Chapter 16

When the queen arrived at my palace, she was visibly startled the moment her eyes caught sight of me.

Is it really my face? Or maybe my hair color? If you exclude my eye color, I am a miniature version of the king, after all.

The servants who followed the queen also reacted similarly, showing their interest in me without hiding it.

After exchanging greetings and leading her to the prepared room, we sat on the sofas facing each other, and the queen initiated the conversation.

"Prince Ryugen. I feel deeply apologetic for not being able to do anything for you and your mother, despite being the queen."

With that, the queen bowed deeply to me.

My first impression was of a sternly beautiful woman. She had shining golden hair and eyes that were not rubies but garnets.

Perhaps because she was dealing with a child, her expression was slightly stiff.

Is that it? Has she been thinking that I might be upset because she hasn't done anything for us until now? Even though she is the queen and of higher rank, she is being so formal with a child.

Personally, I am grateful that she hasn't interfered.

After all, if the queen had meddled in our affairs at that point, the person standing right behind or next to her, or right beside her, might have whispered something to her. They might have told her not to trouble herself with us, or to pick a fight with my mother.

When my mother was appointed as a concubine, she tried to greet the queen, but the queen sternly told her to stay away.

I don't know how much the Chancellor has told her, but I put on a facade and replied to the queen's words.

"The king was the one who approved of our situation. There is no need for you to do such things. Thank you for your concern for me and my mother."

I smiled bashfully, and the queen covered her mouth with both hands, while her attendants let out a sigh of approval.

Alright, the first impression is good.

Some might think that a more innocent and childlike attitude would be better, but that would be a mistake. Being too cunning might make me seem overly artificial and raise suspicion.

Moreover, if I were to act as an innocent child, it would eventually become obvious that I am not, and I wouldn't be able to keep it up.

Therefore, I deliberately maintain a reserved attitude, showing that I do not harbor any hostility towards the queen.

In reality, I have no ill feelings towards the queen. I don't even have any animosity.

My mother did not become queen because the king proposed to the queen despite having a fiancée, my mother.

The one who made my mother sad was the king, not the queen.

Besides, as a man, I would point and laugh at the king for his poor judgment, but I would rather not get involved in a catfight between two women.

That's why I encouraged my mother, who was in a hissy fit, to give up on the king and withdraw from the conflict.

The queen seemed to think of me as a brave child.

She accepted my existence positively and said that she wanted me to tell her anything, as a substitute for my mother, who now lives far away.

Indeed, with a face identical to the king's and the added element of youth, I managed to stir the queen's protective instincts.

However, I shouldn't get carried away and make overly exaggerated gestures of politeness, as that would look forced.

I tilted my head slightly as if in thought and simply expressed my gratitude.

"Thank you. Your words are truly heartwarming, Your Highness."

After saying this, I gave a small smile, and the queen gradually blushed, leaning forward as if she couldn't contain herself any longer.

"Don't be shy!! Oh, I'm sorry for suddenly raising my voice. But really, please tell me anything?!"

The queen, with a serious look, seemed to be urging me to confide in her immediately.

"Um... Your Highness?"

When I called out to her, hoping she would calm down, the queen straightened her posture and lowered her eyes as she spoke.

"I understand that it's only natural for you to think that I have no right to speak after doing nothing until now. Being in the position of queen and not knowing about your situation is irresponsible. What I did, or rather, what I didn't do for you and your mother, is unforgivable."

I couldn't tell her that it would be enough for her to please the king, so I glanced at the Chancellor, who was standing nearby.

"That is not solely the fault of Your Highness. Shall I explain the situation?"

What? Do I need to hear the reason why the queen has been uninvolved until now?

The Chancellor, perhaps thinking that the agitated queen wouldn't be able to give a proper explanation, offered to help.

However, the queen shook her head in refusal.

"No, I will do it myself."

It seems that the queen had not taken any action until now because she had not received any information about us.

The head maid and other senior servants, as well as the ladies-in-waiting, the king's close aides, and the court servants who frequently met the queen, had all been careful to ensure that information about my mother and me did not reach the queen.

Naturally, the servants did not voluntarily bring up our situation, and even when they did, they made sure not to do so in the queen's presence.

When my mother was appointed as a concubine and tried to hold a tea party, the invitations were intercepted and destroyed by the servants, and false responses were given to reject them. The same happened with my mother's greetings to the queen, which were not relayed to her but were instead passed on to the king, leading to the king's directive for my mother to stay away from the queen.

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