The Queen's Permission
The next morning.
I stood with both hands clasped respectfully before me, head bowed low.
Beneath my lowered gaze, the marble floor blurred into a hazy expanse.
Seraphina’s long shadow stretched across it, heavy and unmoving.
Even without looking up, I could feel her displeasure radiating downward.
I risked a quick glance upward.
Sure enough, her expression was far from pleased.
To be exact, she looked mildly furious.
I immediately dropped my eyes again and steadied my breathing.
“So…”
Her voice fell from above my head.
“I hear you slept there last night.”
I flinched and lowered my head even further.
“Yes…”
It was the truth.
After returning from Leona’s residence yesterday, I had deliberately changed course.
I entered the room where I had first stayed, lay down without even turning on the lights, and kept my clothes on so I could wake instantly if called.
She had probably already received a full report.
Hiding from the Queen’s eyes inside this palace was nearly impossible.
Yet the night had passed in silence.
And now, the moment morning arrived, she had summoned me here and left me standing like this.
Arms folded, she stared down at me in wordless pressure that tightened around my chest like a vice.
Click.
The sound of heels drew closer.
Click.
She stopped directly in front of me.
The distance was painfully intimate.
“Jun.”
My name rang out.
“Why didn’t you come to me last night?”
I blinked once, my lips suddenly dry.
“I was afraid you’d be angry…”
Seraphina’s eyes flickered for the briefest moment.
She clearly hadn’t expected that answer.
But she quickly composed herself again.
“Afraid I’d be angry.”
The same words returned slowly, each syllable crisp and deliberate.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“In that case, did you lie with Leona again?”
Of course she knew.
I hesitated before answering.
“Yes…”
It was a short admission.
The room fell into absolute silence—so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat.
“Are you planning to give Leona a child as well?”
I shook my head.
“Not yet.”
“I came in her mouth…”
I turned my gaze aside the moment the crude words left me.
I couldn’t look her in the eye.
Seraphina’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“Not yet?”
It was a short, probing question.
I nodded.
“Yes…”
Silence descended once more as her gaze moved slowly over me.
I felt it brush across my skin like a physical touch.
“Her mouth… not yet…”
She repeated the words under her breath.
“So that means… later…”
“You intend to do so eventually?”
I looked directly at Seraphina.
“After I build a family with you first.”
I took a short breath.
“Only then do I plan to take Leona as a concubine…”
Her expression hardened instantly.
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“Concubine?”
The unfamiliar word rolled from the Queen’s tongue as if she were tasting it.
“What does that mean?”
I thought for a moment, unsure how to explain.
My mind refused to organize itself.
“It means a man forming a household with multiple women.”
I drew a small line in the air with my hand.
“There is an official wife through formal marriage.”
“And then other women accepted into the family as well…”
Her crimson eyes slowly traveled up and down my body.
Assessing. Judging.
Then, very slowly, the corners of her mouth curved upward.
“Jun.”
My name came again.
Her eyes narrowed once more.
“Are you asking me—this Queen—to share a household with my own loyal knight?”
I was speechless for a second.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
My brain spun rapidly.
Ah, fuck. What the hell do I say to that…
Screw it.
Before I could organize my thoughts, my mouth moved on its own.
“To be honest, I slept with Leona first.”
Seraphina’s eyes shifted subtly.
I scratched the back of my head and continued.
“I can’t just pretend that never happened…”
I gave a small shrug.
“Besides, it’s not that strange where I come from.”
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed further.
I pressed on without retreating an inch, meeting her gaze head-on.
“Seraphina.”
It was the first time I had called her by name today.
The air in the room trembled ever so slightly.
“You are my queen, after all.”
I chose my words carefully and continued.
“You are Leona’s queen as well.”
“But my wife will only be you.”
A short, concise statement.
Yet the air in the room grew so heavy it felt visible.
Seraphina simply stared at me for a long time.
Her eyes were impossible to read.
I don’t know how much time passed.
Our gazes remained locked.
Then, very slowly, the corners of Seraphina’s mouth lifted.
“Jun… you truly…”
She let out a slow breath.
Her eyes shimmered with a faint glow.
“You say such dangerous things so naturally.”
Seraphina fell into thought again.
Evaluating.
Calculating.
The silence stretched on as the quiet piled up in place of words.
After a while, she turned and took several steps toward the window.
She stopped at the sill and looked down outside.
Sunlight brushed across her face.
Her hand rose slowly and rested lightly beneath her chin.
At last she spoke.
“Hmph.”
It was a very small sound.
She tilted her head slightly.
“Then it would be best to hear the thoughts of the person concerned.”
Her gaze shifted toward the door.
“Summon Leona.”
The attendant waiting outside moved immediately.
It wasn’t long before the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Clack. Clack.
The door opened.
Leona.
She wore her usual knight’s uniform.
The teal armor caught the light and gleamed softly.
But from the moment she entered, her tense expression was unmistakable.
The instant she stepped inside, she bowed deeply at the waist.
“Your Majesty.”
Seraphina turned slowly.
Her crimson eyes fixed directly on Leona.
Those eyes now pressed down on her knight with clear authority.
“My loyal subject, Leona.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Answer me.”
The breath between them grew heavy.
“Did you lie with Jun again yesterday?”
Leona closed her eyes.
Her fingertips tightened as she lowered her head even further.
“Yes, Your Majesty…”
The air in the room constricted.
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed.
“Then what are your thoughts on the matter?”
The words continued.
“Do you wish to remain at his side, just as Jun described?”
Leona did not answer immediately.
Instead, she moved slowly.
Her knees touched the floor.
The sound of armor meeting marble echoed through the chamber.
She straightened her posture and brought her hands together neatly.
Her shoulders were rigid with visible tension.
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
Her voice was calm.
Yet within it lay a careful resolve.
She tightened her clasped hands.
“If Your Majesty permits it… I…”
Head still bowed, she hesitated briefly before continuing.
“I wish to remain at Jun’s side.”
The room sank into complete stillness.
Seraphina turned her head, her gaze sliding over to me.
“Jun… you have completely captured even my knight commander.”
I scratched my head awkwardly.
Seraphina’s eyes had already returned to Leona.
“So that’s how it is…”
She spoke slowly.
“Even if I, as queen, form a household with Jun.”
Her eyes deepened with intensity.
“Your heart will not change?”
Leona’s shoulders trembled as she slowly raised her head.
Her blue eyes wavered with unease.
“Y-Your Majesty…”
Her voice was shaken.
“What you just said…”
Seraphina lifted her chin slightly.
“It is exactly as I said.”
A single short phrase.
“I will form a family with Jun.”
Her crimson eyes blazed.
“And I will conceive his child.”
Leona’s eyes widened dramatically.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
Her lips trembled.
“That cannot be allowed!”
Seraphina remained completely unshaken.
Her gaze stayed fixed on Leona.
“Since Jun arrived in this land, Lunaris has been changing at a rapid pace.”
She paused for a moment.
“Tradition and change.”
“I have made my choice before them.”
Then Seraphina asked.
“So what of you?”
“Do you feel the same even now?”
Leona closed her mouth.
Head bowed, she gently bit her lip.
Several seconds of silence.
Then she spoke slowly.
“I apologize, Your Majesty…”
She took a short breath before continuing.
“…”
Leona’s eyes turned toward me.
“I… wish to remain at Jun’s side.”
This time her voice held less tremor.
It had grown firmer.
“Even so.”
She clasped her hands with greater strength.
“You are my queen, Your Majesty.”
“I am Your Majesty’s sword.”
She bowed her head deeply.
“I am Your Majesty’s loyal subject.”
“That fact will never change.”
The room fell quiet once more.
Seraphina remained silent.
Then, very slowly, a satisfied smile formed on her lips.
“Hmph.”
Her crimson eyes slowly alternated between the two of us.
“How interesting.”
“This will truly become an entertaining household.”
“Are you satisfied now, Jun?”
I smiled sheepishly and scratched my head.
“Then…”
I spoke cautiously.
“What about Elara as well?”
Leona’s face flushed bright red in an instant.
“Jun…!”
The word burst out of her.
Seraphina’s eyes flashed.
She immediately scolded me in a low voice.
“You scoundrel.”
Her tone dropped.
“You say such things knowing I cannot refuse you?”
No answer came from me.
But a moment later, Seraphina’s expression softened.
The corners of her mouth rose with delicate amusement, and her voice grew gentler.
The Queen slowly looked at Leona—her loyal subject, her sword.
Before her, Seraphina’s face transformed from that of a ruler into that of a woman.
“Very well.”
“I grant permission.”
She took one steadying breath.
“But you must love me even more.”
It was a very quiet statement.
Leona’s eyes flew wide open as they had never done before.
Her mouth fell open in disbelief.
She stared at Seraphina in a daze.
The absolute ruler of Lunaris… had become a woman before her eyes.