The Queen’s Unlikely Stand

Ophelia swept into the hall, a formidable presence, ready to wage a verbal battle against the assembled nobles to protect Ophe.

The scene, however, was a blur of dazzling lights and flowing wine, as a throng of pot-bellied nobles, each harboring their own agenda, greeted her, instantly overwhelming her.

‘Oh no, I’m socially anxious!’

Despite her best efforts to respond, her words came out a stuttering mess, her teeth clattering against each other until Marta took her hand and gently led her to her designated seat.

‘How embarrassing!’

‘Truly mortifying!’

‘I’m a man, yet I need a woman’s protection!’

‘Wait, aren’t I a woman now? Yet the soul within me is still a man! Shouldn’t I be protecting Marta? How did I end up being protected by her instead?’

Ophelia took a deep breath, attempting to compose herself, when suddenly a vibrant green fruit appeared before her eyes.

“Your Majesty, please have a grape.”

Without a moment’s thought, Ophelia instinctively opened her mouth and bit into it.

‘Besides the grape, was there something else in my mouth, something grape-flavored?’

She looked up.

Marta’s face was flushed, and she was gazing away.

Ophelia looked down.

She had bitten Marta’s finger.

She quickly released her grip, the grape slipping into her mouth, as Marta withdrew her finger, a glistening strand of saliva catching the light in the air. The ‘Ice Queen’ was blushing in a way no one else could see.

“I… I’m so sorry!”

‘After all, I’ve never been fed by someone else before! How was I supposed to know I’d bite her finger?’

Marta remained silent, her expression a mix of shyness and bewilderment, which in turn left Ophelia stunned and disrupted her train of thought.

‘Could Marta be angry?’

‘Ahhh, but forget comforting her, I don’t even dare to say another word!’

Her gaze darted around until, in the shadows cast by the lights, in another corner, she spotted a figure.

Short black hair, an indifferent expression, eyes like a hawk, glancing around like a wolf (TL Note: A Chinese idiom describing someone who is ambitious, cunning, and constantly watchful for opportunities or threats.) — this… was the male protagonist of the novel!?

A sudden sense of relief washed over Ophelia.

‘Oh right, why should I worry? The system already said I’m just a character being ‘nurtured’ (TL Note: Refers to a character in a ‘raising’ or ‘养成’ game/novel, where the player/protagonist influences their growth), merely a passerby in this world. Even if I don’t die, the timeline will correct itself. Besides, the male protagonist is here at this banquet to stand up for Marta.’

Instantly, she felt a huge weight lift from her heart.

Then, as if following a script, the entire hall fell silent, and an imperious woman strode in.

Heavily made-up, she wore opulent high heels and a lavish gown, her flamboyant golden hair framing a haughty expression.

That was Princess Hizeta, an early-stage antagonist.

“Oh, how truly considerate of you all; to fall silent for my sake, I am truly honored.”

“Today was supposed to be a ‘princess on the run’ kind of day. This banquet is absolutely *fabulous* (TL Note: A trendy Chinese internet slang term, ‘jue jue zi,’ meaning ‘absolutely amazing’ or ‘superb’). That caramel pudding? I *devoured* it; it was so delicious I wanted to *stomp my little feet* (TL Note: A Chinese internet slang term, ‘duo jio jio,’ meaning ‘to stomp one’s feet in delight,’ often used in a cutesy or exaggerated manner). But alas, my mood has been ruined by a ‘downer woman’ (TL Note: A Chinese internet slang term, ‘xia tou nü,’ referring to a woman who is perceived as unappealing, annoying, or a ‘buzzkill’).”

“Let me point out a ‘downer woman’ here—that’s Marta. She was supposed to protect the Queen, yet the Queen was almost killed? My *sisters* (TL Note: A Chinese internet slang term, ‘ji mei men,’ a colloquial and friendly way for women to address other women, similar to ‘girlfriends’ or ‘gals’), this Marta actually hasn’t resigned herself, and she’s still standing here arrogantly with her ugly face! Such a ‘plain but confident woman’ (TL Note: A Chinese internet slang term, ‘pu xin nü,’ short for ‘普通却自信的女人,’ meaning a woman who is ordinary but overly self-confident), truly a ‘downer’!”

Ophelia froze, a flicker of familiarity in those words stirring a deep-seated fear within her, as the noblewomen around Hizeta echoed her sentiments with fervent agreement, causing Hizeta to reveal a sharp, arrogant smirk.

“Therefore, I believe Marta, being so utterly devoid of propriety and shame, should perhaps spend some time in a brothel? It would suit her perfectly!”

Cheers and applause erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Marta gazed indifferently at the people before her, while Ophelia harbored a similar detached attitude: ‘It doesn’t matter. The male protagonist will intervene. I’ll just sit back and enjoy the show as if it were a ‘satisfying novel’ (TL Note: A Chinese term, ‘shuang wen,’ referring to a web novel genre where the protagonist easily overcomes challenges and experiences frequent triumphs, providing a sense of catharsis or ‘satisfaction’ to the reader).’

“Stop glaring at people with those eyes! Your ugly face is disgusting, didn’t you hear? You’re being sent to *that kind* of place!”

Hizeta, meeting Marta’s indifferent gaze, initially showed a flicker of fear, but then stiffened her neck, her expression immediately morphing into one of brazen arrogance.

Ophelia looked toward the male protagonist.

He stood in the shadows, observing the farce with a detached air, as if all the commotion had nothing to do with him.

‘Oh, male protagonist, you certainly know how to pick your moments. You’ll only step forward at the most critical juncture, won’t you? I understand, I understand.’

Hizeta then began commanding her attendants to strip Marta’s clothes.

“Go on, strip her clothes off! Let everyone see her in her ‘whore-like’ (TL Note: The original Chinese text uses asterisks, ‘如同**一般的模样’, implying a vulgar or explicit term like ‘prostitute’ or ‘whore’) state! Only then will she be fit to be sent to *that kind* of place!”

‘This is truly going too far, isn’t it?’

‘Is the male protagonist still not going to intervene?’

Ophelia glanced at the male protagonist, who was still idly swirling his wine glass and sipping red wine.

‘What are you doing? Don’t you know that being a bystander is also a form of violence?’

The surrounding nobles were either participating or watching with keen interest, their eyes alight with profound desire, seemingly poised to relish the sight of the ‘Ice Queen’ being stripped of her attire.

Everyone was immersed in the act of violence, yet no one spoke a word.

Marta shielded herself with her hands, her face etched with humiliation, a faint glint of tears in the corners of her eyes. She dared not harm the nobles, outnumbered as she was.

Ophelia clenched her fists.

‘The male protagonist still isn’t intervening.’

‘If I just sit here idly any longer, no one will speak up for Marta.’

“Stop…”

The sound was barely a whisper, unheard by anyone.

‘My throat felt as if it were constricted.’

‘Just like long ago, when I witnessed school bullying and simply pretended not to see, then walked away.’

‘What does it matter?’

‘You’re socially anxious, you should have died, you’re not from this world. What connection do you have with her?’

‘Poking my nose into others’ business could bring trouble upon myself, you know.’

‘Dying in this world might mean truly dying, right?’

“STOP!”

Her voice rang out so loudly that everyone ceased their actions, turning to stare at her in astonishment.

‘Yes, I was supposed to be an outsider.’

‘But if I don’t earn any ‘nurturing points’ (TL Note: A term from ‘raising’ or ‘养成’ games/novels, referring to points gained by interacting with or developing a character), I won’t be able to go back. More importantly, I can’t forget her smile beneath the moonlight, the one that broke through her ‘Ice Queen’ facade.’

Hizeta looked utterly surprised:

“Your Majesty…?”

“Heh, telling us to stop, what business is it of yours?”

She stood with hands on her hips, looking down at Ophelia.

‘The villainess’s aura is so strong!’

‘So many people are looking at me…呜呜 (TL Note: A Chinese onomatopoeia for whimpering or crying)… I don’t dare to speak…’

“If you don’t speak, that means you’re acquiescing, so we’ll just continue, shall we?” Hizeta’s face wore a look of triumphant conspiracy.

‘Acquiescing… acquiescing? Yes! Acquiescing!’

“Marta is *my* knight! A knight directly under *my* command! I have not yet authorized her punishment, so do you intend to overstep my authority as the Queen!?”

The scene fell silent once more.

Hizeta’s face was contorted in fury, and she glared menacingly at Ophelia.

Ophelia dared not meet her gaze, yet she forced herself to stare into Hizeta’s eyes; no matter how weak and powerless her own gaze was, at least she was meeting it.

“Hmph…” Ultimately, it was Hizeta who averted her eyes.

Her face still blazing with anger, she shifted her gaze and declared, “Even so, Marta is still deserving of punishment. If Your Majesty believes my proposed punishment is unsuitable, then Your Majesty must present an alternative solution that can persuade everyone here.”

“Otherwise, we shall proceed with mine!”

Ophelia hesitated, then turned her head, meeting Marta’s fervent gaze.

‘My ‘nurturing points’ are already at 30, and why is her gaze so fervent?’

“I…” Ophelia tried to stall.

“Yes, Your Majesty, please punish me!” To Ophelia’s surprise, it was Marta who spoke.

Ophelia stood there, stunned.

‘No, why are you asking me to punish you?! Don’t add to the chaos at a time like this!’

‘And why are you looking at my shoes with such a covetous expression?’