Chapter 50: Almost Misunderstood

“I…”

Chloe’s briefly calmed nerves shattered again.

“But I helped you catch the traitor!”

“Mm-hmm, and you snuck out.”

“Could you have caught them without me?” Chloe hurriedly defended herself.

“Why not? I’m the queen. A small matter like that is child’s play.”

Larvia’s lips curled, clearly pleased with Chloe’s reaction.

“You’re lying!”

“Got proof I couldn’t catch them alone?”

“I don’t care, you’re lying!”

Chloe pouted, scooting away and huffing, turning her head.

‘This woman’s so annoying!’

‘I’m done with her!’

“Tch—” Larvia smirked slyly. “With that attitude, I was about to waive the losses from your absence.”

“…Huh?”

Chloe froze.

“What did you say?”

Snapping out of it, she zipped to Larvia’s side, staring eagerly into her amused eyes.

“For real?!”

“It was real. Now… not so sure.”

“No way!”

“Hmm… show some sincerity, then. Your attitude just now changed my mind.”

Before she finished, Chloe plopped onto Larvia’s lap, facing her.

“Um, I admit I was a bit loud earlier, so… can you let it slide, please…?”

“Hm… I’ll think about it.”

Seeing Larvia hesitate without answering, Chloe curled up, hugging her.

“Your Majesty’s so magnanimous, you wouldn’t mind a little maid’s slip-up, right?”

“Your Majesty’s wise and mighty, leading our nation to prosperity—”

“Poor little maid’s already lost a month’s pay. Please, Your Majesty~~~ say yes, pretty please~ pretty~ please~”

She squirmed in Larvia’s arms.

Larvia took a deep breath, fighting the urge to grin.

Truthfully, she was charmed.

She knew Chloe was scheming—if she said “no,” Chloe would flip in an instant—but she still felt elated.

As queen, she’d heard plenty of flattery.

But flattery from her darling daughter hit differently, far stronger than from sycophants.

Still, she held back, not wanting to seem too easily swayed.

“What am I to do with you…” Larvia shook her head. “Fine, as a reward for catching the traitor, I won’t hold you accountable for the palace’s losses.”

“Reward?”

Chloe caught the word, something clicking.

“Larvia, was that the reward you mentioned?”

Larvia’s lips twitched.

‘See? The moment she gets her way, she drops the “Your Majesty.”’

She quickly masked it, resuming her usual smile, shaking her head.

“No, that was an extra reward for your good attitude. But you still need to handle breaking Silia’s button.”

“So there’s another reward!”

Chloe’s eyes sparkled, hugging Larvia again.

“As expected of the great Queen! Your kindness is boundless!”

“Hmph…”

Larvia licked her lips, gazing fondly at the cuddling Chloe.

“Sheffield.”

Chloe tilted her head, confused why Larvia called Sheffield.

The next second, hearing the door latch, she realized.

Sheffield was coming in!

She scrambled off Larvia’s lap, sitting beside her.

Creak—

“Your Majesty.”

Sheffield bowed, approaching Larvia.

“What are your orders?”

Lowering her head, Sheffield noticed unnatural wrinkles on both Larvia’s and Chloe’s clothes.

Plus, Chloe’s face had an odd flush.

Her brow arched, a thought forming.

‘Her Majesty cares about her image. She wouldn’t let herself look this disheveled.’

‘And with Chloe’s state…’

‘Hiss…’

‘Was I wrong before?’

‘Is Her Majesty a daughter-con? Unable to act on Silia due to blood ties, did she bring Chloe, who looks similar, as a substitute?’

‘Is Chloe’s real identity… Her Majesty’s little lover?’

‘Why else send Silia away for “work talk”?’

Sheffield didn’t know Chloe was once a human Sword Saint, turned into Larvia’s daughter.

Hence, the need for private talks without Silia.

Earlier, she’d seen Silia leave Larvia’s room, looking like she had more to say.

Now it made sense… When the three were together, Larvia got “in the mood,” made an excuse to shoo Silia out, and then with Chloe, her substitute…

‘Poor Chloe, unaware she’s a stand-in… I’ll need to look out for her…’

“Sheffield?”

The thought startled Sheffield, and she quickly squashed it.

‘Too ridiculous! How could I think that?’

‘No, Chloe’s just Her Majesty’s daughter, nothing weird.’

But their disheveled clothes… they must’ve been quite cozy.

‘Such a sweet mother-daughter bond…’

Sheffield thought of her own mother, who’d died decades ago.

“Hey, Sheffield—you okay?”

“…Huh?”

A rare fluster crossed Sheffield’s face as she realized she’d missed Larvia’s call.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I was distracted. Please assign my punishment.”

“No need for punishment. But I didn’t expect you to zone out. That’s rare.”

Sheffield lowered her head, awaiting orders.

But her mind kept drifting to her earlier thoughts, a faint blush creeping onto her face.

“Bring up Flux, Sheffield.”

“As you command.”