Chapter 43: How Tina Corrupts Those Around Her

“Your Majesty, what happened here?” Everett and Isha, hearing the commotion through the wall, rushed over from the next room.
At the door, they saw Althea sitting on the bed, lost in thought, surrounded by disheveled sheets and a soaked white blanket.

Clearly, a battle had just taken place, with Althea as the victor—she was unscathed, though her mood was hard to read.
But she was alone now. Where was the other person?

“Did Tina… get exposed?” Isha whispered to Everett.
“I don’t think so. If she was, she wouldn’t have walked away. It’s clear Her Majesty feels guilty, so she let her go.”

Everett figured Althea, too pent-up, had overwhelmed Tina in their first meeting, causing her to flee.
It wasn’t a casual thing, so no wonder Althea looked like a scolded child, visibly at a loss.

“What should I do?”
For the first time, the queen showed such helplessness in public—unheard of even when facing other kings in negotiations.

“Your Majesty, do you know where she lives or works? Go apologize a few times.”
It was all they could hope for—that Tina might forgive her, though it seemed unlikely. Their relationship might end here, leaving Althea forever distant from happiness.

“Alright, I’ll find her tomorrow.” Althea was still dazed.
Everett sighed. Her mind was on Tina, not the auction.

“Your Majesty, don’t forget why we’re here. If it comes to it, prioritize the bigger picture.”
He left it at that, giving her space to think.

…

Meanwhile, the blonde girl carried Tina out of the inn, heading toward the mansion.
“Irene, how’d you know I was there?” Tina’s arms rested on Irene’s shoulders, her voice tinged with lingering sadness.

“You didn’t come back on time, so I asked the café manager. She said you were at the inn across the street.”
Irene’s anger flared at the memory. “Good thing I got there in time, or that awful woman would’ve done something unforgivable. I wouldn’t have let her off.”

Tina gave a sheepish smile. Irene was usually so docile, but her anger was lethal, her speech even smoother in rage.
Their clash at first meeting gave Tina a déjà vu of a harem squabble.

Ugh, what a mess. Better not get too close to girls, or I’ll be the one tangled up in the end.
“Tina, are you close with her? Why meet at an inn?” Irene’s question carried a sour note.

“I thought it was just catching up with an old friend. Anyway, it’s over.”
Thankfully, everything she had was still hers. She could let it go.

But Irene wasn’t pleased. “You’re… still going to that café? She’ll keep bothering you.”
“Can’t quit yet—gotta finish the month.”

“Fine, then I’m going with you.” Irene was bored at the mansion anyway. If she couldn’t convince Tina to leave, she’d join her, protecting her while secretly watching her work—a nice bonus.

Feeling the warmth from Tina’s back, Irene’s lips curved upward.
This counts as getting closer, right? When can I do that with her?

Thinking she’d beat someone to the prize, Irene hummed softly.
“Hey, you’re not plotting something bad, are you?” Tina eyed the smirking girl, a bad feeling rising.

She’d been touched by Irene’s heroic rescue, like a deity sweeping away her troubles. But now, it felt like she’d escaped a tiger only to enter a wolf’s den.
Seems like everyone around me is after me. Can I say that out loud?

…

The next day, three days until the auction.
Tina honored her contract, heading to the café for work.

But today, a blonde girl in the same outfit trailed her, eyepatch and shy demeanor adding a unique charm—sure to draw customers as a maid.
Before leaving, Tina had asked Irene if she was sure about wearing such clothes to work, saying it was fine to back out if her social anxiety was too much.

That only sparked Irene’s determination, overriding her fear to face her most revealing outfit ever.
—Though not long after hitting the streets, she reverted to her trembling self, barely speaking. Tina worried she’d cause trouble.

“It’s… fine. Trust… me.” Irene’s voice shook despite her bravado.

At the entrance, Tina was surprised to see a familiar figure waiting anxiously in the early morning crowd, like a girl in first love.
But she knew it was just Althea, here to apologize.

The queen stood out among the common patrons, her aura and beauty commanding envious glances.
As Tina stepped in, the lofty queen rushed over like a guilty puppy. “I’m sorry, yesterday I…”

Tina cut her off. “It’s work hours. If you have requests, place an order, and we’ll serve you.”
“Y-Yes.”

Was this obedient Althea the same aggressive creep from yesterday? Tina’s lip twitched.
She couldn’t imagine—if Althea did that just because she resembled Tina, what would’ve happened if her identity slipped? Dehydrated to death in the inn?

Too terrifying.
Being recognized was not an option. She didn’t want to be molded to Althea’s liking.

“Can we talk properly now?” Althea held the menu, cautiously asking.
“Sure, just chatting? No problem, as long as it’s not like yesterday.”

Tina subtly jabbed, deepening Althea’s guilt.
Meanwhile, Irene shuffled around delivering orders, pretending not to eavesdrop but clearly invested.