A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night-Chapter 60: Kael and the Queen’s private talk

The atmosphere shifted as Kael entered a deeper part of the chambers. The walls were adorned with regal tapestries, and the soft glow of candles illuminated the room. A quiet, almost solemn air hung over the space, as the Queen had requested that the guards and servants leave, and a noise-canceling spell was cast to ensure their conversation remained private.

Kael sat across from her, feeling the weight of the moment. The Queen’s gaze was unwavering as she fixed him with a piercing look. "Kael," she began, her voice low but carrying authority, "I want to talk to you about your marriage life."

Kael’s lips twitched, but he kept his expression neutral. "Your Majesty," he replied diplomatically, "It’s going well. My wives are strong, and we share a bond that is built on mutual respect."

The Queen’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Save your diplomatic answers to the formal meeting, son. Anyway, I’m not interested in your marital issues with Shiera or Seraphina. That is for you to figure out." Her gaze hardened, and she leaned in a little, lowering her voice to a more personal tone. "I only care about one thing."

Kael held her gaze, already sensing where this was going.

Her expression didn’t fail his expectations, almost amused. "When," she asked, her voice cool and deliberate, "do you plan on giving me a grandchild?"

Kael paused, choosing his words carefully. "I… We need more time, Your Majesty," he replied, feeling the weight of her question. He had already discussed this with Amanda and Laura. He had no desire to explain himself to their mother, too.

The Queen let out a short scoff, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Time for what? To develop that false career or yours?"

Kael froze, his eyes narrowing for a moment before forcing himself to calm down.

She continued, her amusement faded and her gaze was now hard as steel. "Do I remind you that You’re an assassin, Kael? You are my shadow. The Queen’s shadow—K, the enemy of the throne and the guardian angel of the masses."

Her voice softened a bit, but it was no less commanding. "I trained you. I gave you my full support so that you could deliver justice to the people I cannot do as a Queen. Whatever else you do as Kael Moonstone, whether it is as a guild clerk or now a merchant, is just a cover—a necessary illusion so that no one would dare to even think that you are linked to K, the dreaded assassin that will strike fear in the hearts of criminals and corrupted nobles." She then tilted her head, continuing to speak. "You can pretend you want to be a merchant, a nobleman, a businessman, or even a househusband, whatever you like. But, don’t use that false career as an excuse."

Kael’s expression hardened slightly.

Queen Remia smirked slightly. "If you want, I can arrange a better public image for you."

Kael remained silent for a moment. He had already thought about this, and the Queen’s words weren’t news to him. "It’s not just about a public image, Your Majesty," he said, meeting her gaze without hesitation. "I want to become the richest individual in the Queendom."

"Richest individual in the Queendom?" Remia was taken aback by his sudden declaration. So, it wasn’t just a cover-up. Does he really want to be a merchant?

"Why?" She couldn’t help but ask. A person who wants to help the citizens, a person who wants to make the imperial city a place free of crime, suddenly wants to earn money. She didn’t understand his logic.

"I know the value of money now, more than ever," Kael replied, recalling the weight of his family’s debts. "Money is the thing that forced me into this marriage in the first place. A peak-stage legendary assassin like me... I didn’t need to marry into royalty. But those debts—they made me do it. 127 million gold coins. The money forced me to bow down to your offer, Your Majesty."

The Queen regarded him silently for a moment, her sharp eyes never leaving his. "Do you know why I gave you that offer? There is a big reason for it, and it is not just because I want my daughters to stay together."

"I didn’t question your reasoning back then, Your Majesty," Kael said with a steady voice, his eyes reflecting the depth of his thoughts. "And I certainly wouldn’t do it now. My marriage, no matter how unconventional, is my own to manage. I have no complaints. Not even when your two daughters, with their dragon bloodlines, demand my attention, and I have to comply. Or when your youngest daughter insults me because of my perceived weakness and refuses to acknowledge our marriage. That’s a problem I’ll solve in my own way."

He paused, allowing the words to sink in, his gaze never leaving the Queen’s piercing stare. "But if I have any male children in the future, I won’t allow them to be submissive to circumstances. I can’t control power or authority—it’s not in my hands—but money… Money can be earned by even the weakest person. A place like the Royal Bank can force a monarch like you to compromise when the entire Queedom trembles at the thought of your anger. Money is power, Your Majesty. All one needs is an opportunity to earn it. And if there isn’t any opportunity, I will try my best to create such opportunities. But, no matter what, I will become the richest individual on this land. And fret not, I will not back away from my responsibility as your shadow. My goal is to create an organization of shadows that can spread all over your Queendom to clean up the weeds. And when I have that kind of money, I can certainly accomplish it."

The Queen remained silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Kael’s words were clear and unyielding. There was no anger in his tone, only a quiet, determined confidence that set him apart from those who sought power through politics or the sword.

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The Queen sighed in the end, her shoulders slumping slightly as if she were already weary of Kael’s unwavering stance. "I didn’t call you here to argue about your beliefs, Kael," she said, her voice softening but still carrying the weight of command. "Fine, do whatever you want. I won’t come in your way. What I have to say is more pressing. There are four things I need to discuss with you. Let’s get to the main issues."

Kael nodded, listening closely, aware that the Queen’s words were never to be taken lightly.

"First"