"I'm aware of that child falling in love with you at first sight. You haven't done anything wrong. Rather, it's unfortunate to be desired by the Crown Prince of Irvine, right? I can surmise that you are having difficulties. Nevertheless, let me ask as the Queen of this country and that child's mother. Are you a person who can only give? Will you only tremble while being protected, or can you be a suitable wife to that child? I want to know that."
"Queen…"
Ilya looked taken aback by the sincere question. Then she said, "I…" hesitatingly.
Even after a moment of wait, Ilya didn't continue. She just cast down her eyes, her lips trembling.
"Ilya, do your best."
I wondered if I really should interject, but I couldn't help but cheer on her. Ilya turned her eyes to me.
Her eyes were seeking help, but while feeling sorry, I shook my head.
"Ilya, you understand too, don't you? This is something you must answer. I know you are shy. But, even you understand it's not the time for that, right?"
"… Yes."
Ilya nodded.
"I understand that, but…"
"Ilya, what do you think of His Highness Hendrik? Did you just marry him because your father ordered you to? What do you think of His Highness Hendrik as he threw everything away for your sake? Do you like him? Hate him? Or do you find him troublesome? That's what the Queen is asking about."
"…"
"I see. Ilya, you regret the marriage with His Highness Hendrik, right?"
"Lidi!"
Ilya shouted, but I didn't stop.
"Isn't that right? Ilya, you never say anything. If you don't say anything, we have no choice but to guess. You might think, 'His Highness has been placed in a difficult position because of marrying me. I wish I hadn't married His Highness.' Or maybe, 'I'm a beastman. I should disappear. I'll go back to my country and have His Highness take a new consort.' Ilya, you think that, right?"
When I instigated her, Ilya's complexion changed.
"I-I don't think that!"
"Then, tell me that I'm wrong and what you actually think. If you don't say anything, I think it's natural I'd misunderstand?"
"That's…"
Ilya looked on the verge of tears from my words. I felt like I was bullying a small child. However, I understood I had to lend my hand to her here.
That's why I didn't let her off.
"Ilya, if you want to be misunderstood, continue being silent like this. Even if you don't say anything, I think His Highness Hendrik will act on his own. You can just follow him. I think that will be enough. But is that really okay? You finally got a chance to be close with Raid, so are okay not talking with her? The Queen specially prepared a place to hear your thoughts, so won't you regret not speaking your mind to her? If you won't, you can do as you want."
That's all I had to say.
Neither the Queen nor Raid interjected. They just stared at Ilya.
I also looked at her asking what she'd do.
Ilya's face distorted, and tears gathered in her eyes. However, she desperately raised her voice.
"Of course… I'd regret that."
"Then say it. Ilya, everybody will listen to your words now. We want to hear them."
"… Lidi."
"Do your best, Ilya. If you say that you can't… Let's see, won't you do your best for His Highness Hendrik? Even if I don't want to do something, I can persevere for Freed. Ilya, are you different?"
For my beloved, I can endure everything and do my best.
It's nothing special either. I think every girl can do it.
Asked that, Ilya muttered, "For His Highness…" Then, she took a few deep breaths.
"Thanks, Lidi. I can do my best for His Highness too."
"Yup."
I nodded, and Ilya turned towards the Queen and bowed. Then she opened her pursed lips and loudly said.
"Queen. I, I… I'm a weak woman who's only ever protected by His Highness… I can't move on my own accord like Lidi, I can't brush aside surroundings' criticism like Lady Ophelia, and I can't smile proudly. But――"
Ilya raised her head. The cat ears, hidden until then, shook on top of it.
"As you can see, I'm a beastman. But my love for His Highness is true. I don't want to leave His Highness. I cannot imagine… His Highness having children with other women than me."
"You understand it will throw the country into turmoil, right?"
Ilya was asked in a quiet tone, but despite her hesitation, she nodded.
"… Yes."
"I see. And so, if Hendrik tells you he's leaving the country, what will you do? When that child stops being the Crown Prince, he'll have nothing. No status, reputation, property. Nothing will remain for that child; there are only troubles in the future. Please answer while keeping this in mind."
They were harsh words, but they were unmistakably true.
When Prince Hendrik stops being the Crown Prince, he'll retain nothing from his time as the Crown Prince. Everything belongs to the country. He received everything because he's the Crown Prince.
I was also asked this by Freed before.
If I'd love him if he stopped being the Crown Prince.
I didn't hesitate and answered "Yes." I don't love the Crown Prince Freed. As long as he's him, I don't care what kind of person he is, and if necessary, I'm even ready to open a small restaurant to provide for him.
I think the promise to be together for the whole life is something like that.
It's a promise to stay with the partner no matter what happens to them.
I understood the Queen was asking for that resolution.
"… If His Highness so desires, I will follow him anywhere. I don't care where he goes. I'll stay with him everywhere, even in a shabby house or outdoors. I have no attachment to the wealthy life. It has no meaning without His Highness there."
When Ilya said it quietly yet clearly, the Queen showed a smile.
"I see. You're prepared for that. Then, there's nothing left for us to say. Do as you like. Ophelia. I apologize, but you will hereafter be educated as the next monarch."
"Yes, Esteemed Mother. I accept it."
Raid nodded with a smile.
"Since Sister-in-law is prepared, I also have to resolve myself. However, Esteemed Mother. If possible, I would like to have the man I desire as my husband."
The Queen reacted to Raid's words with an, "Ara," and raised her eyebrows.
"Wasn't it you who said you'd accept anybody except Edward? I'm certain I heard that yesterday."
"I thought so, but… um… I've found a man I love. I'll be given something as unforeseen as the throne, so I've reconsidered that I'd at least be happy to marry the partner I love."
"Oh my… Your beloved man?"
The prologue of the novel where Freed and Lidi met as children is !
Chapter end
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