In this chapter, Lilliana meets the Queen.
And here I am at the Royal Palace!
I admit I had second thoughts about my visit, but before any lingering doubts could attempt to sway me otherwise, the carriage came to a halt. There’s no point in entertaining these thoughts now, especially when I’m right outside their front door. I want to meet with Queen Rachel. With that thought in mind, I mustered my resolve to see this to the end.
A guard knight was tasked to guide me through the Royal Palace. The two of us entered and I followed his lead towards the Queen’s private chambersーour meeting place. The many twists and turns of the inner halls had no bearing on my guide at all, who marched with ease until we finally arrived in front of the Queen’s room.
The guard knight knocked on the door.
「Your Majesty, I’ve brought Lady Lilliana.」
The door opened and Queen Rachel’s personal maid invited me inside.
「Excuse me. Please follow me.」
As soon as I stepped into the room, I saw Queen’s Rachel smile. A good signーI was still welcomed in her presence.
「Ah, Lilliana. It’s good of you to come. I was looking forward to your visit. I got my hands on some delicious tea the other day. By all means, try some.」
She instructed her maid, who was by her side, to prepare the tea and then motioned for me to take a seat.
「It’s been quite some time since you wanted to meet with me, hasn’t it? So? Is there anything troubling you recently?」
Come again?
I was baffled, to say the least. Does Queen Rachel really not know what transpired between Prince Leon and I? Your Majesty! Prince Leon! How could you two leave her in the dark!
If it’s like this, should I even try to broach the subject?
Since I didn’t answer her question, Queen Rachel’s expression became cloudy.
「What’s wrong Lilliana? Is there something that worries you? Did our foolish son do something again? 」
Foolish son… But, what does she mean by again? If it’s not the annulment she’s referring to, is she talking about something else that involves Prince Leon? Well, if the Queen is implying that he’s guilty of something, then I’ll just take her word for it.
He’s already guilty for not telling anybody about breaking our engagement.
I can’t change the series of events that led up to this, but for heaven’s sake, they could have at least laid the groundwork for me to speak freely with Queen Rachel. But given how things are, I don’t have the luxury to do so.
It was effortless explaining what happened with Prince Leon to everyone else, as if reciting a simple fact. Short and sweet. But, this was the first time that I choked on my wordsーI hesitated.
‘Queen Rachel! I’m so sorry! You see, I… your son and I, are no longer engaged. He broke off our engagement, you see?’
I hashed together some semblance of an explanation in my mind and I worked up the nerve to explain everything to Queen Rachel.
「Um… so, Queen Rachel… Please forgive me for what I have done! I..you see, yesterday with Prince Leon, we broke off the engagement!」
I bowed deeply. I finally delivered the news.
「Lilliana, raise your head.」
I did as she said, but her eerie smile made me want to duck right back down.
「Lilliana … you do not need to apologize. You are not to blame. It’s me that should be offering my own apologies. For each time that I have caused you trouble, I’m sorry.」
「No, that’s not it. I only have grat.i.tude towards you, Queen Rachel. You’ve always helped me, so thank you so much.」
「Oh, you! It’s fine! I already think of you as my daughter. But, the one who is really in trouble is Leon. This time, I can’t turn a blind eye.」
She dropped Prince Leon from the conversation and turned it to me, continuing in a light, teasing tone.
「But, isn’t this good news for you? Despite receiving the queen training and being recognized as the ‘well-distinguished fiancee’ of the Prince, the queen training was the absolute worst, right?」
Did she find out that I wanted to leave the queen training all behind?! But if she knew, her words would be more suspicious. Why does she know that I was unwillingly to undergo the training?
She chuckled.
「You have a troubled look on your face. You must be thinking, ‘Why does she know?’ Isn’t it obvious? I had to go through the same exact training as you to become the queen I am today. Back then, I loathed it too. That’s why I understand how hard-working and persevering you are.」
She knew. Of course she knew. Queen Rachel was one step ahead of meーwell, more than one.
「Well, if you became my true daughter, I would be thrilled, but things are complicated now. Let me guess, the people around you were telling you that you were mistaken?」
…Can she hear my inner thoughts? Even though she wasn’t aware of the annulment at the time, it’s amazing that she can figure out everyone’s reactions.
「Oh, my son… His behavior is just like a fool’s.」
She paused for a moment.
「Lilliana, you have my permission! Go back to your territory. If someone has an issue with your return, tell them that this is an order from me. You are a lovely young lady and, right now, our foolish son is an unfit match for you. However, if… no, its nothing!」
She cut off her own words which piqued my interest, but my curiosity was eclipsed by my happiness. Queen Rachel just sanctioned my return home! It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so moved.
「That’s enough, Lilliana.」
She gently chided me.
「The obvious delight on your face makes me a little sad. But, I expected as much. I don’t approve at all what Leon did, and you may think me wrong, but Leon does think of you fondly. But, I feel that it’s too late now.」
What? He favors me? How? In what way?
I looked back on our past, reflecting on the things Prince Leon did for me.
During my queen training, he would stare at me from afar almost all the time.
For my birthday, flowers and jewels were delivered to me every time. They were the national flowerーlilies. But, I never liked them since I had an old dream where a giant lily would gobble me up whole. I do like their scent though.
At parties, all the older girls would surround Prince Leon, finding him desirable. He became their dashing prince and attended to each one of them. For the whole party, he spent the entire time getting along well with the girls. In comparison, my only companion was the wall flushed against my back. The designated wallflower, so to speak.
There are still things I could list, but does he view me in that sense? This is rather complicated to think about, if a little annoying.
Queen Rachel hummed.
「That’s right. Frankly speaking, Leon was an idiot when he accompanied you to those parties. I saw what was unfolding and I wanted so dearly to laugh. I had to hold it in and endure it like I was on the brink of death. Ah, but that comparison isn’t really appropriate, is it?」
She brushed it aside and moved on.
「Lilliana, you must leave before you are caught by Leon. Well, whatever he tries to do, I will do as much as I can to stop him.」
「Queen Rachel…! I understand. Tomorrow, I will head back to the territory for sure! I don’t know what he’s thinking nor do I understand him, but the engagement is over. No matter what happens, I won’t relent.」
「Yes, exactly. It’s terrible of Leon for not keeping his word.」
「Thank you so much, Queen Rachel!」
「Lilliana, keep doing your best. You’ll need it.」
‘You’ll need it?’
It’s clear there’s another layer to her words, but what could she mean? I suppose I’ll just have to take them as encouraging words. I did what I set out to doーspeak with Queen Rachel.
I returned to our residence with good feelings.
ーーBack at the Queen’s roomーー
「So, Lilliana got away? After many years of practice, Leon has become quite the fool when it comes to her. Anyways, before the divide between them grows even futher, I’ll have to warn him what not to do. 」