Chapter 95

Today, there are two updates; the previous one is the main story (;^ω^)

This interlude might be a bit difficult to understand...

This is a certain place in the harem. There, two unusual people were gathered.

"It's been how many years since we've had a moment alone like this?"

"Yes, if I recall correctly, it was around the time Lord Gerard entered the academy."

"Right, it's been that long."

The two facing each other were the Queen, Sylvie, and the Concubine, Curiannna. The maids around them had moved far enough away that they couldn't hear their conversation. That's why they could speak so openly.

"I heard from His Majesty that he's trying to marry the Princess to Alvis."

"I just wanted to stir up a bit of a breeze."

"What do you mean by that?"

The Queen furrowed her brow. Even in her position as a concubine, Curiannna had never taken any initiative before. When Gerard was the Crown Prince, she had made sure to keep Leticia out of the public eye, and the same was true for Curiannna herself. She shunned the public stage, and the harem was her entire world.

"If it's about building a good relationship with the Empress, there's no one more suitable than that girl. She can do much more for the Empress than the Marquess's daughter."

"…Elena is the eldest daughter of a Duke. It's not usual to consider a Duke's daughter as a concubine for the Princess."

"We could adopt her into my family and then marry her off."

Curiannna's family is a Count's house. In terms of status, it might be suitable for a concubine, but it's not practical. Leticia is known as a Princess.

"Then she would live in the Crown Prince's palace, not the harem. She would be much freer there than in the harem."

"If you think so, why did you keep the Princess locked up? Why didn't you let her marry earlier?"

"…Marrying as a Princess would not be for her benefit."

The Queen couldn't quite grasp what Curiannna was trying to achieve. What was she thinking? Her expression never changed, making it impossible to read her intentions.

"I'm just doing what I can as a mother. Whatever the result may be…"

"Curiannna, you noblewoman…"

"The only miscalculation was that His Majesty is moving faster than I imagined. Of course, the same can be said for Lady Sylvie's family."

Sighing, the words were tinged with a hint of exasperation.

At this moment, Curiannna had yet to realize that the very foundation of her thoughts was flawed.