The two exchanged a few more jokes afterward—a conversation meant to ease the tense atmosphere.
It was something Roderick had never seen before, but for Lee-Jae, being conscious of it in front of him made everything awkward. She had a modest desire to appear like an ordinary person in front of her husband.
Of course, that wish had already failed long ago.
After their brief exchange, Lee-Jae became serious again. She raised her right index finger to her lips, and Roderick gave a short nod.
The King quickly noticed the change in her eyes. The once-gentle gaze now sparkled sharply. It was the look she always had when holding a carving knife—keen, fierce, but always precise.
Lee-Jae looked briefly in the direction of the lingering spirits, then began rolling up a sheet of paper. She held it to the candle flame. Smoke rose, filling the room with a bitter, acrid scent.
Expel, Extinguish, Destroy, Sever. Expel again.
‘Quickly go away, quickly follow the command, so be it.’
‘To those who remain stagnant—return swiftly to your land.’
‘Do not disturb the flow of time in this world, which moves like a river.’
Roderick watched Lee-Jae intently. Though she didn’t speak aloud, he could sometimes see her red lips moving slightly.
He didn’t know exactly what she was saying.
But he was already too familiar with that strange sensation. The atmosphere in the room was shifting rapidly.
Each time she placed a talisman, the swirling energy inside the room began to calm. The tension gradually dissipated, the aura stabilizing.
This is strange, Roderick thought.
Those who trained in swordsmanship often had more sensitive perception than average people. He was well aware of that.
But why was this sensation—the qi—growing stronger from over there?
When Lee-Jae finally reached out a hand into the air, Roderick’s confusion deepened. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was emanating from her fingertips.
Why do I keep sensing these things?
Is it just because she has such pure, rare energy?
After a long while, Lee-Jae turned to the King and smiled gently. Roderick, realizing she was finished, nodded.
“Come here. Hmm?”
But instead of calling her over, Roderick got up from the bed and strode to her. He cupped her face in his hands and bent down, studying her carefully with concern etched into every motion.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
But Roderick shook his head.
“No… You really don’t look okay.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“What should I do? Your complexion looks bad.”
“Seriously, I said I’m fine.”
“Should I call the royal physician just in case?”
“…If you’re going to ignore everything I say and have a conversation with yourself, why even bother asking me?”
Instead of answering, Roderick simply scooped her into his arms. He gently laid her on the bed and looked down at her in silence, occasionally placing the back of his hand against different parts of her body to check her temperature.
His blue eyes were full of worry.
It was as if he didn’t know how to say anything else—he repeated the same words.
“Are you really okay?”
“…”
“Is it hard to speak right now?”
“…”
“If so, just blink once.”
Lee-Jae couldn’t help it anymore. She gave a soft snort and burst into laughter.
Honestly, she wasn’t feeling that bad. She had felt a little dizzy, sure, but compared to the days when just casting a barrier would leave her bedridden, this was incredible progress.
As she laughed, Roderick frowned—his expression saying, Seriously? You’re laughing right now?
“I’m worried sick here, and you’re laughing?”
“Then should I cry? If you’re going to worry this much, maybe you should just wait outside next time.”
“Oh, come on—not this again. I thought we settled that already.”
Of course, that was true, but even so, Lee Jae didn’t want to see him so upset.
“Your Majesty, the more I think about it, this is a really unfair agreement.”
“What is?”
“You said if I get a nosebleed, the deal’s off. That you’d lock me up in the room.”
Roderick nodded several times.
“Yes. I would.”
“Then shouldn’t I get a clause too? If you’re going to worry this much, I’ll just do it when you’re not looking.”
She had a point. But the King wasn’t someone to back down so easily.
He wanted to grant his wife’s every wish, but on this negotiation, he wouldn’t budge.
“That’s why you should’ve thought carefully before you agreed. Haven’t you heard not to sign a contract carelessly?”
“Your Majesty, it was a verbal agreement, wasn’t it? I never signed anything.”
“Oh, so now you’re going to break the trust between husband and wife like this?”
But despite his curt words, the King’s large hand didn’t stop moving.
Lee Jae, who had simply been smiling, gradually began to feel baffled. She understood when he checked her temperature and touched her forehead.
But then, out of nowhere, he placed his hand on her left chest. She was speaking to him clearly, and yet he was checking her heartbeat.
Lee Jae swatted his hand away with a sharp “Hey!”
“What are you doing?! Seriously!”
“I wasn’t trying to touch you. I was just worried there might be something wrong.”
“…”
“But is this still unpleasant between husband and wife?”
In the end, she covered her face and laughed with a soft sob. He was just ridiculous.
When Roderick gently removed her small hand, she still hadn’t finished laughing.
There had been times when Lee Jae felt the King treated her like a child. The age gap made it understandable, perhaps.
But even after she’d made it clear she wasn’t as young as he thought, his attitude hadn’t changed. If anything, it had become worse. He was simply a man who was tender toward his wife.
“Your Majesty, you’re going overboard. Feeling this tired could happen after long receptions or staying up late reading.”
“Then go receive people and read books. How is that the same as this?”
“This is my real job. Embarrassing as it is, this is the only skill I have.”
Lee Jae joked with a touch of sincerity, but Roderick didn’t laugh. Instead, he frowned, clearly displeased.
“Why would that be embarrassing? And why would that be your only skill? Try speaking a little more kindly.”
Because she could sense the hurt in his voice, Lee Jae nodded silently.
In truth, Roderick’s insides were churning. She said she was fine, but no matter how he looked at her, her complexion was pale.
To break this cycle, maybe he really did need to strike at House Duncan.
But if he attacked House Duncan, the Queen would be in danger.
What was a way to destroy House Duncan without putting the Queen in harm’s way?
Should he falsify the records of audiences? Investigate the Duke’s close aides? Or perhaps use an anonymous tip to apply financial pressure?
“But what if it’s not House Duncan…”
Roderick muttered his thoughts out loud, and Lee Jae looked at him intently. She had a feeling she knew what he was thinking.
He was trying to figure out who sent the assassin.
It was a concern they both shared.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“Should I sound out the Duke again? Like last time?”
“…”
Roderick fell silent. He stared at her for a moment before letting out a soft, resigned laugh. So now she was even willing to do that.
He didn’t want her to.
Because she wasn’t Duncan.
There was no reason for the Queen to speak with a man like that—he wasn’t even her father.
The King knew she held deep resentment toward the Duke. He knew that she always seemed sharpest when speaking to him. And he had a strong suspicion why.
Thinking about it made his blood run cold, and so he rejected her suggestion without hesitation.
“Lee Jae. The Duke is a venomous snake. Don’t do it.”
Was that too quick a rejection?
Lee-Jae’s face turned slightly hurt. After hesitating, she spoke.
“Your Majesty, you always just tell me not to do anything.”
It was the kind of line that tugged at the heart, but Roderick was honestly at a loss. At least on this point, he felt no guilt whatsoever.
“My lady. Isn’t that a little unfair to me? I’ve agreed to almost everything you’ve asked. At the very least, I’ve tried to find a compromise. If there’s something I flat-out said no to besides this, go ahead and name it.”
“…”
“This time, I’m asking you to yield. I’m telling you not to do it because it’s dangerous.”
But Lee-Jae shook her head, clearly not agreeing. She looked just like the time she insisted, “I’m fine,” while asking for her carving knife back. Roderick really felt like plugging his ears now.
“Your Majesty, I’m a fox, remember? I’m a vicious, cunning fox too.”
It was getting more ridiculous by the second. Roderick bit down hard inside his cheek.
Damn it. This isn’t funny—but that little fox is making me want to laugh again.
“You? A cunning fox? You’re just a baby fox. A fluffy little baby fox.”
“Didn’t you once say I was a wild fox? Foxes eat snakes, you know.”
That left Roderick so dumbfounded he simply blurted out:
“You’re afraid of snakes.”
“…”
“That’s enough. Go to sleep now.”
Roderick decided there was no point in continuing. If he kept talking, she’d twist things, and he’d fold in a second. He didn’t even think he could win—nor did he want to.
He pulled the blanket over and neatly tucked her in himself, placing his arm behind her head.
Lee-Jae stared at him with wide, bright eyes. Then, instead of turning her back to him like usual, she faced him. She draped her arm across his chest and rubbed her cheek against his solid bicep several times.
Roderick could only let out a laugh of disbelief. Her intent was obvious. But he didn’t dislike the way she subtly pressed her body against his. That was always one of his biggest weaknesses.
“Well now, what’s this? Her Majesty snuggling up in my arms?”
Lee-Jae let out a clear laugh.
“I know what you want to say. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
“…”
“You’re probably tired. Just sleep for now.”
He gently brushed up her short bangs and kissed her round forehead. Then, to lull the peach-colored fox to sleep, he patted her back softly.
He closed his eyes too, trying to sleep. That was when Lee-Jae poked him lightly in the side.
“What now? I said we’d talk tomorrow.”
“That’s not what I was going to talk about.”
“Yeah?”
Roderick opened his eyes, puzzled, and looked at her. When Lee-Jae saw his blue eyes reappear, she smiled gently.
“I wasn’t going to bring up the Duke.”
“You weren’t?”
“Nope.”
“Then what?”
Roderick looked even more confused.
Lee-Jae hesitated. What she was about to say felt embarrassingly small. But if she waited until morning, she might forget. So she had to say it while it was still in her heart.
“Your Majesty… thank you.”
“For what?”
“For staying with me and worrying about me. And… thanks for not looking at me weirdly today.”
“…”
“Sleep well.”
Finishing her words, she let out a shy laugh and burrowed under the blanket.
But Roderick was left slightly stunned. It had just hit him what she’d been worried about all this time.
You… were worried about something like that?
After everything you’ve done—for me?
Did you really think I’d look at you like you were strange?
“…You really have a way of driving me crazy.”
But something about it left his chest aching, and he stared at the shape of her curled up under the blanket for a long time.
Silently, he pulled the blanket—and her—into his arms.
Then he took a strand of her hair that had slipped out and gently kissed it.
