Chapter 34.
Who’s Prettier, Me or Her?
Princess Shine of Malau, who shamelessly declared she had spent the night with my husband Mik, was someone I had never even met before. But I already didn’t like her.
The moment I heard she had spent the night with Mik, sparks flew in my eyes, and a burning fighting spirit surged within me.
“Millie, tell Sophie to pick out a dress and bring it to my room. And call Adele too.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Millie, who looked just as furious as I felt, stormed off like she was going into battle.
Normally, dressing up to show off wasn’t my style, but sometimes extravagant clothing, makeup, and expensive jewelry could be a tactical advantage — like now.
“Millie, did you find anything out?”
Even while Adele and Sophie were dressing me up, I had Millie gather information about the Kingdom of Malau.
“Yes, I confirmed it with a knight who participated in the last subjugation mission. His Highness Mikrok did spend the night at Malau Castle with the Special Knights Division.”
My face scrunched up instinctively at the report. It’s not that I didn’t trust Mik, but knowing he had spent the night at someone else’s castle didn’t exactly sit well with me.
“But he left Malau Castle at dawn and returned directly to Fritan. Later, Sir William reportedly said this—”
“What did he say?”
“He said, ‘It was an unpleasant night, but thanks to it, Her Majesty will be able to spend the winter warmly. So it’s worth it.’ Apparently, he kept teasing His Highness Mikrok the whole way, saying it all ends with ‘Her Majesty.’”
I didn’t quite understand what that meant. Because of that one night at Malau Castle, I’d be able to spend the winter more warmly?
Just then, a page I had sent to the chancellor’s office returned.
“Did you find out?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. All the tribute items brought from Malau this time are thermal mana stones. A full thousand tons of them.”
“What??”
A thousand tons of those precious thermal mana stones?
Finally, the situation started to make sense. Mik had spent the night at Malau Castle and in return had acquired thermal mana stones.
Something unpleasant must have happened, but since I’d be able to spend the winter warmly thanks to it, he must have considered it a fair exchange. And it was clear Princess Shine was involved in that.
‘Don’t tell me… he got them in exchange for sleeping with her?’
The thought was disgusting, but I quickly brushed it away. My husband Mik would never do something like that.
Under Adele and Sophie’s magical hands, I was dressed to the nines.
I was more extravagantly adorned than ever since arriving in the Kingdom of Fritan, and I made my way to the Crown Prince’s reception hall.
“Her Majesty the Queen is arriving!”
Perhaps the rumors about Princess Shine had spread, because the attendant’s voice rang with unusual gravity. The reception room doors swung open, and everyone inside stood at once.
I entered without rushing, giving a brief glance to Duke Zenon before turning to look at the Malau delegation.
I halted momentarily. All four delegates had the same platinum hair as me, and three of them were men so strikingly handsome I had to look twice.
‘Wow…’
My hopeless attraction to good looks stirred, but I calmly shifted my gaze to the only woman among them.
She stepped forward toward me with sparkling eyes.
‘So you’re Princess Shine of Malau.’
I looked at her with an indifferent expression. She scanned me quickly from head to toe, then composed her face into a polite smile.
“I greet the great Queen of Fritan.”
She gracefully knelt, followed by the rest of the delegation bowing.
“You’ve traveled far. It must have been tiring.”
I accepted the greeting graciously.
“But it seems your visit isn’t just to deliver tribute, is it? Since you’ve insisted on meeting His Highness Mikrok?”
I didn’t beat around the bush. At my direct question, the princess’s eyes flickered momentarily.
Then, with a sly smile, she stepped closer and whispered just for me to hear:
“I spent a passionate night with His Highness Mikrok at Malau Castle. Unfortunately, our parting came too soon. Since I’m here in Fritan, I’d like to relive the experience.”
“Is that so?”
My heart pounded so fast it felt like it would burst, but luckily, my voice stayed calm.
Then Shine spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, proudly declaring:
“In Malau, we traditionally send the host’s daughter to share the guest’s bed to provide proper hospitality. It’s a long-standing custom of our people.”
Absolutely nauseating. But I couldn’t say that outright.
“Then is it also a tradition in Malau to follow guests afterward and insist on things they didn’t ask for?”
“What do you mean, didn’t ask for?!”
Shine flared up, but quickly lowered her voice when she noticed the attention.
“I’ll ask His Highness Mikrok myself whether he wanted it or not.”
So, that’s how you want to play it? I smiled subtly.
“Is that really necessary? I already know the answer…”
“What answer?”
Now openly hostile, Shine stepped closer. I leaned in too, whispering just like she had.
“If that night was really so passionate, would my husband have left Malau Castle at dawn and rushed straight back into my arms?”
Her face contorted with rage. Her reaction confirmed my suspicion.
‘Passionate night, my foot. I bet she couldn’t even touch him.’
Straightening my back, I smiled warmly at Duke Zenon.
“Please escort the delegation to the West Palace guest rooms. Make sure they’re well cared for during their stay. Since she insists so much on meeting His Highness Mikrok, we should at least grant that.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
I gave the delegation a gentle smile.
“Please rest as long as you wish. That will be all.”
The Malau delegation was shown to the West Palace guest rooms. But even after settling in, Princess Shine fumed.
“Hah! That stiff-looking woman, acting all high and mighty just because she’s a queen.”
“Please calm down, Princess Shine.”
“I was expecting something amazing from the Queen of Fritan, but she’s just stiff and pretentious! Not a hint of seduction in her at all. And she dares talk down to me?”
She kicked her luggage across the floor and turned to her knight.
“Tell me, Julmon. Who’s prettier, me or her?”
Julmon froze. Malauans were known for their striking looks, and he’d never been particularly impressed by human women before.
When Shine had declared she’d seduce the Fritan king again, he’d thought she had a fair chance.
Surely no man, even a king, could resist her twice.
But after seeing the Queen of Fritan, Julmon’s confidence wavered for the first time.
Unlike Shine’s overtly seductive allure, the queen possessed an elegant beauty — delicate yet poised. Her pale, almost translucent face and deep violet eyes were hauntingly beautiful.
Her soft appearance was contrasted by the firmness of her will, a combination that subtly sparked a man’s curiosity.
And perhaps because of her platinum hair — rare among humans — she felt oddly familiar, almost like one of their own.
Julmon suddenly understood why King Mikrok was so drawn to his queen.
But if he said any of this, he’d be dead. So, as a capable guard, he kept his cool.
“Of course, it’s you, Princess.”
“What? Why didn’t you answer right away? Were you hesitating?”
“Never. I was just so dazzled by your beauty, I lost track of time. Fritan’s queen is more beautiful than I expected, but compared to you, she’s no match.”
Years of serving the princess had taught him how to give the correct answers.
Satisfied, Shine curled up on the sofa like a smug cat and stroked her lustrous hair.
“King Mikrok must’ve been too tired that night to think clearly. So what choice do I have? I’ll give him another chance.”
“But he might not return anytime soon. Will you really wait?”
“Ugh! So annoying!”
Shine kicked her bag again.
“Who would’ve thought he’d go back to the battlefield already? The rumors that he dotes on his queen must be exaggerated. Otherwise, how could he leave for war again so soon after returning, leaving her all alone?”
“That’s true.”
“Just wait. When he comes back, he’ll be mine.”
She looked in the mirror, admiring her reflection with a self-satisfied grin.
“I’ll make sure he never dreams of going back to war again.”
Lost in her own charm, Shine didn’t notice Julmon watching her with pity.
After storming out of the training ground following his argument with Leia, Robby had gone to bed early. He awoke hungry at dawn.
‘Damn, I really overreacted yesterday…’
Even he found his behavior ridiculous.
After washing his face with cold water and changing clothes, Robby walked into the sitting room and stared in confusion at the dishes on the table.
He lifted the lids — steam rose from each dish, and the delicious aroma filled the room.
Grrrrrgle~!
His stomach growled. Robby sat down and devoured the meal.
Just as he was finishing, a servant in charge of the West Palace guest rooms entered.
“You’re awake, sir. Did you enjoy breakfast?”
“Ah… uh…”
Feeling a bit guilty for eating without permission, Robby hesitated.
“Her Majesty ordered that you be taken care of, since you skipped dinner yesterday.”
‘Leia…’
He felt a wave of both gratitude and shame.
“She also asked us to give you this.”
The servant handed him something — riding clothes. Warm, fur-lined, and smooth on the inside.
“If you’d like, we can prepare a horse immediately.”
“Yes, please.”
Maybe a good ride would help clear his muddled thoughts…
Robby borrowed a well-trained horse and galloped through the forest near the Fritan castle.
Letting the wind and the horse’s movements carry him without thinking, he finally felt at ease.
As Leia had promised, Fritan’s horses were top-notch.
‘I’ll wash up and go apologize to Leia right away.’
After returning the horse to the royal stables, Robby hurried toward the West Palace.
Just then, he spotted a woman entering the greenhouse.
‘Leia?’
Wearing a simple dress she often favored, her glossy platinum hair flowed down to her waist.
‘Looks like she came to see me. But why go into the greenhouse?’
He tiptoed after her.
Then, planning to surprise her, he took off his cloak and gently draped it over her head.
“Leia, you came to see me, didn’t you?”
