Chapter 69
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Surprise Visit (3)
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Veronica's sudden visit.
It threw the Leyden family into complete chaos.
They had heard that Veronica would be visiting the city near their territory.
But no one had dreamed that she would come all the way to this remote rural backwater.
Finally snapping out of their panic, Lucas shouted at Gillion.
"Where is Her Majesty right now!"
Lucas had been desperate to prepare a proper welcome for the queen before she arrived.
But those efforts had sadly gone up in smoke before they could even begin.
"She's already... here outside."
"What???"
Lucas couldn't believe his ears.
As if to prove Gillion's words, Mion, the captain of the Royal Guard, appeared at the Leyden estate right behind him.
"Her Majesty has arrived, so pay your respects."
Only after seeing Mion with his own eyes did Lucas finally spring into action.
Queen Veronica Wilden slowly made her way into Lucas's estate, escorted by the Royal Guard.
At the sight of her, Gillion and the rest of the Leyden family dropped to one knee and paid homage.
"We see Her Majesty!"
Roin raised his voice as well to greet Veronica.
He had anticipated that she might seek him out someday to test the waters with him.
'But I never expected her to go about it like this.'
Roin glanced subtly at Veronica.
In that instant.
Their eyes met for the briefest moment.
Veronica quickly averted her gaze from Roin's.
It was clear she had come all this way because of him.
Otherwise, there was no reason for a queen of a nation to visit such an insignificant rural territory.
'She takes after Parvo Wilden's personality so closelyshe's got this bold side to her, too.'
Roin, who had known the late king Parvo Wilden.
Sure enough.
Like father, like daughter.
Lucas's mind was still a whirlwind of confusion.
For a queen to set foot in his humble abode.
Of course, Elien was just as flustered as Lucas.
She muttered to Emilia with a hint of regret.
"If I'd known Her Majesty was coming, I would've cleaned more thoroughly."
"Yeah. Who would've thought something like this would happen..."
The two women seemed deeply concerned about the state of the estate's cleanliness.
But Veronica herself paid no particular mind to such things.
Her interest was solely in Roin.
And to that end, she first needed some time alone with him.
Veronica quickly exchanged a glance with Mion.
Then Mion spoke up.
"Her Majesty wishes to tour the territory."
"I see. Understood. Then allow me to guide her right away."
Lucas shot to his feet and said.
But Mion had other plans for Lucas.
"Baron Lucas, please remain here and compile a report on how the territory is being managed, then submit it to the finance planning officials."
To separate Baron Lucas, Veronica had deliberately brought along her officials.
"Yes, understood."
When it was the queen's will.
Lucas couldn't very well refuse just because he didn't like it.
"Then the guiding duties will go to..."
Lucas trailed off.
He had excluded Viola from consideration from the start, unsure what trouble she might cause.
He had planned to entrust it to Elien or Gillion.
But at that moment.
Veronica herself pointed out who would serve as her guide.
"Roin Leyden. He seems suitable."
The Leyden family members were inwardly stunned.
Out of all those people, the queen had selected their youngest son.
Lucas's pupils began to tremble wildly.
From his perspective, Roin was a troublemaker on par with Viola.
Sure, he got things done when it counted.
But entrusting him with the role of the queen's guide was still unnerving.
Yet Roin reacted immediately, as if he had anticipated this very turn of events.
"Understood. I'll guide her."
"......"
Watching Roin accept so readily left Veronica and Mion with subtly complicated feelings.
Because.
Roin had accepted their sudden proposal far too willingly.
As if he could read the two women's minds perfectly.
The territory patrol would consist of Veronica, Mion, and Roin.
Just the three of them.
More guards should have been assigned, but Veronica's wish for minimal, unobtrusive security had been strongly reflected, resulting in this streamlined group.
The psychological reassurance of having Mion along played a part as well.
People bowed their heads as Veronica passed, paying respects to their queen.
Veronica silently observed them without any change in expression.
Then, out of nowhere, Veronica said this.
"My feet are quite sore from all this walking. Roin, is there a nearby place to rest?"
"Yes. There's a nice café close by."
"Then let's go there. Somewhere without too many people would be ideal."
Roin gave a faint smile and replied that he understood.
The place he led them to was the very shop where he had spoken with Belv not long ago.
As Roin entered first, the owner raised his voice.
"Lord Roin! Rumors are flying that Her Majesty is here is it true?"
Before Roin could answer, Veronica stepped into view.
That alone was answer enough.
The owner was so shocked that he stood there dumbfounded.
"Ahem!"
The owner's senses returned at Roin's deliberate cough.
With a trembling voice, he said.
"W-We see Her Majesty!"
"Something cool and sweet would be nice. Any recommendations?"
"Y-Yes! Right away! I'll prepare it immediately!"
The owner hurriedly dashed into the back of the shop.
In the meantime, Veronica took a seat at a table.
Roin stood waiting, just like Mion behind Veronica.
Veronica looked at him and gestured with her eyes to the seat across from her.
"You can sit there."
"No, how could I possibly presume to sit face-to-face with Her Majesty."
As the son of a lower noble, that would be an unforgivable breach of etiquette.
Roin, being a noble himself, knew all the basic manners, etiquette, and proper conduct expected in the queen's presence.
Even from his days as Rodri, it was ingrained in him, so he hadn't made a single slip-up while accompanying Veronica.
"......"
Veronica gazed at Roin wordlessly.
She looked like she had something urgent to say.
But Roin pretended not to notice.
'No need for me to bring it up first.'
Roin intended to stay silent.
However, Veronica and Mion didn't let him off that easily.
Mion was the first to speak.
"Roin Leyden. Just one question."
"Yes, Lady Mion."
"The evening before Her Majesty's coronation. You ran into me outside Endla, didn't you?"
Roin didn't deny it.
"Yes, that's right."
"You seemed to be chasing Ratio's followers at the time. How exactly did you know in advance that they had infiltrated Endla? And why didn't you report it to the palace despite knowing?"
There were more than one or two suspicious things.
Even if Roin were in Mion or Veronica's shoes, he would have found himself suspicious.
He could understand their feelings perfectly.
But.
That didn't mean he intended to reveal the full truth.
"A friend of mine lives in Endla, so while I was there, I stepped out briefly to meet them. That's when I spotted some suspicious individuals, and I happened to notice the Ratio emblem on their clothing. That's how I learned of their presence."
"And you didn't report it?"
"Since they were right in front of me, I figured I'd capture them first and then warn everyone of the danger. I had no idea Your Majesty and Lady Mion would be there."
This time, Roin turned the tables on them.
Fair enough for him.
But why had they been out there?
Prior to the coronation, Veronica had been all but forbidden from leaving the palace.
They had broken that rule, snuck out, and gotten properly caught by Roin.
On this point, neither Mion nor Veronica had any defense.
They were the ones in the wrong.
Veronica posed one more question to Roin.
"About seeing us there..."
"No need to worry, Your Majesty. I haven't told a soul."
At those words, Veronica and Mion breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't want to give the other nobleswho already viewed her unfavorably right after ascending the throneany ammunition against her.
For now, they needed to focus on strengthening Veronica's royal authority.
To do that, they couldn't afford even the slightest weakness.
Mion emphasized this to Roin several times.
"Never tell anyone you saw us there. Keep that in mind."
"Understood."
There was no one he would tell anyway.
And Roin had little interest in palace affairs.
The only thing he cared about was maintaining his appearance.
As their conversation was wrapping up.
The owner brought Veronica's drink.
"I-I hope it suits your taste."
"What is this?"
"It's a juice made from crushed ice and apples, with a bit of sugar and honey added."
"Is that so?"
Veronica quite liked sweet things.
She took a sip.
"It's delicious."
"Th-Thank you!"
Was it the fruit juice's flavor?
Or.
Perhaps because her talk with Roin had gone well.
For the first time since arriving, a smile graced her lips.
The queen's party returned to the Leyden estate.
Lucas hurriedly asked Roin.
"You didn't make any blunders with Her Majesty, did you?"
"No. I guided her as best I could, so no need for major concern."
Lucas had been worried about Roin the whole time.
Fretting that he might commit some needless mistake and earn the queen's displeasure.
Having achieved all their objectives, Veronica's group hurried to prepare for departure to the next city.
If it came out that they had come here solely for Roin, it would invite suspicion from those around, so they planned to make it look like a sequential tour of nearby territories.
Before leaving.
Mion asked Roin one final thing.
"I heard you passed the mid-level knight exam with top honors. Any knight orders you're eyeing?"
"No. Not yet."
"Is that so? Then consider joining our Royal Guard sometime."
The Royal Guard was an elite among elites, the kingdom's absolute best.
Even Mion, who led it, was personally inviting Roin to try out.
Lucas, who had overheard the conversation from right beside them, was so shocked he couldn't speak.