Chapter 84

"......What are your thoughts, Lady Letitia?"

Lady Kate, who had pleaded with me to mediate between her and Lady Natalie, had a puzzled look on her face when I accepted her request. She decided to ask me directly, without hiding her doubts.

"Until now, Lady Letitia has been living quietly in this detached palace, hasn't she? You've maintained a reserved stance even towards us, the candidates for the next queen, haven't you?"

"Yes. But I think it's time for me to take action."

"......Why now? Lady Letitia, if you spend the next two years as a ceremonial queen in this detached palace, there shouldn't be any problems, right?"

Lady Kate's words were straightforward. She didn't try to manipulate the conversation; she wanted to understand my thoughts.

Her actions were likely due to her straightforward nature, which was driven by her concern for the country. At the same time, it might also be because she treated me not just as a political figure but as a friend.

......I felt it was okay to share my thoughts with such a Lady Kate.

"Lady Kate, I think I've been a guest until now."

"A guest?"

"I wasn't born in this country. My role as a queen was only for a limited time, which is why you and the others were competing for the position of the next queen, right?"

"Yes, that's true."

Even as she nodded, Lady Kate had a complicated expression. She no longer desired the position of the next queen.

Lady Kate had judged that she lacked the qualities to be a queen. The same thoughts about the country's future that she had were beginning to take root in me.

"I thought I would spend my time in this country as a guest, living quietly and in seclusion...... But I've decided to change my mind a little."

Just a little.

Even if my basic approach to living a relaxed life doesn't change, I want to take action for the future of this country.

"Edgar, Gilbert, Ichi, Guu, Fon, Lady Natalie, and of course, Lady Kate. Since coming to this country, I've met many important people.

After stepping down as queen, I'm not sure if I'll stay in this country...... But I can't just leave everything behind after stepping down as queen."

Whether I leave or stay,

Edgar and the others will continue to live in this country.

"I've come to wish for the prosperity and peace of this country."

As I spoke, for some reason, the image of King Glenreid appeared in my mind.

......Why is that?

King Glenreid, who enjoyed the toast and cream soup I made, with his eyes slightly relaxed from the heat of cooking, came to mind vividly. My heart raced, and my pulse quickened.

"Lady Letitia?"

No, no.

I'm in front of Lady Kate now.

"No, it's nothing...... Since becoming queen, I've been taken care of by His Majesty in many ways. I thought that, for His Majesty, I could be of some help to this country in my own way."

By putting my thoughts into words, I felt I understood my own heart better.

I felt that the distance between King Glenreid and me had shortened a little through cooking. I had even started to feel a sense of familiarity, even though I didn't know what he thought of me.

For the future of this country, I want His Majesty to be healthy and well.

"I'm an outsider, but I think there are things I can do because of that.

The people of this country might find it difficult to work together due to past entanglements. I want to help facilitate their interactions."

"......So, that's why you decided to mediate between me and Lady Natalie?"

"Yes, that's right. I can't do much, but I want to do what I can."

I had no intention of using my position as queen to meddle in politics.

I will do what I can in this detached palace. I will serve food, be a good listener to Lady Kate and the others, and facilitate a little bit of interaction. That's my role.

"I intend to support you and the others in deepening your relationships, even if it's just a little. Lady Kate, can I count on your cooperation?"

"Of course! ......But it's strange, isn't it? I'm the one who asked for help, so why is Lady Letitia making the request?"

"Because it's also my wish."

Lady Natalie and Lady Kate.

Their compatibility is unknown, but both are kind and responsible. If they respect each other, there's a good chance they can get along well.

"......I understand. Since you asked, I'll do my best to become friends with Lady Natalie!"

Lady Kate's tail, which had been curled, stood up straight as she declared this.

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"Do my best to become friends, huh......"

While petting the wolf Jenna, I muttered to myself. Lady Kate's determination to get to know Lady Natalie and deepen their relationship is admirable. I want to support her, but...... I feel she might be putting in a bit too much effort.

Lady Kate, who speaks brightly and with emotion, and Lady Natalie, who is reserved and thoughtful, have completely opposite personalities on the surface. Because of this, they might be drawn to each other's missing qualities......

"If things get complicated, it could be a problem......"

I tilted my head in thought. Lady Kate is fully motivated, but Lady Natalie might be overwhelmed by her enthusiasm and end up overthinking things.

Lady Kate is 18, and Lady Natalie is 16. They are both young ladies from prestigious noble families that represent this country. Because they are in similar positions, they might have things in common, but if things don't go well, it could be troublesome.

"Even so, I can't force them to become friends......"

What should I do?

While petting Jenna's fur, I pondered.

"Woof?"

Jenna tilted her head. Her amber eyes, which blinked cutely, were adorable.

"Maybe a good opportunity would help......?"

An opportunity to become friends. A chance for their conversation to flow and for them to get to know each other better......

"......That's it. Then———ah!"

Lick, lick.

Jenna's warm tongue tickled the back of my hand.

This is Jenna's way of urging me. I had been petting her back for a while, and she seemed to want me to pet other parts as well.

"Okay, okay, I'll pet you there too, okay?"

I placed my hand on the side of her body, and Jenna rolled over. Her eyes looked up at me, filled with the expectation of "pet me, pet me."

"Oh, you're so cute!!"

To meet her expectations, I petted her fur with both hands. Jenna, who loves being petted by human hands, is also fond of a slicker brush, but today she seemed to want to be petted by hand.

I buried my fingers in her fluffy fur and gently scratched her with the pads of my fingers. Jenna showed her belly and purred, snuggling up to me.

"Kuuu~n"

"How does that feel, my dear? Is the pressure okay? Is there any spot that's itchy?"

I felt like a hairdresser giving a scalp massage to a customer. I petted Jenna carefully, making sure she was enjoying it.

As I massaged her enthusiastically, Jenna wriggled her body in delight. Her body pressed against mine, and her fluffy fur felt pleasant.

In exchange for all the petting, my dress was covered in fur, but that was no problem. After the tea party with Lady Kate, I had changed into a simple dress. It had a modest design that didn't look like a queen's, but it was easy to maintain. It was a dress for playing with the wolves to my heart's content.

"Guu?"

Jenna, who had been wriggling, suddenly perked up her ears. I noticed that the other wolves were also staring at a single point. Edgar, who leads the wolves, seemed to have noticed this as well.

We were on an open lawn next to the detached palace. The front courtyard and the main part of the detached palace were hidden by the trees planted there.

In the direction the wolves were looking, a girl with black hair appeared from the front courtyard of the detached palace.

"Wolves......?"

On the girl's head, triangular ears were shaking.