In the future, she’ll be my inlaw….

Fortunately, Leydocks was not at all surprised by Sicar’s behavior. After all, he’d been through far worse, so this was nothing.

However, his expression was not particularly good.

“Your grace seems unable to distinguish kindness from temptation.”

“You dare to show kindness to my wife, not realizing how audacious it is.”

Sicar had a servant bring me water, but I no longer felt like drinking.

I stopped hiccuping without even drinking water because I was startled by Sicar.

Leydocks, who had always maintained a serious expression, bowed his head slightly.

“Then, enjoy your time, Duchess of Blake.”

Leydocks left his seat without giving any greeting to Sicar.

“Audacious guy.”

“Sicar. He is Kian’s teacher, and will later become Kian’s fatherinlaw, and your inlaw. But if you treat him so disrespectfully, what will happen?”

“Here, it’s a death sentence to try to tempt an inlaw.”

A death sentence by his own standards.

“He wasn’t trying to tempt me. He just wanted to help me as much as I had helped him.”

“He could have ordered the servant to do it. But audaciously, he handed you the water directly.”

“Our relationship will be awkward if I continue to treat him as before, as he will be my inlaw in the future. Let’s treat him a bit more respectfully.”

“He is the one who upset me first.”

I knew that his notorious temperament wouldn’t change easily, but it seems we still have a long way to go.

“In the future, disregard anyone’s kindness except mine. Got it? Hapie never once accepted what others gave, only what I gave.”

No matter how I look at it, it’s clear he sees me as a pet wife. Definitely.

“So, don’t accept kindness from women either?”

“I make exceptions for women.”

His standards are as arbitrary as his personality.

“Why do you make exceptions for women?”

“Of course, because we’re the same gender.”

“But, listening to you, it sounds strange.”

“What’s strange about it?”

“You, you always hold Bika’s hand.”

“Do you think I hold her hand out of kindness? I do it to see memories. Just as you would hold a knife to attack, to me, memories are just that.”

Well, he’s not wrong.

“You’re jealous of Bika.”

Bika was a bit away from us, but since I knew how sharp her hearing was, I was taken aback.

“Si, Sicar! Watch your words. Why would I be jealous of her!”

“No matter how you look at it, that’s jealousy.”

I whispered so that only Sicar could hear.

“Bika might have heard all of that. Don’t say anything that could be misunderstood by Bika. Please.”

“Bika wouldn’t even care.”

“It bothers me.”

“You don’t need to worry about such nonsense.”

Anyway, it’s better to stop talking about Bika. Let’s change the subject.

“But did that man come with her? I mean, the man from Hersia.”

“Of course.”

“Where is he now?”

“He’s waiting for me in the upstairs guest room. It overlooks the terrace balcony, so it won’t be a problem to wrap up the work.”

Ah, so he deliberately told him to wait on the terrace. It will look natural if he deals with the assassins attacking Hersia while chatting with him today. It’s a wellplanned, safe, and natural plan.

Then, I heard a statement that froze me to the core.

“His Majesty the King has arrived.”

Following the heavy voice of the palace chief, the large inner door of the banquet hall opened, and King Gillian and Dianne entered.

Gillian and Dianne had changed out of their formal wear and into uniforms and dresses. With the arrival of the two, the nobles split to the sides and bowed their heads as if sticking to the walls.

Perhaps it was because of the unfamiliarity with meeting Gillian, but he always exuded an air that took one’s breath away.

The queen was no different. I had calmed down a bit while talking to Sicar, but seeing Gillian made me tense again.

While I was quietly taking a deep breath inside, the royal couple approached us.

Gillian and Sicar exchanged glances and acknowledged each other with a nod. Then, Gillian’s next gaze was on me.

“This is our second meeting, Duchess of Blake.”

No matter how I look at this person, I can’t get used to him.

I felt my head go white, then pulled myself together and greeted him.

“Your majesty, Your Highness. I am grateful for your gracious invitation to this glorious seat in Lecardor.”

Did I do as I practiced? I wasn’t sure because I was so nervous, but judging by Sicar’s unchanged expression, I must have done as he taught me.

Gillian looked at me calmly, with a faint smile.

“The successful royal wedding was thanks to the careful attention of the Blake family to the royal court. I am grateful that you kindly accepted the invitation.”

Is, is he sarcastically suggesting that the Blake family is trying to rise above the royal court?

Sicar should handle such complex relationships, so I just need to do as I’m told.

The queen looked at me with a graceful smile and slightly bowed her head.

“I’ve been wanting to meet the Duchess of Blake.”

“I am grateful for your hospitality, Your Highness.”

The queen gave me a faint smile.