Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Man and a Woman on a Summer Night (Part II)
By the time I reached the Royal seats, I had regained surface-level composure.
Even though I was pushed here, I couldn’t turn back and walk away now, nor could I just show my distraught state in front of Royalty.
I think this resulted from the education given to me from an early age.
“His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and His Highness the Crown Prince, we give our greetings.”
After bowing and finishing the formalities, it was customary to have a little bit of a chat with them.
Since they were technically my relatives, connected to me by blood, adding to the fact that I’d known them since childhood, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen were talking with me in a friendly manner.
“That’s right. I see that Her Highness the Crown Princess wasn’t here today either. Since the seasons were about to change, I couldn’t help but fondly remember the relationship we had as children. I understand that she needs to take a long rest after childbirth, but perhaps could I know how she is doing?”
I tried to ask as if it were nothing big, but I still felt a little nervous.
Perhaps other people had also asked about Annelier, but they must’ve been noblemen who were political opponents to the Busterman family.
The might’ve been those who wanted to drag down the Busterman family with the Crown Princess’ health as ammunition, wishing to bring their daughters into the Royal family instead.
That’s right… I had a sister who was single too…!
It was only after I had finished talking that I realized my mistake.
It’s been a long time since I’ve made such a mistake, so I had no choice but to wait for their reply, feeling indescribably altogether.
I had absolutely no intention of pairing my sister up with His Highness Reinhardt.
At least not for me, but the Royal family might think otherwise.
“That’s… Right…”
His Majesty the King glanced sideways at Prince Reinhardt’s slurred words.
This may have been a mistake.
“…Annelier’s taking care of herself, and I’m just letting her fully rest.”
His Highness seemed to want me to accept that answer.
Please, I hope this situation will be laid to rest… If by any chance my sister was forced to get married because of this, she would probably hate me, and I wouldn’t be able to face Annelier either.
I’ve no idea about the specifics, but I heard that it had been difficult choosing the perfect queen to be His Highness Reinhardt’s partner.
I was told that he had some bizarre hobbies…
Annelier, well, she seemed like someone who’d always do her best if she thought it was her duty to do so, but she was also someone who’d definitely hate Victoria.
“You seem to be worrying a lot, but rest assured that it’s not that serious, so don’t worry too much. I’m obviously taking care of her to the best of my capabilities. I can’t let her get sick again since there’s no one who could ever replace her. And by the way, when did you get so close to Annelier to be asking this?”
…My spirit was being whisked away.
It also felt like I was being questioned in a completely different direction than what I’d worried about.
“She was my childhood friend… And even if we hadn’t gotten along much in the long run, now that I’ve gotten older, it seems like I couldn’t help but remember the old days.”
“You talk like an old man. Aren’t you the same age as me?”
“…Perhaps it’s because I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”
After finishing the conversation then and there, I hurriedly left the Royal seats.
“How was it?”
When I felt myself getting too exhausted, I leaned on the wall, with Oscar smiling expectantly at me.
I looked at him with a bit of resentment, but this guy didn’t care about that sort of thing…
“Annelier didn’t seem to be in a worry-worthy situation. He said he was taking care of her.”
“I see, then she’s being well taken care of! That’s great news.”
“… That’s right.”
With that in mind, I’ll make sure to stay away from this topic from now on.
I don’t want anyone to be suspicious of me, and I also don’t want my sister to hate me…
Annelier’s POV
Today, they seemed to be having an evening party at the palace.
Evening parties seemed to be held at least once every season usually.
Some of the maids had also been dispatched to help around.
The crown princess, of course, is absent today as well…
No, well, I can’t go to an evening party stark naked.
But since I’ve already appeared once, I haven’t really felt an urge to go to another evening party.
I also couldn’t dance yet.
After Wernhardt was born, I used to practice with Reinhardt-sama occasionally, but it’s been a long time since the last we did.
Since Reinhardt-sama was participating today, he might not be able to come by tonight.
Actually, even if there was an evening party, the chances of him coming or not was fifty-fifty.
It seemed like the evening parties were always held until past midnight. And apparently, Reinhardt-sama also didn’t like evening parties that much; plus, on days he was tired, he always slept alone.
In that case, they’ll just inform me that the evening party has ended.
Then I’d be able to relax and sleep comfortably, so having evening parties didn’t seem so bad… I think.
It’s a fifty-fifty chance!
The remaining probability was that Reinhardt-sama, who had accumulated a lot of stress, would then come and relieve it through me…
It’d turn into an all-nighter if he were to come here to relieve stress, won’t it…?
It would be a night of unrest.
The past two times, we still couldn’t have proper sex, but after being immersed in large amounts of aphrodisiacs and being left alone longer than usual… I was slowly tortured while being teased until my consciousness flew away.
Please don’t come today.
Please don’t come today.
Please don’t come…
“Annerlier.”
Ugh… My prayers weren’t answered.
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