For the infamously cold Sidrain to lose his temper and get riled up was a rare sight. Elena stood still, enduring the Kingâs lecture as he paced back and forth in front of her. Whenever his large body moved past her, it made her nervous because she was well aware that the King could sentence a punishment to her on the spot if he wanted to.
Elena knew that she wouldnât receive a death sentence, but if he so happened to banish her from the palace, she would lose her aristocratic status, which was no different from a death sentence. The Sethang familyâs reputation would be ruined if she was banished from the palace, and they would then demand that she divorce Clarence.
Elenaâs mind was racing as she knew that Clarence would never want to leave her, and he would try anything and everything to resist, but aristocratic families were not so easy to deal with. Fearful that they would have no choice but to separate, Elena realized that she had to calm the King fast. However, he was in such a rage and showed no signs of calming down.
Then, a thought popped into her head, and she decided to take a gamble. She requested for everyone to leave the room and lowered her head, âI deeply apologize for causing you such concern. But I must ask you one question, Your Highness. Who is she?â
The anger in Sidrainâs voice was apparent as he glared at Elena with flaming, bloodshot eyes, âWhat?â
âThat woman is not Her Royal Highness.â
âHave you gone crazy, Elena In Sethang? You are insulting the royal family. You have no excuse if you get sentenced to death for this felony.â
Elena would rather die than divorce Clarence, and she raised her head, determined not to back down. âNo, I am sure. I swear on Ruthna that that woman is not Rosemary. She is not the Rosemary I know.â
âElena,â Sidrainâs warned through gritted teeth.
âAnd you, Your Highness, must be aware of her identity. Who is she?â
Sidrain crossed his arms across his broad chest. He knew why Elena was taking this risk, and he belatedly realized that heâd overreacted. He was upset too, and he knew that heâd made a mistake. Sidrain clicked his tongue at himself in disappointment, but there was nothing that he could do about the way heâd reacted.
He thought about how he had almost lost Iris Elaine. Back then, he was like a stranger to her. But the psychological damage was so deep that he had hit a woman for the first time in his life. Even if that woman was Rosemary, he never thought there would be a day when he would lay a hand on his woman. But on that day, nothing couldâve stopped him.
The Iris he now knew was no longer a stranger, she was his wife, and they had kissed. Sheâd even destroyed a sausage in front of him. These were few incidences, but they had left a spark in Sidrainâs heart, and he couldnât lose her now.
âYour Highness. I am Elena Sethang, and I will forever be at your service.â Elena got onto her knees in front of Sidrain.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Sidrainâs mind was in turmoil because it was hard to help Iris by himself. She was a woman, and as the Queen, so much of their time would be spent separately. It was important for her to have someone next to her who could manage everything and protect her as well. But he wasnât sure if Elena was fit for that role. Sidrain had to make a decision quickly, and he couldnât think of anyone other than Elena to take this role.
âElena In Sethang. Lift your head,â Sidrain ordered.
Elena raised her head slowly, and her eyes opened wide as Sidrain pulled a red sword out of his heart. Having the title of Sword Master meant that he was an expert with the sword and that he was the owner of the magical sword, which heâd had to find and then learn how to control.
Sidrain was only able to become Sword Master by finding the magic sword, Testalia, in the palace. Heâd then had to become accustomed to it and learn how to put it into his heart. Truthfully, it was a crazy thing to do, but heâd done it.
Now, Testalia was engraved into his heart forever, and he was able to take it out when he needed to. Few people were able to see this sight, and it was rare for a noble like Elena to be privileged enough to witness something like that. She stood dead-still and watched in awe as the King pulled the burning red sword from his heart.
Finally, he drew the sword out entirely and pointed the razor-sharp tip at Elenaâs neck. âElena In Sethang. Whatever your name becomes in the future, if this information becomes known, I will make sure to kill you. Not just you, but I will annihilate the entire Sethang family. I, Sidrain En Letaire, swear on my sword, Testalia, and the goddess, Ruthna.â
The heat of the sword was hot on Elenaâs neck, but because the owner had no intention of hurting her, it didnât leave a wound. Elena closed her eyes briefly and then looked up at the King, âI swear my loyalty to you, the master of my family and me.â
âGood.â Sidrain raised his sword again, which illuminated the entire room and then skillfully put it back into his heart.
Watching in stunned silence, Elena almost let out a scream by accident, but she knew that he wouldnât punish her for doing that. Seeing the sword that had nearly burned her go into the Kingâs chest so effortlessly made her shudder.
Sidrain still felt unconvinced by Elenaâs loyalty, and he watched her tremble before him as she struggled to breathe. âIt is like you said. She is not Rosemary,â he said quietly, and Elenaâs eyes opened wide as she realized the gravity of that statement. Sidrain spoke once more, âShe is Iris Elaine.â