"Haa~" Shandri smiled. "I know that he is not a cold-hearted person nor a jerk. It is just a coincidence that he is the king and I am the queen of this country. He should not easily waver. He must also decide things not only as a man but also as a king. He did not want me to let go because I am capable to be the queen, he respected me as much as I respected him and that is all into it. However, on the princess's side, he couldn't help but draw into her."
"Are you even sure about that, your majesty?" Amira said.
"Amira is right, your majesty. Did you confirm that he liked the princess?" Suzette seconded.
Shandri's eyes widened. She is not expecting those words.
"I-I did not..." she muttered enough to be heard by them.
"Maybe there is a reason that he is doing this, your majesty," Amira said pleading holding her hand.
"But if I drag this too long, surely I will die..." she said with a sad smile.
"Why is that, your majesty?" Suzette asked.
"The princess is too eager to grab his majesty for herself. If I resist too much, I might cause her harm and might bring chaos to our peaceful country. To prevent that I should end this before something happened."
"What do you mean, your majesty?" Nicia asked.
"Each time passed by, the princess doing more risky actions. I won't be shocked that she would drink poison willingly and blame it on me."
"That's... that's not your fault!" Amira is strongly against it.
"Yes, but it will look mine since I have all the reason to do so..."
(I don't even know why Nathan is still holding me after all the harassment I made. In the novel, he should be full of hatred for me and decided the divorce himself. I am just hoping these small changes would not affect everything…)
"Your majesty..."
"I just wanted to be free..." Shandri cut Nicia off. "I don't want to be the queen anymore. I do not want to be here anymore. I don't want... him... anymore...," she said with tears falling.
"Your majesty, we are very sorry. We didn't know that you were hurting this much after all this time," Suzette said in tears.
"We will listen to you, your majesty. Your happiness is our happiness," Amira seconded.
"Even though we don't want to be a part of it. We don't also want you to keep feeling chained to the place you don't want to be," Nicia also cried together with the two.
"Thank you..." Shandri hugged the three of them.
(I am sorry but I need to do this much…)
After their touching moment, Shandri told them about her plan.
"How about we go with you, your majesty?" Nicia suggested.
Shandri chuckled. "I am glad to hear that but I don't intend to be a noble lady when I travel to another country. So being with me will be like saying giving up your good life here."
"We don't mind, your majesty!" Suzette said determinedly.
"Hahaha! I am happy that you choose to be with me. However, you, yourself will not be the only one to suffer if you suddenly run away with me, but also your family left behind."
The three of them could not deny what she said and take their silence.
"Don't worry I will send you letters," she promised.
"Your majesty..."
"You must promise..."
"I will miss you, your majesty..."
The three of them cried again and Shandri could not help but console them. After calming down, they redo their makeup and left for the banquet.
PRESENT TIME
Shandri twists her arm to her back and kicked both of her knees to make her kneel on the floor. Elena in surprise kneels on the floor on both knees. Shandri pushed her which made her instantly put her hand on the floor to support herself.
"My, my, my..." Shandri walks around and stops in front of her. She grabs her chin and raises her face. "You should bark now, lady of the night...," she said mockingly with a playful tone and a disgusted gaze.
Slowly the two of them gather the attention of everyone at the banquet. Until all the eyes of the nobles are on them. Nathan and King Theodricus noticed as well the guests' reactions and glance in the direction the guest are watching at.
They perceive Shandri and Elena's situation. King Theodricus flinches and marc her daughter. Nathan is also confused about what is happening and follows King Theodricus behind.
"Are you harassing my daughter again?" King Theodricus is exasperated.
Nathan helped Elena to stand up. "My queen?" he looked at her in her eyes.
"I am not harassing her, King Theodricus. I am just teaching your daughter the proper manners in greeting a queen," Shandri said with a dark aura.
"Y-you... how dare to act high in mighty in front of me!" the king vociferated.
"Hah! Do not be mistaken, King Theodricus. You may a king but I am the queen of this country. This is not your territory! Are you saying I should let someone step over me, in my kingdom?" Shandri gazed coldly.
The king clenched his hand and feel the intimidation coming from her. His eyes trace back to Nathan.
"I couldn't believe it, King Delfholt. You married this kind of woman and made her the queen of your country? I can imagine how is your people suffering!" King Theodricus jeered.
"S-stop it, dad. It's just I lack manners," Elena acted pitifully.
"No, my daughter. You don't lack in anything."
Nathan takes a step forward and stops in front of Shandri. He grabs her hand and drags her away from the king and princess of Theodricus. It is not that far but it is enough for them to have privacy.
"You aren't provoked right?" he almost whispered enough for Shandri to hear.
Shandri is surprised. (He knew that I was provoked the reason why I am harassing her but he didn't do anything? HAH! Come to think of it. You never once tried to stand up for me ever since. Truly amazing!) she sarcastically thought.
"You know that but you still didn't do anything. Are you seeing this as entertainment, Nathan?" Shandri tried to hold back her anger.
Nathan has been taken aback. "I don't. However, you know the reason why we shouldn't be on the bad side of the princess."
"Because of the diplomatic meeting right? Your condition is to make Theodricus under your command and be a part of Defholt. You know that there is a big chance that King Theodricus won't agree so you are planning to use the princess to pursue him."
Nathan grits and clenches his hand. "You know it and you are still harassing her?"
"Are you saying that I should just watch my husband having a sweet time with another woman in front of me and my palace?" Shandri glared at him.
"I told you that there is nothing between us! Why don't you believe me?"
"Believe you and what, Nathan? Letting other women ruby their bodies to you? Should I do the same if someone other than the princess of Theodricus appeared? Should I wait for who will climb on your bed at night? Or seduce you to climb in their bed before I would react?"
"That is not what I meant!"
"No matter what you say, it seems you mean it that way, your queen and wife to permit other women to touch you. Are you numb? Dense? Or just insensitive? Hearing it from you, I feel hurt, betrayed, and insulted!" Shandri raised her voice.
Nathan flinches and felt the guilt of realizing what he has done to her unconsciously. Princess Elena dashes toward Nathan and clings to his arm. Shandri glanced at his arm and the princess's arms wrapping around his.
(This is ridiculous.)
"Your majesty please don't get angry with his majesty. It is my entire fault..." she pleaded.
"HAH! At least you know and are aware that everything is your fault!" Shandri cut her off gazing sharply at her.
Shandri without hesitation slaps her hard on the cheek. Elena caught surprised and looked to the other side because of the strong impact. Her cheeks became red and swollen.
Nathan steps forward and unconsciously covers the princess using his body.
"Shandri, please stop!" he said firmly.
"You want our marriage ruined? Do you want him? Fine! NATHAN IS ALL YOURS!" she said loud clear as if announcing it to everyone.
Hearing those words Nathan felt something throbbing in his heart.
"Your majesty, I didn't mean to snatch his majesty away from you. I just wanted to befriend the both of you," Elena said pitifully yet smirked secretly.
Shandri sneered. "Hah! This is out of hand already. It escalated to this point but you don't want to send me a divorce paper?" She said as if it is the most ridiculous sight she has ever seen.
"W-what are you talking about, your majesty?" Elena speaks hesitantly.
The Queen looked at her with a sharp gaze. "I am not talking to you." She sighed. "You acted like a fragile flower in front of everyone. Nonetheless, you don't dare to show them how your twisted face," Shandri commented sarcastically with a sweet smile.
"That's..." Elena clenched Nathan’s sleeves.
Nathan noticed her and clasped her hand that clenching on his sleeves.
"Queen, why are you harassing Princess Elena again?" Nathan said nonsensically. His mind is wandering on his heart throbbing.
(Why does my heartthrob? Why do I feel nervous and scared all of a sudden? My hand wanted to reach her.)
Shandri's smiling face turned into an indifferent gaze. "This is hilarious...," she muttered.
"I am the queen after all. I must always be calm and composed for the country and its people. I cannot be shrouded by emotions. All I can do is cry alone at night and console myself." A tear dropped from her eyes.
"Queen..." Nathan reached out his hand to hold her.
However, Shandri takes a step back leaving his hand hanging.
(I will tell him how much you are in pain and love him, Shandri. This is will be the last time you will cry for him. Afterward, both of us will move on from this.)
"And now, you are begging me to understand you, your majesty. I have always understood you but as your wife, I could not help to think if you truly wanted me by your side. You never treated me like how you treated the princess. Not as a queen but as your wife, my heart waver every time.
I tried to talk to you but you never assure me. I know we are politically married and you just see me as the queen of this country. Your partner in running the kingdom and not a person who is your order nor someone who holds sincere affection for you. So, I'm ending this... ending my pain and love for you."
Shandri glances at the crowd searching for her ladies in waiting. When she sees them, she nods at her. Suzette walks toward her and hands her the piece of paper.
"I already signed it, your majesty. Please approve this..."
"But..."
"I also brought the seal in case you couldn't sign the paper."
"T-this..."
“You can’t?” Shandri eyed the arm linking to Nathan’s arm. “I see. It seems your arm is useless since someone is holding you enough to make you stiff.”
“What are you…”
“I’ll help you then. Did you forget? I said that one day I will give you the divorce paper and all you to do is to keep it,” she beamed.
Shandri stamps the seal on the divorce paper. She put it on the floor.
"Thank you for everything. Please have a happy blissful life together with her. Goodbye..." she smiled sweetly.
Shandri genuflects before turning around and leaving the room without looking back. As she walks away from them, she wipes away her tears and snickers.
"I didn't know I got skilled in acting. Now then, shall we exit this scene in the novel I transmigrated alive and happy?"