Special Story 1.1
Lee-Jae stood before the river, burning a talisman.
The sparkles rising from her fingertips were visible only to the King, but everyone behind her remained silent.
They could all sense that she was pouring her full sincerity into this act.
Still, no one truly knew what it was for.
The chamberlain, typically restrained in his actions, tried to remain silent.
But as time passed, the people’s curiosity deepened, and he finally spoke on everyone’s behalf.
“Your Majesty the Queen… may I ask what exactly you are doing right now…?”
The King raised a single eyebrow, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face.
He was, in truth, dying to know himself.
What use was the Spirit Eye if not for this?
Lee-Jae possessed countless odd talents.
Even if one saw the same scene she did, without her explanation, it was nearly impossible to deduce her reasoning.
This time, someone else voiced the sharp comment in the King’s stead—Deborah.
“If you lack tact, you should at least keep your mouth shut. You work in the royal palace, no less…”
“But isn’t it better to understand what our liege intends? That way we can assist more effectively.”
“If it were necessary, I’m sure she would’ve said something.”
“Her Majesty isn’t exactly one to explain herself freely, is she? I think the Queen’s lady-in-waiting should take more initiative in these matters.”
As befitting those raised in the palace, their voices dropped low as they exchanged sharp words.
But of course, the King heard every word, and he let out a short, dry laugh.
What even was this right now?
“…You two,” the King narrowed his eyes and continued, “Keep this up and you’re going to end up dating.”
“…”
“You don’t think so?”
In Cayenne, royal attendants were free to marry each other.
Still, both the chamberlain and head lady-in-waiting remained single, despite being well into adulthood.
Their intense sense of duty and work ethic left little room for romance.
Deborah stared at the King with a look of profound injustice.
The King nodded at her signalling her to speak.
“Well, Your Majesty, even someone of lowly birth like me… has personal dignity. I would rather not be tied to the chamberlain in that way.”
Naturally, such a pointed remark made it hard for the chamberlain to hold back.
“I feel the same.”
The two of them exchanged venomous glares.
The King watched with a look that said he’d truly seen everything now.
“What is this? Right in front of the King? You think I’m your friend?”
Truth be told, the King had already heard odd rumors about the two ever since the send-off ceremony.
A handkerchief seemed to have started it all.
He had once even translated the rumors into palace-speak for their benefit—just so they’d be aware.
But now, watching them, it seemed they weren’t entirely oblivious.
They knew. They just pretended not to. Which only gave fuel to the gossip.
No longer wanting to get involved, the King laughed and waved it off.
“Do as you please.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“No need to apologize. Lady-in-waiting, go ask the Queen when she thinks she’ll be finished. Don’t rush her, though.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll be discreet.”
Deborah bowed respectfully and approached Lee-Jae.
The truth was, no one here lacked the patience to wait an hour or two longer.
They were all people who had endured countless trials within the palace walls.
But the Queen was different.
Few in this world could spend an entire day in silent ritual without any visible result.
Deborah approached her with a gentle expression.
“Your Majesty the Queen, forgive the intrusion. It’s still early, but may I ask—around what time would you like lunch to be prepared?”
“Oh, you must’ve waited a while. I’m all done now.”
Lee-Jae brushed her ash-covered palms together with a light clap.
Deborah stepped in to take care of the shallow water basin at Lee-Jae’s feet in her stead.
Seeing Lee-Jae walking back with the head lady-in-waiting, the King stretched out his hand warmly.
“Hey, all finished?”
“Yes. What were you doing?”
“What else? Just watching you.”
“Sorry. You must’ve been bored.”
“That’s the strange part. Why is it I never get bored watching you? Mind explaining that?”
Lee-Jae gave a soft laugh, but the King was already studying her face subtly.
In truth, the King—and a few others—had been watching her carefully today.
Because today was, officially, the Queen’s birthday.
To be exact, it was Hailey’s birthday.
Everyone who came and went from the palace knew the Queen had spiritual powers.
But only a few—like Jade and Deborah—knew that she wasn’t actually Hailey.
For those few who did know, it was a delicate matter.
To ignore the Queen’s birthday would seem disrespectful.
But to celebrate it… when it wasn’t even her true birthday… felt off.
They had spent weeks trying to figure out how to handle it smoothly.
And then, out of nowhere, the Queen had announced an outing.
Honestly, it was an ideal resolution.
It kept away nobles who might barge in with thoughtless congratulations.
But there was one problem: the Queen chose to go to the river.
The very spot where Hailey had taken her own life.
“Darling, want to sit for a bit? Let’s have lunch nearby before we head back.”
“Sure, that sounds nice.”
Roderick immediately laid his coat on the ground and helped Lee-Jae sit.
Then, wrapping himself around her from behind, he intertwined their legs.
The two of them quietly watched the river flow past, a sight they hadn’t shared in a while.
Resting his chin on the crown of her head, the King asked,
“Do you still love looking at water?”
“Yes. I really do.”
“I think it’s finally time. I’ll have a lake built for you at the Queen’s residence soon.”
She smiled gently, and Roderick, sensing the soft tremor of that soundless joy, cautiously asked,
“Did you come here today because it’s Hailey’s birthday?”
“Yes. I wanted to both celebrate her and mourn her.”
“…”
“But… she didn’t come, even when I called.”
“You could… do that kind of thing?”
Lee-Jae nodded.
She’d burned talismans since dawn to perform a summoning ritual.
She would have accepted anything—a word, a breeze—just to hear from her.
“Usually I can. What I send is a signal, but how to respond… that’s up to the spirit. But I think she just wants to rest quietly now.”
Normally, spirits with lingering regrets remained in the mortal world.
Hailey surely had a sliver of yearning left behind.
And yet she didn’t answer.
Which could only mean she was being considerate of the living.
She didn’t want to linger like a shadow and block their future.
Because she had loved them so deeply.
“Maybe rituals like this… are really just for the comfort of the living. A bit selfish, really. Self-satisfaction.”
“…”
“Still… even so. You’d think she’d want to vent a little. Why was Hailey always so selfless?”
Lee-Jae let out a bitter smile.
Finally understanding her intent, Roderick nodded slowly.
It was a heartbreaking story.
He knew all too well that the twist in fate had begun with Hailey.
But in this moment, for the King, the most important person wasn’t anyone else—it was the woman in his arms. His wife.
What the King truly wanted to ask Lee-Jae was something else entirely.
But the words didn’t come easily.
He knew she hadn’t had a smooth or happy childhood.
And he didn’t want his question to come off as careless or insensitive.
He asked things like this only because he wanted to know everything about his wife—
Because he kept trying, and kept reaching out, again and again.
“Lee-Jae.”
“Yes?”
“So… when is your birthday?”
Lee-Jae paused for a moment, then turned to look at him directly.
Amusement slowly began to fill her wide, round eyes.
“Is that really important to you?”
What are you, a fortune teller? Going to check my destiny or compatibility or something?
Besides, there was no way the timelines of that world and this one matched exactly.
Her teasing tone, as if he were asking something ridiculous, made the King feel a bit sheepish.
Still, he couldn’t help but feel a little hurt.
“I know it might sound silly, but… it matters to me.”
Roderick hesitated, wondering if that had come out too strongly, then continued.
“Is it really that strange to want to give meaning to the day the person I love came into the world?”
“Wow. That’s… romantic.”
Lee-Jae answered playfully, but she, too, fell into a brief silence.
As difficult as it had been for Roderick to ask, for Lee-Jae, it wasn’t exactly a pleasant subject either.
Not all orphans grew up not knowing their birthdays.
In fact, many children raised in institutions knew their exact birth dates.
But in Lee-Jae’s case, though her parents had left her a name, they hadn’t known the day she was born.
She’d been abandoned as an infant, barely days old—her age was only an estimate.
On paper, her birthday was the day she was found in front of the orphanage.
Whether she had learned that early or later on, it was no wonder she never felt like celebrating it.
“Can I be honest?”
“Of course.”
“The truth is… I don’t know my real birthday. I think this is my first time ever saying it out loud, but… I’m an orphan. I guess you figured as much.”
“……”
“It doesn’t bother me, so don’t let it bother you either.”
“……”
“But… thank you. For caring this much.”
Lee-Jae said it with a faint smile—quiet, but lighthearted.
Yet the moment those words left her lips, the King felt like the most wretched, pitiful man in the world.
He ran his hand through his hair several times, visibly distressed.
He had known someone had mistreated her when she was young.
He’d assumed she hadn’t had anyone to look after her properly.
But to think she had grown up not even knowing the date she was born.
Roderick pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“Why would I be hurt?”
“For asking something I shouldn’t have. I just… your husband has too much interest in you, that’s all. Try to see it as endearing.”
Lee-Jae chuckled, her shoulders bouncing, then turned around to face him.
And then she burst into laughter.
The dignified King now looked like the saddest man in the world.
It was like he was the one who’d been hurt.
Seriously, what’s with that face?
“Careful, you’re about to cry.”
Her voice was playful, gently teasing him.
And she truly was curious—she never imagined she’d be able to laugh like this while talking about something like that.
But the King’s face didn’t brighten so easily.
Still filled with guilt, he decided once again to fulfill his role as her husband—
To make sure she enjoyed this day, even if it wasn’t her actual birthday.
To give her a day that felt like a gift.
“Let’s eat, then… where should we go next?”
Lee-Jae blinked in surprise.
“We’re not going back to the palace?”
“Since we’re out, might as well take another day or two.”
“You really plan to stay overnight? At an inn?”
She said it half-jokingly, remembering a past outing.
But the King shook his head firmly.
“I’d have to be insane to let you sleep in some shabby place. Don’t wound my pride like that.”
She should eat only the best, wear only the best, and sleep in the most comfortable places.
For everything she had endured because of him—
And everything she had missed in her childhood—
He wanted to make up for it all.
He would, for the rest of her life.
He brushed her bangs aside, then kissed her—
On her forehead, her cheeks, wherever he could reach.
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This is one of the most lovely K-novels I’ve read thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️