CHAPTER 58………………………………….
Quarreling, Then Kissing
The day after Robby visited Pallet’s house, a note from Hailey arrived at his home.
<I’ll send knights to fetch you. Follow them.>
Just as the note said, by evening knights came to collect him.
Robby assumed they were taking him to the royal palace, but instead, they led him into the back alleys somewhere behind the Crossroads. At the end of the alley stood a black carriage.
As Robby approached, the carriage door suddenly opened, and an arm yanked him inside.
“Robby, did you meet Sir Pallet?”
Looking at Hailey smiling sweetly at him, Robby anxiously glanced around.
“Why didn’t you just summon me to the empress’s palace? Why meet in a place like this…?”
“Isn’t this more thrilling? Anyway, I have another meeting around here later.”
“Here, of all places?”
He couldn’t understand what business the empress could possibly have in some back alley instead of the bustling streets nearby.
“Did you meet Sir Pallet? His address?”
Instead of answering, Hailey demanded information. Robby handed her a slip of paper with Pallet’s routine and address written down.
“But why do you suddenly need his information? Nothing seemed unusual about him.”
Rather than respond, Hailey gave him a cold, sharp look.
“I heard you met the high priest in the palace dungeon. Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Th-That’s…”
“If you’re on my side, then you’d better make it clear whose side you’re on.”
“…I’m sorry.”
With a chilling smile, Hailey opened the carriage door.
“I’ll tell you how I’ll use Pallet’s information once I’m sure you’re loyal to me. Get out.”
Her sudden change in tone left Robby unable to argue—he was practically shoved out of the carriage.
Once his figure disappeared from the alley, a knight in a black mask approached her carriage. Without a word, Hailey handed over the note with Pallet’s address along with a small pouch of gold.
Robby, Lea’s misfortune will begin with you.
A cruel smile crept over her lips.
*
“Your Majesty, are you feeling better now?”
A cool touch on my forehead slowly brought my hazy consciousness back. When I opened my eyes, Millie was gently wiping my face with a damp cloth.
“Millie…”
The physician rushed over to examine me and sighed with relief.
“Your strength is a little drained, but thankfully, your body is unharmed. If you eat well and take your medicine, you’ll recover soon.”
“Thank you. And the frostbite patients?”
“They’ve passed the critical stage. The rest will take time, but we can handle it.”
“That’s a relief.”
Only then did I notice the noisy bustle outside.
“What’s going on out there? Sounds loud.”
“Oh, everyone’s in a frenzy preparing a feast for you, Your Majesty.”
“What? A feast? That’s unnecessary.”
“They’re just using you as an excuse to throw a big celebration. Don’t stop them.”
Seeing Millie’s excited face, I realized saying no would only disappoint everyone. So I just nodded.
“Would you like to get up slowly? I’ll help you get dressed.”
I couldn’t just lie around forever. Though I felt sluggish, as queen I couldn’t appear in public looking disheveled.
After a light touch-up, Millie helped me outside. The moment I stepped out, every gaze turned toward me.
Then, clutching a large bouquet, two little girls hesitantly came forward. They were the ones I’d healed on the first day.
“Your Majesty, thank you for saving us.”
“How do you feel? Does it hurt anymore?”
“No. We played outside all day, and we’re fine.”
“That’s wonderful.”
I hugged them tight. Their parents, who had been watching tearfully, immediately fell to their knees.
“Thank you for saving our children. Since they owe their lives to Your Majesty, we dedicate them to you.”
“Don’t say that.”
I lifted them back up and hugged them, too.
“If you truly want to thank me, then raise your children well. Feed them, clothe them, educate them. Can you promise me that?”
“Yes, we will.”
At that moment, the village chief and elders stepped forward.
“Since Her Majesty is well enough to rise, let us begin the feast. Please, this way.”
“Shall we?”
He was about to lead me toward the large tented hall when William, who had been keeping watch at the entrance, suddenly shouted:
“Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Miklok is coming!”
The thunder of hooves grew louder until Miklok himself appeared astride his steed, slicing through the cold air and halting right before me.
As he dismounted, every villager dropped flat on the ground in terror.
“No need to kneel on frozen dirt. Everyone, stand.”
At his indifferent command, they nervously got up. Ignoring them, Mik strode straight to me.
“Lea, are you alright? You didn’t push yourself while I was away, did you?”
“I didn’t overdo it. But why did you come alone? Where are the knights?”
“They’re all slow as turtles. I got impatient, so I came ahead.”
“Stop traveling alone! What if you were ambushed?”
“And you—you’ve overdone it again. Look at your lips, they’re blue.”
The moment we reunited, we started scolding each other. The onlookers looked utterly bewildered.
After all, the mighty king and queen showing up in a remote northern village was shocking enough—but to bicker like any ordinary couple?
William, unable to stand it, stepped forward.
“Your Majesties, perhaps you should calm down and head inside—”
“Will, why didn’t you stop the queen before her lips turned this blue?”
Instead of easing things, William found himself caught in the crossfire.
“Why are you blaming poor William?”
“Hmph. Whether he’s guilty or not, we’ll see.”
“Why do you always make everyone so uncomfortable?”
Suddenly, with a sigh, Mik yanked me into his arms and pressed his lips to mine—loudly enough that everyone heard the smack.
Startled, I tried to pull away, but he grabbed my waist and nape, kissing me again, deeper this time.
From scolding to kissing—his moods were more fickle than spring weather. I was used to it by now, but everyone else just gaped in disbelief.
Only the village children reacted with glee, squealing and giggling, some even covering their eyes with their hands while peeking through their fingers.
Their laughter jolted me back to my senses. We had just kissed in full view of the entire village. Flustered, I buried my face in his chest, but Mik looked perfectly calm.
Seeing us like that, the villagers finally relaxed, smiling warmly.
And then I remembered what Duke Xenon once told me:
“Just as Their Majesties wish for the people of Fritan to be happy, the people wish for their king and queen to be happy. Please, for the people’s sake, remain a happy royal couple.”
Looking at the villagers’ beaming faces as they watched us, I thought perhaps he had been right.
“We’ve prepared a humble feast as a token of gratitude to Their Majesties. Would you honor us by joining?”
The chief spoke kindly on behalf of the village.
“Lea, will you be alright?” Mik asked.
“Of course. I feel much better now.”
Though he frowned at my pale face, he didn’t argue further. Instead, he scooped me up in a bridal carry.
“Mik, put me down! I can walk.”
“I know. But I want to carry you.”
The children squealed again, bursting into giggles. Smiling, the chief led us into the great tent.
Inside, enchanted heating stones kept the air warm. As Mik and I sat at the head table, music began to play, and the tables quickly filled with simple but plentiful dishes.
As we ate, the villagers relaxed, laughing and drinking merrily. The tent filled with cheerful noise.
“Anything new at the royal castle?” I asked.
“Nothing—except that you weren’t there. Ah~”
He offered me a bite of meat. I obediently ate it, knowing he’d insist otherwise. Then he offered fruit, and I nibbled happily.
“What about the golden pine saplings?”
“The immediate problem’s solved. Normally, we’d have to give a third of the land to the Maon tribe, but now that’s unnecessary. We’ll secure more space and finish the planting.”
“I see.”
While we quietly discussed state matters, one of the girls I had treated that morning approached me.
“Your Majesty, please take this.”
“What is it?”
I smiled at her. On a handkerchief lay a dried four-leaf clover.
“A four-leaf clover—it’s supposed to bring luck. You’re giving me this treasure?”
Blushing, she nodded.
“I think it was thanks to this that I got lucky enough to meet you. It’ll surely bring you luck, too.”
“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”
Carefully taking it, I noticed her hand was icy cold.
“Why are your hands so cold?”
“Because it’s winter.”
“How about your house? Is it warmer these days?”
“Not really. Feels the same as always.”
She said it casually, but something felt wrong.
“Could you call the chief for me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I spoke a little more sternly, but she skipped off cheerfully, oblivious.
When she was gone, I whispered to Mik:
“Mik, we need to investigate the chief. The royal family sent plenty of heating stones, but I don’t think they’re being shared fairly.”
“Hm…”
He looked like he had something to say but stayed quiet. By then, the chief had arrived.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?”
“How are the heating stones distributed?”
“One-fifth is used to heat the shelter for the sick. Some are for this banquet hall.”
“And the rest?”
“They’re stored safely in the warehouse, of course.”
I frowned.
“Why hoard them in a warehouse instead of distributing them evenly?”
“Pardon?”
The chief’s eyes wavered nervously.
If there was corruption or embezzlement at play, I had no intention of letting it go unpunished.
