𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟑: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭
I can’t believe that he would make such a friendly appearance with the royal concubine, of all people, on the queen’s birthday.
ㅤ
“What on earth is that?!”
ㅤ
Lisa’s scream, like a shriek, stimulates the eardrum sharply. Looking closer at her, there was a white feather pinned to the ribbon on her dress waist.
It seems that Lisa was a supporter of the queen.
ㅤ
Taking advantage of the confusion, I pull her hand from the necklace and retreat towards the empty area.
ㅤ
“Huff, huff, huff!”
ㅤ
Pushing through the crowd focused on the king and the concubine, I somehow managed to reach the edge of the wall.
ㅤ
[Nya?]
ㅤ
Ga-chan seemed to be asking if I was okay.
I was somehow fine, but it seemed I had lost sight of Nina.
However, if I had stayed there, the excited Lisa might have ripped off my necklace.
I couldn’t ruin the necklace that Marchioness had prepared for me.
ㅤ
Before I knew it, people seemed to have been divided into two groups.
The side with people wearing white feathers seemed to be the queen’s faction, and the side with people wearing tin ornaments might be the concubine’s faction.
Despite being a gathering of nobles, there was a somewhat unsettling and tense atmosphere.
If we don’t settle this place before the queen arrives, it could turn into a disastrous situation.
As I nervously watched, another voice arose.
ㅤ
“Prince Ghodrove has arrived!”
ㅤ
I was startled when the nearby door opened.
The one who appeared was a tall man in his fifties. He arrived, letting his cloak flutter.
The man with the mixed white and blond hair, slit eyes, and rugged beard, spread a glamorous atmosphere as he appeared.
His eyes resemble the king’s. If he shaved his beard, they would look almost identical.
From his facial features and age, it’s clear that he must be Prince Ghodrove.
At the head of the knights he brought with him, I spotted Lord Montyver.
He seemed to be on guard with a serious face I had never seen him show me before.
If he was always so serious, I would be more straightforward.
Every time he appears before me, it feels like he has forgotten his identity as a royal guard somewhere.
ㅤ
Of course, Lord Montyver, on his mission, didn’t notice me clinging to the wall.
ㅤ
It seems that Prince Ghodrove noticed the abnormality of the venue immediately.
He squinted his eyes for a moment, seeming to grasp the situation.
ㅤ
“Well, everyone, it seems like you’re excited before the arrival of the queen, our star of the show. Is something wrong?”
ㅤ
A nearby attendant whispered something to Prince Ghodrove.
ㅤ
“I see. That’s not good.”
ㅤ
With elegant steps, Prince Ghodrove cut through the crowd of people in conflict between the queen’s faction and the concubine’s faction, and went straight to the king and the concubine.
I thought he was going to chastise the king, but Prince Ghodrove spoke to the concubine instead.
They had a seemingly enjoyable conversation, and he finally put his arm around her shoulder and walked away with her.
Perhaps Prince Ghodrove volunteered to be the concubine’s partner to prevent any offense to the king.
Thanks to this, when the queen arrived, she didn’t have to witness the scene of the king and the concubine together.
ㅤ
Prince Ghodrove’s royal guards seemed to be dispersing the queen’s faction and the concubine’s faction, guiding the venue back to its peaceful state.
ㅤ
I was internally amazed at the work of the neutral party.
Then the queen made her appearance and stood next to the king.
Even though the concubine was next to him just a moment ago, the king naturally held the queen’s waist. It was as if they were the perfect couple.
I wonder what attitude she would have shown if the concubine had been there.
It’s just one word for the foreign king: ridiculous.
ㅤ
The queen, who is the star of the day, performed a dance with the king.
The second person she danced with was Prince Engelbert, the crown prince, and the queen’s only child.
Prince Engelbert’s features resembled the king’s, with blond hair and blue eyes, looking like a prince from a fairy tale.
He gave a cool impression as he didn’t smile.
If Lord Montyver was a sun-like handsome man, Prince Engelbert was a moon-like handsome man.
ㅤ
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, I noticed that Prince Ghodrove and the concubine were no longer in sight.
They must have been persuaded to retreat early.
ㅤ
“Ah, thank goodness!”
ㅤ
Looking up, I see Nina running towards me in a flustered manner.
ㅤ
“Lara-san, are you okay?”
“Thanks to you.”
ㅤ
She seems to have been worried that I was struggling, caught up in the crowd of the queen faction and the concubine faction.
ㅤ
“I looked away for a moment, and you were not there.”
“I’m sorry. I was a bit scared, so I took refuge near the wall.”
“I’m glad you were in a safe place.”
ㅤ
Nina also apologized for the earlier encounter with Lisa.
ㅤ
“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop her.”
“No, please don’t worry about it.”
ㅤ
The other party is the Duke’s daughter. If Nina stirs her up inappropriately, it may negatively affect her husband’s position.
I was born into the Duke’s family, so I understand. Even though I am a daughter without a title, people around me were very careful.
ㅤ
“Nina, I would like to greet the queen soon, is that possible?”
“Yes, of course!”
ㅤ
Once I have a word with the queen, my mission for today is over.
Guided by Nina, I headed towards the queen.
Leave a Reply