“What do you plan to do when you meet?”
“Anything. He needs to know how his mother is living now.”
Resilia retorted, gazing at her shabby appearance reflected in the mirror.
“Are you trying to elicit pity?”
“Even without it, seeing this sight will naturally break his heart.”
“But... is it possible to approach him?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
Resilia turned to the monastery priest who had been accompanying her like a servant and spoke nervously.
“Huh?”
“If it’s impossible to approach, isn’t it your job to make it possible?”
“...”
“That’s what you’re supposed to do. Am I wrong?”
Resilia wasn’t wrong. But that doesn’t mean her followers could handle everything.
Still, she wasn’t in a position to question her, so she simply nodded obediently.
“...That’s right, Princess. I’ll discuss it with Elsa.”
“Hurry. There’s no time.”
If God helps her this time, He will let her meet Rams.
Somehow, she felt certain they would.
“I can sneak into the palace, but it would be even better if Rams comes out.”
The order was easy to give.
Only Resilia’s attendant felt anxious.
“Have Elsa send the carrier pigeon again and find out what’s going on inside the palace.”
My wife and I boarded the carriage with Lily and headed to the quarters of the West Palace, where Rosie lived.
Lily, dressed more neatly than usual, was already sitting quietly, imitating a lady of state.
Emperor Norton and Empress Rosie probably thought it was just a light refreshment before dinner at the main palace.
But to Lily, it was more like a meeting.
As we approached Rosie’s former quarters, Linel pointed out the carriage window.
“Lily, it’s your groom-to-be.”
“Really?”
Lily smiled brightly and leaned out the window.
“...Huh? What did I just see?!”
Lily, who had been looking out the window, suddenly collapsed on the carriage floor.
Then she got up again, sticking her head out the window, looking ready to jump out at any moment.
I grabbed the excited Lily by the scruff of her neck and handed her to Linel, then looked out the window.
Rams was outside Rosie's quarters.
But he wasn't alone.
"In front of Prince Rams... isn't that Princess Mao?"
As soon as I spoke, the carriage stopped in front of Rosie's quarters.
The moment it stopped, Lily kicked open the carriage door and stepped out.
"What's wrong?"
Linel asked, tilting his head.
"Your daughter, do you think she's jealous?"
"Who? Princess Mao? Just seeing the two of them walking together?"
"I don't know. Maybe something happened between the three of them at the main palace."
I shrugged and snickered.
As I took his hand and got out of the carriage, I was greeted by a tense scene: three children standing in a triangle.
Rams was smiling, and Mao looked terrified for some reason.
Our Lily... felt like hot steam was rising from her head.
Even though only the back of her head was visible, I could tell what expression she was making without even looking.
It was Rams who broke the tense triangle.
He approached us and greeted us warmly.
He was a year older than Lily, but he looked three or four years older.
“It’s been so long, hasn’t it? There’s a reason Empress Rosie praised you so much. How can you be so mature?”
I smiled happily at Rams.
In a few years, you’ll be making many of the ladies of the Pasha Empire cry.
Oh, and some have already fallen for it.
I sighed, looking at the back of Lily’s head.
Mao also greeted us and was about to come over, but Lily blocked his path.
“Why are you two coming together?”
Lily asked Mao.
“We were walking in the garden, and we happened to meet nearby.”
The answer came from Rams.
"This is the palace where the Pasha Empire's dignitaries reside. Isn't Princess Mao's palace across the street?"
Lily asked, pointing to Melanie's former residence.
"Princess Mao was out for a walk, just like me. She said she came here because the flower path was so pretty."
This time, Rams answered for Mao.
"The atmosphere seems off. Should we just go in first?"
Linel asked me in a low voice.
"We should take her in. Just wait."
I patted his butt, soothing him.
He relaxed, patiently waiting for Lily.
I heard a clearing in my throat, turned around, and realized, "Oh no!" I'd completely forgotten Raphael was standing behind me.
It wasn't the first time Raphael had caught us flirting, but it was still incredibly embarrassing.
Anyway, I listened to the children's conversation for a moment, then, feeling it wasn't enough, I intervened.
"I'm here for a light refreshment, but Princess Mao will come with you."
Princess Mao glanced at Lily at my suggestion.
Lily then turned around.
"Mother..."
She shot me a look of protest.
"Um, I'll just go back. I'm full from lunch. And I have books to read..."
Mao waved her hands and declined my offer.
“Oh my, how wonderful. Just like Queen Melanie said, our Princess Mao really loves books, huh?”
Mao smiled bashfully at my compliment.
“I like books too. I was planning to go to the famous bookstore in the palace tomorrow anyway.”
Rams said with interest.
“Then can I come with you and recommend some books?”
Mao said, jumping up and down.
“I live in this country, so I know the bookstores here better than you, don’t I?”
Lily, you’ve never been to a bookstore, have you?
“You have plenty to read, Princess, so don’t overdo it. I’ll show you around.”
Lily said firmly to Mao.
“Come to think of it, I do... But I guess I should...”
“Then see you in the evening, Princess Mao,”
Lily blurted out.
“Yes. Well, I’m off.”
Mao bowed to Rams and me and started running toward Melanie’s old quarters.
Linel and Rams entered the lobby first.
I grabbed Lily's arm and said quietly,
"Let's talk privately later."
I said, my eyes scolding her, and Lily grumbled softly.
"Princess Mao didn't come here for a walk. She saw Prince Rams strolling in the West Palace garden and came out on purpose."
"How did you know?"
"I knew it. I expected it."
Lily muttered indignantly.
Watching us enter the drawing room with Rams, Rosie, and Emperor Norton joked that we were like family.
"It will be soon,"
Lily said with a grin, and Rosie and Emperor Norton burst out laughing.
"How come you're coming with me?"
Rosie asked, offering her a seat.
"I met him in front of the palace. He was strolling with Princess Mao. Princess Mao wanted to come with us, but she said she had a book to read. I have books as tall as I do, but I prefer seeing you both, so I came."
Lily clasped her hands together politely, speaking with great care.
But our daughter sat next to Prince Rams instead of us.
Sitting like that, the four of th looked like a family.
Linel and I looked slightly flustered and motioned for Lily to come over.
“I see you two are already close,”
Emperor Norton said with a smile.
“Yes, Father. More so than you think.”
“...Father?”
Emperor Norton’s eyes widened in confusion.
“Just, let it be,”
Linel whispered to Emperor Norton, covering his mouth with one hand.
Emperor Norton and Rosie stared at us, puzzled, but I just smiled, unable to tell Lily that she was alone in the meeting.
“How happy you are to have such a charming daughter, Your Majesty,”
Emperor Norton looked at Lily lovingly and then said to Linel,
“Two more charming moments and you’ll be buried in the dirt...”
“Father, have a cookie.”
Lily handed him one, cutting him off.
Was that intentional? Why did she give him earth-colored cookies, even if she had to give her cookies?
Linel frowned and put the cookies down.
"But is it true that both twins like books, just like Queen Melanie said?"
Rosie asked, curious.
“That’s right.”
“I heard your mother likes books, too. I really like them too.”
“Anything. He needs to know how his mother is living now.”
Resilia retorted, gazing at her shabby appearance reflected in the mirror.
“Are you trying to elicit pity?”
“Even without it, seeing this sight will naturally break his heart.”
“But... is it possible to approach him?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
Resilia turned to the monastery priest who had been accompanying her like a servant and spoke nervously.
“Huh?”
“If it’s impossible to approach, isn’t it your job to make it possible?”
“...”
“That’s what you’re supposed to do. Am I wrong?”
Resilia wasn’t wrong. But that doesn’t mean her followers could handle everything.
Still, she wasn’t in a position to question her, so she simply nodded obediently.
“...That’s right, Princess. I’ll discuss it with Elsa.”
“Hurry. There’s no time.”
If God helps her this time, He will let her meet Rams.
Somehow, she felt certain they would.
“I can sneak into the palace, but it would be even better if Rams comes out.”
The order was easy to give.
Only Resilia’s attendant felt anxious.
“Have Elsa send the carrier pigeon again and find out what’s going on inside the palace.”
***
My wife and I boarded the carriage with Lily and headed to the quarters of the West Palace, where Rosie lived.
Lily, dressed more neatly than usual, was already sitting quietly, imitating a lady of state.
Emperor Norton and Empress Rosie probably thought it was just a light refreshment before dinner at the main palace.
But to Lily, it was more like a meeting.
As we approached Rosie’s former quarters, Linel pointed out the carriage window.
“Lily, it’s your groom-to-be.”
“Really?”
Lily smiled brightly and leaned out the window.
“...Huh? What did I just see?!”
Lily, who had been looking out the window, suddenly collapsed on the carriage floor.
Then she got up again, sticking her head out the window, looking ready to jump out at any moment.
I grabbed the excited Lily by the scruff of her neck and handed her to Linel, then looked out the window.
Rams was outside Rosie's quarters.
But he wasn't alone.
"In front of Prince Rams... isn't that Princess Mao?"
As soon as I spoke, the carriage stopped in front of Rosie's quarters.
The moment it stopped, Lily kicked open the carriage door and stepped out.
"What's wrong?"
Linel asked, tilting his head.
"Your daughter, do you think she's jealous?"
"Who? Princess Mao? Just seeing the two of them walking together?"
"I don't know. Maybe something happened between the three of them at the main palace."
I shrugged and snickered.
As I took his hand and got out of the carriage, I was greeted by a tense scene: three children standing in a triangle.
Rams was smiling, and Mao looked terrified for some reason.
Our Lily... felt like hot steam was rising from her head.
Even though only the back of her head was visible, I could tell what expression she was making without even looking.
It was Rams who broke the tense triangle.
He approached us and greeted us warmly.
He was a year older than Lily, but he looked three or four years older.
“It’s been so long, hasn’t it? There’s a reason Empress Rosie praised you so much. How can you be so mature?”
I smiled happily at Rams.
In a few years, you’ll be making many of the ladies of the Pasha Empire cry.
Oh, and some have already fallen for it.
I sighed, looking at the back of Lily’s head.
Mao also greeted us and was about to come over, but Lily blocked his path.
“Why are you two coming together?”
Lily asked Mao.
“We were walking in the garden, and we happened to meet nearby.”
The answer came from Rams.
"This is the palace where the Pasha Empire's dignitaries reside. Isn't Princess Mao's palace across the street?"
Lily asked, pointing to Melanie's former residence.
"Princess Mao was out for a walk, just like me. She said she came here because the flower path was so pretty."
This time, Rams answered for Mao.
"The atmosphere seems off. Should we just go in first?"
Linel asked me in a low voice.
"We should take her in. Just wait."
I patted his butt, soothing him.
He relaxed, patiently waiting for Lily.
I heard a clearing in my throat, turned around, and realized, "Oh no!" I'd completely forgotten Raphael was standing behind me.
It wasn't the first time Raphael had caught us flirting, but it was still incredibly embarrassing.
Anyway, I listened to the children's conversation for a moment, then, feeling it wasn't enough, I intervened.
"I'm here for a light refreshment, but Princess Mao will come with you."
Princess Mao glanced at Lily at my suggestion.
Lily then turned around.
"Mother..."
She shot me a look of protest.
"Um, I'll just go back. I'm full from lunch. And I have books to read..."
Mao waved her hands and declined my offer.
“Oh my, how wonderful. Just like Queen Melanie said, our Princess Mao really loves books, huh?”
Mao smiled bashfully at my compliment.
“I like books too. I was planning to go to the famous bookstore in the palace tomorrow anyway.”
Rams said with interest.
“Then can I come with you and recommend some books?”
Mao said, jumping up and down.
“I live in this country, so I know the bookstores here better than you, don’t I?”
Lily, you’ve never been to a bookstore, have you?
“You have plenty to read, Princess, so don’t overdo it. I’ll show you around.”
Lily said firmly to Mao.
“Come to think of it, I do... But I guess I should...”
“Then see you in the evening, Princess Mao,”
Lily blurted out.
“Yes. Well, I’m off.”
Mao bowed to Rams and me and started running toward Melanie’s old quarters.
Linel and Rams entered the lobby first.
I grabbed Lily's arm and said quietly,
"Let's talk privately later."
I said, my eyes scolding her, and Lily grumbled softly.
"Princess Mao didn't come here for a walk. She saw Prince Rams strolling in the West Palace garden and came out on purpose."
"How did you know?"
"I knew it. I expected it."
Lily muttered indignantly.
***
Watching us enter the drawing room with Rams, Rosie, and Emperor Norton joked that we were like family.
"It will be soon,"
Lily said with a grin, and Rosie and Emperor Norton burst out laughing.
"How come you're coming with me?"
Rosie asked, offering her a seat.
"I met him in front of the palace. He was strolling with Princess Mao. Princess Mao wanted to come with us, but she said she had a book to read. I have books as tall as I do, but I prefer seeing you both, so I came."
Lily clasped her hands together politely, speaking with great care.
But our daughter sat next to Prince Rams instead of us.
Sitting like that, the four of th looked like a family.
Linel and I looked slightly flustered and motioned for Lily to come over.
“I see you two are already close,”
Emperor Norton said with a smile.
“Yes, Father. More so than you think.”
“...Father?”
Emperor Norton’s eyes widened in confusion.
“Just, let it be,”
Linel whispered to Emperor Norton, covering his mouth with one hand.
Emperor Norton and Rosie stared at us, puzzled, but I just smiled, unable to tell Lily that she was alone in the meeting.
“How happy you are to have such a charming daughter, Your Majesty,”
Emperor Norton looked at Lily lovingly and then said to Linel,
“Two more charming moments and you’ll be buried in the dirt...”
“Father, have a cookie.”
Lily handed him one, cutting him off.
Was that intentional? Why did she give him earth-colored cookies, even if she had to give her cookies?
Linel frowned and put the cookies down.
"But is it true that both twins like books, just like Queen Melanie said?"
Rosie asked, curious.
“That’s right.”
“I heard your mother likes books, too. I really like them too.”
Lily chimed in, taking advantage of the moment.
“Huh? ”
I almost snorted.
“Does our Princess Lily read books often?”
Rosie asked, beaming. She doesn’t even know how to read yet, so what’s the point of reading often or rarely?
“I'm always getting scolded by your mother because of books?”
What does that mean?
Linel and I looked at our daughter with puzzled expressions.
“Why?”
Rosie asked curiously.
“Stop reading books.”
“...”
See?
I stared at Lily with wide eyes. Linel shook her head, dumbfounded.
“That’s why I’ve decided to show you the biggest bookstore in the castle tomorrow. I might not know much about toy stores, but I know a thing or two about bookstores.”
Isn’t that the opposite?
“Lily, you?”
Linel, unable to bear it any longer, asked sarcastically.
“Of course. It’s a place we always stop by whenever we leave the palace. We used to go there whenever a new storybook came out, right?”
I wondered what a child who still couldn’t read could possibly be talking about.
But Linel, determined to save her daughter’s face, bit back a smile.
“Lily. Stop reading books. You’ll ruin your eyesight.”
Suddenly, he started pushing Lily.
“Yes, Father. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lily nodded, keeping in sync.
They really worked well together at times like this.
I didn’t want to get caught up in this scam, so I stayed quiet.
“Crowns Bookstore, right? I’ve been there often since I was little.”
Rosie pretended to know, but Lily, who hadn’t even known if the bookstore was called Crowns or Crowned, was slightly taken aback.
“Uh, Crowns? Yes! That’s the one.”
“Books are good, but you should also take care of your health, yes?”
“Mom~ My eyesight is already bad from reading too many books. I’m only seven. Hohoho.”
“What’s with the eyes, Lily?”
I warned her immediately.
Rosie waved her hand and sided with Lily.
“It’s okay. We use it a lot, Divero. Rams used it when he was little, too.”
Of course, all the kids were influenced by Moiya and Moni.
“Can I go to the bookstore with the Prince tomorrow? We’ll need permission.”
Lily said cutely, narrowing her eyes.
Suddenly, she opened her bag and put her hand in... Did you bring dirt?!
You don’t plan on actually throwing it on us if you keep us out of the palace, do you?
Linel and I caught Lily’s actions and whispered, “Lily,” in a low voice.
“Of course, I’ll let you.”
Rosie smiled affectionately.
Only then could I breathe a sigh of relief.
Rams kept smiling, either because he liked Lily or because he was enjoying the situation.
At that moment, Moiya and Moni were in Lily’s room, listening to the children’s concerns.
“I don’t know which country we’ll meet in next time, but I hope everyone will mature by then,”
Moiya said earnestly.
“Yes!”
They all shouted soullessly.
“You answer well, Moiya~?”
Moiya and Moni, furious that no one had brought a gift, calmed themselves down after a moment of disappointment.
“Who said they had a problem earlier? Just tell me what you have.”
Moiya coughed and asked maturely.
“I wish I were as good at swordsmanship as Rams. I’m much better than my peers, but I can’t compare to Rams.”
Divero confessed his worries.
“Then you should work harder, Moiya~?”
“Right, take care of yourself. Next problem.”
The solution to the problem was simple and clear.
This time, Catherine’s son, Clark, raised his hand.
“Yes, our Clark. Feel free to open your mouth.”
“Does our Princess Lily read books often?”
Rosie asked, beaming. She doesn’t even know how to read yet, so what’s the point of reading often or rarely?
“I'm always getting scolded by your mother because of books?”
What does that mean?
Linel and I looked at our daughter with puzzled expressions.
“Why?”
Rosie asked curiously.
“Stop reading books.”
“...”
See?
I stared at Lily with wide eyes. Linel shook her head, dumbfounded.
“That’s why I’ve decided to show you the biggest bookstore in the castle tomorrow. I might not know much about toy stores, but I know a thing or two about bookstores.”
Isn’t that the opposite?
“Lily, you?”
Linel, unable to bear it any longer, asked sarcastically.
“Of course. It’s a place we always stop by whenever we leave the palace. We used to go there whenever a new storybook came out, right?”
I wondered what a child who still couldn’t read could possibly be talking about.
But Linel, determined to save her daughter’s face, bit back a smile.
“Lily. Stop reading books. You’ll ruin your eyesight.”
Suddenly, he started pushing Lily.
“Yes, Father. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lily nodded, keeping in sync.
They really worked well together at times like this.
I didn’t want to get caught up in this scam, so I stayed quiet.
“Crowns Bookstore, right? I’ve been there often since I was little.”
Rosie pretended to know, but Lily, who hadn’t even known if the bookstore was called Crowns or Crowned, was slightly taken aback.
“Uh, Crowns? Yes! That’s the one.”
“Books are good, but you should also take care of your health, yes?”
“Mom~ My eyesight is already bad from reading too many books. I’m only seven. Hohoho.”
“What’s with the eyes, Lily?”
I warned her immediately.
Rosie waved her hand and sided with Lily.
“It’s okay. We use it a lot, Divero. Rams used it when he was little, too.”
Of course, all the kids were influenced by Moiya and Moni.
“Can I go to the bookstore with the Prince tomorrow? We’ll need permission.”
Lily said cutely, narrowing her eyes.
Suddenly, she opened her bag and put her hand in... Did you bring dirt?!
You don’t plan on actually throwing it on us if you keep us out of the palace, do you?
Linel and I caught Lily’s actions and whispered, “Lily,” in a low voice.
“Of course, I’ll let you.”
Rosie smiled affectionately.
Only then could I breathe a sigh of relief.
Rams kept smiling, either because he liked Lily or because he was enjoying the situation.
***
At that moment, Moiya and Moni were in Lily’s room, listening to the children’s concerns.
“I don’t know which country we’ll meet in next time, but I hope everyone will mature by then,”
Moiya said earnestly.
“Yes!”
They all shouted soullessly.
“You answer well, Moiya~?”
Moiya and Moni, furious that no one had brought a gift, calmed themselves down after a moment of disappointment.
“Who said they had a problem earlier? Just tell me what you have.”
Moiya coughed and asked maturely.
“I wish I were as good at swordsmanship as Rams. I’m much better than my peers, but I can’t compare to Rams.”
Divero confessed his worries.
“Then you should work harder, Moiya~?”
“Right, take care of yourself. Next problem.”
The solution to the problem was simple and clear.
This time, Catherine’s son, Clark, raised his hand.
“Yes, our Clark. Feel free to open your mouth.”
Moiya pointed at Clark.
"I'd love to help out in other cities' slums and orphanages, but my mother won't let me. There's so much to learn, and I don't have time..."
Moiya and Moni glared at Clark for a moment. They whispered, wondering why such a caring child never brought them a single bite of sausage. Then, clearing their throats, they offered some polite advice.
“Go secretly. And always watch your pockets.”
“Yeah. But it’s easy to get robbed if you go, right? Next problem.”
Melanie’s son, Theo, raised his hand as she offered another clear solution.
“I want to read more books, but I live on an island, so it takes a few more days to receive new releases than on the mainland. What should I do?”
“...That’s your worry?”
Moni asked, scratching her head.
“Yeah!”
“Read everything you have twice. And save your eyes. You need good eyes to read a lot, right, Moiya?”
“Thanks. I will.”
In fact, they could have asked their own nannies or servants similar questions, but the children believed what Moiya and Moni said more.
After discussing their concerns, the children began to play with each other.
“Huh? That pigeon has been coming and going to the palace since yesterday? It’s annoying.”
Moni muttered, pointing to a pigeon flying outside the window.
“There’s a letter attached to its neck? I think it’s a homing pigeon.”
Moiya also narrowed her eyes and looked at it.
“Who is it flying to with a letter tied to its neck? Aren’t you curious, Moiya~?”
“Oh? Then why don’t we follow it, Moni~?”
Moiya and Moni chased after the messenger flying to the palace.
"I'd love to help out in other cities' slums and orphanages, but my mother won't let me. There's so much to learn, and I don't have time..."
Moiya and Moni glared at Clark for a moment. They whispered, wondering why such a caring child never brought them a single bite of sausage. Then, clearing their throats, they offered some polite advice.
“Go secretly. And always watch your pockets.”
“Yeah. But it’s easy to get robbed if you go, right? Next problem.”
Melanie’s son, Theo, raised his hand as she offered another clear solution.
“I want to read more books, but I live on an island, so it takes a few more days to receive new releases than on the mainland. What should I do?”
“...That’s your worry?”
Moni asked, scratching her head.
“Yeah!”
“Read everything you have twice. And save your eyes. You need good eyes to read a lot, right, Moiya?”
“Thanks. I will.”
In fact, they could have asked their own nannies or servants similar questions, but the children believed what Moiya and Moni said more.
After discussing their concerns, the children began to play with each other.
“Huh? That pigeon has been coming and going to the palace since yesterday? It’s annoying.”
Moni muttered, pointing to a pigeon flying outside the window.
“There’s a letter attached to its neck? I think it’s a homing pigeon.”
Moiya also narrowed her eyes and looked at it.
“Who is it flying to with a letter tied to its neck? Aren’t you curious, Moiya~?”
“Oh? Then why don’t we follow it, Moni~?”
Moiya and Moni chased after the messenger flying to the palace.
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