Chapter 49

"May I ask what your name is? Can you decide for yourself?"

"Then please call me Kate."

"I understand. You can call me Delphine. Kate, I have to continue as the Crown Princess, even if it puts Mia and you in danger. My homeland, the Kingdom of Eigar, is seeking a strong alliance with Ashbury. I cannot die now, as I must serve the peace of both countries."

"Yes."

"It was Eigar's turn to provide a Crown Princess, so I received the best education in Eigar to become the future Queen of this country. I was raised with the best resources and a significant amount of money invested in me to be the future Queen."

While listening, I wondered if it wasn't suffocating.

Lady Delphine looked at me and raised the corners of her lips, as if to say, "I know what you're thinking."

"If I can't handle that much pressure, I won't be fit to be the future Queen. I wish for peace between Eigar and Ashbury, and I will live with the people of this country. That is the mission given to me."

"Yes."

"The world of politics isn't run by men alone. While men are active on the stage, I have a place where I can serve the country. However, my skills in self-defense are not as good as yours. That's why I need your help."

"Of course, I will do my best."

"Then, can you tell me why you accepted the role of my shadow?"

"The reason I accepted... I will speak with the risk of being disrespectful. It is for myself."

"Hmm. For yourself, you would risk your life to serve as my shadow?"

Lady Delphine looked at me with her blue eyes, seemingly intrigued.

"I asked a woman who used to serve as a shadow. I have lived most of my life doing the same kind of work. I have the skills for it. If I prioritize myself and my family and decline this request, and if something happens to you, I feel like I would die a living death. The woman who was supposed to serve as your shadow would also suffer for the rest of her life."

"…I see. I would like to hear more, but today is our first day. We can talk about the details another time. I need to return to my duties now."

With that, Lady Delphine stood up. I thought she was about to leave the room, but she spoke to me in Eigar.

"I have some resistance to poison. You, being an experienced person, would understand how difficult it is."

"Yes. I was much younger and had more stamina back then, so I could endure it."

"I am currently gradually exposing my child to poison. Through this, I understand what my parents went through."

"I see."

Lady Delphine switched back to Ashbury language.

"Hehe. Wonderful. If someone said you were born in Eigar, I would believe it. However, the person who taught you Eigar also taught you the northern accent. There is a slight hint of the northern accent."

"I didn't notice. I apologize."

"No, it's almost perfect. I only noticed because my grandmother was from the north. People from Ashbury wouldn't notice. You are very good."

"Thank you."

"Kate, you can write letters to your family occasionally. I will have Mike deliver them to your friends."

I want to, but it might be better not to.

If writing letters interferes with my job after being away for two months and making my family miss me, it would be counterproductive. My bond with my family won't break in just two months.

When I told Lady Delphine this, the Crown Princess smiled and said, "A wise decision," before leaving the room.

※…※…※

"Two months? Mom isn't coming back for two months?"

"Yes, that's right. She has a job to do."

"What kind of job?"

"It's a request from the country. I can't tell you more."

"Is it related to the organization Mom used to be in?"

"I can't say. She will be back in two months. Can you wait that long?"

Jeffrey watched Nona, who was silently thinking.

After a moment of thought, Nona looked at Jeffrey.

"I miss Mom, but two months isn't that long. The five years in Shen seemed very long before I went, but it wasn't once I got there."

"That's true."

Nona touched the ends of her braid and stared at Jeffrey.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you upset that Mom is going to work outside for two months?"

"No, I'm not. I want Anna to live freely."

"Then why are you so irritated? Ash and Berry were scared and ran away."

Hearing this, Jeffrey was at a loss for words.

"Nona, I'm not in a bad mood; I'm worried about Anna."

"Mom said she wants to do this job. Then, support her. Mom will be fine. No matter how much we worry here, it won't make her safer."

"That's true, but—"

Nona hesitated about whether to voice the question that had formed in her mind. Jeffrey saw through her immediately.

"Say what you want to say."

"Okay. This isn't a subtle insult that nobles use, I really want to know."

"What is it?"

"Mom was very happy and told me many times that Dad said, 'You can live freely.' But, maybe Dad meant, 'You can be free as long as Dad allows it'?"

"..."

Nona's unexpected question left Jeffrey speechless again.

"If that's what you meant, I don't think Mom understands it that way. If you said, 'You can have the freedom that ordinary women and society think is freedom,' Mom might suffer."

"..."

"If Mom wants to do something, I'll wait. I'm fine. I'm almost thirteen. Mom has worked very hard for me and Dad. If Mom can do what she wants, I want her to do it. Mom will come back, Dad."

"You're right. If I was irritated, it was my fault. Nona, you've grown up a lot."

"Hehe."

Nona stood up and said, "I'll be reading in my room," and left the living room.

However, once in her room, she locked the door, quickly changed into a shirt and pants that were easy to move in, and put her long blonde braid into a casual cap. She looked like a delicate boy.

She opened the window and slipped over the window frame. Below the window was a narrow beam about fifteen centimeters wide.

Nona stood on it and moved along the wall. At the corner of the building, a thick iron ring was embedded inconspicuously. It was used to secure a ladder during exterior repairs.

Nona grabbed it, hung down, and checked the position of the next fitting.

"I can do this, I can do this."

She let go and quickly grabbed the next fitting while falling along the wall.

"Good, good."

She smiled and swung her body from side to side while holding the fitting. She gained momentum and jumped down to the first-floor overhang, tilting her head.

"Hmm? Sneaking out through the first-floor window would have been faster and easier... But, it's fine, I wanted to try this once."

She jumped down from the overhang to the ground and headed for the edge of the garden, using the slight protrusions of the stone wall to pull herself up with her toes and fingers. This was a skill she had practiced since she was six.

In no time, she climbed over the stone wall, jumped down to the other side, and started running.

Her destination was the former Countess Yolana Haines' mansion.