Chapter 29

Before the situation became a stalemate, a loud clap echoed throughout the room.

The source of the sound was Her Majesty the Queen, who clapped her beautiful hands, drawing the attention of everyone except the old man.

"The discussion isn't progressing. Your Majesty, is this a necessary conversation to have right now?"

"Kati..."

Please, don't use pet names in public. Let's keep that for private moments.

"Isn't that so?"

Her Majesty's gaze towards the King was stern, as if telling him not to argue. This doesn't seem like the attitude of someone who had a sweet, romantic marriage, does it? Oh, maybe she's just separating her public and private life?

"Lord Virhikait, please proceed. It wouldn't be good for this to become too lengthy."

Implicitly, she's talking about the old man, isn't she?

Well, indeed, that's true. First, it was the Duke of Einhorn's issue, and now it's the King's. No, I don't think it will come to the point where the King and the Duke of Einhorn end up lying in bed covered in blood the next day. I don't think it will go that far.

However, in the case of the King, I don't know what will happen after Ignatz ascends the throne.

"Duke of Einhorn, as you just heard, this engagement is invalid from the start. Do you have any questions? Excluding the fact that the King cannot interfere with the First Prince's affairs."

The Chancellor must also think that he doesn't want to discuss this any further.

"That's what I want to know the most. Well, never mind. I have one question. Why didn't this talk involve Prince Ignatz?"

This is not directed at me and the old man, but at the King and the Queen.

However, the Queen's expression suggests she's wondering why Ignatz is being brought up here.

"What do you mean?"

"My daughter has been deepening her friendship with Prince Ignatz."

After a moment's thought, the Queen asked the Duke of Einhorn.

"…In what way?"

"Eh?"

The Duke of Einhorn, expecting agreement, was taken aback by the unexpected response.

But the Queen continued, leaving the Duke of Einhorn behind.

"In what way? I have heard that the Princess of Einhorn often visits the training grounds, but I haven't heard that she has been deepening her friendship with Ignatz there. Ignatz hasn't mentioned anything like that either."

What's going on? Because...

"Your Highness, didn't the Princess of Einhorn interact with the Second Prince at his first social tea party?"

Unable to help it, I asked. The Queen nodded, confirming it was true.

"Yes, that's correct. However, I haven't heard that Ignatz and the Princess of Einhorn have been close since then."

It's hard to believe that the information hasn't reached the Queen.

After all, four years ago, there was a major scandal involving the servants, and the Queen has been tightening control over her surroundings.

Isn't it unlikely that such information hasn't reached the Queen?

Looking at the Duke of Einhorn, he also seemed confused.

"I'm sorry, I often heard about Prince Ignatz from my daughter..."

Huh? Huh? Isn't that a bit strange? Just because she heard about him doesn't mean they are close, right?

"By the way, what kind of stories?"

"At the training grounds..."

The Duke of Einhorn, trying to answer my question, stopped mid-sentence.

"At the training grounds?"

"Ah, no, that... I heard she met Prince Ignatz."

Isn't that a vague statement?

"Anything else?"

Frowning, he reluctantly added,

"...In the castle library."

"In the library?"

"She met him there..."

Meeting, not studying together. The library is a place where talking is strictly prohibited.

Silence fell over the room again.

No, wait, wait, wait, it's too early to draw conclusions. We don't have enough information.

Hmm, the Princess of Einhorn and Ignatz getting along...

Sorry! I can't imagine Ignatz chatting with someone!

Because, from what I know, he's really quiet. He doesn't initiate conversations! He often comes to see me, but he has never brought along friends or attendants.

Does he even have proper friends? He must have attendants, right? The second eldest brother of Nebel is his attendant? Or a candidate? Anyway, that's how it was.

No, I can't! I feel like all of this is mixed with my own hopes.

Somehow, the idea that Ignatz and the Princess of Einhorn are close seems like a matter of miscommunication or, worse, the Princess's misinterpretation. I can't help but think that.

Glancing at the Duke of Einhorn, he looked pale, as if recalling conversations with his daughter.

I see, the Duke of Einhorn has also noticed the miscommunication.

"Duke of Einhorn"

"Y-Yes?"

"I think it would be best if you had a proper conversation with your daughter."

I can't say much, can I?

When I looked at the Queen, she didn't look pale, but she had an apologetic expression.

"Prince Albert, I will also look into this, but could you assist when Ignatz visits you?"

Sure, an investigation, right? Ignatz is quiet, but he will answer my questions, so that should be fine.

I nodded, agreeing to the Queen's request.

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