After a period of seclusion, the news that the Queen would grant audiences drew a considerable number of nobles.
Lee-Jae was quite perceptive, but her understanding of Cayenne’s political landscape was lacking, relying heavily on Hailey’s memories. This was one of the things Roderick found most peculiar.
She had entered the royal court without knowing who was loyal to the King and who was not. Naturally, one would expect her to seek help from her family, but she showed no signs of doing so.
Lee-Jae found that over time, these audiences were not particularly significant. Expectations for the young Queen were quite low. Of course, some tried to exploit this, but Lee-Jae had a standard response for them:
‘Well, I think I need to consult with His Majesty first.’
By observing their reactions, she could gauge their relationship with the King.
Today, the maids and knights were keeping a close eye on each other.
The Queen had her own budget, but the elderly Count Pineman was trying to charm the young Queen into donating to his cause. When Lee-Jae used her usual tactic, everyone bowed their heads solemnly.
“It’s a wonderful plan. I’ll mention it to His Majesty,” Lee-Jae said with a smile.
In official settings, The Queen preferred to treat the nobles with polite courtesy.
However, no noble would appreciate the young Queen humbling herself; They would simply see it as an opportunity to exploit her.
Yet, those within the Queen’s palace seemed to understand that she was skillfully leading them on. In essence, she was saying, “I’m going to tell my husband everything.”
“Joy is meant to be shared, isn’t it?”
“I haven’t heard that saying before…”
“Really? There’s also a saying that sorrow diminishes when shared.”
“Is that so…”
Lee-Jae smiled as if the world was a beautiful garden. The bewildered Earl retreated, and the head maid, Deborah, thought, ‘Isn’t the Queen an even greater royalist than the knight commander?’
Deborah looked at the Queen with a strange expression and said, “Your Majesty, are you all right?”
“Yes, why?” Lee-Jae asked.
“If you’re uncomfortable, you can just express your anger.”
Lee-Jae laughed. “Deborah, how can I be angry if I’m not angry?”
“That’s a relief, then.”
“There are so many bad people in the world. I should just overlook such minor solicitations. It’s nothing.”
The maids and knights laughed awkwardly at her almost otherworldly statement.
After completing all her audiences, Lee-Jae stood up to leave. Suddenly, a guard entered with a troubled expression.
“Your Majesty, I apologize, but… Duke Duncan wishes to see you urgently,” the guard announced.
“…Father?”
“Yes, I understand that prior appointments are required, but he is earnestly requesting a moment of your time.
After a moment of thought, Lee-Jae nodded. “Let him in.”
The Queen’s maids expected her to refuse, as she had been openly avoiding the Duke. But Lee-Jae decided to see him. The King had been visibly displeased when she told him to use her as a shield. However, it was also clear that Duke Duncan had been persistently provoking him over the matter. Perhaps it was time to meet him.
As the Duke entered the audience chamber, he bowed his head in greeting. “I greet the Queen. It’s been difficult to see your face, daughter.” His words were clearly sarcastic. Everyone noticed, but it was a conversation between father and daughter, so they could not intervene.
“When do you plan to take back the household servants?”
“Well, that depends.”
“Appointing staff to serve in the Queen’s palace is within my authority. There is no need for me to seek permission for it.”
The Quke’s words implied that she didn’t need to consider the King’s approval. Lee-Jae smiled faintly at his advice.
“Is that so? But, Father, I don’t really see the necessity of it. The palace staff are already assisting me well, and that is enough for me.”
Her tone was gentle, but Duke Duncan’s eyes widened.
“Then at least petition His Majesty for Albert’s reinstatement. He is, after all, your own brother.”
With one sensitive topic after another being brought up, the people in the room became even more cautious.
But once again, the Queen did not back down. She strongly demonstrated what the King had once described as ‘quite the spectacle.’
“That sounds like something you should do, Father.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“Or have my brother do it himself. A person should handle their own matters. Both my brother and I are adults.”
The atmosphere in the chamber turned cold. The Queen’s response seemed almost aggressive. In reality, Lee-Jae had considerable resentment towards Duke Duncan. There is a saying: when people hate you for no reason, give them a reason.
Of course, Lee-Jae was not that type of person. But she was not a saint who would turn the other cheek when slapped. Hailey might have been, but not her.
“I request a private audience with Your Majesty. Please dismiss everyone else.”
Deborah subtly shook her head at Lee-Jae. She received the signal loud and clear.
However, after a brief hesitation, she whispered back.
“It’s fine.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“I just want to have a conversation, that’s all.”
Once everyone had left, the Duke’s demeanor shifted entirely, turning far more overbearing. He immediately dropped all formalities.
“You—what do you think you’re doing? These are all matters that the Queen has every right to request and insist upon. Have you been threatened by His Majesty?”
“No, never. His Majesty is not that kind of person. I simply have no desire to do it, as it is within my discretion.”
“So you intend to do nothing for the family? Do you even realize who put you in that seat? Are you trying to ruin our house?”
Lee-Jae looked down, deep in thought. She knew she was projecting emotions that weren’t hers. The Duke was not her father.
This surrogate anger was misplaced. She was not Hailey Duncan.
Lee-Jae, don’t get angry. Are you going to waste your precious feelings on him?
Truthfully, Lee-Jae felt sorry for Hailey. No one knew that Lee-Jae was alive, just as no one knew Hailey was dead. A life that couldn’t be celebrated and a death that couldn’t be mourned—it was too sad and lonely.
After a moment of hesitation, Lee-Jae slowly spoke. “Father, I didn’t ask to be made Queen.”
“…”
“I didn’t ask you to make me Queen. So, I haven’t ruined the family.”
“…”
“But you ultimately ruined your daughter’s life.”
“What?”
Your daughter is already dead. And she died in great pain. I can feel that just from reading a few sentences, so why don’t you know?
“Please leave. I want you to make an appointment next time before we meet.”
Duke Duncan gritted his teeth and glared at Lee-Jae. “You will regret this. Remember, you are a Duncan. If the family falls, you won’t be safe either.”
Lee-Jae scoffed. “Yes, I will regret it. I’ve done it many times. But it’s not as important as I thought. I know the consequences well.”
Only then did Lee-Jae scrutinize Duke Duncan’s face. She hadn’t paid much attention before, but suddenly she was curious about his features. She noticed something strange in his face.
Is that the sign of accumulated evil deeds, or deeds to come? Has he killed, or will he kill?
It was a very ambiguous face. Lee-Jae narrowed her eyes, which glinted with a cold light, and said, “Stop doing bad things and live righteously. Otherwise, you will regret it more. This is not a warning, but advice.”
Duke Duncan glared at Lee-Jae before storming out.
* * *
Two months had passed since Lee-Jae ascended to the throne as Queen. Rumors about her were divided between those who thought she was naive and those who disagreed. However, the general consensus was that she was gentle and rarely got angry.
News of the Queen’s stern words to her father in the audience chamber spread quickly. The King had planted informants in the Queen’s audience chamber for surveillance and safety. Although the chamber was a place for confidential discussions, a private audience was still not entirely private.
“Glory to Cayenne,” Jade said, bowing to Roderick as he reported the events from the audience chamber.
“The Duke brought up Albert Duncan’s reinstatement, and Her Majesty responded that he should do it himself… saying that one should handle their own affairs.”
The Duke was the King’s enemy, yet Roderick found the Queen’s response amusing. “Well, she’s not wrong.”
“…”
“The Queen never says anything incorrect. Strangely, her intuition sometimes surpasses even the Duke’s.”
Roderick sighed, seeming confused by the situation himself. “I told you she’s not just a simple person.”
Jade couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward. The King was sighing, yet his words sounded strangely like boasting. But the report wasn’t over.
“The Duke requested a private audience.”
Roderick raised an eyebrow. “…Did they just let him? Do they not know what kind of person Duke Duncan is?”
“The head maid tried to dissuade her, but Her Majesty insisted…”
Roderick wasn’t concerned about any conspiracy between the big and little Duncan. Instead, he worried about the harsh words the little Duncan might have heard. He imagined the Queen huddled and beaten in the Duke’s residence. But Jade’s next words were entirely different from what the king expected.
“But… She said her father had ruined his own life. That living like that would lead to regret one day…”
“The Queen?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The Queen said that?”
“…Yes.”
“Hailey?”
“…”
Roderick looked perplexed, scratching the end of his eyebrow. It sounded like an emotional outburst, which was unusual for the Queen. Given her usual behavior, this was practically a curse.
Did she win against him?
Actually, she’s not the type to lose easily.
You all underestimate her.
The Queen is actually a very difficult person. Sometimes, she stands above others.
The Queen was just enduring.
“Is Hailey okay now?”
“Yes, she seems fine, just like usual.”
Despite this, Roderick felt worried and headed to Lee-Jae’s chambers.
