CHAPTER 52…………………………
. Should I Try a Pillowside Plea?
“Chancellor, find a way to obtain that technology from Malau without bringing Princess Shine in as a concubine. As quickly as possible.”
After leaving Queen Lea’s office, Duke Xenon already had more than enough to worry about with King Miklok’s order.
But when he reached his own study, yet another set of problems was waiting for him.
“The Goldpine Management Bureau is asking for more staff support.”
“With the Maon tribe gone, I suppose that’s inconvenient. The Special Knights are idle these days—contact them.”
“Sir William, the commander, already complained that they should establish their own system. I hesitate to ask him again…”
“…I’ll speak with him. And this?”
“Oh, this morning we received another urgent dispatch from the northwestern village where the avalanche struck a few days ago.”
“Why am I only hearing about this now?”
If the devastated village had sent an urgent dispatch, it meant the situation was dire.
After reading the report carefully, Xenon shot to his feet.
“Take this straight to His Highness Miklok.”
“Yes, Chancellor. And you, where are you going?”
“I must see Her Majesty the Queen again.”
Barely half an hour after leaving, Duke Xenon returned.
Don’t tell me he’s about to say: “I take back everything I said earlier. Actually, bringing in a concubine is the best option.” If he dares—!
But his face was even more serious than mine.
“Duke Xenon, what’s wrong?”
“An avalanche struck in the northwest a few days ago and buried the lower village. Thankfully the people were rescued quickly and moved to temporary shelters, but…”
“Oh no. The cold will only get harsher—that’s terrible.”
Even before he finished, my thoughts flew to the villagers.
“Ah! What if we send some of the heating magic stones from Malau?”
Xenon’s eyes lit up, but then his face clouded with hesitation.
“We’ve never distributed heating stones to the common folk before…”
“This is an emergency. What’s the point of hoarding them in storage if they could save lives?”
“…Understood. I’ll seek His Highness’s approval and see to it immediately.”
That problem seemed resolved, but his expression was still heavy.
“What else is wrong?”
“Pardon?”
“Tell me quickly. I might be able to help.”
Even when I teased him, Xenon fidgeted, clearly reluctant.
“Truthfully, no one could help more than Your Majesty. But I doubt His Highness would permit it…”
The way he spoke made me realize this must involve my healing powers.
“The rescued villagers… They lived, but after long exposure to the cold, frostbite has begun to rot their hands and feet.”
“Oh no!”
“To save them, their limbs must be amputated quickly. But many are children—not even ten years old.”
I sighed deeply.
“Though the cause is different, Your Majesty healed Sir William’s arm. Perhaps…”
“How long to reach the village from Pritan Castle?”
“With the royal carriage, about ten hours.”
“I’ll ask His Highness directly. At dawn tomorrow, I’ll leave. Inform the village at once.”
The duke’s eyes widened. They even trembled with emotion.
“You truly will go?”
I straightened my back and answered with dignity.
“As Queen of Pritan, I will not accept your thanks.”
Embarrassed by my own solemn tone, I quickly stood up.
Miklok won’t like this. Every time I heal, I collapse from exhaustion. If I say I’ll do it again, he’ll object fiercely.
There must be a way to use this power without draining myself, but I don’t know how yet.
For now, I need to ask him when he’s in the best possible mood—when he cannot refuse me.
So that’s the only way, isn’t it?
Shameful as it is, the only time Miklok lowers his guard completely and indulges my wishes is in our bedroom.
Which means tonight, I’ll have to make a pillowside plea. But… what on earth should I prepare?
“Your Majesty, won’t you eat more?”
“No. Clear it away, Mili.”
My mind was too preoccupied with finding a way to win Miklok’s consent for the trip. I barely touched my dinner. If only I could slip away without upsetting him… but nothing came to mind.
Wait—I still have one wish token, don’t I?
At the sword arena, Miklok defeated me four times, but I managed to win once with a little trickery. That victory earned me one wish.
If I use it now, to heal the villagers, he won’t be able to refuse.
Then I suddenly remembered Miklok’s wish, which I had nearly forgotten amid the chaos with Princess Shine.
“For my first wish—come to my chamber in the East Palace yourself.”
Perfect! I can fulfill his wish tonight and use my own wish tomorrow.
Reenergized, I jumped to my feet.
“Mili, draw a bath. And tell Adel and Sophie to help me prepare.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As always, my ladies-in-waiting were flawless in their service.
“Tonight, I need to make a very important request. Make me so beautiful that His Highness will be utterly undone the moment he sees me.”
“Er… doesn’t His Highness already lose his composure every time he sees you?”
Mili said it with such seriousness that I blushed furiously and kept quiet.
After soaking in the hot bath, they massaged me with rose oil as though arming me for battle.
Meanwhile, I instructed Mili to pack for a short journey.
“How many days should I prepare for?”
“Two days travel, two for healing. Four days total—five at most.”
As she packed winter clothes, she pulled out a small box.
“What’s this, Your Majesty?”
“Oh—that’s a gift from the Malau delegation. A token of thanks from Princess Shine for silencing her tongue.”
I hadn’t opened it yet. When Mili did, inside lay a simple cream-colored nightgown with a slim waist tie.
It looked plain at first, but when Mili stroked the fabric, she gasped.
“Wow, it feels incredible—softer than silk.”
“Really?”
I touched it too, and the sensation was heavenly. Was such fabric possible?
Then I noticed something odd. From the outside, it looked normal. But when I slipped my hand inside, the cream cloth turned faintly transparent wherever my skin touched.
Good heavens!
“If you wore this at night, every man alive would faint on the spot,” Mili exclaimed.
Only then did I understand Julmon’s sly smile when he gave it to me: “May His Highness be delighted.” Oh, those shameless demons!
“Do you like it? Should I ask Malau for another? Maybe Sir William would appreciate it?”
“Your Majesty!”
Mili’s face went scarlet. She glared up at me in flustered protest.
“What, not denying it?”
“Don’t tease me! You’re starting to sound more and more like His Highness.”
“…Hmm.”
I recalled how she had once begged me in tears to save Sir William’s arm. The air between them had been different since—but nothing further seemed to have happened.
I wanted to pry, but decided to wait until she spoke freely.
“Mili, put away the dresses. Tonight, I’ll wear this.”
I slipped on a short slip and draped the enchanted gown over it. Each movement made the fabric cling and ripple, revealing glimpses of my arms and legs in a faint glow.
“Wow… that’s even more alluring than being fully undressed.”
Mili’s cheeks burned.
I pulled a thick coat over the gown, hiding everything. No one would ever guess what I wore beneath.
“I’ll be back before dawn. I’ll take Sophie to the East Palace—Mili, finish packing while I’m gone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With a warrior’s resolve, I left the Queen’s chambers for Miklok’s.
At the Crown Prince’s chambers, a servant announced my arrival. But no answer came.
I cautiously entered. The room was dim, lit only by a small lamp beside the bed.
Miklok sat in a chair, eyes fixed on documents, biting his lip unconsciously as he concentrated. Even in shadow, he was breathtaking.
Those reports must be about the northwest village.
“Mik.”
I called softly as I approached. He lifted his head, frown easing into a brilliant smile.
“Lea?”
He tossed the papers onto the table, reached out, and gently pulled me into his arms.
“Why didn’t you send word?”
“I came to fulfill your wish. Remember your first request?”
His smile deepened, satisfied at the reminder.
“If you’d told me earlier, I would’ve been excited all evening. This doesn’t count!”
Though joking, he rose and rested his head lightly on my shoulder, weariness weighing him down.
“There’s no such thing as ‘not counting.’ If you’re disappointed, make your second wish the same.”
I stroked his dark hair tenderly, answering his teasing with my own.
He gave a pleased hum, squeezing my waist tighter. But then he frowned at my thick coat.
“Why are you wrapped up like this?”
“It was cold walking here.”
“Are you still cold?”
“No.”
“Good. This room is warm enough.”
His brows arched mischievously as he unfastened the top button of my coat. Then the second. Cool air brushed my throat. The third, the fourth…
He wasn’t rushing, but I swallowed nervously.
As if answering my swallow, his lips descended—lightly grazing my lower lip, then catching the upper lip in a teasing rhythm.
He didn’t devour me, only toyed, leaving me trembling and unsteady. I needed to keep my focus, to succeed in this pillowside plea—but I was dangerously close to melting.
Catching myself just in time, I looped my arms around his neck.
When I gently bit his lower lip, he froze for a heartbeat—then exhaled hotly, flooding me with his breath.
