It’s not because he’s broad-minded, but because he’s afraid of my threats.

But I didn’t bother saying that aloud, instead closing my eyes while holding Sikar’s hand.

Perhaps because he felt at ease? Somehow, my heart also grew calm.

“Following your advice, Madam, it’s best to stay quietly in the palace today. After all, it’s our first day here.”

“In the place where I used to live, there’s a saying: if you listen well to your wife, you’ll even find rice cakes while asleep.”

“Ah, you mean if you listen well to elders, you’ll find rice cakes even while asleep. I know that proverb from where you lived too.”

His memory is so good—he knows it even more accurately than I do.

Come to think of it, since arriving at the palace, I’ve noticed Sikar consistently addressing me as “Madam.”

What’s this new change about?

“Hey, Sikar.”

“Hmm?”

“Why do you keep calling me ‘Madam’ since we came here?”

“Because it’s only proper to address you that way. So you should also start consistently calling me ‘darling’ from now on…”

“I’ll just call you ‘Duke.’”

Sikar looked at me with a disappointed expression, as if he’d really wanted to hear me say “darling.”

“We even agreed to call each other ‘darling’ when we made our contract, yet you’ve never once called me that.”

I coughed awkwardly a few times and stood up.

“I think I haven’t finished unpacking yet—I should go organize things now.”

“Unpacking is what maids are for. By the way, have you asked Hersia to become your lady-in-waiting?”

“Not yet. Now that we’re in the palace, I’ll ask her soon. But honestly, I think Seo Yeon would be fine too.”

“Seo Yeon will refuse because of the twins. And since Hersia knows royal etiquette better, if you need someone, you should pick someone well-versed in court protocol.”

True. I’ve grown close to Hersia, but after learning of Seo Yeon’s existence, I must have unconsciously preferred her because she felt so comfortable.

“Using Hersia is better in many ways. There are still people who bring up the execution of the Moviart family. If Hersia becomes your lady-in-waiting, no one will dare question that matter again.”

“There are still such people around?”

“They’re scheming to latch onto anything they can, hoping to gain credit by exploiting it.”

Is everyone blinded by ambition just because the king is young?

“By the way, what do you plan to do about Gillian? Will you keep him imprisoned?”

“I was actually planning to meet Gillian today. I still have things to say to him.”

“Things to say?”

“He’s dangled bait before me, and today seems like the right time to bite.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sikar smiled pleasantly and gently brushed my cheek with his index finger.

“Anyway, I’ll be back soon—go ahead and bathe first.”

His instruction to “bathe” sounded oddly suggestive, making me bristle.

“I’ll bathe when I want—why are you nagging me about it?”

“There’s only one bathroom. I said that because you need to bathe first before I can. What indecent thoughts did you have?”

He was right. Feeling instantly embarrassed, my voice lowered.

“No, I—I just meant that’s what I meant to say.”

“Hmm. It sounded very much like you meant something else?”

“Misunderstanding. Just a misunderstanding. You’re busy—go on ahead.”

Sikar hesitated to leave me alone, standing still for a moment before speaking.

“If you’re bored, ask the boutique to send over a catalog—do some shopping.”

“Catalog?”

“This is Recador. Just call, and the boutique will deliver it. Actually, I’ll tell Andrea to arrange it.”

Shopping… Shopping is nice. But appearing to summon boutique staff for shopping right after entering the palace wouldn’t look good.

“Ah, no. Forget it. The timing isn’t right now. People might get the impression that Kian’s royal mother enjoys shopping and luxury. I’ll shop later.”

“No need to worry about appearances. Right now, you’re the highest authority in all of Recador. No one holds more power than the king’s mother.”

“In that case, I’d rather use that power for the king’s sake—so it’s fine.”

Sikar gazed at me for a moment, then kissed my forehead.

“You think so beautifully and deeply. To leave such a wife behind and go meet someone like Gillian… I don’t want to go, but I must verify something.”

“Mm. Come back safely.”

Even as he left, Sikar turned toward me with a bright, cheerful smile. Seeing him smile so radiantly made my heart flutter.

I should tidy up the room while Sikar is away.

Perhaps because I was in a good mood, I found myself humming.

“I thought you’d deliberately pretend to be unaffected and arrive later, but you came sooner than I expected. Of course—you must be in a hurry since your wife is disappearing.”

Seeing Gillian smile so confidently, as if he held all the keys, made Sikar’s stomach churn.

“I’m simply not idle enough to dwell on trash like you—that’s why I’m late. But watching you wag your deceitful tongue like a snake makes me consider just killing you outright.”

“This isn’t the time to act so leisurely. If I die, who knows when or how your wife might vanish?”

“Speak now. Why do the black-eyed humans disappear? What conditions must be fulfilled for them to vanish?”

“You think I’ll give away such precious information so easily? No way. Provide me with a residence and servants. Unless you support me as luxuriously as before, I will never open my mouth.”

“That’s not difficult.”

“Swear it.”

“As you know, this body is cursed—I cannot swear oaths. Even if I did, they’d have no effect.”

“So Kian still lacks the skill to lift your curse, I see.”

“Be grateful you’re alive because of it. Had the king been just a little older, you’d be ashes by now.”

Gillian nodded as if he finally understood.

“Right. Kian is the son of the Fire Spirit Master. I saw it that day—he possesses terrifying power capable of burning spirits to cinders. Huh. Impressive for a child.”

“He’ll become far more impressive than you can imagine later on.”

“You sound like a parent boasting about their child.”

“I have no intention of chattering nonsense with you, Gillian. Consider this a warning—don’t entertain foolish thoughts. You’ll never escape this place anyway.”

“I have no intention of leaving. Even if I did, I’d be lucky to avoid being stoned to death. As I said, if you meet my demands, I’ll live quietly without complaint. Since you can’t swear, I’ll tell you the conditions for the black-eyed humans’ disappearance on the day I move into my new home.”

“If what you say is nonsense or untrue, I’ll throw you back into prison.”

“You’d better prepare to repay your debt to me, Sikar.”

Sikar smiled bitterly, but he couldn’t help the unease swelling inside him.

Leaving the prison, he headed straight to Reidox’s office to arrange Gillian’s new residence quickly.

By evening, wind blew through the wide-open windows. Outside, beneath the lamplight, the fully bloomed roses looked breathtakingly beautiful.

It was even more precious and beautiful because this garden, prepared by Kian just for me, was one of a kind in the world.

Why is my heart fluttering so much today?

Is it because it’s our first day in the palace?

I thought about it, but the sound that kept echoing in my ears was Sikar’s softly murmured “I love you.”

The more I thought of it, the more it tickled my ears and made my heart race.

As I prepared to go for a walk in the garden—which I hadn’t properly explored during the day—Mei Li hurriedly followed me out, holding a shawl.

“Madam, the evening breeze from the lake reaches here—it’s chilly.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll come with you, Madam. Today is your first time in the palace.”

“It’s safe here in the palace—you can go back inside.”

“But His Grace specifically asked me to always follow you when there’s no lady-in-waiting present.”

“He ‘asked,’ not ordered?”

“Yes. He said ‘asked.’”

Knowing his personality, the fact that he “asked” instead of ordered made it feel even heavier than a command.

“Why would he do that? The palace is safer than the Duke’s residence.”

“I’m not sure either, but perhaps His Grace thinks the palace is more dangerous?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure. Well then, Mei Li, if you want to join the walk, put on your shawl and come out.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Mei Li smiled brightly, went inside, and quickly returned wearing the shawl.

The shawl she wore was just an ordinary plain cotton one. I should buy her a new one when I buy clothes next time.

Mei Li followed me at a slight distance. The garden, entirely blooming with roses, was stunningly beautiful.

After a storm has passed, how precious these quiet, peaceful moments become.

Peace is truly wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

“The garden is really beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It’s so beautiful you can clearly see His Majesty’s care, Madam.”

“Yes. I should come out here for walks more often.”

“Next time, it would be even nicer to walk together with the future heir.”

Is she referring to a second child between Sikar and me?

I stopped walking and turned around.

“Mei Li, that’s really not something you should say…”

When I turned, Sikar was standing there. Mei Li, standing beside him, smiled sheepishly and bowed her head.

“I’ll go back inside then!”

I should’ve realized—Mei Li doesn’t usually say things like that. Sikar must have prompted her.

“Don’t obsess too much over a second child.”

“I don’t want to obsess either, but I can’t help it. The more adorable the king appears, the stronger my desire to have a child quickly becomes.”

My face flushed at the mention of children, so I immediately turned my head and resumed walking through the garden. Sikar then approached my side and took my hand.

“Evening walks aren’t bad.”

Not just “not bad”—they were wonderful. After all, this was the palace where Kian lived.

Though the night deepened, after strolling a little longer through the beautiful garden with its cool breeze, we returned to our room.

We lay down on our respective beds after preparing for sleep, but since the two beds were placed side by side, it was no different from sharing one bed.

Sikar chose the bed by the window. Since he claimed he needed to block any cold drafts that might come through, I let him have it.

As I closed my eyes to sleep, something slid softly behind my neck—Sikar’s arm.

He soon wrapped his arm inward, pulling me into his embrace.

“I can wait to have a child, but I can’t bear sleeping apart.”

Truthfully, I didn’t dislike it. No—I liked it. But I didn’t want to seem too eager, so I replied with feigned aloofness.

“I’ll allow this.”

Surprised that I didn’t refuse, Sikar blinked a few times, then smiled and kissed my forehead.

“This is what they call adorable.”

His words made my heart flutter. And his embrace was so warm.

Nestled in his arms, I drifted peacefully into sleep, free of all worries.

And the next day.

I woke to Sikar’s hearty laughter.

“What’s happening already in the morning?”

“Look outside the window.”

“Outside the window?”

No—I didn’t even need to look.

Through the large window, a brilliant blue light flooded in. I’d never seen such a blue light coming from outside before.

It resembled a scene I’d once imagined while reading the Blood King novel.

Could this be…

When I looked at Sikar with incredulous eyes, he grinned slyly.

“The blue sun has risen.”