Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 15.2

* * *

Aristine and Viscount Joaquin strolled slowly by the main palace, enjoying the well-kept gardens. Viscount Joaquin, talkative as he was, also had a way with words, making him a pleasant walking companion.

As they passed a rose bush, Aristine suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

“Shh!”

“…?”

Viscount Joaquin followed her gaze.

In that direction, was Nephther’s manservant, having a secret meeting with Hamill. The two of them were looking around cautiously and whispering to each other.

“Isn’t that…?”

“Doesn’t it look like they’re having a secret meeting?”

“Hmm…”

“What is going on? Why is Father’s servant and Hamill…”

“Haha, I’m sure it’s nothing. Perhaps it’s something between father and child who haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

“…They are acting too secretive for that.”

“Well, now, I wouldn’t call it secretive. They’re just talking in the garden.”

“People don’t usually walk past this area, no? And it’s far from the palace where Father and Hamill are staying.”

Viscount Joaquin fell silent.

It would have been great if she just let it pass, but Aristine was as thorough as always.
It was wonderful when they were working, but…

“They’re probably just out for a walk like us!”

“I mean, a walk wouldn’t even make sense—”

“Now, now, let’s hurry along. I need to finish this walk and get back soon anyway,” Viscount Joaquin said, tugging Aristine along by her arm.

Aristine obediently followed along, although she looked completely unconvinced. As they walked, Aristine noticed her court ladies gathered in small groups, gossiping.

Normally, she would have just walked past them but—.

“…Those court ladies. Don’t their expressions look a little too serious for a simple chat on their break?”

“What? I’m not sure what you mean?”

“No. Look. They look so serious.”

“I don’t know, maybe the male lead in the romance novel that they’re reading cheated?”

“…That does sound serious.”

Aristine nodded.

Viscount Joaquin sighed in relief.

However, his peace did not last long.

“Aren’t those the warriors? Why do they look so serious?”

“I’d say the warriors usually look fierce.”

“No. They look like they’re discussing something very seriously. Is there a security issue by any chance? Did the barrier break—”

“There’s been nothing of the sort.”

“But…”

“Maybe the warriors were reading the same romance novel with the court ladies?”

“Hmm, perhaps.”

Despite their rugged exteriors, the hearts of the warriors were utterly pure. Just look at Mukali.

Seeing Aristine nod again, Viscount Joaquin let out another sigh of relief.

This pattern repeated until they finally reached the Resting Palace.

‘I’m getting old! Old, I tell you!’

Viscount Joaquin patted his chest.

But at last, they had arrived safely so it was over.

“Alright then, I should make my way back, Your Majesty.”

“Mn, I had a good time. I’ll have to ask the court ladies to lend me that book. Sounds like everyone’s reading it without me.”

“…!”

Viscount Joaquin was startled and quickly waved his hands.

“Tha-that’s probably not a good idea for the, uh, prenatal stimulation! It sounds like it’s about a cheating husband!”

“I see…”

Aristine lowered her head sullenly.

Viscount Joaquin swallowed dryly.

‘This book doesn’t exist in the first place…’

Just as he was wondering how to get out of this, a savior appeared.

“Rineh, where did you go? I was surprised when I didn’t find you in the bedroom.”

Tarkan walked over and planted a kiss on his wife’s head.

“I stopped by the Main Palace for a bit… What about you? Where did you go?”

“Ah, I was just doing stuff.”

Right at that moment,

Aristine spotted Launelian approaching from the other end of the corridor.

“Oh? You’re here too, elder brother? I thought you were at the main palace.”

“Ahh, naturally, I came to see my little sister,” Launelian replied.

Aristine continued to chat casually.

‘Thank goodness. It looks like it’ll pass just like this.’

Viscount Joaquin sighed in relief and stealthily took a step backwards. He was going to make his escape just like that.

However.

“Viscount Joaquin.”

“Yes…Yes?!”

“Stop right there.”

Aristine turned to him with a bright smile.

“We need to talk. Just the two of us.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Viscount Joaquin inwardly swallowed his tears.

***

As soon as they were alone, Aristine got straight to the point.

“What in the world is going on?”

“A-About what?”

“I just saw one of Tarkan’s men exchange looks with one of Brother Launel’s men.”

“Maybe that’s normal?”

“It’s normal to act like a spy?”

“A spy?!”

“Another one of brother Launel’s men exchanged looks with a passing court lady.”

“M-Maybe they’re dating? If they want to date, they should be doing it somewhere else!”

“And it just so happens that this court lady is quite close with Paella.”

“…”

“Spill it.”

“I-I really don’t know anything, Your Majesty.”

Aristine’s eyes narrowed.

She had seen enough through her Monarch’s Sight to know what kinds of things happened when people schemed in secret.

Rebellion, betrayal, corruption, and more.

With the enlightened Monarch’s Sight, she could immediately find out what was going on.

But she didn’t want to do that.

“…I trust that my people won’t do things like that.”

She knew they wouldn’t, so there was no need to confirm it with her Monarch’s Sight.

“Be honest with me, Viscount Joaquin.”

“Y-Your Majesty…”

“What exactly are you hiding from me?”

“It, the thing is…!”

At that very moment.

A commotion erupted outside the room.

“I am going first!”

“Nonsense! We were here first.”

“Quiet down. My sister’s already having a hard time and doesn’t need all this racket in front of her room.”

“Everyone, get behind me.”

“What? Milord, you got here last, why are you cutting in line!”

“If you don’t like it, be the Emperor then.”

“…”

“Are you claiming authority in front of your father now?!”

Aristine stood up and opened the door.

“What the heck is going on that you’re all arguing like—.”

She didn’t finish her sentence.

It wasn’t just her family; the court ladies, warriors, Ritren, Asena, and even Umiru, everyone was gathered outside her room.

And every single one of them was holding a tray.

“What in the world is this?”

“It’s my heart for you, Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty, take mine first!”

“My dear daughter-in-law, I made this myself.”

“Rineh.”

Aristine opened the cloche on a tray, wondering what was even going on.

And inside was…

“Tteokbokki?!”

The very dish she had only seen in the Monarch’s Sight was sitting before her, deliciously packaged.

‘Don’t tell me all this behavior like they’re carrying out some spy operation was because…’

They were really acting that suspicious because they wanted to be the most unique and fastest one to make tteokbokki?!

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