𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟎: 𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞
I was so surprised when he appeared out of nowhere, I nearly jumped.
It seems Rachael had the same reaction, she looked at Lord Montyver with wide, round eyes.
ㅤ
“Ah, sorry to have startled you.”
ㅤ
He said he should have made some noise as he approached, but the real shock came because just a few seconds before, we were discussing Lord Montyver.
He might have heard us.
Perhaps it’s divine punishment for talking about someone else.
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“So, what were you talking about?”
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When asked directly, I couldn’t just dodge the question.
I had to confess.
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“We were discussing attending the upcoming queen’s birthday party. Taking Ren as my partner is difficult due to our age difference.”
“Ah, I see, I see. So that’s what it was about. I would volunteer if I didn’t have bodyguard duty for Prince Ghodrove that day.”
ㅤ
The only person who seemed to be a potential partner, Lord Montyver, was apparently occupied.
“Ah, but, hmm, I could probably delegate my bodyguard duty and attend the party.”
“I heard that Lord Montyver is the captain of Prince Ghodrove’s personal guard, isn’t such behavior not permitted?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I expected you, Lara, to say that.”
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Unexpectedly, I seemed to have fulfilled Lord Montyver’s expectations.
The deflating conversation made me feel utterly exhausted.
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For now, I pulled out a chair and offered it to Lord Montyver.
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“Oh, where’s the Marchioness? Is she teaching Ren?”
“She’s gone to the museum.”
“Oh, you mentioned that before. Today was the day, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
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While responding, I prepared some tea. I handed over the steaming cup.
Lord Montyver, apparently having a sensitive tongue, stared intently into the cup.
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“Would you like some milk to cool down the tea?”
“No, it’s fine as it is.”
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With that, Lord Montyver drank the tea. From the grimace on his face, it seemed too hot.
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“Ugh, it’s been a while since I drank such hot tea.”
“You have a cat’s tongue, don’t you?”
“Well, yes.”
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I wish he wouldn’t rush to drink it, but would let it cool properly first.
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“By the way, Lara, you’re making your social debut in Binemöer, right?”
“I’m just stepping in for the Marchioness.”
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Calling it a social debut seems a bit exaggerated.
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“Oh, have you been told about the terrifying factions within the social circles?”
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Rachael, suddenly addressed by Lord Montyver, frowned and shook her head.
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“Uh, what do you mean by factions?”
“The ‘Queen’s Faction’, and the ‘Concubine’ Faction’.”
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Apparently, in Binemöer’s social circles, those who support the queen and those who adore the concubine are constantly at odds.
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“The queen is the renowned noblewoman from the Kingdom of Flandène—―”
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Sabine de Flandène, aged 47.
She maintains a beauty that belies her age.
Her only child is the 26-year-old crown prince, Engelbert.
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“The concubine is Duchess of Citrin, Karina・Von・Glaunorn.”
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After her husband’s death, she became the king’s concubine at the tender age of 18.
She has a child, Leonardo, who is now eight years old.
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Originally, Karina was chosen by the queen to be presented to the king.
It seems that ten years ago, the king lost his beloved concubine and was bedridden from shock.
To cheer him up, the queen brought in Karina as a new concubine.
ㅤ
Karina was a woman chosen by the queen. Initially, their relationship was good. But something happened that changed the situation drastically.
“The king gave the concubine’s son, Leonardo, the right to succeed the throne. This provoked the queen’s anger――”
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No matter how much opposition he faced, it seemed that the king was determined to grant Leonardo the right to succession.
He loved Karina so much, treating Leonardo, her child, with special favour.
However, even as a king, he would lose his position if he only favored Karina.
So, it seems, the king made a move.
After sharing this much, Lord Montyver looked off into the distance.
Apparently, the king made a difficult decision.
When he looked at Rachael, she explained on his behalf.
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“It seems that His Majesty the King also granted succession rights to another daughter of his concubine.”
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In the history of Binemöer, it seems that female royalty were not only denied the throne but also the right of succession.
In order to give Leonardo succession rights, it seems that the king made an unprecedented decision.
The king declared the problem solved and it is said that he ignored any protests from the queen thereafter.
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“Ever since then, relations between Her Majesty the Queen and Karina-sama have been hostile.”
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At the same time, factions emerged in the social circles, those supporting the queen and those admiring Karina.
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“His Majesty the King’s favour is still with Karina-samaa. That’s why the Concubine Faction has a slightly larger force.”
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It seems that his marital relationship with the queen has already collapsed. Therefore, the queen’s faction appears to be under pressure from the Concubine Faction.
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“I am part of those who support Her Highness the Queen, but I think you, Lara-san, don’t need to worry about it.”
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At Rachael’s words, Lord Montyver nods.
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“Yes, yes. It’s easier to stay out of both factions’ problems like me, remaining non-committal.”
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Lord Montyver seems to belong to neither, a neutral party.
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“Rather than being neutral, it’s better to say that I have no interest in either side.”
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Anyway, he advised me that it is better not to stick your neck into the queen and concubine’s problems.
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“But, to attend your first soirée alone, isn’t it lonely?”
“No, I have Ga-chan, right?”
“Ga-chan?”
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Seeing Lord Montyver tilting his head, I realized that I hadn’t introduced her.
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“Ga-chan is the spider fairy that I mentioned earlier, who is contracted with me.”
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I showed Ga-chan, who was hiding in the sugar cube bottle that Rachael gave me, to Lord Montyver.
He seemed surprised, perhaps because it was his first time seeing a fairy.
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“Wow~, so this is a spider fairy. It just looks like a lump of cotton.”
“Isn’t she cute?”
“Well, indeed.”
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Being praised for being cute, Ga-chan blushed and hid her face with her long legs. The gesture was so adorable that it made me squirm.
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“She is Galatona, my best friend.”
“Oh, hello. I’m Leon・Von・Montyver.”
[Nya!]
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When Lord Montyver extended his hand for a handshake, Ga-chan reached out her tiny leg and lightly touched his fingertip.
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“Lara, what can Ga-chan, the fairy, do?”
“She’s good at lace-making.”
“Lace-making, huh. Then, if you’re ever attacked, the only way to attack is to have her make lace and then Lara strangles the suspicious person.”
“Don’t talk about such a terrifying thing, please.”
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In terms of combat capability, Ga-chan is quite powerful.
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“She has skills to fight using threads. If anything happens, it’ll be alright as long as Ga-chan is there.”
“That’s a relief to hear.”
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If he doubted it, I could have demonstrated in a mock battle against Lord Montyver, but he readily believed me.
“So, Ga-chan is Lara’s partner at the soirée.”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
I thought of her as a reliable and reassuring partner.
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