“Miaowong? (Why are you so surprised? Did Rosie's mom come looking for you?)”
Aoshi approached Rosie, who was lying on the floor, and bit the hem of her dress that had gone up her legs, then lowered it back down.
“He doesn’t have a mother. He died when I was 290 years old.”
Moiya quickly went under the bed and whispered to Aoshi. Rosie muttered while staring blankly out the terrace door.
“I, I think that guy is crazy... I, I think he really loves me...”
The one who knocked on the terrace door was Prince Norton. She started crawling. Her legs gave out, so she couldn’t get up right away. Rosie barely made it to the terrace door on both knees, grabbed the terrace door handle, and got up. She swallowed once, took a deep breath, and pulled the terrace door handle. As soon as the terrace door opened, Prince Norton strode into the bedroom.
“Why, why are you doing this? I just opened the door, but who is coming in?”
“I’m sorry, it’s urgent.”
“Look, Prince Norton. I understand your feelings, but if you act so rashly, it will really put me in a difficult position!”
“Yes, please think about something other than interpreting ancient languages, I will do whatever I can to help.”
“Keep your promise. If you don’t, I’ll tell them everything about the child! Whoosh, peekaboo?”
Well, that's right. Rosie threatened Prince Norton, but when Rams whined, she kept saying 'Woooo, Peekaboo' to comfort him. The Prince felt deep gratitude for her duplicity and looked at her holding Rams for a while.
Tea time was held at an outdoor table set up in the backyard of the villa. The weather was unusually clear, so my mood was also refreshing. And meeting Prince Calvain and his wife was not as awkward as I thought. In particular, the way Prince Calvain was considerate of Princess Jasper was quite impressive. He asked her how she was feeling, how much tea she was drinking, why she didn’t touch the cake, etc. I thought he was a heartless person, but when it came to love, he showed a glimpse of pure love.
Aoshi approached Rosie, who was lying on the floor, and bit the hem of her dress that had gone up her legs, then lowered it back down.
“He doesn’t have a mother. He died when I was 290 years old.”
Moiya quickly went under the bed and whispered to Aoshi. Rosie muttered while staring blankly out the terrace door.
“I, I think that guy is crazy... I, I think he really loves me...”
The one who knocked on the terrace door was Prince Norton. She started crawling. Her legs gave out, so she couldn’t get up right away. Rosie barely made it to the terrace door on both knees, grabbed the terrace door handle, and got up. She swallowed once, took a deep breath, and pulled the terrace door handle. As soon as the terrace door opened, Prince Norton strode into the bedroom.
“Why, why are you doing this? I just opened the door, but who is coming in?”
“I’m sorry, it’s urgent.”
“Look, Prince Norton. I understand your feelings, but if you act so rashly, it will really put me in a difficult position!”
“I’m sorry, but please understand that I am in a more difficult situation.”
“How can I understand someone who comes to visit through the terrace with the door open? Well, Your Highness’s heart is not normal.”
Her words were not properly heard by Prince Norton at this moment.
“What is that?”
Only then did Rose notice that Prince Norton was holding something. It didn't seem to be a bouquet of flowers.
“Ah, this is...”
As Prince Norton struggled to open his mouth, Rosie quickly waved both her hands.
“I won’t accept it, I won’t accept it.”
"Yes?"
“His Majesty is not angry today, but that doesn’t mean that he will ignore our problem. So I cannot accept gifts.”
“I’m sorry, but this is not a gift...”
Prince Norton answered in an embarrassed voice.
“If it’s not a gift, then what is it?”
Rosie stared intently at the black bundle that Prince Norton was holding so lovingly.
“Your Highness Rosie, I will speak shamelessly. Please listen to my request, and I will do this for the rest of my life...”
“No, well! I told you that we two can’t stand each other for the rest of our lives. I’m a concubine, and you’re the Prince! Don’t you really understand why we can’t be together?”
Prince Norton had no time to correct Rosie's mistake.
“It's a child.”
"... Yes?"
“This is not a gift, this is my child.”
Prince Norton looked down at the black bundle he was holding in his arms and said.
'Did the Prince briefly lose his mind due to the wounds of the ordeal?'
Rosie questioned the Prince's mental state. She had witnessed a similar scene at her home, Countess Adelid's when she was young. The pregnant maid, Darlene, died when the fetus in her womb got entangled in the umbilical cord during childbirth. After that, the maid suddenly remembered the shock and went crazy, hugging a pillow for a while and saying that the child was hers. The current appearance of Prince Norton looked very similar to the maid who had briefly lost consciousness at that time. Rosie frowned and looked up at Prince Norton's face.
“No matter how difficult it is, you must not lose focus, Your Highness... How many of these do you see?”
She asked, wagging three fingers in front of Prince Norton.
“I will speak to Her Majesty the Empress separately. I am sure she will understand my situation.”
Prince Norton continued his speech, mentioning Zelda.
“Your Highness Rosie, I’ll take him back once the hunting competition starts, so until then, just...”
It was at that moment that Rosie was wondering how far she should tolerate Prince Norton's nonsense.
“Wooooow...”
A strange sound was heard from inside the black bundle. What was that sound? At first, she thought it was Moiya or Aoshi, but the murmur was coming from very close by. Prince Norton wouldn’t be babbling?
“How can I understand someone who comes to visit through the terrace with the door open? Well, Your Highness’s heart is not normal.”
Her words were not properly heard by Prince Norton at this moment.
“What is that?”
Only then did Rose notice that Prince Norton was holding something. It didn't seem to be a bouquet of flowers.
“Ah, this is...”
As Prince Norton struggled to open his mouth, Rosie quickly waved both her hands.
“I won’t accept it, I won’t accept it.”
"Yes?"
“His Majesty is not angry today, but that doesn’t mean that he will ignore our problem. So I cannot accept gifts.”
“I’m sorry, but this is not a gift...”
Prince Norton answered in an embarrassed voice.
“If it’s not a gift, then what is it?”
Rosie stared intently at the black bundle that Prince Norton was holding so lovingly.
“Your Highness Rosie, I will speak shamelessly. Please listen to my request, and I will do this for the rest of my life...”
“No, well! I told you that we two can’t stand each other for the rest of our lives. I’m a concubine, and you’re the Prince! Don’t you really understand why we can’t be together?”
Prince Norton had no time to correct Rosie's mistake.
“It's a child.”
"... Yes?"
“This is not a gift, this is my child.”
Prince Norton looked down at the black bundle he was holding in his arms and said.
'Did the Prince briefly lose his mind due to the wounds of the ordeal?'
Rosie questioned the Prince's mental state. She had witnessed a similar scene at her home, Countess Adelid's when she was young. The pregnant maid, Darlene, died when the fetus in her womb got entangled in the umbilical cord during childbirth. After that, the maid suddenly remembered the shock and went crazy, hugging a pillow for a while and saying that the child was hers. The current appearance of Prince Norton looked very similar to the maid who had briefly lost consciousness at that time. Rosie frowned and looked up at Prince Norton's face.
“No matter how difficult it is, you must not lose focus, Your Highness... How many of these do you see?”
She asked, wagging three fingers in front of Prince Norton.
“I will speak to Her Majesty the Empress separately. I am sure she will understand my situation.”
Prince Norton continued his speech, mentioning Zelda.
“Your Highness Rosie, I’ll take him back once the hunting competition starts, so until then, just...”
It was at that moment that Rosie was wondering how far she should tolerate Prince Norton's nonsense.
“Wooooow...”
A strange sound was heard from inside the black bundle. What was that sound? At first, she thought it was Moiya or Aoshi, but the murmur was coming from very close by. Prince Norton wouldn’t be babbling?
Rosie stared at the black bundle. The black bundle flinched again with the babbling sound she had just heard. She looked at Prince Norton with surprised eyes. The look in his eyes told her what was inside. Prince Norton carefully took off the black bundle with a very tense expression.
“Oh my god! Seriously, oh my god, the baby!”
Rosie covered her mouth with both hands. It was a situation she couldn't believe even after seeing it.
“Who, whose child is this?”
“Oh my god! Seriously, oh my god, the baby!”
Rosie covered her mouth with both hands. It was a situation she couldn't believe even after seeing it.
“Who, whose child is this?”
“This is my child.”
“...Huh?!”
“If I tell you the whole story, it will be a bit long.”
“I think you should do it even if it’s long.”
Rosie said, looking at Rams with her mouth wide open and her eyes wide open. Even in this absurd situation, Rosie couldn't help but smile at Rams' chubby cheeks and bright smile.
“The child is in danger right now. Due to circumstances, I cannot take care of him right now... and I have no one I can trust to leave him with... please take care of him for the time being. I shamelessly ask you this! He is a poor boy.”
The child's cute face was a blessing in itself, even though it was said to be pitiful. Rosie's worries did not last long. She held the child in her arms while glancing at Prince Norton.
“Thank you, thank you so much, Your Highness Rosie!”
“I’m not saying I’m taking him because of the Prince. I don’t know what’s going on, but you said the child is in danger, so...”
“I will never forget this favor.”
“Ancient Southern Continent Book, Interpretation.”
“Rosie said in a broken tone.
"Yes?"
“Please, if there is a going, there must be a coming. Right?”
“After speaking bluntly, Rose looked down at Rams and added:
“Of course, you have to do something about this situation later.”
“Is that really okay?”
Prince Norton asked as if it was nothing.
“...Huh?!”
“If I tell you the whole story, it will be a bit long.”
“I think you should do it even if it’s long.”
Rosie said, looking at Rams with her mouth wide open and her eyes wide open. Even in this absurd situation, Rosie couldn't help but smile at Rams' chubby cheeks and bright smile.
“The child is in danger right now. Due to circumstances, I cannot take care of him right now... and I have no one I can trust to leave him with... please take care of him for the time being. I shamelessly ask you this! He is a poor boy.”
The child's cute face was a blessing in itself, even though it was said to be pitiful. Rosie's worries did not last long. She held the child in her arms while glancing at Prince Norton.
“Thank you, thank you so much, Your Highness Rosie!”
“I’m not saying I’m taking him because of the Prince. I don’t know what’s going on, but you said the child is in danger, so...”
“I will never forget this favor.”
“Ancient Southern Continent Book, Interpretation.”
“Rosie said in a broken tone.
"Yes?"
“Please, if there is a going, there must be a coming. Right?”
“After speaking bluntly, Rose looked down at Rams and added:
“Of course, you have to do something about this situation later.”
“Is that really okay?”
Prince Norton asked as if it was nothing.
“As for other things... I’ll think about it.”
“Yes, please think about something other than interpreting ancient languages, I will do whatever I can to help.”
“Keep your promise. If you don’t, I’ll tell them everything about the child! Whoosh, peekaboo?”
Well, that's right. Rosie threatened Prince Norton, but when Rams whined, she kept saying 'Woooo, Peekaboo' to comfort him. The Prince felt deep gratitude for her duplicity and looked at her holding Rams for a while.
***
The next day. I got on the carriage to the villa with Linel to have tea time with Prince Calvain and his wife of the Pasha Empire in the Southern Continent. I actually had an aversion to Prince Calvain. He murdered his half-brother, the First Prince, and took his sister-in-law, Jasper, as his wife. I thought he was a perfect example of how far a person with a lust for power can go. Basically, it's best to avoid people who are blinded by power. However, they were the guests of the Lapion Empire, and I was the Empress here, so I had a duty to put aside my personal feelings and treat them as guests.
Linel said something interesting while riding the carriage to the villa.
“Some say that Prince Calvain murdered the First Prince not because he wanted the throne, but for other reasons.”
“Isn’t it just because he's crazy about power?”
I looked out the carriage window and asked sarcastically.
“Yeah, so there was something crazier than power.”
“What is that?”
“Princess Jasper, his sister-in-law and now his wife.”
“Surely he didn’t do that because of the Crown Princess?”
“Because he can’t keep her by his side if the First Prince isn’t around. Of course, he must have wanted the throne as well. In every way, Calvin is more suitable for the position of Emperor than the First Prince, who was gentle in every way.”
“No matter what... He fell in love with his sister-in-law and killed his brother.”
“Some say that Prince Calvain murdered the First Prince not because he wanted the throne, but for other reasons.”
“Isn’t it just because he's crazy about power?”
I looked out the carriage window and asked sarcastically.
“Yeah, so there was something crazier than power.”
“What is that?”
“Princess Jasper, his sister-in-law and now his wife.”
“Surely he didn’t do that because of the Crown Princess?”
“Because he can’t keep her by his side if the First Prince isn’t around. Of course, he must have wanted the throne as well. In every way, Calvin is more suitable for the position of Emperor than the First Prince, who was gentle in every way.”
“No matter what... He fell in love with his sister-in-law and killed his brother.”
“Zelda, I never said that thr two were in love.”
Linel replied with a smirk.
“Is that so? Prince Calvain is in love with someone else and that’s why it’s like that?”
“I don’t know about that. If you’re curious, ask him yourself later.”
“I don’t want to risk my life on one question.”
I said, running my hand along the back of my neck.
“But you know, even if you don’t ask if you talk, won’t you get a feeling? Whether the two of them are in love or not.”
“Hmm... Well? Anyway, Princess Jasper must have had feelings for Prince Calvain, so she became his wife. Otherwise, would she have accepted the brother-in-law who killed her own husband as her husband?”
Now that I think about it, there really is no such thing as a dead end.
“Really? My thoughts are a little different...”
Linel's tone was playful, but his eyes looked somehow serious.
“What do you mean? Do you think Princess Jasper has other plans?”
“Well, it’s similar.”
He smiled incomprehensibly and held back his words. What is it, you curious person? As I stuck out my lips, he reached out and grabbed my ankle, placing it on his thigh.
“I don’t know what Princess Jasper’s intentions are, but I know exactly what I’m planning right now.”
I wondered what he was doing, but he started massaging my legs with his large hands.
“Now... why are you doing this?”
“I’m afraid your legs will hurt.”
“Are I just sitting still in the carriage?”
“Don’t be so picky. I just wanted to touch my wife’s legs, yes?”
He slapped my calf with his hand.
“Then I will excuse the other side as well.”
I volunteered to place my other leg on top of his thigh.
“...This is the height of rudeness.”
Linel grumbled that all the humiliating moments in his life as an Emperor were because of me, while still rubbing my leg.
“Even though it’s rude, you keep reaching out, so please forgive me.”
Oh, cool. His massage skills were pretty good. The only problem was that his hands were moving up my legs.
Linel replied with a smirk.
“Is that so? Prince Calvain is in love with someone else and that’s why it’s like that?”
“I don’t know about that. If you’re curious, ask him yourself later.”
“I don’t want to risk my life on one question.”
I said, running my hand along the back of my neck.
“But you know, even if you don’t ask if you talk, won’t you get a feeling? Whether the two of them are in love or not.”
“Hmm... Well? Anyway, Princess Jasper must have had feelings for Prince Calvain, so she became his wife. Otherwise, would she have accepted the brother-in-law who killed her own husband as her husband?”
Now that I think about it, there really is no such thing as a dead end.
“Really? My thoughts are a little different...”
Linel's tone was playful, but his eyes looked somehow serious.
“What do you mean? Do you think Princess Jasper has other plans?”
“Well, it’s similar.”
He smiled incomprehensibly and held back his words. What is it, you curious person? As I stuck out my lips, he reached out and grabbed my ankle, placing it on his thigh.
“I don’t know what Princess Jasper’s intentions are, but I know exactly what I’m planning right now.”
I wondered what he was doing, but he started massaging my legs with his large hands.
“Now... why are you doing this?”
“I’m afraid your legs will hurt.”
“Are I just sitting still in the carriage?”
“Don’t be so picky. I just wanted to touch my wife’s legs, yes?”
He slapped my calf with his hand.
“Then I will excuse the other side as well.”
I volunteered to place my other leg on top of his thigh.
“...This is the height of rudeness.”
Linel grumbled that all the humiliating moments in his life as an Emperor were because of me, while still rubbing my leg.
“Even though it’s rude, you keep reaching out, so please forgive me.”
Oh, cool. His massage skills were pretty good. The only problem was that his hands were moving up my legs.
***
Tea time was held at an outdoor table set up in the backyard of the villa. The weather was unusually clear, so my mood was also refreshing. And meeting Prince Calvain and his wife was not as awkward as I thought. In particular, the way Prince Calvain was considerate of Princess Jasper was quite impressive. He asked her how she was feeling, how much tea she was drinking, why she didn’t touch the cake, etc. I thought he was a heartless person, but when it came to love, he showed a glimpse of pure love.
However, the things Prince Calvain did could not be justified. My gaze was always on Princess Jasper. She accepted Prince Calvain’s affection with her kind words and expression.
‘No matter how I look at it, it seems like the two of them love each other?’
That was how I felt. I occasionally glanced at Linel and observed his expression. His blue eyes looking at the Prince and his wife had a mysterious light as if he was seeing something I couldn’t see. Of course, it could be because I love his eyes so much that they seem even more special to me.
“Ahaha.”
“Hohoho.”
At tea time for royalty and nobles, meaningless laughter takes up half of the conversation. Today was no exception. Just when I was starting to get tired of smiling, the servants brought out the second cup of tea. I looked down at my teacup and tilted my head. It was vanilla coffee, a gift from Princess Resilia.
“Try it. This is vanilla coffee that I received as a gift from Princess Resilia of the Kingdom of Shattonil.”
'Why this coffee? Was the Linel delicious?'
But listening to him, it didn't seem to be because of the taste.
“As you can see, it has a rich foam that doesn’t settle easily. As for the taste, it’s not much different from other vanilla coffees.”
Prince Calvain and his wife took a sip of vanilla coffee while listening to Linel's explanation.
“Haha, it’s also fun to watch.”
Prince Calvain answered him, looking at his wife with a foamy mouth. She smiled and wiped the vanilla foam off her brother-in-law's, no, her husband's, lips with a handkerchief.
“Right. Stiane, did you deliver the gift to Princess Resilia just now?”
Linel put down his coffee cup and asked the chamberlain who was standing far away.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I brought it to you as a thank you for the vanilla coffee.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
He nodded to Stiane and glanced at me.
“Does the Princess know that we are here?”
I asked him in a lowered voice. Linel nodded briefly. For some reason, it seemed like he had leaked information to Princess Resilia on purpose. She was not the kind of Princess who would stay still knowing that fact...
“I think it’s about time to show up.”
Linel whispered so that only I could hear, then glanced at the back gate of the villa. A few minutes later, just as he had guessed, Princess Resilia came walking lightly towards me, acting awkwardly.
“Oh my, what a coincidence? Your Majesty!”
“Ahaha.”
“Hohoho.”
At tea time for royalty and nobles, meaningless laughter takes up half of the conversation. Today was no exception. Just when I was starting to get tired of smiling, the servants brought out the second cup of tea. I looked down at my teacup and tilted my head. It was vanilla coffee, a gift from Princess Resilia.
“Try it. This is vanilla coffee that I received as a gift from Princess Resilia of the Kingdom of Shattonil.”
'Why this coffee? Was the Linel delicious?'
But listening to him, it didn't seem to be because of the taste.
“As you can see, it has a rich foam that doesn’t settle easily. As for the taste, it’s not much different from other vanilla coffees.”
Prince Calvain and his wife took a sip of vanilla coffee while listening to Linel's explanation.
“Haha, it’s also fun to watch.”
Prince Calvain answered him, looking at his wife with a foamy mouth. She smiled and wiped the vanilla foam off her brother-in-law's, no, her husband's, lips with a handkerchief.
“Right. Stiane, did you deliver the gift to Princess Resilia just now?”
Linel put down his coffee cup and asked the chamberlain who was standing far away.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I brought it to you as a thank you for the vanilla coffee.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
He nodded to Stiane and glanced at me.
“Does the Princess know that we are here?”
I asked him in a lowered voice. Linel nodded briefly. For some reason, it seemed like he had leaked information to Princess Resilia on purpose. She was not the kind of Princess who would stay still knowing that fact...
“I think it’s about time to show up.”
Linel whispered so that only I could hear, then glanced at the back gate of the villa. A few minutes later, just as he had guessed, Princess Resilia came walking lightly towards me, acting awkwardly.
“Oh my, what a coincidence? Your Majesty!”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment