episode_0328

The elf queen and the head of the guard talked late into the night.

Most of the conversation was about how well the adopted daughter Elasein had taken in was performing in her role as the next queen.

However, one question kept swirling in both of their heads.

Why bright-colored underwear?

“Ho, did that Ska guy perhaps say something to the Queen?”

Selenis cautiously probed the Queen’s mind.

“N-not really anything.”

Elasein mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

“…”

Selenis quietly stared at the Queen.

Right.

Perhaps she was overthinking things.

Who on earth could demand the Queen wear ‘specific’ underwear?

Even if it’s Ska, that’s crossing the line.

Besides, recently, the Queen has been spending more time grooming herself.

She must be paying attention to the trends circulating in the Maze City. The white underwear thing must be an extension of that.

But.

There was something that didn’t quite add up.

‘What on earth was that leather choker?’

The Queen’s words could be understood and moved past, but the choker around Ska’s neck bothered her.

“T-that’s just a Yin energy suppression choker.”

“Ah…yes.”

Selenis was inwardly dubious at Elasein’s answer.

‘The Queen definitely purchased a Yin energy blocking ring, didn’t she?’

“Aren’t there other guards? Most of them are women, so it is the Queen’s duty to prevent the same mishap as before.”

“Ah! I understand. Thank you. Have a peaceful night, Queen.”

Selenis rose from her seat and bowed deeply.

Elasein smiled and took Selenis’ hand.

“Selenis, don’t worry too much and get plenty of rest.”

Worry?

‘Ah!’

Selenis smiled back at Elasein.

“Yes. I am not particularly concerned. Although I am sharing a room with Ska, I believe that nothing untoward will ‘absolutely’ happen. I believe he is not the kind of man to commit insidious acts.”

“…”

Was it just her imagination, or did the Queen’s eyes seem to narrow?

Selenis left the Queen’s bedroom.

Two night guards stood at the door and nodded slightly.

Since she couldn’t dare make a noisy scene in front of the Queen’s bedroom, Selenis patted the shoulders of the two guards once each and entered the lodging attached right next to the Queen’s bedroom.

Creak.

Ska was lying on the right bed, wrapped in a blanket.

‘Is he asleep?’

A faint breathing sound could be heard.

Selenis chuckled softly.

She understood. It must have been a tiring day. If you spend all day on edge to protect someone, you naturally get exhausted.

Even though he deserves to be proud of receiving the Queen’s favor.

She liked the attitude of just silently trying his best.

Of course, the guard duty is only starting today. There will be many days ahead, so she’ll have to watch from the side.

There’s not much to worry about.

‘He’s the person that the picky Ashur brother praised.’

Come to think of it, the youngest of the Startree family seemed to have mentioned something about Ska too.

‘What did the youngest Del say?’

She thought she heard that Del, who received the Goblin branding, rolled around in a terrible party with Ska.

Selenis pondered for a moment and then chuckled.

One way or another, he was a Barbaroi with many connections to the Startree family.

She moved carefully toward her bed.

She took off her armor without making a sound and changed into her underwear.

“Hmm.”

Her body smelled of sweat all over from wearing armor all day.

She wanted to wash in the small bath attached to the lodging, but she didn’t want to wake Ska.

So she ordered a subordinate to bring a wet towel.

She didn’t forget to sternly tell one of the subordinates who kept glancing into the room a word.

“Ska is sleeping. Don’t make a ruckus.”

“Yes.”

Selenis carefully returned to the room and glanced at the sleeping Ska.

“Hoo.”

Selenis’ face flushed slightly as she sighed. Unlike her pounding heart, Ska’s breathing was steady.

She didn’t show it.

But sharing a room with a man was embarrassing in itself.

Of course, she didn’t think that man would do anything bad.

Selenis sat on the bed.

She took off her arming doublet and leggings. Originally, she wore padded pants, but the thick leggings made by the Arachne Sewing Association weren’t bad either.

Selenis, in her beige bra and panties, carefully wiped her body with a wet towel.

Her heart pounded in case Ska woke up.

She definitely showed a miserable figure during the last Yin energy release incident, but even though she was just in her underwear, she felt embarrassed.

‘That was really embarrassing back then.’

A disgraceful sight that even her husband doesn’t know about.

If he had seen it, he would have made a contemptuous expression. She knew it without even having to see it.

But after the incident, Ska treated her normally.

There was no negative emotion or subtle threat.

He just looked apologetic and apologized.

Selenis shook her head.

Being with that man at night made her think all sorts of things.

‘I should just wash outside from now on.’

She took off her underwear, put it in the basket, and changed into a new set.

Selenis, in her plain tunic and leggings, lay down on the bed.

Glance.

She looked at the sleeping Ska, took a small locket from her chest, and opened the lid.

Inside the locket was a painting of a short and ‘frail’ man.

Her husband.

Selenis stroked her husband’s portrait once.

At that time.

“Uhhmmm.”

Suddenly, a groan came from the next bed. Surprised, Selenis stared at Ska with wide eyes.

‘Ah.’

Ska tossed and turned in his sleep while talking in his sleep.

A ‘wide’ back came into view.

Was he just moving in his sleep?

Her pounding heart calmed down.

Selenis put her husband’s portrait in her chest, quietly admired Ska’s back, and closed her eyes.

* * *

Three days passed.

Jeong Yushin scratched his head.

‘Is it too easy?’

Guard duty was easier than he thought.

Elasein picked up a fork.

“Ska, ah.”

Jeong Yushin opened his mouth.

Elasein popped a small dessert into his mouth.

“Hehe.”

Elasein stroked Jeong Yushin’s head and raised the corners of her mouth.

Jeong Yushin chewed on the dessert.

The crispy pastry and sweet cream filled his mouth.

‘Is this right?’

He felt like he had become a pet human.

For some reason, there was no sexual contact with Elasein after that night.

Instead, other contacts emerged.

She would call him at night to feed him delicious things or stroke his head.

She sometimes asked him to massage her shoulders, but she didn’t cross the line.

If there was anything special, it would be today?

After patrolling the maze and returning to rest for a while, they had tea time in the room next to the audience chamber.

Originally, they wouldn’t have this time because they would be working until evening.

At that time.

Knock knock.

The door rang.

“Your Majesty, may I come in?”

Selenis’ voice was heard from outside the door.

Elasein’s face, which had been smiling, turned serious.

“Come in.”

Creak.

Selenis came in and knelt on one knee.

“Your Majesty, that person has requested an audience.”

“Haaa.”

Elasein let out a long sigh.

“I knew it. Where is he?”

“He’s at the inner castle gate.”

“Is he alone?”

“That’s… the retired head of the Underwood family is with him too.”

Elasein shook her head.

‘That sly old head.’

Did he step down from the family to find his runaway fiancé?

“Even though he’s retired, he was once the owner of the Underwood family. I have to meet him.”

“Are you okay?”

“Didn’t I tell you before? I’m not that concerned.”

If she was really concerned.

It was the political situation of Maze City.

And the handmade underwear she ordered from the Arachne Sewing Association a few days ago.

How long has she been holding back and waiting for three days?

She didn’t know why Ska demanded bright-colored underwear, but she spent a lot of money and time preparing thoroughly.

The underwear would be arriving soon.

Jeong Yushin, who didn’t know Elasein’s true feelings, tilted his head.

‘What the heck is going on?’

Elasein looked at Jeong Yushin.

“Ska, you stay here.”

Selenis cut him off.

“That’s not allowed. Your Majesty, Ska is in charge of guard duty.”

It was a short sentence, but it contained a lot.

Elasein wanted to say something, but she held back.

Guard duty was entirely under Selenis’ jurisdiction. Of course, if she strongly insisted, Selenis would follow, but she didn’t want to push it that far.

Selenis was only worried about her safety.

“I understand. Ska will accompany me, and tell them to come in.”

Elasein left the room first.

Jeong Yushin also got up from his seat.

“Captain, what’s going on?”

Before leaving the room, he whispered softly into Selenis’ pointed ear.

“Hick?! Y-you! Don’t whisper in my ear recklessly!”

Selenis let out a cute moan and then got angry.

“I’m sorry. What’s going on?”

“…It’s about your fiancé.”

“…”

It was a short word, but he immediately grasped the situation.

To reject the beautiful, wise, and busty Queen.

He was curious about what kind of guy he was.

Jeong Yushin left the room and stood next to Elasein, who was sitting on the throne.

After a while.

Thump.

The door opened and two elf men entered.

One was an old elf with wrinkled skin.

The other was a young elf with a rather nervous impression. His skinny and frail body was a bonus.

Both had brown hair that was close to poop color.

The two elves slowly approached the throne and knelt down.

The surrounding air became chilling.

The guards all glared at the two men.

But Elasein’s expression was close to emotionless.

“What brings the Underwood family here?”

“We have come to ask for forgiveness, albeit late.”

Elasein’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“It’s already over. I let it go.”

“…That’s right. But if the person involved hasn’t apologized, what sincerity would be contained in it?”

“Are you saying that the Underwood family’s apology was false?”

The old elf bowed deeply.

“Ah, no. I sincerely apologize for the shame and pain that Your Majesty must have felt, and that is why I have come to see you again. This old man has searched the mountains and fields for his ungrateful son. Please understand.”

Jeong Yushin was lost in thought.

Was that guy the runaway fiancé?

And that old elf was the head of the family to which the fiancé belonged.

The story was that the head of the family wandered around looking for the runaway fiancé and finally caught him, right?

A sincere apology that seemed genuine at first glance, trying to correct what happened in the past.

But Elasein only frowned.

“I said I already received the apology. And I let it go. Tell me your true intentions.”

“…”

After hesitating for a moment, the old elf slowly opened his mouth.

“Recently, the Underwood family has been excluded from major events in the royal palace. Perhaps our family…”

“Are you saying that I harbored resentment and pushed you out?!”

Elasein’s voice became sharp, as if she was truly angry.

“H, how could you say such a ridiculous thing…! However, I am worried that the faith of the kingdom’s citizens who desire unification will be shaken.”

‘Wow.’

Jeong Yushin’s eyes widened.

He was amazed.

He couldn’t help but admire the old head who showed extreme respect but said everything he wanted to say.

‘There’s no sly old fox like him.’

Elasein crossed her arms and glared at the old elf.

“So, what do you want?”

“I want you to take this unworthy son, Joffrey, back. Even if it’s the lowest position in the guard, please…”

Jeong Yushin scratched his head.

‘It’s not easy.’

To summarize the situation.

The retired head of the Underwood family felt like his family was being pushed out of power, so he immediately caught the runaway fiancé and threatened Elasein to take Joffrey back, using the cause of the kingdom’s unification, right?

Looking at that old man’s eyes, he seemed to have already accepted death.

On the other hand, Joffrey was hanging his head low.

“You unworthy fellow!!! Say something!!!”

The old head snarled fiercely.

Joffrey raised his head and looked at Elasein.

No.

He looked directly at Jeong Yushin.

“Your Majesty, I have committed a crime worthy of death.”

“You know it well.”

“But if you give me another chance, I will protect you with all my heart.”

“I don’t need it.”

“…Could it be because of that Barbaroi man?”

“…?”

“Why is an outsider wearing the White Lion Armor that only the kingdom’s guard captain can wear? Look at him. Isn’t he just an ugly man with bulging muscles? The kingdom’s citizens will definitely look at him with strange eyes.”

A vein popped out on Elasein’s neck.

“Joffrey!!!”

The fierce voice echoed through the audience chamber.

On the other hand, Jeong Yushin tilted his head.

‘Am I ugly?’

This is a bit controversial.

Just as Elasein was about to shout again.

Jeong Yushin took a step forward.

“Hey, Dick-head.”

When Jeong Yushin’s voice rang out, the audience chamber became quiet.

“…”

“You said I’m ugly? This son of a bitch is not going to get away with this. Follow me to the central plaza. It’s a duel.”

Joffrey’s eyes widened.

“W-what?! How dare you, to the Underwood family…!”

“How dare I what. I’m Ska, the next Barbaroi chief. You son of a bitch.”

“…!”

Joffrey’s mouth dropped open.

Jeong Yushin’s eyes flashed as he cracked his neck.

Crack.

He can tolerate other insults, but he can’t tolerate being called ugly.

“Let’s compete with strength to see who is more handsome.”