2016/11/17larvyde
The next day, in an office in Castle Ivan.
The girl poured some tea from a pot and gracefully tasted it.
Seeing Rosé, who normally wore a white dress of purity, the consul that had received her summons froze still in amazement.
Showing a composed smile, completely unlike the day before, the princess put the teacup to her mouth.
As the consul seated himself, he said,
“You see, there were lots of things going on as of late, be it in the Isky residence or the cathedral yesterday. I thought I needed to do something to change my luck”
“What do you think? Does it suit me?”
“Well, … I personally think that these things are good in moderation, but as for the thought of the people, I think they will give it room of consideration”
In this country, there’s a strong meaning that goes beyond tradition or custom for an unmarried princess to wear white.
That kind of political reasoning existed.
“I don’t think the senate will look kindly to it”
“I hope that everyone will find it agreeable soon,” she said with a meaningful smile.
“So, what need do you have of me?” he cut to the topic.
The consul showed obvious displeasure.
It showed on his face.
“How long will it take until you come to a conclusion?”
“Now, that would be troubling. My name, Rosé, will be dragged through the dirt for a year, I can’t have that, can I”
“It might be necessary to reissue the seal, after all”
The consul let out a small sigh.
“Oh? I don’t think that much money to spare exists in the country, though …”
“There is”
The princess chuckled.
“It will come from your estate”
“…
………, huh?”
“If we auctioned your house and your manor, we can at least gather that much money, right?”
“I worked hard and calculated it, you know♪” she said with an affected cute pose.
“Um, uh, … what are we talking about again?”
“O … kay?”
Dumbfounded by the surrealness of the situation, the consul said,
“… let’s say that it does for a moment, but even so, even as the princess you can’t take our property without reason, you know”
Actually, as a country under the Rule of Man 1, it was not impossible for the Ivan Royal family if they used overbearing means. But even so, if they did so without reason the other consuls and nobles will protest, and at worst lead to the overthrow of the Royal Family by a revolution.
That was what the consul was saying.
The consul looked like he came down with vertigo.
“Eh, … you won’t give me?”
“Oh my. I thought I came up with a good idea”
“If our business is done, then please allow me to take my leave”
“A-ah, that’s unfortunate. I worked so hard and thought about it. — by the way, Lord Consul”
“Might you have any knowing of the ‘bugs’?”
Rosé suddenly brought the topic out.
“I saw them right next to me you know, I was very afraid. You see …”
“They were minuscule monsters you can hide in a tool like this”
“If you mix them into a drink like this, and give it to someone to drink …”
“The drinker will be thralled by the creator you know”
“If she said ‘die’ they will really die. If she said ‘become a dog’, they’ll become a dog, if she said ‘kill’ they will kill. They could control someone to do what they’re told”
The consul scrunched his eyebrows a little.
Even as just an illustration, seeing Rosé cast the curse and sipping the tea herself made him uncomfortable. Also, why did she bring this up now?
“Weren’t they all eradicated in the Isky house?”
“Yes. She is studying at a girls’ school in Cotail territory”
“My my”
“I pray that the young lady doesn’t fall victim to the ‘bugs'”
“— …”
The consul became more and more uneasy.
Why did she suddenly start talking about the ‘bugs’?
Why did she suddenly start talking about his daughter?
And also — why was she smiling?
knock knock
“Ara … I seem to have a guest. Let’s see her in”
[Excuse me]
… a familiar voice.
“It is an honor to accept your invitation for a tea party today, Princess Rosé”
She then raised her eyes.
“Ara … Father!”
Apero, the consul’s dearest one and only daughter.
“Father, please hear this! Princess Rosé invited me to a tea party!!” She happily reported.
Unable to comprehend the situation, the consul shivered as he replied tentatively.
She and the Princess are — … what is the princess trying to do to his daughter?
Princess Rosé was smiling, but she seemed like a monster.
N, no no no
*I’m thinking too much … The ‘Holy Maiden’ Princess Rosé, of all people, wouldn’t be capable of such scheming ….
“By the way, Apero-san. Do you know what ‘Wame Kame’ is?”
Eek, the consul made a stiff shriek.
“Wame, Kame …?”
“Ara ara, so you don’t know. I happened to hear my manservant say that name out, I don’t know what that is, either. I thought I could ask you about it if you knew …”
Like hell she’d know!! It’s the name of an elite whorehouse!!
‘I have a way to raise the funds needed for that, you see’
‘I pray that the young lady doesn’t fall victim to the ‘bugs”
When the princess’ words connected, his pulse quickened.
“Incidentally, could it be that I barged in on an important discussion …”
The princess put another drop of spice from the dropper. As she did …
Her smile disappeared for a moment, turning as expressionless as a mask.
“I’m sure your father will conclude this matter within the month”
Otherwise your household belongings will be forfeit
If you don’t, I suppose I should make your girl pay for it?
Even without words, the threats reached him like a phantom.
It was a complete change from her airheadedness from just now.
Who was this woman in front of his eyes?
He had no way of knowing that, but one thing was clear.
The consul was convinced, he stood stock still as if he was glued to the floor.
Moreover, nobody could save the consul from this situation.
The princess who had sprung the fearful trap returned to her bright smile.
“Your father is an excellent consul. He spared no effort to help everyone of the people. — come now, cheer for him”
“Yes! Father, Do your best to fulfill the princess’ expectations!!” said the unknowing daughter with a face full of smile.
Yes, the unknowing daughter, Apero, drank the liquid poured from the teapot without a shred of suspicion.
“Y … yes’m …”
“W, wwwwwell then … I … shall take my leave!!”
He ran off to perform his ‘duties’
“Father looked a little pale …”
“I hear his work is much more laborious than what we women imagine,” said princess Rosé as she summoned a servant to begin the preparations for tea.
Sure enough, she was curious about Rosé’s red dress.
Huhu, chuckled rose.
“I met an amazing man♪”
Princess Rosé said as she let through a look of someone in love that would be obvious to another girl her age.
“Not my fiance, but, Rosé is still a girl after all. — I’m at least allowed to fall in love, don’t you think?”
As befits a girl her age, Apero snapped up at the love story, Rosé spent several whole hours preaching about the wondrousness that is Yuuki, and the two girls talked excitedly.
†
※ The previous night
The cathedral was aflame.
Looking afar at the burning cathedral, a young girl sat on the roof of an urban house.
Chaser, who had successfully escaped from Arina.
“A-ah. It didn’t go well.
As usual, she talked to herself as she reflected on her strategic failure.
“I thought I could trick Arina with a fake Yuuki.
I thought I could decipher the curse Arina placed on Rosé.
Unfortunate. Yes, unfortunate”
“But still”
Chaser sent her gaze towards the town. There, among the crowd shocked by the fire, there was a pair of man and woman hugging each other, paying the situation no mind.
They were Yuuki and Mist.
Chaser grinned.
“I caught the smallest fish. I could lure out the bigger fish with her.
I know, me!”
The Dry County Yuuki whispered something to Mist.
Yuuki finally dispersed and vanished, but Mist never noticed and continued to stare at the sky.
“I understand, Yuu-kun’s true feelings. Wait for me, Yuu-kun … I’ll take you to a home for just the two of us …”