Queen Marguerite’s palace is like the eye of the typhoon. On the surface, the Queen’s palace was lying flat on the ground and did not engage in any external activities. This was partly because Queen Marguerite was so badly injured that she was not in a position to show herself to the outside world.
“If I have to make a choice under pressure..."
She said with a smile in her eyes.
“That would definitely be the worst option.”
Ariadne confidently told Queen Marguerite,
“Shake the board. If the other person follows what you're pulling, you’ll get what you want.”
“...This is a massage to reduce swelling and bruising.”
Madame Carla placed raw meat on Queen Marguerite’s left eyelid and cheekbone and kneaded the Queen’s hands and feet to help with blood circulation.
“Ugh!”
When Madame Carla kneaded the little finger of her right hand, even Queen Marguerite, who never joked around, couldn’t help but groan.
“Oh my God, you’re hurt here too, Your Majesty. What should I do? Your little fingernail is half-turned!”
At Madame Carla’s fuss, the Queen calmly stopped her maid.
“I didn’t know because it wasn’t sick before. It seems the doctor missed it because he was looking somewhere else.”
The royal doctor had already examined her, but just because the doctor had examined her didn’t mean that her injury would heal right away.
“Oh my, Your Majesty...”
Queen Marguerite stopped Lady Carla, who was briskly crying.
“How’s the situation outside?”
Madam Carla hurriedly reported to her, who was firmly asking for a more important topic.
“I have made arrangements for His Highness to stay in the Queen’s Palace instead of the Prince’s Palace for the time being. His Majesty the King ran so long that day, and since then, he seems to have taken an interest in His Highness the Prince.”
To be exact, it would be more accurate to say that he didn’t want to see Alfonso. Leo III, who had come to his senses after hearing Count Marquez’s report, seemed to have decided that there was nothing to gain by digging into Prince Alfonso any further.
“... Alfonso is the sole heir to the throne. If he is found to be flawed, there is no substitute.”
If Leo III’s marriage with the Kingdom of Gallico falls through this time, he will find another marriage partner. In preparation for that time, it was right to protect the Prince’s reputation without any blemishes.
Queen Marguerite sighed.
“I guess it’s fortunate that Alfonso is an only son.”
She was mobilizing all the capabilities of the palace to protect Prince Alfonso.
Only a minimum number of people were allowed to enter the palace’s separate room where Prince Alfonso was staying. This was to prevent anyone from going around and talking about the Prince’s movements. Outsiders were currently not allowed to enter the palace. This was the same for even the King’s close associates.
“...Where is the child?”
“She is staying in the guest quarters of the palace.”
Madame Carla placed raw meat on Queen Marguerite’s left eyelid and cheekbone and kneaded the Queen’s hands and feet to help with blood circulation.
“Ugh!”
When Madame Carla kneaded the little finger of her right hand, even Queen Marguerite, who never joked around, couldn’t help but groan.
“Oh my God, you’re hurt here too, Your Majesty. What should I do? Your little fingernail is half-turned!”
At Madame Carla’s fuss, the Queen calmly stopped her maid.
“I didn’t know because it wasn’t sick before. It seems the doctor missed it because he was looking somewhere else.”
The royal doctor had already examined her, but just because the doctor had examined her didn’t mean that her injury would heal right away.
“Oh my, Your Majesty...”
Queen Marguerite stopped Lady Carla, who was briskly crying.
“How’s the situation outside?”
Madam Carla hurriedly reported to her, who was firmly asking for a more important topic.
“I have made arrangements for His Highness to stay in the Queen’s Palace instead of the Prince’s Palace for the time being. His Majesty the King ran so long that day, and since then, he seems to have taken an interest in His Highness the Prince.”
To be exact, it would be more accurate to say that he didn’t want to see Alfonso. Leo III, who had come to his senses after hearing Count Marquez’s report, seemed to have decided that there was nothing to gain by digging into Prince Alfonso any further.
“... Alfonso is the sole heir to the throne. If he is found to be flawed, there is no substitute.”
If Leo III’s marriage with the Kingdom of Gallico falls through this time, he will find another marriage partner. In preparation for that time, it was right to protect the Prince’s reputation without any blemishes.
Queen Marguerite sighed.
“I guess it’s fortunate that Alfonso is an only son.”
She was mobilizing all the capabilities of the palace to protect Prince Alfonso.
Only a minimum number of people were allowed to enter the palace’s separate room where Prince Alfonso was staying. This was to prevent anyone from going around and talking about the Prince’s movements. Outsiders were currently not allowed to enter the palace. This was the same for even the King’s close associates.
“...Where is the child?”
“She is staying in the guest quarters of the palace.”
“She is at the opposite end of the palace from the prince,”
Madame Carla added.
Queen Marguerite did not send Ariadne back to Cardinal de Mare’s residence but kept her herself. It was partly for the purpose of protection. If she sends a girl covered in bruises back home, she’ll likely be noticed by others. The Queen had a vague sense that Ariadne’s house wasn’t a completely safe place for her.
But the other half was to protect her son. Ariadne’s father was a member of the royal family, and although he was Etruscan by nationality, he was closer to being a diplomat for the royal family. She didn’t want to leak even a little bit of information to a third party.
“Bring her. I have some insights to hear.”
“Your Majesty, she’s not feeling well yet...”
“It’s an urgent matter. I have something to tell her.”
“...Understood. I’ll be right back.”
Lady Carla brought a girl wrapped in a dark green velvet robe. The girl walked in with careful steps and carefully lowered her robe as she entered the Queen’s inner chamber. It was Ariadne.
“I’ve shown you a disgrace.”
It was a story about the uncensored broadcast of Leo III’s assault. Ariadne’s tears welled up in her eyes at Queen Marguerite’s calm words. The Princess of the noble Briand dynasty was enduring each day in a distant palace with purple bruises around her eyes.
Ariadne knelt on the floor and paid her respects to the royal family.
“I, Ariadne de Mare, owe you a favor that I cannot repay with my life.”
Queen Marguerite responded coldly.
“I simply did my duty. It wasn’t for you in particular.”
“...However, it is true that you saved the girl from a terrible predicament.”
“Then let’s repay the favor.”
Ariadne became tense at Queen Marguerite’s words.
“I knew you were a quick-witted child when I gave you the jewel box before, but when I saw you yesterday, your mind was working quite quickly. You were better than most strategists. Let me hear your perspective today.”
Ariadne exhaled, knowing that the Queen would ask for more. She was about to say that she could not repay the favor with such a thing, but stopped herself, fearing that it would seem like she was talking back to the Queen uselessly.
A favor can be repaid quietly, behind the scenes. With the Queen’s life.
Queen Marguerite continued without hesitation.
“Let’s talk about the note in question. What should I do with that thing of mine?”
“...That note. It would be best not to make it public.”
Queen Marguerite did not send Ariadne back to Cardinal de Mare’s residence but kept her herself. It was partly for the purpose of protection. If she sends a girl covered in bruises back home, she’ll likely be noticed by others. The Queen had a vague sense that Ariadne’s house wasn’t a completely safe place for her.
But the other half was to protect her son. Ariadne’s father was a member of the royal family, and although he was Etruscan by nationality, he was closer to being a diplomat for the royal family. She didn’t want to leak even a little bit of information to a third party.
“Bring her. I have some insights to hear.”
“Your Majesty, she’s not feeling well yet...”
“It’s an urgent matter. I have something to tell her.”
“...Understood. I’ll be right back.”
***
Lady Carla brought a girl wrapped in a dark green velvet robe. The girl walked in with careful steps and carefully lowered her robe as she entered the Queen’s inner chamber. It was Ariadne.
“I’ve shown you a disgrace.”
It was a story about the uncensored broadcast of Leo III’s assault. Ariadne’s tears welled up in her eyes at Queen Marguerite’s calm words. The Princess of the noble Briand dynasty was enduring each day in a distant palace with purple bruises around her eyes.
Ariadne knelt on the floor and paid her respects to the royal family.
“I, Ariadne de Mare, owe you a favor that I cannot repay with my life.”
Queen Marguerite responded coldly.
“I simply did my duty. It wasn’t for you in particular.”
“...However, it is true that you saved the girl from a terrible predicament.”
“Then let’s repay the favor.”
Ariadne became tense at Queen Marguerite’s words.
“I knew you were a quick-witted child when I gave you the jewel box before, but when I saw you yesterday, your mind was working quite quickly. You were better than most strategists. Let me hear your perspective today.”
Ariadne exhaled, knowing that the Queen would ask for more. She was about to say that she could not repay the favor with such a thing, but stopped herself, fearing that it would seem like she was talking back to the Queen uselessly.
A favor can be repaid quietly, behind the scenes. With the Queen’s life.
Queen Marguerite continued without hesitation.
“Let’s talk about the note in question. What should I do with that thing of mine?”
“...That note. It would be best not to make it public.”
“Yes?”
Queen Marguerite looked at Ariadne as if asking for further explanation. Seeing that she seemed suspicious, Ariadne smiled bitterly and explained.
“Of course, my personal interests are also involved. I would suffer all kinds of hardship if the note with my name on it was made public. However, the reason I said this is to protect Prince Alfonso more than anything else.”
Ariadne added.
“This means that it should not be made public, and it should be kept secret from His Majesty King Leo III.”
Queen Marguerite understood Ariadne’s intentions perfectly.
“If our nobleman gets his hands on such evidence, he will probably threaten my family with it and try to conclude a marriage alliance.”
“...”
Madame Carla, who was listening to all this from the side, wanted to say, “No way!” but couldn’t bring herself to say it. She thought Queen Marguerite’s judgment was right.
Ariadne answered clearly.
“I completely agree with Your Majesty’s insight. His Majesty Leo III’s top priority seems to be concluding a marriage alliance.”
The qualities of a prospective daughter-in-law were not Leo III’s considerations. Queen Marguerite looked at Ariadne with sharp eyes.
“Why do you think so?”
In fact, Ariadne knew this because she had been the fiancee of the regent Cesare in her previous life, assisting in state affairs and seeing confidential documents. However, she couldn’t answer like that. However, if she knows the right direction, hints are pointing in that direction here and there.
“These marriage alliance negotiations were never considered to break down from the very beginning. You can see this when you see the Gallico kingdom sending the Grand Duchess herself to the Etruscans.”
In this era, chastity was the greatest value for an unmarried woman. Even sending a daughter out of the house was taboo unless the circumstances were carefully coordinated.
However, even if the delegation was sent and the Queen was the Princess’s distant relative, sending a high-ranking noble of marriageable age to a foreign palace for several months was an act that did not help her reputation at all. If this marriage negotiation went wrong, the Grand Duchess of Lariesa would have considerable difficulty finding the next husband.
However, the Queen asked back.
“Isn’t that showing the Gallic kingdom’s desire for an alliance, not the Etruscan kingdom’s intention?”
Ariadne smiled and raised one finger.
“However, the Grand Duchess of Gallico cannot cross the border without the Etruscans’ permission. If the Etruscans had entered into this negotiation lightly, they would have certainly not allowed her in. If the negotiations break down, it will be very burdensome.”
Ariadne said, holding up another finger.
“And the unusually long stay of the delegation.”
Ariadne tilted her head.
“I don’t know, but the Gallico side must have made quite a few outrageous demands. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the delegation to stay this long. Despite this, the two countries are still pushing and pulling in negotiations. This can only be interpreted as an expression of the will of the highest decision-makers to make this alliance happen.”
Ariadne’s words did not deviate from the facts at all. Queen Marguerite suppressed her admiration and returned to their original topic.
“Very well. Let's finish explaining the disclosure of the letter.”
“The letter must not be disclosed. If the Grand Duchess’ letter is disclosed, it will inevitably reveal that the blood of the highest noble of Gallico is on Prince Alfonso’s hands during the interrogation of the Grand Duchess of Gallico.”
Ariadne laughed lightly.
“Even if one poor child is ruining their life,”
Ariadne said without hesitation. Amid the seriousness, it was lighthearted as if it wasn’t her story.
“There are too many opportunities for Prince Alfonso’s name to be revealed. My name will clearly surface, so there will be people who will find a connection there, and the Princess of Lariesa herself may confess that she did it out of jealousy because of Prince Alfonso.”
Madame Carla, who was listening from the side, couldn’t hold it in any longer and interrupted.
“You must have had a really big love affair, to be able to think of Prince Alfonso just by hearing your name!”
Instead of stopping Madame Carla, Queen Marguerite changed the subject.
“That’s not necessarily the case. There is a witness who saw Alfonso kill Duke Mireille.”
Ariadne’s eyes widened. This would be a completely different story. If there were a witness, there would be no reason not to reveal the letter. After all, there was no way to hide the fact that Prince Alfonso was involved.
“Fortunately, the witness is not a sound person. He is a clown who ate the wrong mushroom last fall and went mad.”
“Then...”
“That witness was hanged by His Majesty Leo III.”
Ariadne’s green eyes lit up. This was a huge hint that told a lot about Leo III’s position.
“Officially, the testimony has been suppressed. But everyone who needs to know knows.”
Queen Marguerite stared at Ariadne.
“Now, do you think I should hide the letter from Lariesa de Valoa?”
Ariadne looked straight at Queen Marguerite.
Queen Marguerite looked at Ariadne as if asking for further explanation. Seeing that she seemed suspicious, Ariadne smiled bitterly and explained.
“Of course, my personal interests are also involved. I would suffer all kinds of hardship if the note with my name on it was made public. However, the reason I said this is to protect Prince Alfonso more than anything else.”
Ariadne added.
“This means that it should not be made public, and it should be kept secret from His Majesty King Leo III.”
Queen Marguerite understood Ariadne’s intentions perfectly.
“If our nobleman gets his hands on such evidence, he will probably threaten my family with it and try to conclude a marriage alliance.”
“...”
Madame Carla, who was listening to all this from the side, wanted to say, “No way!” but couldn’t bring herself to say it. She thought Queen Marguerite’s judgment was right.
Ariadne answered clearly.
“I completely agree with Your Majesty’s insight. His Majesty Leo III’s top priority seems to be concluding a marriage alliance.”
The qualities of a prospective daughter-in-law were not Leo III’s considerations. Queen Marguerite looked at Ariadne with sharp eyes.
“Why do you think so?”
In fact, Ariadne knew this because she had been the fiancee of the regent Cesare in her previous life, assisting in state affairs and seeing confidential documents. However, she couldn’t answer like that. However, if she knows the right direction, hints are pointing in that direction here and there.
“These marriage alliance negotiations were never considered to break down from the very beginning. You can see this when you see the Gallico kingdom sending the Grand Duchess herself to the Etruscans.”
In this era, chastity was the greatest value for an unmarried woman. Even sending a daughter out of the house was taboo unless the circumstances were carefully coordinated.
However, even if the delegation was sent and the Queen was the Princess’s distant relative, sending a high-ranking noble of marriageable age to a foreign palace for several months was an act that did not help her reputation at all. If this marriage negotiation went wrong, the Grand Duchess of Lariesa would have considerable difficulty finding the next husband.
However, the Queen asked back.
“Isn’t that showing the Gallic kingdom’s desire for an alliance, not the Etruscan kingdom’s intention?”
Ariadne smiled and raised one finger.
“However, the Grand Duchess of Gallico cannot cross the border without the Etruscans’ permission. If the Etruscans had entered into this negotiation lightly, they would have certainly not allowed her in. If the negotiations break down, it will be very burdensome.”
Ariadne said, holding up another finger.
“And the unusually long stay of the delegation.”
Ariadne tilted her head.
“I don’t know, but the Gallico side must have made quite a few outrageous demands. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the delegation to stay this long. Despite this, the two countries are still pushing and pulling in negotiations. This can only be interpreted as an expression of the will of the highest decision-makers to make this alliance happen.”
Ariadne’s words did not deviate from the facts at all. Queen Marguerite suppressed her admiration and returned to their original topic.
“Very well. Let's finish explaining the disclosure of the letter.”
“The letter must not be disclosed. If the Grand Duchess’ letter is disclosed, it will inevitably reveal that the blood of the highest noble of Gallico is on Prince Alfonso’s hands during the interrogation of the Grand Duchess of Gallico.”
Ariadne laughed lightly.
“Even if one poor child is ruining their life,”
Ariadne said without hesitation. Amid the seriousness, it was lighthearted as if it wasn’t her story.
“There are too many opportunities for Prince Alfonso’s name to be revealed. My name will clearly surface, so there will be people who will find a connection there, and the Princess of Lariesa herself may confess that she did it out of jealousy because of Prince Alfonso.”
Madame Carla, who was listening from the side, couldn’t hold it in any longer and interrupted.
“You must have had a really big love affair, to be able to think of Prince Alfonso just by hearing your name!”
Instead of stopping Madame Carla, Queen Marguerite changed the subject.
“That’s not necessarily the case. There is a witness who saw Alfonso kill Duke Mireille.”
Ariadne’s eyes widened. This would be a completely different story. If there were a witness, there would be no reason not to reveal the letter. After all, there was no way to hide the fact that Prince Alfonso was involved.
“Fortunately, the witness is not a sound person. He is a clown who ate the wrong mushroom last fall and went mad.”
“Then...”
“That witness was hanged by His Majesty Leo III.”
Ariadne’s green eyes lit up. This was a huge hint that told a lot about Leo III’s position.
“Officially, the testimony has been suppressed. But everyone who needs to know knows.”
Queen Marguerite stared at Ariadne.
“Now, do you think I should hide the letter from Lariesa de Valoa?”
Ariadne looked straight at Queen Marguerite.
“If I have to make a choice under pressure..."
She said with a smile in her eyes.
“That would definitely be the worst option.”
Ariadne confidently told Queen Marguerite,
“Shake the board. If the other person follows what you're pulling, you’ll get what you want.”
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