She and the Concubine While looking at Lady Helene who came into my sight on the guest seating upstairs, I recalled her personal history.
―― A concubine, Helene von Schwarzer
She"s a beautiful woman with long wavy dark brown hair and amber eyes similar to the Queen.
She hails from Schwarzer marquis house that"s deeply trusted by the King, when she was fifteen she by chance met the King who visited their territory and immediately became his concubine.
If I remember correctly, she"s thirty. She doesn"t have any children yet, and I"ve never heard of her pregnancy.
The dress she"s wearing isn"t particularly luxurious, but it has a flas.h.i.+er design than Mother-in-law"s, which makes her look more youthful. Normally you"d think she"s in her twenties.
"… Why is Lady Helene in such a place?"
Lady Helene is famous for hardly appearing at official events. Of course she attends those she"s obligated to, but other than that she"s mostly absent.
It seems she doesn"t appear much in public because she usually spends time leisurely in the room given to her as a concubine.
There are rumors that she shows restraint in consideration for the Queen. As a concubine, her unintrusive conduct has been relatively well received.
Such Lady Helene appeared at the chivalric order practice ground.
For a moment I thought I mistook somebody for her, but it"s undoubtedly the person herself.
While wondering what to do, I heard knights chatting.
"Ah, it"s Lady Helene"
"It"s true. It"s exactly the time for her stroll…"
"As always she"s beautiful"
"Really, she"s a feast for my eyes"
―― Nn?
The King"s concubine appeared. I thought they"d be nervous, but everybody appears calm. They are carefree, n.o.body seems to particularly rush to greet her.
Confused by their att.i.tude that seemed to say it"s the usual thing, I tried calling out to one of the knights nearby.
"Say, does Lady Helene perchance come here often?"
"Eh? Yes! Princess Consort!!"
The knight I called out to was collapsed on the ground, but when I spoke to him he sprang up, looking fl.u.s.tered. Standing at attention, he nodded.
"Yes! It is exactly like that! Coming here is like Lady Helene"s daily routine"
"Daily routine?"
Despite finding it surprising, I questioned him further.
Right now I want any information I can obtain.
"That"s right. Lady Helene goes for a stroll every day past noon. This place is on the route…"
"The chivalric order practice ground is on her stroll course?"
"Yes"
What a strange stroll. I had a greedy reason of wanting to see Freed, but I don"t think this is a place where women would get close by choice.
All the more so for a woman who"s treasured as a concubine.
I thought so, but from what I hear Lady Helene has been taking such strolls for over a decade, it"s nothing unusual for the chivalric order members.
… Perhaps Lady Helene is also infatuated with muscles. Then we might see eye to eye.
Still standing at attention, the knight answered the questions I had.
"Because it has continued for over a decade, we do not particularly pay attention to it. Of course, at first the commander himself greeted her, but Lady Helene herself said it is unnecessary, especially now…"
"I see…"
I"m sure it"d be unbearable to be greeted each time when coming every day.
Hmph, while I was thinking, the knight said.
"She truly stops by only for a little while. She does not call out to any particular knight; we recognize it as a short break"
I see. She casually comes and leaves right away.
Then it"s natural the knights wouldn"t care.
When I said thanks to finish the talk, a tense answer "No, I am honored to have Princess Consort speak to me!" was returned.
While he doesn"t feel nervous towards Lady Helene, it seems he does towards me.
Well, it"s natural since she"s been coming here for over ten years. While thinking that, I looked at Lady Helene again.
She"s sitting on one of the guest seats and looking over the practice ground. She doesn"t seem to be particularly looking anywhere.
Suddenly, our eyes met.
"Ah…"
She sweetly smiled at me.
Apparently I was noticed. While wondering what to do, for now I bowed my head.
Even if I have the King"s Flower and am treated as Freed"s princess consort, the reality is I"m only his fiancée.
Concubines are considered below princess consorts, but as the King"s favorite mistress she undoubtedly has a higher status than me. Therefore, it"s correct to take a polite att.i.tude.
When I raised my face after a sufficient time, while still smiling Lady Helene beckoned me.
… Apparently she"s telling me to come.
―― Hmm. Well, whatever.
After thinking a little I decided to try going.
I"m wondering if I can"t do something for Mother-in-law, but naturally I can"t advance without knowing Lady Helene"s circ.u.mstances. Aside from the King, she"s the person most related to it. I need to talk with her sooner or later.
Of course I can"t frankly ask her out of nowhere, but I haven"t even spoken to Lady Helene once.
I thought I might have some progress even if I only understand what kind of person she is.
Anyway, it"s a precious opportunity. I decided to gladly accept Lady Helene"s invitation.
I again thanked the knight and headed to Freed.
"What"s the matter? Lidi"
"Freed, sorry. May I have a moment?"
"It"s fine, but what is it?"
Noticing me coming, Freed looked back.
I understood he was busy talking. So I didn"t want to disturb him, but it"s better than moving without saying anything. If I left of my own accord, I"d surely make him worry for no reason.
To finish the talk as soon as possible, I got straight to the point.
"Listen, it seems Lady Helene has come and wants to talk with me a little"
"Nn? Mistress Helene? Ah… It"s that time"
Hearing Lady Helene"s name, Freed knit his brows for a moment, but then he looked at the wall clock and nodded like he was convinced.
Come to think of it, Freed was the Royal Guard Chivalric Order Vice-commander before. Since Lady Helene"s been coming here for over ten years, there"s no way he wouldn"t know about it.
"It"s not that I want to go outside, so if you don"t mind… could I go alone?"
"Yup, it"s fine"
When he nodded, Glenn, who was waiting for us to finish talking, spoke to me.
"Lidi, to go up exit through the door then turn right. The staircase will immediately come into your sight"
"Yup, got it. Thanks"
"You will get there if you go up the first stairs you see. Shall I have somebody guide you?"
"It"s alright. I mostly get it"
Exit through the door. Go up the first stairs I see.
It"s enough that I understand that.
I apologized for disturbing them and left the practice ground. As told by Glenn I turned right and certainly, I could see a staircase.
A rough stone staircase. The steps are tall, so it"s a little hard to go up in a dress.
"There we go…"
I laughed a little thinking about Lady Helene ascending this staircase in her showy dress.
It"s nice that n.o.body"s watching. I lifted the hem of my skirt a bit boldly and went up the stairs.
When I reached the top, deep crimson curtains came into my sight. Two curtains overlap, it seems like you can pa.s.s through the gap between them. There seem to be no other entrances, so I tried going through. When I did, the view of the chivalric order practice ground spread before my eyes. It gives off a different impression from the top. But even from here I could see Freed adequately.
"Waa…"
The guest seating that overhung the practice ground had four simple yet high-quality benches installed. It also has a roof in case of rain.
The woman sitting in the frontmost seat looked over her shoulder, perhaps in reaction to my foolish voice.
"Welcome, Lady Lidiana. If you like, why don"t we talk a little?"