“Ann, what on earth are you doing here? Her Majesty the Queen…”

“Ann is playing with me.”

“Oh my. Your Highness the Prince.”

Duchess Valenska flinched at Lennox, who cut in with a rather cold voice. Lennox paid no mind to the woman and grabbed Ann’s wrist.

“She’s going to be with me until six o’clock today.”

“But Ann has work to do. Her Majesty the Queen personally…”

“I don’t care. Ann is mine.”

“Your Highness.”

“Ann is my maid. Right now, I’ve just lent her to Mother for a while.”

His attitude made it seem like he’d left a puppy in someone’s care. No, not even a puppy. It was a rigid attitude, like distinguishing ownership of a doll or toy soldiers. 

Ann felt uncomfortable with this version of Lennox and tried to shake off his grip on her wrist. But the more she tried, the tighter the boy’s grip became. Ann gave up and looked up at Duchess Valenska.

The woman turned her head, let out a deep sigh, muttered “Have it your way,” and turned around. Ann looked resentfully at the woman who turned her back and left her alone, then turned to look at Lennox.

“That hurts.”

“…Sorry.”

Lennox said as he withdrew his hand. It was worlds apart from the upright attitude he’d shown in front of the woman who was both his godmother and once his nanny.

“Are you still in a bad mood?”

“…No.”

“Then that’s fine. Don’t be angry.”

Lennox grinned. It was a smile with exactly the same tone as when he’d said he liked Charlotte. Ann pushed aside the stinging wound again and walked with him.

* * *

“Are you not in a good mood?”

“Me?”

“You seem that way.”

“…There’s no reason for me not to be.”

At her fiancé’s response, Charlotte narrowed her brow. They had been fitting dresses for the upcoming birthday banquet for Duchess Valenska. Charlotte silently stared at the man gazing out the window.

The king was generally indifferent. Whether cold or sharp… He only showed emotion when standing before that girl. It hadn’t been like that when they were younger.

Though one might think how different could childhood be, as far as she knew, Lennox before the age of ten was a completely different person from now. 

He had been sensitive and irritable about everything, but he was that way fairly to everyone.

Charlotte brushed away the maid adjusting the lace on her sleeves and walked toward the king. The displaced maid tidied up the torso mannequin.

“But why do you have such a sad expression?”

The king turned his gaze. Violet eyes reached her. Charlotte tried to maintain her smile.

She knew. Lately, the king had been distracted by matters concerning Ann. Whenever he had even a moment of leisure in his daily life, he seemed to think of that woman. 

No matter how much he tried not to show it, she couldn’t help but read the worry and anxiety on the king’s face.

She wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. The king’s obsession with that girl was quite blatant. She’d heard they were friends. A woman he’d remain friends with for life. But did friendship exist between men and women?

No, even if it did, what kind of man could share a bed with his friend? 

Just thinking about it made Charlotte feel like her blood was boiling backwards. She wouldn’t be this resentful if he’d just declared her his mistress. She wouldn’t be this furious if Ann, that girl, admitted she admired the king.

“…I’m tired.”

“Because of Ann?”

He fully turned his head from the window toward her. To get his attention, she always had to mention Ann. Only in front of Ann was the king affectionate.

Unless he was in front of that girl, the king showed her no kindness whatsoever. The incident in Stürophe Garden a while ago was the same. If they’d been alone, the king wouldn’t have acted like a lover.

Charlotte knew what the king was using her for. Even knowing this, the reason she was helpless was probably because of this wretched emotion.

“…Do you have something to say?”

“You seem troubled by Ann’s marriage prospects. It’s amusing but… Your Majesty is more concerned about Ann’s marriage than our royal wedding.”

“……”

“Of course, since she’s your closest friend, it’s natural for you to care. Your Majesty has devoted yourself to selecting Ann’s groom since you were still a prince.”

Charlotte finished speaking with a slight smile. She was indirectly pointing out that he was more anxious about the marriage prospects of a mere maid—a commoner orphan girl without home or parents—than their wedding, no, than matters of state importance.

“She’s an old friend. A benefactor who saved my life.”

A locked voice flowed between dry lips. Charlotte quietly swallowed her rising anger. She wanted to shout that before being a benefactor who saved his life, she was a filthy girl who’d been among the gang that threatened him. 

But it was obvious what would happen if she really did what she wanted. She subtly bit her lower lip.

The king, who had been drinking deeply steeped red tea, stared at her intently. His violet eyes were as cold as a bird of prey’s. His face showed he’d read her mind.

“…I apologize. I went too far.”

Charlotte lowered her gaze and asked for forgiveness. She knew the king wouldn’t forgive her, but she thought there was no other choice. 

He too had never considered a queen other than her. No matter how special Ann, that girl, was, she couldn’t threaten her position. Yes, that was enough.

“Go with the second dress you tried on.”

The king slowly rose. Charlotte stepped back a couple of paces, slightly lifted her dress, and bent one knee. The king turned away without even glancing at Charlotte.

* * *

The sky was high. Ann was looking at dahlias ripened in the summer sun. The flowers that had barely budded until last week were in full bloom, filled with summer light. 

Red summer roses and pure white peonies. Apricot-colored dahlias and clusters of sky-blue delphiniums were magnificent.

Ann walked slowly through the geometrically manicured garden while holding a parasol. 

The green fruit trees and round-trimmed boxwoods were familiar and friendly. She stopped and looked at the pale violet wisteria trellis visible in the distance.

The wind blew. Her silver waterfall-like hair fluttered beneath her white bonnet. She wiped away a bead of sweat on her chin and fanned herself with her hand. She had agreed to meet Botloch under the wisteria trellis. After that day…

That is, after being humiliated by Lennox, Botloch hadn’t contacted her. Feeling unnecessarily sorry, she sent him a letter first. She carefully wrote a phrase apologizing on behalf of His Majesty as His Majesty’s maid. But Botloch didn’t respond.

Her guilt grew and she thought about going to his house to apologize in person. But she soon concluded it wasn’t right.

It might be one thing for a man. 

But for an unmarried maiden to visit the home of a man with whom she hadn’t even discussed marriage, let alone become engaged, was not just embarrassing but unladylike. 

It would certainly bring shame to the noble ladies of Tulip Palace, including Queen Dowager Ingrid.

So what should she do? She was lost in worry, only sighing.

“Mr. Botloch asked if he could meet you briefly in Tulip Palace’s garden tomorrow. If your time permits, how about meeting briefly while avoiding His Majesty’s eyes?”

It was Countess Hervonne. Ann stared at the woman who was calmer than expected. Even though she’d heard about everything from that day. 

Her face, which seemed unconcerned, was more gentle than usual. Duchess Valenska would have immediately panicked and run to the Queen Dowager.

“If Mr. Botloch is fine with it, I’m fine anytime.”

After answering that way, Ann tried to force a smile. She couldn’t laugh, but if she didn’t smile, she couldn’t compose her expression that would otherwise harden endlessly.

Countess Hervonne nodded. She was the person who had introduced Botloch. Ann thought it was truly fortunate that Countess Hervonne was the matchmaker.

If it had been Duchess Valenska, she would have received reports and monitored everything to a truly merciless degree. She would certainly have reported everything to the Queen Dowager without filter, forgetting that Ann was a grown maiden.

“Thank you, Countess. And… I’m sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry for? If there’s someone to blame, there’s only one person.”

“……”

“You must be tired of this by now… but as I get older, I can’t help but nag more. But Ann, I care for you like a daughter, so let me say this once more.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Separate from His Majesty’s special regard for you, never forget that your conduct is always important. Lady Charlotte is also a generous young lady, but it won’t always be that way.”

“Yes.”

“His Majesty has no siblings, does he? That’s why he has such deep affection for you. But when His Majesty has a family, it will be different from now. That’s how men are.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. All of this comes from caring about you, so don’t take it badly.”

Countess Hervonne patted her back. Ann glanced at the woman who was shorter than her, then lowered her gaze. She waited for her to turn around.