What do you do when you realize that the place you want to go, the place you want to stand, is so far away from where you are that you don't even know how to get there?
What do you do when you realize that the place you want to be is so far away from where you are that you don't even know how to get to it? If the place you want to be is already occupied by someone else, and you have to kick that person down in order to get there.

...... What if the person who might be kicked down by you is very good for the place, has all the qualities to be there, and you respect them more than anyone else?

I'm not sure what to do about that.



*******************

--Tonight, the king will visit Shayla's room again.

"Come, Your Majesty.
Oh. ...... I'm a little late.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I like the simple taste of tea in this room. I'll ask Alford to make some for me next time I take a break from my duties.
"It's not as good as the ...... King likes it.
I don't think price or quality matters when it comes to good food. ...... You're right. I think it's worth it to be able to drink in Shayla's room.

The smile on Juke's face was that of a naive boy, overflowing with the emotion of joy. Smiling back at him, Shayla engaged him in idle chit-chat for a while.
Some laugh, some are surprised, some are a little puffed up. ...... I wonder if I'm behaving well.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to have to. --Because she doesn't know how else to laugh.
The conversation suddenly stops and the room goes silent. It was not scary until a few minutes ago, but now it's unnervingly scary.

"Well...
Are you still not ready to talk?

As I opened my mouth to find a topic, I was interrupted by a quiet voice.
I looked at the person in front of me with slight surprise and saw that he was staring at Shayla with a deep, penetrating look in his eyes.

I know that you've been struggling with something for a long time. I've always known that you've been struggling with something, but I've never found the right moment to bring it up because I feel like I'd be pestering you if I didn't. ......

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I didn't want him to notice ....... I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

"Shayla. I'm sure you're not the only one.　Am I not a good enough counselor for you?
No, you're not!

No, no. No, I'm not.
It's not that I think Juke is unreliable, he may not be ......, but at least I know he'll take me seriously if I ask him.
I believe that if I remind him that it's between us, he won't mix up our private and public lives.
So, it's not that Juke is not a good person to talk to. It's just that Shayla isn't ready to directly talk to Juke about her current problems.

I think that Diana, not me, is the one who deserves to be the queen... In a way, it's the hardest thing to say to the man in front of you that you're worried about that.

No, Your Majesty. I'm just .......
Just, what's wrong?
I'm just ...... ashamed of myself.

Juke's eyes widened at the truth of what he had just said.

"Pathetic?　You are?
I'm not sure what you're talking about.

--What can you do?

The cold voice and the eyes that reflected contempt came back.
Shayla quietly lowered her eyes.

After the new year, the palace was generally calm, although there were some disturbances. At the end of the year, it was discovered that a small number of maids had been harassing Shayla, and the court decided to expel them. It is said that the chamberlains who served the maidservants have also been placed under house arrest for their mismanagement.
Such rumors circulate, and the days are ordinary and unremarkable, but Shayla is more than happy. There was no more room-by-room harassment, and Rei and Marika were finally able to go about their daily business with peace of mind.

And then, "Look who it is, it's Baroness Callerd. You're just in time. I have a few things to tell you. Would you join me at ......?

I'm sure you'll be glad you did. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.
She was the most influential member of the Red Rose Faction.
As a baroness, Shayla could not refuse a face-to-face invitation from the Countess. She nodded and was taken to a blind spot in the garden, where Shayla found herself in a situation that was, in a way, expected but also very unexpected.

"Do you really think that you can sit on the throne of the Queen?
There is no one better than the Red Rose to be your queen.
If you think you're better than the Red Rose, then show it to me right now.

In a very common situation of one against many, the words that were thrown at me endlessly were about how the Red Rose was worthy of being the rightful queen, and how Shayla was no match for her. The very act of blaming a single person in a public place was not fair, but Shayla almost agreed with the words of praise for the Red Rose without a second thought.
I thought that they didn't like Shayla making unnecessary noise in the palace. However, it seems that the girls have come to complain because they simply cannot tolerate Shayla, who is rumored to be 'favored by the king' for the sake of the Red Rose.

The Shayla of not so long ago would have shaken her head in panic, saying, "It's not right for me to compete with the Red Rose," and backed down. They were right, and Shayla did not think she could ever be a proper queen, not now, not ever. She would have said clearly that the only lady with the dignity and dignity to be a full queen in this palace was Diana, the lady of the Red Rose Chamber.
In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. It's not just a matter of supporting him in the shadows. ...... I want to be his partner, both publicly and privately, if I can. That's how I feel.



"...... It is not for us to choose the right queen, but for you. Whatever your orders are, I will obey them.
"Cheeky!

Boom!
I felt a strong impact on my shoulder and found myself being pushed onto the grass. When I looked up, I met Sophia's gaze with her burning eyes.

I looked up and saw Sophia with burning eyes.　Do you have any idea how much the Red Rose is suffering because of your unworthy favor? You should be ashamed of yourself!

Sheila's eyes widened, and Sophia looked down at her as if she were a fool.

Sheila's eyes widened, and Sophia looked down at her as if she were an idiot. 'How can you not understand something so obvious? I will not allow you to be crowned queen. --This is a warning.

If you don't want to get hurt, tell His Majesty you'll step down.

With those words, the girls left.

That's not possible. Because ......)

You said it was an act.
When Juke came to see Shayla in the midst of the hustle and bustle after returning from the Pentecost service, he spoke happily of his time with Diana.

"As Shayla said, the Red Rose is an intelligent and wonderful woman.
"She knows that I have feelings for Shayla, and she said she would help me.
I'm going to play the part of a loving 'couple' with a red rose, but it's just an act. My heart has always belonged to Shayla, and it always will.

Sheila believes that Juke was not lying when he said that.

...... But what if...?

I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it.

(Because ...... happy, it was.)

I saw Diana at the New Year's Eve party. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
--Really, she looked happy.

Shayla wasn't the only one. Anyone with any sense would have noticed the change. In fact, Riddile, who was with her, muttered, "Master Red Rose, you seem to have improved your beauty.
They say that women become more beautiful when they fall in love. There is a high possibility that the reason for Deanna's change is her love for Juke, considering the timing. --But what Juke is seeing is Shayla.
She's kind, she's the kindest person I've ever met, so I'm going to kill the feeling. ......!

If that's the case, what am I supposed to do?

What should I do?

Sofia and her friends continued to attack periodically. They would drag Shayla into the shadows when she was alone, or take her to a room for a "tea party".
If that's the case, all she has to do is not go outside, but if she stays indoors, she'll worry about Rei and Marika again. I don't want to cause unnecessary anxiety to the two of them, who are finally back to normal and relieved. Sofia and the others have so far focused their attacks on Shayla only, and they are not going to be violent enough to hurt her. It's a good idea to keep your eyes on the prize, but it's not always easy.

Shayla did not move for a long time. --No, she couldn't move.

She didn't even tell Juke to step aside.
She couldn't tell Juke to stand down, or declare to Sophia that she would fight the Red Rose fair and square.

I couldn't do either of those things, so I just stood there ...... until today.

I'm sorry. I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that if I were you.

Juke's voice pulled me out of my reverie. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.
The emotional Juke looked at Shayla and let out a soft, bitter breath.

I'm the one who's done nothing. I've been a king for a long time, but I know nothing about the lives of my people. The ...... Red Rose is much closer to the people than I am.
"The Red Rose?
Oh. During my journey of worship, I've been sneaking around to see the festivals in the towns where I stay.
That sounds like a lot of fun.
The Red Rose looked very happy.

Juke laughed uncontrollably as he talked to the people on the street, telling them about the local food and games.

I just thought that if I stayed close to the people, I could understand them. I thought if I just stayed close to my people, I could understand them. ...... But I guess I was wrong. There is a difference between seeing and understanding and being involved and truly understanding.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.

...... Ah. The only person who can truly support and guide this person is....

It's not that you need to feel sorry for yourself that you can't do anything. It's more important that you don't know helplessness from helplessness, and that you don't understand the true nature of things.
"Your Majesty.

Shayla - she dared to interrupt Juke.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I've been thinking about it for a long time, and I've finally made up my mind.
"Yeah, ......, yeah. Is that so?
Yes.



He looks bewildered, and laughs. ...... It's okay, I can still laugh.

There have been rumors circulating in the palace for some time now that His Majesty is about to choose a new queen.
"Don't worry about such rumors. They're probably just inspired by the commotion in the Outer Palace.
But... But won't His Majesty have to choose a queen someday?

When I got right to the point, Juke fell silent for a moment and then said.

"I think we're done here, Shayla.
"No, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I-
"That's enough!

Juke stood up and Shayla stood up as well.

You know what you're doing, Your Majesty!　You know, Your Majesty, that no one in the palace is more qualified to be queen than the Red Rose!
"I don't want to hear it!

I'm not going to listen to you!" Juke's eyes, which until a moment ago had been like the surface of a calm lake, danced with fire.

I don't want to hear such words from your mouth. A red rose is worthy of being a queen?　Is it because she is outstanding and has noble intentions for her people? Is that the only reason you're trying to trample on her and my feelings!

The last words I was going to say retracted due to Juke's fury. ...... I've never seen Juke in such a state of disarray.
What did Juke think when Shayla froze in front of him? --Silence reigned over them both, and .

"I'm going back to ....... I don't think I should be around you today.

With a turn, Juke turned away. With a turn, Juke turned away and walked quietly out of Shayla's room.
As soon as the footsteps disappeared, Shayla dropped to her knees.

Please don't come to this room again...

The last words I was going to say. She was more relieved than disappointed to have the decisive parting words taken away from her, and she felt like killing herself.

I have to leave. I can't be any closer to you than I already am: .......
And yet, I can't believe how happy I am that Juke interrupted me and refused to say goodbye.

I can't believe how much I've grown to love him.

When I tried to leave, I realized for the first time the depth of my feelings. When did I come to feel for him so intensely?

Without wiping away the tears that welled up in her eyes, Shayla welcomed the morning.
She went out for a walk after breakfast, with Ray and Marika worrying about her.

As usual, as usual.

"So, Baroness Callerd?　Have you made up your mind?

She looked blankly at Sofia when she ran into her. I'm sure you're not the only one.

I'm sure you understand now. You can't do this to me.
"I can't.

It's pathetic. But I've realized something.
I can't say goodbye to the king on my own.

"I feel so sorry for the Red Rose that I want to disappear. ......, but I can no longer 'step aside' of my own accord.
"You--!

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've. And then...!　A high-pitched sound echoed, and Shayla stumbled back.

--That's when...

"Shayla!

At the sound of the voice, time stops.
The person who was not supposed to be here approached her with surprising speed.

"What have you done to Shayla?　What are you doing?

There was no one here who could answer that question. Sofia froze, her eyes rolling back in her head as she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

If I don't answer ......, do you think there is any way for me to escape?　You have disturbed the order of the palace, and your crime is serious.

With Shayla behind him, the man continued to argue. I'm sure you've heard the commotion, and before you know it, you'll be able to see a few people here and there.

...... No. Somebody, somebody stop this person.

If he's punished in public like this... The repercussions for the faction and for politics are immeasurable.

I know. And yet, I can't speak...

"Your face is familiar. Countess Sophia Tandor.

We have to stop her!

Stop you.
Your Majesty!



A sharp voice cut through the air, overwhelming and dominating the place in an instant.
I turned around as if to burst, and there was .

Flickering blue flames dancing silently behind him.
He simply turns his piercing gaze to the king.
In a dress that was surprisingly plain, even for plain clothes.

"What are you doing there?

The horrifyingly terrifying Countess Deanna Crester reigned...