CHAPTER 40…………
Sorry for Being a Face-fool
“Your Majesty… do you know what time it is?”
Shivering in the biting wind and stamping her feet, Millie asked me with a stiff, frozen tongue.
We were standing atop the highest tower of Pritan Castle.
The half-moon hanging in the night sky kept slipping behind clouds whenever the fierce wind passed, then reappearing again with a mournful glow.
“Millie, hold on tight to this.”
I pulled a warming magic stone from my pocket and pressed it into her hand. Millie rubbed it against her cheeks and lips.
“What are we even waiting for since last night?”
“I don’t know. But something’s definitely going on, and it feels like Duke Zenon is hiding it from me.”
“The Chancellor? Surely not…!”
Just then, breaking the silence of the night, came the faint rumble of wagon wheels—growing louder and louder.
Moments later, four wagons approached the castle gates.
They weren’t the ornate royal or noble carriages, but ordinary ones common in the city.
At this hour… did Duke Zenon summon the physicians again?
As if expected, the castle gates swung wide without delay, and the wagons rushed inside.
“Could it be… unexpected guests at this hour?”
“Shh!”
As the wagons entered, Duke Zenon, the court physician, and the Crown Prince’s guards lined up in front of the East Palace.
Convinced something was afoot, I strained my eyes toward the wagons.
That horse… Bloodstorm??
The lead wagon was pulled by none other than Mick’s beloved steed.
The door opened, and a man stepped out.
His face was covered by a black cloth, but his tall frame, broad shoulders, wide chest, and jet-black hair—there was no mistaking Mick.
The guards swiftly supported him inside.
Others emerged from the wagons—men with wounded shoulders, arms, and legs. Judging by their builds, they were Mick’s knights, who had ridden out with him.
Servants hurried them all inside.
“Heavens, Your Majesty! Sir William’s shoulder looked badly injured!”
“Sir William? Where?”
“He just went inside with support. I thought I saw his horse among the second wagon team, and then Sir William himself stepped out. What should we do?”
Millie’s eyes brimmed as though tears might spill at any moment.
Just as Mick was all I could see, William was all she could see.
“We’re going down. Now.”
Steadying my pounding heart, I descended the tower and headed for the East Palace.
The servants of the East Palace froze in shock when I appeared so suddenly at such an hour, unable even to bow.
Clearly, no one had expected the Queen to come here at night.
But I had no patience for formalities. I strode straight toward Mick’s chambers.
Just then, the doors of the grandest reception room opened, and Duke Zenon emerged.
When our eyes met, he looked away with visible unease.
I fixed him with a sharp gaze, and his face flushed red.
“Step aside.”
I changed course and decided to storm the reception room he had just left.
At my cold command, he moved reluctantly aside.
The servants opened the doors, and I entered quickly, with Millie and Duke Zenon following behind.
The sight inside was utterly transformed. Sofas and furniture had been cleared, replaced by ten beds arranged in the center.
Physicians from the capital attended knights moaning in pain, treating severe wounds.
Startled by my sudden presence, everyone tried to bow, but I raised my hand.
“Never mind me. Carry on.”
I scanned the room for Mick’s face, but he wasn’t there.
“Sir William!!”
Millie’s trembling voice rang out as she spotted him by the window. Hands clasped over her mouth, she stared in anguish.
I turned to Zenon.
“What happened?”
“They were ambushed while rescuing children abducted by demons.”
“And His Highness Mick?”
I held my breath, my chest tight with dread.
“His Highness struck down the enemy himself. But because he fought closest, he took the gravest wounds.”
The foreboding I’d felt was confirmed. My eyes squeezed shut against the stabbing pain in my chest. I forced myself to remain calm.
“Why hide his return and treat him in secret, even from me?”
“It was… His Majesty’s command.”
“Why? Is his life in danger?”
After a long hesitation, Zenon finally spoke.
“His life is not in peril. But… his face was severely burned. He has also lost his sense of smell and taste.”
“How grave are the burns?”
“You… may not recognize him when you see him. The best physicians are doing all they can. It would be better to wait until the wounds heal somewhat.”
His words fell on deaf ears. All I wanted was to see Mick and heal him with my own hands.
“No. I must see him now.”
My insistence left Zenon flustered.
“Are you certain? It may be difficult for you.”
“Of course it will be. But I can help—”
Then I realized his hesitation wasn’t for Mick’s sake, but mine. He feared I couldn’t endure it.
“You’re worried I might faint at the sight? Don’t. I won’t faint.”
“That is not it…”
At his faltering words, a sharp thought flashed through me. Could it be… this is about my feelings?
“You’re not afraid my love will change because of his face, are you?”
Zenon flinched as if struck.
Unbelievable! Did they truly think me so shallow—that my husband’s wounds would matter less than his looks?
“Take me to His Highness Mick. At once!”
I had never been so furious.
At my command, the servants led us quickly to Mick’s chamber.
I didn’t even wait for the door to be opened—I shoved it wide with enough force to break it.
Inside, startled physicians looked up from dressing Mick’s wounds.
He sat on the bed, shirtless, his back turned, lacerations and burns raw across his shoulders and arms.
A cry nearly tore from my throat; I smothered it with my hands.
Mick turned slightly, his face veiled in black gauze save for his eyes.
“Leah?”
I approached, and he quickly turned away.
I asked the physician instead.
“How is he?”
“His injuries are many, and the burns on his face are deep. But we are giving him our utmost care.”
“Leave us.”
I dismissed them all.
“But Your Majesty, treatment—”
“Out. Now!”
Startled by my firm tone, even Zenon obeyed.
“Go. I want to be alone with my Queen.”
At Mick’s order, the room emptied.
Still he sat like stone, turned away.
I went to him, sat behind him, and stroked his shoulders. His muscles flinched beneath my palms.
The sight of his wounds tore at my heart. I bent and kissed the smallest scar. His back jolted violently.
“Will you not look at me?” I whispered, fingertips brushing his neck. “Shall I leave, and bring the physicians back?”
At that, the ever-proud Mick bowed his head.
“I’m sorry, Leah.”
“Why are you sorry?”
I forced a smile through tears.
“I should have protected my face for your sake. Forgive me—I broke my promise.”
I stood and faced him, taking his calloused hands gently in mine.
“No… I’m the one who’s sorry.”
His dark eyes trembled with guilt and fear.
“I made you believe I loved only your face. That I might turn away if you were scarred. That’s my fault.”
“Leah…”
“I’m sorry for being a face-fool.”
At my confession, tears welled in his eyes.
“You went to a battlefield where death was certain. I’m only grateful you came back alive. So…”
I kissed the back of his hand. His deep navy eyes shimmered as he looked up at me.
“Don’t be afraid. Show me your face. No matter how you look, my heart won’t change.”
He stiffened, then exhaled heavily and pulled me into a tight embrace. I held him carefully, mindful of his wounds, and stroked his hair.
After a while, he released me and lifted away the black veil.
“Ah!!!”
His face, so badly burned it was unrecognizable, came into view.
Tears streamed at the thought of the agony he must have endured.
And in that instant, I remembered the vision I’d seen after healing Princess Shine’s severed tongue—the blazing mass of fire lunging like a beast toward someone’s face.
Could it have been then… that Mick was wounded?
