Chapter 62
"This is surprising... She looks so much like Fildé in his younger days. Are those cold eyes hereditary...? Her profile resembles him more than her front view."
"Dylan..."
"What is it? You don't need to make such a scary face. It's a compliment."
His Majesty laughs with his mouth wide open like a child, while Grandfather shrugs in exasperation.
Dylan Orsema, the current king and father of Ludweek and Renato, is a figure who, alongside Grandfather and the former Knight Commander, staged a coup to end the succession dispute and save the struggling nation. It's a well-known story that he eliminated the previous king and his siblings without hesitation.
As I watch the exchange between Grandfather and His Majesty, I can't help but be impressed that Ludweek's refined appearance, black hair, and golden eyes are all inherited from His Majesty.
"It's only natural for Lord Fildé to be upset. It's rude to say such a lovely young lady resembles a gruff old man, don't you think?"
"...Rosie."
"Looks like you've upset someone too, haven't you?"
"Oh my... what should we do?"
The queen looks very amused as she says she's troubled.
The eldest daughter of the Treisch Marquis family, she has supported His Majesty since childhood and stood by his side during the coup, bathed in blood together. I've heard she's five years older than His Majesty, but she certainly doesn't look it.
Her shining golden hair and gem-like green eyes, paired with a lovely face reminiscent of a fairy or angel from a young girl's storybook.
It seems that Renato's beautiful appearance, as if blessed by the gods, was inherited from the queen.
After quietly observing His Majesty and the queen, I shift my gaze to the right, narrowing my eyes as I look at Ludweek and Renato.
They say a certain level of beauty can be achieved through effort, but there are always a few who possess looks that no amount of effort can ever match.
As I blink at this dazzling family, I see Grandfather being called over by His Majesty, who whispers something in his ear, only for a fist to come down on His Majesty's head...
Seeing His Majesty shield his head with both hands and move away from Grandfather, I instinctively turn my face away, pretending not to have seen it.
Grandfather often referred to His Majesty as an old friend with whom he shared both hardships and joys, but I never imagined he would not only call His Majesty and the queen by their names as if they were friends but also smack the head of the most important person in the country, laughing it off as if it were nothing, just like he does with the soldiers at the fortress.
My heart pounds loudly, and cold sweat won't stop trickling down.
Wishing someone had prepared me for this, I glance resentfully from the platform at Father, who had waved his hand and escaped to the ballroom. Just as the conversation seems to pause, our eyes meet with a sharp snap as he looks up at the platform.
(Good luck.)
Father mouths those words quietly before immediately turning his face back to the ballroom.
I see. He knew about this. Then I wish he had given me some information beforehand.
"That's why I'm saying that weapon should be sent to me as well...!"
"So it was you who told Drea about that?"
"Wait, I didn't snitch that it was being manufactured without permission. I just boasted that I'm closer to Fildé than Drea is, close enough to discuss such matters...!?"
"Didn't I already get permission from Dylan for that?"
"...Weren't you already manufacturing the weapon by then?"
"Isn't it easier to wring a budget out of Drea if there's a finished product to show?"
I keep hearing the sound of something being hit repeatedly, but since the knight standing by shakes his head silently, it must be fine.
Unable to directly watch the exchange between Grandfather and His Majesty, yet unable to leave this place on my own, I decide to play the part of a quiet doll with a smile plastered on my face.
There are four seats set up on the platform.
The princess and the Third Prince are still very young and do not attend official events, so they have no seats. The concubine is participating in the music festival but has a separate seat arranged elsewhere.
Both the queen and the concubine married for political reasons, but unlike the queen's family, who supported His Majesty and stood by him in difficult times, the concubine's family maintained neutrality, acting as if it were none of their concern, according to Grandfather.
There are always a certain number of nobles who only seek to reap benefits, and unwanted marriages are commonplace to keep them under control. I've heard that while the concubine's family isn't treated harshly, they are absolutely not given preferential treatment, as was made clear beforehand. It seems His Majesty is someone who is straightforward in his dealings.
If that's the case, Ludweek's position as Crown Prince will remain unshaken unless something happens to him, and it makes sense that the concubine's faction would target Renato, the spare to the Crown Prince.
"Miss Celestia, are you acquainted with my sons?"
Lost in various thoughts to pass the time, I hurriedly raise my gaze as the queen addresses me.
The beautiful queen smiles as she mouths "the two of them," turning her face toward Ludweek and Renato seated beside her.
Nodding lightly to confirm she means them, the queen looks delighted, while the two of them, with apologetic expressions, shake their heads just like the knight standing by...
"Ludweek and Renato said they deeply respect you, so I've wanted to meet you myself. Yet, no matter who I asked, Lord Fildé never returned here, nor did he reply to my letters, and Count Rotish is so good at escaping that I couldn't catch him..."
"Didn't I say I've retired?"
"Your Majesty can casually go to the fortress to meet him, but I can't, can I? Don't you think that's unfair? Right, Miss Celestia?"
"Indeed."
Could anyone say no to a goddess with a sulking face? I certainly can't.
"Miss Celestia, you've enrolled in the military school, haven't you?"
"Yes."
"Noble daughters are consistently taught from a young age to be proper ladies. So, there are those who mock the path you've chosen, Miss Celestia, frowning upon it and spreading it as scandal in social circles without trying to understand."
"I'm aware."
"However, no one would dare speak ill of you in front of Fildé Rotish, who is both His Majesty's mentor and friend. And if some fool were to do so, they would never show their face in social circles again. That's how remarkable your grandfather is."
Surprised by the queen's words, I glance at Grandfather, who denies it with, "It's not that I'm remarkable."
He probably means to say that it's his connections that are remarkable.
"No matter what path you choose in the future, Miss Celestia, as the daughter and heir of the Count family, socializing will be essential. At that time, I believe it's better to have many people on your side."
"On my side?"
"Yes. Of course, I intend to be on your side. But you'll need allies among the nobles as well, don't you think? So..."
Cutting off her words midway, the queen shifts her gaze toward the ballroom.
Following her line of sight, I see a group of women gathered near the platform.
"Are you familiar with Lady Beatrice Baker, the Marchioness?"
"Only by name."
"She's my close friend. Unfortunately, she prefers Ivan Tseli over Lord Fildé, though."
"That's..."
I nearly say that we might get along, but I swallow my words at the last moment.
I can feel an unpleasant stare from Grandfather, but I hope he'll stay silent for a while.
"They are part of my faction as well, so I'm sure they'll be of help to you, Miss Celestia."
"..."
Tonight is the music festival, and it's not yet time for the children to leave.
Naturally, young girls are by the ladies' side, and next to the Marchioness Baker stands Angelica Baker, who is being groomed to become the next queen and the flower of social circles.
"Miss Angelica is two years younger than you, Miss Celestia. She may look quiet, but she's quite strong-willed. However, she's not a bad child. If you'd like, please join one of my tea parties sometime."
Miss Angelica and I are two years apart, and we walk completely different paths, with me at the military school and her at the academy.
The queen must be looking ahead to my future, trying to create an opportunity for me to become close to her.
But.
The lovely girl clad in a pale-colored dress is glaring at me with furrowed brows and sharp eyes...
Thinking it might be my imagination, I look away once and then back at Miss Angelica, but not only has it not changed, the sharpness in her gaze has intensified.
"...Oh my."
The queen lets out a small sound as she looks back and forth between me and Miss Angelica.
It would be stranger not to notice that look of disdain. Despite her kind offer, if I were to attend the tea party, it would likely be ruined.
Feeling apologetic, I lower my head slightly, but for some reason, the queen deepens her smile, looking delighted.
"There's no need to worry, it seems. You truly are a wonderful young lady."
"Ah, thank you...?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Celestia. Rosie has always been a fervent supporter of Fildé Rotish..."
"Well, I think Your Majesty likes Lord Fildé more than I do, don't you?"
"Hm...?"
"Back when a false report came in that Lord Fildé had been taken captive, you declared you'd accept any condition for his release, making such a fuss that you were ready to sell the country. My father struggled to stop you until the details were confirmed."
"No, that was... I was still young back then, wasn't I...?"
"Yes. You were shedding tears endlessly, and it was quite a task to calm you down."
"..."
"Rosie, that's enough."
"Lord Fildé treasures Your Majesty as well, doesn't he... Mutual feelings like that make me jealous."
Sighing with a hand on her cheek, the queen looks like a delicate young girl, not at all like a mother of two sons.
"But I have Miss Celestia, don't I?"
Smiling brightly, the queen suddenly seems less like a goddess and more like a predator, sending a chill down my spine.
"For me to spend every day with Miss Celestia, Ludweek would be the best choice, wouldn't he? But since Miss Celestia is the heir to the Rotish family, I'll just have to be patient. Right, Your Majesty?"
"...I think I understand what you're getting at, but I won't agree to it because Fildé is terrifying."
"If we become family, we can meet anytime. Besides, I think the cute Renato suits Miss Celestia better than the rugged Ludweek."
Gripping her fist tightly and speaking passionately, the queen leaves me bewildered as I look up at Grandfather.
"This is typical. You've already finished your greetings, so until it's time to leave, go explore the palace with those two over there."
"But..."
"It's more for their sake than for yours, Celestia. Get them away from here."
Turning my face toward where Grandfather gestures with his chin, I see Ludweek pressing his forehead and looking down, while Renato covers his face with both hands.
Rudo muttered in a hoarse voice, "Sorry..." as I nodded without fully understanding.