45 – Chapter 45 – Battling Weakness in Another World
His face drained of color. Joodeok’s complexion quickly darkened.
Why did she suddenly ask him to leave?
Was there a problem with his life in the castle?
Joodeok recalled his recent mundane days.
Waking up in the afternoon, he ate whatever was prepared for him in the castle. He always lounged in bed and enjoyed his days and nights reversed.
He rarely went outside. A night walk occasionally, otherwise he was immersed in nonstop gaming for 20 hours.
Where was the problem in this life?
‘Is everything a problem?’
There’s no problem if you live alone, but for others it’s not a very pleasant sight.
Didn’t he seem pathetic to the Queen?
Even though she took care of him, would she want to support a jobless person forever who does nothing for himself?
Even the Buddha would be like ‘Hmmm that’s a bit problematic,’ and take a moment to think about this matter.
‘Is that so?’
As a result, she must have made this choice.
Could you please go outside! The Queen is also a person, a person!
He could anticipate that the Queen’s patience had reached its limit.
‘You have an extra mouth there.’
Joodeok’s eyes sneakily darted to the side.
The woman who became jobless when she was supposed to be his escort.
Jobless Joodeok followed by the jobless(?) knight.
She too, completely played the role of the perfect jobless person.
For several years, her shamelessness, as if she was freeloadings on others, was at its peak.
A knight protecting the continent couldn’t possibly, but through Joodeok’s eyes, it seemed so.
‘It seems reasonable when observing from this perspective?’
If rumors spread about these parasites clinging to the palace like lint, no matter how you look at it, it won’t bode well.
Naturally, the queen would also be concerned.
According to Beetle’s extensive experience of being jobless, this was a dangerous situation.
– Are they working? ×
– Are they helping at home? ×
– Are they pleasing to the heart? ×
Three strikes and you’re out in the test of joblessness endurance…!
Beetle’s internal test indicated a crisis.
He had only one option left.
“Please don’t kick me out, even if I have to survive on bread and corn soup three times a day….”
Beetle’s last resort… Begging on his knees!
Can’t we call it a tie…?
He expressed his determination not to give up this comfortable life.
“Huh?”
The effect was tremendous!
She was taken aback and rose from her seat.
“Beetle…?”
“Crying… Even if I’m an unemployed loner who continually wastes food, kicking me out…!”
“No… That’s not it…”
“I will clean my own room… I can eat by myself…! So I won’t be noticeable to others…!”
He shed tears, recalling his unfortunate school days.
The memory of a pretty sister snatching his coin on the way home…! The sorrow of his young days when he couldn’t afford a Pikachu cutlet!
He pleaded for sympathy with his tears.
Kneeling and begging, followed by continuously shedding tears without a break.
He landed a double punch combo for sure, successfully stunning the queen.
“I want to stay in the palace… Sob….”
“Well, you can stay but….”
“Wow! Seriously?”
“You may get tangled up in annoying things….”
“Huh?”
Annoying task?
To Joojak, an annoying task was doing things like sun drying and picking off fuzzy lint on the weekends.
“That’s… the reason why Joojak was asked to leave the palace.”
“What reason?”
“…I should start from the beginning.”
She was retracing her memory as she spoke.
“What happened was…”
The empire exposed its desire to absorb the kingdom.
But starting a war could lead other countries to join.
So they used a method of setting traps and choking them from different directions.
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“It’s a story about one of those traps.”
Instead of a sweet reward, it was a condition laid out.
In the event that a relationship developed with Joojak, they would allow the empire an opportunity to connect as well.
And they would provide any information obtained from him to the empire.
In the current situation, this doesn’t make sense. It’s an extremely unreasonable condition.
But… did they expect this?
She had accepted the condition because she never thought that she would be with Joojak so quickly. And for such a long time.
For Beatrix, who couldn’t see the future, it was an inevitable outcome.
“That’s how it happened.”
“They’re bad guys.”
Joojak nodded in agreement, fuming with anger.
To propose a fair and good contract like this.
How could they do such an extremely ruthless act?
Isn’t that an insult to our generous queen?
“But what does me leaving the palace have to do with this…?”
“I was thinking about setting up a place for you outside the palace, Joojak.”
Her thought process was a mystery.
She had made contact with Joojak, but pretended that she hadn’t.
If the Empire were to make a fuss, she intended to deny everything due to lack of evidence.
By chance, Joojak had settled in the capital of the kingdom, but this had no connection with the queen.
“How can you say anything without evidence?”
The queen planned to audaciously press on.
“What conditions did the empire impose?”
“Establishing contact with Juddak.”
“Just talking with the imperial side?”
“I presume… They’d like to meet. Because Juddak is a subject of persuasion to them too.”
“Hmm. I have no intention of accepting their persuasion. I’m wondering how to repel the empire.”
Juddak tossed a mental coin.
Considering, isn’t the queen who brings joy to eyes better than the emperor?
However, it was hard to only observe the current situation.
‘The empire is coveting me and the kingdom?’
From the empire’s perspective, Juddak and the kingdom are somewhat of a troublesome yet enticing existence.
If this situation is handled, will it be okay next time as well? They will cling again.
“Hmm…”
Juddak thought about the continent’s situation, which was organized based on the gallery. He recalled the national characteristics.
The empire is more persistent and obstinate than imagined.
The possibility of the empire annoying in succession after attacking the kingdom is high.
If it stresses the queen.
Her perfect body balance could collapse.
If that affects the breastmilk…
That must be avoided!
‘Such precious breastmilk like the gallery…’
Seeing Juddak straining his brains, Beatrice turned her head slightly.
“I’m sorry for creating such a mess…”
“No, the emperor is the bad one.”
Anyway, the emperor is the bad guy.
The queen who has the potential to abundantly feed the husband and the baby is the good person.
“I hope Juddak wouldn’t get involved in vain. I will find the solution myself.”
“Oh.”
“If it bothers Juddak, it’s troublesome because of the Kingdom’s affairs.”
“It’s not a nuisance. And….”
I’ve discovered a single flaw, and it no longer seems to pertain to others.
“Even if I leave the palace, the Empire would still approach me, wouldn’t it?”
“Probably… yes.”
“Even if I listen to the Queen’s request, not everything would be resolved, would it?”
“That’s….”
It was nothing more than a stopgap.
She knew it, but putting out the urgent fire was a top priority, so she deliberately ignored it.
This choice would overcome the current crisis, but the next one was bound to come.
Even if it had nothing to do with the kingdom, even if they ignored the current issue.
The Empire was likely to approach me again.
“Then let’s think about another way.”
“That’s… yes. I understand.”
“The reason the Empire is interested in me is for seduction, you said?”
“I see that as the most likely possibility.”
“Hm. But I have no intentions of leaving the kingdom.”
I realized I liked staying at the palace. How could I leave?
The sight of the queen was a delight, the welfare at its best… There really was no reason to leave.
“Do I have to meet them? Can I say I won’t go and just talk?”
“It’s possible. But… the proposal implied a disadvantage if rejected… I wanted to ignore it as if it didn’t happen.”
“What?”
“The Empire would not have given the contract for free.”
“Wow.”
I was taken aback by the Empire’s wicked way.
How could they create such a situation with seemingly good conditions?
“So, the kingdom is at a disadvantage?”
“Yes… it’s trapped in multiple ways and it’s not easy to escape.”
“Then it would be fine if we have some leverage as well.”
Well, emperors or those in high positions must have at least one weakness.
Almost always, they were vulnerable to the charms of the opposite s*x.
Threatening such people with a Yaz tape was the most extreme among extremes.
“For corporations, they often grab each other by the collar through patents.”
There are many ways. Perhaps, one just needs to choose one of them.
However, Beatrice shook her head.
“He… He’s a person with not much to blemish.”
“Why?”
“Would you like to read this? It’s information about him.”
Jutak accepted the stack of papers she handed over.
“What.”
How could there be such a person?
To Jutak, who toiled for 20 hours each day, the contents were shocking.
-The emperor has a severe obsession with self-management.
-He moderates exercise, sleep, and diet daily to ensure none of them are disrupted.
-He goes to bed at 22pm. And wakes up at 6am. He absolutely must stick to his routine.
-There are no hereditary diseases in his family history.
-Tall stature with excellent appearance.
-He has no preferences towards women or strange hobbies.
-He has excellent political skills to manage all parts of the empire.
-He shows great interest in the gallery.
-He is cognizant of the political situation on the continent.
How could a human live like this?
How could such a fellow possess both appearance and height?
Please, at least 3 centimeters. Please.
A sentence caught Jutak’s eyes as he was muttering to himself.
“?”.
It seems the world is still liveable.
Even the emperor wasn’t a perfect being after all.
-He is currently worried about losing hair.
This… this may solve the problem easily?
“He has a weakness.”
At his firm words, Beatrice emitted a puzzled voice.
“Really…?”
There seemed to be no apparent weaknesses, no matter how many times she read over the document?
However, the emotion reflected in Jude’s eyes was conviction.
“So, I think you don’t need to worry?”
“A weakness… it couldn’t possibly be…”
“No, it’s certain. So, you don’t have to worry too much.”
“Is that truly so…”
Upon his words filled with conviction, Beatrice felt a knot in her chest untangling.
Even the emperor had a weakness!
Then… she could regain control by grasping the emperor’s weakness.
“Let’s handle both the kingdom and my issue with this.”
“…”
Why was Jude going to such lengths, even though this wasn’t his problem?
Watching Jude speak as though it was obvious.
Beatrice clenched her lips shut.
“Now that everything is done…”
“Jude… Considering how troubled you’ve been, wouldn’t you like to enjoy some tea?”
As Jude was preparing to leave, she stopped him.
She felt it would be impolite to just let him leave, and wanted to spend some time together, even if just briefly…
She lured him back to his seat and served waffle cookies, which they had enjoyed before.
“Wow. So good. To be able to eat this heavenly snack again, it makes my tears flow…”
“There’s more, so feel free to have as many as you want.”
“It’s no joke. Hmm. Do you also play chess, Your Majesty?”
He motioned toward a chessboard set off to one side of the shelf.
“Chess…?”
“Yes, it’s currently trending in the gallery.”
“I’m usually quite indifferent to such trends…”
“Then how about we take a break, and play a game of chess?”
“Chess… It’s been a while.”
She took out the chess set she’d tucked away long ago.
She attended to the marble chess pieces and board, each piece carved by an artisan, glancing at him.
And she recalled the uneasy moment.
‘…I thought he would be upset.’
To be brought into the palace and asked to leave suddenly.
She naturally thought he would be angry at such a request.
But he let it slide as if it were nothing…
Even extending a helping hand.
‘How… can he be like this?’
These weren’t his problems. Yet he treated them as his own.
If it were Queen Beatrice in the same situation…
She was certain she wouldn’t have reacted in the same way.
Setting aside her feelings. Considering the other person… Focusing on solving the problem at hand.
It’s difficult to prioritize other people’s affairs above all else.
It’s so hard, that not everyone can do it.
It must have been a difficult decision for him, an average man.
‘This chess game is the same…’
Before the mood could turn sour and uncomfortable, he suggested the chess game.
‘His concern in shifting the atmosphere… perhaps to prevent me from feeling guilty.’
She asked too much of him. The words she said before even turned out to be a lie.
The pressure from the empire was suffocating.
To escape from all these circumstances and constraints.
He helped as if it were his own problem… even suggested chess for a break.
‘How… How can he be so kind?’
All his actions showed thoughtful consideration.
Beatrice made her move and sneaked a glance at him.
“Hmm.”
“Ah…”
She found it hard to make eye contact.
Of course, even earlier, it was difficult to meet his eyes.
Before, it was a pang of conscience. Guilt over having deceived him.
If it was then because of desperation, unable to solve a crisis…
Now, whenever I lock eyes with him, my heart flutters oddly.
I even feel a sweet taste lingering in my mouth.
So, whether I’m playing chess now or not, even my senses seem to fade.
Only being with him.
In this space.
At this time.
These moments we share.
All these stir my heart.
If only it weren’t for his sharp moves.
“Checkmate it is.”
“….”
As the warm air wrapped around the queen…
She upheld her dignity and solid self-esteem fitting of a queen.
“You’re strong. Kiddo.”
“I’ll take the compliment, thanks.”
“So, let’s play another round.”
“Ha. Sure.”
That day, the Queen tasted painful defeat.
***
The Empire cowardly and openly oppressed the Kingdom, causing repercussions.
While Kiddo and the Queen were dealing with the shock…
The Hero’s eyes slowly drifted to the side.
To the bed that Kiddo usually slept in.
The bed…
She swallowed hard.
