Chapter 369: Shared Hardships (1)
Morning had dawned.
Lloyd opened his eyes, bloodshot and sore.
“…”
His back ached, his shoulders were stiff, his thighs were tense, and his right hand was numb.
Well, it was to be expected.
‘I stayed in this position all night, lying beside the bed. Ugh.’
He hadn’t lain down all night.
His right hand was bound to the Queen’s left hand.
If he wanted to lie down?
He would have to lie next to her on her left side, meaning they would share a bed.
‘If I dared to do that, I wouldn’t blame her if she chopped my head off.’
In the end, there was only one option.
He placed a chair beside the Queen’s bed.
He had to sit on the chair, awkwardly leaning his upper body on the bed.
Like in school, sleeping with his head on his desk.
He stretched out his bound right hand while trying to sleep.
Of course, sleep didn’t come.
‘I didn’t get a wink of sleep.’
He sighed deeply.
The position was too uncomfortable to sleep.
Moreover, he had to continuously infuse mana into the Queen’s left arm, as promised.
But it was harder than he thought.
‘The Queen’s mana heart is bigger than mine, so forcing mana in is tough.’
Mana was like water or air, flowing from high to low pressure.
But the Queen’s mana pressure was higher than his.
Because she had a stronger and larger mana heart, her overall mana pressure was higher.
So, to infuse mana into her left hand, he had to concentrate constantly.
If his focus wavered, the mana flow would reverse.
The Queen’s mana would flow into him.
‘That can’t happen. I have to keep infusing my mana to force her left arm’s mana to circulate.’
It was like a blood transfusion.
He had to minimize interruptions.
He couldn’t lose focus.
He had to stay alert all night.
As a result, he didn’t sleep at all.
But there was one very strange thing.
“…Did Your Majesty also not sleep?”
“Of course not.”
When had she woken up?
The Queen, still lying down, turned her head to stare at him.
Her eyes, too, were bloodshot, as if she hadn’t slept either.
She grumbled,
“Because of you, I couldn’t sleep at all.”
“…Pardon?”
“Sometimes it was hot, then cold, then prickly, and sometimes oddly soft.”
“Uh, hmm.”
“I’m talking about my left arm. The mana you infused made it feel strange all night.”
“I deeply apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Spare me your apologies.”
“…”
“And why were you groaning all night? I wondered if infusing mana was that hard, but I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to burden you more.”
“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.”
“Spare me.”
“…”
“Was your sleeping position uncomfortable?”
“Well…”
“Speak honestly.”
“Yes, it was extremely, incredibly uncomfortable.”
“Hmm. I thought so. Why didn’t you say something?”
“How could I dare?”
“You were afraid to ask if you could lie beside me?”
“…”
“Right. You think that’s a serious matter?”
She smiled faintly, but his heart pounded anxiously.
“But, Your Majesty, that would be highly improper…”
“Wasn’t it improper enough to spend the night in the same room?”
“…”
“Just from last night’s events, you could be severely punished for treason. Didn’t you consider that when you made the suggestion?”
“I did, Your Majesty.”
“You did?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then why are you so timid now?”
“Uh, it’s because I’m in front of Your Majesty.”
“Were you embarrassed?”
“No, Your Majesty!”
“Or were you shy?”
“Not at all!”
“Really?”
“Of course, Your Majesty!”
“Then why are you raising your voice to me?”
“…Gah.”
“Hah. I understand your feelings. You must have been very desperate to deny it so fervently.”
“Your Majesty?”
“I’ll have the chamberlain prepare a cot for you beside my bed. That way, we won’t share the same bed, and you’ll feel less burdened.”
“Your grace is immeasurable.”
“Spare me your gratitude.”
She turned to face him, grumbling.
Her hair was tousled, her gaze soft in the morning light, and she wore a comfortable nightgown.
Lloyd quickly said,
“Uh, then I should untie our hands so we can change clothes.”
“Yes, before the chamberlain comes and faints in shock.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. At least if we’re dressed, it might prevent a real panic.”
“I agree.”
They untied the leather strap.
The red marks on their wrists were slightly embarrassing.
The Queen walked across her vast bedroom to the other side.
He could hear the rustling of clothes as she changed behind a partition.
Her voice called out,
“I have a question, though.”
“Please ask, Your Majesty.”
“Why you?”
“Pardon?”
“Why are you the one doing this instead of Sir Asrahan?”
Her question continued,
“Last night, as I tossed and turned, I wondered about the Asrahan Method. It’s named after him, so he must be more skilled at it.”
“Yes, that’s true, Your Majesty.”
“And he’s a Grand Master.”
“That’s also correct, Your Majesty.”
“So why are you here?”
“Well…”
Because Javier’s too handsome for my peace of mind…
He dismissed that thought and gave a more rational answer.
“As Your Majesty knows, he is a genius in swordsmanship.”
“I know. Sir Asrahan is no ordinary genius.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. He’s probably a genius that will be remembered in history. That’s why.”
“Because he’s too much of a genius? Because he wouldn’t understand our struggles?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd nodded, speaking carefully toward the partition where the Queen was.
“To him, the Asrahan Method is as natural as breathing. He wouldn’t understand the difficulties people like us face. He’d wonder why we couldn’t do something so easy.”
“Hah. Because his perspective is different.”
“Exactly, Your Majesty.”
It was true. Javier was an extraordinary genius.
He wouldn’t understand the Queen’s struggles to learn the Asrahan Method.
To him, it would be as easy as drinking water or eating food.
“He couldn’t understand why it’s hard for us to do something so easy.”
“So I had to take on this task instead of Sir Asrahan, to match Your Majesty’s level.”
“Hm.”
“Also, considering the importance of this matter, I thought it would be best if I, who came up with the plan, assist Your Majesty directly and make quick decisions.”
“Hm.”
“And also, I apologize, but I believe I can handle the gossip better than Sir Asrahan.”
“Hm.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you keep making that sound?”
“Nothing. Just struck by how flimsy your excuses are.”
“…Pardon?”
“Can’t you just say you wanted to do it?”
“…Pardon?”
“If you don’t answer, today’s schedule will be filled with sparring.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I wanted to do it. I wanted to be with you more than Sir Asrahan. That’s my true feeling.”
“Tsk. You must really dislike sparring.”
“…”
“Anyway, I appreciate your concern. Now come here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He went behind the partition.
The Queen, now dressed, extended her hand.
“Tie it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
They struggled again, tying the knot.
Just as they finished the last knot, they heard a signal from outside the bedroom.
Ding, ding.
The clear sound of bells rang twice.
Then the chamberlain’s respectful voice followed.
“Your Majesty, I humbly offer my morning greetings.”
“Enter.”
The Queen responded naturally, as if it was routine.
As expected, the chamberlain and the maids entered the bedroom… and froze.
“Your Majesty…?”
The chamberlain’s voice trembled.
Lloyd thought it wasn’t an illusion.
The chamberlain’s face turned pale.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
The shocked chamberlain’s eyes darted back and forth between the Queen and Lloyd.
The Queen’s response was unexpectedly natural.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“Y-Your Majesty, it’s just…”
“Are you shocked to see me and Earl Frontera together in the morning?”
“That’s…”
“Or are you stunned by the thought that we spent the night together?”
“That’s…”
“It’s fine. Your assumptions are correct.”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“Calm down. Nothing inappropriate happened. We’re just doing this for a reason.”
The Queen was more composed and dignified than he expected.
As if this were no big deal.
She continued,
“And even if Earl Frontera and I were more than friends, what’s the big deal? Do you plan to interfere with my choice of partner?”
“That’s not…”
“Good. I know you’re concerned about the royal family’s reputation. But there’s no need to worry. This won’t disgrace the royal family.”
She gave a wry smile.
“I assure you, we’re conducting special joint training to explore a new level of swordsmanship. You see our bound hands?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“These bound hands are the evidence. Proceed with the morning routine as usual, Chamberlain.”
“As you command, Your Majesty. But… what about your attire and breakfast?”
“As you see, I’m already dressed, and I’ll go to the dining hall for breakfast. I’ll need your help with makeup.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
The chamberlain bowed, sweating profusely.
He still seemed half out of his mind from the unexpected situation.
‘Wow. I’ve caused a huge inconvenience to the chamberlain.’
Seeing him retreat hastily, Lloyd felt a pang of guilt.
Then,
“One more thing.”
The Queen stopped the chamberlain and issued an unexpected order.
“Chamberlain, inform the House of Nobles that I will be attending today.”
“Pardon?”
The chamberlain’s eyes widened.
The Queen smiled and said,
“Why are you so surprised? Did you think I’d only be seen like this in the palace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Of course…”
“This is part of our training, and I have no intention of hiding it from anyone.”
“…”
“Just like you reacted earlier, the nobles will also express serious concerns and doubts. I will address them at the House of Nobles.”
With an air of inevitability, the Queen declared confidently.
It was as if she was announcing that anyone who questioned their relationship would get their head smashed in.
