Chapter 16

Having bid farewell to King Glenreed, I left the main castle and boarded a carriage.

The destination was the detached palace given to me.

Even though it was within the same castle grounds, the area was vast.

The inner walls of the castle were so large that an entire medium-sized town could fit inside.

As I listened to the hooves of the horses clattering, the carriage swayed back and forth...

...I have been swaying for quite some time now, but we haven't arrived yet, have we?

"It seems we have come quite far from the main castle..."

Outside the window, dark evergreen trees were densely growing.

Looking at this, it felt as if I had been thrown into the middle of a forest, but this was still within the castle grounds.

It seemed we were heading to a corner of the vast castle grounds, where a small forest was located.

While doing this, the carriage slowed down and came to a gentle stop.

I was helped out by Lucian.

"This is my detached palace..."

Yes, what is now before my eyes is the detached palace given to me after becoming the queen...

The first impression is that it looks more like a mansion in the forest than a detached palace.

To be more precise, it looks like a dilapidated mansion in the forest.

The walls are made of white stucco and black wood, topped with a reddish-brown roof.

It has a cute appearance, but it is a simple two-story building that is far from the image of a detached palace.

The only element that might qualify it as a detached palace (if at all) is the fountain in front of the mansion.

The front garden is well-maintained, but the forest looms right behind the mansion.

The size of the building itself is smaller than half of the duke's mansion where I grew up.

Of course, compared to the houses of commoners in this world, it is quite large, but it is much smaller than I had imagined.

"Lady Letitia, welcome. All the servants welcome you with all our hearts."

The servants waiting in the front garden.

A representative figure bowed deeply and greeted me.

On his bowed head, two ears were covered with soft fur.

Among the lined-up servants, some had large ears on their heads, indicating they were beastmen.

There was even a girl dressed as a maid with cat-like triangular ears and a slender tail.

"Please come this way. I will show you around the mansion."

Led by the representative of the servants, who seemed to be a canine beastman, I was guided into the mansion.

He was neatly dressed in a servant's uniform, with a well-groomed dark brown mustache, exuding a charmingly dapper demeanor... but with drooping dog ears and a fluffy tail on his head.

...Honestly, the contrast is quite something. Yes, it is.

Mr. Bogdan, the dapper dog-eared man, gave a very clear explanation of the mansion's interior.

He walked at a moderate pace, neither too fast nor too slow, and explained the location and function of each room without missing anything.

As the exterior suggested, the number of rooms was not particularly large, and it was a cozy building.

It would be troublesome to manage if it were unnecessarily large, so I am grateful for that.

I had braced myself for a grand mansion when I was told I would be given a detached palace, so I am somewhat relieved.

Perhaps due to my past life, I find large mansions like the duke's residence somewhat unsettling.

After touring the mansion, I was given free time.

Out of consideration for my long journey and the meeting with the king, the formal introduction to the mansion and the servants was scheduled to start the next day.

"Phew... I'm so tired..."

Taking advantage of the lack of onlookers, I let out a tired voice and collapsed onto the bed in my bedroom.

During the journey, someone was always nearby, so this was my first time alone in a while.

The soft and appropriately springy feel of the bed was comforting, gently supporting and enveloping my body.

The sheets were smooth and well-maintained, with not a single stain.

Although the building itself gave an old and worn-out impression, the interior and personal items seemed to be properly prepared.

I was a bit surprised by King Glenreed's cold attitude earlier, but it seems he still intends to show some form of courtesy, which is reassuring.

After all, I am the queen, so this treatment is to be expected...

However, the first royal I met after regaining my memories was the mad crown prince, who was my ex-fiancé and the prince of my homeland, so I was a bit wary inside.

"King Glenreed, huh..."

Closing my eyes, his vivid image came to mind.

His eyes, a blue-tinged lake ice.

His lustrous, dazzling silver hair.

His lips, which murmured, "It's a strange scent."

"...Hmm, what did he mean by that?"

If I didn't mishear, it was quite a mysterious statement.

I sniffed my body to make sure, but there was no scent of spices.

Instead, a faint floral scent confirmed the competence of the maids who prepared me, and I was grateful.

I don't think I have a strong body odor, so if the king's words weren't referring to a direct scent...

Could it be that he is physiologically repulsed by me, and that's why he was being cautious?

...I know it sounds silly, but that's a bit disheartening...

I don't necessarily want the king to like me, but as a young woman in this world, it's hard not to feel a bit down.

Could I be emitting some kind of reverse pheromone?

If the king is physiologically repulsed by me, there's nothing I can do about it...

Even if I am just a figurehead queen, it might be quite difficult.

...But, there's no point in dwelling on this now.

I gathered my strength and stood up.

Today, I have gained a precious free day.

Even if I am just a figurehead queen, I might get busy in the future.

The temptation to stay in bed is strong, but the weather outside is beautiful.

I decided to go outside to check the surroundings of the mansion.

Accompanied by Lucian, who was waiting in the adjacent room, I went outside.

It was a perfect day for a stroll, with the early spring sunlight shining down.

I was enjoying a leisurely walk in the beautiful front garden, when one of the low shrubs rustled and a shadow emerged.

"...A wolf?"

Pointed ears. Gray fur. A straight tail.

A wolf with shining brown eyes appeared before me.

"Miss, just in case, please step back—"

Lucian's words were cut off as several shadows rolled out from the forest.

They were all gray-furred wolves, with bodies the size of large dogs and sharp claws.

"What is this...?"

The wolves did not attack us but formed a circle at a certain distance, staring at us.

Their eyes were sharp, indicating they were on guard, but...

The erect ears and muzzles reminded me of my dog Jiro from my past life, and I found myself surrounded by a fluffy, adorable circle.

"It seems they are not hostile... Miss, what should we do?"

"Hmm. Perhaps these young ones are—"

"Hey! You guys! Don't suddenly start running, it's dangerous—"

A young man ran over from the direction the wolves came from, shouting.

The wolves straightened their posture at his call.

The young man, with white curly hair, seemed to be a beastman.

His thick, furry ears trembled as he looked at me, and our eyes met—

"Aaaaaah‼"

I let out a scream.

...I couldn't help but doubt whether the brave figure I saw earlier, shouting at the wolves, was a mistake.

It was a pitiful sight.