McKenna raised his eyebrows, âDid she find out?â
Heinley shook his head, âI donât know.â
But it wasnât hard to guess. Especially when she asked him about Queenâs identity after asking about McKennaâs identity. Navier mustâve thought Queen was a subordinate of Heinley. But Heinley was so surprised at the time that he reacted strangely.
He thought she wouldnât notice because he hadnât said much, but she suddenly turned cold and refused to look him in the eyes. There was a high chance that she was angry after finding out the truth.
âIf it troubled you so much, why didnât you tell her?â
âAre you always like this? If thereâs something that bothers you, do you just act on it?â
McKenna pondered the question for a moment, then replied, âI⊠I consult with His Majesty.â
âWhat would I say?â
âIf it bothers you, tell the truth.â
âWell. I must practice my words,â Heinley sighed and stood up.
It was only a matter of time before he had to confess anyway.
âI wanted us to pick out a dress togetherâŠâ
âOh. You went to pick out a dress and got kicked out?â
Heinley huffed and slowly grasped the couch cushion. McKenna hurriedly put down the papers he was holding and rushed out.
***
After Heinley left, I paced back and forth in my room anxiously, regretting my action.
Of course, I had done it unintentionally, but that was only from my perspective. From Heinleyâs perspective, I had inconsiderately pushed him.
He must have been shocked and embarrassed. Besides, there were other people aroundâŠ
I pressed my cheeks with both hands and took a deep breath.
âI have to apologize.â
âMiss Rose,â I called out.
âYes, Your Majesty.â
â⊠Iâm going to see His Majesty the King, can you bring me something to wear?â
Rose seemed relieved to hear my request and immediately brought me a yellow cloak. She seemed concerned that Heinley and I were fighting.
However, as I was getting ready to leave, Heinley arrived at my door.
At the sight of him, my stomach plummeted, this must be bad news. I asked my two ladies-in-waiting to leave and put on a straight face.
Even though it was late at night, he was still dressed in the same clothes he wore during the day. He was probably so shocked that he hadnât even thought of changing his clothes.
We looked at each other for a moment.
Heinley was the first to break the silence, âI have something to confess.â
â?â
âWhat did he mean?â
If he came to see me in the middle of the night, it must be about something serious, isnât it?
The nerves in my stomach grew.
I had no idea how he would respond to what I did to him earlier.
However, what came out of Heinleyâs mouth was completely different from what I had expected.
âI am Queen.â
ââŠâ
I thought he would have complained and expressed himself negatively. Not that he would end our marriage over this, but he would say he was regretful to some extent at least.
I couldnât believe he just revealed his identity to me.
Heinley smiled awkwardly and muttered, âJudging by your expression, it looks like you already knew, didnât you?â
â!â
âI am sorry, Queen. I didnât mean to deceive you.â
Heinley apologized repeatedly, staring at me sincerely. It was like his eyes were trying to let me know how truly sorry he was.
âQueen, in our tribe we are not allowed to reveal our identity, except to our family. Thatâs why I couldnât tell you, but I have no intention of deceiving you anymore. Iâm serious.â
I shook my head and tried to tell him it was alright. I also had to apologize for pushing him earlier.
âHeinley,â I said as I extended my hand towards him.
All of a sudden, Heinley turned into a big bird, and I stopped moving.
I was confused. Why did he transform so suddenly?
Heinley, who had turned into a bird, blinked slowly as he looked into my eyes.
He looked so cute.
Was he trying to use his charming appearance as a tactic to soothe my âangerâ?
Heinley, no, Queen, who was looking at me with all kinds of lovely expressions, had his big eyes wide open.
It was truly a lovely look.
When Queen approached me hesitantly and tilted his head, I almost reached out to hug him out of habit.
Before, I was more worried that he was a subordinate of Heinley because that wouldâve meant I had hugged, kissed, and patted the rear of one of my husbandâs subordinates.
Perhaps because I was assuming the worst, I wasnât too angry when I found out Heinley was Queen. I understood that he couldnât tell me because it was confidential.
ButâŠ
I turned around, withdrew my hands and said,
âIâm not angry, Heinley. Really.â
My face heated up again.
Although the Queen perched before me right now looked like a cute and lovely bird, I also knew that in the blink of an eye he could turn into Heinley.
I couldnât hug him knowing this. If I hugged the bird, it would be like hugging Heinley⊠naked.
â GuâŠ
âReally. Iâm not angryâŠonly a little.â
Queenâs eyes welled up with tears.
Reluctantly, I reached out my hand and stroked his head. Queen closed his eyes and rubbed against my hand.
It was so endearing.
Even if it was Heinley rubbing his head against my hand, it would still be lovelyâŠ
âOh my gosh! What am I thinking?!â
I pulled my hand away from him and pleaded, âItâs alright, Iâm not angry. Honestly. But go back⊠go back to your normal form again where I canât see you.â
â !
I sat there for almost half an hour after Heinley left, then opened the door and walked out.
Rose, who was teaching Miss Mastas something, saw me leave alone and asked in surprise, âQueen? Why did Your Majesty come out alone?â
Miss Mastas immediately looked over my back and grew puzzled as well.
âHis Majesty Heinley went out the window,â I replied matter-of-factly.
As soon as I responded, they both gaped at me in disbelief. But it quickly changed to an expression of astonishment after they entered my room.
âOh, Queen! His Majesty Heinleyâs clothes are hereâŠâ
â!â
âHis Majesty Heinley really went out the window!â
My dazed mind suddenly returned to normal as if a bucket of cold water had fallen on me.
âWas Heinley so shocked that he didnât take his clothes with him?â
I rushed back into my room and found all of Heinleyâs clothes strewn across the carpet. Even his underwear.