Neighboring countries began preparations for war, and large and small uprisings broke out within the empire.
This is the origin of the three-year war.
The Owner of the Holy Sword.
Little is known about the childhood of the boy king, Arthur Lux Blarec.
He led the alliance with his sacred power and drove back the evil forces, and as defeat became imminent, the houses of Daemon began to split one by one.
Some of them became the origin of the Cayenne nobility after the founding of the Cayenne.
– From page 19 of the History of the Kingdom of Cayenne」
* * *
“How is the Daemon Restoration Movement going?”
“It has been completely suppressed.”
Roderick shook his head.
“We’ve always said they’ve been completely suppressed. But in the end, they haven’t been suppressed for several years.”
“…”
“Do not be complacent and make sure to cut off the roots.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Daemon Restoration Movement, which originated in the former Daemon capital, had been a headache for Cayenne for several years.
The previous king believed they had all been suppressed and closed his eyes. But as soon as Roderick ascended to the throne, they began to act up again.
As the King furrowed his brow and touched his forehead, the pro-king nobles began to take notice.
Although they had been strangely quiet lately, this was often a prelude to something.
“Do not worry. The Cayenne Kingdom’s army is strong, isn’t it?”
Someone made a comment to appease the King.
Then, the King’s father-in-law, Duke Duncan, also spoke up.
“Your Majesty, please reinstate Albert Duncan as the Commander of the Western Border Defense.”
“…”
He was referring to the eldest son of the Duncan family, Hailey’s brother.
The King gave his father-in-law a cool look, but the Duke of Duncan did not stop.
“He was demoted without a clear reason. It has already been three years. For the queen’s brother to be just a battalion commander, this is a matter of honor and disgrace for the Queen and Cayenne.”
“Cayenne is attempting a southern advancement policy. How can being the commander of the southern army be considered a demotion? The previous king made a wise decision, and what you are saying now is an insult to the previous king and the royal family.”
However, it was true that the royal family was particularly harsh towards the Duncan family.
Very few people knew the real reason behind this. So far, it often looked like a check on the leader of the anti-king faction.
The King was once again ruthless towards his in-laws today.
“Duke Duncan, you should worry more about your own life than the Queen’s honor.”
“…”
“Do you understand? I will not spare you just because you are the Queen’s father.”
The king coldly rebuked and stood up from his seat.
Today, after another power struggle with the nobles, Roderick headed to the Queen’s chambers.
It was a strange thing, but the King would seek out the younger Duncan whenever he was upset because of the elder Duncan.
Even stranger was that he would seek her out even when he was in a good mood. Sometimes he would even go to her when he couldn’t sleep.
By now, everyone in the King’s circle knew.
He just goes whenever he feels like it, doesn’t he? They were overthinking his actions for no reason.
Roderick, who had barged into Lee-Jae’s room without warning, bluntly said.
“Your father is acting crazy again.”
When the King greeted her in the morning, Lee-Jae smiled.
“Hailey, if you laugh, what does that imply about me?”
“Should I get angry then? You said it knowing that I would laugh. What did he say today?”
“He asked me to reinstate your brother. I really have a remarkable in-law.”
Reinstate? Where to?
Hearing an unfamiliar story, she fell silent. She thought she would have to look through Hailey’s diary later and let out a shallow sigh.
Whenever she thought of the diary, her chest felt tight, causing her to feel out of control.
However, interpreting Lee-Jae’s sigh differently, Roderick stopped talking. He asked with a serious gaze.
“Does my talk bother you?”
Those listening to it did say that it was a bit uncomfortable.
Of course, this was politics. But in any era, insulting one’s parents and siblings was a sign of a fight without rank. If it didn’t bother her, that would be a bit strange too.
However, the Queen chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.
“Not really. I don’t care much.”
And she continued carving what she had been working on before the King arrived. This time it was a statue of a general.
Roderick watched Lee-Jae with his deep blue eyes.
His expression was filled with curiosity and suspicion.
“Why?”
“You already knew that our family didn’t have a good dynamic, right? You saw it after all.”
Jade watched the Queen, who was focused on her carving with her back straight.
Hailey Duncan, who had been mocked as a pretty fool, was indeed incredibly beautiful. But she didn’t seem naive at all.
No matter what the King said, she responded calmly without being greatly affected. She had a gentle and kind demeanor, but there was a strange detachment about her.
Jade was beginning to understand the King’s words that the Queen was not just an innocent person.
She was truly a Duncan. The bloodline was strong indeed.
The problem was that the King was wary of the Queen while also having a strange affection for her.
“Hailey.”
“Yes.”
“You should at least look at me when I come to talk to you.”
Lee-Jae looked at him with a slight pause.
“I’m afraid you’ll take it away. I was given this so humbly… If I get hurt, you’ll take it away again, saying it’s dangerous.”
“…I won’t take it. I’m not that petty.”
“Really? You promised. This is very important to me.”
Roderick laughed.
“Yes, but in what way is that important? I would like you to explain it so that everyone can understand it.”
The King’s words were a bit snide. But at that moment, everyone except Lee-Jae strongly agreed with the King.
The statue in Lee-Jae’s room was now complete, with eyes, nose, and a mouth.
The Queen’s maids belatedly realized that it was not for the use they had in mind.
However, their heads were in the gutter before and their behavior was even more embarrassing. They acted as if they had never thought such a thing.
But the question of its purpose still remained. The finished product did not look like a decorative item at all. It looked like another monstrosity.
“What are you making this time?”
“Just something similar to that one.”
“…Do we need two of those?”
“Carving helps me calm my mind. It helps me focus.”
So, in reality, it wasn’t something to be carved while having such a distracting conversation.
But Lee-Jae couldn’t tell him to stop talking. She didn’t mind him teasing her.
Meanwhile, Roderick, who had been watching Lee-Jae carve the eyes of the statue, said,
“It’s a hobby that seems both fitting and unfitting for your age.”
As the King had been picking on her for a while, Lee-Jae responded,
“Your Majesty also doesn’t seem to be of your age.”
“Me? In what way?”
“You look much younger. You don’t look eight years older than me.”
Realizing she had said something quite rude, she bowed her head and laughed. Watching her shaking back, Roderick was speechless.
He gently pulled her hand holding the knife away, saying,
“Even you think you said something wrong, right? Making fun of the King like this?”
She nodded in agreement.
“Yes, yes, I’m sorry.”
Clearing her throat and composing herself, Lee-Jae handed him the newly completed statue of the general.
“This is for you, Your Majesty. Take it.”
As Lee-Jae placed the statue in his hand, Roderick raised an eyebrow.
“…Well, I’d like to politely decline. It’s hideous.”
It looked even worse now that it was complete.
She smiled faintly.
“I know. I’m not giving it to you because it’s pretty. I’m giving it to you because I put a lot of effort into it.”
It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“Receiving a gift like this from a loving wife…”
“Yes, so if you dislike it that much, you can give it back.”
Lee-Jae nodded and took the statue back.
“Give it back to me.”
“…”
“You know it’s just a joke. Just give it to me.”
When Lee-Jae handed it back, Roderick looked at it with a curious expression.
“Your Majesty, please put that by your bedside.”
“This?”
“It looks very strange, right? It’s meant to ward off evil and nightmares. That’s why it looks scary.”
“…”
“I made it hoping that you would sleep better.”
“…”
“If you really don’t like it, you can put it somewhere out of sight.”
Far from the intention of protecting him from nightmares, it looked as if it would prevent him from sleeping.
As Roderick began to frown more and more, Lee-Jae bit her lip slightly.
He had to keep this small thing in his room. No matter what.
“Your Majesty, I don’t really like saying this, but can I say it?”
“…Go ahead.”
“Sometimes, the sincere wishes of others can protect you.”
“…”
We just find it hard to obtain it. That unfortunate fact makes our lives harder and makes me sad.
Then, Roderick, who had been frowning for a while, rubbed his face and said,
“Stop it.”
“What?”
“You don’t have to say all of that. I was going to take it anyway. Did you really think I was going to refuse?”
Hearing a clear affirmative answer, Lee-Jae smiled and also offered the Heavenly General statue by her bedside.
“Then take this one too.”
“…Are you giving me everything? You said it was your hobby.”
“It’s lonely to be alone. So take both.”
“…”
“I can carve mine again later. It’s a hobby, after all.”
Roderick fiddled with the statue that looked like a child’s toy for a while. The longer he looked at it, the more it seemed to have a funny and comical face rather than a scary one.
Then, he suddenly stood up.
“I’m leaving.”
Roderick said rather abruptly and left the room.
People were puzzled when the King suddenly disappeared in the middle of a conversation.
However, Jade, his old friend, seemed to understand why the King was acting that way. Roderick was feeling a bit embarrassed.
Lee-Jae, who had been staring in the direction the King had gone, soon turned her gaze away and started looking for something.
Finding a new piece of wood under the table, Lee-Jae quietly began carving another totem. She wondered why the King was acting that way, but as long as he took it, that was enough for her.
People looked at Lee-Jae with strange expressions.
