"This is ridiculous..."
I was reading today's intelligence report from my informants, and before I even got halfway through, I was stunned. Lina had beaten four grown men unconscious by herself and without a scratch.
"Ms. Lina is really strong. Just like Mr. Karen said."
The one who said that was my closest friend and vassal, Anthony. Until a moment ago, he'd been talking to me about his daughter, Grace.
Ever since Grace left on her journey, Anthony had been crying every day. He kept saying he was worried that some boy her age—a merchant, no less—would trick his pure, innocent daughter.
All I could say was that Grace was already an adult. There was no way she'd be foolish enough to get scammed. Also, he should stop playing favorites and go home to spend time with his son.
But apparently what Anthony was really worried about was Grace coming home and announcing she wanted to marry that boy. In other words, he was afraid of having his daughter stolen away.
So Anthony told me to imagine how I'd feel if Sophia said the same thing to me. I didn't want to think about it, but once I did, I had to admit he had a point.
There was no way I'd allow some random punk to steal Sophia from me!
And just then, the informant delivered this report. Which brings us back to the beginning.
"From the conversation, it sounds like Ms. Lina was being underestimated."
"Since Mr. Karen always handled the public side of things, she never had a chance to show her strength."
"Those people are idiots. Lina's been with Karen all this time, do they really think she learned nothing? Idiots."
"You said that twice. Let's keep reading."
I set the report on the table and continued reading with Anthony, who was sitting across from me on the sofa. The rest wasn't as shocking—if anything, it was deeply relatable.
"From what the guildmaster said, he's one of us."
"Exactly. A man can't beat the woman he loves."
Anthony was the type who could never stand firm in front of his wife either.
There was a knock at the door, followed by a very familiar voice.
"Your Majesty, is me."
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing my wife, Leanna. I wondered what urgent matter had brought her here. The moment she stepped in, she looked straight at Anthony. She didn't greet me first, which would normally be rude, but we were family. There was no need to nitpick.
"Brother, Rhea sent someone to ask when you're coming home. Are you crying here again?"
"I'm not crying. These are tears of longing."
"That's the same thing. Hurry home and stop disturbing Edward's rest."
"Sister, how can you treat your dear brother like this? Have you forgotten how good I was to you when we were kids?"
I only remembered Leanna being annoyed by Anthony's overprotectiveness. Still, watching them bicker was entertaining.
"If you don't go home now, Rhea's going to make you sleep outside."
"That won't do! Edward, Leanna, I'll take my leave. Goodbye!"
"Go on."
"Have a pleasant evening."
Anthony jumped to his feet and rushed out in a panic. His wife, Rhea, really would make him sleep outside.
Rhea was Anthony and Leanna's childhood friend. Although I'd known my best friend and my wife since childhood, I didn't meet Rhea until I was seventeen.
My first impression of her was that she was extremely jealous. The first time we met, she tried to intimidate me, aggressively declaring that her bond with Anthony was the strongest and that there was no room for me between them.
I was baffled. When had I offended her? It wasn't like I was going to marry Anthony. Leanna later explained that it was all Anthony's fault. He hadn't noticed Rhea's feelings and spent all day talking to her about me.
Naturally, Rhea sensed a romantic rival and treated me accordingly. But since she acted like that every time we met, it became a real problem. So I put in a great deal of effort to make Anthony realize her feelings.
Eventually he woke up to the truth and proposed to Rhea on the spot. She tearfully accepted, and everything ended happily. She stopped seeing me as an enemy.
…Or at least it should have. In reality, she still viewed me as a rival, because the emotionally clueless Anthony kept talking about me to her.
So Rhea remained unhappy. Recently, because of Grace, Anthony had been spending even more time at the castle complaining to me. A few days ago, Rhea finally snapped and used the time limit as an excuse to make him sleep outside the bedroom.
Although Anthony was head of his household, he served as my personal guard and commander of the knights, so the family itself was managed by Rhea.
Leanna told me that, in the eyes of the attendants, Rhea's word carried more weight than Anthony's. But aside from matters involving Grace, Anthony was easygoing and didn't mind. I didn't feel the need to interfere. As long as the couple was happy, that was enough.
As for Rhea's personality, I suspected it was only a matter of time before she locked Anthony in the house under the pretense that he was sick, preventing him from coming to complain to me. Honestly… that might be for the best. Listening to the same story every day was exhausting.
Maybe I should start telling him, "If you don't go home, you're not allowed to complain when Rhea locks you in later."
Leanna and I had been married for twenty years. When she spoke to Anthony, she was already assuming he'd be sleeping outside. Then she sat down beside me.
"Edward, what were you talking about with my brother?"
"Do you remember Karen's third request?"
This report existed because Karen had asked me to send informants—to gather proof that would protect Lina.
"To record any trouble Lina gets dragged into, and permit her actions."
Leanna answered with a hint of displeasure. She still hadn't forgiven Lina for hitting Steve.
Karen had hit Steve too, but Leanna wasn't upset about that. In her heart, cake ranked higher than I did. My suffering was immeasurable. If I complained, I wouldn't get any sleep tonight.
"This is today's report."
I handed it to her. She read it and sighed.
"Lina lacks feminine refinement. She's too violent."
"You can't say that. She did it to stop harassment."
"But did she have to go that far? She beat them black and blue and knocked them out."
Some would say her actions weren't ladylike. But after watching Karen, I'd realized something.
Lina was a commoner. She didn't need to live by noble rules. She could live honestly and speak plainly.
Karen had shown me that power wasn't the highest authority—strength was. Strength earned recognition, respect, and fear. And Lina had demonstrated overwhelming strength.
So I told Leanna:
"You were underestimated too, once. You made them submit with your intelligence. But Lina's environment is different. Among adventurers, strength is everything."
"So different environments require different methods?"
"Exactly. Her actions don't mean she lacks refinement. Think about how she behaves at home."
"She's polite. Her posture is better than most noble ladies. But she still hit Steve."
Leanna was still hung up on that. If Lina brought her cake, she'd probably forget the whole thing. Speaking of Steve, though, I was furious.
"That was Steve's fault! He embarrassed me. And I still haven't heard a single word about him clearing Elena's name. Does he even intend to act?!"
It had been half a month. I hadn't heard anything about resolving Elena's false accusation. Steve already knew how she felt and was still dragging his feet.
Leanna took my hand and calmed me.
"Don't be angry. He's not as clever as you. He just needs more time."
"How can I trust him with the throne like this? I want to abdicate early and enjoy a peaceful life with you."
My father handed me the throne when I was nineteen, then spent his days traveling with my mother. Whenever he returned, he'd brag about mountains and lakes so beautiful they made me jealous.
My words made Leanna blush. She hid her face behind her fan and said shyly:
"Are you asking me to travel to Mekidebush
with you?"
A famous tourist nation. My father said everyone had to visit it once in their lifetime. It was full of breathtaking sights and the lovers' lake, Abyss Lake.
But it was far away. We couldn't go without settling our affairs. That's why I wanted Steve to inherit the king crown soon.
Still, why stop at one country? I wanted to travel the world with her like my parents had.
"I don't care where. I just want to travel with you."
"Edward..."
She closed her fan and leaned against my shoulder. No matter how many years passed, she was still adorable.
I stroked her cheek and said reluctantly:
"But I'm getting older. I sit all day working. I don't even train anymore. I wish I could travel with you without guards."
In front of others, she was a brilliant queen. With me, she was forever a girl in love.
That's why I wanted to pass the throne early and travel with her freely.
Suddenly she pulled away, glaring at me.
"How can you say that?! You're still young! You're full of energy every day! I won't allow you to talk like that. Come—we're going to the bedroom!"
She grabbed my arm and tried dragging me away.
"W-wait! We haven't had dinner!"
"Then we'll eat quickly. I'll push Steve harder. You'll have time to train."
She smiled radiantly. I could never win against the woman I loved. Looks like I wasn't sleeping tonight.
"I can't refuse you. Tell the chef to prepare something that boosts stamina."
"Yes, sir~!"
Her playful tone reminded me of our youth. I almost skipped dinner entirely and carried her straight to the bedroom.
(No. Endure. The night is long. I must prepare supplies.)
Later, we drank fine wine in the glow of the garden lights and… exercised thoroughly.
Afterward, I resolved to make time to train again. For the sake of traveling with Leanna, I had to regain my former strength.
But before that, there was one more urgent matter.
Karen needed to come back soon.