𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲
The carriage that arrived to pick up Kami-sama and me bore the coat of arms of the Margrave’s domain. We were taken directly, without any detours, to the castle atop the hill. As the view from the window ascended, I started feeling a sense of unavoidable confinement, despite the respectful treatment.
Once we entered the formidable stone-built castle, we were immediately escorted to the reception room. The opulent furniture and layout of the room were clearly not intended for ordinary commoners like us.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .So, you’re called a saint, huh?”
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Even though I was the leading saint and former fiancee of the crown prince, I had been living like a stray cat for the past few months, so I felt nervous.
As we sat side by side on the sofa embroidered with gold thread, Kami-sama held my hand.
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“Charte. You’re Charte now. . . . . .You’re just a child, and anything is possible.”
“Kami-sama. . . . . .”
“I’m here too. If something goes wrong, I’ll do this.”
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A snake appeared from Kami-sama’s sleeve, opening its mouth and hissing in threat. It seemed strangely adorable, which made me smile inadvertently.
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“I will do my best so that you won’t have to do that, Kami-sama.”
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With Kami-sama’s power, it would be easy to charm the people of the royal family and the Margrave’s house. But considering the effort needed to maintain consistency, it’s still best to gain their trust through merit.
I could hear the footsteps of a servant approaching. The snake retreats. The idle talk ends.
We stood up from the sofa. It’s time to meet the queen.
ㅤ
Queen Isyria-sama arrived, dressed in a striking red dress.
She had gathered her silver hair with a corsage studded with diamonds, and her red lipstick and sharply drawn eyebrows gave her a dignified look. She carried herself more like a solitary queen than a queen consort.
While she is indeed 40 years old, hardly anyone can tell her age at first glance. Her dignity makes her appear older, while her graceful posture makes her seem younger, and her slender arms and legs in a red dress seem so delicate that they could belong to someone younger. She gives off a bizarre, otherworldly impression.
I had met her twice during my time as Charlene, and she hasn’t changed since then.
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After the formal rituals were completed, Queen Isyria-sama sat down and immediately started sizing us up with her fan. As I felt the sweat trickling down due to nervousness, she abruptly broke the silence.
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“You seem to have been taught good manners. Are you of noble birth?”
“I am afraid, Isyria-sama, that I learned these manners and about the royal family from Charlene-sama.”
“Charlene. . . . . .”
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Her eyebrows twitched.
She had always been suspicious of this questionable entity called the “Saint from another world.” First, I mentioned Charlene’s name to confirm whether she knew the true origin of Charlene.
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“I heard some rumors. You guys are performing miracles as [Charlene’s envoy]. What is. . . . . .she telling you from the other world?”
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Ah, good. She doesn’t know.
I carefully chose my words and responded.
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“I’m not sure. . . . . .if it’s from another world. But I can hear Charlene-sama’s words.”
“When did it start?”
“It started right after Charlene-sama [returned to the other world].”
“What were you doing until then?”
“I was working in various cities with my husband.”
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At this point, I asked Kami-sama to present our identity documents on the table.
With a single glance from the queen, a servant quickly picked it up and exited the room—she’s likely going to verify the information. All I can do now is pray that the data Kami-sama manipulated gets through.
I stated my case.
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“Charlene-sama has told me that [I can talk to Isyria-sama honestly].”
“Is that so? Will you share everything you know with me?”
“Yes. . . . . .I might struggle a bit in explaining. Would it be okay to ask my husband Kainz to help when that happens?”
“I’d prefer to hear it in your words. You are the only one who can hear Charlene’s words, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then first. . .tell me the information you have. We will discuss it afterward.”
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The queen’s eyes lit up. The intense scrutiny from the queen, Kami-sama, and all the maids and guards in the room could be felt sharply.
Don’t get too nervous. I am Charte. I am eight years old. I should be unaware of the tension in this room.
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“Thank you for letting me share my story! I’ll do my best!”
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With a bright smile that declared war, the exchange of probing between the queen and me began.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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The Queen’s inquiry—or perhaps more accurately, her interrogation—was nothing short of severe. It began with the first interview, followed by a scrutiny of my background. I was required to provide a comprehensive explanation of my role as [Charlene’s Envoy], which was then followed by a strict etiquette inspection during the second interview over lunch. In the afternoon, my miraculous abilities were tested, leading to a third interview. Each time, the consistency of my responses was rigorously checked, and by the time the sun set, my nerves had reached their limit.
I was also made to attend a dinner party with the entire Margrave family, where I finally succumbed to exhaustion and drowsiness and fell from the table.
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(I’ve made a blunder. . . . . .!)
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What descended upon my panicking self was the knife I had dropped.
Although Kami-sama tried to help, I rejected him with a look.
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([Kami-sama, don’t move now])
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As I braced for the pain from the knife, the one who brushed it aside and caught me was, surprisingly, the Queen, who had been stern all day. As she held me in her arms, the Queen’s strict face was tinged with regret.
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“I’m sorry. I’ve pushed you too hard, even though you’re still just a child. . . . . .I must have become too distrustful of people.”
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She stood up and handed me over to Kami-sama.
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“You can go back to the inn for tonight. . . . . .Being scrutinized all day must have been exhausting. You surely couldn’t relax in the castle.”
“Your Majesty, can I be trusted. . . . . .?”
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Even while groggy from overwhelming sleepiness and fatigue, as an eight-year-old, I asked the Queen. As I lay cradled in Kami-sama’s arms, the Queen gently stroked my cheek and, for the first time, showed a soft expression, like that of a parent.
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“At the very least, your courage and earnestness are worthy of trust. . . . . .Regardless, I needed to quickly gather enough evidence to convince others of your legitimacy as [Charlene’s Envoy]. . . . . .From tomorrow, you should leave the inn. You will be welcomed as a guest of the castle.”
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――And thus,
We managed to win the Queen’s provisional trust and were allowed to return to the hotel.
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“Hah. . . . . .So tired. . . . . .I heard she was quite strict, but she really does go all out, even with a child.”
“I was worried sick. You should praise me for not intervening.”
“That’s why we’re in the bath together. Good job.”
“Hmm.”
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With no sense of shame, I was in a bubble bath with Kami-sama. The bathtub, slightly smaller than the one in the inn we stayed at in Makeido, was just small enough to not allow swimming. Kami-sama was washing my hair gently with the foam.
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“Is it fun washing hair? It must be difficult since it’s long.”
“It’s fun. It’s fluffy, feels nice to touch, and I like it.”
“O, Okay.”
“It reminds me of the swaying seaweed at the bottom of the water.”
“. . . . . .Thank you.”
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As he washed my hair and massaged my scalp meticulously with his large hands, I could feel my fatigue slowly ebbing away. I leaned back into Kami-sama’s chest, relaxed, and he looked down at me with a happy expression. Suddenly curious, I scooped some bath foam and placed it on Kami-sama’s black hair.
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“Even if it doesn’t need washing, you can still make it fluffy with foam.”
“Just like how one can eat offerings even when they don’t need food, one can wash even when they aren’t dirty.”
“What happens when you wash?”
“I. . . . . .don’t know because I’ve never washed.”
“Hmm. I don’t really understand, but Kami-sama, you’re mysterious. . . . . .”
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Anyway, for a while, we won’t be able to relax like this without any tension. Even though we are supposed to be a couple, it might be a bit problematic if people in the castle see this relationship.
Feeling a bit lonely, but—to settle everything—I decided to give my best.
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“As long as I’m with Kami-sama, I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Why the sudden sentiment?”
“Hmm. I just felt like saying it.”
“. . . . . .I love you, Charlene.”
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Looking down at me, Kami-sama smiled.
Seeing him so happy, I decided to wash Kami-sama’s hair as well.
When washed, it gave off a pleasant scent of soap. Kami-sama seemed reasonably pleased, saying, “It smells like Charlene.”
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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From the next day on, Kami-sama and I, we began living in the castle.
Although the Queen’s background checks were not entirely completed, their intensity had greatly diminished. Despite some probing questions during lunch or afternoon tea, they were far milder compared to the initial day.
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