CHAPTER 23……….
. A Dangerous Invitation
Out of the blue, I received word that Robbie was coming to Fritan. Instead of joy, worry welled up inside me.
For him to suddenly come all the way from such a distant place—could something urgent have happened to him?
Even during dinner, the unease never left me.
“Your Majesty the Queen, aren’t you glad that Young Master Robbie is coming?”
Millie poured tea into my cup while carefully gauging my expression.
“I thought you’d be delighted, but you seem troubled.”
“You’re right.”
I slowly nodded, lifting the teacup.
“For Robbie to come this far wouldn’t be possible without Count Stone’s approval. But you know how Count Stone has always seen me as a thorn in his side.”
“That’s true. He was always desperate to tie Young Master Robbie and Lady Hailey together.”
Millie frowned as she spoke.
“Exactly. So why would that count suddenly send Robbie to me?”
Millie, who had become just as grave as I was, quickly refilled my empty cup.
“Surely Young Master Robbie wouldn’t come here to harm you, Your Majesty! It’s been so long since you’ve seen him—you should just catch up and enjoy your time together.”
“Besides, Millie, you’ll get to see your first love. Won’t that make it a special time for you too?”
At my teasing words, Millie turned red like a ripe persimmon.
“Ah, that’s right, Millie! Maybe Robbie’s visit is because of you.”
“What? W-What do you mean?”
Millie’s ears flushed scarlet as she looked up at me in confusion.
“Back in our homeland, you only had eyes for Robbie. But the moment you came to Fritan, you started wavering between Sir William, Sir Ralph, and even Sir Freddy. Maybe he’s coming to confront you about it?”
“T-That’s not true at all!!!”
Though my teasing was nonsensical, Millie panicked, clutching her tray to her chest and hurrying toward the door.
“Millie, where are you rushing off to?”
“D-Dessert! I’ll bring dessert.”
“Adele was supposed to bring that.”
“……”
Seeing her stand there, flustered and on the verge of tears, made me laugh out loud.
Thanks to Millie, the unease I’d felt since hearing Robbie was coming had lightened considerably.
The carriage that Emperor Haron had granted Count Stone had been running toward Fritan for five days now.
Though far more spacious and comfortable than the Stone family’s own carriage, Robbie’s furrowed brow showed no sign of easing.
“My son, at long last, His Majesty the Emperor has summoned me to the palace. After over a decade of currying favor with Marquis Uzkal, my perseverance is finally paying off.”
When the emperor’s summons had come through Marquis Uzkal, Count Stone had looked as though he’d grasped the very rope to fortune.
In truth, his fief lay far in the southern regions, far from the capital.
If he had focused only on managing his lands, he might never have laid eyes on the emperor in his lifetime.
Like many other nobles chasing advancement, he had purchased a townhouse in the capital early on, constantly commuting between estate and city in search of an opportunity to make himself known.
Sending his only son Robbie to train in swordsmanship under Marquis Uzkal’s household had been no different—a calculated move to foster ties with their daughter Hailey.
Even though Marquis Uzkal was despised and called “the Emperor’s Dog,” Count Stone believed that connection would grant him opportunities.
But his slow-witted son, instead of befriending Hailey, had grown close to her illegitimate sister, Lea. This drove the Count to fury.
As his chances of advancement dwindled and the cost of maintaining a capital residence weighed heavier, at long last an opportunity had presented itself.
Having returned from the palace after meeting the emperor, Count Stone was more elated than ever.
“Robbie, pack your things at once. You’re going to Fritan.”
“Why to Fritan?”
“To see Lea, of course. Surely you miss her too?”
“But Father, you never approved of me spending time with her.”
Robbie wasn’t fooled by his father’s suddenly kind smile and insistent tone.
After all, this was the same man who had scolded him endlessly for clinging to Lea instead of Hailey. And now he wanted him to go visit her?
“This is an imperial command. His Majesty granted you a carriage and travel expenses.”
Count Stone, recalling his past words, laughed awkwardly at his son’s sharp gaze. Robbie’s suspicion only deepened.
“So I’m to check on Queen Lea, see if she’s well, and report back. Is that it?”
“Exactly. His Majesty must be worried—after all, she was nearly chosen as empress, but instead was sent to that harsh land. Perhaps he regrets it.”
Robbie almost snorted aloud. Even the stray dogs rummaging through trash in the back alleys knew the emperor was not the sort to care.
“If that’s the case, he could have sent someone from the imperial family.”
“Ugh, I don’t know any more than you do! If you’re so curious, ask His Majesty yourself!”
Frustrated at his son’s questions, Count Stone finally snapped.
“Here, take the letter. His Majesty’s words are in there somewhere. Don’t delay another moment—leave immediately with Hans. As it happens, the King of Fritan has been absent from the castle for months, no doubt off drenched in blood somewhere.”
“Leave now? Without requesting an audience first? She’s the Queen of a kingdom!”
“This isn’t an official visit—it’s just you visiting an old friend. Why bother with all that formality—”
“But Father!”
“Fine, fine! I’ll inform Fritan Castle that you’re coming, so stop worrying. Satisfied now?”
Halfheartedly soothing Robbie’s concerns, Count Stone left in haste.
After all, he had pilfered some of the emperor’s travel funds and was itching to see exactly how much he’d pocketed.
Inside the moving carriage, as Robbie sipped his tea, he shuddered at the memory of his father’s greedy, gleaming eyes.
“Young Master, shall I fetch another blanket? Or perhaps more hot tea?”
Hans, the Stone family’s butler, looked at him with concern.
“I’m fine, Hans.”
“It will take at least ten more days to reach Fritan, and it’s already bitter cold. No wonder they call it the forsaken land.”
Hans shivered, pulling his blanket tightly around him.
“You should get some rest. It’s a long road. You’ll need your strength.”
“All right. You rest too.”
After reassuring Hans, Robbie once more pulled out Emperor Haron’s letter.
‘Observe Lea Uzkal closely. If you detect anything unusual, return at once and report.’
There were no details, only the vague word: “unusual.”
What kind of life is Lea leading there? Is she enduring each day in pain and tears?
Robbie’s thoughts flashed back to Miclock’s fierce, icy gaze from that day at Lea’s window.
That cold, cutting look, so much like the cruel weather—it made his skin prickle.
A man like that could never make her happy.
Robbie clenched his fists.
Lea, if they make you suffer—whether it’s the King of Fritan or Emperor Haron—I won’t stand by and watch.
As night fell, cold seeped into the carriage, but Robbie’s mind was filled with Lea alone.
“It is the greatest honor to welcome you to humble Malau Castle.”
When Miclock and the Special Knight Order arrived at Malau under the guidance of envoy Yamal, the King of Malau and his ministers awaited them at the gates.
The King of Malau bore an ageless face—skin taut, expression serene, his presence carrying a strange air.
“Thank you for your welcome.”
“You must be weary from your journey. Please rest here at our castle. Though I asked for one night, you may stay as long as you wish.”
Miclock merely smiled faintly at the king’s words.
“We’ve prepared warm lodgings and meals for your knights.”
“No. That won’t be necessary.”
At Miclock’s sudden firm refusal, the King looked up in surprise.
“Only my two closest knights will enter the castle with me. The others will wait outside, so there’s no need to trouble yourself.”
“But in this cold, their health may—”
“Malau’s chill will not harm my knights. Worry not.”
Though Miclock’s lips smiled, his icy gaze delivered a clear warning: Don’t try anything foolish.
The King, sensing the signal, gave a bitter smile and stepped back.
“Then please, come inside.”
Miclock entered with William alone, leaving the others behind.
“We have prepared a banquet in your honor, Your Highness.”
“After so much battle, I am weary. A simple meal and bed will suffice.”
“But surely we cannot treat such an esteemed guest so simply—”
“Your hospitality in the peace treaty was more than enough. Malau has already conceded greatly. Let us postpone the banquet. Tonight, I ask only what I said.”
His tone polite but unyielding, Miclock left the king no choice but to bow to his wishes.
Servants led Miclock and William to their chambers, where a lavish spread awaited.
“Even under a human guise, demons are demons.”
As soon as they were alone, William sighed heavily and threw open the window.
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you feel it, Your Highness? That subtle, intoxicating aura from every one of them—the king, the ministers—it wasn’t normal human energy.”
Miclock tilted his head.
“Was it that strong? I only noticed…”
“Yes?”
“…that they all had the same platinum hair as Lea. That surprised me. In Fritan, she’s the only one, yet here it’s so common.”
“Oh heavens. Of course.”
Even among demons who could bewitch minds, Miclock’s thoughts circled only back to Lea. William could only marvel.
“In any case, let’s eat quickly and rest. We leave at dawn.”
“You’re actually going to eat this?”
William balked. In unknown circumstances, eating food given by demons seemed far too risky.
“If my guess is right, they wouldn’t dare tamper with it.”
“And what guess is that?”
“…We’ll see soon enough.”
Miclock’s mysterious smile gave no answers as he began eating. Hunger gnawed at William too, and he eventually followed suit.
When the meal ended, servants returned to clear the table, bringing robes, towels, and underclothes.
“Shall we send in maids to assist with your bath?”
“No need.”
“Understood. Then Sir Knight, please use the adjoining bath in your chamber. Your bed is prepared there as well.”
With a nod, Miclock dismissed them. William left with the servants.
Miclock, too, went to the bath beside his chamber, sinking into steaming water. His tense muscles eased, drowsiness washing over him. The air was faintly perfumed with roses.
“Lea…”
The fragrance drew his thoughts to her—the sweeter, headier scent of her body on their wedding night, which he craved desperately.
Clink.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of teacups clashing in his chamber.
Rising from the bath, water streamed down his muscular body. Miclock swiftly donned a robe, wrapping towels tightly around his fists.
Silently, he approached the chamber—only to see the back of a woman in a thin robe.
Long platinum hair cascaded down to her waist. Slender shoulders, a narrow waist, and as she poured tea into a cup, his heart leapt—
“Lea…?”
Was it a hallucination, born of longing? He knew she couldn’t possibly be here, and yet joy surged uncontrollably.
Slowly, the woman turned. A pale face bathed in moonlight, violet eyes meeting his directly.
“How are you here…?”
Her eyes softened, and in a voice like a whisper, she said:
“I missed you so much, Prince Miclock.”
