--And if that's all there is to it, it's a heartwarming story.

"Shayla.
"Welcome, Your Majesty.

Since that encounter in the morning sun. King Juke went to Shayla's room almost every day. He would come quietly in the late evening with only a few attendants, and at dawn he and Shayla would play with the birds before he left.

The first day the king visited her - the night they met, Shayla was so surprised that her heart stopped. She had never heard of His Majesty the King appearing in the room of a young lady like herself. And moreover, the king who had never been heard from before.

Shayla was horrified at the improbability. But the king was very kind. When he saw Shayla lying on the bed, terrified of what was about to happen, he said. He said, "I will wait for you until you feel better.

She had a casual chat with the King when he came to visit late at night, slept in the same bunk, and parted at dawn in the shadows of the corridor. The next day, and the day after that, even a naive Shayla would think it strange.
After ten days had passed, she decided to ask.

"Why does ...... His Majesty come to my room?

She was just pitying a lowly, unfortunate concubine. Shayla was expecting such an answer, so she could not believe what she heard.

I'm sure it's because I want to come. I don't want to spend time with anyone but Shayla.

Shayla is not a slow-witted girl. I knew immediately that the King's words were more than just a breath of sympathy. No, not just pity.

"...... What is that, a whim?
"A whim?　Do you doubt my heart?
You can't possibly believe that!　You've never been in the palace before, and suddenly you're like that!
If I had known you were there, I would have come to you much sooner.
"Please stop!

Shayla shouted. She looked at the King, who had fallen silent.

"Your Majesty. I'm a daughter of a lowly baronet. I'm sure you only pity the lady whose only comfort is to play with birds.
"...... That is not true.
If it were not for that, His Majesty would not have been in my room.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

In the event you have any questions regarding where and how to use the site, please feel free to contact me. Although Shayla was not the only girl who was thrown into the back court against her will, Shayla was not the only girl who was treated badly in the back court because she was the daughter of an upstart noble or a lowly family.
Shayla, of course, is one of the beneficiaries of this information. On the same day that the king began to visit her secretly, Shayla received a certain piece of information.

Yesterday, the Countess of Clester entered the Red Rose Room and immediately won the favor of His Majesty. And with her gorgeous beauty and talent, she overwhelmed Peony.
If we can unite under the Red Rose, we might be able to compete with the Peonies...!

I'm not sure what to make of this. In addition, the Countess of Crestor, who is also His Majesty's favorite princess, has brought peace to the stormy palace by bringing together in just ten days the new aristocrats and their entourages who come from families that are pursuing innovative projects. She was no longer underestimated because she was from an up-and-coming noble family, and the one-sided bullying that had frequently occurred here and there seemed to have faded into the background.

--Oh, if you're that good, it's no wonder you're favored by His Majesty.

Shayla could honestly believe that. In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is a fact that thanks to her, the palace has become a better place to live. She must be a very capable person, regardless of her notoriety.

--There's no reason for the king to have feelings for Shayla in spite of such a person. It would be annoying for Shayla if he mistook her sympathy for love. I'm glad I found out about it before my heart was shaken by his kindness and my emotions took over.

"......, please wake up.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'm sorry. I will say no more at this time.
"Your Majesty, ......?
"But Shayla. Please don't reject me. I want you to welcome me, talk to me, and see me off as you have in the past.

And yet, he still wouldn't leave her alone.
You can't refuse the head of the kingdom when he says so. After that, the king continued to visit Shayla's room, and sometimes he would even show her a broken expression or gesture.

I know it's just a whim. Perhaps it was just a way to pass the time while the Red Rose was busy ruling the palace. Still, if such time lasts for more than a month, and the distance between us grows even closer, it would be strange not to feel for him. Shayla was confused by the gentle and quiet king, but she was inclined to him.



And then. The day of her first soiree as a concubine arrived.

She was given a dress by a guest who said, "This is the only one." She wore a sky-blue dress that matched the color of her eyes and went to the ball. After being invited to the venue as a lady's chambermaid, she waited in a corner of the hall for the party to begin while mingling with other ladies in the same situation.

It wasn't long before the fanfare of the King's entrance sounded.

From behind the crimson curtain, the King appeared in all his majesty. --With a beautiful woman smiling serenely next to him.

"You see, that's the Red Rose.
I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.



The two ladies who were watching together let out a sigh of admiration. The king and the Red Rose are so far away from where they are that they look like a perfect match.

Even to Shayla's eyes, the two looked like a perfect match. The Red Rose looked at the King with compassionate eyes, and even from this distance she could tell how much she cared for him. The king has a dignified face, as befits a serious man, but even so, you can see that he is glancing at his neighbor.

--So I was just a temporary whim of His Majesty's, someone he took pity on.

I knew that. I knew it. I knew it. Even so, Shayla could definitely feel a part of her heart rapidly fading. In just a month and a half, the king had become a bigger part of Shayla's life than she thought.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. ...... If you're going to abandon someone, don't be so nice to them.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Most of the youngest members of the household were in the corner, so there was no need for interaction.

An unexpected event occurred some time after the party began.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.
Yes, yes...

I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. If she did, she might even feel like getting down on her knees in front of the Red Rose.

"I thought I'd get around to it sooner or later, but time just flew by.
So that's it. Then this soiree is the perfect opportunity!
"Oh, speak of the devil.

I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure if you have. She smiles gorgeously and walks gracefully, coming closer and closer to you.

"Look, there she is.
You should say hello too.
"Yes, well, ......

It was so sudden that I was unprepared. While I was in a panic, the Red Rose turned to me. A fellow chambermaid quickly called out to her.

"Oh, uh, Master Diana!
How do you do? It's been a while.
Yes, ......, it has been a while.

The two friends bowed deeply. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about the whole thing.

"Master Diana. There is someone I would like to introduce you to.
'Oh, really?　Is that you, by any chance?
Yes!　She's a young lady from an up-and-coming nobleman's family, like us, who has come to the palace.
What is your name? What is your name?

The Red Rose's gaze turned to Shayla. Shayla made up her mind.

"............, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Shayla Callerd.
My name is Shayla Callerd. I'm Deanna Crester. Are you the daughter of Baron Kareld of Kareld, ......?
Yes.

That's the Red Rose. I can only assume that you have memorized all the names of the nobility. ...... However, you probably don't know about the Baron Kareld family's "family trouble".
But it's enough that you remembered the name of the family. Shayla nodded, clearly.

That's what I thought, and that's why I was so surprised by the conversation that followed.

"So ....... I'm so sorry to hear about your father.
"What ......?
I'm sure you're not the daughter of the deceased former Baroness Shayla?

She remembered more than just the name of the family. The Red Rose knows everything about the family and even the detailed personalities of the members of the entourage. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

...... Yes, that's right. The current Baron Callerd is my uncle.
I'm sure it's difficult for you to ...... keep your father in your thoughts.
"No, ......, thank you for your concern.

...... Something tells me he's not what the world thinks he is. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.

I'm not sure what to make of this. In the palace, it is not as bad as it seems, but it is said that the Peony Faction has a bad opinion of her, and once you step outside the palace, you will not hear a single good word about her.
But what about her in reality? Her blue eyes are long and slit, her lips are arched and red, and her face looks like she's doing something bad, but at least she was kind to Shayla and gave her words of concern. From the looks of it, she didn't seem like such a bad person.

The Red Rose, who cared for the other ladies on the side and spoke calmly, was truly worthy of being the first lady on the side. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

"So long. I hope you all enjoy the evening party.



The Red Rose smiled and turned her back on Shayla and the others.

"Good for you, Master Shayla.
Red Rose, you knew about Shayla's house too. That's good.
"...... Indeed. She is a wonderful person.

Satisfied with Shayla's nod, the two friends left. They must have gone to tell the others that they had spoken to the Red Rose.

--The impossible happened shortly after that.

"Shayla.
"......,

With a stern look on his face that I've never seen before.

The king, Juke, was standing in front of Shayla with a stern face that she had never seen before.