Shien did not know much about Roxie's mother.
At first, he had even assumed that Roxie's mother was no longer alive. Otherwise, why had he never met her until now?
Whether it had been when he was spending time with Roxie before, interacting with the royal family on formal occasions, or even during his engagement banquet with Roxie, the Queen Consort had never appeared. It was only natural for Shien to overthink things.
It was only later that Shien learned the Queen Consort had been ill for a long time. She had spent all year resting and receiving treatment at the temple, practically living the life of a half-recluse.
That was why he had never met the Queen Consort.
Now, from Roxie's description, Shien realized that the Queen Consort's condition seemed worse than he had imagined. Otherwise, she would not have missed even her own daughter's engagement banquet.
Should he go with Roxie to meet her?
Shien hesitated over it.
Roxie seemed to notice his hesitation.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of meeting my mother?"
Roxie blinked, a faintly teasing smile appearing on her face.
"Ahem." Shien coughed awkwardly twice, but he refused to admit it. "What would I be afraid of?"
Would he be afraid of meeting his mother-in-law?
What a joke.
With the kind of presence he had now, even Anxi, the King, had been intimidated by him. Could he not handle a mere Queen Consort?
Impossible.
Just as Shien was thinking that, Roxie's quiet voice reached him.
"Then how about we go meet Mother now?"
Roxie's words turned Shien's expression from awkward to unnatural.
"I knew it."
Roxie immediately narrowed her eyes, looking at him with a touch of disdain that made Shien unable to hold his head high.
But Shien really was a little afraid to