FYH Chapter 98

Roderick easily grabbed her ankle and pulled her right back toward him. Then, once again, he turned her onto her stomach.

“Ugh, no. I said no, didn’t I?”

Lee-Jae shook her head in protest, but he didn’t pay her any mind. He pressed down gently over her clothes, right where her sacrum was.

“Does it hurt?”

“…”

“I said, does it hurt?”

“…It doesn’t.”

At that, Roderick’s hand moved slightly lower. This time, he pressed her tailbone and closely watched her expression.

“How about here?”

“I’m really fine.”

And that was when the very situation she had been wary of finally happened. The moment his hand gripped the hem of her dress, Lee-Jae quickly tried to stop him.

“I said I’m fine! Why do you keep doing this? You’re embarrassing me!”

She kept trying to sit up, but Roderick firmly pressed her shoulders back down.

“What’s the big deal about checking a bruise between husband and wife? It’s not like I haven’t seen your body before.”

“Even between a married couple, this situation doesn’t feel… dignified.”

“Our dignity was lost the moment you fell flat on your ass.”

Lee-Jae hesitated, then reluctantly laid back down again—and the moment she did, Roderick’s hands moved quickly. He lifted two layers at once and then pulled down the final, thinnest layer in one smooth motion.

He fell silent.

At that moment, Lee-Jae buried her face into the pillow. He was her husband. They had seen everything, done everything—but for some reason, this felt humiliating.

The cool air against her lower half made her squirm.

Roderick clicked his tongue and said:

“Uh-oh. You’re bruised.”

“Really?!”

Startled, Lee-Jae lifted her head, eyes wide in shock.

Roderick stared at her for a beat, then said:

“Just kidding.”

“…You’re teasing me again, aren’t you?”

She buried her face back into the pillow and muttered.

“Tch.”

Roderick heard it clearly and laughed.

“‘Tch’? I brought medicine thinking my wife might have a bruise, and that’s the thanks I get?”

“…I was just imitating Your Majesty.”

“They say kids pick up the worst habits first.”

“That’s something people say about actual children.”

But in truth, Lee-Jae did feel a bit like a child. Not just because her bare bottom was exposed, but because- this kind of overprotective concern—she’d never received it, even as a child.

Roderick reached for the headboard, opening the small container.

“I was half-joking, but honestly, you do have a bit of a bruise.”

Lee-Jae blushed deeply, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Her lips jutted out in a pout. He could’ve just said that in the first place, she thought, instead of pulling that irritating prank.

Seriously, what even is this? It’s not like I’m some toddler who needs a diaper change.

Once again, Roderick was equal parts tenderness and mischief.

“It’s not bad, but let’s put on some ointment.”

“I’ll do it myself. Honestly, I’m a little embarrassed right now.”

When she reached for his wrist to stop him again, Roderick tilted his head, utterly puzzled.

“I really don’t get why this is embarrassing. If you’re too shy even in front of your husband, who are you going to ask to do it? You’ve got short arms, too.”

“Hmm… Deborah?”

She gave the answer after seriously considering it for a moment, but Roderick let out a long sigh.

“Ouch. That stung a little. Shouldn’t you turn to your husband before your Head Maid?”

“I guess… maybe it’s because I don’t want to show Your Majesty my ugly side.”

“Ugly? Who’s ugly?”

“……”

“Of everything you’ve said today, that hurt the most.”

With nothing more to say, Lee-Jae buried her head into the pillow once more.

Roderick chuckled softly and scooped up a dollop of thick green ointment. Then, he gently spread it over her soft skin.

Lee-Jae instinctively rubbed her cheek against the pillow several times. The sensation of his large hand gliding smoothly across her skin was almost too much to bear.

Watching her squirm, Roderick kneaded her tender flesh for a moment, then leaned down and placed several kisses along the shallow groove of her spine.

Lee-Jae had been tightly tensing her neck. Only when Roderick’s hand finally moved away was she able to speak.

“Pervert.”

“Sure, I’m a pervert. But doesn’t it sound even more perverted the way you’re taking it?”

“…You’re awful. You did all that just to tease me, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, and because you kind of liked it too. Let’s call it even.”

He tried to fan her with his hand until the ointment could soak in and dry, but Lee-Jae couldn’t wait that long. The moment she felt the breeze on her skin, she yanked one layer of clothing up and pulled the other two down in a flash. Her hands moved faster than his hands had.

When she finally pulled the blanket over her head, tucking it up to her chin, Roderick lay down beside her, resting his head on his palm as he stared at her for a long while.

Lee-Jae tensed again, wondering What now? just as he suddenly said:

“Wife.”

“Yes?”

“Lee-Jae.”

“What is it?”

“You’ve had a nosebleed, scraped your knee, bruised your butt… What’s next? Can you give me a heads-up?”

“…My butt’s not bruised, though.”

Lee-Jae muttered in her own defense.

But that wasn’t what Roderick really wanted to say.

“Still, all of that happened because of me.”

“……”

“Lee-Jae. Am I just someone who keeps hurting you?”

Startled, she shook her head repeatedly.

“Of course not. Don’t say things like that.”

“Then what am I to you?”

Lee-Jae looked at him in silence.

He was someone for whom getting hurt never felt like a waste. But even so, she still wanted to do more for him. She hesitated, glanced at him, and then tried to pull the blanket up higher—but he tugged it back down.

“Then tell me. What exactly were you trying to do out there? You can’t fall asleep until you answer.”

“I just… thought maybe I could find a clue.”

She answered reluctantly, but Roderick already had an idea. He remembered what she’d said before shooting the arrow.

“To find out who fired the shot?”

“Yes, I was trying to ask for guidance. Sometimes I get answers… but this time it didn’t work. I guess I lost my temper and pushed myself too hard. I thought it would be okay since it was something in the past.”

Lee-Jae admitted without excuse that her lack of control and discipline was to blame. Roderick nodded.

“So that’s why you looked upset the whole meal? It bothered you that much?”

“Yeah… for some reason, it really did.”

As she lowered her gaze again with a sulky expression, Roderick let out a breath of laughter—half sigh, half disbelief.

The whole situation was honestly absurd to him.

That he had to beg her not to carry the burden alone. Not to ask her to do it all—he’d long since given up on that. All he wanted now was to be allowed in.

“Then you should’ve said something. We could’ve talked it out. What, do I have to beg you to let me in now? Do you think our roles have reversed or something?”

“You idiot. This was never your job to begin with. I should’ve been the one asking for help.”

It’s not something you’re supposed to carry alone.

We figured that out last time, didn’t we?

That night… I know I wasn’t the only one who felt it.

“Are you really going to keep doing this and making me anxious?”

Roderick asked again, a little desperate now, “Hm?”

Lee-Jae shook her head over and over.

That silent response made him ache even more. He reached for her.

“Come here. Let me hold you.”

“………”

“Come check if your husband’s heart’s still in one piece while you sleep.”

Lee-Jae slowly scooted closer, and Roderick quickly gathered her into his arms.

Meanwhile, the line of visitors waiting for an audience was long again today.

As always, the Queen wore a calm and composed expression—but Deborah and the other maids were visibly annoyed.

In truth, Deborah wanted to snap at the nobles.

If it’s that serious, go to the temple and pray. Why are you crying in front of Her Majesty like it’s the end of the world? So damn unlucky.

But what truly irritated her was something else entirely.

Duke Duncan had put his name on the audience list. Just like that—bold as ever.

Both the King and Lee-Jae had a hand in orchestrating this meeting.

“If my father asks for an audience, make sure it’s scheduled.”

“If the Queen wants it, grant it. Just make sure you support her properly.”

The moment Duke Duncan stepped into the audience chamber, Deborah’s expression hardened.

And the moment a certain phrase left Lee-Jae’s lips, her face grew even more stony.

“Everyone, could you give us a moment?”

“Your Majesty…”

Deborah shook her head slightly, trying to dissuade her. But Lee-Jae only smiled and whispered:

“It’s alright. His Majesty knows. He won’t say anything, so there’s no need to worry.”

Lee-Jae could easily guess that the King had already pestered the Head lady-in-waiting about this issue.

Deborah was, by all accounts, a highly capable perfectionist. Which meant that this whole situation must have been especially nerve-wracking for her.

And so, Lee-Jae had merely spoken the truth as it was.

But Deborah somehow looked… disappointed.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“I apologize for speaking out of turn, but… I’m not worried about protocol or appearances. I’m worried about you.”

At that, Lee-Jae froze for a moment. When she looked around, she saw that the nearby attendants all wore similar expressions—nodding slightly, looking a little hurt, a little concerned.

At a loss for what to say, Lee-Jae slowly reached out her hand.

She gently took hold of the lady-in-waiting’s hand, whose skin—still smooth and warm despite her age—felt softer than Lee-Jae remembered.

“Yes, I know. Deborah… thank you. Really. Thank you.”

Deborah gave her a pained but affectionate smile, then lowered her head respectfully.

It was strange.

She’d once barely grazed the edge of the woman’s hand—and yet now, it felt so much warmer.