Meanwhile, Roderick, who had approached her before she knew it, still had a frown on his face. Jade, left alone in the distance once again, looked bewildered.
She waved her hand slightly in his direction. She was grateful that he hadn’t forgotten her request and had sparred with the King.
The Queen had offered a casual greeting, but Jade responded with a formal salute, not even offering a simple nod.
“Why are you here?”
“Here? You mean here by the lake?”
Roderick didn’t answer. But after a moment, she realized what was bothering him. It was this deep, magnificent lake.
It seemed he didn’t like that she was near the water again, after Hailey had thrown herself into it.
“I was told I could go anywhere within the castle grounds.”
Even to your bedroom.
Actually, the place she was most concerned about was Roderick’s bedroom. He was a man who brought back an array of vengeful spirits even after a hunting trip, but it seemed that his bedroom was the most problematic place in the royal castle.
She wanted to go back and check it out again, but it was difficult to find the right opportunity.
She was worried about the repercussions her words might have, not only on the castle staff but also on Roderick.
She had tried to film her first adult movie on her wedding night, but after it turned into a horror movie, she lost a bit of her courage.
Looking at his displeased face, she asked, “Was I perhaps confined?”
“…You accuse your husband of a lot of things.”
“That’s true, isn’t it? But Your Majesty, don’t accuse me either. I just came out for some fresh air. It’s broad daylight and there are many eyes watching.”
Roderick fell silent for a moment as she accurately read his thoughts.
He truly didn’t like that the Queen was looking at the lake. He liked even less that her maids were so far away.
However, that wasn’t the reason he had really come. When he saw her sitting quietly in the distance, his feet had moved naturally, as if drawn by an unknown, clear energy.
As he walked, he saw the lake, and then he didn’t like it, and his pace became urgent.
“Are you finished with your training?”
Roderick nodded briefly and sheathed his sword. Then he suddenly noticed something. An unidentified scribble.
“Were you playing with dirt?”
He uttered such cute words that Lee-Jae burst into laughter and since “playing in the dirt” wasn’t entirely wrong, she nodded.
“Yes.”
“Is it fun? I’ve always felt this way, but you have some strange hobbies.”
While saying so, Roderick looked closely at the doodle she had made.
And at some point, Lee-Jae realized that the foreign spirit around her had disappeared. But she could still feel Roderick’s lively energy and good physical condition, so she said.
“Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“If you’re done with your exercise, it’s time to go to the forest now.”
“…What?”
“It’s time for a walk.”
As she explained her routine for the patient, Roderick pulled up one of the corners of his mouth.
“Are you raising an animal? You’re more talkative than I thought. You’re still cute though.”
Although he was taken aback, he found it genuinely cute. Curiously, he asked.
“Is that your usual personality? It’s very different from what I’ve heard.”
Lee-Jae was so shocked by the words he said that she kept her mouth shut.
She couldn’t deny that she was enjoying the conversation she was having with him. In fact, she had never had this kind of conversation before, so she sometimes got excited.
As if she had the pleasure of talking to people and playing pranks for the first time in her life.
However, there was also the awareness that it was constantly stepping on a dangerous line because it was enjoyable.
But Roderick made an expression like he didn’t like it more when she shut up.
“Why did you suddenly shut up again? If you have something to say, keep going.”
“…Would that be all right with you?”
“Yes, do whatever you want.”
“…Then, when you have time, you should also meet with a priest. It’s a good thing to have faith.”
“Yes.”
“And regularly get check-ups from the doctor for your health.”
Lee-Jae glanced at him. She had tried her best to discreetly package it, but the king was a sharp person. Depending on how he took it, it could become a sensitive issue.
However, when he was in his right mind, he was not the kind of person to get angry at his wife. In fact, he could be quite considerate. Lee-Jae found it amusing how his gruff manner contrasted with his actions. She laughed silently.
Roderick, who was staring at her, said.
“Seeing you laugh, it doesn’t seem like a last will.”
“I told you it’s not.”
“Is it like a wife’s nagging?”
Roderick stood up from his seat, though he just felt comfortable. And he spoke to Lee-Jae, who was looking at him wondering.
“Let’s go.”
“What?”
“You said you wanted to go to the forest.”
“…I meant for you to go alone. Enjoy the fresh air and rest a bit.”
Roderick asked incredulously,
“What am I going to do there alone? There’s nothing there.”
“Isn’t it more comfortable to be alone when you rest? I walked a lot today, and my legs hurt. I’ve been walking around the castle all day.”
The patient needed to get used to going to the hospital alone without a guardian.
However, Roderick had no intention of going alone. He extended his hand and asked,
“Should I carry you then?”
“…”
“I can do that if you want.”
Lee-Jae eventually stood up holding his hand.
After getting up, she gently and carefully let go of his hand.
Arthur’s forest was unwaveringly sacred and powerful.
Roderick’s body, now properly grounded, exuded an energy that could be felt even from a few steps away.
Lee-Jae looked at him with a strange feeling. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pull herself up to his level.
It would be better for him to handle state affairs here. The study has bad energy.
But if she decorated this place with a study, she would really be punished, right?
Meanwhile, after walking a bit, Roderick began to settle in a spot similar to the last time.
He took off his navy blue top and spread it on the ground, then nodded at Lee-Jae.
“Sit down.”
Careful not to step on the lining, she moved cautiously. As Lee-Jae awkwardly sat down, Roderick casually plopped down next to her on the ground.
“…”
Lee-Jae looked up at the sky, but there wasn’t a single bird flying. So, she closed her eyes and just felt the clear energy. She felt like meditating in the lotus position for the first time in a while.
But it was then. Roderick straightened her legs and suddenly laid down with his head on them. Startled, Lee-Jae’s body tensed up.
“Your Majesty, what are you doing?”
“I’ve tried it a few times now, and I’ve figured it out. This is definitely the best way to fall asleep.”
But that wasn’t why he fell asleep. He had the wrong idea. Still, being human, he vaguely sensed something.
“Am I supposed to be Your Majesty’s pillow?”
“Don’t be so uptight and cooperate a little.”
“…”
“It’s better to get some sleep when I can. Just stay like this for a moment.”
Then Lee-Jae, who stopped, asked.
“…Did you not sleep well last night either?”
“Maybe.”
Feeling sorry for him, Lee-Jae relaxed her body. Roderick, who felt it, smiled and asked,
“I’m already grateful enough, but if possible, instead of being a pillow, could you be a blanket?”
“Your Majesty, what you just said is truly harassment.”
“So you know that what happened last time wasn’t harassment.”
“And does that mean this is?”
Roderick smiled, adjusting his limbs.
“Hailey. I understand that this marriage wasn’t welcome to you, but can’t a couple make jokes like this? You say everything you want to me anyway.”
“…You said I could.”
“Yeah. It seems a bit much, but today, I have this strange expectation of what you’re going to say.”
Lee-Jae laughed out loud, and Roderick smiled watching her.
Clearly, they were far from being a normal couple. Their marriage was entangled with several accidents, scandals, and complex power dynamics. The Queen even had a man she loved.
Yet, Roderick found comfort in talking openly with the Queen.
“Next month, I might have to go hunting with the nobles.”
“Hunting? Why?!”
You can’t go outside the castle.
You can’t go where I’m not.
More surprised than when Roderick had laid his head on her knee, Lee-Jae’s body jerked. Roderick, whose head jerked with her, grimaced and laughed.
Feeling sorry, Lee-Jae straightened her knee again and stroked his hair.
“Why? Because it’s the annual hunting season.”
“…”
“Last year, I canceled it under various excuses, but this year may be difficult.”
“…Why is it hard?”
“Your father opposes everything I do.”
“…”
“I can’t stand the pressure, it’s unbearable.”
Lee-Jae was silent because she had nothing to say for a moment. However, she still couldn’t give up her lingering feelings and doubts, so she asked again.
“Then why did you cancel it last year? You often go hunting anyway.”
“The hunting event isn’t just with my people. There are many eyes watching.”
That explanation was enough for her to understand. So, she didn’t ask any more questions and just gazed at Roderick.
Her face showed pity. Her wavering eyes were filled with… worry.
Roderick also gazed at Lee-Jae with his deep blue eyes.
As he continued to look at her face, a strange impulse suddenly arose within him. A feeling that he wanted to talk honestly about any difficult situation. A feeling that he might feel better if he talked about it with her.
He couldn’t understand why he felt this way towards Duncan’s daughter. She might run to her father and tell him everything.
The words of a King carry weight. They become the truth.
But the King finally decided to admit something for the first time in front of someone else.
That he was not normal. That he was actually a broken person.
That he was breaking down day by day and didn’t know what he might do.
“Hailey.”
“Yes.”
“You might have guessed, but I…”
“…”
“I am actually…”
Lee-Jae couldn’t bear to hear those words. The moment she saw the resolve in his wavering blue eyes, she felt a pang in her heart and covered his eyes with her palm.
“Your Majesty, no.”
“…”
“It’s really not like that.”
As Lee-Jae urgently stopped him, Roderick fell silent. After a while, he smiled and held the hand of the Queen that was covering his eyes.
And because he wasn’t looking at her, Lee-Jae could freely make a distressed expression. Her heart leaned a little more to one side. How could such a person have committed evil deeds?
So, was what she wanted to hide his innocent and strong eyes, or herself, feeling small before those eyes?
“It’s okay… You don’t have to say any more.”
Roderick thought it was a strange thing. He thought he would feel better if he talked, but he felt at ease even without saying anything. It was as if a gentle energy had just passed through him.
He gently stroked the back of Lee-Jae’s hand.
“If you end up going, I will definitely tie a handkerchief for you this time.”
After a while, Roderick replied, “Yes, thank you.”
