Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 388

As Prince Hendrik had said, immediately afterwards, the escorts, court ladies and Brother came to our room.
Freed first named four people and appointed them to guard our room. The remaining six became regular escorts.
It was decided that three would be attached to me and the court ladies, and two to Freed. And the remaining one to Brother.
I also had Cain, and this was a friendly nation, so I thought it was going too far, but understanding that I'd unmistakably get strange looks for not having escorts, I obediently accepted Freed's idea.
Everybody but the court ladies will go greet the King. There was no time, so I hurriedly changed into formal wear.
With the court ladies' help, I put on the prepared dress. Since my hair made my neck feel hot, I had it put into a side updo. A blue rose hair ornament was stuck in it. My dress was also blue, so I felt like I was clad in Freed's color.

"I feel like I often wear blue dresses recently."

I only said what randomly came to my mind, but the court ladies giggled.
One of the court ladies I brought with me, Annie, said with a smile.

"Because blue is His Highness's color. It suits Princess Consort the most, doesn't it?"
"Eh…"

Certainly, blue dresses resemble Freed's eye color so I like them, but I never would have thought that would be the reason for the choice of my clothing.

"Besides, His Highness reacts the best to blue dresses. So naturally, the color of Princess Consort's dresses became blue."
"So it was like that…"

While I was astonished by how easily I became happy hearing that Freed was delighted about them, Annie further said.

"His Highness likes violet too. Because it's the color of Princess Consort's eyes. Really, what a wonderful affection. We're also very happy."
"T-Thanks."

Elena quickly but carefully put on my make-up, and the dressing up was finished.
In the full-length mirror, the blue rose Royal Flower shone as if to assert itself. Certainly, blue dresses look good with the blue rose Royal Flower. I can see why Freed would be delighted.

"Lidi. Are you ready?"
"Yup."

I heard Freed's voice outside the door. We decided to stay in the same room, but there was no way we could use the same room for preparing for an evening party. That's why we decided to use the prepared neighboring room when necessary.
When I replied, Freed entered the room. As always, seeing his appearance in formal wear for the first in a while sent my heart aflutter.

"… Cool."

Freed's appearance in the military uniform with the stand-up collar fascinates me every time. It's not an exaggeration to say I fall in love with him all over again every time I see it.
While I was watching him in fascination without getting tired of it, Freed smiled wryly.

"Really, when will you get used to it?"
"I don't think that day will come…"

It's said that beautiful women get tiring after three days or that eating the same food all the time gets tiring, but I can declare that that's impossible regarding Freed in the military uniform.
Freed in the military uniform is violently cool. I don't think there's a woman who wouldn't fall in love seeing him in the military uniform.

"Lidi, you're also very beautiful. The nape of your neck exposed by your put-up hair looks incredibly erotic. I want to take you to the bed at once."
"Nnh… You can't."

Fundamentally, I can't go against Freed in formal wear, but sure enough, I couldn't let myself have such thoughts before the audience with the King of a foreign country. When I rejected despite almost getting swept away, Freed laughed.

"Yup. It can't be helped. Now, the King of Irvine is waiting. Shall we go?"
"Yup."

I took the presented hand and we left the room. Outside, Irvine soldiers who came for us, Brother, and our escorts were waiting. Of course, they were also in their formal wear. They seemed to be really hot. In fact, they were sweating slightly.
Women can wear clothes with short sleeves or thin fabric and change their hairstyle, but men's attire fundamentally doesn't change throughout the year. Of course, it doesn't apply to commoners, but royals and nobles generally wear everything up to coats no matter how hot it is. I feel hot just by watching them, but the temperature control in Wilhelm, especially in the castle, is perfect, so nobody minds. Conversely, it must be hard when going to foreign countries like this. Freed was walking with an unruffled face though.
While the Wilhelm formal wear is cool, it looks uncomfortably hot, so I wondered if he'd be alright, but he seemed completely unconcerned. As expected of him.
While impressed in a new way, I followed after Irvine soldiers to the audience room.
The audience room was spacious and open. As expected, there were no windows or outside walls. The picturesque scenery could be seen outside. The castle itself was in a high location, so there was no need to worry about being seen by people, but since it was completely different from Wilhelm, I felt restless.

"Welcome to Irvine. I'm sorry for what my son did this time."

In the inner part of the audience room, on top of an eight stairs stood the King of Irvine. There was no throne. Same as Prince Hendrik, he had violet eyes and green hair. He had no beard and appeared very youthful. It seemed he could still actively perform the King's duties. At his side was the Queen of Irvine. The Queen married from a marquis house, and from her appearance she looked like a very calm person.
Surprisingly, both of them were wearing long sleeves.
Come to think of it, Prince Hendrik also had long sleeves. I'm seriously questioning how they can be fine despite no temperature control magical art in the Irvine castle. Or, are they used to it?
Irvine is incredible.

"I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to meet. I also wished to slowly talk with my long-time friend, so an apology is unnecessary."

While I was trembling with fear at the resistance of Irvine people towards heat, Freed smiled and returned the King of Irvine's greeting. As expected of him, he was confident even when dealing with the King.
Freed thanked for the invitation to Irvine and then mentioned the gifts we brought from our country. Brother, who was waiting on the side, gave the person who appeared to be the Prime Minister of Irvine the list of the gifts.
He looked over the list and presented it to the King.

"Hum… I certainly accept. Prince Friedrich. On the day of your return, we will also prepare gifts. I want you to take them back to your country by all means."
"Thank you."

The King of Irvine suddenly turned his eyes to me.

"And you are the consort Prince Friedrich married, huh. Hum. It's late, but congratulations. Come to think of it, I've heard you are the same age as my daughter. I want you to get along with her by all means."
"Thank you. I've received an invitation from Lady Ophelia for tomorrow. I am looking forward to it very much."

I answered while still looking down and bowing my head. The King said in astonishment.

"Oh? That Ophelia did that. I see, that's good to hear. By all means, I hope both of you find these ten days fruitful."
"Thank you."
"You can freely walk throughout the castle. Prince Friedrich, I'd like to meet again, but is that fine?"
"Of course."

Freed nodded. He'd received various orders from the King before going to Irvine. Probably, he'll talk about that.
Freed and Brother are in charge of politics. I don't find that vexing. It's only natural that the field we're in charge of is different.
I'll do what I can. That's all.
The greetings finished in a friendly atmosphere. At the end, the Queen spoke to us, leaving a positive impression. She said she'd host a tea party and asked me to come. Of course, I readily answered that I'd attend.
While I and Freed were walking together back to our room after leaving the audience room, he said, deeply moved.

"After all, marriage changes a lot."
"Nn?"

While tilting my head, I looked up at my husband. Freed grasped my hand.

"I've been to Irvine and talked with the King many times. But naturally, I haven't associated with the Queen or Princess. Aah, of course I greeted them at evening parties, but only that."
"Yup."

Makes sense.

"I'd never worried about that before, but the earlier exchange reminded me that having a consort is necessary after all. Lidi, it was you who some time ago first noticed Abel's matter with the information obtained at a tea party. Women's information networks can't be made light of. But that information could only be obtained because you're a woman."
"Ah, yup. You're right about that."

I only learned of Abel because of Marianne, Char, and Tiris told me. A man couldn't have easily obtained that information. Indeed.

"I always thought that I didn't need a consort. Lidi, by meeting, marrying, and spending time with you, I understood. After all, a man can't govern a country alone. A consort is necessary. It's not an existence that can be ignored."
"Freed."
"I'm glad that you're my consort, Lidi."
"… Yup."
"I'm glad that the person I walk through my life with is you, Lidi. Because, I can trust you unconditionally."
"Unconditionally, you say, isn't that a problem?"
"Then Lidi, do you doubt what I say?"
"I don't."

Isn't there no way I would?
When I immediately denied, Freed returned, "I'm the same."

"And so, I'm happy to be next to the person I trust so much… Lidi, actually, Esteemed Mother has never been to Irvine. Do you know what it means?"
"… Wilhelm has had hardly any contact with female royalty of Irvine, including the Queen."
"Yup. It's really not a good thing. Us men should understand that it will come back to bite us if we look down on women as though they know nothing."
"…"

There was some truth in what Freed said.
Come to think of it, Abel was also obtaining information from women. Women appear uninvolved in politics, but as a matter of fact, we watch our husbands and brothers from up close, so often we grasp the situation better than them. Moreover, there are times when husbands move according to their wives' wishes, so it's not good to ignore that.

"That's why, I was happy when the King and Queen of Irvine invited you earlier, Lidi. The other side also attempted to reach out to you. I understood they wanted a connection."
"Yup."
"And so, sorry Lidi, but I'd be happy if you did your best."
"Leave it to me."

I showed a big nod as Freed apologetically said that.

"Of course, I've come here intending to do that. I'll do my best at what I can do."

When I vigorously struck my chest, Freed stroked my head.

"Thanks. Lidi, when it was decided that we'd go to Irvine, I just wanted to bring you to a foreign country, and yet, in the end this happened. Sorry."
"No."

When I became the Crown Princess, I decided that I wouldn't embarrass Freed and that I'd become a wife he could be proud of. That's why, if there's something I can help Freed and the country with, I must act. Above all, for myself.

"Freed, would it help you if I became friends with the Queen and Princess Ophelia?"
"Yup. Incredibly. Of course, I'm grateful that you became friends with Princess Ilya, but thinking of the future, a friendship with the Queen and Princess Ophelia is important."
"You're right."

I've heard from Freed that Prince Hendrik is thinking of eventually handing the throne to Princess Ophelia and her husband. In which case, becoming friends with Princess Ophelia is necessary.

"For now, there's tomorrow. It seems we'll have an opportunity to talk alone, so I'll try doing my best."

I clenched my fist and communicated my determination.
Freed again stroked my head then bent down and lightly kissed my forehead.

Chapter end