Chapter 71

Alber is extremely nervous.

Due to her father complex being stronger than her fear of others, she has come out of the detached palace in a hurry.

The audience chamber seems to have an unwritten rule of having a red carpet.

Well, it is indeed grand and luxurious... but the crimson carpet reminds me of the Bloody Carnival at the academy.

It was when Father lost his temper.

I don’t want to be displayed like a show panda, but Father is said to be in the audience chamber to hear the report of the extermination.

By waiting here, I can surely see Father.

I was supposed to have palace maids behind me and stand next to the throne, but I declined. More than anything, the thought of having to do that made my legs go weak and I felt the blood drain from my body.

I lost my words and stood there trembling with a blue face, and the King, unable to bear it, allowed Kistaria, Mikaeris, and Jibril to stand beside me. The murmurs spreading around suggest that this is quite an exception.

Is it okay to be treated specially... but I am very grateful and feel supported.

Anna and Julius, being in the positions of maid and valet, had to wait at a distance.

Julius, who holds a viscount title, could have come forward, but since he is in the position of a valet this time, he cannot come too far forward.

The hierarchy of the nobility is strict, precise, and troublesome, and since the Elder Council, which is very particular about such things, is present at this audience, Julius decided to be cautious.

Hmm, Julius, who is very quick-witted and can also serve as a bodyguard. I’m not saying I don’t trust Kistaria and Mikaeris, but I would have liked to bring more allies.

I’m sorry, I’m being cowardly.

Clifford Uncle with the beard asked, “Is that servant close to you?” I nodded while escaping to Mikaeris’s side. Julius will probably handle it appropriately.

When I entered the audience chamber, the gazes were intense.

Everyone started to murmur and it made me very uncomfortable.

I tried to keep a composed face and went to the designated spot.

My legs were shaking and my knees felt like they were about to give out. Jibril, worried, held my tightly clenched hands. The warmth of his small, white hand slightly eased my trembling heart.

I awkwardly raised my head and saw Queen Mesarin smiling—did her smile look like a snake’s, or was it just my imagination? A delicate tiara sat on her updo of golden hair, and her fair, well-defined face. The cool, light blue eyes narrowing made me shiver. I didn’t think she thought highly of me when I saw her at the sword tournament before.

Perhaps it was more about the Latiché ducal family.

I awkwardly returned a smile and a nod. I couldn’t move freely. My position is delicate, and I can’t do anything extra in the audience chamber now.

Queen Ophelia had black hair with a blue tinge and deep blue eyes. She was a sensual beauty, with a somewhat sharp face but a powerful and beautiful presence.

Queen Ophelia also smiled at me, but I felt the ferocity of a wild animal in her eyes, making my spine chill.

Prince Lucas and Prince Leord both resemble their mother. Could the gentle genes of the late King Rauzes have shown their kindness even in this?

Both are beautiful, though in different ways. Prince Lucas and Prince Leord both have well-defined features.

However, despite being smiled at by two beautiful women, why is my heart so shaken?

As queens of the Sandis Kingdom, both wore green dresses. A deep green princess-line dress.

It was more like a grand ceremonial dress than a princess dress. There was almost no exposure, but it was lavishly made with silk, and the neck, chest, and arms were densely embroidered with gold and silver threads. The sleeves were puffed out, and the skirt was heavily poufed with crinoline. A heavy Sandis Light necklace hung from the chest, with a large square Sandis Light surrounded by diamonds, each about the size of a pinky nail. The gems were woven into a double strand from the décolletage to the chest, creating a very heavy design. It was probably a traditional outfit for the queens in the audience chamber.

I’ve seen many such dresses in the paintings hanging in the detached palace of Vayu.

How much would that necklace alone cost?

But that Sandis Light necklace looks like a luxurious collar.

It seems terrifying, like a symbol of being absorbed and consumed by the Sandis royal family.

King Rauzes, already seated on the throne, slightly softened his gaze when he saw me.

Despite his regal presence, his hair, which had more white, was combed back, and he wore the crown passed down through generations of kings. His eyes, the same color as mine, were calm and held a sense of tranquility and intelligence. There was a mark on his forehead, known as the royal seal, which was clearly visible as his bangs were neatly combed back.

The hem of his heavy red velvet mantle was decorated with fur. On his deep green ceremonial attire, a large Sandis Light gemstone shone on his chest, surrounded by the Sandis Kingdom’s emblem. The emblem is a hexagonal shield, surrounded by laurel branches, swords, spears, bows, axes, and staffs.

Behind the royal family, there were extravagantly dressed mummies... or rather, old men. Are they the Elder Council?

They are scary.

Their eyes are incredibly scary.

The emaciated old men all looked at me with bloodshot eyes. They have very strong eye power. It feels like something dangerous is about to happen. It’s like a horror movie.

I don’t want to get used to this atmosphere, and I don’t even want to try.

Is this the world of noble intrigue... I admire Mother Latiché, who continues to fight in such a place. As a second wife, she must have faced a lot of opposition to become the Duchess of Latiché. Especially since the first wife was Mother Chris.

In the noble hierarchy, titles, family lineage, and prestige are important statuses. Of course, wealth and fashion are also considered.

Because I am a clumsy young lady, I have left everything to Mother Latiché.

Mother Latiché is still protecting the Latiché ducal family in Father’s absence. I hear she is very tense due to the recent attack by bandits...

Unconsciously, I clasped my hands in front of my chest and looked down.

“Albertina, calm down. You’re not alone.”

“Kistaria...”

Kistaria, speaking in a low voice, took my hand as I drifted towards her like being drawn by gravity.

Then, Jibril slapped her hand away.

“...Jibril?”

“What? Hmm? What? This isn’t home, you know?”

Jibril, sensing the pressure from Kistaria, responded with an unusually bright smile.

Jibril, who had taken my hand, squeezed it tightly.

Kistaria, sighing, only gave Jibril a slightly narrowed look.

The two of them are having a conversation with looks that I can’t quite understand. Is this what it’s like to be the children of sociable nobles...

Even though they are so close, I feel like a loner.

They are smiling at each other, but the air feels cold?

Several maids and old men moved away from here as if doing the moonwalk, completely killing their presence and fading out without making a sound. They seem to have a very long life ahead of them. The knights, despite their pale faces and slightly tense expressions, remain at attention.

It feels nostalgic. This feeling of Kistaria and Jibril making the air very tense... I can’t help but feel limp, and they stand side by side, hiding me.

...Why are they suddenly in sync?

Not only them, but Mikaeris and Julius also sometimes show a perfect understanding.

Sebastian, Mother Latiché, and Anna sometimes give me looks that I don’t understand.

When I tilt my head to ask, they smile and say, “It’s something you don’t need to know, my lady,” and gently advise, “There’s no need to dirty your ears, Albert.”

In a way, Father is very overprotective, but the others seem to be quite worried too?

No, I am very happy to be treated kindly. But, am I really that valuable to be treated so carefully?

Under the strong influence of Father, I live a carefree life. I am a die-hard hikikomori young lady?

Living a Galápagos life with almost no external threats, I have grown up to be utterly useless. I have studied and cultivated my manners, but I am completely socially inept and extremely shy. As a pure noble, I cannot perform the social duties I should, and I cannot manage politics or the estate.

Kistaria, with a clear smile, fully accepts my laziness, saying, “It’s fine as long as you stay in Latiché.” She even says it so firmly that I can’t understand what’s wrong. Father’s education has been thorough...

Julius, trying to block my view, says, “It’s for your own good not to think too much.” My world is already narrow enough... I have been pampered to the extreme. I have grown physically, but my mind remains that of a hikikomori child. When I tried to learn about the common people’s lives, the surveillance became stricter...

Even Mikaeris, who is usually diligent, hardworking, and a go-getter, says, “Isn’t it fine as it is?” He seems to think I am beyond help. It is very kind of him to say that I am fine as I am...

What is this... these three pampering musketeers.

The main reason is that Father, who has the most authority, allows the current situation.

Father, will he get angry again over this matter? I am sorry to be a troublemaker.

With a bit of fear and tension, I wait.

Finally, the long-awaited announcement is made.

“The Duke of Latiché, Grail von Latiché, has returned!”

Thank you for reading.