A Misunderstanding?

The matter of the Great Forest—I’d ordered them to keep a close watch, so that should suffice for now. Honestly, even if I wanted to issue more detailed instructions, it wouldn’t be easy. For one, it’s outside the Empire’s borders, not within our own territory. If I were to meddle for no reason, the only response I’d get is, "Why is the Empire interfering in someone else's land?"

Granted, a portion of the Great Forest does overlap with the Empire, but...

Hmm. Because of what happened in the past, there shouldn't be any pointy-ears there. Even if there were, the odds are high that they aren't elves belonging to the Elven Kingdom of Elumina. It’s best to leave them be. For now. Until that time comes, I’ll just wait patiently.

I leaned back against the throne.

"...Um, Your Majesty. I would like to take some leave. Would that be alright?"

"Leave?"

Elizabeth spoke cautiously. Leave, huh? Well, come to think of it, she had been grinding away without a break ever since our outing to the Academy. A quick glance revealed a faint trace of fatigue on her face.

"Do as you wish. Take a break on a day you feel like resting."

"That’s too casual..."

What does it matter? You’re the final signatory anyway. If you just write down 'personal matters' and head out, no one is going to say a word.

"But, you aren't sick, are you?"

"Pardon?"

It’s not that I mean anything else by it. It’s just that a workaholic who loves working in the worst way possible is asking for time off on her own, so I couldn't help but worry. Seeing her complexion slightly flushed, I wondered if she might have caught a cold.

"Ah—no, it’s nothing like that. I just really wanted to take a day off."

"You could take a few days off, not just one, you know."

"There’s no need for that."

"Even though it’s paid leave?"

"Pardon? Yes. That’s why."

If she just wants to rest, that’s a relief, but she’s truly something else for declining even when I told her she could take a few days. Even with paid leave.

"...I’m starting to worry that I might be ruining a young lady’s youth."

"What are you talking about, really."

Elizabeth giggled.

No, really. I’m saying this because I’m worried...

"I thought you were sick."

"I’m fine, really. If ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I were sick, I wouldn't hide it and would tell you."

If she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠says that much, then fine. I was relieved. Perhaps pleased that I had worried about her, Elizabeth slowly approached me. The distance between us closed.

"Your Majesty. Are you worried about me?"

"Well, yes."

"Because I asked for leave, you were worried I might be sick?"

"I think that’s a natural thing to be worried about."

"Hehe, hmm. That’s true, isn't it? If you told me you were sick, I would..."

Elizabeth’s mouth mumbled.

"...I suppose that would mean the day the Empire falls isn't far off?"

"The conversation took a serious turn all of a sudden."

I understood what she wanted to say. Even I can’t really imagine myself being sick.

"Anyway. If it seems like you’re overworking yourself, I’d naturally be worried too."

I suppose so. It’s not like we’re just anyone. Aren't we in the position of childhood friends, in our own way?

By the way.

"You do realize you’re overworking yourself."

"...It’s a bit too heavy a burden to place on a girl who has only just graduated from the Academy, isn't it?"

I have nothing to say to that. As I remained silent, Elizabeth, who had crept closer, gently touched my shoulder.

"It’s alright. I was prepared for that from the start."

"...Thank you."

"Hmph. As long as you know."

Elizabeth’s lips curled upward.

"I’ll be resting well tomorrow, so don't go feeling lonely just because I’m not here, okay?"

"I don't know about being lonely."

"...?"

"But I think I’ll miss you when the paperwork piles up."

"Really."

Elizabeth glared at me.

"Still, regardless of the reason, it makes me feel good to hear you say you’ll miss me."

Don't smile like that. It makes my heart waver.

A few days later, early in the morning. Elizabeth opened her eyes quietly.

"...Ah."

Today was the day I decided to rest. Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. I had intended to sleep in today.

"Ugh."

Can't be helped...

"Yaaawn."

Elizabeth rose from the bed and dragged her feet. She loved the soft texture of the carpet. She had bought it recently, and she felt it was a good purchase.

"Maria—I’m awake—"

Creak— The maid who entered the room poked her head in.

"Are you up?"

"Yeah..."

"Please wait a moment, My Lady."

The head maid, Maria, trotted over to the groggy Elizabeth. A moment later.

"...Always thank you, Maria."

"It’s nothing."

Elizabeth, now fully awake and wearing her usual dignified expression, muttered awkwardly as if embarrassed. Maria had been with Elizabeth since her childhood at the Duke's estate, through her time at the Academy, and even after she entered the Imperial Palace.

"You said you were going to rest today."

"I woke up without meaning to."

"Oh dear, I see. You said you had plans today, right?"

"Yeah. I’m going out around lunch, so get me ready."

"Yes, My Lady."

Maria trotted out of the room. Watching her back, Elizabeth sat back down on the bed.

"Then, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠until I go out..."

Elizabeth pulled the slipping strap back onto her shoulder and spread a notebook over her thighs.

Scratch, scratch—

The very first line of the notebook. It read: 'Is His Majesty gradually preparing for abdication?'

"...Hmm."

In Elizabeth’s opinion, entrusting the Great Plains delegation to Theodore was also part of that. She had told him it was because Theodore was the most suitable candidate, but...

There was clearly a hidden intention there. To prove that Theodore was a man worthy of the throne when he eventually announced his abdication. Perhaps he needed such an achievement.

"Sigh."

That foolish man. For some reason, he seems to believe he can pass the throne to Prince Theodore without any trouble...

"Theodore would hate that right away, though."

I wonder why he’s so perceptive about other things but clueless about this. But I know it when I see it. The fact that Theodore has not even the slightest intention of doing so. Elizabeth, who is a childhood friend of Khalid and, if you had to categorize it, has known Theodore since she was young, can easily tell the difference. It’s strange that Khalid is the one who doesn't know.

"No, perhaps it’s closer to him knowing but pretending not to..."

Elizabeth let out a deep sigh. The pen that had been scratching across the notebook spun aimlessly.

"...Ugh, I don't know. Anyway, I can't accept it."

Thud— Elizabeth closed the notebook and flopped onto the bed.

'Are you two in that kind of relationship?'

As she lay there listlessly, the words of Cecilia, who had since left the Imperial Palace, suddenly came to mind.

"...Ugh."

Often, occasionally, frequently. Cecilia’s words would pop up when I least expected them and torment me.

"...Lady Cecilia, why did you leave so hurriedly?"

She acted as if she would stay in the palace for a while longer, then suddenly left one day. Is there something going on?

The question didn't last long.

'Because I think the reason His Majesty changed so suddenly is because of Elise.'

"...Ugh!"

Thinking of Cecilia naturally brought to mind the words she had left behind. Elizabeth’s ears turned bright red. As if she had lost the ability to speak, Elizabeth just kicked her feet in the air. Thanks to her unique acting skills, she had been putting on a brave face in front of Khalid, pretending to be dignified and unbothered...

But now, just looking at his face was enough to make her feel chaotic.

"I, I can't put this off any longer."

So, Elizabeth decided to take special measures. Lady Elnoa. A famous romance novel fanatic in high society.

'A romance novel fanatic? Can you really trust that?' you might think, but...

Lady Elnoa, who had left such words one day and suddenly disappeared from high society. She returned not long after and said with a calm face:

That’s not 'hoho', you idiot. What happened to you? The young ladies who heard the bombshell declaration at the tea party stood frozen. A butler with the young lady he served, and not just anyone? No, setting that aside—a noble lady, the flower of a Count's house, not only seduced her butler but even got the head of the house's permission?

At that point, Lady Elnoa wasn't a romance novel fanatic. She was just a romance fanatic. Since that day, Lady Elnoa became a woman respected by noble ladies in many ways. Elizabeth made up her mind.

'If it’s Lady Elnoa, I can trust her!'

Today’s appointment was to meet that very Lady Elnoa. I heard that the butler who was her fiancé had become her husband in the time I hadn't seen her. Lady Elnoa, who had become a married woman, was even more reassuring.

.

.

.