Chapter 55

Lady Natalie said that Lady Kate is the complete opposite of herself.

Those words must surely carry many meanings.

"From what I've heard, Lady Kate is a strong-willed person and among the princess candidates, she is the one who most desires the position of the next queen. Is that correct?"

"......Yes. The four of us princess candidates were competing behind the scenes, but among us, Lady Kate was the most greedy."

"Has Lady Kate's enthusiasm for the position of the next queen not changed since I came to this country?"

"Probably, it hasn't changed."

"......And Lady Natalie, you are the 'complete opposite' of Lady Kate?"

"......Yes. I think it's fine to think of it that way."

Even though it's about herself, Lady Natalie speaks as if it's about someone else.

Her vague answers don't deny my questions, and I can sense her true feelings.

Lady Natalie must not intend to aim for the position of the next queen.

Originally, she became a princess candidate as a substitute for her sister, who fell ill, and Lady Natalie has always lacked ambition and desire for power.

She must have had no enthusiasm for the position of the next queen.

Still, Lady Natalie has been striving to become the next queen to meet the expectations of her parents and those around her.

Her efforts are commendable, but the plagiarism scandal led by Mr. Dearz must have significantly hindered her.

I don't regret exposing Mr. Dearz's plagiarism.

However, as a result of my actions, the possibility of Lady Natalie becoming the next queen has indeed decreased.

Lady Natalie must painfully understand that her prospects have worsened.

She is not struggling to aim for the position of the next queen even in a difficult situation.

Instead, Lady Natalie seems to have decided to give up on becoming the next queen and to consider a second-best option.

Given the current situation, this can be considered a reasonable judgment, but Lady Natalie, who bears the expectations of her family, is not allowed to publicly announce, "I will give up on becoming the next queen."

If she clearly states it in public, she might be expelled from the royal castle.

That's why Lady Natalie must have used such a roundabout expression, saying, "I am the complete opposite of Lady Kate, who is greedy for the position of the next queen."

It's a rather complicated exchange, but considering what Lady Natalie carries and her position, it might be the best approach.

Although Lady Natalie tends to belittle herself, her ability to express difficult facts in a manner befitting her status shows that she is quite intelligent.

"......I understand Lady Natalie's thoughts. By the way, does your father, the Duke, share the same thoughts as Lady Natalie?"

"My father might be a bit more greedy than I am......But with the Dearz incident, he won't push as strongly for me to become the next queen as he did before."

Lady Natalie's eyebrows slightly lower.

She seems to feel guilty for not meeting her father's expectations.

"......I myself am not confident that becoming the next queen would be the best for this country. My shy personality is one factor, but my family, who raised and supported me, is a clan that looks down on beastmen. I think the beastmen would not welcome such a clan reaching the top of this country."

"......Even the most excellent queen cannot be welcomed by all the people, and besides......"

I look at Lady Natalie.

Lady Natalie, who is here as a substitute for her sister.

But no matter what the circumstances, the fact that she is a princess candidate has not changed.

"The relationship between beastmen and humans is naturally difficult, but it can also be changed. As a princess candidate representing your clan, you are here. Even if you didn't aim for it, the position comes with responsibilities and influence, and power."

"Power......for me......"

"For example, you can declare a friendly policy towards beastmen. There will be opposition and interference from your clan, but if you, as a princess candidate, take it seriously, it could become a catalyst for changing the current state of your clan, for better or for worse."

What I'm saying might be harsh for Lady Natalie.

If you worry about the current state of your clan, which looks down on beastmen, you can't just be a bystander.

As a princess candidate, you should use the power you have.

"Even if you act, there's no guarantee it will go well, and it might backfire. In the worst case, if you don't become a puppet of your family, you might be confined or even assassinated."

I inform her of the risks.

Lady Natalie has lived according to her parents' instructions, as her nickname 'Doll Princess' suggests.

I can't predict what will happen when a doll starts to walk on its own.

"I......"

Lady Natalie was trembling.

"I don't have the confidence to do it well, nor the confidence to convince my father, relatives, and the people in my territory."

But, Lady Natalie continued.

"But even so, I think it's not right to leave the clan's policy that worsens the relationship between beastmen and humans unaddressed. If I can improve it little by little, even someone like me, becoming a princess candidate might have some meaning."

"Lady Natalie......"

"Lady Letitia, thank you. And can I continue to rely on you in the future? I still have many shortcomings. I don't know much about beastmen and companion beasts. I would like to hear your stories, even if it's just during tea parties."

"Yes, I would be happy to. I'll be waiting here in the palace, leisurely with the tea and sweets."

Lady Natalie and I are strangers from different backgrounds and camps.

I can't directly support her, but I can listen to her complaints and stories and enjoy the soft, fluffy things together.

"Thank you!"

Lady Natalie's face lit up.

She still has her worries, but it seems she has decided on her path.

"......I hope so......"

"? Lady Natalie, did you say something?"

"......No, nothing. By the way, the date for my next visit here......"

Lady Natalie, looking happy, eagerly talked about her plans.

'I hope Lady Letitia will be the queen forever.'

---I would only learn that Lady Natalie had said this much later.

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After seeing Lady Natalie off and giving instructions to clear up the tea party, one of the maids brought me a letter.

It's an invitation from a princess candidate to me.

It matches Lady Natalie's information, but there are some unexpected points.

"The host is Lady Kate from the Eastern Palace, and Lady Iriena from the Northern Palace, in joint names?"

Lady Kate from the lynx clan.

And Lady Iriena from the snow fox clan.

I was about to meet the princess candidates with cat and fox ears, respectively.