Chapter 12.7

Eventually, the Duke and Duchess of Edrach presented themselves before the King well past the scheduled time. Despite their tardiness, the King showed no signs of anger. Instead, he looked at them with a knowing gaze and smiled warmly.

Under his gaze, Livie couldn’t help but lower her head in embarrassment. Boris, in contrast, seemed completely unaffected.

“Our apologies for the delay.”

While Livie couldn’t lift her head due to the embarrassment that overwhelmed her, Boris, with a composed demeanor, greeted the King.

“It’s understandable.”

The King chuckled knowingly, stroking his beard.

“I understand completely, Duke Edrach.”

He gestured for them to sit.

The two of them weren’t in the King’s audience chamber but in his private quarters—a space reserved for those granted special permission.

The King, having removed the heavy ceremonial cape and decorations he wore during formal audiences, welcomed the newlywed couple in a more relaxed manner. Livie, still somewhat dazed, observed his informal appearance.

“Please, have a seat.”

The King gestured toward the chairs again. Only the minimum number of attendants were present in the room.

Livie cautiously approached one of the chairs prepared for them.

“Livie, this way.”

Boris, perhaps overly attentive, supported her every step. Knowing why he was being so meticulous made Livie’s face flush once more.

It wasn’t until Livie was seated that Boris took his seat as well. His gaze meticulously followed her every movement, as if he were ready to scoop her up and carry her to bed at the slightest stumble.

Though they had spent the same amount of time in bed together, Livie was far more exhausted. She was reminded once again of the stamina knights possessed.

“I’m fine.”

She whispered, glancing at Boris beside her.

“Aren’t we family now? Be at ease.”

The King’s face was full of smiles. He even directed a warm gaze toward Livie. That warm gaze made her feel uneasy, and she struggled not to let it show.

Family.

Every time the King uttered that word, Livie was overcome with strange emotions. No matter how many times she heard it, she couldn’t fully believe it.

Before all this, she had thought of family as simply those who shared the same blood.

But the King had used her, a niece he had never met, for a political marriage simply because of her royal lineage.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Boris expressed his gratitude in a tone that sounded as if he were reading from a script. Livie stole a curious glance at him.

Boris, while polite to the King, showed no signs of nervousness in his presence.

This wasn’t a recent development. Even during their first meeting with the King, and later during the bride negotiations at the round table, Boris had remained composed.

‘Doesn’t he find the King intimidating?’

Livie was puzzled by this realization. Despite being related to the King by blood, she thought of him as a monarch first and couldn’t feel at ease around him.

Having never met him before and not even knowing of their familial connection, it was only natural for her to feel this way.

On the other hand, Boris had always been connected to the King through the relationship of sovereign and subject.

Yet Boris showed no signs of intimidation. He offered the necessary courtesies but didn’t flatter or grovel excessively. He also didn’t speak unnecessarily.

In fact, it was quite the opposite.

The King had elevated the Kalini Knight Order, which Boris had originally formed as a mercenary group, into an official knight order. He had also rewarded Boris’s wartime achievements with land and a title.

The King clearly favored Boris. Even during the bride negotiations, while he hadn’t openly taken sides, he had allowed the situation to tilt in Boris’s favor.

Of course, that wasn’t solely for Boris’s benefit.

“I’m so pleased to have brought the two of you together.”

Whether the phrase “brought together” was accurate or not, Livie smiled at the King in agreement.

“Isn’t it wonderful? The union of my trusted and cherished Knight Commander with my niece. No wonder I’ve always felt drawn to you, Duke Edrach. Perhaps I sensed that we would one day become family.”

As the King’s words grew longer, Livie began to feel uneasy.

‘What is he trying to say?’

Her apprehension proved to be well-founded.

“Why not… live here permanently?”

“What?”

Livie was momentarily stunned and asked again.

“Live here… permanently?”

She must have misheard. Livie blinked rapidly.

“Exactly. Why not stay here in the capital, in this palace, with me?”

The King’s face radiated with a benevolent smile, as if he were offering a great favor. Living in the palace? The King’s unexpected proposal left Livie speechless.

An awkward silence filled the spacious chamber. The corners of the King’s mouth, which had been raised high, trembled slightly.

He had likely expected an immediate “Yes” in response to his suggestion.

“…Well.”

Livie turned to look at Boris beside her. From his profile, she couldn’t discern what he was thinking.

At that moment, Boris subtly turned his head toward her. Their eyes met briefly before he looked away.

‘What is Boris thinking?’

She couldn’t bring herself to ask him directly in the King’s presence. Somehow, she needed to make a decision in this moment.

“It’s such a sudden proposal…”

“Right. It must feel sudden. I’ll give you enough time to think about it.”  

Seeing Livie’s lack of response, the King seemed to decide he needed to persuade her further and brought out another bait.  

“It’s much, no, incomparably better to live here than in that rural corner. This is the center of the Kingdom, where people and goods from across the continent gather. You can have and enjoy whatever you desire.”  

The King’s words made sense. As he said, living in the capital, especially in the royal palace, was undoubtedly a great privilege.  

For those who sought to cling to the King and curry favor, it was exactly that—a chance to live near the King and receive all his favors.  

However, to Livie, the King’s proposal didn’t sound sweet at all.  

The reason for wanting to keep Boris tied to the capital, even offering the palace and inviting them to live together, was all too clear. It felt like poison coated in sweet sugar.  

It is every King’s fervent desire to keep powerful Lords under their control.  

Currently, the most powerful figure in the Kingdom of Sesher was Duke Resette, but it was impossible to keep him under control. Worse, if he stayed in the capital and started a war, there would be no way to stop him.  

On the other hand, Boris—he was the Duke of Edrach, a title personally granted by the King, who even married him to his niece.  

Boris was an easily manageable card, one that the King could wield as a weapon in times of crisis.  

Realizing this, Livie felt a chill run down her spine.  

It seemed the King had calculated that allying with Boris would bring him more benefits than the temporary peace treaty with Duke Resette.  

At first glance, the suggestion to live in the palace sounded appealing. It demonstrated the King’s favor and offered the chance to secure a prominent position in the capital. Naturally, people in the court would envy and praise him.  

But the true intention behind it was far from that.  

‘I have to refuse.’  

But how? Refusing outright would risk offending the King.  

What is Boris thinking? 

Unlike her, he might prefer staying in the palace. After all, Edrach was indeed a countryside territory, as the King said.  

It was far from the capital, with rough roads making trade and supply difficult.  

Edrach was barren land, a place that wouldn’t be a loss to simply give away. Yet, it was still suitable for tying Boris down under the pretense of a fief.  

And the reason he wanted such land was…  

‘Because of me.’  

The only reason the war hero, who risked his life and led them to victory in a war that nearly changed the throne’s owner, received such a backward fief was because he wanted it. And that was because of her.  

‘Otherwise, he would’ve received a better place.’  

Despite risking his life in battle, he ended up with a desolate land. It was undoubtedly a significant loss for him.  

While countless thoughts raced through Livie’s mind, Boris finally spoke.  

“We appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty, but my wife and I will return to our fief.”  

“…….”  

The King’s smile, which had been lingering on his lips, disappeared in an instant like burnt paper.  

Livie, though startled, felt a wave of relief wash over her.  

“Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to stay in the palace? You could appoint a manager to oversee the fief……”  

“The land was personally bestowed by you, Your Majesty. As you mentioned, it is located in a remote area and is underdeveloped, but I believe it has its own merits. To develop the fief, the Lord must reside there and oversee everything. It’s not a place that can be left unattended.”  

Livie felt like clapping at Boris’s smooth and eloquent response. His talent for speaking as if his tongue were oiled never ceased to amaze her in the King’s presence.  

“I intend to renovate and rebuild the fief alongside my wife.”  

“…….”  

The King, momentarily taken aback by the rejection of his proposal, quickly regained his composure and smiled again.  

“I didn’t realize you had such profound thoughts,  Duke of Edrach. And you, Livie, what do you think……”  

“Of course, my husband’s thoughts are my thoughts. I will follow his will.”  

At her words, Boris turned to look at Livie. His affectionate gaze made her heart swell without her realizing it.  

“I will return to the Edrach fief with my husband and live there.”