Chapter 44: 44 Garden party - In the case of a side room -

All the major players had left the party. The only reason it wasn't noticed by anyone other than those involved was that they had succeeded in directing the attention of the guests towards the spectacle. Raia, Yolanda, and Letitia breathed a sigh of relief.

When the maidservant informed them that Diana had been entangled with Baron Callerd, the blood drained from their faces in earnest. If things went badly, Shayla's position in the palace would be even more threatened than it already was. She had to somehow draw the attention of the invited nobles away from the commotion.

In cooperation with Yolanda and Laetitia, Raia suddenly changed the order of the scheduled spectacle, and brought the sword dance by the female knights of the Kingsguard, which was supposed to be the last part of the spectacle, to the beginning. To begin with, in a society where women wielding swords are looked at as strange, the most effective way to get women knights to be recognized quickly is to actually show them their abilities. For this reason, they had arranged for their sword dance to be performed at the end of the program. This is the most effective way to show off your skills.

...... So, for better or worse, their presence would have a great impact on the people and would be well received. It's not as if the events that immediately preceded it were a blur.

Raia's plan was right. The people who were shown the existence of the Women's Kingsguard and their sword dances were so excited and fascinated by the spectacle that they didn't care that none of the members of the Cresters were in the garden, that Baron and Baroness Callerd had been dragged away by the Kingsguard, or that there was no sign of their favorite princess. No. For the time being, I managed to stay on the brink.

(...... is heartbreaking.)

In the first place, since the day before noon, when we received a sudden call from Diana, Raia and the three of us have been in a state of panic. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.　Yolanda was right on the money.

She made desperate last minute arrangements and managed to get her presence accepted by the courtesans, and slipped in a sword dance to prove that she had the skills to do it. I think she deserves a little praise for her coordination skills. Of course, Raia is not the only one to take credit for this, but Yolanda, Leticia, and the entourage of the "Hidden Neutrals" are all team players.

"Through the woods and over the hills, the maiden went. To meet the man she loved...

We are now in the presence of a minstrel in the employ of the court. He sings the story of a girl who is separated from her lover and travels to find him. Yolanda says it's his new work.

People are listening to his sweet voice, entranced. Raiya was more concerned about whether something was wrong with her than about the beauty of the song, and she was too busy enjoying the performance to begin with. No matter how hard we try to arrange things, one idiot can ruin everything.

(......)

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do. (......) I'm sorry.

(I wonder if I'd be guilty of disrespect if I said "that idiot ......")

In the direction the costume was heading, there is an anteroom where Shayla is currently being protected. If that idiot, or His Majesty the King, were to interfere, it would be obvious that things would get complicated.

She let out a sigh so as not to make a sound, and walked ahead of him.

"Your Majesty.

"......, what's that, 'Waterlilies'?

The king had the look of a child who had just been caught in a bad situation. It's obvious that Alford Swoon, the Commander of the Kingsguard, had told him not to move. Raia thinks highly of Alford for his ability to manipulate this young man to some extent.

"That's not it. What do you think you're doing away from the garden, Your Majesty?

"But ......

Leave Master Shayla to Commander Suwon. Or can't you trust your own people?

She knew that this kind of directness was not good for her, but she had had enough of his Majesty, so she stopped restraining herself. I'm sorry, father," she said, apologizing inwardly.

Of course, the king was very understandably upset when Shayla was poked. He changes his expression and takes a step forward.

"...... Do you know about Shayla?

I'm surprised you didn't think I knew. I'm surprised you think I don't know her. No one who lives in the palace can live without hearing the rumors that spread there.

So you think everyone knows about it?

You don't want them to know?

I'll cut right to the chase. The king was slightly silent.

"...... Alford was right. I'm sure that if she knew that I was thinking of her, she would be in danger.

Yes, of course it would. I'm sure many of the ladies in the inner palace would love to have your favor.

You said you were ...... different.

I'm surprised. You remembered.

Yes. I only went to the palace on orders, that's all.

I didn't want to go to the palace. Is that still the case?

Forgive me if I don't speak my mind.

While I was trying to avoid the question softly, the truth is that there is nothing to be ashamed of now. It is secretly a legend among those involved that the king cursed her smilingly at the beginning of the night when he came to the Water Lilies.

It was no disrespect. I've thought about it since then, too. I've been thinking about it since then. ...... What kind of place is the palace for someone who didn't come here willingly?

Have you come to any conclusions?

No. ...... Only that maybe Shayla didn't want to be in the palace either.

I'm not sure what to make of this. It seems that this fiasco was not in vain, and Raia found a ray of hope.

I didn't try to know anything about Shayla. ...... No, it's not just about Shayla.

What else?

"I didn't know anything about this country or this place called ....... You believed what you were told and did not see the reality.

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If ...... is true, you will know it now.

She wanted to run to Yolanda and Laetitia right now and give Deanna a hand.

--She'd been through so much. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

But she was rewarded. The king, who knew nothing and kept his eyes closed, finally realized that he was ignorant. It is a light that will never waver in this age of confusion.

Water Lilies: ...... What can I do for Shayla?　What can I do?

Are you still looking for something to do?

I thought about it, but I couldn't find anything. All I could think of was that I was worried about her and I wanted to be there for her. ....... Yes, come to think of it, I was rejected by Shayla.

His voice was weak as he whispered, "There's nothing I can do about it. His voice was weak.

Raia felt a little pity for him.

I think there is something difficult about ....... You are the king. You may not be able to behave as you wish, and that may end up hurting the one you love.

It's itchy. ...... So that's how it is.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean. And in His Majesty's position, no less. It is not uncommon for His Majesty's wishes and his duties as the sovereign to conflict at times.

"...... To wish for the one you love to be queen. Will it cause her pain?

--Yes. Some of the kings have dared to let go of their beloved women to protect them. In times of war, even if they were separated, they hoped that she would live.

Whether it was the right thing to do or not. Only they know for sure.

Your Majesty. What's important is that whatever decision you make, you think it through and choose it without abandoning your feelings or the feelings of the other person.

"...... choose without abandoning?

No matter what you do now, I'm sure Master Shayla will suffer. ...... Of course, Your Majesty doesn't know Shayla, and Shayla doesn't know Your Majesty's heart.

Did he tell you something important?

When I asked, the king was silent. Slowly, Rhea smiled.

We are at cross-purposes, and whatever conclusions we come to will not be the right ones. If you think that you do not know Master Shayla, then you must start by knowing her.

"...... says it's too early to decide. Is that it?

Contemplation is not a bad thing, sir. Isn't it more necessary for a monarch to think than to act on his emotions?

I've been told not to think too much. I've always been told not to overthink things because it gives the bad guys an opening to take advantage.

What do you yourself think of that opinion?

The fact that he didn't answer immediately but remained silent suggests that he, too, feels some kind of discomfort with that opinion.

...... The problem is that it's so obvious. What more can we ask of His Majesty now?

At any rate, it's still a big step forward. Raia straightened her posture and bowed.

It's time for the garden party to end.

"...... I see. I have to get back.

Yes. I'll be back later.

His Majesty's face had changed, and the troubled young man's expression had disappeared. I'll be back later." The sound of clapping hands echoed from behind her.

"You're right, Raia. I'm not sure if it's called "whip and candy" or something like that.

"...... Yolanda, you're a bad listener.

I knew she had been eavesdropping on me from the start. I haven't been her best friend since she was a baby.

You've been very kind to her today, haven't you?

It's not like I have a taste for bullying people who are plainly depressed. ...... I almost fell for it.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. What are you going to do, Rhea?　What are we going to do, Rhea? She might have fallen in love with you for being so nice to her.

"You've got to be kidding me, Yolanda. Your Majesty is devoted to Master Shayla. You can see it in her face.

The kingdom is not in a situation where love and romance can be enjoyed peacefully right now. I'm sure you'll agree that it's a great idea.

...... Well, did you manage to achieve your goal of having a garden party?

I hope so.

The two wily side servants prayed from the bottom of their hearts that the future would be bright.

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