The mansion we arrived at and were guided into had a vast grounds that was impressive. The buildings were magnificent… completely different from my residence, which doubled as a fortress. At the point of being a fortress, it really wasn’t just a residence, was it?
The one guiding us was the Head Maid, who was also the King’s Brother’s wife. Thinking about it calmly, it made no sense.
Such a person might exist in the world, but it was probably a profession only someone with special skills could hold.
「Ah～! It’s onee-chan～!」
「Hm?」
Running toward us while emitting a loud volume was the usually unnecessarily energetic tiny princess. No, perhaps Tiny Queen. She was the Next Queen, preceding the title of Queen.
Noie seemed slightly withdrawn from the tiny princess running at full speed. But since she was holding my hand, she couldn’t escape.
Yes, she was holding it firmly. It was the interlocking of fingers known as a lovers’ hold. When Noie initiated it, I truly thought she was forcing herself. I almost kissed her inadvertently.
「Thud!」
「Camille-sama. Please be quiet today as I am extremely busy. Someone… dispose of this.」
「Yes.」
A maid standing by carried away the tiny princess, who had rolled her eyes and fainted.
Ah～. I felt like I had seen the Head Maid’s knife-hand strike cleanly descend upon the tiny princess’s crown.
Was she okay? She was the Next Queen, after all? But wait… she was technically her niece. So maybe it was fine?
Come to think of it, she apparently treated His Majesty the King with considerable attitude, my idiot aniki had tried to dispose of her several times, and above all, my face had been stepped on. I wanted to believe it was an outrageous act permitted because she was an aunt.
Then, returning her expression to the usual Head Maid, she guided us.
「This way, please.」
「…Please tell me Sieck-san’s current standing.」
「I am always a dignified maid.」
「…Understood.」
I had no choice but to accept it after being glared at and threatened. It felt somewhat unfair.
Noie and I were guided to a spacious courtyard.
The garden trees were lush, and the laughter of children could be heard from somewhere.
There were probably children in the direction Noie’s gaze and ahoge were pointing.
「Her Majesty the Queen is further ahead… behind the screen.」
「Screen?」
I inadvertently asked back at the unfamiliar term.
Sieck-san, who nodded, looked not at me, but at Noie.
「Her Majesty suffered severe injuries in two attacks… and it seems she was cursed during the second attack.」
「Cursed?」
So, such things existed. Since magic and the like were common, it wasn’t strange for them to exist… but why was she staring intently at Noie?
「Yes. Due to that curse, Her Majesty became unable to appear before people. Therefore, please… do not be surprised.」
「Understood. I will do my best.」
「…Yes.」
After replying, Sieck-san saw our response and guided us deeper.
Hm? Was it my imagination, or did Noie squeeze my hand tightly? Noie was nervous? No way～. That was impossible.
However, strangely, Noie’s ahoge was moving busily.
「Noie, is something wrong?」
「……」
She glanced at me briefly, but said nothing and quickened her pace slightly.
She moved just slightly ahead of me, as if acting as a shield.
An attack? In a place like this?
Before us, white cloth hanging from tree branches came into view. Was that the screen?
「From here on, you two go alone. Please.」
「Ah, yes.」
Sieck-san, who stopped and stood by, truly looked like a maid. Although she was usually a maid.
Feeling a slight thirst from tension, we stood before the cloth, pulled by Noie who was slightly ahead.
「Nice to meet you. Argusta. Noie.」
「Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.」
「…Nice to meet you.」
As we both bowed our heads slowly, a soft laugh came from behind the cloth.
「I am sorry. I had heard that you two were close… but I never expected you to hold hands, so I became happy inadvertently.」
「Ah. It was rude of us.」
「It is fine. After all, we are family. There is no need for reserve.」
Indeed, that was true. My usual attitude toward His Majesty the King felt like it crossed various lines.
Nevertheless, Her Majesty the Queen… somehow looked young, or perhaps her way of speaking was youthful. It felt like talking to a woman in her twenties.
「Thank you for indulging my selfishness despite being busy today. Since you both came all this way, I would like to talk about various things… is that alright?」
「Yes. We came with that intention.」
Besides, we also had business with the 『documents regarding Camieu』 located here.
「Then, if it is not too much trouble, could you lift that cloth and come inside? I… injured my leg in an accident and cannot walk much.」
「Ah, yes. Then excuse us.」
I slowly reached for the cloth… but then, Noie violently ripped it open.
Wait, Noie-san. You should choose your time and place… Huh?
Seeing the figure of the person behind the cloth, a chill ran down my spine.
I had imagined a terrible appearance due to the accident, but what entered my eyes was completely different… an unimaginable sight.
A woman sitting in a chair… probably Her Majesty the Queen.
But this appearance… was this the curse? Wait, this was bad!
The moment I regained my senses, I pulled Noie’s hand with all my might.
Her hand, which had approached right up to Her Majesty’s cheek, was inches from touching it.
「No! Noie!」
「…Yes.」
Her Majesty seemed surprised by her obedient compliance, but after a moment, she calmed down and smiled at us.
「When she sees this appearance… she reacts, doesn’t she?」
「……」
I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t know how to respond.
Chuckling, Her Majesty’s appearance was… half of her face covered in snake-like scales.
Yes. It looked exactly like a dragon turned into human form.
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