It is not compulsory to attend the New Year's Eve Party. If there are unavoidable circumstances, it is possible to be absent.

She smiled and shook her head when Mrs. Magnum suggested this with her usual blank expression, but with a hint of concern in her eyes. The harassment continued day after day, changing hands, and there was a good chance that something would happen at the soiree. --Still, Shayla didn't want to miss the soiree.

"Oh dear. You're looking a little shabby with your muddy rags.

She did not want to be outdone by those poor souls who had harassed her and laughed at her.

You look pale, what's wrong?

I'm not sure what to make of it.

But the most important thing is... ......

But the most important thing was that I heard a voice and I thought it might be... It was Shayla.
Dee!

I've been busy since before the Descent Festival, and I haven't seen my friend since, and I really, really wanted to see her.

She didn't know who Dee was or what her real name was, and even if she wanted to see her, she couldn't do anything about it. Especially this time, Dee seemed to be really busy and even took the trouble to leave a note at the meeting place saying that she would not be able to see her for a while.

--The next time I would see her would be at the New Year's Eve party.

It is no exaggeration to say that that sentence in the letter gave Shayla the strength to get through the time until the evening party.

Being able to see her favorite friend for the first time in a long time made Shayla's spirits soar. But Dee, on the other hand, was less excited. ...... She was quick to hear, and while she was busy, she did not neglect to keep abreast of the current situation in the palace.

I was also unable to do anything to help Shayla when she was in trouble. ......
No!

I wonder what this kind person is going to say. Dee's very existence has been a great support to Shayla. --If anything, I should be ashamed of myself for taking advantage of her existence and turning a blind eye to the fact that I was living in the palace.
From now on, I will grab my own place. When Shayla declared this, her wise friend showed no mercy.

That's why you asked Madame Magnum not to report the Peony Faction's deeds to the Outer Court?

I could tell that the questioning tone was a roundabout way of criticizing Shayla's response. ...... This and that is beyond the ability of a lady to handle on her own, Shayla understands that.
--But...

I'm sure you're not the only one.

My uncle told me at the garden party. That there was a rumor about you and the king at one time.
If it became known that the side chambers were the source of discord in the court... If it became public knowledge that the king had acted on behalf of that concubine.
...... There must be more people who don't like that fact than Shayla thinks.

I'm sure there are more people than Shayla thinks who won't like that fact. If she were as high class, dignified and proud as the Red Rose, she wouldn't have any doubts, but as it is, she's just a lowly concubine. It's a good idea to take a look at the website to see if you can find any useful information. ...... Such a woman would not be worthy of being a juke at all.
So, at least. It's not that I can't return the love, but I can at least protect Juke to the best of my ability.

Dee, who seemed to have understood Shayla's determination, did not go any further into this matter. She just said a few words of encouragement and then changed the subject completely.

(...... How can someone so kind be hated?)

When we talked about how we were both carrying gifts under our dresses, I couldn't help but smile and agree wholeheartedly. I've seen Dee's back a few times, but I didn't find her to be as scary as she once said she was.

"Well, let's start with me, shall we?

As I was thinking about this, a neatly wrapped package came out from behind the corner. The hand holding the package was white and gentle, yet it seemed to glow with vitality.
It took me a beat to realize that Dee was offering me a gift.

"Um, is it okay if I approach ......?
"I'm rather sorry for making you have to go through all this shady stuff all the time.

He replied quickly.
Dee says she can't be seen, and that's perfectly fine. I feel frustrated that I can't tell her how much I want to see her, and when I accidentally told Juke about Dee last night, I felt a little depressed because I really don't know anything about her.

But lately, I'm starting to think that maybe this isn't such a bad idea. Whenever you feel like it, just show up.
...... I'm hoping it won't be too long before I do.
I'll look forward to it.

To be honest, Shayla didn't really care what Dee looked like or who she was. Maybe she's not a concubine, maybe she's a maidservant, maybe she's a maidservant, maybe she's a maidservant, maybe she's a maidservant.

(Even if it's ......, Dee is still Dee.)

No matter who she is. Whoever she is, Shayla's feelings for Dee will never change.
--She loves her friend more than anyone.

As she looked at the white fluffy animal figurine that Dee had given her, Shayla realized this once again.

--Gong, gong, gong: .......

Bells tolled in the distance and nearby. This year, she was able to hear the same sound every year with her loved ones. I'm simply happy, and my heart is full.

--But it was also the sound that signaled the end of our brief encounter.

"Shayla.
What is it?

When I responded to the voice calling my name, I was gently grabbed by the hand from the other side of the corner.
The warmth and strength of his touch should have been reassuring, but somehow it made me want to cry.

You've done well.
"Dee ......


The hard part won't last forever. You are not alone. ...... Please don't forget that.

--This person is not...

I'm not sure if this is the person I was thinking of. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

(Wait. ...... Wait, Dee.)

I'm not trying to put you on my back. I can't let you suffer because of me.
--We have to stop this.

I'm not going to let you do this.



...... I thought I was chasing you. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.
But...

(Where are we? ......)

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information. ...... Even if you wandered into a place with no lights, a thick curtain around you, and no sign of people, what's so delicious about it?　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

(And for now, look for a place where people might be. ......)

(And for now, she's looking for a place where people might be. In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at a few of the best ways to get the most out of your time.

"And so-- .......
But ...... is .......

Shayla's ears, which she had been keeping as sharp as possible, picked up the sound of someone talking up ahead. Shayla's ears perked up as she searched for people, and she heard someone talking up ahead.

(If I can't find it, I can always ask the person talking there for directions, right?

(If you don't know the way, you can always ask the person talking there for directions.) So with a stealthy step, Shayla approached the direction of the voices and peeked inside through the ...... curtain.

.

The moment she peeked, she froze.

I'm glad. I'm glad you understand how I feel. ......
"Of course you do. You are the most noble woman in this country. ......

(Don't ......!)

It's almost a miracle I didn't scream. Who would have thought that in the middle of a royal palace like this, Liliane Landrose was having a secret meeting with a man?
In the moonlight, Liliane looked horribly bewitching as she innocently laid her body on the man. Her large eyes were moist and captivating, and her full breasts were sucking on the man's arm. Even Shayla, who was new to the whole man-woman relationship thing, wanted to ask her what she thought about this.

I'm worried. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
"Don't worry about anything else. Everything ...... will be taken care of by me.
Thank you. But don't take it too hard.

The shadows of the two of you, which had been slightly gaping, now overlap completely. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
Sheila, who inadvertently caught a glimpse of such a scene, wondered whether it was right to peep into such a private place without permission, no matter how much they were at odds with each other, but Liliane was his side wife, which means she was his wife, albeit unofficially, and this was the scene of an affair!　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following web site: .......

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
"Madame Lilliane ......
The Baron ...... will be leaving us for a while.

Liliane pulled away from the man. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

(...... is not the time to be looking away like you're watching a play!

Shayla's goal in the first place is to stop Dee, that is, to find her, who might be reckless against the Peony Faction. If she followed Liliane, she might be able to get to where the Peony Faction was gathering.

We have to hurry!

This time, don't lose her. This time, I don't want to lose her. I follow Lilliane's dress through the curtain, trying not to get lost, but not to lose her. Fortunately, Lillian's dress was a pastel color, and it stood out well in the moonlight, leading Shayla, who had been lost earlier, to a bright spot.

(Here ...... is near the venue?　(Here ...... is near the venue?

The corridors of the royal palace were still empty, despite the lights. The corridors of the palace were lit, but still unpopular. It seems that her destination is that room.

(What should I do? ......)

Could that room be the meeting place of the "Peony School"? (What should I do? ) Maybe that room is the meeting place of the Peony Faction. If so, it's not a good idea to follow them.
Sheila thought for a moment and put her hand on the door of the room in front of the one Liliane had entered. Most of the rooms in the palace are connected in some way. ...... You might be able to see what's going on from the next room somehow.

I thought the door might be locked, but it opened easily. As expected, part of the wall was partitioned by a curtain, allowing access to the next room.
If I accidentally shook the curtain, I might be discovered, so I got as close as I could to the curtain and listened carefully.

For a while, I could hear a lot of people milling about. Then, the sound quickly dies down. After a short ...... pause.

So, Master Red Rose ......, we'll be going now.
"Thank you for your service, Commander Gracie.



(What ......?

It was not Liliane's voice that I heard, but a conversation between the Red Rose ...... Diana and the Commander of the Inner Palace Guard. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

...... You've got a very elaborate plan, don't you?
"Did you come all this way just to talk to me without the outside world?

In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at the most effective way to get the most out of your time. Judging from the atmosphere, the top of the palace was now alone behind the curtain.

When Liliane presses her to back off from the daughter who was complicit in Shayla's harassment if she doesn't want to sink the country, Diana doesn't take a step back. Even though Diana's status in the palace is higher than Lilliane's, Lilliane's status in the nobility is higher. And even with this in mind, Diana refuses to back down.
--Lilliane said to her.

Lilliane said to her, "Do I really need to tell you this? --The Marquise de Cocotte is preparing for war.

The Marquise de Cocotte is preparing for war." She easily raised the biggest card that a nobleman must not play.

It was easy for Shayla to understand that Liliane's words and actions were intended to block the Red Rose Faction's movements by using the people as hostages. She was so upset that she almost stumbled, but she did her best to hold on.

(This person is ......)

What is he going to do? To plunge this peaceful country into war?

(It's so sad to see people die.)

When Shayla was told that her father had died, she didn't understand the meaning of the words at first. It was an accident at sea and the body was never recovered. It took her three days to come to terms with the fact that she would never see her father again.
Since that time, there has been a gaping hole in Shayla's heart. If this feeling is called 'sadness', then the fewer people who feel this way, the better, of course.

Even the loss of her father was enough to make Shayla feel so sad. I wonder how many people who lost family members, friends, and lovers in the war have to breathe in sadness.

Just when my eyes were about to turn black.

"On the battlefield, it is the people you are supposed to protect who will actually exchange their lives. And the people are not pawns.

With a single ray of light, a clear voice without hesitation jumped into Shayla's mind.

The people are not toys to be handled by the nobles as they please.

--How can anyone think that this person, with this dignified and sincere voice, who is always trying to protect someone, is a "bad person"?

At the moment I felt scared.
At the very moment when I thought I didn't want to fight.

A voice without a voice says, "I know.
"It's gonna be okay" with your presence.

You will always save my heart, our hearts.

You are the first lady who is truly proud of being the best, and yet is always kind.

Something hot is rising in my heart. I felt as if I wanted to cry out for no reason at all, and found myself sitting in a place far from the curtain.

(......)

I finally understood that I had to be. --If you want to truly face everything that surrounds you.

If you want to truly face everything that surrounds you, you must be in a position to protect, not be protected.
To be a protector, not a protected one.
From a place of fear and trembling, to a place of dignity and fight...

(I am--!

Scary, ...... scary, scary.
I'm scared, scared, scared.
That night, Shayla couldn't remember how she had spent the night, finally.

And then...







Ouch!
"Oh my god, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were here.
"Tandor, Countess, ......?

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