His Royal Highness's cats are very hairy.

Tears dried up in the corner of the hallway, and Adaline was on her way without the strength to stand up and not knowing the directions to return to her room.

Apparently, they got lost and crowded in the less crowded hallway. I don't know how long I've been nodding there, but in the meantime, not one of the servants went through.

It's like being left alone in a big mansion.

-... if no one came looking for me like this...

Then why don't we gently leave the mansion? Adeline can read letters, and speak the language of the Empire if it's about the level of everyday conversation. If you have a lesson, can't you find a job at a merchant somewhere?

That way, how easy it would be to live without any involvement of the royal family or the house of Marcelio.

"Lady Adeline?

Speaking up, the imagination of adventure squeezes in an instant.

Adeline looked up at the blur and the person.

The long-sleeved man had long dark hair tied to one behind his right ear and was wearing a long long coat with all the way to his feet.

-... who?

My vision is blurred with tears.

"... did you make him cry?

And the man fell on one knee, and put his hand upon Adeline's cheek.

"What the hell is going on?... that His Royal Highness is doing something intact?

The tears in his eyes were wiped with his fingers, and Adeline finally realized that the person was a close cousin.

"... Aurio... why are you here?

Five years older, he is one of the prime minister's secretaries. The young man, along with a few other secretaries, was supposed to have been a bodyguard at the Royal Palace.

"I brought a letter to Your Highness. Besides, what happened with your Highness?

Aurio's cheeks seeped with care for Adeline and anger for someone. Probably to Rutvias.

Adeline shook her head loose.

"... No, Your Highness has nothing..."

"Then why were you crying? Besides, I'm alone near this back door..."

"... it's..."

Adeline held her mouth. If you tell Aurio about your interaction with Hardevich, Aurio will surely report back to the Chancellor soon. Hardevich will probably suffer some punishment for insulting the future queen.

-... even though I can't say a word back myself...

I can't get back to myself without using my identity with my father, and I feel sorry for myself again, and my new tears spill with hollows.

Aurio, who regarded the tears as Adeline's reply, rose largely.

"May I speak to Your Highness?"

"Ma, wait!

Adeline hastily pulled Aurio's sleeve.

"It's not like something happened with Your Highness! It's true!"

"Then why..."

"I don't... have a flower hat."

I am lacking in persuasion.

But you can't let Aurio tell Rutvias. Rutvias is innocent, and oddly enough, Aurio is not to blame.

"The flower hat was skipped, I couldn't find it, so..."

"... a flower hat?

Aurio looks surprised.

That would be so. Although it is your lady's sagging to wear how many flower hats, I have never even heard of anyone crying because they were flown in the wind.

"... it was a flower hat..."

…

Aurio suspects.

But with a sigh, he nodded at the reluctance.

"... if you don't want to tell me, let's do that"

"... thanks"

Adeline stroked her chest down relieved.

Aurio is one of the few people who didn't change his attitude after that engagement dissolution riot. Because of his lack of expression, he tends to be thought of as a seemingly cold person, but he is well guessed and adores Adeline like his real sister.

It is decided to adopt Adaline's father, so not far away will Adaline really be his sister.

"Your food will get dirty."

Aurio took Adeline's hand and let me stand up with support.

"... sorry..."

"I don't mind. Which room is it? Send it to you."

I don't know that, and when I tried to open my mouth, my footsteps approached me.

"Oh! Good! There you are!"

A knight who had turned a corner loosened his face as he had relieved himself when he saw Adeline's face. It was him who gave me about Adeline's escort. Has he been looking for me all this time?

"Are you the escort?

"Yes!

In Aurio's harsh tone, the young knight kneels in haste.

"What is it to leave a lady alone! What are you gonna do if something happens!

"Sorry!

Adeline panicked this time at Aurio's harsh reprimand.

"Ma, wait, Aurio. It's my fault. I..."

"Of course. Whatever the circumstances, you're not aware of it, such as walking alone."

"... oh, I'm sorry..."

Adeline shrugged her neck when she was scolded. But I can't stop laughing.

"Lady?"

"... it's like old times. I think I was just having you tutor."

Four years ago, Aurio worked for me as a tutor in Adeline. Aurio was familiar with the economy, history, language, and various fields, and Adaline's lack of understanding chewed him up and explained it over and over.

"... back then... good..."

Although I wasn't as confident in my appearance, looking in the mirror and choosing a dress wasn't as painful as it is now. In an effort to be worthy of Rutvias, my days of obsession and hard work were fulfilling everyday and I had many friends. No, actually, they were all just pretending to be friends.

Rutvias' offer to dissolve the engagement covered it all.

No, I woke up from a dream.

It was all a sweet dream. Once you wake up, you'll never see the same dream again.

And now that even my love for Rutvias was just a phantom. Only a hard and miserable reality was left in Adeline.

"... if"

Aurio opened his mouth with a sinking face.

"If I take your daughter..."

That's it, Aurio seems to recall that the knight was on his side, holding his mouth.

"Aurio?"

"... nothing. We'll take you to your room."

"Ha."

A knight might.

"When you get back to Wang Du, make sure you stop by the mansion. I'd love to hear from you again."

"Yes, sir."

To Aurio, who laughed small, Adeline laughs back small, too.

"... let's go"

Encouraging the knight, Adaline began walking down the hallway in heavy footsteps.

When he approached the room, Adaline thanked the knight for sending him, then dropped off his back.

If someone asks you anything, don't forget to stop talking about never answering.

Millet, who welcomed me in the room, looked up to me when I saw Adeline with a sobbing face, but even as Adeline lied to me about 'the flower hat being flown' and what she told Aurio, she looked unconvinced, without asking me any more.

Wash your face and change into the changed dress and flower hat that Millet prepared for you.

I didn't wear makeup.

My eyes were still red and swollen.

"Let me bring you a cloth dipped in ice water. Cool it and it'll swell better."

"Thanks Millet"

By the time Rutvias visits for lunch, we have to put him back in his normal face. If Rutvias asks me why I cried now, I'm sure I blame Rutvias. It's all your fault.

That's when Millet came back to his room in a terrible panic.

I should have gone to get some ice, but I haven't spent any.

"What's going on? Millet?"

"... Your Highness."

"Huh?"

"Your Highness is here."

The chair collapses in a gutted, raised clap.

-... duh, why!?

Time is very early for lunch. Is there any rush business?

Either way, we can't meet.

"Wow, I said, I can't see you!

"But lady..."

"Please, Millet! What would they say if they saw a face like this..."

Nothing's wrong. I just don't want to do anything to blame Rutvias. That's too miserable.

Millet was in trouble with the grater, but he seemed to have made up his mind when he saw Adeline's face about to cry again.

"Let's say you're not feeling well and you're resting"

"Huh?"

"Lady, please come into the bedroom. I'll drop the tent."

Adaline goes up to the bunk as Millet tells her.

"Then I refuse to come, so please wait there"

Millet's footsteps turned away and he opened the door and left.

Adeline sips solidly and asks for signs across the door. I don't even know what you're talking about, but I know people are having conversations.

Would you believe that Rutvias, who was with me until a few minutes ago, is not feeling well? Aren't you angry that they refused to see you?

Adeline now regretted what terrible things she had made Millet, such as deceiving the royalty. If you do poorly, Millet will be punished. But I can't leave anymore. Now I just hope Rutvias is convinced for now and turns back.

Batan.

To the sound of the door opening, Adeline jumped up.

"Your Highness! Please wait! The lady doesn't feel so good..."

Adeline froze herself in the voice Millet desperately stopped and in the approaching footsteps.

-... what to do! He's coming over here!

Rutvias' footsteps stopped in front of the bedroom.

"Just a little bit, will you please stay out"

Rutvias' voice, beckoned by Millet, is quiet and gentle.

But that's the opposite horrible thing about Adeline.

"But..."

"I'm not trying to do anything absurd. I'm just worried about my fiancé."

"So, but the lady..."

Eating Millet, Adeline stops from inside the bedroom.

"It's okay, Millet. It's a little down."

"Lady..."

'Cause it's okay.

I don't feel fine at all, but I want to avoid it being like Millet is going to be punished.

Millet's footsteps, bewildered, kept him away, and the door closed.

"... Feeling bad? Where were you in the mood for Shiva's hyena?"

Lower Rutvias' voice is mixed with exasperation.

"Um..."

"I don't know how much I liked the flower hat, but is it depressing enough?

"... Huh?

"You lost your flower hat, didn't you?

"Oh, yes! Yes, it is! I really liked it..."

What the hell did Millet explain? Did I tell you that I am depressed by the loss of my flower hat? Absolutely lacking in persuasion, but neither can Adeline speak of people. But did Rutvias believe it?

"Then I'll call the tailor, so make the same flower hat you lost"

Adeline looks out for Rutvias' impeccable remarks.

"Yes, no! Oh no..."

"There's a dinner party tonight"

"... Yes?

Would that have been planned?

"... it rained... and it suddenly did because of the crazy plans. I'm not sure you're feeling really bad, are you?

"It's..."

Adeline mumbles.

If you snort poorly, will Millet end up lying?

Rutvias, waiting for Adeline's reply, dropped his sigh when he found out it was not coming back.

The sigh, like lead on Adeline's chest, is heavy.

"Anyway, I'll call the tailor. I'll get you a ready-to-wear product, so pick a dress to wear at the dinner party."

"If it's a dress... out of what I'm bringing..."

"Is that a costume you can stand next to me?

Adeline took a breath.

Grip the end of the dress.

Walnut-colored dresses are still unsightly, plain and invisible.

"Whatever you wear is on your own. But know who you are more than you stand next to me."

My father once told me the same thing.

Over and over again.

The Queen's costume is a sign of national authority. So he wants me to dress like I deserve it.

-... I know.

I know this dress doesn't deserve to be the next queen.

At least to the other ladies who will be at the dinner party, if they don't wear something that doesn't suck.

But what should I wear?

What are you wearing, I don't think you can show majesty or anything in Adeline.

"It's just rude for me to wear it."

Strangely, my voice wasn't trembling.

Usually, Adaline can't even say it back like this. At that time, however, Adeline was more outraged than reluctant than fearful of Rutvias.

I was born on this face, not because of Adeline.

I liked Rutvias' fiancée, and I wasn't chosen.

Whatever I can make up for with my efforts, they demand something that isn't, and they want to know what I can do for myself.

"... I told you, stop humiliating yourself"

Rutvias' voice, through frustration, is accumulating anger. Adeline can see why he's enjoying blowing it up with considerable effort.

Maybe it's because I've always been scared of Rutvias and I couldn't see his face properly, or maybe I could just detect his emotional movements with my voice.

"I'm not being humble or anything. I have a handheld dress at my height. You don't need a new dress."

"I wonder if the royal family can even give a commission to the future queen!

"It's better than wasting it! I'm fine with this!

Adeline also shouted out, as she did against Rutvias. I was born to start shouting like this.

"... but what are you so obsessed with appearance, you are"

To a low, roaring voice, Adaline's tear glands, even just half broken, suddenly broke.

"Your Highness doesn't know how I feel!!

Rutvias is beautiful. And didn't you still love a beautiful woman?

I don't know how, Adeline doesn't get that beauty. The remorse, Rutvias will never know.

"Please leave! Get out of here! I don't feel well, so I don't have an appetite either! Please, Your Highness, take your lunch alone!

A whimper leaks, and upon the petition of a clenched hand, the potatoes and tears fall.

"... hey, are you crying?

Beyond the tent, Rutvias is bare.

Adeline can't respond. Speak up now, I'm sure you'll cry out loud.

"... I'll open it."

No, not long after Rutvias opens the tent and reveals himself from that gap.

Rutvias bent down and laid his hands on the bedside as he peered into Adeline's face.

Not to be seen. Adeline turned away, but in vain.

Rutvias breathes lightly.

"... what happened?

Rutvias seems to have guessed that the crying face was not due to the current contention.

Answer me, Adeline.

"... nothing"

"You can't cry so much that your eyes swell even though you have nothing!?

……

"Adeline!!

The door of the room was slammed hard from the outside.

"Um, Your Highness Rutvias...... lady? Are you all right, sir?

I hear Millet's worried voice.

Even if I didn't know what it was about, I guess I heard Rutvias and Adeline arguing aloud.

Inside the room, silence falls.

In a narrow tent, but two hearts, do not even overlap.

"... you told me not to be humble... didn't you? I... this is fine..."

Unnoticeably, plainly, that is what the famous Queen deserves.

While you're at it, you'll eventually blend into the landscape, like a ghost who doesn't know if you're there.

That's fine.

I want that to happen soon.

Sleeping area rang slightly.

Rutvias is miserable.

"... adeline"

……

I didn't reply.

I didn't want to.

"Look at me."

I don't want to see it.

"Look!"

……

Approximately, Adeline shifts her gaze to Rutvias.

Superb gemstone-like bea eyes.

Hair that holds light together.

Face shape neat with golden ratio.

Beautiful to see and fall in love with again and again. But I know. The only thing that makes Rutvias beautiful is its appearance. A noble, unwavering and strong spirit. It seeps out of his body, and it's his shine.

"... are you sure? Really, so you can say you haven't despised yourself?

Behind Adeline's mind, words that come to slash brutally deep. And eyesight.

Adeline lay her eyes down.

Brilliant, dazzling. It hurts my eyes.

With the weight of the lid, the extruded tears fall down his cheeks.

"... that's okay... I'm with this"

No matter how much I scratch, I can't.

Whether you wear a trendy dress or a flower hat embroidered in gold thread, you can't live up to the beauty of Rutvias.

It's not just the face. Adeline's heart is too humble and ugly. In front of the luminosity of Rutvias, it is only bitter to be burned by its light.

Rutvias takes his hand off the bed. He stretched out his back and stepped back.

"... fine. Be my guest."

To say all that, Rutvias flipped his long coat and walked away from the sleeping table where Adeline was.

Never stop, never look back, keep the door open, and disappear beyond it.

Adeline dropped it off.

It was Adeline who said, 'This is fine'.

Nevertheless, Adeline was very hurt to have been abandoned by Rutvias. When I was abandoned, I despaired. I said I was the one who shook off the hand that Rutvias offered me.

-... I... what a discretion.

That's why I look like this.

The goddess must have all been prospective and given this crude face to Adeline on top of it.

"Ma'am! Ma'am, are you okay?

When I lost sight of Rutvias' back, I tried to make Millet fly and ran up to Adeline.

"... Millet..."

"I'm surprised. I heard you two shouting out loud... and I can't believe His Highness is absurd... and even the lady."

"Right... I can't believe I yelled... for the first time..."

This is the first time I've ever exposed myself to people.

Rutvias must have been stunned. Adeline's, to the heart, not just the face, what a poor minister. It would have annoyed me and annoyed my bottom of my heart, Adeline.

The place where Rutvias was holding his hand is slightly swamped.

Gently, I look through the crease with my fingers.

His warmth, of course, is no longer felt.

-... at least I wanted to see it just once.

I'm sure it won't happen again.

Rutvias' real smile, for once. From the front properly, I wanted to see it.