Chapter 69

The reason Lady Kate desires to be a candidate for the queen.

As the daughter of a duke, it is natural for her to aim to be the queen, but I wanted to hear the reason from Lady Kate herself.

Now, as I am struggling with my choice, I have a renewed desire to understand what Lady Kate truly desires and the qualities she possesses.

"It is......"

Lady Kate hesitates to speak.

Is it a reason that is hard to express to others?

Perhaps it is her rivalry with Lady Sienna, or perhaps she desires the fame that comes with being the queen.

If that is the case, perhaps I should firmly decline her request.

While I was thinking this, Lady Kate finally spoke.

"...For the sake of the country."

Lady Kate, blushing, spoke quickly.

"You must think I'm saying something grand, right? Yes, yes, I know!! A girl like me, who can't even control her own emotions, talking about the country is just a sign of my inadequacy!!"

"No, that's not it――――"

"But there's no other way, right!? Sienna is dishonest, Lady Iriena is unpredictable, Lady Filia has no interest in politics, and Lady Natalie was a puppet!! There's no one I can entrust the position of queen to!! Isn't it the duty of the nobility to serve the country!? If so, I have to work hard and grow to become the queen!!"

Lady Kate said all this in one breath and then shyly turned her face away.

It seems she thinks her words are naive and beyond her capabilities.

"...I think Lady Kate is admirable."

"What!? Are you mocking me?!"

"No, I mean it sincerely. You could have used plausible words to cover up the real reason, but you told me the truth, didn't you?"

It also shows that you can't put on a show, but your sincere desire for the country is admirable.

Moreover, there are a few other things I've learned.

"Lady Kate's reason for aiming to be the queen is for the country. That means, if there is someone more suitable for the position of queen, you would give up the position and support that person, right?"

"......That's my intention. Father may have other plans, but......"

"Also, you spoke of Lady Natalie in the past tense as a puppet. That means you recognize her change, right?"

"On the day of the birthday celebration, and after interacting more with Lady Letitia, I think Lady Natalie has changed. She started speaking her own mind."

Lady Kate, though not close to Lady Natalie, seems to have noticed her changes.

Despite her emotional and impulsive nature, she seems to have a good eye for people.

"If you think either Lady Natalie or Lady Iriena has more qualities to be the queen, would you withdraw from the competition for the next queen?"

"......Yes, I would. Though it's a hypothetical situation......"

Reluctantly, but firmly, Lady Kate nodded.

Her words were honest.

Partly because she was cornered by Lady Sienna and had no time to lie, but more so because of her straightforward nature.

"......I understand. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Though it's not exactly a favor, I might be able to help a little."

"Can you lend me Gilbert and the other chefs?"

"No, that's difficult. If I cooperate to that extent, I will be seen as being on the same side as Lady Kate. Besides, if I serve the food prepared by my chefs to your father, it would be meaningless."

"That's true, but......"

Lady Kate seemed to wilt, and her cat ears drooped.

"Don't be so discouraged. Instead, I would like to provide you with ideas for new dishes."

"New dishes......?"

"The preparation and cooking will be done by the chefs under Lady Kate's command. I can't guarantee it will work, and I can't implement it without first consulting the king, but if you agree, I would like to take some action."

"......Thank you very much......!!"

Lady Kate bowed deeply.

Beside her, as I shared my thoughts, Goo-sama listened with great interest.

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"I see. I wondered why Kate's palace was so noisy. So that's what happened."

King Glenreed nodded.

On the day Lady Kate visited my palace, I requested to speak with the king.

The next day, I visited the king.

I thought it would take longer given the king's busy schedule, but with Manila Day approaching, it was fortunate.

After selecting and explaining the information from my conversation with Lady Kate, I decided to probe the king's thoughts.

"If Lady Kate proposes to change the candidate for the queen to Lady Sienna, would you approve, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, that's my intention. You must have predicted that, right?"

"Yes. From Your Majesty's position, that would be the best course of action."

By approving the change of the candidate, you would owe a favor to the most likely candidate, Lady Sienna.

Even if Lady Iriena becomes the next queen instead of Lady Sienna, having once recognized Lady Sienna as a candidate would serve as a deterrent.

While the king does not want bloodshed among the candidates, a situation where their power is balanced and they check each other would make it easier for the king to exercise his authority.

"Letitia, your approach is the best among the options you have. Instead of lending chefs, you are providing ideas for new dishes. This way, you can do a favor for Kate without getting too close and maintaining a certain distance."

"Thank you for your kind words. ...By the way, about the completed new dish..."

At my words, Lucian, who was standing behind me, presented a dish that had already been tested for poison.

It was today's offering to the king, and I also wanted his opinion on whether it was suitable for Manila Day.

"......This is indeed an unfamiliar form."

I explained the general idea, the method of preparation, and how to eat it to the king as he observed the dish.

"I see. This could be suitable for the table on Manila Day. I am not an expert in taste, but the way of eating and the appearance should be quite fresh for the people of this country."

"Thank you. By the way, is there anything I should be careful about, or anything I might have overlooked?"

"I don't think there's anything wrong with the dish itself, but...... Can I ask you to convey a few messages to Kate?"

"......Should I tell Lady Kate to petition for an increase in the number of servants in her palace?"

"Exactly. You are quick to understand. If I send help to Kate, it would be special treatment, but if she requests it, it's a different story. Kate is the mistress of that palace, but the palace is part of the royal castle, and I am at the top. If she complains about a shortage of personnel, I can send temporary servants."

"I think that would help Lady Kate."

An increase in servants.

Even the king would find it difficult to immediately gather top chefs, but it would still be meaningful.

There might still be servants in Lady Kate's palace who are under Lady Sienna's influence.

Worst-case scenario, the dishes on Manila Day could be switched, as happened to me before.

With the number of chefs already insufficient, it would be difficult to prevent betrayal among them.

If the king sent servants with the order to "watch over the chefs to prevent betrayal," it would serve as a deterrent.

It might be an unnecessary worry, but it's better to be prepared.

And this is a win-win situation for the king.

By sending servants to Lady Kate, he can do her a favor.

If Lady Kate succeeds and secures her position as a candidate, that's good.

If she fails, he can recognize the change of the candidate and owe a favor to Lady Sienna.

Either way, the king would not be at a loss.

"This is all I can do. The rest depends on you and Kate's actions."

The king murmured, as if to say, "Let's see what you can do."