Chapter 18.
The Joy of Watching a Fire Across the River
Miklok and William, who were rinsing off demon blood under a pleasant waterfall, overheard an argument between Ralph and Freddy nearby and were startled by what they heard.
“A scarf? You didn’t have that earlier. Don’t tell me Mother gave it to just you?”
“This isn’t from my family.”
“Then who gave it to you?!”
“I got it from a woman of Haren.”
The moment the words “a woman of Haren” came out of Ralph’s mouth, Miklok’s eyes flared with fury.
A woman of Haren—wasn’t that Leah?! Leah gave Ralph a scarf? When? Why?
Miklok quickly began estimating the timing in his head.
Could it have been after the wedding night? No, impossible. Then when Leah rode the carriage to Fritan?
As he tilted his head in confusion, a sudden memory struck him.
Right, I left Leah’s side to plaster the queen’s palace with heating mana stones. That must’ve been when! Damn it, I should have stayed by her side the entire time!
As Miklok’s mind spiraled with misunderstandings, wild speculation, and self-blame, a similar fire flickered in William’s eyes.
Of course, the woman of Haren he imagined wasn’t Leah—it was Millie.
I was the one who told Millie about how ladies give scarves to knights for good luck before a battle. And now she gave Ralph a scarf?
While William trembled with betrayal, the jealousy-blinded Miklok flew at Ralph like lightning, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, and dunked his face into the water. William immediately followed up by sweeping Ralph’s legs out from under him.
Caught off guard, Ralph flailed underwater, ambushed by his superiors.
Freddy, who had always looked at Ralph with disdain, was so startled by the sudden assault that he hesitated for a moment before hurriedly pulling Ralph out of the water.
Why are they attacking Ralph? If anyone’s going to beat him up, it should be me!
Even as Ralph coughed up a ridiculous amount of river water, Miklok and William glared at him with ferocity.
“COUGH—! Miklok, Your Highness! Commander William! What did I do?!”
“When did the woman of Haren give you that scarf?”
“Huh? That was from Her Majesty the Queen earlier…”
Ralph’s faltering explanation came to a halt when he met Miklok’s deadly glare, which looked like it might truly kill him. He instinctively took a step back.
Startled, Freddy stepped to the side to shield Ralph with his body.
“…It was Lady Millie, Her Majesty’s maid, who handed it over when Her Majesty gave one to His Highness Miklok.”
When Ralph cautiously revealed the truth, the bloodthirsty look in Miklok’s eyes immediately faded.
But now it was William’s turn—he began radiating murderous intent toward Ralph.
“Why are you two doing this to Ralph?!”
Freddy, who had been silently watching, finally exploded with frustration.
Honestly, he was already pissed that even Ralph got a scarf while he didn’t. But why were these two making such a scene?
“Are you absolutely sure Millie gave it to you?”
William ground his teeth as he asked again.
“Yes, I’m certain.”
Ralph responded politely, but firmly.
“What did she say when she gave it to you?”
“She asked if it was true that a lady’s scarf symbolizes good fortune for a knight. Then, seeing that my spear was bare, she said if I didn’t mind, she’d like to offer me hers. I tried to refuse, since it’s usually something you get from family or a lover, but…”
“But what?”
Miklok, who had gone from death-glare to curious spectator, urged him to continue.
“She said, since I don’t have a lover, I might as well take hers. Said it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
CRUNCH!
Suddenly, the sound of William grinding his teeth echoed so loudly it was almost worrying.
“She said that much, and refusing seemed unchivalrous… So I accepted it gratefully.”
“Hmph!”
William scoffed with enough force to send a boulder flying and turned away.
“Damn chivalry.”
Even muttered under his breath, Ralph could hear the words. His lips curved ever so slightly.
What he had told Miklok and William was the truth. But it wasn’t the whole truth.
“Sir William must’ve been really busy.”
In truth, the person Millie had been searching for, looking anxiously around, was William.
While Miklok had been completely absorbed in Leah, William had been running around checking final preparations.
“I suppose someone as perfect as Sir William doesn’t need things like scarves…”
Millie had mumbled that softly to herself—but Ralph didn’t repeat that part. Nor did he mention how he had deliberately dropped his spear in front of her.
After Miklok walked off, snickering to himself to tease William, Ralph slowly lifted his head.
William’s back was visible in the distance, splashing away from the river.
“I’m sorry, Commander. But right now, it’s still not my turn.”
Watching Ralph mutter to himself, Freddy added:
“Don’t apologize. Just hurry up and get promoted so you can be commander. It’s exhausting trying to read these noblemen’s moods.”
Unaware of the deeper dynamics, Freddy clapped his brother on the shoulder in sympathy.
Meanwhile, Miklok—chasing after William—didn’t miss the golden opportunity to tease him.
Watching a fire across the river really is the best!
“Since when, huh? Don’t tell me it started when you chased after me with Millie on your horse? You said your heart was bleeding dry from not staying by my side, but it was already handed over to Millie, wasn’t it?”
William turned to glare fiercely, and even bold Miklok flinched.
“I’m the one who covered up your sneaking Bibi out. I’m the one who guarded her nonstop for two days. I gave her the heating stone so she wouldn’t be cold. I told her about the scarf custom!!”
“You even gave her a heating mana stone? Oh wow, you’re totally smitten.”
Miklok, who had been laughing playfully, suddenly turned serious.
“Wait, Will. Don’t tell me you stole that heating stone from the Queen’s Palace?”
“I bought it with my own money, thank you very much!”
William ground out the words through clenched teeth.
“And yet she gave the scarf to Ralph? Where’s the loyalty?!”
“Fine, Will. If I ever have to give someone a scarf, I’ll make sure it’s you.”
William gave him a bitter look, then turned and walked off.
It was the first time William, who once vowed never to leave Miklok’s side after joining the knights, had broken that promise of his own will.
I had passed out right after using my healing ability and was awakened by murmuring voices nearby.
“Your Majesty, are you all right?”
“You’re awake?!”
When I looked to my side, the palace physician and Millie were watching me anxiously.
“I think… I’m okay.”
“Thank goodness…”
The doctor sighed in relief. It seemed he had been really worried something might happen while Mik was away.
“Millie, help me up.”
Millie hurried to support me with a cushion for my back. Sitting upright, I reassured the doctor.
“I think it was just travel fatigue. I feel much better after some rest.”
“I’ll prepare a restorative tonic right away. It’ll be a bit bitter, but please take it all.”
Once he left, I turned to Millie.
“What exactly happened?”
“As soon as Your Majesty’s right hand touched my wrist, I felt an electric current run through my arm. Then the wound healed and vanished completely. But you collapsed right after.”
Now that I thought about it, I’d also passed out for a full day after healing my mother at age five. And I felt dizzy after healing the wound on my left hand.
“The bigger the wound, the more energy it must take.”
Millie nodded at my words.
“We should keep this a secret for now. If people hear Her Majesty has healing powers, they’ll come begging for help, and you can’t afford to collapse every time.”
“You’re right. Until Prince Miklok returns, I’ll keep quiet. Promise you will too.”
“Of course.”
Millie stood and pulled over a table.
“Let’s eat. There’s a lot to do today.”
At the time, I had no idea just how much.
First to visit was Madam Lusso, the royal designer, along with her assistants. They came with an armful of clothes.
“I heard you arrived in a rush and had almost nothing to wear. I brought some casual garments for you.”
Her assistants showed me row after row of warm, soft, and comfortable outfits on long racks.
They were so beautiful, it felt like a waste to wear them just as casual clothes.
“When did you make all these?”
“Actually, they’re samples for our winter collection. It would be a great honor if Your Majesty wore them first.”
“It’s my honor to be the first to wear your new designs.”
It wasn’t just flattery. Compared to Haren Empire’s winter fashion, these were equal—if not superior.
The fabric was lighter and more luxurious, and the designs were sleek and practical, accentuating the figure beautifully.
Even after selecting only what I needed immediately, half the rack was gone. The rest, unfortunately, didn’t fit.
With a deeply satisfied smile, Madam Lusso began measuring me herself.
I would need dozens of dresses for events, parties, outings, and official functions. It was a massive workload, but Lusso seemed absolutely thrilled.
“There haven’t been many noble ladies in Fritan lately, so I haven’t had the chance to make dresses for a young woman. It’s been ages since I’ve worked with such a delicate waistline. Hmm… bring me my notebook.”
She suddenly called for her assistant to bring her sketchbook, then began drawing a new dress design on the spot.
“For your first official appearance with Prince Miklok, I’ll make you this dress.”
When I saw the sketch, my eyes widened. It was a breathtaking dress that highlighted the neckline, shoulders, and waist.
“I’ll line the hem with tiny diamonds. When you walk, it’ll sparkle like a halo floating at your feet.”
Seeing her artistic passion made me feel so reassured.
“I’m counting on you. I’ve never seen dresses like yours even in the capital of the Haren Empire.”
“My goodness… I’ve never received such high praise. I’ll do my utmost.”
Her cheeks turned red with joy.
After Lusso and her assistants left, the head steward Colin came in.
Since Mik had installed a ridiculous number of heating stones all over the Queen’s Palace, he wanted me to check the temperature.
I inspected the bedroom, office, guest room, library, lounge, and bath—every room.
Heating mana stones were rare even in Fritan, so I couldn’t allow any waste.
Once I confirmed that the Queen’s Palace maintained a temperature similar to the East Palace, I gave new orders.
“Colin, clear out the pool table and all the entertainment stuff from the lounge.”
“What should we replace it with?”
“Nothing. That space is going to be my training room.”
“Your Majesty’s… training room?”
