episode_0040

The long stretch of lights in the hallway seemed almost seductive.

As if beckoning to Jutak. The lights swayed gently.

Where on earth were they leading him?

Alone, with a letter urging him to follow… Could it be… from the Queen?

Is it okay to have a slight expectation?

But it all seemed too suspicious to say the least.

Jutak firmly gripped his gun and followed the lights.

The end of the lights was leading to a room.

This place… felt strange.

With no signs and a simple atmosphere that didn’t match the grandeur of a palace.

As he gently opened the door, there she was.

“…Jutak? What brings you here?”

“Oh.”

Queen Beatrice was seated, attending to her duties.

She seemed puzzled.

Innocent. Not knowing anything, Jutak felt a sense of guilt from her expression.

‘It doesn’t feel like a letter from the Queen.’

Something was off. This wasn’t right.

As he thought he had been caught, he also realized the current situation.

The Queen working in her office.

A man suddenly entering through the door.

It was a suspicious situation to say that nothing was going on here.

‘…The restaurant was strange too. What’s going on now?’

Who set up this wicked trap?

Trying to come up with the best excuse, Jutak scratched his head.

A suitable and plausible excuse…

“I couldn’t sleep.”

From this moment on, Jutak decided to become an insomniac.

“So, I went for a walk and got curious about this room… Yes. Anyway, that’s how it happened.”

Well, maybe he has schizophrenia too.

In the end, his strange excuse had turned into something ridiculous, but Beatrice nodded and got up from her seat.

“I see. Well then… how about having some warm tea?”

“Of course, that sounds nice.”

“Please wait here for a moment.”

Is the strange excuse okay…?

Anyway, as long as the guest is okay with it, it should be fine.

Following her guidance, Jutak sat on the soft chair.

It was his first time visiting a woman’s room, so he was slightly nervous.

A room of curiosity for a woman.

He looked around like a child visiting adults’ workplace.

The room was filled with books. Flasks and potions to an extent that seemed suspicious were also visible.

Is this actually a mad scientist’s room?

On the table, there were reports and thin waffle cookies.

What an imbalance.

Beatrice noticed Jutak’s curious gaze and spoke up.

“I’m very interested in magic. That’s why… my room looks like this.”

“I see.”

Is this how rooms of people interested in magic look?

He should have visited a magician’s room to find out.

Of course, he didn’t know what a magician’s room would look like.

The existence of magic. Magicians. Beatrice was all new to Jutak.

The room being a bit messy… he just brushed it off as simply being messy.

Beatrice placed the completed tea in front of Jutak.

“Here, please have some. If sleep comes knocking, will you leave? Feel free to stay as long as you want.”

“Well then… I might go check on the gel.”

“Of course.”

In agreement with Beatrice’s nod, Jutak also nodded.

Comfortably… he leaned back in the chair and sipped the tea.

“Oh. It’s hot.”

There was a momentary mistake, but he slowly savored the tea.

The bittersweet and nutty aroma stimulated his nose.

As he took a sip, feeling the warmth spread deep into his chest, it was clear that this was no ordinary tea.

“Oh. It’s delicious.”

“I personally brewed this black tea. I’m glad you like it.”

“It’s the most delicious black tea I’ve ever had.”

“It’s not that great.”

“No, it really is.”

In truth, it was his first time trying black tea, but he wasn’t wrong in saying that.

Among the black teas he had tried, this was the most delicious.

It was bitter but palatable. A taste he didn’t dislike.

During Ju-ddak’s initiation into the world of red tea, Beatrice sat beside him.

“I have work to do….”

She proceeded to catch up on her backlog of work.

As Ju-ddak floated through the gallery in his mind, he felt like a nobleman, dealing with memes alongside the serene red tea.

Managing the gallery in this way, Ju-ddak felt a gaze on him.

Beside him, Beatrice was staring at him intently.

“Why is she staring like that?”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I was just fascinated without realizing it….”

When was the last time he saw someone managing a gallery by dividing the screen into 16 parts?

It’s not common to directly observe meme highlights in front of you.

But with time, one can get used to such sights.

Beatrice took a brief look around before returning to her work.

“….”

And this time, Ju-ddak’s gaze turned towards her.

What is she looking at? Glancing over, he saw something familiar.

“It’s the gallery text.”

It seemed like she was transcribing the gallery text by hand into a report.

Does the Ocean Kingdom have an analog spirit like Japan?

There must be a reason for this. Ju-ddak was about to ask, but he held his tongue.

“What if it’s a unique cultural aspect of the Ocean Kingdom?”

Perhaps there’s a tradition of transcribing gallery content by hand.

Or maybe… it’s a way to keep a record while transcribing by hand.

He decided to give up on asking hastily.

Jumping to conclusions or picking a fight would be a bad move.

So Ju-ddak shifted his focus to the snacks elevated next to the report.

“Excuse me… Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Oh… Feel free to eat. It goes well with the red tea.”

After sipping the red tea, he felt a craving for something sweet.

Ju-ddak fell for the temptation algorithm that anyone would succumb to.

The snack she offered was in the shape of a thin waffle.

He took a bite.

“Oh….”

He murmured softly.

Crunchy.

Sweetness and nuttiness in his mouth. And the crispy texture.

A perfect snack with everything in place.

“Wow, this is─ no, it’s really delicious.”

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes. I want to give a kiss to the person who made this.”

“R-really? I’m glad. Feel free to have as much as you want.”

With butter and honey thinly spread on the waffle-shaped snack, it was addictive.

If there were a bakery contest, he might win.

Unknowingly, Ju-ddak kept eating.

“I wonder who made this.”

As Ju-ddak genuinely wondered who made the waffle snack.

“….”

Beatrice touched her lips with her fingers and turned her head slightly towards Ju-ddak.

***

When Ju-ddak suddenly entered the office, Beatrice wasn’t surprised.

Instead, she understood, looking at the bewildered Ju-ddak.

“What trouble did he get into this time?”

Even if Ju-ddak made a long-winded excuse, Beatrice only understood.

To be flustered by such an incident… things had been strange since dinner time.

Even the layout of the restaurant had changed unknowingly.

The lighting created a romantic atmosphere to a suspicious extent.

If one didn’t notice the strange signs, it would be even more peculiar.

The person behind this was obvious.

“I should gather the palace maids and knights… to investigate.”

If the palace’s dining hall changes on its own or strange things happen, who could be the culprit?

It would be those who manage the palace.

The palace maids and knights.

They were the ones behind these strange occurrences.

Could it be that they are trying to meddle in relationships between men and women?

She frowned as she got off the carriage.

“This is… not good.”

A queen must always cherish dignity and decorum.

But to have a private dinner with a foreign man during dinner time in such a setting was not appropriate.

And the two of them have a snack in the room!

If someone were to find out about this, they would probably talk about maintaining dignity as a queen.

So, this situation is not good.

That’s what I thought, but…

Contrary to my thoughts, my heart was at ease.

There was a great conflict between reason and instinct.

‘…Why am I like this.’

Something. I felt emotions. It was a fleeting moment. It was just a brief tremor.

So, I couldn’t understand it myself.

Why are my ears getting hot?

Why does it feel good to be in the same place as Judak?

I noticed a subtle change in my emotions.

At that moment, the words of the monkey’s hand came to mind.

─I will fulfill your desires.

Desires…?

Could this be the desire that has been fulfilled?

Is this moment with Judak the realization of desire?

Thinking like that, the puzzle pieces fit together.

The monkey’s hand asked to speak your wish.

Beatrice spoke of her wish.

Because she’s worried about Judak. Because she doesn’t want anything to happen to Judak.

Because she wants to protect him. Because she’s interested in Judak.

All those desires were contained.

She wanted to know his position.

‘That’s what it was.’

As she said, the desire was fulfilled.

The desire to know and get closer to Judak was fulfilled.

She had the opportunity to see Judak up close.

The opportunity to share the same time came.

Beatrice calmed down and gathered her thoughts.

‘I need to relax…’

She wanted to know about Judak and the opportunity to get closer had come.

However, she didn’t want to rush in too quickly.

If a child who has just started walking starts running, they are bound to fall.

If you try to do something in a hurry, you will surely fall.

Let’s take it slow… so we don’t make mistakes.

She took a deep breath to regain her composure. She wanted to cherish this time.

Snacking, doing things in the same space at the same time.

She wished it could last longer.

Just being still made her feel fuzzy. It tickled her heart.

She felt strange just watching Judak enjoy the cookies she baked as a hobby.

“Does it taste good to you?”

She asked innocently.

If it wasn’t enough, she was willing to bake more.

However.

“Yes. I want to give a kiss to the person who made this.”

She never thought of such an answer.

A kiss…?

Is it that good?

Such praise… If others had said it, she would have thought it was flattery.

She reacted strangely to what Judak said.

She turned her head slightly and covered her lips with her hand.

She felt like her heart, beating wildly, could be heard by him.

She forced herself to control her trembling lips and gently held them together.

She couldn’t hide her blushing ears, but she managed to compose herself.

“Shall I prepare for next time as well?”

“Yes! Of course.”

“…”

But she couldn’t calm her excited heart.

***

The snack lasted longer than expected.

Between night and dawn. It continued until an ambiguous point, when Judak said he was sleepy and left.

Beatrice was disappointed, but she saw him off.

The next morning.

Beatrice greeted a refreshing morning unlike usual.

Despite sleeping little, she felt less tired.

She thought it was a hassle to dress up, but today it wasn’t bothersome.

Could just the presence of someone change her mood like this?

“Your Majesty. Breakfast is ready.”

As soon as she finished getting ready, she headed to the dining room.

It seemed that Judak had already gotten up and was waiting.

Beatrice slightly bowed her head.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“No, it’s okay. I didn’t realize time was passing while grooming.”

To give such a considerate answer.

Beatrice tried to maintain her composure and sat down.

The atmosphere was similar to yesterday’s mealtime.

Slightly awkward and slightly comfortable atmosphere.

As she ate, she brought up the topic.

“Perhaps after today’s lunch, it will be time for the hero to arrive.”

“That’s fast.”

Just as she was about to reply, a guard approached Beatrice.

“The hero has arrived.”

It was much earlier than expected.

The hero arrived early in the morning. Kyra Luz sat in the reception room, waiting.

She was secretly displeased.

No matter how well the queen treated her, calling her for the sake of security.

She didn’t even mention who she was supposed to guard. She came to talk and if she didn’t like it, to leave early.

She had the noble duty of guarding the gallery.

With her usual expressionless face, she waited, and the door to the reception room opened.

A face she was familiar with. Queen Beatrice.

“Have you been waiting long for the hero?”

“…Not long. It’s fine.”

Exchanging superficial greetings.

She looked at the man entering with Beatrice.

Judging by the atmosphere, he seemed to be the one she was supposed to guard.

They looked at each other, lost in thought.

‘Wow. The hero looks grand. I wish the hero I knew looked even half as good as this man.’

‘A face that seems to have drawn lines hastily… He must be asked to guard some wealthy noble.’

After a brief moment of eye contact, Beatrice spoke.

“This person is the leader of the gallery. Hero, I hope you will guard him.”

“Yes. Leader of the gallery…. Yes…?”

Kyra Luz’s eyes flickered.