'No, it's only been three days since I infiltrated. I shouldn't expect to find clues so soon.'
She reassured herself. Morris said:
"Want to have dinner together?"
"Oh? No, sorry. I have dinner plans."
"With whom? Your lover?"
Alkerto asked abruptly, and Sigrid shook her head.
"No, I've been invited by Her Highness the Crown Princess."
"In the evening?"
"Yes."
"Well, can't be helped then."
Alkerto shrugged. Morris added:
"Next ti, then."
"Yes, next ti."
After saying goodbye, Sigrid headed to Erial's palace. Although entry to her palace was strictly controlled, Sigrid could easily get inside.
'Are they underestimating security because I'm a woman? Is the security efficiency adequate?'
Sigrid narrowed her eyes, thinking this as she entered.
"It's been a while, Your Highness."
As Sigrid knelt and greeted her, Erial waved her hand.
"It's fine, please stand up."
Sigrid slowly rose to her feet. Erial was wearing comfortable clothes and sitting on the sofa, almost leaning back. It was surprising to see how slim her stomach had beco.
"I heard you joined the Imperial Guard, so it was true."
"Yes, that's correct."
"The Imperial Guard uniform seed to suit you better."
"You think so?"
Having never thought about whether uniforms suited her or not, she looked down at her clothes and tilted her head.
"I heard you get along well with the Third Prince."
Wondering if "getting along well" was the right way to put it, Sigrid thought for a mont before answering:
"It's not bad."
At those words, Erial blinked and then laughed.
"You've learned to give quite political answers."
"Political?"
"Isn't it?"
"I'm not sure."
"Ah, there it is again."
Erial pointed at her with her index finger and said:
"'Positive consideration,' 'not bad,' 'I'm not sure,' 'let's put this on hold for now.' These are political words."
"I see."
Thinking it was interesting, Sigrid nodded. Erial smiled and extended her hand, gesturing for her to sit.
"Please, sit down."
Sigrid obediently took a seat. Erial glanced at her and asked:
"I heard you're the only one who can handle the Third Prince. But the Empress doesn't like you very much."
"I didn't know that."
Sigrid blinked and asked:
"We've hardly even t, though?"
"I heard that after eting you, the Third Prince started studying, began swordsmanship, and stopped his excessive pranks."
"Yes, but..."
Shouldn't that normally make soone like you?
Seeing Sigrid's face full of questions, Erial laughed lightly.
"If my daughter had been a son, I would be even more tense than I am now. Do you understand why?"
Sigrid thought for a mont and soon could answer:
"Because of the succession rights?"
"Yes. Who would be my child's rival?"
"Prince Rudinal and Prince Awen, I suppose."
"Yes, but my child is a daughter... If Serios were to die now, we'd enter quite a ssy succession dispute. Now, a father who sees his son as a potential successor, which son would he prefer? A capable one? Or an incapable one?"
"An incapable son—"
As she spoke, Sigrid realized.
"So you're saying the Empress is deliberately neglecting the Third Prince to keep him incompetent?"
"I didn't say that."
Sigrid lowered her eyes slightly and said:
"Is that also a political expression?"
"You're a good student. Well. In my opinion, I can't say whether 'that' is right or wrong. The Empress stands in a different position from . She has her own ways."
"I... I felt like she was ignoring the Prince."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I'm an orphan, so I don't know about welcoming warm hands, comforting words, or unconditional affection."
Sigrid smiled slightly.
"But, well, I think I always imagined it when I was young. Though I don't rember clearly. And even if I don't know from experience, I can understand well enough. That it's important. So I know that pushing the Prince away, taking a step back, that kind of behavior hurts him."
Sigrid chose her words carefully.
"I can't agree with the Empress's thods."
"Is that so? I can understand it."
At Erial's words, Sigrid looked up.
"Who would want their own child to die?"
"......"
Sigrid couldn't answer. Erial tapped the armrest and said:
"That ans His Majesty also poses a considerable threat to the Empress..."
"Soone who tries to kill their own son doesn't seem right in the head."
At those words, Erial laughed out loud and added, "Well."
"Surprisingly, or perhaps not surprisingly, those in power tend to be paranoid. It's not common, but it's not unheard of."
At those words, Sigrid nodded, thinking 'I suppose so.'
'They even desire immortality.'
Thinking of that, she could understand to so extent why soone might want to kill their son.
'It's strange.'
She used to think he was such a pitiful person, with no one to trust but himself...
She could almost laugh at her own foolishness.
She saw what she wanted to see, heard what she wanted to hear, and let her imagination run wild in her heart.
"Sigrid."
At Erial's call, Sigrid snapped back to attention.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Please take care of Awen. And I'd like to et him once. In secret, if possible."
"I'll try, but..."
"Ah, I'm not saying to drag him here by force."
"Yes. But may I ask why you want to et him?"
"Oh my?" Erial asked back.
"You like him more than I thought."
"It's hard to dislike soone who shows favoritism towards you."
At Sigrid's words, Erial laughed gracefully.
"I just want to establish a friendly relationship."
"I understand."
Sigrid nodded. Erial asked:
"Well then— would you like to see my child?"
At those words, Sigrid's eyes widened. Erial gestured to a maid, and soon a wet nurse ca out holding the baby.
"We don't na the child until a hundred days have passed, so we're just calling her 'baby' for now."
Sigrid looked at the child curiously.
"She's small."
"Isn't she?"
"She resembles His Highness. And you too, Your Highness."
Her tone was so full of wonder that instead of chiding her with 'Of course,' Erial just smiled and said, "Yes, she does."
"We might na her after you."
"Eh—?!"
Sigrid jumped in genuine surprise. Erial said, "Oh my?"
"But you're a female Master, aren't you? I hope she grows up to be as strong as you. Besides, it has a nice sound to it. Sigrid. Sigrid."
"I, I couldn't possibly bear such an honor. I'm deeply humbled."
Seeing Sigrid rambling without realizing it, Erial chuckled.
"Alright. I've conveyed my intention, anyway."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Sigrid, having barely cald down, put her hand on her chest and bowed. As she was about to leave, she suddenly rembered Marie-Chez.
"Um, Your Highness, if I may be so bold, I have one request."
"What is it?"
"I was hoping you could invite my friend to your salon."
"Any friend accompanying you is always welco."
"Thank you for your generosity."
Sigrid bowed deeply with sincere gratitude and withdrew.
'Marie-Chez will be delighted.'
Smiling contentedly, she left the Crown Princess's palace. Before leaving, she took the trouble to observe the rotation of the guards one last ti.
'There don't seem to be any holes in the security? That's good.'
Sigrid left the palace satisfied.
'Seria said she'd be waiting, so I should hurry back.'
She quickened her pace.
'I wonder what it's about? She said it wasn't a problem, but... Is it about Arkana? Co to think of it, now that he's a magician, maybe he's thinking of moving out?'
Though they were friends, they were still outsiders, so it might be natural, but Sigrid, who had grown attached to them in the anti, felt a bit sad.
'I thought this might be what it's like to have siblings— Or is it that I'm only taking the good parts? They might have felt uncomfortable living with . Even though I told them not to worry about such things because we're friends, people are all different.'
Thinking that Marie-Chez would have clapped and admired her thoughts if she heard them, Sigrid found Echo in the stable, mounted lightly, and spurred him on.
When Sigrid arrived ho, Seria greeted her with an unexpectedly relaxed face.
"Welco ho, Sigrid."
"Ah, yes."
"You haven't had dinner yet, right?"
"No."
"Then please wash up, I'll prepare dinner."
"What about the thing you wanted to talk about—"
"We'll talk after the al."
Seria said with a gentle smile. At tis like this, she felt exactly like Arkana's twin. Sigrid changed her clothes, washed up lightly, and went down to the dining room. As always, simple but warm dishes were laid out, and Sigrid ate her dinner slowly.
After finishing the al, Seria sat at the table.
"How was dinner?"
"Hm? It was delicious."
"Really?"
Seria asked seriously, so Sigrid looked back at her equally seriously and answered:
"Yes."
Seria sighed deeply and said:
"I see..."
Despite saying it was delicious, Sigrid felt like she had sohow disappointed her, so she asked in confusion:
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"It was a less elaborate al than usual."
"Oh? Was it?"
"Yes, I an, I didn't test you or put anything strange in it. It's just that, well, you always say everything is delicious, so I wasn't sure if it was really tasty or not..."
Sigrid's expression beca peculiar.
"So you served a simpler al, and found out I'm the type to eat anything well?"
At those words, Seria's face turned as red as her hair. Seeing this, Sigrid waved her hands.
"No, I'm not saying anything, but, um. That kind of test is strange, isn't it? I know my palate isn't very refined. Is that what you wanted to know?"
"No, that's not it— I want to beco a better cook. As I've told you before, my dream is to be a chef. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I liked or enjoyed cooking. But because you eat so happily, I've co to enjoy cooking too."
"Yes, that's why I want to help if I can."
"Yes, you said that. Arkana, my brother, worries a lot. He always tries to wrap
up in his robe, trying to act like a parent. Of course, I understand why he does it. But I'm an adult now too— it's ti for
to be independent."
"Hmm... So?"
"I want to practice under a great chef. I'd be grateful if you could write
a letter of recomndation!"
Seria bowed deeply. Sigrid grabbed her shoulders to raise her up and said:
"If that's what Seria wants, of course I'll write a recomndation. Do you have a place in mind?"
"Yes, the head chef of the Lunatil Ducal Family is very famous! The book I read was written by him too. Of course, to get into a ducal kitchen, I'd have to start with dishwashing, but that's okay."
"The Lunatil Ducal Family..."
Sigrid muttered unconsciously.
Should she call it a coincidence?
"Hmm, alright. I'll look into it first. I happen to know soone in the Lunatil Ducal Family."
"Really?"
"Yes. He's my superior."
"I see... But I'm sure my brother will object. You'll still write it for , right?"
When Seria asked, Sigrid hesitated for a mont before nodding.
"Alright."
"Yes!"
Once Sigrid had agreed, the matter wouldn't be reversed. With that belief, Seria felt reassured. Sigrid chuckled and said:
"So I, with my undemanding palate, wasn't a challenging subject for improvent."
"Well, of course you're a good person, Sigrid, a very good person, but—"
"Just not a gourt."
"Yes..."
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