Judge of Cosmos

CHAPTER 8

"What a sight to behold!"

"Marvelous! I've never seen anyone with such ethereal beauty as our Madam!"

"How sensational!"

The maids couldn't contain their awe, showering Moraine with admiration. Unlike the knights who had openly displayed their disdain, the manor's staff seemed to hold no prejudice against her.

'There must be more to this,' Moraine thought, her eyes narrowing slightly. 'It's strange that only the knights seem to harbor such animosity.'

The room, once filled with giggles and praises, abruptly fell silent. The atmosphere shifted from one of lightheartedness to something more subdued, almost tense. Noticing the sudden change, Moraine didn't need to turn around to know who had entered. The maids, along with Laila and Kana, quickly fell silent, their expressions guarded.

"You look stunning," Ajax remarked, his voice cutting through the silence. "I heard the vassals have barged in without even sending you a letter."

Moraine sighed, her gaze still fixed on her reflection in the mirror. "You're not wrong. The fact that they're behaving like rabid dogs points to one obvious reason."

Ajax, arms crossed, observed her carefully. Despite his presence, Moraine didn't spare him a glance, too preoccupied with adjusting her appearance.

"They're going to evaluate you," he continued, his tone flat. "To see if you're someone they can manipulate."

Moraine clicked her tongue, a sign of her growing annoyance. "Aren't you worried? Your people might end up groveling at my feet, desperate for favors."

Ajax's cerulean blue eyes gleamed with amusement, his lips twitching as he struggled to suppress a laugh. It had only been a day since their marriage was officially recognized, yet their dynamic was already far from what one would expect of a newlywed couple.

"You can do whatever you want with them," he said, his voice carrying a hint of mockery.

Moraine gave a single nod before finally turning her full attention to Ajax. He unknowingly let out a silent sigh, the sight of her never failing to leave him momentarily breathless. After all, who could easily grow accustomed to an existence as flawless as hers?

'She still feels like a stranger,' he thought, unable to shake the feeling.

"I see," Moraine muttered, her voice calm and measured. "So, what brings you here? I heard you were granted an audience with the emperor."

"I'm just checking up on you," Ajax replied, though the admission felt strange on his tongue.

"Oh. Do you want me to send you off, then?" she asked, her tone polite but distant.

Ajax blinked, taken aback. A sudden wave of irritation surged within him, unexpected and disorienting. The sight of Moraine's indifferent expression, as if his presence made no difference to her, grated against his nerves. It was confusing—he had vowed to himself before their marriage that he would treat her like air, something that merely existed but required no acknowledgment.