Chapter 40

Before getting into the carriage, I made a slight detour to pick some flowers on my way back and encountered a man with an aura similar to the queen.

He looked at me in surprise, but I tilted my head slightly and bowed politely to avoid being rude.

He approached me with quick steps, dressed in a white ceremonial outfit, red trousers, and leather shoes, and suddenly took my hand and kissed it. I was so surprised that I couldn't react, but since it was over my long glove, I gently pulled my hand away.

He had strong eyes. The same strong, blue-tinged eyes as the queen, and silver hair with a blue tinge, a tall man. He was shorter than Percival but had a sturdy build and a stern expression, like a white lion.

"I am Frey von Krockkus, the crown prince of this country. But, my dear lady, may I ask your name?"

I didn't expect to be called a lady even after getting married, but I suppose I am still young. Perhaps my suspicious behavior in the palace also contributed to it.

However, I must clear up any misunderstanding. I knelt on the corridor and gave the deepest bow, lowering my eyes as I introduced myself. Properly, one should greet nobles this way, and the queen was the exception.

"Nice to meet you, Your Highness. Please forgive my rudeness for not bowing properly. I am Mimosha Shaltee, Percival Shaltee's wife."

"…You are Lady Percival. I apologize for the misunderstanding."

After a moment, he replied. I stood up and bowed again.

"No, I should have introduced myself earlier. Please don't worry. I pray for your good health, Your Highness."

As I was about to leave, he grabbed my hand, not too strongly. What could he possibly want?

"Mrs. Mimosha, I have a request."

"Yes, what is it?"

I asked, puzzled. What could he possibly want from me, a stranger?

"Would you become my concubine?"

"Excuse me?"

The words seemed to enter one ear and exit the other. Concubine.

It's not an unusual custom for a noble wife to become a concubine of the royal family, such as the crown prince or the king.

However, I had just married Percival and had not yet had children. Besides, I had no immunity to anyone but Percival.

As my mind processed the words, my face turned bright red. A concubine, in essence, is a noble role responsible for the… nightly activities.

"Please, I'm in a hurry right now…"

I should have refused immediately, but it was difficult for me. My heart was still too weak to stand up to the strong gaze of the royal family.

I called out to Percival in my mind, but of course, he wouldn't conveniently appear in this situation.

"Could you please let go of my hand, Your Highness?"

He released my arm at the sound of an angry voice. I rushed to the source of the voice and hid in Percival's arms, avoiding the crown prince's gaze. I trembled as I finally understood what had just happened.

"I'm sorry, but my wife cannot be a concubine. I request that you do not make such an offer again, Your Highness."

"Oh, the right to choose a concubine belongs to the king and me, does it not, Lord Percival?"

"This is a personal matter. I have no intention of entrusting Mimosha to you, Prince Frey."

I could feel sparks flying from above my head.

The crown prince gave up for the day. He sighed loudly and said, "Alright, I'll let it go for today. If it's that important, perhaps it's better to keep her close and protect her. She's so delicate, I understand the urge to protect her."

"That's true. When I become your attendant, I will take on the job of protecting women from you, Your Highness."

"Haha, I'll leave it to you. —Until next time, Mrs. Mimosha."

I couldn't respond or turn around, and I heard the sound of his leather shoes fading away while in Percival's arms.

Looking up at Percival with tears in my eyes, he touched my cheek with a relieved expression and tightened his hold on my shoulder.

The pain was comforting, and I felt very reassured.