Chapter 2

Translated by KuroNeko Edited by KuroNeko

“Charlotte said she was too nervous and had a fever.”

After returning to the dining room to finish her breakfast, Primrose was enjoying the after-dinner tea that Ivy had prepared. Behind her, Ivy was clearing the plates and putting them on the wagon.

“I’m sorry to hear that……”

“I wonder if she’s worried about father going to Arcanet……”

Primrose muttered and stared at the large framed painting on the wall beyond the long table.

It was a portrait of the royal family. King Buxton VI, the young Primrose, and the now-deceased mother, Sophia, holding the baby Charlotte, all smiling together.

Sophia had died of an illness before Charlotte could remember. It was when Primrose was six years old. It was a fast progressive and incurable disease, and doctors had no choice but to prescribe drugs to ease her pain.

Primrose remembers Sophia as she lay on her sickbed in her final days. She stroked her sobbing head with her white arms, so skinny that her skeleton was clearly visible.

Primrose. Mom will always watch over you. It’s true.

When you were born, I put a spell on you to make you happy.

You will never be alone.

Your father is there, Charlotte is there and everyone in the castle is there.

I cast a spell on Charlotte, too.

If you have a problem, help each other.

“I love you,” she told her over and over again in a faint voice, and then Sofia passed away. Primrose cried and cried at that time, but she believe it was all thanks to her mother’s words that she is now doing well.

…… Charlotte was still very small, so she didn’t remember much about mother. That’s why she feels lonely when father is not around. I wish she had something to give her some emotional support…

“Dear Primrose.”

The thoughtful Primrose was jolted back to reality by Ivy’s voice. She placed the empty teacup on top of the saucer and quietly returned it to the table.

“…… Would you like some more tea?”

“That’s enough.”

“Is that so……”

Ivy gazed at Primrose’s languid profile. She had condemned her for going out without permission earlier, but she knew that tomorrow’s dinner party was putting a lot of pressure on her. On top of that, Charlotte was suddenly ill. It was understandable that she was mentally exhausted. But if she don’t do something, Primrose will be overwhelmed.

Ivy suddenly noticed that the trees outside the window were turning bright red.

“It’s autumn now, isn’t it?”

Ivy brought the view beyond the window to Primrose’s attention. She wanted her attention to be on something else anyway.

“Wow, it’s beautiful! Yes, it’s already autumn.”

Autumn……! Primrose sparked in her own words.

“Ivy, I believe there’s an autumn harvest festival in the castle town this week……. Are going on today?”

The harvest festival is an event to celebrate the bountiful harvest of the year and to sell the surplus crops from the autumn harvest season in the market, which nowadays includes luxury goods and ornaments.

“…… Yes, today is the last day.”

Aware of Primrose’s intentions, Ivy answered awkwardly. She regretted that she had said something unnecessary in her mind.

“I want to go.”

“No good,”

“Answer quickly,”

“It is dangerous for a princess of a country to go out alone. There is no chance.”

Ivey categorically rejected the request. It was because there was a rumor among the maids of honor that an anti-monarchy militant group had recently been recruiting brethren in the city. Inside the castle, there are soldiers and knights guarding the castle, so it is safe for the princess to act alone, but outside, you never know what might happen.

“Well, you’re coming with me. Aren’t you?”

Primrose stared at Ivy with a clinging, upturned gaze. Ivey averted her gaze as if troubled.

“Why me, too?”

“If I can’t go alone, why don’t you go with me? You even knows the geography of the castle town, doesn’t you?”

“That’s because I often go to……. But even if I agree, how do you plan to get out of the castle? A lot of people are coming and going today to prepare for the party. If you try to leave the castle gates, you’ll be spotted immediately.”

Ivey glanced at Primrose as she tried to persuade her. Thinking she might reconsider, but she only smiled carefreely.

“Maybe we should do something called sneaking around. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“What!?”

The sudden suggestion startled the normally calm maidservant, who raised her voice.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry, I know the streets where no one goes. And if I dress inconspicuously, I’ll look perfect.”

Primrose’s candy-colored eyes were shining.

“……”

Ivy put a fist to her mouth and worried.

I wonder if it’s better to follow her than to stubbornly oppose her here and let her go off on her own……

“Ivy?”

Primrose smiled and tilted her head.

Ivy turned to Primrose and opened her mouth.

“… Would you promise to be back by the evening?”

The princess immediately shook her head with a smile on her face.

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