FYH Chapter 60

「King Noel Provicio Blake, the 5th ruler, left a will before his passing.

To the generations to come, I say this:

The mysterious powers of this continent will soon vanish.

And thus, the world of mankind shall unfold. This is both fate and providence.

However, when chaos descends upon the land once more, all the lost powers shall reawaken.

— From page 104 of “A Letter to Future Kings”」

* * *

 

The atmosphere in the war council was grave. It was due to troubling news from the western border.

“They almost broke through the military camp?”

The King raised his eyebrows. It had only been a few days since the Royal Prince had sent word of a victory.

“A sentry opened the gate, Your Majesty. The number of enemies attempting the night raid was small, so they were subdued quickly.”

“They’re saying it was a spy?”

“That seems to be the only explanation for now. However…”

“Speak.”

The face of the military officer reporting to the King was clouded with hesitation.

“He claims he doesn’t remember anything, and he’s been rambling nonsense. He seems to have completely lost his mind, so it’s been difficult to determine exactly what happened.”

The King gave a cold laugh.

“And you think a soldier who opened the gates to the enemy with his own hands is in his right mind? Investigate his family background and any recent changes to his assets. Bring me the report.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“There may be more spies among us. Restructure the sentry system—shift schedules, rotations, everything. And…”

Roderick paused, deep in thought.

“I will hold the Western Army Commander accountable.”

A heavy silence fell over the chamber. The nobles realized then, without a doubt, that the King had completely changed. Even now, he had not lost a shred of composure.

And the King was staring intently at Duke Duncan. Countless conflicting thoughts were rushing through his mind.

Placing the Royal Prince in that position would be a political overreach. The Prince was not a military man, and he couldn’t remain at the frontlines indefinitely just in case something happened.

But reinstating Albert Duncan was also impossible. The King had buried the incident because he couldn’t depose the Queen, but how could he entrust the volatile western border to the family that had once tried to assassinate his betrothed?

“Until a new commander is appointed, the deputy commander of the Western Army will act in his place.”

From somewhere, a sigh of relief escaped. From elsewhere, a sigh of despair followed.

The King, once again, had chosen not to side with the Duncan family.

“The enemy, lacking strength, has changed tactics. Make sure to tighten discipline among the soldiers first.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The military office is to bring a more detailed report and countermeasures to my chambers.”

As the King rose from his seat, there was not the slightest sign of agitation on his face. But inside, his mind was swirling with complicated thoughts.

 

* * *

 

Lee-Jae was crouched on the dirt floor, tending to her herbs. With practiced hands, she patted the soil firmly—tap, tap.

She muttered to herself,

“Soil really is everything.”

The Forest of Arthur held an incredible energy. Everything grew robustly no matter what was planted.

That’s when Lee-Jae sensed a strong energy approaching—one that felt just like the forest. Soon, a familiar voice reached her ears.

“I knew you liked playing with dirt, but I didn’t think you’d turn it into something this refined.”

Lee-Jae let out a soft chuckle.

Roderick crouched beside her.

“Everything going well?”

“Yes.”

She smiled.

But she didn’t just mean the herbs were growing well. The King was becoming visibly healthier by the day. His body had always been sturdy by nature, but now his energy, his mental clarity, and even his daily routine were all in balance.

Even ordinary people would begin to notice it. Even those without the “spiritual eye” could sometimes feel the extraordinary energy a person exuded.

“Here.”

Roderick stood up first and held out his hand. But Lee-Jae ignored it and got up by herself.

Roderick raised a brow.

“My hands are pretty dirty right now.”

Still, his expression didn’t soften. He replied, slightly sulky,

“You wipe your hands on your clothes even when they’re clean.”

Lee-Jae flinched and looked at him.

“You talk as if you normally let me hold your hand. You always shake me off.”

The King was, as expected, a sharp man.

Lee-Jae hesitated awkwardly, but he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and started walking.

Once they reached a comfortable spot, Roderick took off his jacket and laid it at the base of a tree.

“Sit.”

When Lee-Jae leaned against the tree, Roderick lay down and rested his head on her lap. Lee-Jae laughed softly.

The King now came to the forest regularly even without being asked. Not for any other reason. Lee-Jae had realized—if she was in the forest, Roderick would come on his own.

She visited the forest to tend herbs about every other day, so the King’s visits had become routine too.

“Stroke my face a little.”

“My hands are dirty.”

“Wipe them on my clothes then.”

“…”

“I’ve got a headache.”

Startled, Lee-Jae quickly examined his complexion. If he really was sick, all her efforts would have been in vain. She spent her days carving wood and brewing medicine, and her nights banishing vengeful spirits. She barely had time to rest.

Stealing glances at his face, she clapped her hands twice—tap, tap—then wiped them on her skirt several times. She was already sitting on the ground, but she still didn’t want to wipe them on his clothes.

“Did something happen today?”

Seeing no issue with his spiritual energy, she asked the most logical question. Roderick grimaced—then grinned.

“Why’d you just wipe your hands but not touch me?”

“…” 

“You know what’s the worst? Getting someone’s hopes up and not following through.”

He spoke in a joking tone, but Lee-Jae looked at him with worried eyes. She gently caressed his forehead and cheeks—not to open his energy flow, but simply as a gesture of comfort.

Roderick smiled, clearly pleased, and held the back of her hand.

After a while, he spoke.

“There’s trouble at the western border. For a moment, the military camp almost got breached. Looks like one of the sentries might’ve been bribed—he opened the gates.”

Lee-Jae didn’t know much about it, so she simply nodded silently.

Roderick fell into a strange reflection again. He knew that the Queen didn’t have much interest in politics or matters like this. Yet, whenever he confided in her, he felt at ease—like everything would somehow be okay.

And that was a feeling not unlike what the nobles visiting the audience chamber had been experiencing lately. It was the natural aura of a shaman.

They listened to human voices in this world, and the voices of spirits in the next. But ironically, there was no one to hear their story.

That’s why people said it was a lonely path.

“I dismissed the Western Army Commander.”

“I see.”

Roderick chuckled.

“Not much to say about that, huh.”

“What should I say?”

“Something like… ‘maybe you should’ve given him another chance,’ or ‘maybe it wasn’t all his fault.’ You’re not usually the type to turn your back on someone struggling.”

Lee-Jae laughed softly.

“You’re really misunderstanding me.”

“Am I?”

“I don’t know much, but maybe that was just his fate. Everyone has a burden to carry depending on their position.”

At first, it sounded cold. But it really wasn’t.

“Of course, sometimes that burden feels too heavy. But Your Majesty… you just need to do what you have to do from your place. And when there’s room, maybe you give them another chance. If not, then don’t.”

“Yeah.”

Roderick smiled at the warmth in her words.

“But is it really bothering you? You don’t seem like the kind of person who’d lose sleep over this.”

“You really see right through me, huh.”

They both chuckled.

“Hailey.”

“Yes?”

“Should I send your brother to take that position?”

The smile faded from Lee-Jae’s face.

“…Do you seriously want to?”

Of course, it was something he said half in jest. But Roderick honestly admitted that—if the Queen had asked him for it—he might have granted it.

If she had truly taken the Duke of Duncan’s side, he might’ve ended up a King who let personal feelings taint state affairs.

Maybe he should be grateful that wasn’t the case.

But Roderick still felt regret.

What did you do wrong to be born with a fate where siding with me means betraying your entire family?

I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yeah?”

Lee-Jae’s expression grew serious.

“You didn’t happen to miss what I said to my father in the audience chamber that time…”

“I heard. You don’t need to say it again.”

“Then why would you say something like that?”

She shook her head repeatedly.

“Your Majesty, you know this. You must never trust the Duncan family.”

It was a familiar phrase to Roderick—one passed down to every King.

Do not trust the Duncans.

What struck him wasn’t the words themselves—it was hearing them from the lips of a Duncan.

“How can you say that yourself? And didn’t you tell me not to be suspicious?”

“…”

“You always talk like you’re not one of them.”

That was the answer.

Pierced right to the heart, Lee-Jae simply stared at the King in silence. And he, in turn, carefully observed her face.

There was a flicker of unrest in the Queen’s expression—its cause unknown.

He sensed it sharply but let out a short laugh and changed the subject.

“So what, are you saying I should go myself?”

At that, Lee-Jae’s expression darkened even more.

Where people died, vengeful spirits gathered in swarms. She made a point never to set foot in haunted houses or cemeteries—even by mistake. But there was a place even more forbidden than those: the battlefield.

And yet, she couldn’t bear to send him there alone.

Lee-Jae bit down hard on her lip.

“If Your Majesty goes, I’m going with you.”

“…That’s scarier than you telling me not to go.”

“Your Majesty, I’m very serious right now.”

“I know. Don’t frown—I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. I just need to find the right person for the job. That’s the real headache.”

“…”

“Hailey. I was just talking. Don’t take it seriously.”

Lee-Jae studied his face closely. Once she confirmed he was telling the truth, she suddenly burst out,

“Why would you even say something like that?!”

“…”

“That’s honestly so mean!”

“…”

“I mean it! You’re the worst!”

Did he even know how hard she was trying to keep him alive?

Seeing his wife flare up for the first time in a while, Roderick chuckled and covered his eyes.

When he looked at her again, Lee-Jae still wore an irritated expression—but with her puffed cheeks, she looked more like a chipmunk hoarding food than someone angry.

Trying not to laugh in case she really was upset, he said gently,

“Hailey. Are you mad at me?”

“…I’m not mad.”

“Sorry. Talking with you always makes me feel at ease, and I end up teasing you.”

“…”

“Honestly… after I married you, everything changed for the better.”

Especially his heart—more than anything else.

“I mean it. I’m glad I married you.”

“Really? Well, that’s good. Honestly, that makes it feel kind of worth it.”

Lee-Jae lowered her gaze, as if suddenly embarrassed by her own emotional reaction.

Roderick simply stared up at her, unblinking. And he thought,

But are you really okay?

Why do you sometimes look so exhausted—both in body and spirit?

Reaching up, Roderick gently caressed her cheek.