Taming The Villainesses Chapter 2.1

(EP-2.1) Flower Aira #2

002 – Evil Flower Aira #2

Following the entire embarrassing situation with the Finance Minister Belmott and his daughter, Clara.

Queen Aira departed the Court, returning to her private chambers while casually remarking.

“Tae-oh, cancel the remainder of today’s appointments. I'm utterly drained from handling state affairs.”

Aira directed this command to me in a relaxed tone, a stark contrast to her stern demeanor at court.

Did anyone else realize that she, the tyrannical Queen, conversed and behaved like an ordinary young woman?

“I'm feeling weary, so I'll retire early today. I suppose it's a result of my diligent work lately.”

Weary, my foot. I handled all the critical matters, damn it!

Alas, despite the injustice, I couldn't voice such a thought. Outwardly, I offered a gentle smile.

“As expected of our Queen. With the wise Queen overseeing Angmar, the populace can rest assured and free from worry.”

“Yes. It is also thanks to you, Tae-oh. This reign I’ve established, a significant portion belongs to you, and it’s all because of your efforts. You should take pride in that!”

“I am the recipient of too much praise.”

Pride would have been appropriate, but not for this. What Aira had forged wasn't a reign of peace, but one of discord and chaos.

Should one venture out of this magnificent palace at this very moment, they would witness streets overwhelmed by impoverished citizens, gangs of rebellious brigands running amok, while outsiders and even monsters launched assaults on the fortress's outer ramparts.

I bore responsibility for half of these predicaments…

Therefore, how could I possibly feel proud? I wasn’t some kind of sociopath.

If an excuse were to be offered, it would be the fact that I exerted my utmost to avert disaster in my own fashion.

This was the very reason I desperately intervened to halt Belmott's execution earlier.

In my own way, I attempted to perform good deeds using my influence as the Queen's most trusted confidant, such as providing relief to the less fortunate. But no one believed me and refused my genuine intentions…

━What? Merely a favor? Cease your nonsense. What kind of burden are you attempting to place upon me, Tae-oh? I would sooner perish than align myself with you!

━Kindness, please keep it away from me. If it were to spread that I was associated with you, I would be cast out onto the streets and stoned to death!

The initial perception of one's reputation is often the most formidable.

Tae-oh had already been painted as a treacherous, fox-like fiend intent on dismantling the kingdom alongside the despotic Queen.

No matter what actions I took, I found myself powerless to alter this perception.

━Look over there, Tae-oh is passing by.

━Hush, do not meet his gaze. You might face execution.

━Who is that behind him? Is she Clara? Poor Clara…

See. Even the palace maids regarded me with apprehension.

To be entirely truthful, I had never personally ordered an execution.

━He intended to force the Finance Minister and his daughter Clara into an incestuous act before the public.

━Tae-oh, what a depraved scoundrel!

…….

For reasons unknown, my drastic measures consistently became perfect targets for misinterpretations and damaging rumors…

At any rate, as the clamor of the gossiping maids intensified, Queen Aira forcefully struck the Royal Scepter she held against the floor.

Startled by the sudden impact, the maids ceased their chatter and fled.

Observing their departure, Aira declared.

“Tae-oh, I shall have those gossiping maids stripped bare tomorrow and subjected to an Atonement March!”

Atonement March.

It was a remarkably severe punishment. All the more so for the court maids, who were young ladies.

The Atonement March was a sentence requiring one to divest themselves of all clothing, compelling them to ‘march’ through the public streets and return to the Court.

The humiliation and psychological trauma endured during this ordeal were so profound that individuals often faced utter ruin.

Indeed, Aira had previously punished a maid who attempted to poison me in precisely this manner. I truly wished not to dwell on the current state of that punished maid…

Recalling that harrowing scene, Ivermoved my head.

“There is no need to punish the maids. Those simpletons are unworthy of Queen Aira’s personal attention to their words and actions.”

“That is true… A noble individual should not be perturbed by minor disturbances. However, Tae-oh, I cannot tolerate people slandering you. They are ignorant of the immense effort you expend!”

No, you have no idea for whom I am suffering.

A faint smile touched my lips.

“Please disregard their malicious remarks about me. They are likely merely envious of Queen Aira’s favor towards me.”

“I see. Indeed. Tae-oh, you are exceptionally astute.”

“I receive far too much commendation.”

“Ah, speaking of slander and foolish acts. All the vile individuals nowadays assert that you are a wicked individual and that I must distance myself from you.”

“Is that so?”

“But, naturally, I pay no heed to these fools. You are the most sagacious person in this realm, second only to myself, the Queen.”

“Returning to our prior discussion, are you certain you do not desire the maids to undertake the Atonement March?”

“Yes, I find it disagreeable. It is quite alright.”

Aira nodded, clearly pleased.

I had, in effect, preserved several lives.

Of course, they remained unaware of this fact.

The irony that I, the one they cursed so vehemently, was the very person extending their lives and the life of this decaying Kingdom.

Should Queen Aira meet her demise, the Kingdom's order would undoubtedly crumble, plunging all but a select few crucial individuals into utter ruin.

As for the nameless masses – the common citizens, the humble maids – they would be cast into the abyss.

These maids, however, remained blissfully unaware.

Perhaps ignorance was a kinder fate for them.

* * *

"Your Majesty the Queen, I have pressing matters to attend to, and thus must take my leave."

I offered my farewells upon reaching the Queen's private chambers.

Now, Aira was free to retreat to her room, lose herself in a favorite novel, or simply slumber.

With the bulk of the state affairs, which she had long since abandoned, falling upon my shoulders, I faced a mountain of responsibilities and the grim prospect of overtime.

Acknowledging my tireless efforts, Queen Aira spoke with a languid tone as she stepped into her boudoir.

“Tae-oh, you’ve been exceptionally busy of late. However, with the burgeoning rebellion spearheaded by the Finance Minister successfully quashed, you may finally afford yourself some respite.”

"That..."

Indeed.

Finance Minister Belmott likely entered the Royal Court today, resigned to his fate, perhaps even orchestrating his own demise.

Esteemed by both the populace and the nobility, his death would have ignited a fervent uprising, a sweeping wave of rebellion against the chronic ailments plaguing the land.

His purpose was to ignite the spark of revolution.

This was undeniably Belmott's intended role, a fact he fully comprehended. In truth, this mirrors the events of the original novel.

Yet, he did not perish today.

Instead, he appeared to pledge his unwavering loyalty to the Queen.

“Huhu, the ‘Dawn Association,’ you say? I was unaware such a nefarious militant faction had been lurking in the shadows. Their subjugation proved far simpler thanks to Belmott's subtle maneuvers.”

"It is entirely due to Your Majesty the Queen's astute wisdom. You have effectively purged the realm of these brigands who dared to covet the throne. Now, the citizens can finally rest with peace of mind."

I spoke these words, a slight tremor in my head.

The Dawn Association, as it was now termed, represented the rebels.

Essentially, within the narrative's unfolding, these individuals would inflict considerable damage upon the Kingdom’s infrastructure and the Queen herself.

However, owing to the unexpected turn of events with Belmott's survival, the Dawn Association never materialized, and their threat was neutralized.

Contemplating this development sent a shiver down my spine.

The swift suppression of the Dawn Association was not the result of my direct intervention.

I had not communicated anything of the sort to Queen Aira.

Her newfound knowledge stemmed solely from her interrogation of Belmott.

To be entirely candid, Aira was, without question, a tyrannical ruler, a blight upon the land.

Yet, she possessed a surprising degree of competence.

Therefore, occasions like this, when she would astound me with unexpected actions, caused me to tremble involuntarily.

After all, there existed no guarantee that she, who accepted my word without reservation and placed her complete trust in me, might not one day turn her suspicions towards me.

“Ah, and Tae-oh.”

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

What now? Why the sudden summons? Had she perceived my inner monologue of discontent?

“Tonight, I shall bestow upon you a reward for your recent accomplishments. Pray, ensure the water is heated accordingly.”

“….”

“Your response…?”

"I understand."

A reward…?

Blast it all, this was an exquisite form of torture! She must have detected my unspoken grievances.

“Very well, I shall see you anon.”

With a slight inclination of my head, I retreated. Beside me stood a young woman, her mouth bound and thick ropes encasing her form.

She was Clara.

The daughter of Finance Minister Belmott.