Follow Your Heart [EN]: Chapter 37

#37.

Following a period of seclusion, the Queen Consort’s announcement that she would receive visitors drew a considerable crowd of nobles.

Kang Yi-jae was quick-witted but lacked a thorough understanding of Cayenne’s political landscape. Her insights were largely based on young Hailey’s memories.

In fact, this was one of the things Roderick found most peculiar.

She had entered the royal court without a clear grasp of who supported the King and who opposed him.

*Wouldn’t it be natural to seek help from her family?*

Yet, she showed no inclination to do so.

Yi-jae was beginning to think that these audiences were quite unremarkable.

Expectations for the young Queen Consort were quite low from the start.

Of course, there were those who tried to exploit this to extract something from her.

Whenever she sensed that someone had the air of a swindler, she would invariably say,

‘Well, I think I should discuss it with His Majesty first.’

By carefully observing their reaction, she could gauge their distance from the King.

Today, the maids and knights were cautiously watching each other.

The Queen Consort had her own allocated budget. However, the elderly Count Feynman was subtly coaxing the young Queen Consort for donations.

As always, when Yi-jae’s signature line came up, everyone lowered their heads with solemn expressions.

‘That’s a wonderful plan. I’ll be sure to mention it to His Majesty.’

The Queen Consort enjoyed using gentle, polite language with the nobles in official settings.

No noble would be grateful for the young Queen Consort lowering herself. They would only see her naivety as an opportunity to exploit.

However, the people of the Queen Consort’s palace seemed to know that she was diligently setting a trap with her innocent face. It meant she would tell her husband everything.

‘They say joy is multiplied when shared.’

‘I’ve never heard that said before…’

‘Really? There’s also the saying that sorrow is lessened when shared.’

‘Is, is that so?’

Yi-jae smiled brightly, as if the world were a beautiful flower garden.

Watching Count Feynman retreat with a troubled expression, the head maid thought:

*Could Her Majesty the Queen Consort actually be a greater supporter of the King than the Commander of the Knights?*

Deborah, who had been watching the Queen Consort with a strange expression, said,

‘Your Majesty, are you alright?’

‘Huh? Why?’

‘If you’re upset, you can just get angry.’

Yi-jae smiled.

‘Deborah, how can I get angry if I’m not angry?’

‘That’s a relief, then.’

‘There are so many bad people in the world. I should just overlook such requests. It’s nothing much.’

At her almost transcendental words, the maids and knights smiled awkwardly.

It was when Yi-jae was about to get up after completing all her audience schedules.

A guard who had been standing outside entered with a very troubled expression.

‘Your Majesty, I apologize, but… Duke Duncan is waiting. He says he has something important to tell you and wishes to see you urgently.’

‘…Father?’

‘Yes, he knows that an appointment is usually required, but he is begging for just a moment of your time.’

Yi-jae was lost in thought for a moment.

The Queen Consort’s maids expected her to refuse again this time.

She had been openly avoiding the Duke.

However, after pondering for a while, Yi-jae nodded.

‘Alright. Let him in.’

The King had shown displeasure at Yi-jae’s suggestion to use her. However, it was clear that Duke Duncan was constantly provoking him with that issue.

*Wouldn’t it be good to meet him at least once?*

The Duke, who entered the audience chamber, bowed his head in greeting.

‘I greet Your Majesty the Queen Consort. It’s quite difficult for a father and daughter to see each other these days.’

It was a blatant sarcastic remark.

Everyone in the castle felt it, but as the Duke said, it was a conversation between a father and daughter.

They couldn’t interfere and were just watching.

However, the Queen Consort’s face was more composed than expected as she looked at her father.

‘When are you planning to send the people from Saga [a region or territory under Duke Duncan’s control]?’

‘Well…’

‘Appointing people to work in the Queen Consort’s palace is Your Majesty’s prerogative. You don’t need to seek permission for everything.’

It meant she didn’t need to be mindful of the King.

Yi-jae smiled faintly at the words that sounded like advice.

‘Is that so? But, Father, I don’t really know if that’s necessary. The people in the castle are already helping me well, and that’s enough for me.’

Although her tone was gentle, Duke Duncan narrowed his eyes.

‘Then, please petition His Majesty to reinstate Albert first. Isn’t that your brother’s affair, Your Majesty?’

As sensitive topics came up one after another, people became even more cautious.

However, the Queen Consort did not back down this time either. She strongly refuted the King’s words that it was a spectacle.

‘That’s what you should do, Father.’

‘Or tell my brother to do it himself. Everyone should take care of their own business. Both my brother and I are adults.’

The audience chamber became silent. It was because the Queen Consort’s attitude felt somewhat aggressive.

In fact, Yi-jae had considerable antipathy towards Duke Duncan.

There is a saying in the world: when others dislike you for no reason, give them a reason to do so.

Of course, Kang Yi-jae was not that type of person.

However, she was also not the kind of benevolent person who would turn the other cheek when slapped for no reason. Hailey seemed to be like that, though.

‘I request a private audience with Your Majesty. Please have everyone dismissed.’

Deborah looked at Yi-jae and shook her head slightly.

Yi-jae received the signal.

However, after pondering for a moment, she whispered quietly.

‘It’s alright.’

‘…Your Majesty.’

‘I just want to talk a little, too.’

And when everyone had left, the Duke’s attitude became even more overbearing. He immediately began to speak informally.

‘What are you doing right now? All of this is something the Queen Consort can sufficiently request and insist on. Are you being threatened by His Majesty?’

“No, that’s not true. His Majesty would never do such a thing. This is my decision, and I simply don’t wish to do it.”

“…Are you refusing to act in the family’s best interest? Do you have any idea who secured your position? Are you intending to bring ruin upon us all?”

Yi-jae lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

She recognized that she was projecting her feelings unfairly.

The Duke was not her father.

This vicarious anger was misplaced. She was not Hailey Duncan.

‘Yi-jae, calm down. Don’t waste your precious emotions on this man.’

But truthfully, she felt a deep sorrow for Hailey.

Just as no one knew Yi-jae was alive in this world, no one knew Hailey was dead in that world.

An uncelebrated life and an unmourned death.

It was such a tragically lonely end.

After a moment of hesitation, Yi-jae spoke slowly.

“Father, wasn’t it you who forced this position upon me, against my will?”

“…”

“I never asked to become Queen Consort. Therefore, I bear no responsibility for any supposed ruin of the family.”

“…”

“But you ultimately ruined your own daughter’s life.”

“What?”

‘Your daughter is already dead. And she suffered greatly in her final moments.’

‘I can sense it from just a few sentences, so how can you be so blind?’

“Please leave now. In the future, I request that you schedule an appointment in advance.”

Duke Duncan gritted his teeth, glaring at Yi-jae.

“You will regret this. Never forget, you are a Duncan. If the family falls, you won’t be safe either.”

Yi-jae offered a wry smile.

“Yes, I will likely have regrets. I’ve had many already. But it’s not as significant as you believe. I am well aware of the cost.”

Only then did Yi-jae scrutinize Duke Duncan’s face.

She hadn’t paid him much attention before, but suddenly she felt a morbid curiosity about his physiognomy [the study of facial features].

She noticed something unsettling in the Duke’s expression.

Was it the accumulation of bad karma [the principle of cause and effect where one’s actions determine their future], or was it on the verge of accumulating?

…Had he taken a life, or was he contemplating taking one?

His countenance was deeply ambiguous.

Narrowing her eyes, a glint of warning in them, she said,

“Cease your wicked deeds, and strive to live a virtuous life. Otherwise, your regrets will far outweigh mine, Father. This isn’t a threat; it’s advice.”

Duke Duncan shot a fierce glare at Yi-jae before departing.

Two months had passed since Yi-jae’s ascension to Queen Consort.

The rumors surrounding her were divided, with some believing in her innocence and others remaining skeptical. However, the prevailing opinion was that she was a gentle soul, not easily provoked.

The news of such a Queen Consort snapping at her own father within the audience chamber spread like wildfire.

The King had strategically placed spies within the Queen Consort’s audience chamber.

Under the guise of surveillance and security, they remained hidden, barely making a sound.

While the audience chamber was intended for confidential discussions, a private audience was ultimately anything but private.

“Glory to Cayenne.”

Jade nodded to Roderick, relaying the events that had transpired in the audience chamber.

“The Duke raised the issue of reinstating Albert Duncan and was told to handle it himself… implying that one should manage their own affairs.”

The Duke was a prominent political rival of the King.

Nevertheless, Roderick was taken aback and chuckled.

“Well, she spoke the truth.”

“…”

“The Queen Consort’s words are always truthful. It’s odd, but her intuition often surpasses even the Duke’s.”

Roderick sighed, seemingly perplexed by the situation himself.

“I told you, I’m not merely an innocent bystander.”

Jade couldn’t help but wear a slightly uncomfortable expression.

The King’s sigh was evident, but his words carried a subtle hint of boasting.

But the report from the audience didn’t end there.

“The Duke requested a private audience.”

Roderick raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“…Did everyone simply allow it to happen? Are they unaware of Duke Duncan’s true nature?”

“The head maid attempted to dissuade him, but Her Majesty the Queen Consort insisted…”

The possibility that the elder Duncan and the younger Duncan might have conspired together never crossed his mind.

Instead, Roderick’s concern centered on the younger Duncan, who might have been subjected to harsh words.

In his mind, he envisioned the Queen Consort cowering in the Duke’s residence, enduring abuse.

But Jade’s words painted a completely different picture from what the King had imagined.

“But… she stated that her father had ruined her life. That if he continued down his current path, a day would come when he would deeply regret it…”

“The Queen Consort said that?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The Queen Consort said that?”

“…Yes.”

“Hailey said that?”

Roderick scratched the end of his eyebrow, a troubled expression on his face.

Because it sounded like a somewhat emotional remark.

Considering the Queen Consort’s usual words and actions, that was practically a curse.

‘But she won?’

‘Actually, she’s not the type to lose anywhere.’

‘You guys think she looks easy to deal with.’

‘The Queen Consort is actually a very difficult person. She’s sometimes on top of people’s heads.’

‘The Queen Consort is just holding back.’

“Is Hailey alright now?”

“Yes, she’s just the same as usual.”

But Roderick, who had become uneasy for no reason, got up from his seat and headed to Yi-jae’s residence.