I don't want to be loved

Chapter 87: Queen's Motive

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Lalisa shook her head in a hurry.

There was a misunderstanding.

The Queen knows nothing of their past life.

"I've no choice but to return to Arundell. It's definitely not what Her Majesty thinks," Lalisa said.

The Queen smiled. "That is because you don't know Jungkook yet. He possesses the blood of Chrichton. He has a strong desire and obsession to pursue his own goals. He'll never do anything he does not want to do. If he truly had no inkling feelings for you, he would not marry you. It is in his nature of Chrichton blood."

The Queen said similar words to her before. She thought it was mere empty words said to comfort her once, but now she knew it to be the opposite.

"I had thoughts of matching you with Jungkook from the beginning, so I purposely asked Anastasia to bring you to the palace with hopes that you and Jungkook would fit in together. Was it because of you that his clothes were torn and dirty during your first meeting? He did something for you, right?"

Lalisa flinched and covered her gaping mouth. "...You already knew then?"

"Yes. To be honest, I was surprised. Jungkook rarely showed interest in others. You probably imprinted a deep image in his heart and soul. Whenever you came to the palace, Jungkook always wore a sour look and wanted nothing more than to escape. But I knew that it was merely a front. Jungkook's a master at hiding. Raymond could never find him unless he wanted to be found. But whenever your presence was around in the palace, Jungkook was there close to you."

The Queen wore a fleeting smile across her lips.

Words left Lalisa's mouth at the sudden revelation.

"...And look at you. You've grown up, Lalisa, and so has my son. I never expected him to attack Chrichton in that manner."

"Yes. And this was the end result," Lalisa said.

"It's good for now. I'm sure he's proud to have a defeated kingdom kneel before him, but I think it's shortsighted. Would Chrichton dare to maintain a steady and proper relationship like before? It's already good that things did not turn out worse." The Queen's voice dropped. Though Arundell won the war against Chrichton, she did not look merry, but upset.

Lalisa pondered.

She had always wondered about the Queen's choices regarding Chrichton. The Queen was wise and ever-knowing but whenever it came to Chrichton, her decisions were nothing but incomprehensible. She confronted the Toulouse Empire confidently but always half-drawn when it came to Chrichton.

Lalisa thought it lied in the foundational support from the neighboring kingdom, but long after she gained enough power, the Queen would not let go of her connection with Chrichton and thus triggered a confrontation with Jungkook.

"...Your Majesty, do you want Arundell to be subjugated to Chrichton?" Lalisa asked.

It would be unthinkable of her to ask that sort of question in the past. Even she surprised herself.

The Queen smiled subtly. "What do you think? Lalisa, do I look like the type who would sell the kingdom for my own benefit?"

Lalisa looked at the Queen momentarily. She shook her head. "No. I don't think so. If you were that sort of person, you would have never resigned during the civil war. I heard from rumors that it was you who offered the contractual agreement first because you could no longer bear to see the kingdom's devastation. I don't think you're the kind that would allow Arundell to fall."

The Queen smiled. "Yes."

"I do not know your thoughts, Your Majesty, but I think the direction Igor is pursuing is right. Chrichton had plans to expand their oceanic influence, fearing the Toulouse Empire would sabotage all land routes. Arundell and Chrichton were allies, but Chrichton would be unwilling to give up the trade routes they secured. Jungkook's plans would only strengthen Arundell's riches."

Lalisa had much to say about Jungkook, but when it came to the well-being of Arundell, he was a person she could trust. If only he was a tyrant... despising him would be easier.

"Yes. You're right. You think I don't know that, Lalisa?" The Queen looked at the window. A dreamy look crossed her face. "I had big dreams for this kingdom, dreams that no one would ever dream of. Yeah... there's nothing more to hide now..."

A small sigh escaped her lips as she looked into Lalisa's blue eyes.

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