FYH Chapter 50

Roderick, troubled by his thoughts, did not return to his chambers and instead remained buried in paperwork.

“What is it?”

The King held some resentment toward the lady-in-waiting. He had instructed her to prevent a private meeting, yet she had been of no help at all.

However, the ever-composed Deborah seemed uncharacteristically anxious. Watching her silently, Roderick finally spoke.

“Everyone, leave us.”

Once the others had left the study, Deborah suddenly fell to her knees. Roderick raised an eyebrow.

“What are you doing?”

“…Your Majesty, I have something of great importance to report.”

“Go on, then.”

Roderick placed the documents he had been reviewing onto the desk. Even then, Deborah continued swallowing dryly, hesitating.

Lately, she had seemed at ease, but the King was still a fearsome man. In some ways, he was even more terrifying when he was completely rational—because he was sharp and astute.

“This is about the private meeting that took place today in the audience chamber.”

“I have many complaints about that matter myself.”

“…”

“Continue. I will reserve judgment until I’ve heard everything.”

Even Deborah could not quite understand why she was doing this. She had lived cautiously in the palace, carefully navigating political tightropes and guarding her words well.

Yet, for some reason, she could not ignore the pull in her heart, nor could she stop her feet from bringing her here.

Finally, she squeezed her eyes shut and spoke.

“Your Majesty, Her Majesty already knows that there are listening ears.”

Roderick’s expression turned enigmatic.

“What do you mean?”

“Before accepting the Duke’s request for a private meeting… she gave me a hint.”

The King fell into a long silence before rubbing his forehead.

“She knew and still had that conversation?”

“…”

“Why?”

“I do not know what was discussed, Your Majesty.”

Feeling as though he was sinking deeper into a labyrinth, Roderick crossed his arms.

“Then why are you telling me this now?”

Was she trying to betray the Queen? His gaze turned sharper as he stared at her intimidatingly.

“Her Majesty wondered if perhaps Your Majesty already knew.”

“…”

“But if that is not the case… does this not mean Her Majesty is in danger?”

The lady-in-waiting, looking up at the King with a complicated expression, had an uncanny sense of perception.

No one would willingly discuss something disadvantageous while knowing they were being overheard. Yet, strangely enough, the Queen seemed like the kind of person who would. She had even mentioned wanting to probe the Duke about something.

Deborah had a feeling she knew what that was. The Queen had asked her a peculiar question not long ago.

“When and how did His Majesty’s fiancées die?”

Roderick let out a hollow chuckle. He had grasped the situation to some extent, but he was utterly speechless.

“Does the Queen know you’re here?”

“…No, Your Majesty.”

“Then you are being insolent.”

Deborah bowed her head.

“You are the Queen’s hands and feet. Do you think it is your place to make judgments and speak without her permission?”

“…”

“If you were truly concerned for her safety, you should have advised her first.”

As the lady-in-waiting hesitated despite bowing her head, Roderick nodded.

“Speak.”

“Even if I had advised Her Majesty… she is not someone who would have sent me to report it.”

Roderick sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his face one of sheer exasperation.

He had thought there was only one cunning fox living in the Queen’s palace, but it seemed there were two. Though he inwardly agreed with Deborah a hundred times over, he still issued a stern warning.

“Your priority must always be the Queen’s will.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If you act so arrogantly again, even if the Queen tries to stop me, I will not forgive you.”

The lady-in-waiting clenched her fists to stop herself from trembling. However, the King’s next words, spoken in a much calmer tone, caught her off guard.

“Go.”

“…”

Stunned, she looked up at him. Roderick gestured toward the door with his chin.

“What are you waiting for? Go do your duty.”

Deborah stood up and bowed deeply. Just as she reached for the door, the King added in a low voice,

“Head lady-in-waiting… take good care of the Queen.”

“…I will. I will keep that in mind.”

Once she had left, he was alone in the vast room.

For a long time, Roderick remained seated, lost in thought. Then, he rose and gazed out the window. The endless starlight poured down from the night sky, mirroring the countless emotions rushing through him.

“She knew… and still did it.”

She knew. Ha, she knew everything.

Then why had the Queen done it? Why had she spoken of such things with the Duke?

In the end, Roderick could only reach one conclusion.

Did you… perhaps want to secretly let me know?

Lost in thought, he remained there until dawn broke the horizon.

* * *

Roderick was holding the apricot-colored fox tightly in his arms.

Although they had both been awake for quite some time, he still refused to let Lee-Jae go. After several failed escape attempts, she had no choice but to stay still, like a fox caught in a trap.

“What are you thinking about?”

Lee-Jae glanced at him.

“Nothing.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“…I just said, nothing.”

But Roderick, like a parrot, kept repeating the same question.

“What are you thinking about?”

“…Do you think I’m lying again?”

“No. I just want to know.”

Anything. About you.

Lee-Jae turned her gaze forward again, as if amused by his absurd persistence. She started playfully kicking her feet, but Roderick smoothly pressed them down with his leg.

She scowled at him, protesting, “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Are you hungry?”

By now, it was time for breakfast.

“I think I might be a little.”

“Just hold on for a bit.”

“What? What does that even mean?”

“I don’t know. Just that now isn’t the time for us to be apart.”

Lee-Jae couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it, and Roderick pulled her even closer. He kissed her temple several times before asking,

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

“Why? Should I try enduring that too?”

“…Are you in pain?”

“I was just saying.”

This time, Roderick chuckled.

“You’re starting to imitate me now.”

“Am I?”

“Yeah, it’s very commendable. They say couples naturally start to resemble each other.”

Roderick had been clinging to her all morning.

Lee-Jae gave him a slightly perplexed smile. What’s gotten into him lately? she wondered. Turning to face him, she reached out and ran her fingers through his dark hair. It felt like petting a large animal.

Smiling in satisfaction, Roderick sat up. The bed swayed with his movement, and before she could react, he lifted her onto his lap, angling her slightly.

Though the position was a bit embarrassing, she hesitantly wrapped her arms around his neck.

As if waiting for that, Roderick cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers.

Lee-Jae, suddenly conscious that they had just woken up, instinctively pulled her head back. But Roderick immediately followed, stopping just short of her lips as he murmured,

“Open up.”

In the end, she slightly parted her lips for him.

There had been a time when Roderick had tried to keep his hands to himself, making an effort to prove his self-restraint. After all, Lee-Jae used to flinch at his every touch. But now that kisses had become familiar, his hands were far less restrained.

Since she showed no signs of permitting anything beyond kissing, this was the only indulgence that kept getting bolder.

His large hands roamed her slender waist, traced over her ribs, lingered on her soft stomach, and teased the inside of her thighs.

By now, she was used to his touch. In fact, she found the King a little cute.

Even as his breathing grew ragged, whenever his hand drifted too far up her ribs, he hesitated and held back. And when his fingers wandered deeper between her thighs, he soon retreated to grip her knee instead.

Lee-Jae debated.

Maybe… I’d be okay with him touching my chest now.

Of course, Lee-Jae only thought that way because she was completely inexperienced in this area. That part of the body was like a booster, or even gasoline, for a man’s desires.

As they continued to tangle their tongues together, Lee-Jae eventually pulled away, leaving a quick peck on his lips before burying her face into the crook of his neck. A low chuckle rumbled above her head.

Teasingly, Roderick murmured, “Fox, stop hiding.”

He grabbed her face and forced her to look up at him.

“Stick out your tongue.”

“Don’t make me do weird things.”

“Just a little.”

“No.”

“Then suck on mine.”

“…”

Which was less embarrassing? Lee-Jae hesitated before finally looking up, only to see him playfully sticking out his tongue, his blue eyes glinting with mischief.

Reluctantly, she began sucking on his tongue, making a sound similar to savoring candy. The act itself was enough to conjure up indecent thoughts. As she became increasingly absorbed, her arms naturally wrapped around his neck again.

But suddenly, Roderick pushed her away.

Before she could even react, he lifted her and laid her back down on the bed. Though he had just told her not to hide, he now yanked the blanket up and covered her completely.

Because he needed to keep her out of sight.

Blinking in the darkness, Lee-Jae pulled the blanket down just enough to peek out with her eyes.

“No.”

Roderick immediately covered her again, all the way up.

“Stay in there.”

This time, she boldly pulled it down to her shoulders. Roderick let out a breathy laugh, rubbing his forehead as if exasperated.

“Sorry, but I’m in a bit of a dangerous situation right now.”

“What do you mean?”

“A healthy man is always like this in the morning.”

Lee-Jae’s gaze inevitably trailed downward.

There it was—something noticeably prominent.

Why is it… that big?

The King didn’t seem too concerned about hiding it. In fact, he seemed amused as he asked, “What, are you going to look at me like I’m some kind of bug again?”

“When did I ever do that?”

“Oh, you did.”

Grinning mischievously, Roderick continued, “Just think of it like this: ‘Ah, my husband is healthy. Looks like everything’s functioning properly. That’s a relief.’ Simple, right?”

“…”

“We’re going to do it someday anyway.”

“…”

“Aren’t we?”

“Mm.”

“You won’t even give me that much hope?”

It was funny, but since he did seem somewhat troubled, Lee-Jae decided to spare him. She quietly pulled the blanket over her head.

Roderick immediately wrapped his arms around her, bundling her up in the blankets. When she squirmed in discomfort, he loosened it just enough for her to breathe.

And the moment her face was visible again, he couldn’t resist—he kissed her cheek with a soft smooch.

“Are you free the day after tomorrow?”

“The day after tomorrow? Why?”

“You wanted to visit the temple, right? If there’s anywhere else you want to go, we can go there too.”

“…”

“You don’t have any scheduled audiences. Anything else you need to do?”

Lee-Jae shook her head. But what intrigued her more was something else.

“You didn’t seem too keen before, so why are you suddenly so eager?”

Roderick fell silent for a moment.

‘Her Majesty already knows there are listening ears.’

‘I’m sure His Majesty has his own reasons as well.’

Maybe you have a reason too.

He gently brushed a hand over her round forehead.

“Who knows. I just felt like it.”

“…”

“Isn’t there a saying that wise men listen to their wives?”

“Oh? So Cayenne has sayings like that too?”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

Instead of answering, Lee-Jae simply let out a bright, cheerful laugh.