After my comeuppance, Alfred would surely become a splendid king. Whenever I occasionally remembered him, I’d rather feel emotional than bitter or resentful.

Oh no, I ended up staying awake all night again…

When I got up, the morning light was faintly streaming in through the window.

Feeling a bit hungry, I looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost five in the morning.

Not feeling like laying in bed any longer, I lazily washed my face in the bathroom next door. To refresh my mood, I changed into a different dress.

The head chef, who got up early every morning, would probably be working already, but I’d feel bad about disturbing him. I’d just have a quick bite. I wouldn’t mind a stale cookie.

I snuck out of the room, quietly went down the stairs, and headed to the kitchen. The sliding door was slightly ajar from the start. I tried to peek into the kitchen, but immediately ducked my head.

“Huh?”

I saw a woman from a distance. Next to the head chef, who was overflowing with charm and playfulness, was a very gorgeous, prim and proper woman.

Huh? Huuuh? What are the head chef and Sasha doing at this time of night?

Well, they did live under the same roof, and above all, they were friends.

No, no, no, no. A young lady of appropriate conduct and a polite servant would know better than be alone together in the mansion!?

…Or maybe after staying up all night, I was seeing things. Slowly but smoothly, I peeked into the kitchen. There, sure enough, I saw Sasha and the head chef, snuggled up together. They looked like the perfect couple.

Sasha’s cheeks were shining lustrously. I had never seen Sasha look so beautiful before. The head chef’s lips were slightly relaxed as he held Sasha to his chest. His eyes were also softy narrowed.

Such a handsome face.

Seriously? …I don’t know why, but I feel as if they’re one step ahead—as if I lost somehow. But more than anything, aren’t you guys just too defenseless…?

Since there was no sign they’d be noticing my arrival any time soon, I was about to clear my throat when the head chef and Sasha leaned towards one another for a kiss. I hurriedly raised my voice.

“—Hold on, wait a minute, I think it’s too early! Don’t rush!!”

I jumped into the kitchen, shocking both Sasha and the head chef. They quickly withdrew from each other.

“Milady!?” “Sister!?”

“—Milady, Lady Sasha isn’t at fault! Before I knew it, my love spontaneously combusted, the flames rose to my head in an instant. Without hesitation, I reached for Lady Sasha, so it’s entirely my fault!”

The head chef, speaking like a dreamy maiden, made a very poetic excuse.

“No, that’s not the case at all, Sister! It’s my fault! I feel like something is welling up from my body, urging me to go harder, faster. When I’m with Bart, I can be myself. He makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. I also feel at ease whenever I’m with him, and then—”

Sasha’s eyes were brimming with tears as she appealed to me surprisingly strongly.

“No, wait, wait. I’m trying to clear my head, so please wait a bit.”

I waved my palms up and down as if dribbling a ball.

Hmm, I’m shocked and convinced at the same time. This is difficult, too difficult to decide. There are too many factors to worry about, such as status, money, the fact that he’s a maiden at heart, opposition from those around her, and the plan to make Sasha the crown princess.

It was as if my brain had lost all its creases. I couldn’t help but clutch my head.

Should I oppose this? Or should I fully support her? Think, think. Sasha’s happiness should be my top priority.

Sasha probably didn’t know what to do. She looked at me, confused. She was also looking around.

“I’m sorry, as much as I want to laugh and say, ‘it’s fine,’ like kicking a pebble on the side of the road, there are just too many things to think about. Can we postpone this issue for now?”

The hallway was getting a bit noisy. The servants were probably starting to awaken one by one.

Sasha’s mouth was tightly shut, her face bright red. I gave a slight nod to the head chef, before pushing Sasha back as we walked out into the corridor together.

“Forgive me, Sister. Bart is really not to blame… I was so happy at being able to relax around him, and so grateful to have met him, that I ended up falling in love with him without permission…”

As we walked down the corridor, Sasha placed her hand on her chest. She exhaled softly, as if there was a tremor deep within her chest.

“I see… Hey, Sasha. No need to be like that. You don’t have to feel inferior to me.”

After watching Sasha enter her room, I returned to my own.

My thoughts went round in circles, and before I knew it, it was past nine in the morning. Having forgotten about my hunger, I groaned. Then Liz, who was supposed to be taking half a day off, came out in high spirits, saying, ‘Milady!’

“…Uhm, a man who is apparently the Prime Minister of the royal palace has come to visit. Since the lord isn’t here, Lord Kyle is entertaining him.”

“What, the Prime Minister!?”

Another unexpected thing had sprang out at me. Despite feeling the fatigue from lack of sleep and overthinking in my head, I hurried down the stairs with brisk steps.

“If the Marquis of Gessel isn’t here, Lady Juliane can give her consent on his behalf, and that will suffice.”

“No, like I said, since my stepfather went to his territory, I’m the acting head of the family. I cannot accept your unreasonable request, coming this early in the morning.”

I walked over to him, wondering what was going on. Kyle made an, ‘ah!’ face as the Prime Minister looked me straight in the eye.

“Lady Juliane, an unexpected situation has come to our attention.”

His dignified face was slightly impatient. It was as if the word ‘urgent’ was written on his face.

“To make it brief, I’d like you to hurry to the royal palace. The situation has become this dire.”

The Prime Minister made a gap between his right thumb and index finger, about the size of a baby’s head.

My eyes went wide.

I’d been engaged to Alfred for over a decade. I’d seen the Prime Minister make such gestures with his fingers several times. The most recent was at the last tea party. At that time, there was only a gap the size of a boiled egg.

“…It’s worse than I thought.”

“Huh, you can tell from just that?”

Kyle exclaimed in a thoroughly baffled voice.

“Lord Kyle, I ask you again. I’d like to bring your sister with me. Is that okay?”

At the Prime Minister’s request, Kyle turned towards me with a whoosh. It was as if he was worried about me, even though that shouldn’t be the case, so I looked at Kyle with a slight smile.

“Don’t worry, Kyle. Unexpected circumstances don’t align with our convenience.”

I repeated almost exactly what the Prime Minister had said the other day.

“Well then, Lady Juliane, shall we go?”

The Prime Minister pointed at his horse with his chin and narrowed his eyes. Kyle and I both exclaimed, “What?”

In front of us were the Prime Minister and two cavalrymen. There were three horses, but no carriage. In other words, I’d be riding together with either the Prime Minister or one of the two cavalrymen.

I could only nod in agreement, as I keenly felt the urgency of the situation, but I was also somewhat taken aback.

“N-no, wait. She’s still unmarried. I’ll prepare our family’s carriage right away.”

Unexpectedly, Kyle raised his voice. The Prime Minister stroked his white beard and laughed softly. However, I stopped Kyle and stepped forward.

“I’m off now. Kyle, please take good care of Sasha.”

“Then, Lady Juliane, let’s hurry. Please come this way.”

“O-okay.”

After making me sit in the saddle, the Prime Minister straddled the horse and grabbed the reins.

“Ha!”

The Prime Minister raised his voice, and the horse galloped. The wind roared in my ears. If I carelessly opened my mouth, I’d bite my tongue.

Something must’ve happened to His Highness Alfred.

My house and the royal castle weren’t far apart. Therefore, we would arrive there soon, but a sense of impatience swirled inside my heart.

The Prime Minister and his horse seemed to be galloping as one. I felt like I was a third-wheel.

Soon, the horse slowed down. I saw the entrance hall that only royalty and those of similar status could use. Several figures could be seen there.

“Oh, you’ve arrived!”

“Ah, Lady Juliane! We’ve been waiting for you!”

Familiar faces such as Alfred’s young butler and elderly maid raised their hands in triumph.

I was stunned. I had never received such a warm welcome before. Men and women of all ages were so happy, I felt as if I could see confetti flying through the air.

“Thank goodness. We’re finally free from the fear of death.”

---

Read more than a month’s worth of chapters ahead on patreon for only $2~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>