Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 423.2

Aldrit went on to explain how he had ended up in the kingdom, detailing events that seemed impossible. Eugene’s expression darkened as she listened, her thoughts racing as the weight of his words settled in.

When Aldrit finished his story, she remained silent for a long moment, the room thick with unspoken thoughts. Finally, she let out a deep, resigned sigh. Discover more novels at novel★fire.net

I hoped nothing unusual would happen, but it seems Ramita’s sea has reached this far.

Eugene’s gaze remained fixed on Aldrit, waiting for his response. “So, what did Mara want to tell me by sending you here?” she asked.

Aldrit remained silent, unable to meet her eyes. His gaze flickered to the floor, and Eugene’s suspicion grew. Something was amiss.

“It’s okay, Aldrit. Speak,” Eugene urged, her voice soft but firm, willing him to trust her.

Aldrit hesitated for a long moment before speaking, his words heavy. “…Mara wants to bring you to the Holy City to receive help from the city’s sorcerers.”

He finished his statement with difficulty, his voice barely a whisper, before immediately burying his face in his hands. “I apologize for bringing this up, Your Highness.”

As Aldrit had walked away from Mara’s body, with unyielding steps toward the city walls, bound and captured, he had wrestled with a painful dilemma. His thoughts had been torn. He wanted to save the elders—he couldn’t simply give up on them. They weren’t just distant ancestors to him; they were like kind grandparents, people who had shared their wisdom and love. But he also owed everything to Eugene. He couldn’t bear to suggest she step into the jaws of that monster, no matter the reason.

Overcome with shame for even considering the request, Aldrit couldn’t bring himself to lift his head.

Eugene, watching him closely, could see the weight of his conflict. She sighed, her voice gentle yet resolute. “It’s not your fault, so why are you so down? I need to meet Mara. This isn’t something we can discuss with you in the middle of it.”

Aldrit’s face flushed with embarrassment, hearing the queen’s voice trying to comfort him. The weight of his own feelings of inadequacy only grew stronger.

Sven, standing at a distance, watched the exchange quietly. His resolve had solidified today. He had made a promise to himself: from this moment on, he would focus solely on staying by the queen’s side, protecting her from anything that might threaten her safety. That resolve was now unshakeable.

“Your Highness, you must take me with you,” he pleaded, his voice thick with desperation.

"If you leave me behind, I’ll die right here."

Sven's voice was filled with a heartfelt yet childish threat, but even as he spoke, he realized just how much effect his words had on the queen. There was something about his bluntness that caught her attention.

"Sir Sven, people really shouldn't say such things so easily," Eugene replied, clicking her tongue. She shot a glance at him, knowing that his stubbornness ran deep. That guard would follow through on anything he said.

Eugene paused for a moment, then made her decision. "Sir Sven and Aldrit, you’re both coming with me."

Just as she prepared to leave, Marianne and Dana hurried over, having heard the sudden news. Earlier, Marianne had tried to talk her out of it, but now she simply stood silently, her concern evident in her eyes. She gave Eugene a worried look and spoke softly, “Please be careful.”

Marianne realized that no matter how much she tried to persuade the queen, if this was something Eugene had already decided on, it would be best not to disturb her mood.

It was Dana, with red-rimmed eyes, who reached out and took Eugene’s hand. Gently, she stroked Eugene’s cheek, her voice filled with warmth and concern.

"How is it that you can't rest with such a heavy body?" Dana’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke. Her eyes were full of pity, not just for Eugene’s pregnancy but for the weight she carried in so many ways. Despite the honor of being the queen of the Kingdom and the reverence the world had for Anika, who possessed the incomparable Ramita, Dana still saw Eugene as her child. The one she longed to protect.

Feeling a sharp sting in her eyes, Eugene pulled Dana into a tight embrace. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust herself; it was the overwhelming love and concern Dana had shown her. The kind of love she had yearned for in another life was now hers, here, in this world.

"Don’t worry. Nothing will happen." Eugene whispered softly into Dana’s ear, trying to reassure her. "They say everything in the Holy City has been resolved. Soon, that person will give Father and the family some news."

Dana’s eyes widened slightly at the words. She nodded, a relieved smile tugging at her lips. It was clear that Eugene’s reassurances had brought her some peace.

As Eugene’s carriage neared the gate, a line of soldiers stood ready, waiting under the command of the General. Despite the hurried preparations, they had managed to form a formation that rivaled the grandeur of the annual inspection ceremony. The sight of it filled Eugene with a strange mixture of pride and apprehension. The mission ahead would not be easy, but the soldiers were ready to stand by her side.

The soldiers’ expressions were resolute, their gazes unwavering. There was no mistaking that the General had ordered such a formation not to please the Queen, but to show their unshakable loyalty. The rumors of the miracle had spread quickly, reaching even beyond the capital. The soldiers who had witnessed the event firsthand held a fierce loyalty to Eugene. Despite the looming threat of the monstrous lark nearby, there was no sign of panic in their ranks.

As Eugene disembarked from the carriage, the soldiers knelt in perfect unison at the General’s signal. Had she not been pregnant, the scene would have been filled with cheers and grander gestures. But today, they remained silent, their reverence palpable.

Eugene felt a twinge of embarrassment as she looked at the soldiers, their devotion almost too much to bear. She quickly turned her attention to the General, eager to shift focus.

"Has the lark made any other movements?" she asked.

"No, Your Highness," the General replied, his tone steady. "We haven’t taken our eyes off it for a moment."

Eugene nodded, a determined gleam in her eyes. "I’ll see it for myself."

With only the General, Sven, and Aldrit accompanying her, Eugene climbed to the city walls. She gasped as she saw the massive black snake curled up in the distance. Its sheer size was almost incomprehensible. Then, as if sensing her presence, the snake slowly lifted its head and locked eyes with her. It uncoiled, its massive body rippling as it began moving toward her, its gaze never leaving Eugene.

"Everyone, stay quiet and do nothing," Eugene ordered, her voice firm. Her mind was focused entirely on the approaching creature.

The others stood frozen, obeying her command, but Eugene’s heart raced as the snake drew nearer. The distance between it and her dwindled, the gap closing with terrifying speed. The air around her grew heavy with tension, and Eugene’s body instinctively tensed, bracing herself for whatever was to come.

As the black snake closed the distance, its red eyes locked onto Eugene’s. It stopped just a few dozen steps away, its enormous form looming over the city wall. A voice echoed in Eugene’s mind, cold and familiar.

“It’s you.”

Eugene’s brow twitched, her heart skipping a beat. The voice was unmistakable, though it didn’t immediately connect with the figure she saw before her.

“The scent is overwhelming. This fragrance is right. You’re the one who broke the spell. What are you going to do about it, huh?"