Primera is nervous.
All I can do is stare at its back and send the ale in my heart.
Because.
"Sorry to wake you up."
The Queen is now facing Primera-san at the table...!!
Though the relationship has improved considerably compared to a certain period of time, they are still in a mess somewhere.
In the meantime, the queen called me personally, and this is what we're doing... the queen appeared a little late because she had visitors.
(I wonder what the hell you're up to... restrict them to the head of the Princess Palace...)
Is it such an important seat to tell the princess the absolute secret of the royal family and not to debut in the social world!?
I can't tell you that, anyway, Primera's birth mother, the side room is no longer there, and if there is anything else that the mother should tell you, then the woman who can teach it on behalf of the side room is in the position of... the queen is the only one.
No, the Empress Wang was there, too.
But if it is inherited from the parent to the child, is the queen still suitable?
(I mean, it's not that bad yet!
Well, I thought so because it was not the head of the inner shrine but the head of the rear shrine that I kept beside the queen....
Usually, the head of the inner shrine is in charge of such an office.
As its name suggests, the head of the Imperial Palace is the Imperial Palace... which is to protect, manage and make it easier for His Majesty's wives to inherit in a better environment.
By the way, if the Lord of this country is His Majesty the King, the Lord of the Houses is the Queen.
If you have more than one wife, it is your duty to follow them as the head of those wives and keep them in order... it seems very difficult...
(... at the time, your side room lived in the backyard too...)
When I was an apprentice, I was driven out in the back house to help me clean up and carry my papers, so I met you there!
It's a nostalgic story now.
(It wasn't like I was immersed in memories)
I looked around to avoid being rude.
I've never been in the Queen's office before.
When I was a kid, I thought I'd come on an apprenticeship tour... luxurious interiors, a large work desk, and a table and chair for visitors.
In terms of the size of the room, there are two that fit my office and my private room. Still, I think the queen needs a clerk, a secretary, a maid, a guard knight and people around her all the time.
Meanwhile, the table for the reception is full of stunning teaware, tea, and sweets.
(... is this a long story?)
There's nothing strange about entertainment.
Until now, the Queen had not taken the initiative to engage with Primera, so she became very nervous.
Perhaps Primera is more nervous than me...!
"... it must be hard for you to talk to me, too."
Eh?
"So let's make this quick."
I thought the queen had been silent with Primera for a while, and she said that with a quick greeting.
No, I'm family, so can I say hello? No, greetings are the foundation of relationships!
Calm down, me.
What should I do if I am upset?
After this, we need to think about Primera's follow-up from now on. As an exclusive maid and head of the Princess Palace, it is a heavy responsibility!!
"I didn't call anyone else today. I will entrust this to you."
In the queen's words, the head of the rear palace respectfully brought a small box and placed it in front of Primera.
It is shaped like a small treasure chest and is large enough to fit in both hands of Primera.
"... what is this?
"This is what your mother wore on her living predecessor. All the other ornaments we had were not buried together."
"... Okasama's..."
Primera murmured to zero and slowly took the box and dropped her gaze.
Why did the Queen bring her side room accessories?
I heard that the relationship between you two was the wife of the same King, but it was not a better relationship due to the difference in favor....
No, it's not good or bad, it's like we're trying to keep each other out of contact...?
I don't know the details!
"It's the only thing she brought (...) from her parents' house when she came to this castle. The other ornaments were a gift from His Majesty, and they were buried together without being returned to the treasure trove for love of her or being taken over by your daughter."
It is very common in this country for a living predecessor to be buried with his owner. Still, there are a few things left from mother to child... I see, that's why there hasn't been such a thing before.
I mean, because of His Majesty!
(I really got married alone after I got my status in this castle....)
Imagine how prepared you would have been... I didn't know anything.
If there was a difference in identity between Aldar and me, would I have gone to him with the intention of abandoning my family?
A life in which no one knows where to let go of the freedom that has existed and cannot call a real family a family… The word for love is beautiful, but it must have been possible without considerable preparation.
"Me and her had a different role."
"Role"
"That's right. Your Majesty's responsibility is too heavy for us to replace. You know that."
"... yes"
The queen looked at Primera and continued her words in a faint tone.
However, that look... seems kind to me.
"As the King's wife, I am responsible for supporting both internal and external affairs. And her role was to support her as a person."
……
"You are no longer a young child. I decided that you should know."
"... yes, stepmother"
The queen stared at Primera and stood up thinking she had stayed put for a few seconds with her eyes down.
"That's all we need to talk about. I will return to my official duties, so take it and stand back."
Primera looked back at me with a vague look at the queen who had left with a refreshing look on her back.
The hand with the small treasure chest seems to be trembling faintly.
"... Mr. Primera. Let's go back to the Princess Palace."
"Hmm...."
Now, if you'll excuse me, head of the Imperial Palace.
"Thank you very much, Princess."
People dropped us off, and we walked down the hallway... and then I went out to the garden and I stopped.
It reminds me of myself and the side room of the day.
The side room was gently laughing that if you were a girl, you should name the flower.
(Does the queen understand properly... the side room?)
Perhaps he wasn't alone.
His Majesty the King and His Brother the King were beside him, but if there had been an understander as the same woman, he might not have been more lonely than I thought.
Just a little... I'm relieved to think so.
And that might have been the same for Primera.
Just like me, she stopped her legs and stared at the trees where nothing was stuck and grabbed my hand.
Just a little bit, that softer hand was warmer than me, and we stood there for a while without saying anything.