Follow Your Heart [EN]: Chapter 85

As the Heart Leads – #85

#85.

Roderick sat in his study, reviewing various documents.

A moment later, the Knight Commander arrived and offered a crisp, elegant salute.

“Glory to Cayenne.”

Roderick nodded and asked the purpose of his visit.

“What is it?”

“A letter has arrived from the Western Army’s high command. The military will likely submit a separate report tomorrow.”

“What’s the border situation like?”

“It’s been quiet lately.”

Roderick rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

He couldn’t shake off a suspicion he’d had for some time.

“Knight Commander.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The same thing that happened last time will surely happen again. I don’t mean prevent it from happening.”

“Then…”

“I mean, keep watch assuming such a thing will occur.”

The Knight Commander couldn’t quite understand the King’s words.

The Queen sometimes spoke in riddles that others couldn’t understand.

And lately, the King had started doing the same.

“If the soldiers cause trouble, bring them before me.”

“Yes, the 2nd Knight Commander—no, the Western Army Commander—will fully understand that. He’s not just good with a sword; he’s calm and quite clever.”

Jade defended the general he had personally selected from the Knights.

He was concerned about the King’s mention of intelligence last time.

The King didn’t seem to dwell on it, nodding agreeably at Jade’s assessment.

But the report didn’t end there.

“But, Your Majesty.”

“What now?”

Jade wore a troubled expression.

Roderick sensed the unusual pause and put down the documents he was holding.

He stared intently at Jade.

“Well, the Royal Prince…”

“Speak.”

“When sending a message to the Western Army Commander, you sent a message along with it, didn’t you? But he’s not at the military camp right now.”

Roderick raised an eyebrow.

“What are you talking about?”

“He disappeared suddenly on the day the messages from me and the military arrived.”

Roderick’s face turned serious.

Unauthorized desertion by soldiers was a serious crime.

Normally, it ended with imprisonment and fines, but in wartime, it was punishable by execution.

Of course, Edgar was royalty, so the Western Army’s high command wouldn’t be able to question his actions. But the Royal Prince should have at least reported to the King.

“Who did you hear this from?”

“The 2nd Knight Commander—no, the Western Army Commander—sent me a separate message.”

Because it could become a scandal for the royal family, it wasn’t written in the official letter. If it became known, it would be good fodder for the anti-royal faction.

But there were many eyes watching in the military camp.

It would be difficult to keep it completely secret.

In the end, the Western Army Commander sent a report along with a request for instructions.

“He’s not lacking in intelligence. Tell him I’m sorry for misunderstanding.”

“Yes, but why bother…”

“The Royal Prince is away on a secret mission I ordered. Tell them to handle it that way for now.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Alright, you may leave.”

The Knight Commander gave another sharp salute, but Roderick didn’t acknowledge it this time. His mind was complicated in many ways.

The King sat with his arms crossed, lost in thought for quite some time.

Why did the Royal Prince do that?

But no matter how much he pondered, it was an unanswerable question.

The Chief Secretary stood at a distance, watching the King’s expression.

He waited for the King’s contemplation to end, but as the day waned, he could no longer wait and spoke up.

“Your Majesty, the Queen has been waiting in front of your bedchamber for some time now.”

“Is that so?”

Roderick absentmindedly turned his head to look out the window and clicked his tongue.

It had become completely dark before he knew it.

“I’ll go now.”

The King immediately rose from his seat.

In front of the King’s room, a commotion was in full swing.

Lee Jae was asking the guards questions with a hint of protest.

Her face was slightly contorted, but perhaps because her features were so cute, it sounded like a tantrum to the soldiers.

“Why won’t you let me in?”

“His Majesty has ordered that no one be allowed in.”

“Not even me?”

Actually, he didn’t say no one, but specifically, ‘Do not let the Queen in’… but how could we say that?

However, Lee Jae understood the answer from the guards’ silence and tilted her head.

“That’s strange. We were supposed to sleep here together tonight.”

And as the Queen narrowed her brows and made a questioning expression, the people felt like sighing. It’s often the case that seeing something too cute makes you want to sigh.

Indeed, the descendants of the Duncan family are outstanding in appearance. How can someone be cute even when frowning?

The Queen was of noble status, and historically, there have always been knights and servants who admired women of the highest status.

The current Queen was no different.

Not long ago, the knight who Lee Jae had said had a very nice nose and asked if he had a girlfriend was about to pledge allegiance to Lee Jae, a fact everyone knew except her.

Jade didn’t respond to his statement that he would leave the Knights.

He simply sighed and gave him a hard smack.

Jade knocked the knight unconscious with that one blow. It was something only possible for the Knight Commander, who was born with as much energy and bone structure as the King.

The King arrived around the time the guards were mesmerized by the Queen’s appearance.

The guards flinched and averted their gaze, and Lee Jae quickly smiled with a happy face.

“You’re here?”

“Yes. Did you wait long? Sorry I’m late.”

Normally, she would have said no, but Lee Jae nodded diligently.

“Your Majesty, why won’t you let me in? You come into my room when I’m not there, don’t you? This is so unfair.”

Not long ago, the two had made several promises.

Not to interfere with what Lee Jae was doing. However, it had to be done in front of the King. And not to overdo it.

If she even had a nosebleed, the negotiation was invalid.

But Roderick was still suspicious of that sly apricot-colored fox.

He thought she might be up to something again when he wasn’t around.

It would be fortunate if she didn’t throw a party with nosebleeds.

“What if you collapse when I’m not there? At least if you collapse in front of me, I can accept it.”

“…………”

“If that pea-sized head of yours breaks like your knees, wouldn’t I be the most pitiful person?”

The servants and maids who were listening frowned and tilted their heads.

The Queen certainly had a history.

But she wasn’t so weak that she would suddenly collapse.

However, the Queen didn’t seem wronged at all, nodding in agreement with the King’s words.

“I’ve completely lost trust.”

“That’s usually the end for liars.”

Lee Jae nodded and said nonchalantly.

“There’s a saying for times like this.”

“What is it?”

“You reap what you sow.”

“Good saying. But I don’t think it’s something you should use like a boast.”

Roderick nodded to the guard, and the King’s firmly closed door opened.

He put his arm around Lee Jae’s shoulder and led her into the room.

Lee Jae habitually checked the walls first. Then, she checked the state of the King, and after that, she slowly looked around the room.

There were only two minor ghosts in the room. But these kinds of minor ghosts were everywhere, and the King’s room was no different from an ordinary space now.

Lee Jae thought it was very strange. By now, they should know that the King is safe. Are they no longer sending assassins?

Sitting diagonally on the bed, Roderick asked Lee Jae, who was looking around the room.

“How is it?”

“How do you feel, Your Majesty?”

“Well, I don’t know, but I don’t feel anything strange.”

“…Do you feel that too, Your Majesty?”

“Yeah.”

Lee Jae nodded.

“Your Majesty is definitely not an ordinary person.”

“Doesn’t exactly sound like a compliment.”

“I’m not trying to compliment you, I’m just saying it as it is.”

At the calm words, Roderick chuckled.

Lee Jae continued to scan the room for quite some time.

It was to consider where to put the talisman [an object believed to have magical powers]. In the past, there were limited places to hide them, but now that wasn’t the case.

She began to devise the shape of the barrier.

Where would be the best place to make it the most solid? That wall would be the priority. Because the yin energy is the strongest. Next, the window, the door. It must be around the bed too.

As Lee Jae began to concentrate, Roderick fell silent. He only watched, holding his breath so as not to disturb his wife.

However, contrary to the King’s intention, Lee Jae was very conscious of his gaze.

The King was originally a person whose presence was hard to ignore. It was fortunate that he liked jokes; otherwise, most people would have had difficulty even making eye contact.

She eventually turned to look at Roderick.

“Why do you keep staring?”

“Just because.”

Roderick tilted his head, unsure if he could continue speaking. But Lee Jae was staring at him, and he opened his mouth again.

“You’re wearing pretty clothes today. It suits you well.”

“Really? Deborah picked them out for me.”

It was a very random remark, but Lee Jae lowered her head and looked at the clothes she was wearing.

The sky-blue dress that revealed her shoulders and collarbone seemed pretty even to her.

“I guess you’re interested in these things too. Do you like it?”

“Yeah. Actually, anything looks good on you. Are you wearing even prettier clothes underneath?”

The King suddenly came in with an unexpected blow, and she shuddered.

“Wow, pervert. I’m so glad I got married.”

*Your Majesty, I admitted defeat last time, but I won’t lose from now on.*

*I’m actually a very aggressive pea.*

“Are you curious?”

She narrowed her round eyes and looked at him slyly.

And as the married pea tried to muster her strength for once, Roderick bit his lip slightly. *She’s acting up again.*

But the married man also began to muster his strength soon. It had only been three or four months since they met, and even less since they became a couple, so he wanted to raise the level of conversation with his wife a little.

“How old do you think I am to be curious about your underwear?”

Then Lee Jae made her slender eyes round again.

*Oh? Is that not it?*

*But why do I feel like I’m getting upset? Are we already in a rut?*

“Then what is it?”

“I’m always more curious about what’s inside.”

Then Lee Jae immediately put her hands together politely.

“I’m sorry. I was acting up again. I keep forgetting my place these days.”

As she bowed very politely, Roderick covered his mouth and let out a laugh he had been holding back.