Easy to Enter, Hard to Leave (1)
"Isn't Tom coming today?"
It was late at night. Lady Rose Mary had come all the way to Site's room.
"H-He has work on weekdays, so he's busy."
"I see... All right."
The lady turned to leave with a disappointed look, then glanced back.
"About Tom—if he has nowhere to stay, tell him he can live here."
"H-He seems to have a place."
"Really? Still, just in case—ask him."
"Yes..."
The lady let out a quiet sigh as she left the room. Site could see her struggling, consumed by new desires, as if someone like Site no longer mattered.
Impressive. He made her forget me in one go.
Site thought of Kang Naru with admiration. Truth be told, she herself was utterly hooked on his body. He was the first man she'd ever slept with. Her virginity had been taken long ago by Lady Rose Mary with a dildo. Satisfied only with scissoring women every day, her first time with a man had felt indescribably good.
How's she planning to spend tonight?
The knights in the mansion were on high alert, hunting down maids who engaged in lesbian acts, but Site worried the lady might feel lonely at night. Clutching a key, she quietly slipped out of her room. It was the key to the lady's bedroom.
She had no intention of going in. She just wanted to peek and see what the lady was up to. If she was sleeping fine alone, Site could relax. If caught, she could just say she'd come because she wanted to sleep together.
"Ahhng! Tom! I missed you! Thrust harder! Ahhng, right there! Unngh!"
Lady Rose Mary lay on the bed, pleasuring herself with a dildo. She frantically rubbed her hardened clit while plunging the thick rod deep into her secret place.
She's doing just fine.
Site, peeking through the door crack, smiled in relief. She carefully closed the door and turned away.
I need to ask Lady Lydia to bring him back again.
Her steps were light as she walked down the hall. Back in her room, she rummaged for her dildo first.
Duke Neville arrived at the inner palace gates in his carriage and stuck his head out the window.
"Hm. With inspections this thorough, we'll be waiting a while."
Noble carriages lined up in a row after visiting the royal palace. Traffic was jammed, but the guards at the inner gates were unhurried. They meticulously verified each noble's identity before letting them through one by one.
"Even making the duke's people wait—these guys have no manners. Tell the queen later and get them all fired."
Alicia was in the carriage too. She'd heard her father was meeting the queen and tagged along, hoping to sightsee the palace for once.
"It's for the queen's safety—what can we do?"
"On a peaceful day like today, who'd send an assassin? They need some flexibility."
Alicia leaned back in her seat, arms crossed.
"What a tiring bunch."
She frequented the palace with her father and felt like she was practically part of the royal family, entitled to special treatment. How many people knew the palace inside out like her? She'd been here so often—why all the fuss?
No one my age has visited the palace more than me, right?
Her pride swelled. When they passed the gates, she'd give the guards a piece of her mind.
How dare you make us wait? Watch yourselves from now on.
She was psyching herself up when—
That guy...
A lone man walking up the hill outside the carriage window caught her eye. His face was very familiar. She frowned instantly.
Why the hell is that guy here?
The assistant professor from the harmony department. Kang Naru. He was strolling casually toward the inner gates.
"Even our house has to wait in line—think a guy like you will get through?"
"Hm? What's up?"
"Over there—that guy."
"The man walking up now?"
"He's an assistant professor at our academy, total scum. What's he doing here when he has nothing better to do?"
Alicia stuck her head out the window to glare at Naru.
Out for a walk to the inner gates?
No. He was talking to the guards, clearly intending to enter the palace.
"I'm here to see the queen."
"You are...? The hero!"
"Oh my, it's the hero!"
The stern guards' eyes and demeanor changed completely. Smiling broadly, they waved Naru through without inspection.
"What...?"
Alicia was dumbfounded.
Was that guy that big a deal?
If even the duke's carriage had to line up, but he skipped inspection entirely—what kind of status did that imply? She'd heard he was the hero and skilled, but she never imagined he was this close to the royals.
"No way... If he can come and go from the palace so easily, why's he doing something lame like assistant professor..."
Her shock didn't end there. After waiting about 30 minutes, they finally entered the palace gardens. In the distance, two men strolled leisurely through the garden. One was Naru, and beside him walked a dignified, blond elderly man. Alicia's jaw dropped.
Sir Latimore, captain of the royal guard!
The legendary hero who'd once commanded the queen's entire army! Meeting him required months of effort—he didn't see just anyone. People even complained he was harder to meet than the queen herself. Dukes and marquises requested audiences in vain.
Yet there he was, chatting amiably with Naru, a warm smile on his face.
Kang Naru, what are you? This level of VIP?
Alicia couldn't close her mouth.
"Marquis Bischten is plotting a rebellion, according to your prophecy... Interesting."
Sir Latimore smiled. He showed no agitation despite the shocking news.
"Thanks to your prophecy before, we protected the queen safely. Appreciate you telling me."
"From today, I'll be sleeping on the palace roof."
I pointed to the palace rooftop after speaking.
"I meant to start yesterday, but I was too tired and crashed as soon as I got home."
"I'll inform the men."
"No. Just you know, sir. There might be Marquis Bischten's spies in the palace. I'd prefer word not getting out that I'm guarding the queen at night."
"Understood."
"How will you handle it?"
"We'll discuss with the staff, but what do you think we should do? Got any ideas?"
If it were me, I'd prevent the rebellion from even starting. Double the capital's troops to make Bischten nervous, scare him into staying home quietly.
But I could guess how the queen and Sir Latimore would respond. They'd want to eliminate him while they had the chance.
I gave the answer he wanted.
"If you're asking me, I'd say lay a trap and wait for the rebellion to start. They won't kill civilians or loot to win public support—their goal is securing the queen and seizing the palace. Might as well give them a moment to make their move."
Sir Latimore walked with hands behind his back, listening silently. I continued.
"Marquis Bischten, who sold his daughters to build petty kingdoms in the provinces, has long been the queen's headache. If he starts a rebellion on his own this time, she'll have the perfect justification. No one would object to hanging his head in the square."
Bischten had built his power uniquely: countless wives, daughters churned out and given away to surrounding lords like freebies. The in-law networks formed that way were his backbone. Even his family motto stated lords must produce as many daughters as possible and marry them off to neighbors, vassals, and locals for alliances. The so-called daughters' wave strategy. Dozens of families tied by his daughters were his foundation.
"In short, let him rebel openly for all to see. Crush him after the queen has her justification?"
"Excellent idea. We can use that exactly. Very well done."
Sir Latimore clapped, grinning.
Good idea, my ass. The moment I mentioned the prophecy, you were thinking the same thing.
Sir Latimore was a sly old fox. Word was he was seeking a successor; according to the queen, he'd recommended me. It felt like he was testing if I was successor material, what solution I'd propose—so much I wanted to pluck out one of his chin hairs.
"I'll report the prophecy to Her Majesty too before I go."
"Do that. Thanks for your trouble."
"Yes, sir. Take care."
After parting with Sir Latimore, I headed inside.
Hope she's not mad I destroyed the necklace and ran last time.
She'd gifted me a house, so probably not. I met Head Maid Marie and requested an audience.
"Please wait a moment."
After the kindly smiling maid left, I soon met Isabella Queen, her blond hair and piercing gaze captivating as ever.
"Been working all day—I'm starving. Shall we dine together?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. It'd be an honor."
Fortunately, she wasn't angry and showed her casual side.