Under Arkan’s deep honey-colored eyes, the slightly protruding eyes exuded a sensual atmosphere, and a faint shadow formed whenever his eyelashes touched them. The delicate willow branches were faint and delicate, like reflections on transparent water.
‘I want to touch it.’
The moment she saw it, Erdene unconsciously thought that and was startled.
If she had noticed it a little later, she would have definitely touched it.
However, she didn’t touch it, and she didn’t realize that she was staring at Arkan’s face.
Arkan suddenly blushed at Erdene’s unfamiliar gaze that stared at him so hard that it was embarrassing.
‘Why are you staring at me like this!’
Her expression was unfamiliar as if she was neither glaring nor trying to tease him.
As if she had discovered something completely unexpected—something very good at that—his face tingled at the curious gaze.
No, more than that. Arkan thought.
“You’re upset, I don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s not it. Why are you making excuses?”
The moment those words fell, the strange gaze that had made Erdene look unfamiliar sank into a laughable expression.
Arkan felt a sudden sense of loss, like a child whose snack he was happily eating had been taken away, and then felt embarrassed again at himself for feeling that way.
“Whether it’s an excuse or not, as long as it’s the right answer, isn’t that all that matters? The result is important, no matter what the process is.”
Arkan immediately retorted.
“What are you saying? Of course, the process is more important. No matter what the process is, only the result is important. So, in a fair competition, even if you use tricks, as long as you win, you’ll be fine?”
Erdene snorted.
“Is there such a thing as fair competition in the world? If I don’t use tricks, my balls will fly off right away, so I shouldn’t discriminate whether it’s a fatal or a mean act.”
“Can’t you speak like a Queen?”
“What was unbecoming of a Queen in what you said just now?”
“I said a mother!”
“If you call a mother a mother, what else would you say?”
Arkan threw his head back and clenched his fist.
Sometimes, when reading a novel, there were times when the protagonists, who were in conflict or despairing in the face of pain, would scream in the wilderness.
While deeply empathizing with that emotion, it would be a lie if he didn’t think, ‘At that time, I should have found another solution.’
However, at this moment, he could empathize with their feelings more earnestly than when he was reading any other text.
If someone had said, ‘At that time, I should have found a solution,’ he could have hit his forehead with the spine of the book.
‘That’s why you scream. If you don’t, I think you’ll get sick.’
Erdene said.
“Anyway, I understand.”
Arkan, who had managed to hold back his screams as if he were a King, opened his eyes wide and looked at her.
“What do you mean, you knew?”
“I know Your Majesty is upset, so from now on I will at least say something before doing anything.”
“No, when did I...”
Arkan, who was about to refute, shook his hand and head at the same time.
There was no reason to continue this unnecessary and exhausting fight... Sometimes retreating was also a strategy for victory.
‘I feel like I’m always retreating, though.’
Arkan sighed bitterly.
“Yes. Now that you know, don’t do that again.”
“I said I understand.”
Erdene retorted indifferently and glared at Arkan.
‘Anyway, you keep bringing up every little thing. How tricky. Are you trying to show off your face or something?’
Arkan looked at her with a suspicious gaze.
“Didn’t you just curse at me?”
Erdene glared, her eyes stinging.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You did. You cursed at me. I made it clear. Don’t even think about lying. I can tell if someone is swearing at me or not just by looking at their eyes.”
“You’ve been sworn at before.”
“It’s the opposite. Since I’ve barely been sworn at, I’ve become good at recognizing people who are swearing at me.”
“Oh, yes.”
There you go again!
Arkan’s lips trembled.
He had a feeling that today’s fight would end in his defeat...
No, why on earth!
‘Where and what did you eat to grow up to be such a mean person? Where is it, Hirschsten? What did you feed the Princess there that she grew up to be someone who only says such mean things?’
‘I want to touch it.’
The moment she saw it, Erdene unconsciously thought that and was startled.
If she had noticed it a little later, she would have definitely touched it.
However, she didn’t touch it, and she didn’t realize that she was staring at Arkan’s face.
Arkan suddenly blushed at Erdene’s unfamiliar gaze that stared at him so hard that it was embarrassing.
‘Why are you staring at me like this!’
Her expression was unfamiliar as if she was neither glaring nor trying to tease him.
As if she had discovered something completely unexpected—something very good at that—his face tingled at the curious gaze.
No, more than that. Arkan thought.
“You’re upset, I don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s not it. Why are you making excuses?”
The moment those words fell, the strange gaze that had made Erdene look unfamiliar sank into a laughable expression.
Arkan felt a sudden sense of loss, like a child whose snack he was happily eating had been taken away, and then felt embarrassed again at himself for feeling that way.
“Whether it’s an excuse or not, as long as it’s the right answer, isn’t that all that matters? The result is important, no matter what the process is.”
Arkan immediately retorted.
“What are you saying? Of course, the process is more important. No matter what the process is, only the result is important. So, in a fair competition, even if you use tricks, as long as you win, you’ll be fine?”
Erdene snorted.
“Is there such a thing as fair competition in the world? If I don’t use tricks, my balls will fly off right away, so I shouldn’t discriminate whether it’s a fatal or a mean act.”
“Can’t you speak like a Queen?”
“What was unbecoming of a Queen in what you said just now?”
“I said a mother!”
“If you call a mother a mother, what else would you say?”
Arkan threw his head back and clenched his fist.
Sometimes, when reading a novel, there were times when the protagonists, who were in conflict or despairing in the face of pain, would scream in the wilderness.
While deeply empathizing with that emotion, it would be a lie if he didn’t think, ‘At that time, I should have found another solution.’
However, at this moment, he could empathize with their feelings more earnestly than when he was reading any other text.
If someone had said, ‘At that time, I should have found a solution,’ he could have hit his forehead with the spine of the book.
‘That’s why you scream. If you don’t, I think you’ll get sick.’
Erdene said.
“Anyway, I understand.”
Arkan, who had managed to hold back his screams as if he were a King, opened his eyes wide and looked at her.
“What do you mean, you knew?”
“I know Your Majesty is upset, so from now on I will at least say something before doing anything.”
“No, when did I...”
Arkan, who was about to refute, shook his hand and head at the same time.
There was no reason to continue this unnecessary and exhausting fight... Sometimes retreating was also a strategy for victory.
‘I feel like I’m always retreating, though.’
Arkan sighed bitterly.
“Yes. Now that you know, don’t do that again.”
“I said I understand.”
Erdene retorted indifferently and glared at Arkan.
‘Anyway, you keep bringing up every little thing. How tricky. Are you trying to show off your face or something?’
Arkan looked at her with a suspicious gaze.
“Didn’t you just curse at me?”
Erdene glared, her eyes stinging.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You did. You cursed at me. I made it clear. Don’t even think about lying. I can tell if someone is swearing at me or not just by looking at their eyes.”
“You’ve been sworn at before.”
“It’s the opposite. Since I’ve barely been sworn at, I’ve become good at recognizing people who are swearing at me.”
“Oh, yes.”
There you go again!
Arkan’s lips trembled.
He had a feeling that today’s fight would end in his defeat...
No, why on earth!
‘Where and what did you eat to grow up to be such a mean person? Where is it, Hirschsten? What did you feed the Princess there that she grew up to be someone who only says such mean things?’
As he grumbled with all his might, Erdene turned her head away with a cold expression and said.
“Your Majesty must have cursed at me inwardly just now, so tell me it’s a draw, and if you’re done complaining, then you can go now. I’m busy. Your Majesty must be busy too, so you don’t have time to argue with me here, do you?”
“I take care of my own business. I was just about to go anyway!”
Arkan’s movements as he tried to get up suddenly stopped.
Erdene, who was about to turn around to sit down, glanced at him as if asking what was going on this time.
Arkan held onto the armrests of his chair and shrugged his shoulders as if he was hesitating for a long time, deciding whether to speak or not.
Then as if he had finally made up his mind, he stared at Erdene’s face so intently that it was burdensome.
“What about the hour we agreed to read a book together?”
Erdene blinked as if he was wondering what was ridiculous and replied.
“Didn’t you already give up?”
“Give up? Who said I was giving up?”
“Ha...”
Yeah. Erdene thought. What the hell, how long does it take... There was nothing she couldn't do.
“Your Majesty must have cursed at me inwardly just now, so tell me it’s a draw, and if you’re done complaining, then you can go now. I’m busy. Your Majesty must be busy too, so you don’t have time to argue with me here, do you?”
“I take care of my own business. I was just about to go anyway!”
Arkan’s movements as he tried to get up suddenly stopped.
Erdene, who was about to turn around to sit down, glanced at him as if asking what was going on this time.
Arkan held onto the armrests of his chair and shrugged his shoulders as if he was hesitating for a long time, deciding whether to speak or not.
Then as if he had finally made up his mind, he stared at Erdene’s face so intently that it was burdensome.
“What about the hour we agreed to read a book together?”
Erdene blinked as if he was wondering what was ridiculous and replied.
“Didn’t you already give up?”
“Give up? Who said I was giving up?”
“Ha...”
Yeah. Erdene thought. What the hell, how long does it take... There was nothing she couldn't do.
No, the longer he held out, the more insidiously he'd pester her.
‘It’s not like I haven’t experienced these guys before.’
Erdene nodded.
“Okay. I’ll be there in half an hour... no, an hour.”
“We can just have lunch together.”
“Yes, we can have lunch together and read a book together. Are you satisfied now? I’ll see you later, Your Majesty.”
Although it was nothing more than a farewell order, Arkan obediently got up. Then he took a few steps and turned around.
“There’s no need to say more than one thing.”
Erdene nodded.
“Okay. I’ll be there in half an hour... no, an hour.”
“We can just have lunch together.”
“Yes, we can have lunch together and read a book together. Are you satisfied now? I’ll see you later, Your Majesty.”
Although it was nothing more than a farewell order, Arkan obediently got up. Then he took a few steps and turned around.
“There’s no need to say more than one thing.”
There was a crack!
Arkan pretended not to notice the sturdy pen breaking in Erdene’s grip and left the palace.
After sending Arkan out—or kicking him out—Erdene finished writing the letter she had put in the drawer and put it in an envelope she had deliberately chosen as a tough type.
She sealed the entrance tightly with melted wax and hid the envelope in her sleeve, leaving even Sophia behind as she headed back to the parade ground.
“I have to talk about Rolls too, so the fewer ears that listen, the better.”
The parade ground, which had been bustling with soldiers, was deserted.
She couldn’t tell if they had gone to lunch early, but Erdene looked around and spotted Thelma under a zelkova tree far away.
“Your Majesty!”
Thelma, who was chewing something while lying down on the root, saw Erdene and jumped up and shook her clothes.
Dust was flying, but Erdene didn’t care and followed her closely to a place where there were few people.
“What’s wrong?”
When Thelma asked in confusion, Erdene made a gesture for her to be quiet and said.
“What about Merton and Aiman?”
“They were taken away by that captain named Wiziard.”
Then Thelma suddenly giggled.
“If this continues, the entire empire’s military operation will be exposed.”
Erdene didn’t laugh at that. Instead, she quickly took out the letter she had hidden under her sleeve and put it in Thelma’s palm.
“Open it when you cross the empire’s border. Understood? Don’t open it before then.”
Thelma looked down at the envelope with bewildered eyes, but without asking what it was, she put it in her pocket.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
She didn't worry that Thelma would disobey her orders.
The other lieutenants were the same, but Thelma, Merton, and Aiman were especially loyal to Erdene.
Even if Erdene had said, 'Try to open it in ten years,' they would have kept their promise without fail.
However, one thing she couldn't trust was their temperament, especially Thelma's impatience.
'It would be bad if they opened it early and then ran back. We should just drive a wedge in.'
Erdene watched quietly until Thelma finished organizing the letter, then added,
"Keep a close eye on Rolls."
Thelma looked puzzled as if she didn't know what he meant.
"What did he do to Your Majesty?"
"No, how dare that little rat do anything to me? But if he leaves my sight, he'll get cocky and try to sit on top of the head. Make sure that doesn't happen. When you return to the Empire, make sure he doesn't talk nonsense about Vetor's situation or me in front of Tenek. Got it?"
“What if he opens his mouth, Your Majesty?”
Erdene said lightly after a moment of silence.
“Kill him.”
As soon as she answered, a sharp and sarcastic smile spread across Thelma’s lips.
“It won’t be difficult. I understand.”
“And one more thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“I have written more details in the letter, but since it is urgent, I will tell you this in advance. As soon as you return to the Empire, pick a trustworthy man and send him to Atelgadis.”
***
After sending Arkan out—or kicking him out—Erdene finished writing the letter she had put in the drawer and put it in an envelope she had deliberately chosen as a tough type.
She sealed the entrance tightly with melted wax and hid the envelope in her sleeve, leaving even Sophia behind as she headed back to the parade ground.
“I have to talk about Rolls too, so the fewer ears that listen, the better.”
The parade ground, which had been bustling with soldiers, was deserted.
She couldn’t tell if they had gone to lunch early, but Erdene looked around and spotted Thelma under a zelkova tree far away.
“Your Majesty!”
Thelma, who was chewing something while lying down on the root, saw Erdene and jumped up and shook her clothes.
Dust was flying, but Erdene didn’t care and followed her closely to a place where there were few people.
“What’s wrong?”
When Thelma asked in confusion, Erdene made a gesture for her to be quiet and said.
“What about Merton and Aiman?”
“They were taken away by that captain named Wiziard.”
Then Thelma suddenly giggled.
“If this continues, the entire empire’s military operation will be exposed.”
Erdene didn’t laugh at that. Instead, she quickly took out the letter she had hidden under her sleeve and put it in Thelma’s palm.
“Open it when you cross the empire’s border. Understood? Don’t open it before then.”
Thelma looked down at the envelope with bewildered eyes, but without asking what it was, she put it in her pocket.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
She didn't worry that Thelma would disobey her orders.
The other lieutenants were the same, but Thelma, Merton, and Aiman were especially loyal to Erdene.
Even if Erdene had said, 'Try to open it in ten years,' they would have kept their promise without fail.
However, one thing she couldn't trust was their temperament, especially Thelma's impatience.
'It would be bad if they opened it early and then ran back. We should just drive a wedge in.'
Erdene watched quietly until Thelma finished organizing the letter, then added,
"Keep a close eye on Rolls."
Thelma looked puzzled as if she didn't know what he meant.
"What did he do to Your Majesty?"
"No, how dare that little rat do anything to me? But if he leaves my sight, he'll get cocky and try to sit on top of the head. Make sure that doesn't happen. When you return to the Empire, make sure he doesn't talk nonsense about Vetor's situation or me in front of Tenek. Got it?"
“What if he opens his mouth, Your Majesty?”
Erdene said lightly after a moment of silence.
“Kill him.”
As soon as she answered, a sharp and sarcastic smile spread across Thelma’s lips.
“It won’t be difficult. I understand.”
“And one more thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“I have written more details in the letter, but since it is urgent, I will tell you this in advance. As soon as you return to the Empire, pick a trustworthy man and send him to Atelgadis.”
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