CHAPTER 34………
Am I prettier, or is she?
Princess S
hine of Malau brazenly declared that she had spent a night with my husband, Mick. We had never even met before, but her words were enough to make me furious.
The instant I heard that she spent the night with Mick, sparks flew in my eyes, and my fighting spirit blazed up.
“Milli, have Sophie pick out a dress and bring it to my room. Also, call Adele.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Queen.”
Milli, just as angry as I was, stormed off with determination.
I normally don’t like to dress up extravagantly for show, but sometimes dazzling clothes, makeup, and costly jewels are the best weapons for intimidation. Just like now.
“Milli, did you find out anything?”
Even as Adele and Sophie were adorning me, I had Milli investigate the Malau Kingdom.
“Yes, I confirmed it with a knight who joined the last subjugation. It’s true that His Highness Mick stayed one night in Malau Castle with the Special Knights.”
I frowned. It wasn’t that I distrusted Mick, but hearing that he had spent the night at another lord’s castle didn’t exactly please me.
“But apparently, as soon as dawn broke, he left Malau Castle and returned directly to Pritan. Later, Sir William said this as well.”
“What did he say?”
“He said, ‘It was an unpleasant night, but at least thanks to it, Her Majesty the Queen will spend this winter warmly, so it was worth it.’ Sir William teased His Highness the whole way back, calling it ‘Everything leads back to the Queen.’”
I couldn’t quite understand that. How could staying one night at Malau Castle mean that I would spend a warmer winter?
At that moment, the page I had sent to the Chancellor’s office returned.
“Did you find out?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The tribute from Malau this time is all heating magic stones. A full thousand tons of them.”
“What??”
That many tons of such precious heating stones?
At last I began to grasp the situation. Mick had spent a night in Malau Castle, and in return, he secured the heating stones.
It seemed something unpleasant had happened, but since the result was me spending a warm winter, he let it pass. And Princess Shine was clearly involved.
Surely he didn’t receive them in exchange for spending the night with her?
The nasty thought came up, but I quickly cut it off. My husband Mick would never do such a thing.
Under Adele and Sophie’s skillful hands, I was adorned more splendidly than ever.
For the first time since arriving in Pritan, I dressed in my most extravagant finery, and headed to the Eastern Audience Hall.
“The Queen enters.”
Perhaps rumors of Princess Shine had already spread, because the attendant’s solemn voice rang through the audience chamber. The doors swung wide, and everyone inside rose to their feet.
I walked in calmly, glanced briefly at Duke Zenon, then turned my eyes toward Malau’s envoys.
I faltered for a moment. All four envoys had platinum-blond hair like mine. Even among the three men, their beauty was striking enough to catch my attention twice.
Wow…
My ingrained weakness for beauty tried to surface, but I feigned indifference and fixed my gaze on the sole woman among them.
Her eyes sparkled as she stepped forward.
So you must be Princess Shine of Malau.
I met her with a cool, expressionless stare. She quickly scanned me from head to toe, then returned to a polite face.
“I greet the great Queen of Pritan.”
She bent gracefully, and the rest of the envoys bowed as well.
“Thank you for coming such a long way,” I replied with regal composure.
“But it seems the purpose of Malau’s delegation is not simply to deliver tribute. Insisting on meeting Prince Mick before leaving… that tells me otherwise.”
The princess’s gaze wavered at my direct words, but soon a sly smile curled on her lips. She stepped close and whispered just for me:
“I spent a passionate night with Prince Mick at Malau Castle. But our parting came too quickly. Since I’m here in Pritan, I would dearly like to relive it with him.”
“Is that so?”
My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest, but my voice remained steady.
Princess Shine, however, smiled knowingly, as if she could see straight through me, then spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear:
“In Malau, when hosting an honored guest, it is our tradition for the host’s daughter to serve him in bed. It is a long-standing custom of Malau hospitality.”
I wanted to retch, but couldn’t say so openly.
“Then tell me—after the guest departs, chasing after him and demanding something he doesn’t want— is that also Malau tradition?”
“Doesn’t want it??”
The princess snapped, then quickly lowered her voice, aware of the eyes around her.
“I will hear from Prince Mick himself whether he wants it or not.”
So she wanted to play it that way? I smiled thinly.
“Is it necessary? I already know the answer.”
“What answer?”
I stepped close, just as she had, and whispered only for her:
“If that night had been so passionate, would my husband have left Malau Castle at dawn? Would he have ridden straight into my arms without delay?”
Her face twisted violently. That told me I had guessed right.
Passionate night, my foot. You couldn’t even lay a finger on him.
Straightening, I turned to Duke Zenon with a serene smile.
“Escort the envoys to the East Palace’s guest chambers and see they want for nothing. Since they so desperately beg to see Prince Mick, we shall grant it.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Seeing the Duke’s pleased expression, I smiled graciously again at the envoys.
“Rest as long as you like. That will be all.”
The Malau envoys were led to the guest chambers. Princess Shine, however, still fumed.
“That stiff, haughty woman… and she calls herself a queen? Ha!”
“Please calm yourself, Princess.”
“I expected the Queen of Micklok to be extraordinary, but she’s just some cold, lofty woman. No trace of allure to ensnare a man. And she dares to say that to me?”
She kicked her luggage furiously, then turned to her knight.
“Tell me, Julmon. Am I prettier, or is she?”
Julmon hesitated. As a Malau demon, renowned for their beauty, he had never been impressed by human women. When Princess Shine first declared she would seduce the King again, he thought she had a fair chance. After all, no man could resist her twice.
But when he saw Pritan’s queen, his certainty wavered.
Unlike Shine’s brazenly seductive charm, the queen had refined elegance. Her pale skin, deep violet eyes, and platinum-blond hair gave her an almost mystical air. Delicate and soft, yet strong-willed—an intriguing mix that stirred a man’s curiosity.
He began to understand why King Mick was so enthralled with his wife.
But if he said that aloud, he would not keep his head. As a seasoned knight, Julmon quickly mastered himself.
“Of course, it’s you, Princess.”
“What? Why didn’t you answer right away? You hesitated, didn’t you?”
“Impossible. Your beauty left me dazed for a moment. The Queen was more attractive than expected, but compared to you, she is far lacking.”
Years of serving her had taught Julmon the right answers.
Finally appeased, Shine smiled smugly like a cat, stroking her gleaming hair.
“That night, Micklok must have been too exhausted to think straight. What else? I’ll simply give him another chance.”
“And if he doesn’t return soon? Will you really wait?”
“Ugh, how annoying!”
She lashed out again, kicking her luggage.
“Who would have guessed he’d march off so soon again? That rumor of him cherishing his queen must be exaggerated. Otherwise, how could he leave her alone so quickly after returning from battle?”
“You may be right.”
“Just wait. When he returns, this time he’ll yield to me. I’ll make sure he never dreams of the battlefield again.”
Lost in her reflection before the mirror, she smiled in self-satisfaction, unaware of Julmon’s pitying gaze.
After storming at Lea during training, Robbie had gone to bed early. By morning, hunger woke him.
Damn it, I shouldn’t have snapped like that…
Even he admitted his behavior had been unreasonable.
After washing with cold water and changing clothes, he entered the sitting room and blinked at the dishes laid on the table. Lifting the lids, he saw steam rising, savory smells filling the air.
His stomach growled loudly. Without further thought, he devoured everything.
Just as he finished, a servant of the East Palace guest quarters entered.
“You’re awake. Did you enjoy breakfast?”
“Uh… yes…”
Feeling awkward for eating without permission, Robbie scratched his head.
“Her Majesty the Queen ordered us to take good care of you since you skipped dinner yesterday.”
Lea…
Robbie felt both grateful and ashamed.
“She also asked me to deliver this.”
He received it absentmindedly—it was riding clothes, lined with warm fur.
“If you wish, we can prepare a horse right away.”
“Yes, please.”
Perhaps a long ride would ease this restlessness…
Borrowing a fine horse, he galloped through the woods near Pritan Castle. Clearing his mind, he felt lighter inside. Just as Lea had said, Pritan’s horses were truly the best.
I’ll wash up and go apologize to her right away.
After returning the horse to the royal stables, he hurried toward the East Palace.
Just then, he spotted a familiar figure entering the palace greenhouse.
Lea?
Her simple dress and shining platinum hair down her back made her unmistakable.
She must be coming to see me. But why the greenhouse?
He quietly followed, suppressing his footsteps.
Then, meaning to surprise her, he slipped off his cloak and tossed it over her head.
“Lea, you came to see me?”
