Chapter 15

As I was riding in an open carriage through the capital, something caught my attention.

Most of the people lining the streets were just humans... the number of beastmen was small, only a few like the dog-eared girl I saw earlier.

In the Kingdom of Wolfwald, about half of the population is supposed to be beastmen.

I had heard that about 30% of the capital's residents were beastmen.

Despite this, the majority of the people who had come to see my wedding procession were humans.

The proportion of beastmen was probably less than 10%.

Hmm...

It seemed that the relationship between beastmen and humans was quite complicated, even if not as much as in my homeland.

There was a clear divide between humans and beastmen in this country as well.

I was one of four candidates to become the Silver Wolf King's bride.

The candidates were two human women and two beastwomen, evenly matched.

With me, a human, joining as a new bride, the balance of 2 to 2 was disrupted.

It was probably not amusing for the beastmen, and they might not have been in the mood to welcome me.

While imagining the situation from the beastmen's perspective, the castle walls came into view.

We passed through the outer gate.

I could see several buildings that looked like summer palaces and a small forest scattered around.

The castle of the Kingdom of Wolfwald has double walls.

Inside the outer wall is a vast area, and the main castle where the king resides is built inside the inner wall.

At the end of the road, my journey's final destination, a tall castle towered into the sky.

The white stone walls contrasted beautifully with the surrounding green forest.

The magnificent castle, with its many spires, stood majestically, waiting for me.

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As soon as I arrived at the main castle, I was stripped of my dress by the maids.

The maids fussed over me, cleaning my body and preparing me.

Because we had taken a detour and arrived late, I had to quickly clean up before meeting His Majesty.

Pearl powder was applied to my skin, and rouge was painted on my lips.

After a hair ornament was placed on my head, I was immediately taken to meet His Majesty.

I walked as quickly as possible, but in a way that did not appear rushed, with a graceful pace.

While looking around the foreign castle, I thought about His Majesty, King Glenread, whom I was about to meet.

His Majesty is 23 years old.

He is a few years older than me, who is 17, but this is a reasonable age difference for a political marriage.

His Majesty, Glenread, is known to be excellent but also to dislike women.

I am just a decorative bride, and I have no intention of forcing a closer relationship, but as a marriage partner, I hope to build a good relationship, at least on the level of acquaintances.

The door to the audience chamber opened, and I finally met His Majesty.

"......"

Silence.

My bow was a matter of etiquette, but it was also out of surprise.

The young man with silver hair sitting on the throne.

His eyes were a bluish-green, like a winter lake.

His features were masculine yet elegant, like a statue carved from ice.

His face was cold but beautiful, the kind of face you would never forget once you saw it.

...I had heard he disliked women, but with a face like that, he must have had a lot of trouble with the opposite sex, I thought impolitely.

Following the proper etiquette, I bowed my head and then raised it, and I thought I saw His Majesty's well-formed lips move.

"......There's a strange scent."

Huh?

Wait, what did you just say?

It was a tiny, almost whispered comment, but it was too concerning.

If I didn't mishear, those were your words, Your Majesty?

...My body was supposed to be thoroughly cleaned by the maids.

I was supposed to have a pleasant scent, with perfume applied.

Yet, he said there was a strange scent. Could it be... the smell of the dried meat and spices I touched while cooking yesterday had somehow stuck to me?

That couldn't be, but if so, His Majesty's first words were very mysterious.

Despite my confusion, I maintained a calm smile and waited for His Majesty to continue, a testament to the princess education I had received.

"Your name is Letitia Gramwell, correct?"

"Yes, it is my first time meeting Your Majesty."

I curtsied, and His Majesty's unreadable blue eyes narrowed.

"Your journey to our country must have been arduous. I will give you a summer palace, so please take your time to rest."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Unfortunately, I cannot be seen much, but I will do my best to fulfill your wishes. Please go to the summer palace and check if you need anything."

His Majesty's words of comfort.

But they were just surface-level.

Giving me a summer palace.

In other words, go there and don't bother me.

It was a clear declaration that I was to be a decorative bride.

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After a brief exchange, Letitia left for the summer palace, and Glenread sat on the throne, deep in thought.

Letitia, who was supposed to be the fiancée of his own country's prince, had been abandoned and sent to him almost like an exile.

He had been curious about what kind of woman she would be, and he was a bit disappointed that she so easily accepted being sent to the summer palace.

She was well-mannered, with the upbringing of a duchess, and her behavior was graceful and impeccable.

(What was that scent...?)

It wasn't unpleasant or offensive.

But she definitely had an unusual scent.

Was it because she came from a foreign country?

Or was it because she was known to have strong magical powers?

He didn't know the reason, but as a queen, he couldn't just ignore it.

His experience told him not to underestimate what his 'nose' had detected.

(I want to investigate, but how...?)

He had a few excellent ministers, but only a few could be trusted with matters related to his 'nose'.

Perhaps he needed to take action himself.

So Glenread began to formulate a plan.