The Killer Queen

Maddox was practically buzzing with exciteme

Watching the young couple, Noella and Palmer, walking hand in hand made him giddy with joy. The dense, secluded woods were perfect for nurturing romance

Imagine, if by some stroke of luck, a venomous snake decided to make an appearance, and Noella, with her swift moves, managed to eliminate the threat. Wouldn’t Palmer be absolutely smitten?

Or perhaps if a wild bear loomed out of the shadows, and Noella, with her unparalleled bravery, took it down. The tale of the damsel saving the hero would surely bind Palmer to her side forever.

And what if a wild boar charged through, only for Noella to turn it into a magnificent feast? Palmer would undoubtedly fall head over heels in love!

Maddox was well aware of Noella’s capabilities, inside and out. Even the steep inclines that would deter most were child’s play for Noella, who had been scaling rocks barehanded since the age of five.

To Palmer, with his city–bred eyes, Noella must have seemed like a delicate flower, unaware of the strength and skill she possessed.

Maddox felt anxious for them, noticing that things didn’t appear any different from their last visit.

Finding Stirling with Noella’s help was a given, so he wasn’t worried.

If Noella knew what Maddox was thinking, she might jokingly ask if his tongue was blessed.

As they ventured deeper, a suspicious rustling from the bushes caught Palmer’s attention. Instinctively, he pulled Noella behind him, his eyes scanning the underbrush for signs of danger.

“Be carefull” he wamed.

The woods around Glen Village were notorious for their snakes.

A small, triangular–headed serpent flicked its tongue menacingly close to them, its eyes cold and calculating.

“It’s alright, I’ve got this,” Noella started, reaching for the snake repellent and various powders she’d prepared.

Having grown up in Glen Village, she was well–acquainted with the local wildlife and had even hunted venomous snakes to support her family.

Palmer, however, out her off, positioning himself protectively in front of her and drawing a knife from his pocket. “I’ve got this. No need for you to step in, my fiancée.”

“You then just be careful.”

“Wait here.”

The venomous snake lunged forward at lightning speed, its forked tongue flickering. Within moments, the man’s hand swiftly seized the snake’s neck, and a military knife plunged into its head, securing the snake to the ground!

His movements were deft and elegant, his arm muscles bulging. The snake’s tail wrapped around Palmer’s wrist, gradually ceasing its

movement.

“Shall we keep it? Maddox might appreciate it for his snake wine collection.”

“No need. Maddox’s cellar is already stocked,” Noella replied, shaking her head..

In such a situation, he could confidently shield her without hesitation. He even thought about the needs of those close to her. Was he simply thoughtful, or… was it just for her?

Unaware of Noella’s adoring look, Palmer swiftly disposed of the snake and then took Noella’s hand, leading her forward.

They soon found the Fuller family’s dilapidated home. As Noella pushed open the door, a strong scent of blood hit her.

Inside, she found Stirling and Yasbel unconscious. Thankfully, a quick check confirmed they were unharmed, just knocked out by ether.

Noella breathed a sigh of relief.

Noella, come here, Palmer called from the yard, where a grim scene awaited.

The chickens and ducks lay dead, and amid the carnage, an injured man, Ellsworth, lay unconscious.

“Looks like he’s involved in this, Noella deduced.

As Noella moved to enter the yard, Palmer quickly took her hand and gently said, “Let me handle this. Don’t get your hands dirty.”

His tone sounded matter–of–fact, and without hesitation, he continued into the yard. After bending down to check Ellsworth’s breathing. and pulse, he looked up and confirmed, “He’s still alive.”

Noella raised an eyebrow slightly.

How did Palmer know she was interested in Ellsworth’s vital signs?

Between them, there seemed to be an unspoken understanding. Palmer could sense her needs without her having to speak. Palmer didn’t rush to leave. His intense gaze lingered on the unconscious Ellsworth, his eyes flashing with emotions that Noella couldn’t quite interpret!

His tall figure crouching there stood out prominently against the backdrop of an almost lifeless man and a yard littered with dead. chickens and ducks, creating an oddly discordant scene.

Noella couldn’t help but asked, “Palmer, what’s wrong?”

Palmer’s voice was raspy. “Noella, I actually… kind of envy this guy.”

Envy who? Ellsworth? How could someone like Palmer, a prodigy, feel envy towards a thug from Glen Village?

Palmer clapped his hands and stood up, walking towards Noella against the backlight.

“He’s known you since childhood, grown up with you. Though I shouldn’t feel this way, I can’t help but be jealous that you two were childhood friends!”

Noella had never heard such honest words from Palmer before!

Palmer stopped a few steps away from Noella. “I have blood on me. I don’t want to get you dirty. Stay back.”

She also had blood on her from checking Stirling and Yasbel’s condition.

Noella took a step forward. “It’s okay.”

A soft light fell on Palmer’s face, and his gaze towards Noella held a gentle and incredulous warmth.

The man stood with the sun of the village casting long shadows behind him, enveloping Noella in a silhouette that seemed to claim her as his own. His Adam’s apple bobbed, adding an unexpected allure to his presence.

His voice, raspy and beguiling, broke the silence. “Noella, I’m quite fond of you. If I’d known you when we were kids, I might’ve been that annoying boy camped out on your doorstep every day.”

Noella looked up at Palmer, her gaze steady. “But Grandpa Sexton mentioned you had a girlfriend before.”

Palmer blinked, a flash of panic crossing his eyes. “That’s just gossip. I’ve never had a girlfriend. You’re my first love.”

Sexton, for some reason, had decided to spread those rumors in front of Noella! If those tales scared his fiancée away, Palmer wondered how his grandfather would manage to smooth things over.

Seeing Palmer’s flustered attempts to explain, hindered further by his reluctance to come too close with hands stained from work, Noella couldn’t help but laugh. Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

“I’m just messing with you. Grandpa Sexton said your romantic history was a clean slate.”

Palmer had told her she was his first love. As for Noella, she was still trying to decipher her feelings for Palmer.

Yet, standing so close to him, she didn’t feel any urge to pull away. Instead, when his intense gaze fixed on her, unwavering, Noella felt her heartbeat quicken.

Was this what being smitten felt like?