Translator: 549690339
The examination process took place three days before the wedding.
As expected, Queen Isa was chosen to examine Miss Vera.
Although the king and Prince William were unsatisfied with this selection, they could not find a more suitable candidate.
The examination took place in the queenâs bedchamber, a place that was both private and solemn.
By the time Colin led Vera into the room, the high-level figures of the Half-Elf Kingdom had already assembled.
In the center of the room was an oval bed adorned with dark purple silk. Its pillow was a pale beige with an embroidered rose pattern, presenting an image of dignity and elegance. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Around the bed were opaque curtains, probably set up especially for todayâs examination.
Colin was suspicious. He wondered if Queen Isa would instantly declare Veraâs innocence without even having her undress once the curtains were drawn.
âIs it necessary for so many people to be present?â Vera frowned slightly at the half-elf nobles encircling the room, somewhat speechless.
âWell, we could all leave and let Queen Isa examine Miss Vera alone. Your Majesty, what do you think?â Duke Miller asked the drowsy king.
The old king opened his sleepy eyes as if he had just registered the question, and nodded slowly, âGood⦠good, letâs do as you say.â
âI will stay,â said Knight St. Hilde immediately.
This Knight from the St. Hilde family was almost always seen by Veraâs side.
Except for that night at Red Maple Manorâ¦
Duke Miller paused for a moment, then said, âAlright, weâll count on you, Knight St. Hilde.â
Then, he turned to Prince Topaz, âYour Highness, why donât you stay as well and entertain the guests?â
Prince Topaz naturally agreed, âOkay!â
âIâll stay as well, â Colin chimed in immediately.
Everyoneâs gaze became a bit strange at that moment, but no further comments were made.
Prince William seemed to want to stay as well, but he did not have a good excuse. After all, unlike Colin and Knight St. Hilde, he was not entrusted with Veraâs safety nor was he her fiancé like his younger brother.
Consequently, he had no choice but to support the old king as they left the bedchamber, along with the rest of the half-elf nobility.
In Prince Williamâs view, this examination process was more of a formality.
Would Queen Isa ever claim that Vera wasnât pure?
So Count Evanâs scheme was easily dismissed?
Only at this moment did Prince William realize that Count Evanâs scheme seemed somewhat too perfunctoryâ¦
After everyone irrelevant had left the bedchamber, Queen Isa invited Vera and others to sit down. âCome, have some flower tea first. It will help ease your nerves.â
âThank you, Your Majesty!â
Colin also sat at the round table, sipping the flower tea brewed personally by Queen Isa, while observing the queenâs bedchamber.
Overall, the bedchamberâs decoration didnât pursue luxury but rather embraced a style of simplicity and elegance.
Beyond the bed in the center, there was a teak wardrobe against the wall, and a dressing table by the window.
On the table, besides jewelry boxes and cosmetic products, were a pot of blood roses.
âYour Majesty, that blood rose is so beautiful!â Vera couldnât help but admire the flower pot.
Indeed, Colin had seen many blood roses in the Windbell Commerce Association and the Royal Garden. However, none of them could compare to the one before his eyes.
Its blooming posture and stunning color were like a flame burning brightly, consuming its own life, just to leave a touch of brilliant beauty in this world.
âYes, it is truly beautiful,â Queen Isa sighed as well.
She walked slowly to the window, her hand touching the blooming blood rose. A hint of pride appeared on her face, âThis flower, I nurtured it myself.â âYou are truly amazing!â Vera couldnât help but exclaim.
âThis flower is my motherâs favorite!â Prince Topaz also chimed in with a laugh. âOnce, my naughty nephew Charlie accidentally plucked one of its petals, and mother spanked him so hard he couldnât leave his bed for ten whole days!â
Hearing this, Queen Isa chuckled, shaking her head, âThat boy is still holding grudges against me for that. Just a few days ago, he ruined all the roses I planted in the garden.â
Prince Topaz quickly said: âMother rest assured, Iâll visit the Windbell
Commerce Association tomorrow and ask Cis to send you more Blood Roses.â
However, Queen Isa shook her head: âNo need.â
Prince Topaz was suddenly confused, just about to ask why, but then heard the Queen say: âDo you know why the Blood Rose is so bright and beautiful?â âWhy?â Vera inquired curiously.
Recalling what Queen Isa had said about cultivating Blood Roses, Colin interjected with a laugh, âCould it be that it was nourished with the fresh blood of some knight?â
Queen Isaâs seductive eyes swept over Colin, and she laughed softly: âYes. And not just fresh blood.â
Colin frowned, suddenly sensing something off about Queen Isaâs state today.
âNot just fresh blood, then what else?â
Queen Isa leaned against the window, bright sunlight streaming in from outside, cloaking her in an almost divine glow.
She was wearing a low-cut, silver shoulder dress today, displaying her exquisitely curvy figure.
Her face was also elaborately adorned, her rosy cheeks and tender red lips paired with the vivid Blood Rose â emanated a breathtaking beauty. Upon hearing Colinâs question, Queen Isa smiled charmingly:
âAnd⦠skulls.â
âWhat?!â
The startling answer frightened everyone else in the room.
After a while, Prince Topaz chuckled awkwardly, âMother, what nonsense are you talking about!â
Queen Isa laughed brightly, instantly illuminating the entire bedchamber with her radiant smile:
âI wasnât speaking nonsense.â
Colin was experiencing an increasingly unsettling sensation.
Something was seriously wrong with the Half-Elven queen in front of him!
Vera also seemed to sense something and hurriedly shifted the subject: âYour Majesty, why donât we start the examination now? Itâs not good to keep the others waiting outside.â
But Queen Isa did not move, still caressing the petals of the Blood Rose, her tone becoming somewhat elusive:
âI wasnât talking nonsense, You may not believe me, but if you smashed the flower pot, youâll seeââ
âA skull! â
âMother!â Prince Topaz abruptly stood up, seeming to want to stop the Queenâs random speech.
But as he stood, he staggered, as if he would faint the next second.
Knight Telde, seeing Prince Topazâs condition, was scared stiff. He also promptly stood up, reaching for the sword at his waist, whilst dizzily warning:
âThe teaâ¦thereâs something wrong with the tea!â Colin blinked, realizing something was different.
However, he didnât panic.
He had already tested and knew that he was immune to deadly poison.
And so far, he hadnât felt any discomfort.
âBang!â
Prince Topaz had already collapsed onto the floor.
Soon afterwards, Knight Telde also didnât hold out for long, and toppled over in a daze.
And Vera, she had already collapsed on the table, unconscious.
Facing this situation, Colin sighed quietly and quickly shut his eyes, leaning backward.
âBang!â
He fell to the floor..