“It’s quiet.”

Selvia returned to her room with a tired expression.

Though it seemed like someone would come running to confront her any moment……

As expected, Beatus was not in the room. Leliana might have moved him to her room.

Knock knock knock.

A maid opened the door and peeked her head in.

Judging by how she was gauging Selvia’s mood, her prediction seemed correct.

“Um…… Your Highness the Queen.”

“Did something happen?”

“How would you like dinner? His Highness said he won’t be eating.”

“Is that so? Then bring it to my room.”

It’s fortunate not to see his face. Even eating meals together as three had been quite stressful lately.

She didn’t want to see Leliana playing footsie under the table either.

Still, two was better than three.

The maid immediately nodded and left the room.

‘Rumors will start spreading in the palace soon.’

About three months of time remained.

When the sun would be completely covered.

Her mother’s words came to mind.

That referred to the total solar eclipse. That day was also the day of prophecy.

Selvia felt time was somehow moving slowly.

In three months…… still quite far away. I must escape before then.

“Will I die when that time comes?”

Selvia looked at the shadow rippling beneath her feet.

Looking outside, the sunset was already falling.

Red spread across the sky, gradually creating strange colors as it mixed with darkness.

“Beautiful.”

Before darkness settled, various colors tangled in the sky, making one sink into contemplation.

Only then did Selvia take out the note clutched in her hand.

Along with the wafting fragrance, she felt like his afterimage was appearing before her eyes.

The scent that emanated from Harwin was contained in the note as well.

[Go to the Shaneloa Shop.]

……That’s it?

She thought he would have written some message, but only that one line was written.

“Interesting.”

He seems like an unpredictable person. Something quite intriguing had appeared in her monotonous daily life.

* * *

When day broke, Selvia prepared to go into town.

The Shaneloa Shop was quite famous…… somehow she found herself looking forward to what he had prepared.

‘Well, it’ll be the same. Maybe something cliché like jewelry.’

But the truth was she was secretly excited. Selvia dressed simply and left her room.

However, she was soon blocked by Leliana.

“Where are you rushing off to?”

“……You’re full of energy this morning. I was about to go out for an inspection.”

Seeing her looking me up and down with her head held high, it seems she got what she wanted.

“Just tell me what you want.”

Selvia gestured to Leliana with annoyance.

She needed to go out quickly to get her work done too.

“Are you planning to accept the nobles’ invitation?”

It was clear what Leliana wanted. She probably wanted to show off at the gathering with the ladies.

If not that, then she must have something new to brag about.

Selvia was grateful that Leliana was being so proactive.

“If you want to come along, go ahead. It’s better than going alone.”

Though she was just a figurehead queen, due to Beatus hiding his identity, all external activities fell to Selvia.

Fortunately, her support had increased significantly thanks to successfully hosting the banquet for the delegation from the Empire.

Though Beatus would surely be displeased with this situation.

It was surprising that Leliana was concerned about this.

Leliana crossed her arms and looked at her through half-closed eyes.

She apparently hadn’t expected to be allowed to go.

Her gaze remained fixed on the ring on Selvia’s left ring finger.

Though they hadn’t held a wedding ceremony, Beatus had given her a ring for appearance’s sake.

He probably gave it for show, concerned about others’ eyes.

‘I can see right through what you’re thinking.’

Selvia snorted quietly and waited for Leliana to speak.

If she left without listening, Leliana would bother her all day. Better to hear her out now.

“His Highness already gave permission. I was going to go even if you said no.”

“Is that so? If that’s what you want, I’ll do it. There’s no reason to refuse.”

Did she come looking for me since morning just to say this?

“You’re still so full of yourself because of the matter about the Karina Empire delegation.”

Leliana kept chattering.

At the mention of the Empire, Selvia recalled Harwin’s words.

‘Then, would you consider it if I became Emperor?’

……Surely not, right?

Selvia shook her head.

“No matter how hard you try, you’re just a figurehead queen. His Highness and the Karina Empire might already know about this fake marriage, huh?”

Leliana sneered while crossing her arms.

But regardless of what she said, what bothered Selvia was a different word.

Karina Empire.

Selvia’s brow slightly furrowed at the mention of the Empire where Harwin belonged.

Could she have discovered his identity?

Somehow, she felt unpleasant and her mood sank.

Selvia tilted her head slightly with a low voice.

“Well, if they knew, would you and I still be safe?”

“Ha! How long do you plan to shamelessly stay in that position? Even the Empire thinks you’re the prophesied child with the power of light.”

“That’s right.”

It wasn’t actually wrong.

Because she was the real child of prophecy.

“Do you want to keep staying there while deceiving people? Even though you know what’s between me and Beatus.”

“Do as you wish, Leliana.”

“Really? Won’t you regret it?”

“So hurry and capture His Highness’s heart. I’m ready to give up this position anytime.”

Leliana laughed, “Ha!”, then with all humor gone from her face, reached out to Selvia’s face.

A flash of light suddenly appeared and instantly enveloped Selvia’s body.

When the holy power touched her, pain coursed through her entire body.

“Look at this, a body that reacts negatively to the power of light. Isn’t it funny?”

Selvia made no response to Leliana’s actions.

She raised her gaze from staring at the shadows flickering on the floor to meet Leliana’s eyes.

“Yes, it is funny.”

To be born with the power of darkness in the family of light.

That she was the child of light mentioned in the prophecy—it was still funny thinking about it.

“What I have to say remains the same. Do as you please. And it would be better if you hurry.”

She ignored the pain from the holy power and passed by Leliana, heading for the carriage.

Ignoring the gaze burning into her back.

* * *

Arriving at the Shaneloa shop, Selvia hesitated briefly before opening the door.

The owner glanced at Selvia then disappeared inside.

“……Owner?”

“Ah, please wait a moment.”

Reading Selvia’s bewildered expression, the owner pushed up his glasses and brought something.

“What is this?”

“Someone left it here.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“They said to give it to a beautiful woman with night-black hair and shining golden eyes.”

The owner handed over a box with an indifferent expression.

“This is all there is.”

“……I see.”

Selvia slowly closed and opened her eyes at what looked like a jewelry box.

‘So he’s the same as well.’

Without even opening it, Selvia got into the carriage and stared again at the box placed on her lap.

A familiar scent kept tickling her nose.

Slowly opening the box, Selvia ended up laughing.

Inside the box, which she had expected to contain jewelry or something unremarkable, was a perfume bottle.

[Ah, by the way, the meaning of gifting perfume is ‘Please always remember me.’]

It was the same scent that had been on the note he gave her.

Harwin’s face clearly appeared in her mind.

Just as he wished, she couldn’t forget and kept remembering him.

* * *

Returning to the palace, Selvia couldn’t hide her puzzlement at the sight of Beatus welcoming her.

‘……He came out to greet me?’

It was amusing. He never cared what she did before, so why was he acting like this now?

“You go out for inspection often. Has it been helpful?”

“Yes, seeing things first hand will make budget planning easier.”

“That’s fortunate. I didn’t know you were so devoted to state affairs.”

His sarcastic tone was evident.

Beatus frowned as he looked at the well-dressed Selvia.

He strode over, bent down, and grabbed Selvia’s hair roughly, forcing her head back.

“Ugh.”

“There’s an unfamiliar scent.”

Beatus breathed in deeply against Selvia’s nape.

He was leisurely yet unhesitating, like a predator savoring its prey.

‘Though I didn’t spray the perfume, it seems to have permeated my body.’

Selvia trembled slightly while looking down, her expression unchanged.

“……I changed my scent for a change of mood.”

“It’s been hard to see your face lately.”

Strangely, despite having relations, there was no news of a child.

“Since I seem to have been distant, I’ll visit tonight.”

“……Tonight?”

Selvia’s lips trembled slightly. Is he in heat like a dog, thinking only about that?

Even for the prophecy’s sake, this was too much.

She knew well that he spent every day and night with Leliana.

“Yes, I understand.”

But refusing would raise suspicion. Or he might even restrict her small freedoms.

Beatus smiled while stroking Selvia’s slender shoulders.

Though there were occasionally unsatisfactory aspects, they weren’t particularly bothersome.

“Let’s have some tea together.”

“Alright.”

Selvia smiled brightly while hiding the small box in her sleeve.