Chapter 93

King Melvin said he would come back when the discussion was settled and left the salon.

"Well, Albert knows about this, right?"

"Yeah, I talked to Father. Marlene, can you put on the ring?"

Princess Marlene tilted her head slightly but seemed to understand that there was no need to hide from Grace and Ashley. She put on the disguise ring and infused the magic stone with magic. Her body was momentarily enveloped in light, and there she was, transformed from Princess Marlene into Marian.

"So, Princess Marlene was Lady Marian."

"Indeed, it all makes sense now."

The two seemed more convinced than surprised. Although they didn't know Princess Marlene very well, her age and features were quite clear. They must have noticed some similarities during their time together in the salon.

Princess Marlene blushed slightly, took off the ring, and bowed to Grace and Ashley.

"And I'm Alfred, but let's put that aside for now."

"From here, I'll explain. King Melvin asked if the two of you could be Marlene's fiancé and not be together with her."

King Melvin's proposal.

The attempted assassination of Princess Marlene and the culprit. It seems it wasn't Rosemary. Since the purpose is unclear, King Melvin wants to entrust her to me.

After explaining these points, the two nodded seriously.

"Are you asking us to discuss this matter?"

"That's right."

Grace looked at me calmly.

Princess Marlene, who hadn't been informed, looked a bit surprised. King Melvin had said he was exploring options.

"---I"

First, Ashley spoke.

"I don't think I'm in a position to say anything about this. I'm here because Theodore and Grace accepted me. But---I like Princess Marlene. If you say she might be in danger, I want to do everything I can to help."

So, Ashley is in favor. What about Grace?

"When I first saw Lady Marian---Princess Marlene in the workshop, I was reminded of the past."

Grace looked into the distance as she spoke.

"The past, huh."

It's understandable that Princess Marlene would be cautious with strangers. I, too, had a period when I kept everyone at a distance.

Princess Marlene must have worked hard to stand up like that. I think so.

Grace and Ashley must understand this as well. They have their own reasons.

"Yes. It's about how to interact with strangers. I think Princess Marlene is a kind person, and I like her. If I can be of help, I think it would be wonderful to be with Princess Marlene."

Grace smiled.

Princess Marlene smiled happily at their words but then showed a somewhat sad and lonely expression. Seeing this, Prince Albert said:

"Actually, I've made a prototype."

He brought a package from the corner of the salon and handed it to Princess Marlene. The contents were a thin stone tablet with glass attached. The tablet had letters and numbers engraved on it. Several magic stones were embedded around the edges, and it was slightly larger than a paperback book.

"It's just a preliminary stage of the prototype. For now, it can input and display text. Marlene, just for today. If you have something to say, try it out."

Prince Albert explained.

Marlene took it hesitantly. She touched the keyboard with her fingers and operated it awkwardly, showing the result.

"I am a hindrance."

The glowing text appeared in the empty space at the top of the keyboard.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I think it's okay even if I don't get better."

Princess Marlene looked sad as she conveyed this.

"I told Mother to help me. I wish I hadn't said that."

In other words, she thinks her mother used the Sacrifice because of what she said. She regrets it. She can't forgive herself.

That's why she thinks she's a hindrance, and that's part of her self-evaluation.

Having seen someone like Mother up close... I think someone who can use the Sacrifice, knowing the risks, would do so regardless of what Princess Marlene said or didn't say.

But this isn't about whether Princess Marlene's perception is right or wrong.

What's needed is her own acceptance. For her to accept it herself. For me to accept it when I see it. That's all.

"Brother is amazing, but I don't want to use this to communicate. So, I want to go somewhere where I don't have to speak."

This means she affirms her decision to go to the temple.

"I think it's fine as it is."

So, I answered.

"If Marlene doesn't want to use words... I think it's fine as it is. My mother was like that, and if I were in the same situation, I might do the same. I also don't want anyone to say anything about the decisions I've made."

Hearing my words, Princess Marlene nodded seriously. I don't know how much she knows about my mother.

At the very least, I wouldn't let her be a hindrance just because she can't or doesn't want to speak.

"Penelope will surely create a place for Marlene. I don't think it's necessary for me to be involved, but I want to affirm Marlene's decision. I don't think she's a hindrance at all."

Princess Marlene held the keyboard with both hands and looked up at me, as if asking if it was okay. We stared at each other for a while, and then Princess Marlene operated the keyboard and showed me.

"I'm happy. Can I live in that house too?"

"Yes, you can."

Nodding, Princess Marlene showed a smile like a blooming flower.

"I'll go get Father."

Prince Albert, who had witnessed everything, smiled gently, took the keyboard from Marlene, and left the salon.

Princess Marlene, Grace, and Ashley hugged each other happily.

"It's good to see that everything is settled."

King Melvin, who had returned, looked quite pleased.

He had said it wasn't a matter of convenience... but he probably thought it was better for Marlene to be with me rather than the temple.

"However, as a royal princess, she cannot simply be sent away. There is also the fact that the head of the Sylph Baron family is already named as her fiancé. It will be necessary to adopt her into a noble family. Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble for you."

King Melvin laughed.

"Do you have any candidates?"

When Prince Albert asked, King Melvin nodded.

"I think the Forrester Duke family would be good. They are currently visiting due to the season, so it's a good time to discuss it."

"Ophelia's..."

The Forrester Duke family. The family of Ophelia, Prince Albert's fiancée.

Unlike some other dukes, they are a proper family.

They keep a distance from the center and focus on managing their own territory, so they don't have as much influence in Termwillis. Ophelia herself is studying at the noble dormitory of the academy.

Princess Marlene seemed to be fond of Ophelia, and she looked happy when she heard about the Forrester Duke family.

"Ophelia is a wonderful person. We often talk at the academy."

Ashley smiled. I've met Ophelia once at the workshop, though I was hiding my identity. Ophelia knows Ashley, so she must have initiated contact.

Ashley also visits the academy while exploring the labyrinth and training, and it seems she has established connections with noble families that benefit the baron family, which is reassuring for me.

"Ah, yes. When I talked to the head priestess Penelope, I entrusted a message to you."

"What is it?"

"It's about the seal of the Great Rotting Lake."

"The one Chester found?"

"Yes. Based on rough calculations, the seal will be broken after the one in the Twilight Forest. It seems the release periods are offset."

"Handling four places simultaneously would be difficult, so this is convenient."

I said, and King Melvin nodded. Things will return to normal from tomorrow.

...No, wait. Tomorrow---

Hmm. I had completely forgotten about the Rosemary mess. Since it happens every year, I doubt Grace hasn't prepared anything.