The Kingdom of Everlasting Night and the Last Ball

Dia's routine has changed dramatically since her engagement was broken.

Until now, no matter how much Dia was the ghost of the royal palace, and even if it was the first of its kind for a limited amount of time only, education as one who should be queen at leisure was daily, and she was quite busy.

That time was just dropped.

(........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Ricardo and the queen, who often cares about Dia, asked me to take a moment to sort my mind out.

Ibmeria is a festival in the last month of the year.

There is also a royal ceremony on New Year's Eve, but that is only a liturgical one.

At the end of Ibmeria, after the two festivals that will be the eve of the night festival, I can't help but be told to take it easy already during the year, since it is also time to head back to the year.

(But to me, it's not going to happen)

They've been poisoning the water with snow daffodils every day since then.

It's to the extent that Noyne only understands it, so I'm pretty sure he's gradually shredding his powers and trying to create a dia that's going to hurt himself on prom day.

That said, even if he was to be killed on prom night, until then, there was no way that a greedy person could drink such water who would definitely want to have a comfortable day, and Dia had to draw water from the water with her own hands.

"...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Now Dia is opening the door to the balcony and sneaking up on her plate.

He takes snow in a forward leaning position as he sneezes at having to crawl to the floor because he does not find it from the garden outside.

How many times would I have thought I wouldn't have to do this?

But this is because of a poor maiden who wants to drink properly cold water, so now we have to work hard in the shape of anger.

Pharsital in this period throws fire ore into the reservoir of a pipe of water stretched over the royal palace, so that when all the faucets are twisted, hot water comes out.

In this country, where the night is long and the winter is harsh, it freezes when you flush up the water that passes through the pipes in a vast facility like the Royal Palace, so it's quite a mess of measures to turn that and what goes out of the faucet into hot water in bulk.

Noyne said that in a land rich in sorcery, sorcery is practiced on the pipe itself that passes through the water, so he doesn't have to have this kind of difficulty.

They say it's normal for hot and hot water to come out.

"………… why did you make the room an early summer"

Leaking a low grumbling whine, Dia was causing her hatred for someone who had set the temperature of the room for the early summer, either to serve poisoned water from that water drain or in a season where only hot water came out of the faucet.

When I finally collect the snow from the balcony, I make the water to go with the hot water I have drawn up and kept cold.

While wiping his forehead sweat manly with the back of one hand, Dia drank very puffy of the impromptu cold water.

"Uhm. It's delicious as a consideration for labor"

"... hey, I guess you did something again, didn't you?

"Noin?"

More than ever, Dia frowned and slowly looked back at the noise that appeared in the scene.

I just want to look neat like a duke's warrant, but unfortunately I roll up my sleeve and my forehead stays sneezy.

Still, Dia cared for a softer, ladylike smile.

"I'm sorry, Noin. As you can see, the room is in early summer, so I don't have much appetite."

"I'm telling you, I'm not gonna be your cook, am I?

"..................... Well, is it?

"Hey, how did you get out of my sight"

"Gyu?! Picking a lady's cheeks is unacceptable!

The unhonest king of the night has gone rough, so Dia, with her merciful heart, left without pointing out that Noyne was bringing food every time he came.

If you recall, the only time Noine didn't bring the food was the day Dia was disengaged.

Otherwise, when I visit my room, they usually bring me something to eat.

(Maybe if you're in the evening genealogy, do you like feeding humans......)

I don't know the pleasure of a long-lived, high-ranking creature, but I'm out of the picture, maybe I'm in the mood to feed my child Mukumgris.

Nevertheless, thinking about not coming along well these days explains why Noyne has had more visits, as he has seen through such Dia's doubts.

"Do you think there are guests who come all the way to the theatre and miss the backdrop of the story?

"... mmm. I am so full of feelings that as a party I cannot solve them, but if you ask me, it was certainly a good time for you when it was most interesting......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

"You end up licking plates on the floor, even though you can't move when the curtains are drawn."

"........................ I'm not licking"

I was about to drink up to the last drop, but the imitation of licking a plate hasn't turned it into a boulder.

Dia, who looked up at Noyne with a slight eye, noticed that some of the knight's clothes, so beautiful as to be poisonous, were torn unbroken in the human eye.

"..................... Noin, what's wrong with that?

"Hmm?............ oh. You took a little."

"..................... Taken?

Dia was confused by Noyne, who said it beforehand, but here Noyne moved her gaze all the way.

Seeing where that gaze goes, Dia shudders.

"Has anyone come?

"Looks like a noisy guy's here. Oh, boy."

"........................ noin"

Seeing you in a fed up voice, Noyne didn't look like him anymore.

Looking around the room where no one was anymore, Dia exhaled a small sigh and made her sneeze at the visitors.

(You just came...)

I wanted to talk a little more, but I only stepped in a little bit, and Dia lowered her sleeve, which was rolling up, and fixed her forehead.

It is courtesy of the noble child to meet the visitor properly, but it is difficult to call the samurai to prepare herself all day.

All the samurai with Dia's room are off this afternoon.

That is not possible even if it is not the Duke's Lady, but today the Fursital will be on the day of the previous festival called Babel Claire, which withheld Ibmeria.

The days before Ibmeria are called Babel Claire, and the days before are called Clavis, both of which are festivals that enhance festive blessings for Ibmeria.

Babel Claire of Farsital was a celebration for parents to spend time with their children, ahead of Ibmeria, where they spend time with their families.

(Previously on Babel Claire, I spent time with Ricardo and the kings and queens in the Asahi wing of the Royal Palace)

Dinner lasted until late, and it was a lesson to stay in the rooms of the Asahi building, so until last year, Dia's maids were off for their families from this afternoon, when Dia was ready for the festival.

Sometimes this year, it was too sudden to break the engagement, and all of a sudden, I ended up spending time here.

So Dia orders such samurai to take the same afternoon off this year.

That's never all the beauty of wanting the samurai, who are also mothers with young children, to spend time with their families.

I only had three days left, and I wanted to spend the rest just for myself.

(And yet I can't believe I'm a customer to just Babel Claire............!!

As I waited to throw in the spicy oil, the guard knights of the Night Buildings immediately visited the room.

Because there is no need to divide the chain of command within the royal palace, there is no family order or anything in the building where Dia lives, and thus the knights take care of the customers.

If you think about it now, Ricardo wouldn't have thought of this place as Dia's house or anything, but would have managed it as a prison.

"Dia, is it true that you're putting Marietta in trouble?

"..................... Well, Master Jill Reid. Frankly, I'm not sure what your question is meant to be."

Doesn't Jill Reid, the second prince of this country, suddenly say such a thing when he is put through the room?

And when I stopped perfectly, I looked around and silently took off the furry jacket that was feather-woven.

It must be hot.

"Isn't the fire in the fireplace too strong?

"Look over there, right? There's no fire in it."

"Then is it a stove of fire ore in the building? I'll tell those who manage later."

"No, I let the samurai take the day off this afternoon, so I don't mind staying like this. Because it's safer to stay this way than freeze without adjusting well."

"............ what I visited was the matter. I hear Marietta said no without thinking about sending the maids from the Asahi building."

Sitting stiffly in a chair Dia forgot to recommend, Jill Reid is sighing with a relaxed collar.

It would be because of the beauty of the royal family of Fursital that, although slightly less behaving, they still look graceful.

If Ricardo is a beautiful silver peacock, this Jill Reid is a beautiful silver wolf.

(………… No, I wonder Ricardo is not a peacock. I can't find the analogy of a creature that looks graceful, serene, intelligent and quite belly black..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The second prince, Jill Reid, has short cut silver hair and pale watery eyes.

It's a beauty that can make a grievous impression, but this Mistress has strange temperatures to relieve those who see it on her face.

The blue outfit showing the royalty shows that he has participated in the rites of Babel Claire, and Dia thought of the magnificent rituals in the church that until last year had been invited.

"Dear Jill Reid, guess what. Even if I don't feel anything for myself, it would be a lot of trouble for the current fiancée's maids, who are made to come with a room for their disengaged ex-fiancée. They will want to be happy with their engagement on their husband's side, but they won't be able to make you feel that way on a festive day."

"But I have to say that it is reckless of you, who have no side service, to even let the samurai take time off, even if you consider your position. Even if my brother gave me permission.... If you're a man, you don't know. You're still an unmarried woman. If you put me through one thing, be patient with it. I understand Marietta and her insensitivity to lend you a hand in your position. Still, I guess I couldn't overlook it."

Dia was smiling and listening to the sermons that were given in a frightened voice.

Jill Reid, who watched Dia like that, gets a distant look somewhere along the way.

"... you don't seem willing to accept the samurai"

"Yes, Master Jill Reid, she's a scratchy maiden with me. There was a time before this in the boulder, can't you forgive me for wanting to spend this day alone?

"........................ it would be careless. Besides, it's Babel Claire tonight. At least come to my building?

"Don't let your wife, whose child has just been born, be extra distracted. To be honest, I want to spend the day alone because I want to spend time that doesn't bother anyone."

If Dia said so, Jill Reid sighed deeply and somehow held his head.

"... stubborn sister"

"Hehe, that would be even more so now. And the only reason you're here is about Master Marietta?

"... No, apart from that, I want to ask you something. Dia, you may not want to remember much, but do you remember the King of the Night Country picture book that was in the mansion you spent as a child?

Dia blinked at Jill Reid, who looked straight at this one.

They are princes, so even tea should behave, but unfortunately there are no maids in this room.

Actually, it can be brewed by Dia as much as tea, but I was worried about poison when I used the tea utensils in this room, and it wasn't something I'd recommend cheaply.

Here, it is perfectly appropriate to be charged with the assassination of a second prince.

"..................... is this the King's Picture Book of the Night Country?

"Oh.... Actually, there's a serious forest anomaly going on in the Hydra Tarts forest right now. Do you know that the amount and quality of forest crystals mined in this country has been decreasing since last year?

"No, I didn't know Ricardo because he didn't say anything like that."

"Such is happening, among other things, in the Hydra Tartz forest, the most pronounced anomalies are manifested................ and little by little the Hydra Tartz forest has been covered with tree ice for ten days now. Until now, we've sent an investigation team to the woods, but the cause remains unknown."

"Doesn't it mean it's cold this winter?

"That forest is where the soil didn't freeze no matter how cold the winter. Flowers were still blooming in the woods this season due to the warm water gushing from the underground.......... how about that. Isn't it like a forest of death now?"

The two knights who stood at the door of the room also nodded with some painful face at the words spoken in a low voice.

Perhaps they are also those who were in the forest survey with Jill Reid.

"So maybe the cause is in that warm water. Sure, it's the valley stop in Tarhau, the border area, where the hot water is gushing out, right? Maybe what's been gushing has dried up, or something like that?

Would Jill Reid have shaken his eyes slightly to Dia's words?

I get an ambiguous look like I failed to try to smile and nod one bitterly somewhere.

"Maybe.... but I felt like that book I read in your mansion at a very young age had something very important written on it. On the occasion of that painful incident, mentioning the King of the Woods was contraindicated by implicit understandings in this country............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. But if you look at that, you'll see... the Hydra Tartz Forest is different now."

"Dear Jill Reid, if that's the case, I would really like to help. But I don't really remember much about the book Master Jill Reid is looking for.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

That was a fuzzy dark blue cloth sticker book.

Although it was made like a picture book, Dia now finds that it was a teaching book that mimics a picture book.

I wanted to read it again, and I also looked in the library in the royal palace, because there was no such thing anywhere.

(That picture book was always in your father's office, and I could read it to my hands because it belonged to the Duke of Girasfi family and about the princes who had visited the mansion...)

I remember the touch of that book I touched on a distant day.

And there's no way Dia will ever forget the contents of that picture book she read over and over again.

But whether or not to tell Jill Reid that is another matter.

Jill Reid dropped his shoulder as dismayed by the cunning man who made him lean his neck strangely.

My short hair is slightly wet, so I guess I've been through a courtyard with branches of snow before I got here.

"..................... right. I'm sorry, you heard the hard part. And what are you gonna do for dinner tonight at the festival?

"Well. You're back there again. Tonight's supper will be delivered to your room. Your Royal Highness Jill Reid may have forgotten, but this is also within the royal palace for once. I'm not going to starve to death just because I gave my samurai a day off."

If Dia said so, for some reason, Jill Reid made it look like he was just going to think about it a little bit.

I look at myself very enthusiastically with my eyes just a little exhausted.

"That being said, there was a Babel Claire Mass this morning. You didn't come."

"That is inherently just for the royal family and its next-door neighbors. I didn't invite you."

"..................... right. You are also my cousin. I don't think I didn't invite you on that line, but maybe my father took it into account this year."

"Maybe................ Master Jill Reid, don't you have something to say to me?

If you say that because things are strange, wouldn't Jill Reid just look up and see this one with an indescribable dark face?

"... will you remember the old blessing paintings in the church"

"Yeah. You belong to fairies, dragons, demons and spirits, which appear in old fairy tales. What did you do with it?

"In that story, fairies prefer erosion, and dragons carry treasure. Demons are brutal and enjoyable, spirits are... supposedly obsessed"

".................. Yep. It was the story of the protagonists heading to the gates of faith, retreating from the temptations of the unworthy and their subversive ruin. What did you do with it?

"Oh... right. Dia............"

It was when Jill Reid tried to say something.

Jill Reid, with her eyes pointing this way conceived of strange truthfulness, shakes her body like a stiff.

And I slowly looked up behind Dia.

"Oh, this is His Highness Jill Reid. I didn't know you were visiting, so please be rude."

"Yoel.................."

Standing there was Joel, also Prince Ricardo's Kingsguard knight, who had a set of teas in his hand that did not look good in knighthood when he entered this room.

It was the same with Dia who was stifling about whether she was still there, but maybe Ricardo gave me some instructions for showing up as Yoel.

Dia's ex-fiancée hates getting closer to Dia than her brother or sisters need to.

"The samurai are resting, so I thought I would prepare tea for Dear Dealers, but if Your Highness is here, let's increase the number of cups and come"

"........................ no, I'm just leaving"

"Dear Jill Reid............?

To panic too unnaturally, Dia accidentally called the name.

Then Jill Reid makes her gaze wander like a wolf for some reason.

It was incredible how tall cousins tried to grate him, and he also looked kind of like a hound that had just found a prank.

"Dia... well, you still remember the first ball you ever attended?

"..................... yet again, you suddenly changed the subject.... Yep. I remember that time."

"And about the first prince you danced...?

(I... ………)

Have you told this cousin that?

Um, just one glorious and beautiful night in Dia's unbroken life.

To Dia, who glanced up silently, Jill Reid smiled a faint smile, reaching out and gently stroking her hair.

"............... I wish your thoughts were fulfilled, but come on. They may be twisted. I hope you haven't had a hard time."

"Your Highness Jill Reid?

"Your Highness Jill Reid, if you look like you're going to be staying long, you should still bring back some tea"

"............ Huh?! Yes, no, you're right, let's go home now. You're making a scene. …………… Dia, talk to Marietta properly. I was worried about you."

"........................ Yes. Once again, I'll write you a thank you letter."

Apparently, Jill Reid doesn't like Yoel.

I'm sure you're close to the first prince, so it could simply be a personal compatibility.

Jill Reid has treated Dia like a sister on this street and has visited the Night Buildings every so often.

Until the engagement was broken, Yoel was the captain of this building's escort knight, so maybe he had some contact.

"... do you mind if a single knight drives the second prince of this country back?

"I don't mind. And you still have your heart in that prince?"

"..................... noin?......... Ah, that was an earlier exchange. Uh, uh, that's what I was talking about when I was a kid. I remember telling my parents and my brother, but I didn't think I was telling Master Jill Reid either.... as a child."

That's what Dia said, but Noyne, who grabbed at him, peeps into him as he lets his fingertips lift his face against Dia's jaw.

Soon Yoel's simulation has been solved, and his eyes are vivid enough to peek into Dia's eyes.

I should have looked straight back at those eyes, but Dia slipped away from her gaze.

"..................... you mean when I was a kid?........................... I don't know"

"Chi, it's too close! This will distract you even if you are not ill."

Dia hastily insisted so, but the glance of Noyne, who took her fingers off and looked at this one, was full of outward-looking mockery, which made Dia's heart shrug with its cold.

(…………… because it is unforgettable)

I grip my fingertips and think about that beautiful and gentle day.

A beautiful man who was dancing under a big chandelier and the king's chair, which Dia sees for the first time.

My father told me that he was royal, too, when he showed the king sitting there and Dia with his gaze connecting those who were blinded.

Oh, the one who's blinded is a prince.

That day, when a glorious man, who seemed so far away, gently stroked Dia's head, which was sadly falling apart, before the banquet treat he should not have laid his hands on.

That day, Dia fell in love with the prince.

And even though he knew that he would not save himself and, on the contrary, kill him, this thought still wouldn't go away.

"I don't know how you're going to pull the curtain on this stage, but it's part of the deal to stand up and see. But don't show me anything unusual."

"Yeah, I'm gonna win what I want, as I am."

"You know, the prince and the mind you wanted when you were a kid?

"…………… no. I will just make me miserable, even if I wish for something I don't want myself to. All I want is for my family and the people who kill me to get what they deserve."

If Dia said so in a quiet voice, Noyne would still look to explore this one, but she was never more upset than earlier.

"And since the temperature in your room seems to have subsided, you may be able to eat something"

Has Jill Reid given me any instructions?

The room temperature in Dia's room has, at some point, gone from early summer room temperature to warm winter day room temperature.

If this is the case, Dia has offered not to be stingy to eat, but then Noin puts his hands on his hips and has dark eyes.

"... I'm not a cook."

"....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Don't you have any sweets?

"Damn, do something about that eating. You're gonna lose your hips before the ball."

"Ko, your hips are decent! It's rude, Noin. If you doubt it, touch it. It's well bracketed!

Noyne was terrified, but she served a delicious meal from somewhere.

Dia leans her inner neck thinking of a painting decorated in the church where Jill Reid touched her, as she gets a salmon vanilla grilled apple butter sauce.

(Why did His Highness Jill Reid say that?

I wouldn't tell you anything meaningless like that.

If so, then that statement must necessarily make sense when it comes to something like Jill Reid.

I understand the reference to the King's picture book of the kingdom of the night.

I understand, but Dia just says she won't give the answer for the country that kills her.

But I had no idea what Jill Reid was going to say about the church painting.