Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had arrived, Lee-Jae stepped outside with the king. Roderick gave a brief nod in response to the salutes, but his face immediately twisted into a frown. The entourage accompanying the Prince was barely ten people—far too small for his liking.
“Edgar. I wish you wouldn’t travel like this.”
“…”
“Did you forget what I told you last time, in private?”
The Prince responded only with an awkward smile. As the atmosphere grew tense, Lee-Jae, standing just behind the King, quietly stepped forward and bowed her head.
“It’s good to see you again.”
“Your Majesty the Queen. Have you been well?”
“Of course.”
But Roderick cut in, clearly displeased.
“Well? She lies without even thinking about it.”
Still, everyone could hear the affection and concern laced in his voice. To make that even more obvious, Roderick stepped closer and pulled Lee-Jae into a tight embrace from behind. Then he said to his younger brother:
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
The royal guards exchanged glances. Dear god.
Lee-Jae shoved Roderick’s arm off and shot him a glare that said what the hell do you think you’re doing? But the King only looked down at her and mouthed, What? Why?
She gave his sleeve a tug in protest, clearly signaling to stop it, like a freshly-dating couple still figuring each other out more than a married Royal pair.
Still pretending not to notice her embarrassment, the ever-proud King stood tall while Lee-Jae turned to the entourage. Among them, she spotted a familiar face—the exotic-looking man who had also been with the Prince last time. When he gave a slight nod of greeting, Lee-Jae smiled and bowed her head in return. That simple exchange sparked a ripple of laughter through the group.
And once again, Roderick, hugging her from behind, said:
“Our Queen is really pretty.”
The apricot-colored fox grimaced and hissed under her breath in outrage, prompting everyone around them to burst into laughter.
That evening, the Royal Family gathered for dinner. A grand banquet wasn’t possible—this homecoming had taken place amidst unrest along the border. Still, the meal shared among the family was warm and pleasantly intimate.
The Crown Prince, now dressed in more comfortable clothes, wore a far more relaxed smile.
“So the night raids are becoming more frequent?”
“Yes.”
“Edgar, could there be someone within the camp harboring treasonous thoughts?”
“There are suspicions among the upper ranks, but no clear evidence has been found.”
“I can’t get over the fact that last time a sentry opened the gates from inside. Of course, we checked for any suspicious changes in their finances or family relations…”
The King and his brother slowly veered into heavier topics as they ate. Lee-Jae, quietly poking at her food, simply watched them talk.
Left out of the conversation, she instinctively studied the Prince’s face—an old habit, born of her profession.
But the moment she did, her brows furrowed sharply in surprise.
She glanced left and right, then stared harder at the Prince.
What is this? Were his pupils always so exposed like that?
It was the gaze of an ambitious man.
Suddenly, in Lee-Jae’s vision, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Face reading changes with time. It’s not about one feature—it’s the harmony of them all, the atmosphere they create.
There’s a reason people say your life is written on your face. A person’s thoughts, habits, and temperament eventually manifest in their expression. Over time, that expression hardens into something fixed.
Haven’t we all, at some point, sensed when someone is lying, just from their face?
Why has his energy shifted like this? Maybe the destiny of a scholar truly doesn’t belong on the battlefield.
As she studied the Prince’s pale complexion, Lee-Jae kept tilting her head in thought.
She remained silent through the rest of the meal.
As Lee-Jae laid down on the bed, Roderick finished washing up and entered the room. A smile spread across his face as he walked towards the bed. Lee-Jae stared at him intently, Feeling a sense of auspicious energy radiating from him. It was a gratifying sight for a shaman.
However, As Roderick laid down behind her and pressed close, Lee-Jae spoke up.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“I think you’re too close.”
Roderick had his arms wrapped around her waist, so Lee-Jae tried to scoot forward slightly with her hips and legs. Roderick, however, pulled her thighs back towards him.
Lee-Jae glanced back.
She wasn’t being mean for no reason, but she felt something on her butt.
Despite her discomfort, Roderick held her tightly and planted soft kisses on her cheek and eyelids. Lee-Jae turned her back to him.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes.”
“About the Crown Prince.”
“Are you going to talk about another guy in bed?”
Lee-Jae looked at him again because she was dumbfounded.
“Are you going to keep doing this? He’s Your Majesty’s family.”
Roderick shrugged his shoulders.
“What’s wrong with Edgar?”
“…Didn’t he look a little weird?”
Roderick thought for a moment, and replied little.
“He did look tired. Why?”
Lee Jae also shook his head after thinking for a while.
“It’s nothing.”
She pulled the blanket up to her shoulders and closed her eyes.
However, Roderick continued to be affectionate, nuzzling her chin, rubbing his cheek against her forehead, and gently touching her fingers and wrists.
Eventually, Lee-Jae turned to face him.
She wondered, Why has he been so insistent on keeping her in this room lately?
“Have you finally decided to look at me, wife?”
Instead of answering, Lee-Jae cupped the King’s cheek. His lazy smile made him look like an elegant beast with blue eyes. She parted her lips slightly.
As Lee-Jae’s small lips moved softly, Roderick laid her down and kissed her passionately, his large hands gripping and releasing her peach-colored hair. He was struggling to maintain his composure.
Soon, he rolled off her and pulled the soft blanket over her. Lee-Jae giggled softly under the covers.
Lee-Jae once asked the King why he was acting like a beast. But she shouldn’t have said that at the time. It was only recently that Roderick seemed to be really mad as a beast.
He would often find himself on top of her without realizing it, growling like a wild animal. During their kisses, he would sometimes wrap her tightly in the blanket, only to slip his hand inside or kiss her forehead before covering her up again.
It was like he was savoring a piece of chocolate, only to hide it away again.
Sure enough. Roderick pulled down the blanket again. Lee-Jae said, grabbing his wrist.
“Your Majesty.”
“Oh, why?”
“Don’t you think it’s better to sleep separately tonight?”
Then Roderick covered her with the blanket again and hugged her tightly through the covers.
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it if you don’t want to.”
Lee-Jae struggled under the blanket. She finally managed to poke her head out and said,
“I’ll go sleep in Your Majesty’s room.”
“I said I won’t do anything. I’ll just hold you. Why do you keep talking about sleeping separately when we’re newlyweds?”
“Then let’s go together. Let’s go.”
“…I’ll go alone. You sleep here.”
At that moment, Lee-Jae smiled faintly. She had gained a realization.
You really do know something. You’ve sensed that the room is dangerous not just for you, but for me too.
That’s why you won’t let me go there.
You’ve always endured alone in that room… but you’re worried I might get hurt.
Lee-Jae felt a pang in her heart, but she smiled as if nothing was wrong and said,
“Why? I thought you said you sleep better in this room.”
However, Roderick didn’t respond and got up to leave. Lee-Jae grabbed his wrist and carefully laid him back down on the bed. Then, with a playful grunt, she straddled him.
As she sat down, she must have touched a sensitive spot because Roderick raised an eyebrow. Jae looked down at him, deep in thought.
Actually, I want to do it too. Should I just say let’s do it?
When should I say it? Is now a good time? Is it okay to do it without any other preparation?
But what underwear am I wearing today? I can’t remember since I just put on what they gave me…
After contemplating, she leaned down and kissed his forehead and the bridge of his nose. Her lips were as soft as flower petals, making Roderick’s heart flutter. He let out a deep sigh.
“You have a bad habit of teasing me like this when you don’t intend to go further.”
“Should I stop?”
“…Keep going.”
Lee-Jae laid fully on top of Roderick and kissed his lips. He continued to stroke her back, and as his body began to respond, he pushed her away.
“Wife, could you get off me now?”
“No.”
Roderick was taken aback.
“Do you not understand who I’m trying to protect here?”
“I don’t care. I’m not moving.”
“My little fox, since when did you become so stubborn?”
“You’ve been so mean to me lately, so I learned from you.”
“Oh, so it’s my fault again?”
“Yes, it definitely is.”
Lee-Jae smiled sweetly, and Roderick covered his eyes with the back of his hand. He could hear his heart murmuring.
“Don’t smile.”
Lee-Jae tried to pull his arm away, but when she couldn’t, she poked him gently.
“Ow, stop poking me.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Don’t call me.”
“Why not?”
“Just stay still, will you?”
He was desperately trying to restrain himself. But as Lee-Jae continued to poke his arm and giggle, he suddenly grabbed both her arms.
“Hey!”
Lee-Jae felt the world spin as she was suddenly lying down, with Roderick looking down at her. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and his gaze was intense.
“Hey, little pea. Do you think I’m a joke?”
“…That’s not it. Did I upset you?”
“…”
“I just think you’re cute…”
“Oh, well then, I must be doing something right.”
Roderick chuckled, slightly incredulous. He couldn’t fathom how she found him cute.
He kissed her forehead and cheek. His eyes filled with desire as he looked at her red lips, but he abruptly got up and left the bed.
“Where are you going?”
Roderick didn’t answer and headed straight to the bathroom.
Oh, he must be going to wash up. He just washed up, but the bathroom is for washing, so… But he’s probably taking a cold shower.
Lee-Jae covered her face, feeling embarrassed. She started to pull the blanket over herself.
But then, a brilliant idea flashed through her mind.
Wait, is this the moment? Is this the chance I’ve been waiting for?
“Thank the heavens.”
The heavens and the gods are on my side. Thank you, spirits.
This was her dramatic opportunity to escape the crisis.
She quietly got out of bed and opened a small box, taking out a few talismans. The spirit in the chest chattered so much she wanted to flick it, but Lee-Jae was focused. She tiptoed to the door and opened it silently.
