Follow Your Heart [EN]: Chapter 87

#87.

The King and the Captain of the Knights were engaged in a sparring match, a rare sight within the castle walls.

Both the King and the Captain were exceptionally skilled swordsmen, virtually unmatched in Kaien. This was precisely why they often found themselves as each other’s only worthy opponents.

The King had little interest in easily defeating weaker adversaries.

“What ever happened to that knight from before?”

“Which one are you referring to?”

“You know, the one who went a bit mad, ranting about pledging his oath to my wife.”

Jade scratched his head, looking perplexed. “After fainting and waking up, he’s been diligently participating in training.”

“Is he truly back to his senses?” Roderick asked, his tone suggesting he’d rather have killed the man on the spot.

However, the Captain of the Knights seemed to have something on his mind as well. “Why does Your Majesty say such things to innocent lads?”

“What?”

“I mean, if you say things like ‘he has a handsome nose,’ wouldn’t those men with less pure intentions get the wrong idea?”

At that, the King gritted his teeth. Roderick was, by all accounts, a decent husband. He would scoff if he heard criticism directed at himself, but he wouldn’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of his wife.

“So, are you implying my wife gave him reason to act that way?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…” Frankly, the Captain of the Knights didn’t believe the Queen was entirely without fault. Knights were generally innocent and straightforward, so they might misinterpret polite remarks.

And to the Captain of the Knights, it hadn’t sounded like mere politeness. The Queen had seemed genuinely sincere when she admired a rugged-looking man, commenting on his very handsome face.

“The Queen was just trying to be kind to the knights who work late.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“But to interpret such kindness with such impure intentions?” Roderick said, sounding genuinely annoyed.

However, Jade remained puzzled. It shouldn’t be such a big deal for the Queen to receive knights’ oaths. People in high positions usually had a sword or two sworn to protect them.

“So, you’re not going to allow her to receive any oaths at all?”

“Why would she need anyone else when I’m here? Is there anyone in the Knights better at swordsmanship than me besides you? I might consider it if it were someone like you.”

“Well, that’s true…” Jade nodded. He couldn’t argue with that assessment of skill.

Besides, historically, queens who had numerous knights under their command usually had kings who were more inclined towards scholarly pursuits. Their marital relationships often suffered as a result.

The current King and Queen didn’t fit into either category.

Not only in terms of swordsmanship but, above all, they seemed to seek out opportunities to hug and cling to each other whenever possible.

Jade knew this, which is why he had immediately punched the knight who had professed his love. Being the Captain of the 1st Knights was tiring in many ways.

“Your Majesty.”

“What.”

“I was very grateful when Your Majesty ascended the throne and appointed me to this position. Frankly, I thought I was finally reaping the rewards of having a good friend in power.”

Roderick looked at him, silently asking what he was getting at. Jade sighed. “But lately, I feel like you dislike me very much. It’s quite overwhelming for me to manage these muscle-bound men.”

Roderick chuckled at his friend’s rare complaint. “It’s not that I dislike you, but you’re the only one I can truly trust.”

“…………”

“The Queen knows that. It’s quite amazing. She hasn’t known you for long. Have you had deep conversations with the Queen?”

“Pardon?” Jade asked, not understanding what he meant. Roderick shook his head.

“It’s nothing. Let’s stop with the nonsense and begin.” As the King drew his sword, the Captain of the Knights stopped talking and drew his sword as well.

Their expressions changed almost simultaneously, and onlookers began to gather, watching with anticipation.

The King moved first.

Roderick swung his sword in a powerful downward arc, aiming for his opponent’s shoulder.

However, the Captain of the Knights parried the King’s sword, slashing diagonally upwards.

During the exchange, their positions shifted in an instant.

This time, the Captain of the Knights’ sword thrust forward.

It appeared he was aiming for the neck, but the King, knowing it was a feint, struck down with his sword near the waist.

Jade twisted his body, diverting the force outwards.

Both men were fair-skinned and powerfully built.

When they clashed swords with overflowing power, there was a palpable sense of dynamism, and when they gracefully shifted their stances, there was an abundance of elegance.

It was an admirable sight, but in reality, Roderick was feeling perplexed.

‘This is strange. Why is Jade’s swordsmanship so clear to me?’

Of course, they had been sparring since childhood.

That meant they already knew each other’s favorite techniques.

However, what ultimately determined the outcome when they knew each other so well was skill.

The Captain of the Knights was the only skilled person the King truly acknowledged in Kaien.

Their shared teacher had said the same thing. Their innate talent as martial artists was similar, but it would be difficult to defeat the Captain of the Knights based on technique alone.

But Roderick now felt like he could parry all of the Captain of the Knights’ attacks.

He could sense the direction of the intangible energy flowing around them.

So he could predict where the sword was headed.

Roderick didn’t attack and only defensively parried his sword.

Jade, who was a little annoyed by the unusual passive attitude—actually, very annoyed—used his childhood tone. “What are you doing? Get on with it.”

But the King simply stepped back a few paces and stared at him.

The King was also very bewildered by this situation.

“What’s going on?”

“What? No, what do you mean?” Roderick, who kept tilting his head, raised his sword again.

He intended to test his newfound awareness himself.

However, as soon as he raised his sword, his fighting spirit surged. It was an unavoidable instinct that arose when he met a worthy opponent.

The King swung his heavy sword mightily, and the Captain of the Knights quickly raised his sword as well.

And everyone watching lost their words and opened their mouths in surprise.

The sparring matches between the King and the Captain of the Knights usually ended at the warm-up level.

If it seemed like they would become too serious, they would stop sparring without either of them saying anything first. Giving their all would mean risking serious injuries for both of them.

But now, it seemed like they were both serious.

The swords were moving so fast that flashes of light flickered around them.

No one could properly see how many times they clashed swords in such a short period.

They could only guess from the metallic sounds of clashing.

It was a terrifyingly fast speed.

Roderick, who had been relentlessly pushing forward, exchanging dozens of blows, finally found an opening. The King’s sword flew towards Jade’s waist.

The Captain of the Knights hurriedly defended, but it was difficult to block the force loaded into the entire blade with just the sharp tip of his sword.

The King was always a step below the Captain of the Knights in terms of technique.

But he had never really been pushed back by anyone in terms of strength.

The King pushed Jade’s sword away as it was.

The King’s sword only grazed Jade’s side. He barely managed to change the trajectory of the sword just before it cut deep.

Amidst the silence and shock, the King was the first to come to his senses.

Roderick, catching his breath, awkwardly swept back his hair.

‘I couldn’t stop at the last moment.’

“I’m sorry. It’s been a while, and I got too excited.” Roderick raised his hand towards an attendant to call for a physician.

But the Captain of the Knights had also walked the path of swordsmanship for a long time.

He didn’t care about the blood flowing from his side and grabbed the King’s wrist.

Jade’s eyes were full of excitement.

“Your Majesty.”

“Oh, why? Is it very bad? I apologize again.”

“No. This is fine.” But Roderick looked troubled as he stared at the shirt that was slowly being stained with blood.

The King, scratching the end of his eyebrow, tried to raise his hand again, but Jade clung to the King. His face was very earnest.

“That’s not what’s important right now.”

“Then what is important? But let go of me and talk. Why are you being so clingy, you rascal? Even the Queen doesn’t do this to me.” The King, who had been apologizing, now gave him a reproach, but Jade didn’t care.

Jade was an unparalleled knight and the best swordsman Kaien had ever produced. More than half of it was innate, but he had also put in countless effort to get to where he was.

The Captain of the Knights was ready to sell his soul for a higher level of swordsmanship.

“Your skills have improved beyond recognition. Did something happen?”

“Nothing happened. Actually, I’ve been feeling a bit lighter lately. I don’t know exactly what it is either.” Should I ask my wife about this? But the Queen doesn’t seem to know either.

The King swept back his hair, feeling bewildered.

And this time, he raised his hand for the third time to call a physician.

Lee Jae was in the middle of another audience.

The most important part of a royal’s job was meeting people or hosting parties.

Politics was often conducted through forming alliances and factions.

However, the people of the Queen’s Palace were aware that the nature of the audiences was changing. Everyone seemed to lack political motives and was flocking in like a tide for personal counseling.

Deborah and the maids were very displeased with that. ‘Why are you venting your personal stress on Her Majesty the Queen? If you’re going to keep doing this, you should at least pay.’

“Your Majesty the Queen, it’s been a while.” As the young man and woman bowed side by side, Lee Jae stared at them intently.

‘When did I see them? Oh, they greeted me at the Prince’s homecoming celebration.’ Lee Jae wore a welcoming expression, but Deborah narrowed her eyes. She quickly realized why they had come.

‘No, it wasn’t mentioned that you two would come together?!’ The real mastermind was the head maid.

“Yes, it’s been a while. What brings you here?”

“We are planning to get married soon. We know you are busy, but we wanted to receive your congratulations.” As the young Duke held his lover’s hand and spoke cheerfully, the youngest daughter of the Baron family wore a shy expression. Lee Jae smiled awkwardly and racked her brain for memories.

‘The parents are against it, and these two aren’t listening at all.’ Ah, that family.

Nodding, she looked closely at the faces of the man and woman for the first time.

Her round eyes shone sharply, scanning here and there.

Lee Jae eventually scratched her cheek, feeling awkward. ‘Not good.’ There were mountains to overcome.

Lee Jae had actually experienced this situation far too often. Not all the men and women who came seeking blessings were a good match.

Experienced adults didn’t always say the right things, but even without spiritual sight or divine power, parents somehow knew these things, predicting the twists and turns before the shamans and opposing the marriage.

Young Lee Jae would be bewildered by this and ask Granny Youngsan.

‘Granny, aren’t they a bad match? Why don’t you stop them?’

‘You innocent thing. You need to open eyes other than the ones that see ghosts. Don’t go around showing how pitifully you live.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘If they look cute and pitiful to each other, it’s already over. Do you think you can separate those two with human power? Stop talking nonsense and go do the dishes. You’re making me dizzy.’

‘I already did them.’

Lee Jae thought Granny Youngsan was a very harsh and cold old woman.

But after truly loving someone, she seemed to understand what she meant.

If they looked cute and heartbreaking to each other, they couldn’t be separated.

It was over if they wanted to sacrifice themselves knowing it would be difficult.

From then on, horoscopes and fate were secondary issues.

Who could judge and block the path of someone who was already prepared?

‘This three-inch tongue [a figure of speech referring to the power of words] has neither the right nor the ability to do so.’

“What would you like me to do for you two?”

At that, the young Duke smiled. “Just congratulate us. I know you might be suspicious because my maternal grandfather has ties with the Duke, but we really came because we wanted to receive your congratulations.”

Lee Jae tilted her head to one side and smiled. “Would my congratulations really be helpful?”

“It would be more than enough. Actually, we haven’t heard the words ‘congratulations’ very often.”

At that, Lee Jae’s smile deepened a little more.

“You can come anytime if you need more congratulations. But if you look around a little, you’ll find plenty of people other than me who will say those words.”

“…………”

“So, may I say something else?”

“Yes, anything would be appreciated.”

Lee Jae nodded and put energy into her voice.

It was the best congratulations she could give.

“Don’t thirst for people’s approval. Just walk the path you two have decided on, the path you want to take. I will support you.”

After finishing her words, Lee Jae withdrew her energy and gave a faint smile.

Deborah and the maids stared blankly at the Queen. She was almost a saint.