"A slave? Why?"
[It happened just before your father died. An issue broke out between the two kingdoms and as one of the compensations to King Sestrus, he took her away,] the system said.
Koul's brows slouched downward.
Just how many troubles are linked to me?
[There have since been rumors that she's locked up in the dungeon and she's being used for hard labor.]
"How long... how long has she been held?" He questioned.
A feeling of unsettlement was brooding in his chest. Although he hadn't even seen the woman in question, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
[Close to a year now.]
A year of suffering.
This also means I've only been a king for a year.
And Koul? Why didn't he do anything? Normally, no husband would let their wife be taken away and that too, to suffer.
Ugh! I can't understand his character, really.
"Has there been any talks to bring her back?"
[None.]
So it's just been blown away like it never happened.
Koul's eyes turned sad. He couldn't help the ache that was starting to tug at his heart.
Would it be a good idea to discuss her release with the king when he gets here?
It's already been a year long and the matter should've eased off by now.
Hmm…
Koul closed his status window.
I will bring it up to him. He declared inwardly as he left the council chamber.
GRRRRHHHHH!!!
His stomach growled aloud in the hallways as he headed back to his chambers.
Haven't even had anything today, he complained inwardly.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted to Yui, faltering his steps.
"Yui," he muttered beneath his breath. But even this whisper didn't bypass the system.
[Are you thinking about your wife?] it asked.
However, Koul didn't pay any attention to it. He was wondering yet again, why his brother sounded the way he did earlier regarding Yui.
He would also like to know what Yui was doing in the council chamber.
"Tell me about Yui. Why was she in the council chamber if she isn't a council elder?" he asked the system, his only source of information.
[Well, she's one amongst your many wives. Not the youngest or the oldest, and—]
"Wait what?" Koul cut in, surprised.
Not the oldest or youngest?
"Does that mean I have wives older than Yui?"
Koul was in disbelief.
Did I marry even grannies now?
[Not in that aspect, host. I'm not talking about age but hierarchy, sort of. She isn't the first woman you married, hence not the oldest. Neither is she the last you married, hence not the youngest,] it explained.
"Ah.. continue then."
[She isn't a noble and is actually from a poor background, hence she isn't respected by many if not all. The reason she was in the council chamber was because she's knowledgeable about political matters and possesses great management skills.]
I see. So she isn't their ally, but like a tool to them. They didn't invite her because they consider her among them.
They're simply using her for her knowledge and skills.
These vermin!
No wonder she felt so out of place.
"Why's hierarchy even a thing among them?" He continued, eluded by their way of things.
[They feel their positions should be respected. Since most women come to meet them, they feel they have to be respected by the new comers.]
"So Yui isn't being respected because she's low in the rankings, I presume? And majorly because she's from a poor background?"
[That's correct.]
Stupid!
"Hmm… this doesn't quite explain why my brother would speak with so much disgust about her though," Koul went over things in his head.
[I think that will be because she was already a married woman,] the system blurted.
Koul's head titled in question.
"???"
[She was already married. Three months into her marriage before you coveted her.]
Koul's head was met with a pang of headache.
Argh! I already guessed it but being slapped directly with it is another thing.
I knew having so many wives would definitely be by corny means and IT IS!
No wonder they loathe me. Why wouldn't they?
"It still doesn't explain his disgust," Koul protested.
[It might be because most people see older women or formally married women as left overs they wouldn't want to go near.]
Anger. A boiling anger overrode Koul's senses in an instant.
His brows drew together, eyes squinted coldly with dark energy swirling around him.
[Hahah, host. I simply spoke from most people's point of view. I'm not saying that is true or anything, so spare me the glare,] the system said awkwardly, backing away.
"Yui is…" Koul's clenched knuckles slowly released as he thought back to Yui.
"….a beautiful woman," he declared in a whisper.
[Yes yes, she is.]
That idiot! I'll teach him a lesson when next I see him. He remarked, referring to his brother.
The guards on either side of the door to his chamber pushed it open for him as he arrived.
And as soon as he stepped in, the delicious aroma of rich delicacy hit his nostrils.
Food. His nostrils flared.
Two maids that were standing at the corners and waiting for his return quickly shot forward.
They bowed calmly.
"Your highness. Your meal is ready, as well as your bath. Will you take a bath first or will you eat first?"
"Bath? I don't want to right now," Koul said, eyes moving toward the table where his meal was set.
"Then, your majesty. Would you like a massage to relax your muscles instead?"
"Uh, yes. That will be good. But I want it after my meal," he said and slipped past the maids toward his meal.
His eyes gleamed as he saw the various delicacies arranged on the table. His mouth threatened to let out a drool but he quickly swallowed.
They were a variety of food he'd never really thought to eat much back home.
"Then, your majesty. Enjoy your meal."
The maids bowed and stepped back, allowing Koul room to enjoy his food.
I don't really like them but I can't deny they know how to perform their duties well.
Koul devoured his food like he'd been fasting for days.
[Careful, host. I don't want you choking and turning up with more illness,] the system teased.
After Koul filled his stomach, he strolled around his room briefly to digest his food.
Next, he laid on his bed and asked the maids to start their massage.
It felt refreshing and relaxing. He didn't know if he had accumulated a lot of fatigue from being transmigrated here, coupled with all the stress. But with the massage, it didn't take long for him to drift into a deep slumber.
He would have slept deep into the night if another round of repeated banging didn't harass his ears.
He awoke from his slumber, face rough with displeasure.
I don't remember bolting the doors before sleeping off, so why this?
Are they showing off their respect, saying they can't enter without my permission when I'm inside? Tsk!
He dragged himself off the bed to the door and swung it open forcefully.
'The fuck is it?!' Is what he'd really like to yell but the displeasure clearly written on his face was enough.
And the urgency on the maid's face in front of him didn't escape him either.
"Your majesty. King Sestrus has arrived," the maid passed on.
So? Is that any reason to wake me up from my sleep?
He was about to scold the maid but she spoke up even before he could.
"And the lady… lady Yui is in trouble with him."
Koul's eyes flared open with shock when he heard this.
Without even a second thought, he stormed out, following the maid.
He arrived at the grand hall close to the entrance of the palace. And there, multiple guards and knights he didn't recognize stood there.
Even a set of women in the same uniform he knew to be maids but didn't recognize were also there.
And at the center of all this, a man stood. He was average in height, quite bulky and most especially, clad in royal clothes.
A crown rested comfortably on his sparsely filled grey head. And a proud smile decorated his scarcely wrinkled face.
Beside him was another young man clad in royalty. Younger but with quite the same features.
Koul tore his eyes from the crowd and threw it to the far corner of the hall, quite a distance away from the king.
There, he saw his wife trembling… and kneeling pathetically.