Special Story 1.3

The pointless argument came to a complete halt because someone had suddenly come to see them.

It was unexpected for Lee-Jae, but the King didn’t look surprised at all, as if he’d anticipated it.

The visitor was none other than the lord of the territory—Marquis Glastine.

“Your Majesty, what brings you to such a far-off place?”

“Far? Just came to get some air with the Queen. What, was it too sudden?”

In truth, the Marquis did look a little flustered.

The King had shown up at his estate without any notice. He hadn’t sent word in advance and hadn’t made any pomp or announcement.

But since he passed through the formal checkpoint, it was inevitable that word reached the Marquis.

The Marquis bowed his head, clearly trying to recover his composure.

“Not at all. It’s a great honor to receive Your Majesty and Her Majesty here.”

Lee-Jae thought privately,

Sir… if that’s true, why are you sweating like that?

She felt a little sorry for him. Still, the Marquis cautiously broached the next subject.

“Um… Your Majesty.”

“Hmm? Go on.”

“Will you be returning directly to the capital?”

“No. Planning to rest for a day or two at a nearby villa.”

Upon hearing that, the Marquis grew even more careful.

“If it’s not too forward of me… though it’s a humble place, might I suggest you rest at the marquisate? Or at least allow us to provide a meal…”

Roderick chuckled lightly and replied,

“I get what you’re trying to say. But step aside for now, will you?”

The Marquis bowed and withdrew.

The King turned immediately to Lee-Jae.

“What do you want to do? Want to stay for dinner? If you’re not feeling it, I’ll politely turn him down.”

“I don’t mind either way. But… didn’t he look extremely uncomfortable with us being here?”

“Wife. What king is comfortable to be around?”

“That’s weird. I feel pretty comfortable with you.”

Roderick gave a short laugh and briefly cupped her cheek before letting go.

Lee-Jae, smiling with him, asked curiously,

“Don’t you think he’s secretly hoping we’d just go?”

“You got that impression?”

The more she thought about it, the more uncertain she felt.

Lee-Jae frowned slightly. She was good at reading people—but had very little interest in political dynamics.

Roderick, watching her with a fond gaze, soon gave her the answer.

“If we just left now, he’d probably pound the floor and cry.”

Lee-Jae had no choice but to nod.

Really?, she wondered, but had no solid evidence to refute her husband’s claim.

The King and Lee-Jae spent the entire day touring the estate, and by sunset, they arrived at the marquisate.

Unlike the Marquis, the Marchioness was someone Lee-Jae was quite familiar with.

Her name had appeared several times in the audience records.

Wearing a smile that was more composed than her husband’s, she welcomed them warmly.

The King had once told Lee-Jae:

Having the King and Queen spend the night at your home was a tremendous honor for nobles.

He’d said it like a joke, but it was partially true.

Though he often hosted formal dinners or meetings, he didn’t usually dine privately with just anyone.

What’s more, Marquis Glastine had long maintained a moderate political stance.

Now that the anti-royal faction had been completely dismantled, it was only natural he’d want to seize this rare opportunity.

Dinner was lavish—clear proof that they’d poured everything into this moment.

The dishes had already been inspected in advance by the King’s attendants.

The Marchioness said gently,

“Your Majesty, Your Highness. It is truly an honor. We’re only ashamed that the preparations are lacking.”

Lee-Jae shook her head as if to say that wasn’t true, and the King smiled dryly.

“You’re too modest. And I do apologize for arriving like this without warning.”

At the King’s apology, the Marquis immediately started sweating again.

There was no place in Cayenne the King couldn’t go. His apology was unnecessary and even burdensome.

Lee-Jae gave the King a sideways glance.

Your Majesty, what are you doing? He looks like he’s about to cry just from our visit.

Roderick merely shrugged in response.

The Marchioness gently nudged her husband’s arm as if signaling him to speak.

Only then did the Marquis respond, just a beat too late.

“Oh, n-not at all. It’s truly an honor. I simply never imagined Your Majesty would come here in person… Your Majesty, I have committed many sins over the years.”

It was a layered apology—a veiled reference to his past political stance.

And the King, after staring at him for a moment, responded with a barb of his own.

“You’ve committed no sin.”

“I am grateful—”

“Though, frankly, I can’t say you’ve done anything particularly good either.”

As the Marquis’s face began to turn pale, Lee-Jae shot the King a look.

It clearly said: If this was how you were going to act, why accept his invitation at all? We could’ve just gone to the villa.

To her, the Marquis didn’t seem like someone who deserved this kind of treatment.

But just as Roderick met her gaze, a new idea flashed through his mind.

I should go on more of these estate inspection trips with the Queen.

With a smirk, Roderick turned back to the Marquis and said,

“I was just teasing.”

“There was really no big reason for this visit—let’s just eat.”

Though the evening had begun with a bit of mischief, the meal went smoothly afterward.

Lee-Jae and the Marchioness chatted warmly, exchanging news.

However, after a few pleasantries, Lee-Jae fell quiet and focused on her meal.

The King and the Marquis had begun to discuss the state of the territory and policies.

Lee-Jae had no desire to interrupt, nor any intention of joining in. She simply kept her eyes on her plate.

But the King clearly couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Even as he talked with the Marquis, he kept glancing her way.

Eventually, unable to resist his ingrained habit, he said,

“Darling, try this. I think it’ll suit your taste.”

“Alright.”

“This one too.”

“Okay, I will.”

“It’s not as sweet as it looks.”

“…Your Majesty, I get it. Please, just continue your conversation.”

She whispered it quietly, but there was no way those at the table hadn’t heard.

Marquis Glastine had a rather strange expression on his face.

He wasn’t a cold man to his wife, but he also wasn’t the affectionate type.

So seeing the King behave like this was a bit of a shock.

Was His Majesty always like that?

The Marquis, who had only ever seen the King’s curt tone or the sharp chill in his blue eyes, was genuinely taken aback.

After all, the King and Queen’s marriage had always been a topic of intense interest among the nobility.

They had a habit of completely overturning society’s predictions.

At this point, everyone already knew they were close—too close to bother repeating.

Even during his bouts of madness, the King always listened to the Queen’s voice.

And it was widely known that the Queen had played a vital role in the recent civil war, always standing firmly at his side.

Naturally, gossipers in high society had speculated wildly.

Surely, he’ll show some leniency to his wife’s family.

But the King had shown no such mercy. He had crushed House Duncan without hesitation, confiscating their wealth.

And rumors now claimed the Queen’s father, retired from politics, had fallen ill.

From the perspective of the aristocracy, it was still a complicated and delicate situation.

Even so, the King and Queen remained unwaveringly affectionate.

No matter what anyone said or what the circumstances were—when they were together, it was as if nothing else mattered.

Meanwhile, the Marchioness was quietly marveling over something more subtle.

She could see it instantly.

The King wasn’t just offering the Queen food.

He knew her palate. His suggestions weren’t random—they were perfectly tailored to her taste.

Her observational skills were sharper than her husband’s, but in the end, her conclusion was much the same.

His Majesty is far more tender than the rumors suggest.

And to the Marquis and Marchioness’ astonishment, the surprises did not stop there.

In an effort to lift the atmosphere further, the Marquis brought out a bottle of wine he had long been saving.

It would surely fall short of royal standards, but there were hardly any noble houses in Cayenne that could match the royal cellar anyway.

“Your Majesty, I’m ashamed that we have nothing truly worthy to offer. Please forgive us.”

The King, however, didn’t care much whether it was this wine or that one.

He watched idly as his attendants inspected the red wine, then spoke.

“Let’s keep the drinking between us. The Queen doesn’t handle alcohol well.”

But Lee-Jae shook her head.

“A few sips are fine.”

“Don’t push yourself…”

“It’s really fine, I promise.”

Her voice was calm, but Roderick alone could sense that she was bristling.

He couldn’t help but laugh.

“Darling, giving your all for something like this is a waste.”

“……”

“You’ll end up sick again.”

He reached out and tucked a strand of her apricot-colored hair behind her ear.

It was a reflex, something he did without even thinking.

Unable to pretend she hadn’t seen it, the Marchioness finally spoke.

“Your Majesty, it seems you know Her Majesty the Queen very well. How fortunate she must be.”

Embarrassed, Lee-Jae didn’t respond—so the King answered in her place.

“I studied a lot because I wanted to know her well.”

“……”

“I’m saying I made an effort. Isn’t that what anyone would do if they wanted to win someone’s heart?”

There was some romanticizing in how he recalled his initial motivation—but it was also one of the more candid things he had said in public.

The gathering continued in a warm and relaxed mood.

The Queen looked content, and because of that, the King appeared more at ease than ever.

However, just as the evening was drawing to a close, the King raised one eyebrow slightly.

It was when the Marchioness—still engaging in small talk—asked Lee-Jae a rather odd question.

“By the way, Your Majesty the Queen… in that deal, I won’t be losing anything, will I? Of course, it’d be even better if I gained something.”

The King’s expression began to harden.

Such insinuations were practically taboo in his presence.

He knew well that whenever Lee-Jae gave someone advice, it drained her.

And now this woman was not only disturbing her rest—but trying to rope her into political business.

“If you have any insights, I’ll be grateful to take them to heart,” the Marchioness added.

“Are we in a private audience right now?” the King asked, his tone a shade sharper.

The atmosphere nearly turned cold.

But Lee-Jae, unfazed, reached under the table and gently took his hand. Smiling as if nothing were wrong, she replied.

There would be no harm, she said—nor would there be any benefit.

But really, the fact that nothing would happen… that was, in itself, a good thing.

It was the sort of thing only someone who had truly let go of all attachments could say.

The King, seeing her smile, didn’t want to ruin her mood.

So he said nothing more.