

Just then, Callista, a step too late, perceived the frozen atmosphere and looked around in startlement. Though she wore a crown, she was still young inside. Unable to hide her flustered state, she cried out urgently.

『…Merina!』

Only then did Daphne realize that the woman who had been quietly keeping her place behind the queen was Joffrey’s concubine, Merina.

『It seems the princess is not feeling well. You, at least, shall receive the blessing I bestow.』

Callista spoke in a deliberately cheerful tone, as if trying to change the mood. And she believed, without a shred of doubt, that Merina would not refuse the cup she offered.

『…Please bestow your blessing upon another young lady.』

『Yes, what…?』

But surprisingly, Merina refused Callista’s command for the first time. Callista’s face flushed red with embarrassment, humiliation, and the like. Feeling completely cornered, Callista retorted in an anxious voice.

『Did you think I wouldn’t know you haven’t touched a single drop of alcohol today?』

Merina showed a slight hesitation, then made an excuse in a very small voice.

『…Last night was the night of union designated by the priest.』

At that moment, Callista’s expression turned fierce. She spoke in a wrathful tone.

『Are you daring to deceive me?』

『Of course not. I was merely….』

『Silence that mouth! Is there anyone who doesn’t know that Joffrey no longer seeks you out?』

Merina seemed quite taken aback by Callista’s unabashed words, and Callista began to corner her.

『How could you, of all people, do this to me…. Drink it now.』

The agitated Callista’s voice was sharp, and her face was crimson.

『Your Majesty, please, have mercy….』

『If you cannot drink, then, yes. I shall have to punish your knight. They say you are quite fond of him, are you not?』

Various scandals followed Merina, who had given birth to a daughter who resembled Joffrey in no way. One of them was an affair with her escort knight from Serenho.

『Will his right hand suffice?』

At the public humiliation, Merina’s face, which had been expressionless all along, finally contorted.

And caught in the middle, Daphne was quickly reaching her limit. Her head felt like it would shatter, her vision was spinning, and she was unbelievably cold. It felt as if all the fatigue from pushing herself to cut down on sleep and visit the forest at night was crashing down on her at once, and the ground beneath her feet was crumbling away.

『What are you all doing? Bring that man before me and make him kneel, now!』

The moment Callista screamed again, Daphne could bear it no longer.

Daphne snatched the wine glass from Callista’s hand. Callista’s eyes widened, and without hesitation, Daphne threw the glass to the floor. This time, it was truly an impulsive act she would not normally have committed, but she had no awareness of it.

An eerie silence fell for a very brief moment. Daphne muttered with a dazed face.

『My head hurts too much. May I return to my chambers, Your Majesty.』

Her face contorted with shock and fury, Callista raised her hand and struck Daphne’s cheek.

Slap. 

A sharp, tearing sound, like skin being ripped, split the silence. It happened in an instant, with no time to block it.

Daphne’s head snapped to the side, and she lost her balance and fell sideways, as gasps and screams, like people sucking in their breath, erupted from here and there.

Sprawled on the floor, Daphne could not come to her senses. Tinnitus pierced through her head, and the ground beneath her felt like it was lurching like a boat in rapids. She thought she could hear Leah’s voice, almost a scream, calling, 

『Princess!』