61 Before you start





The day before the Descent Festival passed in a flurry of activity, as I told Lia and the other three named people what had happened, asked them to take care of the palace while I was away, confirmed my preparations for the trip, and wrote a letter to my parents explaining what had happened. That night, I was thrown into bed much earlier than usual, and on the day, I started preparing in the morning.
But all Diana had to do was get dressed and sit on the mirror chair. The maids of honor seemed to be having a great time decorating the "Red Rose". Their sense of elegance and refinement was that of royal court ladies.

As the polished Deanna was heaving on the sofa, Rita entered the room with light haste. It is a private room, so there are no other maids in the room.

It's Master Dualis.
"You're early. I thought you would have left by now.
She was about to leave yesterday when she received a letter from Master Diana.
Oh, I'm sorry to have disturbed your father.

In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. The letter said, "You will be in an unfamiliar place, so keep your weapons close to you just in case. Deanna smiled lightly at the fatherly note.

"It's not every day that a bandit attacks a royal party. You worry too much, father.
You are worried about something else, aren't you, Duiris-sama? The fact that the Red Rose will be part of this procession may be restricted in the Inner Palace, but not in the Outer Palace, it seems.
I'm sure you're aware of that. Even if that is the case, all we have to do is strike them back.

He smiled at Rita's presence, and she laughed at his words.

You can't guarantee that you'll be able to get rid of them, even if I can. You have to be careful, Deanna-sama.
I know. I've got my weapons well hidden.

It was a heartwarming conversation that was really bleak. If you were to look at them from a distance, you wouldn't think that they were talking about something so disturbing.

I think we need to be cautious, but I don't think we should be too cautious. I think we need to be cautious, but I don't think we should be too cautious, because it could be perceived that we don't trust the Royal Court.
I think we should be cautious, but not too cautious. I'm not sure how much you can rely on the knights of the palace.
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what to make of it. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and how to get it.
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

I'm sure you're not planning on fighting in the areas where the Darkness excels, are you? We don't have any enemies that would do that.
"How should I know? It's not as if there aren't people like that double-crosser who live in the shadows, unknown to the Cresta family.
It's a possibility, but it's not zero. ......

However, Deanna believes that this is also a very special case. I'm not sure if it's a good idea," she said.
At first glance, Kai seems to be dabbling in reckless things without thinking, but he is quite cautious and intelligent. His light-hearted demeanor makes the slightest hint of discomfort disappear into thin air, while he keeps his own pace and doesn't let others question him. He has a very high level of interpersonal skills.
It's hard for Deanna to believe that such a person has come through the world with such uncertainty as 'chance'. She doesn't know why, but he has probably intentionally stayed away from the Cresta family until now. I don't know why he suddenly changed his mind, though.

At least, I don't think there are a lot of people like Kai around. It's almost impossible to live a normal life as a backstabber and keep the Cresta family from getting information.
You think that ...... thing is a rare exception?
Well, yeah. That's what I think.

I think so. If you ask me to explain how I came to that conclusion, I'll be in a lot of trouble. After all, Kai always comes down when there is no one in the room except Deanna. If Rita finds out that Deanna has been meeting with Kai without her knowledge, she might throw a small knife at him the next time she sees him.

"Dear Deanna. --May I have a moment?

Just as a cold sweat began to run down her back, the goddess of salvation arrived. Yuri is peeking through the doorway.

"It's okay. What?
That's why ...... His Majesty sent a messenger to talk to you before he left. If it's convenient for you, Deanna, he will come to your room.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

...... It's a rare thing, isn't it?
I wonder what he's thinking about?

I'm not sure what you're thinking, but I'm not sure I can say no to the king's offer. She told Yuri to reply that she was looking forward to his visit, and Diana stood up.






The last time Juke had been in Diana's room was when he had come to give her a detailed explanation of the incident with the former High Priestess. Deanna knew everything Juke had to say, but she was a noblewoman, and she acted lightly to get through it.
While she listened to the advice of her subjects, she began to think for herself instead of following the advice of others, and her impression of Juke was quite different even from the perspective of the palace. In the past, Juke had often acted rashly and emotionally, and could not shake off a somewhat childish atmosphere, but after the incident with the former empress general, he became much more mature, and was well known in the palace.

I'm sorry, I'm busy.
It's a shame. I'm sure you are much busier than I am. If I had wanted to talk to you, I would have asked you to come with me.
That makes no sense. This is something I have to ask you to do.



It already feels like a dream that we are sitting around a desk, drinking tea and having a conversation like this. I could never have imagined that I would be able to talk to the King like this when I first met him in the summer.

I really wish I could have come here earlier to talk to him.
"I hope you don't mind. I hope you don't mind, it's just that for me, it's just another Advent service in the Mist Temple.
"Do you have any objection to being considered the acting queen of ......?

Juke's eyes took on a slightly swarthy glow. I'm sure you'll agree that this is what he wanted to make sure, and Diana smiled a little, annoyed.

If I may be honest with you, ......
I don't mind.
I have no objection.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. I'm not going to say anything about it.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. And yet, I'm not sure it's right for me to take on the role of queen just because there's no one else.
Is that what you thought?
Of course. I know myself better than anyone else that I am not the rightful queen.

I'm not going to be one," she muttered to herself, and smiled at Juke.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I have no intention of refusing to do so. --But a substitute is a substitute. Yes, I understand that.
"...... You're the Red Rose and you don't want to be crowned Queen?

You can see the look on Juke's face as he asks, "No way, there is no such person. Thinking that she needed to work on her acting skills a little more, Diana took off the mask of the Red Rose, just a little.

I was given the Red Rose Room because there were no other rooms available, right? It's foolish to think that just because you're called the Red Rose that you're the closest thing to a legitimate queen.
"Oh, I see. ......
In addition, I know that in the current royal court, it is not possible to choose the right queen lightly.

In this state of affairs, where the conservatives and the innovators are constantly battling each other, choosing the position of queen would be like carrying a torch to a greasy straw hut. The current Juke would not be foolish enough to create a situation where he knew that he would surely be burned in a fire.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

"Red Rose, you are .......
Yes?
"...... No, it's nothing.

I'm not sure what you're thinking.

I am relieved to know that you think so. I'm glad to know that you think so.
"That's very kind of you. I will do my best to serve you and the kingdom. I know I may cause you some trouble as I am new to this, but please guide me.
"In fact, the only formal ceremony we have is the Lord's Day service. The rest of the time, you're mostly on the move. Normally, the king and queen travel in the same carriage, but due to the unique circumstances, I have tried to make it as easy as possible for you.

It seems that the complete isolation of the king and the Red Rose was out of concern for our side. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them in the market.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.
We have fewer attendants and maidservants than usual this year. We have fewer maids and chambermaids than usual this year, so if you need any help, you are more than welcome to ask. A few members of the king's bodyguard will be in the Red Rose's carriage.
That's very kind of you. That'll leave His Majesty's side thin.
Alford has my security in place. Don't worry.

Juke smiled and stood up.

In a few moments, the one in charge of the journey will come for you. Until then, take your time.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, Your Majesty. ...... Take care of yourself on the way.

Deanna also got up and walked Juke to the door. It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information.

...... What are we doing here after all?
I'm sure he wanted to say hello to you for the advent. I'm sure you've been thinking about it a lot and have lost track of what you wanted to say.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

It wasn't long after that that the pickup arrived. In the event that you've got any questions regarding where by and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.