FYH Chapter 95

Lee-Jae was at the lakeside for the first time in a while. In a calm, clear voice, she was reading something aloud.

“During the three-year war, two noble houses disappeared, and three surrendered and contributed to the founding of Cayenne. The two were Ilias and Schmidt. The three were Melon, Russell, and Duncan. …The Duncans never make the wrong choice.”

She couldn’t bother the King every time, so she memorized the important sentences and jotted them down later.

Lee-Jae marked an X over the families that had been wiped out—Ilias and Schmidt.

Though it had happened four hundred years ago, she gave a quiet moment of respect.

Well, I am the Queen—what’s the harm in mourning for families who once stood against the Royal family?

She continued to read the next sentence aloud.

“The power of the Blake royal family: the Holy Sword. The power of Ilias: summoning. Schmidt: barrier. Mellon: spirit demise. Russell: counteraction. Duncan: foresight.”

This time, she circled the word “summoning” several times.

The Fifth King had said that in times of chaos, the lost powers would awaken again.

If now was such a time, and if Hailey truly was a seer, then it was only natural that other powers would reawaken too.

“Then… does that mean Ilias still lives?”

Lee-Jae furrowed her brows deeply and underlined the name Ilias several times.

She and the King had both gained a similar conviction from an event a few days prior.

The King of Cayenne and his western army had been attacked simultaneously by spirits.

Skirmishes with the Daemon restorationists often broke out near the western border.

Ilias had once been a noble house of the old Daemon Empire.

Was it not possible, then, that Ilias was now working with those restorationists?

“This actually feels like a very reasonable line of reasoning.”

Nodding to herself in satisfaction, Lee-Jae let out a long sigh.

She tapped her small fist against her thigh and knee as she muttered,

“I don’t know. Why does everyone live such complicated lives?”

When she had first met the King, she had wondered if he had committed some grave sin—or if the Royal house bore a karmic burden.

She thought perhaps everything would be resolved by purifying the spirits and cleansing the palace.

But the moment she realized someone was intentionally sending killing blows his way, the situation had grown more convoluted.

Just as she let out another long sigh, the Boy King appeared before her.

— Been a while, hasn’t it?

“Has it?”

But Lee-Jae’s expression was a bit sulky compared to usual.

Noticing this, the Boy King let out a snort.

— What’s with the cold reception?

“Couldn’t you at least have told me that Hailey was a seer? Is that too much of a divine secret to share?”

Lee-Jae had spent months pouring over Hailey’s journals.

She had even risked a marital crisis and gone to the river where Hailey once tried to end her life.

Her complaint was simple: if she was going through this much, couldn’t she at least get that hint?

“Excuse me.”

— What?

“I know you’re a great and mighty spirit, but honestly… you’re seriously slacking off.”

The Boy King burst into laughter.

— You’re really prickly today, huh? Everything I’ve done has been for your own good.

“For my own good?”

— Yeah. But you figured it out on your own, didn’t you? That’s what matters. A young person like you shouldn’t go looking for shortcuts all the time.

Lee-Jae didn’t quite agree, so she just made a reluctant expression.

“All I’ve got is this one lousy power. And it’s ruined my life for years. Don’t you think I deserve some perks in return?”

— You’re really bitter today. Did you and Roderick fight again?

“That’s not it. His Majesty always grants whatever I ask. There’s hardly anything to fight about. He’s actually… very kind.”

Unlike someone who shares his blood…

Lee-Jae shot a glance at the Boy King, then quickly swallowed her words and backed down.

She picked up a twig and started doodling in the dirt, a look of worry settling over her face.

Lately, Lee-Jae’s biggest concern was what to do next.

Her bucket list no longer held much meaning.

She desperately needed help, but the only one capable of helping was—once again—shirking responsibility.

Still, she knew from bitter experience that pleading or throwing a tantrum would get her nowhere.

What should I do… Lee-Jae kept pondering, aimlessly drawing lines in the dirt.

After a long silence, she suddenly spoke up.

 “I just thought of something I need to do.”

— What is it?

 “I think I need a new weapon. Something custom-made.”

When no reply came even after a long wait, Lee-Jae glanced up.

The Boy King was laughing, shoulders trembling, as if trying to suppress something.

Letting out a sigh, she stood up.

“I don’t know what’s so funny, but you go ahead and laugh. Some of us have a long road ahead, so I’ll be on my way.”

With a very polite bow, Lee-Jae turned and walked toward Deborah.

News that the Queen was carving something strange again quickly spread throughout the palace.

And for good reason—this time, the sheer size of the wood was unusual.

The Queen who usually played with logs no thicker than her forearm had now requested a block as big as her torso.

Most thought, What an odd hobby she has, but there was one person who wasn’t smiling at all: the King.

 Lee-Jae… What are you up to this time?

Whenever he saw his wife carving wood through the night, there was always worry etched on his face.

But with that concern came growing curiosity.

You’re really not going to tell even your husband? I’d at least like to know before everyone else does.

“Your Majesty, can I say something honestly?”

When Roderick nodded, Lee-Jae smirked.

“Sometimes, when you get curious like that… it makes me not want to tell you even more. I don’t know why I act like such a brat.”

“What a terrible little hobby you’ve picked up. My fox, you’re definitely getting more mischievous by the day.”

 “Really?”

“Just joking. If your personality got any nicer, that’d be a problem. Royals aren’t supposed to be pushovers.”

“What a comforting thought. Your Majesty, you really are so warm.”

Gradually, people began to figure out what the Queen was carving.

The first to recognize it were the knights.

Though the shape was unusual, there was no mistaking it—the Queen was making a bow.

The King and a small circle of close aides were already gathered in the Queen’s private garden, waiting for her.

As they surveyed the odd surroundings, each wore an expression that said I have a lot to say.

The Knight commander, who had the most authority among them, cautiously said to the King:

“Your Majesty, the atmosphere in the palace seems to be… growing stranger by the day.”

“Hmm…”

Unable to say outright that the Queen’s hobbies were weird, Jade chose his words carefully.

At twenty-one, born of noble blood and high status, the Queen’s “playground” was more bizarre than ever.

In one area, herbs she had cultivated were drying in the sun.

Nearby were all sorts of tools and kettles for brewing medicinal concoctions.

In another corner, a stack of lumber for carving piled high, and on the wall hung a mysterious target whose purpose no one could guess.

Jade, too, was beginning to agree with the King’s sentiment:

Just what kind of upbringing did the Duncan family give her? Most people can’t manage even one hobby—how does she have them all?

The King scratched the tip of his brow with a laugh.

He knew the full story, of course, but explaining it was tricky.

Now that he found himself in this situation, he regretted ever calling her a liar.

She had, in fact, tried to explain everything to the best of her ability—within the bounds of common sense.

While the knights were still trying to make sense of the strange scene before them, the Queen finally appeared in the garden.

She was accompanied only by Deborah and a single knight.

“Your Majesty, you’re here early?”

As she walked over with a warm smile, Roderick quickly stepped forward and cupped her cheeks.

“Ah, I was so worried I came right after the meeting ended.”

“I told you, there’s no need to worry.”

“You’re making a weapon. How could I not worry? If my little bean gets blown away with the arrow, I’ll have to run after you and bring you back.”

Lee-Jae let out a disbelieving laugh.

Shaking her head, she started organizing her quiver.

The King bent down beside her and quietly watched.

All shamans have their own personal mugu—ritual tools.

Some used sacred knives or excelled with talismans; others relied on colorful flags or bells; still others preferred ritual instruments.

Those who use sacred knives or talismans were typically exorcists, who purge evil spirits.

Those who use flags and bells were diviners, able to glimpse into the future.

Those who favored ritual instruments specialized in consoling the dead—guiding restless souls to peace.

While Granny Yeongsan was the greatest shaman of her time and could wield nearly all tools, Lee-Jae was not like that.

Her tools were simple: a beaded bracelet and a bow.

She had always needed more tools, but had hesitated to speak about the bow.

While people in the palace might tolerate the bracelets and carved charms, a bow would surely raise eyebrows.

But now that the King knew everything and understood her, there was no reason to hold back anymore.

“But hey… are you sure you can really handle this?”

“Why? Do I really look like I’d go flying with the arrow?”

“…”

“Oh? You can’t even answer that?”

The King scratched his brow awkwardly.

Behind him, the royal knights silently nodded in understanding.

More than anything, the bow just looked too big for her small frame.

She had clearly carved it herself to fit her size, but even so, Lee-Jae seemed too small and light to handle it.

With a smirk, she lightly plucked the bowstring—twang, twang.

Then she said, “Your Majesty, there’s a saying I like a lot.”

“What is it?”

“The only thing that trembles is your heart.”

She nocked an arrow and pulled the string back with all her strength.

Seeing that, the King instinctively stepped back, concern written all over his face.

Her eyes had sharpened.

“The target is standing still, isn’t it?”

“So if I’m steady, if I don’t waver… then I will hit it.”

And in that moment, lips pressed tightly together, Lee-Jae released the taut bowstring.