Lee-Jae looked at Roderick with an expression that said she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“Why? We should eat together. This isn’t fair.”
“Our body types and stamina weren’t fair to begin with.”
People like the King or the commander of the knights were practically walking weapons. That’s why they didn’t just go around picking fights.
But since Lee-Jae was still hesitating, Roderick decided to help her out a bit.
“Want me to eat it with you?”
Lee-Jae nodded eagerly.
“Yes, since it’s supposedly healthy.”
“Sure. But if I eat this stuff, I’ll probably end up doing what we usually do twice, or doing it three times instead of two.”
“Wife, can you handle that?”
“…That’s a really unique way to say ‘I’m not eating this.’ But at least your intent is crystal clear. This is how I should’ve been phrasing things.”
“I was actually saying I must eat it, but apparently my wife misunderstood.”
Lee-Jae pretended not to hear as she reached for a dish with her fork, and Roderick shook with barely restrained laughter.
She hesitated for a moment, but out of respect for his sincerity, she finally mustered the courage to take a bite.
And after chewing a few times, the fox who’d been faking calm for a while clenched her fork in outrage.
“Your Majesty! Did this dish come straight from the depths of hell?!”
Roderick burst out laughing at last.
“Since you’re asking again, I’ll give you a clear answer. Not getting it sooner—totally my fault. I apologize.”
“But letting it get so out of balance—that’s partly your fault too.”
He pushed the plates a little closer to her with a casual tap of his finger.
“Just one bite each. That’s not too much to ask, right? I’ll have something else brought out afterward.”
“This is the only way I know to take care of you.”
When someone speaks to you with that much sincerity and softness, any irritation tends to dissolve before it can form.
In fact, Lee-Jae hadn’t even really been annoyed in the first place.
Scraping her bread distractedly, she moved her fork again with a slightly sheepish expression. Then, hesitating, she said:
“Why do you say this is the only way you can take care of me? You even go along with things you said not to do if I ask.”
“What can I do? I can’t win against my little bean.”
“…Liar. You’re letting me win.”
Roderick scoffed when he heard her muttering. He looked less annoyed and more… unjustly accused.
“Didn’t realize my wife had such a huge misunderstanding. I don’t let you win. I just can’t beat you.”
Lee-Jae let out a huff of laughter through her nose.
She always had the sense that Roderick was going easy on people, including her.
It wasn’t just her—he often waved off mistakes from palace staff with a simple, “Let’s all do better, yeah?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that.”
“It’s true. I’ve never had such a pathetic win rate in my life. You really think I don’t notice when you go over my head?”
“……”
“And honestly, what’s the point of going all-out to win against you? If my wife ends up upset, I feel just as awful. From where I stand, that’s what a real idiot looks like.”
“So basically, you’re letting me win because you don’t want to fight.”
The couple continued bickering about the strangest topic.
Both insisted the other was stronger, trying hard to claim the title of “the weaker one.”
People around them, finding this whole argument ridiculous, just gave awkward smiles.
And once again, the King reluctantly gave in.
“Fine, let’s say you’re right about everything. Now stop chirping and eat before it gets cold.”
Lee-Jae nodded and began moving her knife and fork again.
But seeing her still visibly uneasy, the King took it upon himself to dissect the bizarre creatures on her plate.
Very quickly, her small plate was piled high with “prepared” pieces of food.
Lee-Jae moved to stop him.
“Please, that’s enough. I can do it myself.”
“Too late. Just hurry up and eat.”
She stared at him, full of things she wanted to say.
He’d said “just one bite” of each—but somehow, those bites were getting bigger by the second.
It was a one-person portion that looked suspiciously like two.
Lee-Jae narrowed her eyes at the King, sensing a hidden agenda.
Roderick, unfazed by her suspicion, continued to pile food onto her plate.
His attention didn’t waver, even when more ordinary dishes were served, or when medicine and dessert came out.
If Lee-Jae hadn’t hurried to grab the medicine bowl herself, Roderick might’ve lifted it to her lips for her.
“Don’t leave any. Drink it all.”
Lee-Jae nodded and gulped it down in one go.
Once the bowl was emptied and set back on the table, the King’s expression turned satisfied.
Why did watching someone eat make a person feel so happy?
There was no need to look for a grand reason.
It was simply because he liked her.
Because the sight of her pushing through with determination was beautiful.
Because he wanted her to stay healthy.
But just when she’d let her guard down, Lee-Jae clenched her fists and fluttered her lashes in agony.
No, seriously—was everyone out to get her today? This was way too bitter!
As she opened her tightly shut eyes again, she saw the King propping his chin up, grinning from ear to ear.
His blue eyes sparkled with amusement as they looked at her.
“Why are you laughing?”
“……”
“Was my expression that funny?”
Embarrassed, Lee-Jae spoke with forced dignity. She felt like a kid who couldn’t even take her medicine, and it made her self-conscious.
But Roderick’s reply embarrassed her in an entirely different way.
“No. You were just… beautiful, eating so well.”
“……”
“That’s why I smiled.”
The King knew she had eaten more earnestly than usual, even scrunching her nose a little as she did.
She was trying harder than his words even asked for.
It was likely because she couldn’t bring herself to dismiss his sincerity.
That kind heart of hers was admirable—but at the same time, it made the King’s chest ache a little.
Just how lonely had she been?
How little care had she received, that even this meager attention from her husband felt special?
He didn’t voice those thoughts.
Instead, he stared at her and delivered a joke laced with too much honesty.
“Wife. Are everyone this happy after they get married?”
“Of course not. If that were true, why would people break up?”
“Ah, true. So I guess I’m just lucky to have married you, then.”
“……”
“But still… is it okay that I’m this happy? I feel like I should apologize to the world.”
Lee-Jae fell quiet. That sounded like one of those “I pity those who’ve never known love” kind of statements.
His tone was playful, but it still felt like he was mocking every single soul in the land of the living and the dead who’d never been in love.
“Your Majesty… you’re getting worse by the day. You should stop here.”
Shaking her head, Lee-Jae wondered what on earth she was supposed to do with this man.
Roderick chuckled and looked around the table again.
By now, it was filled with all sorts of desserts. But when he couldn’t find any that seemed suited to his wife’s tastes, he simply handed her a glass of water.
His tone was curt—“Just cleanse your palate or something”—but the look in his eyes was full of laughter.
Even after the meal was over, the King and Lee-Jae remained seated for quite some time.
That was because the King had started teasing her again.
They bickered over trivial things—though truthfully, that’s how they always played around when they had a moment.
That was when the Commander of the knights arrived.
He had been waiting in the corridor of the Queen’s palace to make his report. But the meal had dragged on so long, he eventually came in.
“Glory to Cayenne. …My apologies for interrupting your meal.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s fine. We’re already done.”
Their responses came at the same time again, and Commander Jade scratched his neck awkwardly.
Still, he quickly pulled himself together to do his duty.
“Your Majesty, I have a report. Would you be available in a bit?”
“What is it?”
“News from the western border, Your Majesty.”
At that, Roderick gave a small nod and jerked his chin to dismiss the others from the room.
“If it won’t take long, just report it here.”
But even now, the Commander of the knights hesitated briefly.
The news he brought concerned the King’s younger brother.
And the King had previously emphasized that such matters must not leak outside.
So… was it really okay to speak of this in front of the Queen now?
As before, it was Lee-Jae’s presence that made the commander falter.
She quickly sensed this and, like last time, covered both ears with her hands.
Roderick let out a dry laugh and gently pulled her hands away by the wrists.
“Isn’t it about time you stopped doing that?”
“If you keep your promise not to do anything reckless, then there’s honestly nothing I want to hide from you.”
That made Lee-Jae even more hesitant.
She could tell the Commander was about to bring up something uncomfortable.
She’d had her fair share of navigating awkward social cues.
If there was one thing she was good at, it was sensing when others were uncomfortable.
Turning her head slightly, she lowered her gaze.
It was a silent gesture—like a small animal signaling:
You don’t have to worry about me. I won’t bite.
And Commander Jade, clearly flustered that she had noticed his hesitation, bowed his head in apology.
The King, who had been watching the whole exchange quietly, finally chuckled in amusement.
It struck him as funny—his wife and best friend having this entire unspoken exchange in front of him.
“Are you two not getting along or something? Did something happen I don’t know about? Why are you both being so awkward?”
“Not at all! I have the utmost… no, deep respect for Her Majesty!”
“Jade and I are on great terms, actually.”
Of course, Roderick had only been joking.
But when both Lee-Jae and Jade shouted out their answers at the same time, his face scrunched with laughter.
“Ah, now this feels weird in its own way. Aren’t you both overdoing it a bit? I’m right here, you know. Your husband is sitting with wide-open eyes.”
This time, neither of them could respond.
Because they were both thinking the same thing:
What are we even supposed to say to that?
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Jade finally got to the report.
He was the most successful knight in Cayenne.
Just as capable in perception and discretion as he was in strength.
He figured—at least he could start in a way only the King would grasp.
Then Roderick could decide how to proceed from there.
“Your Majesty, it’s regarding that matter you discreetly ordered His Highness, the prince, to take care of.”
Roderick nodded.
“Yeah? What about it? Have they found where he is?”
Seeing the king’s open and unconcerned attitude, Jade was able to determine the tone of the report he’d give.
Still, he couldn’t help the slight grimace that crossed his face as he looked at his friend.
In that moment, he had a sudden realization:
Ah… once again, I’m the only one taking this seriously.
