The Reason for Marriage

“Queen, no…”

“When I asked you about her, you said you didn’t know her. That’s the first thing you lied about to me.”

“Wait a moment, Queen. It’s not like that.”

“You pointed out the exact area where I was stabbed earlier, remembered my muscle condition, as if you were directly there and saved me.”

Sid frowned and sighed. In the end, he remained silent, with a look of reproach that Reina was likely to cause an accident. Reina looked elsewhere, not knowing what to do, and Iveca realized that she had accurately pointed out the truth she tried to conceal.

“There were rumors like this,” Iveca began, “People in the Bureau of Investigation can freely change their appearance. Of course, it was just what everyone said. There’s no evidence or anything. Maybe the color and body shape of your eyes… It must have been hard to change it.”

“I know her well because she used to call me to the palace every day. She was short and she had the same purple eyes as you. He might be thinking about her while looking into your eyes.”

Anriq’s words, which were painfully engraved in her heart, came to her mind.

“She could be in disguise anyway. I don’t know, but they’re also saying that the Bureau of Investigation agencies can change their appearances. Anyway, she was short enough to wear the same clothes as me. Blonde hair… Her eyes were purple.”

Eugene’s indifferent words plunged her into deep frustration too.

Looking at Iveca’s disgruntled expression, Sid and Reina looked at each other in confusion. Iveca no longer asked them any questions; she was now thinking about the last remaining secret.

“Thank you.” Iveca muttered, delicately winding the bandage one more time. “You still think of me as a colleague. Even though I look like this, even if I am a person who violates the rights of the Bureau of Investigation. You said that you would protect me… thanks.”

“What do you mean by that…” Reina sniffled her nose. “No matter what you look like, no matter who you are, we care and love the Queen.”

At that time, an employee of the Medical Bureau arrived to see Reina’s wound and prescribed that the tea they drank slowed down their simple physical response ability and that it would be normal after an hour or two.

While Sid and Reina were being treated side by side by the medical staff, Iveca felt heartbroken. She knew nothing and she had a mechanism to protect herself while she was sad. When she sensed danger, she had her husband running frantically, leaving behind even his escorts. She thought she was alone. But she felt warmth, and she felt like she had the courage to challenge another truth.

***

After a sweet yet intense affair, as always, Daniel tenderly spoke to Iveca, stroking her hair while she laid in his arms.

“We caught who’s behind it as well. Don’t worry, Queen. I’ll take care of it.”

Daniel did not say how he dealt with them. He didn’t want to tell her about the cruel treatment the assassins received. However, he added that he did not hide his disapproval.

“The Bureau of Investigation staff… I’m a little nervous if the first attack is true. Even if it’s cumbersome, how about we stay together? I always wanted to be in front of you. After seeing that in person today, I think I’m going to get even more anxious,” he said.

“Your Highness.” Iveca wriggled and slightly escaped from his arms, looking into his eyes. “I have a favor.”

Daniel was a little surprised by Iveca’s sudden remark, yet delighted to hear that Iveca wanted something first. He kissed her collarbone deeply and smiled, “Say something.”

“Who’s Eve Jean? Please answer me.”

It was a name he didn’t think would ever come out of her mouth. Daniel had never been flustered in front of others, but he hesitated for a moment. It was too sudden.

No matter how much she looked back on the situation, all she could find on him was a pen he always used. However, Iveca didn’t think she could deduce anything from that pen, as only her initials were engraved, and there were so many gifts and rewards of that kind. Besides, didn’t he pretend to be using that pen because it was great and even gave her one as a gift?

Even in front of the King, the Bureau of Investigation was thoroughly hiding the existence of ‘Eve Jean’. The Bureau of Investigation would never have mentioned Eve Jean’s full name to Iveca.

Daniel’s hands trembled slightly. He could not find the words to say.

“I thought His Majesty had that woman in mind.”

“Pardon?”

“It was someone that you used to coax and be nice to, like this.”

Daniel felt like had been hit in the head. He asked, struggling to speak straightly, “When did you start thinking that way?”

Iveca did not hesitate and answered right away.

“From the beginning of our marriage.”