Roderick, still not fully awake, splashed water on his face a few times before speaking.
“I’ll tell you in advance, today I’m more surprised than usual.”
His voice was still very groggy.
“Why are you drinking like that?”
“…Did you see?”
“…”
“I got hiccups.”
The hiccups had already stopped, but whether it was because of the water or from being startled, she couldn’t tell.
“But why drink like that?”
“…Don’t you know?”
“I’ve never seen a person drink like that before.”
“…”
“I think I’ve seen a bird pecking like that.”
He seemed to realize how strange his own words sounded, and with a chuckle, he ran a hand through his hair.
But soon, he noticed something odd in the room—a nearly one-third-empty bottle of alcohol and a glass. He tilted his head, looking at it suspiciously.
“…Did you drink?”
Lee-Jae awkwardly smiled and tried to go back to the bed, but by now, he was fully awake and getting out of bed.
Roderick quickly scanned the alcohol bottle and took a few strides toward her.
Instinctively, Lee-Jae leaned back, but he paid no attention and pressed his face closer to hers. As she staggered backward, he swiftly supported her back with his hands.
However, he was already raising one eyebrow.
“You really drank.”
“…Yes.”
Roderick seemed a bit taken aback, but still puzzled.
“But you drank alone?”
“…Yes.”
“At this time of day?”
“…Yes.”
“On the floor?”
“…”
“No snacks either?”
With nothing more to say, she kept quiet, and he continued to smell near her face. She hadn’t drunk too much, but her face was gradually turning redder.
He then gently guided her back to the bed. She was swaying slightly from the effects of the alcohol, and he noticed it.
Sitting her down on the bed, Roderick propped his chin on his hand and stared intently at her face. She was already blushing all the way up to her neck, and the more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
“Hailey.”
“Yes?”
“Well, you should’ve at least eaten something while drinking.”
“…”
Which shaman eats snacks while performing an exorcism?
“You barely eat enough to survive, and yet where did you learn such bad habits?”
“…”
From grandmother Yeongsan. She’s a top-tier in the industry.
“But didn’t you say you couldn’t drink?”
His faith in his reports had already fallen through the floor, but Roderick was certain he had read that somewhere.
And just then, Lee-Jae realized with a start. The ringing of realization echoed in her mind, though she had no time to dwell on it at the moment—it was precisely the beginning of her current predicament.
“Oh, was it just not drinking?”
“I don’t drink… do I?”
“Then what were you doing now?”
“…”
“You’re really drunk.”
But Lee-Jae’s expression gradually turned more frustrated.
No matter how unfortunate a life may be, how could a shaman not even drink a couple of shots? No matter how unfair life may be, how can one be given such a handicap without any protection in a world like this?
She only extended a hand to one soul, so why did she have to realize such an unfortunate truth?
Lee-Jae hung her head, tears welling up in her eyes. Seeing this, Roderick gave a faint laugh. The Queen often had a sullen face, but right now, it looked much more genuine, like a pouting child. So, you’re pouting too, huh?
Noticing that she was becoming a little tipsy, Roderick asked gently, in a softer tone than usual.
“Did you suddenly want to try it?”
“Yes.”
“Then you could’ve had a drink with me. Why drink alone in the middle of the night? It’s not good for the mood.”
“…”
“There’s no need to hide drinking. What’s the big deal?”
Lee-Jae nodded several times in agreement.
Roderick, still watching her, got up from the bed, poured some water, and gently pressed it against her heated cheeks a few times before handing it to her.
Luckily, this time, she drank like a person rather than a bird, and after receiving the empty glass, Roderick placed it on the nightstand.
“So, do you have something else on your mind?”
Roderick paused, lost in thought for a moment. The last time he had seen Lawrence, she had run off. Did that suddenly come to her mind? If that was the reason, Roderick could understand her frustration. But he decided to look for another reason.
“Did you hate me acting like a beast earlier?”
Lee-Jae, who had been refusing to answer, shook her head firmly, responding to that question.
“That’s not it.”
“Then why did you do it? Hmm?”
Lee-Jae, who had been staring down, suddenly spread her palms and began to look at her palms, inspecting her fortune lines for the first time in a while.
“Why? Is there something there?”
“There’s the future.”
“…”
“But what should I do?”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t see even one step ahead. It’s a pitch-black future.”
“…What are you going to do about it?”
Roderick couldn’t help but laugh, eventually placing his hand on his forehead in amusement.
Lee-Jae, looking slightly irritated, gave him a sharp look and protested.
“Why are you laughing? I’m being very serious right now.”
Roderick continued to chuckle.
“Is that why you’re asking? I’m laughing because you’re serious.”
Lee-Jae, still pouting, lowered her eyes and said softly.
“Your Majesty, but I’m really sleepy now.”
Roderick gently laid her back down on the bed and covered her with the blanket.
“Okay, sleep for now. We’ll see tomorrow.”
“Hmm, no. I’m not afraid of people who say ‘we’ll see’.”
“Oh, is that so? You’re quite brave.”
“Tomorrow’s sun will rise tomorrow. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
Roderick was completely taken aback.
But as Lee-Jae curled up, she shifted closer to him, burrowing under his shoulder. She then placed her arm across his chest, making Roderick scratch the tip of his eyebrow.
“You really drive me crazy in every way.”
He then wrapped his arms around Lee-Jae, gently rubbing her back.
* * *
The atmosphere in the Queen’s Palace was slightly chilly.
Roderick, who had left early in the morning, scanned the faces of the people in the hallway. The Commander of the knights had already voluntarily reported in. Jade was regretting not having called the head maid sooner. However, beyond just the perception, there was something about wanting to do something good for the Queen.
Unable to give a reprimand in front of others, the King pulled Jade into the opposite corridor.
“If the Queen says she wants to drink, you should wake me up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Or at least, you should’ve drunk with her.”
“….”
“How could you let the Queen drink alone in the middle of the night?”
But that’s something you used to do all the time, Your Majesty.
And honestly, how would I even get into the Royal bedchamber at midnight?
But Roderick’s face was filled with irritation.
“Should I really mention the incident involving the Queen again?”
“…I didn’t think it through.”
Roderick sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
“Why did she say she wanted to drink?”
“…She just said she couldn’t sleep.”
“She couldn’t sleep?”
The King had always assumed that the Queen’s sleeplessness was something he had already seen several times before. He had witnessed it two or three times, and since he had dealt with such matters more than most people, he was not overly surprised by it. What irritated him was that the Queen didn’t seem to have the stamina to endure such a thing.
“What did you all say? Didn’t you try to stop her?”
Roderick started questioning Jade about their conversation.
“We asked her if she was feeling too unwell…”
“…”
“Did she… overexert herself… at night?”
“…”
“At that time, the head maid was off duty, so…”
Roderick was so stunned that he stared at the air and laughed. He had already received direct criticism from his close friends a few times, and he knew well that rumors were spreading quickly.
“Damn, even this is happening to the Queen…”
He mimicked kicking Jade in the shin with his foot before letting it fall back down.
“I know exactly what kind of misunderstanding you all have, but do you really think the Queen would speak to someone like you, who is dark and shady?”
“….”
“Are all of you completely out of your minds?”
Well, to be honest, they weren’t completely innocent either. They did have some visual evidence from last night. And that spot was kind of reminiscent… Ah, never mind…
There had been rumors in the palace for a long time. Whenever the Queen entered the King’s bedchamber, she couldn’t function the next day. It was even said that when the King wanted to sleep in the Queen’s room, she asked if it would be okay for her to sleep in his room.
But bringing up such rumors wasn’t necessary and would only irritate the King. Jade wisely decided to change the subject.
“But Your Majesty, the Queen said you are kind and thoughtful, always taking care of her.”
Roderick raised one eyebrow. After a brief silence, he spoke.
“I thought it was a drinking party, but now I see you really had a party, didn’t you?”
Though his tone was blunt, it seemed like the King’s mood had improved slightly. In fact, he appeared to feel somewhat proud.
“Anyway, don’t bring up such things again.”
“…Yes.”
“I think you look better when you smile, don’t you?”
“….”
“No matter how kindly you smile, people see you as frightening. The Queen was afraid of me at first too.”
This time, Jade wanted to counter the King’s words.
“I don’t think she was afraid of any of us. If anything, it seemed like she liked us.”
But the Queen had indeed spoken to everyone before entering. She even mentioned the knight with the best build, jokingly asking if he had a woman, and spoke to him as she went in.
He thought Her Majesty the Queen liked him? Honestly, he still had his doubts.
Roderick raised his foot again, and this time, Jade, feeling his genuine intent, subtly stepped away.
Lee-Jae was sound asleep with her face flushed in various places. Many people were standing against the walls, bowing their heads, and when she opened her eyes, she flinched.
The King was standing, arms crossed, looking down at her.
“Hailey.”
“…”
“As you said, today’s sun has risen.”
“…”
“Now, not only a nosebleed but a liquor bottle too?”
She never imagined it would end up like this with just a few drinks…
Embarrassed, the King smiled lightly. He pulled up a chair and sat down.
“Do you remember?”
“Of course. I’m sorry.”
“Forget about that. Let’s talk.”
Lee-Jae felt considerable pressure, but the King didn’t seem to be angry.
“Why did you drink all of a sudden? You never drink normally.”
“…”
“Were you trying to test your limits?”
“…I guess so. I must have looked pathetic.”
He shook his head and said nonchalantly.
“I thought I had gone mad. What would you have done if I found it cute?”
“…”
At one point, Roderick had refrained from admitting his own madness, but now that he had, it felt strangely relieving.
Feeling guilty for no reason, Lee-Jae apologized even though he hadn’t mocked her.
“I’m sorry.”
“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
He gently brushed his hand across her flushed face.
“But Hailey, I’m not the type to stop someone from doing this, but don’t drink again. It’s clear your body can’t handle it.”
“…Yes. It seems so.”
Lee-Jae nodded in agreement. However, as a shaman with such a significant weakness, she formed a pout on her face, feeling downcast.
Nooooo!!! 🤣 the story is too good to be waiting for! In this cases i wish i knew korean