Chapter 16: New Quest, Unlocked
Apparently, General Maldor had explained to Princess Mareen about the situation. How her half sister, Queen Mare, tried to kill Elio by poison so her father could claim Stardret Kingdom for himself. How Elio caught her red handed and killed her instead, killed her father and reversed the situation on them by claiming their kingdom.
That’s why Elio was surprised when the first thing she asked was if Queen Liza was still alive. Wasn’t she supposed to thank Elio for saving her from the dungeon and Queen Liza’s torment? Wasn’t she supposed to hug him and cry as anyone reunited with her betrothed would do?
’Perhaps the torture she endured at Queen Liza’s hands had turned her into a cold princess.’
And, looking at how slim she had become, how her blond hair had lost its luster, and how her gray eyes lacked any emotion close to joy, Elio concluded his assumption was true.
It was all Queen Liza’s fault.
"Yeah! She’s still alive!" he replied, shifting his gaze back to his plate. "Why do you ask?"
Princess Mareen put down her utensils and stood up as if on a mission. "Because I want to talk to her."
Her voice was calm, her face taciturn, her eyes predatory.
Elio glanced at General Maldor. "Escort her!"
The General bowed to Elio and replied, "Right away, Your Grace! But I have a report. I couldn’t tell you because you were..." he trailed off, glancing at the maids as if to show what he meant.
"Because I was busy having fun," Elio completed it for him with a chuckle. "What’s the report about?"