episode_0045

The color drained from his face. Jooddak’s expression darkened in an instant.

Why suddenly ask me to leave?

Isn’t life in the palace problem-free?

Jooddak recalled his recent daily routine.

Waking up in the afternoon, eating whatever was prepared by the palace staff. He enjoyed a life where day and night were reversed, constantly tossing and turning in bed.

Rarely going outside. Occasionally taking a night stroll and immersing himself in a 20-hour gaming binge.

What was wrong with this life?

‘Is everything the problem?’

It may not matter when living alone, but to others, it might not look too good.

Wouldn’t he appear pitiful in the eyes of the queen?

Feeding and supporting a lazy, unemployed person for eternity, even if taken care of?

Even the Buddha might raise an eyebrow and ponder this matter for a moment.

‘Is that so?’

In the end, she must have made this choice.

Please, just go outside! The queen is a human too!

He anticipated that the queen’s patience had reached its limit.

‘There’s another mouth to feed there.’

Jooddak’s eyes flickered. He turned to the side.

A woman who had become a freeloader while escorting the freeloader.

Following in Jooddak’s footsteps, a freeloading(?) hero.

She also displayed the pinnacle of shamelessness, as if burdened by others for years.

A hero guarding the continent wouldn’t be like that, but in Jooddak’s eyes, she seemed that way.

‘Does this seem reasonable?’

If rumors spread that these parasites were clinging to the palace like bedbugs, it wouldn’t look good no matter how you thought about it.

Naturally, the queen would be concerned.

Based on Jooddak’s extensive experience in freeloading, this was a dangerous situation.

– Are they working? x

– Are they helpful at home? x

– Are they likeable? x

Freeloading patience test, three strikes out…!

Jooddak’s brain test pointed to a critical situation.

He was left with only one choice.

“Please don’t kick me out even if I only eat bread and corn soup three times a day….”

Jooddak’s secret weapon… Kneeling down and begging!

Shouldn’t we call it a draw…?

He revealed his determination not to give up this comfortable life.

“…Huh?”

The effect was tremendous!

She stood up in confusion.

“Jooddak…?”

“Sob… Even if I’m a useless unemployed freeloader who only eats food, please don’t kick me out…!”

“Ah… No, that’s not it….”

“I clean my room myself… and I can eat on my own…! I won’t attract attention from others…!”

He squeezed out tears as he recalled his unfortunate school days.

The memory of being robbed of coins by a pretty older sister on the way home…! The sadness of not being able to eat Pikachu tonkatsu!

He appealed for sympathy with tears.

After kneeling down and begging, he continued to shed tears without giving her a chance to relax.

By landing a confirmed combo of two hits, he successfully extracted the queen’s soul.

“I want to stay in the palace… pleease….”

“If you want to stay, that’s fine, but….”

“Wow! Really?”

“You might get involved in troublesome matters….”

“Eh?”

Troublesome matters?

For Jooddak, troublesome matters were things like sun-drying laundry and brushing the fur on the mop on weekends.

“That’s… the reason why I asked to leave the palace.”

“What reason is that?”

“…I’ll have to explain from the beginning.”

She recounted the events as she remembered them.

“It all started when….”

The empire revealed its desire to absorb the kingdom.

But starting a war could lead to the involvement of other countries.

So, they used various methods to tighten the noose and lay traps.

“This is a story about one of those traps.”

Instead of sweet rewards, it was a condition set.

If Jooddak formed a connection with her, the empire would provide an opportunity for contact.

And they would also share the information he obtained with the empire.

In the current situation, it doesn’t make sense. It’s an incredibly unreasonable condition.

But… did he expect this?

She accepted the condition because she never thought she would be spending a long time with Judak.

For Beatrice, who couldn’t see the future, it was an inevitable outcome.

“So that’s how it turned out.”

“They’re a bunch of bad guys.”

Judak nodded in agreement, his head filled with anger.

To propose a contract with such good conditions and then do something so despicable.

How could they do such a heinous act?

It was almost an insult to the generous queen!

“But how does me leaving the capital city have anything to do with…?”

“I was planning to provide a residence outside the capital city for Judak.”

Her proposed solution was unknown.

She pretended to be in contact with Judak, but in reality, she wasn’t.

If the empire tried to make a fuss, there would be no evidence to back it up.

By chance, Judak had found a residence outside the kingdom, but it had no connection to the queen.

How could they accuse without evidence?

The queen was shamelessly pushing her agenda.

“What were the conditions set by the empire?”

“It’s about establishing contact with Judak.”

“Just talking with the empire, right?”

“They probably want to meet. Judak is a target for persuasion for them as well.”

“Hmm. I have no intention of being persuaded. I need to figure out how to deal with the empire.”

Judak pondered the continent’s situation based on the gallery he had organized. He recalled the characteristics of the countries.

The empire was more persistent and tenacious than he had thought.

There was a high possibility that the empire would continue to be a nuisance, even after attacking the kingdom.

If the queen were to be stressed by this situation…

Her perfect physical balance could be disrupted.

That would affect the mammoth, too…

That couldn’t be allowed!

As Judak pondered, Beatrice glanced at him.

“I’m sorry for causing this situation…”

“No. The emperor is the bad one.”

In any case, the emperor was the bad guy.

The queen, who could potentially feed her husband and child well, was a kind person.

“I hope Judak doesn’t get involved for no reason. I’ll find a solution on my own.”

“Oh.”

“If I leave the capital city, the empire will still approach me, right?”

“Probably… yes.”

“Even if I listen to the queen’s request, everything won’t be resolved, right?”

“That’s… just a temporary solution.”

She knew it was just a temporary fix, but she deliberately ignored it to put out the fire.

While this choice would get them through the current crisis, the next one would come soon.

Even if it had nothing to do with the kingdom.

The empire was likely to approach Judak again.

“Then let’s think of another way.”

“Um… yes. I understand.”

“The reason the empire is showing interest in me is for persuasion, right?”

“I see that as the most likely possibility.”

“Hmm. But I have no intention of leaving the kingdom.”

She had realized that staying in the capital city was the best option. How could she leave this place?

The queen’s luxurious lifestyle was the best… anyway, there was no reason to leave.

“So should I meet with them? Can I just say no?”

“It’s possible. However, the proposal implies that there may be consequences if you refuse… It was meant to be as if it never happened.”

“Really?”

“The empire wouldn’t have offered the contract for free.”

“Wow.”

The wicked ways of the empire made Judaki clench his teeth.

How can they create such a situation with such favorable conditions?

“The kingdom seems to have some weaknesses, right?”

“Yes… It’s not easy to escape when we are caught in various ways.”

“Then, if we find their weaknesses, it should be okay for us.”

Well, aren’t there weaknesses for those in high positions like the emperor?

Being immersed in lasciviousness is almost passive.

Threatening them with Yas tape is just a moderate measure.

“In the case of companies, they grab each other’s necks with patents.”

There are many ways. Just choose one.

But Beatrice shook her head.

“He… He’s a person with few flaws.”

“Huh?”

“Would you like to read this? It’s information about him.”

Judaki accepted the bundle of papers she handed him.

“What.”

How can such a person exist?

It was shocking content for Judaki, who spends 20 hours a day on the internet.

– The emperor has extreme obsessive-compulsive disorder about self-management.

– Exercise, sleep, and food are regulated daily to maintain balance.

– Sleeps at 10 pm. Wakes up at 6 am. Must strictly adhere to the routine.

– No hereditary diseases in the family history.

– Tall stature and outstanding appearance.

– No female companionship or strange hobbies.

– Excellent administrative skills to manage all aspects of the empire.

– Shows great interest in the gallery.

– Well-versed in the continent’s political situation.

How can a person live like this?

How can such a person have such looks and height?

Please, just 3 centimeters. Please.

As Judaki muttered to himself, a sentence caught his eye.

“?”

Indeed, the world is still livable.

The emperor is not a perfect person after all.

– Currently worried about hair loss.

This… could this problem be easily solved?

“There is a weakness.”

***

At his firm words, Beatrice spoke with a puzzled voice.

“Yes…?”

No matter how many times she read it, there was no corner that could be considered a weakness.

But the emotion in Judaki’s eyes was certain.

“So you don’t have to worry too much.”

“A weakness… How could that be…?”

“No, I’m sure. Um… So you don’t have to worry too much.”

“Really…?”

With his confident words, Beatrice felt a sense of relief in her heart.

The emperor also has weaknesses!

Then… by finding the emperor’s weakness, she could regain control.

“Now let’s handle both the kingdom and my affairs.”

“….”

Judaki, who was not even involved in his own affairs, wondered why he was going this far.

Seeing Judaki speak as if it were obvious, Beatrice bit her lip.

“Then since the business is done…”

“Judaki… It must have been hard for you to worry. Would you like to enjoy some snacks?”

She called out to Judaki, who was about to leave.

It didn’t seem right to let him go like this. And she wanted to be with him, even if just a little…

Leading him back to his seat, she treated him to the delicious waffle cookies they had enjoyed before.

“Wow. This is delicious. To be able to eat this heavenly snack again, tears are flowing…”

“You can have more if you want.”

“This is no joke. Um. Would the queen like to play chess?”

He discovered a chessboard tucked away in a corner of the shelf and gestured towards it.

“Chess…?”

“Yes. It’s trending in the gallery these days.”

“I’m indifferent to such trends…”

“Then how about taking a break and playing a game of chess?”

“Chess… Chess has been a while.”

She took out the chess set she had prepared a long time ago.

Setting up the marble chess pieces carved by a craftsman, she watched Judaki’s reaction.

And she recalled the moment she had been anxious about.

“…I actually thought you would be angry.”

He had brought her to Wangsung, saying she could stay there, but suddenly asked to leave.

Thinking that Judaki would be angry with such a request.

But he passed it off as if it could happen, and even reached out a helping hand.

‘How… could that be.’

He’s treating it as if it’s his own business, even though it’s not.

If Lady Beatrice were in the same situation….

It was certain that she wouldn’t react the same way.

Putting aside his own emotions, considering the other person…. focusing on solving the problem first.

It’s difficult to put everything on hold and worry about someone else’s business first.

It’s something that not just anyone can easily do because it’s difficult.

It wouldn’t have been an easy decision for a commoner like Jude.

“Even chess is like this now….”

Before the atmosphere could become awkward and uncomfortable, he suggested playing chess first.

‘Even considering refreshing the atmosphere…. Maybe because I feel guilty….’

He made an unreasonable request to him. Even the words he had said before became lies.

The pressure from the Empire was suffocating.

To break free from all these situations and constraints.

He helped as if it were his own business… even recommending chess for relaxation.

‘How… can you be so kind to me.’

The thoughtful consideration felt in all his actions.

Beatrice glanced at him after making a move.

“Hmm.”

“Uh….”

Somehow, it was difficult to meet his eyes.

Of course, it was also difficult to meet his eyes earlier.

Earlier, it was guilt. A sense of guilt for deceiving Jude.

If it was because of the despair of not being able to solve the problem….

Now, meeting Jude’s eyes made her heart flutter strangely.

She even felt a tingling sensation in her mouth.

So, whether they were playing chess now or not, even her senses were dim.

Only being with Jude.

In this space.

At this time.

The feeling of sharing this moment together.

It tickled her heart.

If it weren’t for Jude’s sharp move.

“Checkmate.”

“….”

As the lukewarm air lifted around the queen.

She showed her queenly dignity and strong pride.

“You’re strong. Jude.”

“I’ll graciously accept your praise.”

“Then let’s play another round.”

“Sure. Let’s do it.”

That day, the queen tasted a bitter defeat.

***

The Empire’s underhanded tactics and pressure on the kingdom caused repercussions.

While Jude and the queen were dealing with the shock….

The eyes of the knight subtly turned to the adjacent seat.

The bed where Jude usually lay.

The bed….

Gulp. She swallowed hard.