Silent Witch-CH21: The Queen’s Favorite
As my master moved to interrupt the royals——an act of unbelievable rudeness——Lady Chiffone, her face pale, tried to stop her, but Prince Yuma held her back with a single hand.
“What is it, Allie?”
As if to say it was alright, he placed a hand on Lady Alteria’s waist and led her between himself and Her Majesty Queen.
“Hearing Your Majesty's words earlier has made me very happy. You truly cherish Prince Yumanova, and just because he chose me, you have graciously accepted me in this state, so unbecoming of a lady. All your words have been so considerate of me. As Prince Yumanova says, his kindness must surely come from you. This may be a forward request, but as you mentioned earlier, would it be alright if I were to call you Mother-in-law?”
The two of them were riveted on Lady Alteria as she smiled shyly. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
“…Yuma, she’s so adorable, this child.”
“…She is adorable, isn't she? Truly.”
The instant Prince Yuma nodded in agreement with Her Majesty Queen, she threw her arms around Lady Alteria.
“Oh, she’s so adorable. I always wanted a girl. Even if things don't work out with Yuma, please become my daughter. I'm begging you.”
“Eh, Mother? ‘Even if things don't work out with me’? That’s a bit harsh.”
“But, you never know what the future holds. I never thought I’d be abducted by His Majesty King at my own wedding and have things fall through with the Duke.”
“Well, that’s true, but… to be used as an example like that right now…”
The parent and child chattered noisily with Lady Alteria between them. Lady Chiffone, who was watching them with a dumbfounded look, muttered dejectedly, “Her Majesty Queen, who is always so refined and elegant…”
“Yes, she only shows her true self like that in front of Prince Yuma. I’ve never seen it anywhere else.”
When I told Lady Chiffone that her assessment was correct, she looked puzzled.
“Is that… what you mean? That she only lets her guard down around His Highness Yumanova?”
“That’s right. According to my mother, she’s doting on him. It seems Prince Yuma brings that side out in her.”
Lady Chiffone brought a hand to her mouth, lost in thought.
“She has a very big heart. The conversation with that person earlier contained many unbelievable things, but she forgives all of it, doesn’t she?”
The person from earlier must be Neville. Indeed, even I found the content of their conversation to be nothing to frown at. It must have been quite a burden for them to hear.
“…I’m sorry you had to listen to such an unnecessary conversation. I imagine you will discuss it with Lady Alteria later, but if it’s not too much trouble, I would be grateful if you could tell me your true feelings.”
“Well… I can only say that I will consider it. There was too much information, so I’m a bit confused myself.”
“I see. I’m truly sorry.”
Lady Chiffone answered that she wasn’t sure if she could speak honestly. That was probably the correct response.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze and saw Her Majesty Queen staring intently at me and Lady Chiffone, still with her arm around Lady Alteria.
“…Has spring come for Brian, too?”
“You could tell? This is Lady Chiffone Eaves, the Viscount’s daughter, Allie’s maid.”
“Oh my! I have to tell Ma’am!”
“Please wait, Your Majesty Queen!”
Her Majesty Queen’s beautiful face flushed crimson as she beamed at us. That expression was so dazzlingly bright it looked like it could defeat the King in an instant. But, no, wait, wait, wait. ŕÁƝꝊ𝔟È𝙨
Her Majesty Queen had misunderstood the relationship between Lady Chiffone and me—or rather, her misunderstanding of my feelings wasn’t entirely wrong, but no, no, in any case, she was getting the wrong idea about our relationship and was about to report—ahem—tell my mother.
Just as I desperately tried to stop Her Majesty Queen, Prince Yuma put me in a full nelson from behind.
“It’s not like it’s a problem if she reports it, is it?”
“It is a problem. We’re not… yet… In any case, we’ve only just met, so I have to respect Lady Chiffone’s feelings properly. Isn't that what you’re always saying, Prince Yuma?”
“We, who are spending time together, are already engaged.”
Prince Yuma said it so matter-of-factly, as if he and Lady Alteria were truly engaged. He probably means that time doesn’t matter, but our situation is completely different from yours, I wanted to say. Yours is a contract.
“Sir Brian, what are your feelings for Lady Chiffone?”
An ambush from an unexpected quarter. Even Lady Alteria was asking me something like that.
At her words, my and Lady Chiffone’s eyes met.
We both froze, our faces feeling as if they were on fire. Are these people making fun of us?
“I’m sorry, Brian. I’ll keep this from Ma’am for a little longer. But if that’s the case, I would be so happy. You’ve always been by Yuma’s side since you were little, keeping other women away. I was worried that it was because we were dragging you into the problems of us royals. I felt sorry for Ma’am, too. So if that’s the case, I’d be happy if you told me properly. I will protect you two properly as well.”
“…Your Majesty Queen.”
I didn’t know. Her Majesty Queen had been worried about me, too, when I was with Prince Yuma. I felt remorseful for having suspected that she was mocking us, given her pure heart.
“Mother, we’re only sixteen. It’s not something to be thought of so seriously.”
“Oh?”
Prince Yuma chuckled from behind me, still holding me in the full nelson. Her Majesty Queen was also hiding her mouth with her fan. I broke free from Prince Yuma’s hold and straightened my back.
“I apologize, Your Majesty Queen. But regarding our situation, I would like to ask for a little more time. I will be sure to report to you eventually.”
As I said this and bowed my head, Lady Chiffone bowed her head beside me. Her face was still bright red.
“I’m truly sorry. I got ahead of myself. My, you get impatient as you get older. I was just so excited to meet two such adorable young ladies. Will you come see me again?”
Her Majesty Queen tilted her head cutely. She may have mentioned her age, but her beauty was not diminished in the slightest. With a gesture like that, she still looked like a young, innocent girl.
“Of course, Mother-in-law. I was so happy to meet you today. I look forward to the day we can meet again.”
Lady Alteria smiled brightly, calling her “Mother-in-law” just as she’d declared, while Lady Chiffone bowed her head beside her.
Her Majesty Queen smiled at the two of them, said, “I’ve interrupted you, haven’t I?” and then left.
It was as if a typhoon had passed, though in a completely different way from when His Highness Lenanino’s fiancée, Lady Garnet, was at the tea party.
Everyone sat back down on the sofa, the cold tea was replaced, and they all took a breath. Prince Yuma then murmured, gazing at the door Her Majesty Queen had just left through.
“…Even though she said all that, I wonder when the next time we’ll be able to meet her will be?”
His words made me realize. Come to think of it, Her Majesty Queen is usually in her private chambers and rarely appears in public outside of her official duties. Or rather, it’s more accurate to say she can’t appear. The reason is simple. His Majesty King doesn’t want the people’s eyes on his beautiful Queen. In short, he’s jealous. He wants to keep her locked away, for his eyes only.
“My mother is a caged bird, you see. And Father believes without a doubt that that is love. In my opinion, that is the height of folly. He doesn’t try to understand her feelings at all.”
Prince Yuma scowled, then turned to face Lady Alteria.
“That’s why I hate the thought of you being captured by Lord Jumelba. If you’re captured, you’ll surely become a caged bird, too. If things go wrong, your power could be exploited, and you might become a puppet at Lord Jumelba’s mercy. He’s the type of person who would do that without a second thought. I think your boy’s disguise is cute, Allie. It’s so free. Please, I want you to stay just as you are.”
I see. So Prince Yuma, in his own way, was truly worried about Lady Alteria. He must have seen parallels to his own mother.
Lady Alteria and Lady Chiffone both wore indescribable expressions after hearing Prince Yuma’s words.
“I am curious about the Saintess’s true situation, though…”
Prince Yuma crossed his arms and looked up, thinking. “Hmm…” The Saintess? Ah, that’s right, the Saintess was also captured from a rural village by Lord Jumelba.
I see. So Prince Yuma was worried about the Saintess, too, and that’s why he held the tea party the other day. I had felt it was strange that it was just to improve his relationship with His Highness Lenanino.
“Lord Jumelba is a man with many problems. Honestly, I think the Saintess is enduring a great deal. If she’s unhappy as she is now, I thought it might be better for her to be with my brother, but from her words and actions the other day, I’m not so sure…”
Indeed, the Saintess’s final attitude made it seem she did not desire a future with His Highness Lenanino.
But, as I thought, Prince Yuma has been investigating Lord Jumelba quite thoroughly. He seemed to know about him before, but he must have gotten serious after Lady Alteria’s case. Perhaps he’s even already taken action in places I don’t know about…
Prince Yuma was silent for a moment, then, as if remembering something, he looked at Lady Alteria.
“From what you saw, Allie, do you think the fairies was with the Saintess? I know you had the fairies stay away on purpose that day, but…”
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