When Diana returned to the Red Rose Room after a day and a bit, she had to blink her eyes in disbelief as soon as she arrived.

"Dear Diana, ......!
"Are you alright? Are you okay? Are you hurt?

　You can see that the royal court maids are in tears, with Lily at the head. I've been through a lot of heartache, from collapsing at a stargazing party to being taken to the dungeons and the House of Lords when I finally recovered. I don't want you to cry, but I'll accept your lecture.
　But...

"Really. Really, Diana. ......
"May I? If an emergency arises where a royal palace knight rudely pulls out a sword, the first thing to do is to abandon the room, contact the head mistress, and join her. Then, you should make a formal protest to the upper echelons of the royal court and have the knights taken away. --I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this.
"Of course I understand. I'm sure you're not the only one who's wondering what's going on here. I'm sure you'll understand,......, but please don't put us in danger by putting Diana's life at risk. I was so disgusted when I heard the news that I didn't feel like living.

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.
　And to top it all off.

"It's not the first time, Master Diana's spirit of self-sacrifice. But really, for once... --I won't let you go until you repent!
"Why are you here, Master Shayla? Before you lecture me, rest!
Why are you here, Master Shayla?
That's not what a kidnapper would say!
"My kidnapping was just an excursion, I woke up in an abandoned cabin, I had a bit of a scare when I escaped, but the journey home was very safe!
I think you're wrong about a lot of things!

　The person who should be resting the most at the moment is not only in the Red Rose Room looking like a normal person, but he's also saying something strange. I'll take a lecture, yes, I'll take a lecture, I'll take a lecture, I want Shayla to get some rest first, I really do.
　And then the door to the main room opened and Rita came in pulling a cart.

I'll make you some tea. I'll make you a cup of tea, please have a seat.
"Wait a minute, Rita. Why are you in charge?
"Because you have no right to be in charge, Miss Diana, what is it?

　...... returned with a super nice smile. This is Rita's face when she's at her most angry.
　In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. ...... What is this sense of unity?
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure you're aware of the many things I've done to make you angry, right?
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that. I'm not sure if you're going to be able to find a way to get the best out of it.

　She declared with a smiling face, but as usual, Raia's eyes were not smiling. It's true that I'm not tired, just sleep-deprived, but did I do anything to warrant such an urgent sermon? No, the poisoning at the party was reckless, but...

...... You don't seem to understand, do you?
No!　I'm sorry I took the poison without any prior information!
Don't drink it even if you're informed!

　I was angry. Raia was struck by lightning, with all her might.
　I cowered reflexively, and Yolanda sighed deeply.

"Rita told me. Rita told me that the Cresters are trained from an early age to acclimate their bodies to poison.
"Yes.
I'm sure you're not the only one who's had this problem.
It's not a talent, it's just that I know what it is.
That's why you were so reckless at the banquet, thinking that you could eat the poisonous meat without dying, and that you could make the antidote.
Yes, sir.
Let me get this straight, Deanna. --"Let me get this straight, Deanna, who asked you to go to such lengths to protect me?

　Yolanda shot Deanna a hard look, her green eyes glowing.
　I'm going to have to ask you, Deanna.

It is true that at that time, the banquet was about to be filled with suspicion that Shayla's food was laced with poison. If we hadn't quashed the suspicion before it turned into a conviction, it might have damaged the 'star-gazing banquet' held by the king. The suspicion of poisoning in the presence of the king in the inner court was a serious matter. The outer court might have been involved and there might have been a great commotion.
That's right. So, at that time...
Was it the best thing to do?　...... Yes. Certainly, there was no better way to 'clear the suspicion of poisoning and pretend that nothing had happened'. But...

　I'm sure you've heard of it.

"The best is not always the right thing.
Yolanda, sir.
...... I've been wanting to say this for a long, long time. Deanna, your "best" is often not looking out for yourself. It was the same at the garden party, when the carriage was attacked at the Advent service, and now. You would give yourself up without hesitation if it were up to you alone to make it all right.



　At Yolanda's words, everyone but Deanna nodded profoundly.
　But Deanna could not nod.

I'm not that auspicious of a character, though Sophia-sama said something similar. At the garden party, I did what I was supposed to do as a person entrusted by His Majesty to take charge. It was almost entirely my own fault that I escaped the attack at the Descent Festival, and even this time.
I didn't want anyone to die, I didn't want anything horrible to happen to me, so I put myself on the line. Do you call that selfishness?

　Raia's quiet question was met with a wry smile.

If my actions were truly for the sake of others, then I think you and Sophia are right. But I've never once thought of it as 'for someone else. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not a good person or because I'm not a good person.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm not sure what to do.
　I wanted to protect them, I wanted to save them, but there was nothing I could do to save them in the palm of my tiny hand.

"No. You can't. ...... Diana, you can't die.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.
　I don't want to see anything like that again. I didn't want anyone I cared about to disappear in front of my eyes, and I didn't want the slightest misunderstanding to lead to tragedy.

I was just doing it for me. I moved because I didn't want to mourn. I didn't have any noble aspirations as you say. ...... My family scolds me a lot. My family often scolds me for my selfishness.
That's right. If Deanna has been really, really selfish, then we can be angry with her without reservation.
I've never heard of ....... I've never heard of such a gentle 'selfishness'.

　I've never heard of such gentle selfishness.

I love you so much, Deanna.
"Letitia, ......?
I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that," she said, "just as I'm sure you don't want to lose us. I'm not going to lose her, either. I'm not going to lose her. ...... And yet, Deanna-sama only puts her own selfishness first and doesn't understand my feelings!

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

Do you know how scared I was at the banquet?　You know how scared I was at the banquet, desperately telling myself that Deanna would not die here. I was in a panic until I got the news that the antidote was successful. --Just when I thought I had finally calmed down, Diana-sama simply listened to the foolish knights and locked me up in the dungeons!

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do. She knew she was going to get angry, but she hadn't planned on being chastised like this.
I'm not very good at making people cry because of my mistakes, so Leticia's tears were more than enough to upset me.

"Oh, oh, calm down, Master Letitia. The dungeons were certainly not included in my account, but you see, I am fine!
"That's just a consequence!　You were barely able to breathe after the poisoning with artificial respiration. You were barely breathing after taking the poison.
I've never heard of artificial respiration before!　I thought breathing might be a problem, considering the type of poison.
People usually die when they can't breathe!　Or what, are you going to say that Diana is a fish and has gills and can breathe underwater?
Most respiratory poisons have nothing to do with lung-breathing or gill-breathing. ......
If that's the case, don't take any more poison!　Also, don't get thrown in jail just because you're feeling better!

　In the end, I couldn't get Leticia to stop crying, and on the contrary, the more I talked to her, the more heated she became.
　The more you talk about it, the more heated it gets. When you look around in confusion, not only Ria and Yolanda, but even Shayla looks cool.

"Letitia, tell her more.
It's not enough for Deanna, who doesn't know any better.
...... Maybe I'll cry over here.
Please don't do that. Don't do that.

　What kind of torture is it to be cried from both sides by two beautiful girls?
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few.

I'm so lucky.
"Di, Ana ......
I'm sorry. I'm sure I'll take any risk I can get in the future to lose someone I love. ...... But that doesn't mean I want to sacrifice myself. It's just that I'm greedy and I want to protect everything I love.

I'm sure that's Dee.

　The warm, deep, dark blue eyes come back to life.
　--I know that. If someone in this room did what Deanna did in the past two days, for example. Even Deanna would be furious with that person. For example, even if that person is more familiar with and resistant to poison than Deanna. For example, even if that person was better at fighting than Deanna, had more physical strength, was blessed with allies, and could pass off the threats of the Knights with a snicker.
　Even so, Deanna would surely be angry and tell you to "don't be reckless". Even if you happen to be safe this time, it doesn't mean you'll be safe next time. There was no way I could bear to keep exposing my loved ones to such danger.

　Lia, Yolanda, Letitia, ...... Shayla.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm so angry with you, but I'm probably not that self-conscious.
　I think I'm really selfish and insecure because I know ...... everything and still I can't give in.

I just want it so badly, I can't get enough of it. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.



　Because I love you. Because I care. Because I want you to be happy and laugh.
　If we can't see the future of the country, if we can't get closer to the happiness that each of us wants now that we are gathered in the king's palace. I want you to remove those obstacles one by one, and move forward step by step, so that one day you can get what you want.
I hope that everything will come true in the future.

I will never die, no matter how dangerous it may be, because what I want is the future. ...... I promise you that, so why don't you stop crying now?

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I don't want to go to .......
"Yeah, ......?
I don't like it when Deanna doesn't use honorifics, doesn't use titles, and doesn't treat me like a friend. She won't stop crying.
"There?

　That's where?" came the offhanded reply. You can't stop crying.
　I thought the people around me would be taken aback, but Raia and Yolanda agreed and joined in.

"There, there.
"I've been daring you to take it all out, but you keep acting like a stranger. Do you really want to be friends with us?
No, no, no, no. Leticia, let's be honest.

　I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll understand what I mean.
　Shake your head and rephrase.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. ...... Both of you are above me in rank and social experience, so it's hard for me to call you that. I've been thinking about this for a while.
I've been thinking for quite some time that Diana knows the language of the people. I've been thinking for quite some time that you know the language of the people.
It's not that I'm surprised, but I'm less familiar with the language of the nobility. Until I made my debut in the world of socializing, I've never had much contact with the aristocracy. The only aristocrats close to me were my family members.

　Even her family members are not what they seem to be, so Deanna has never really been close to the exemplary attitude of the so-called nobility. Of course, as she grew up, she learned how to swim in the aristocratic society, so she can wear a cat. If you were to ask her which she is more comfortable with, aristocratic society or ordinary town life, she would say the latter without question.
　The two elders laughed.

"I see. Sometimes when Diana doesn't look like an aristocrat, the cat is coming off.
"If you're more comfortable with the life of the people, why don't you just kick the seniority system of noble society to the curb?
"No, you see, the people have seniority as well. The relationship between the two of you and me is similar to that of a senior and a junior in the workplace, if you compare it to the life of a citizen. Basically, juniors don't call their seniors by their first names.
"Then what do juniors call seniors?
I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to know more.

　I'm not sure why Deanna's comment made Shayla next to me make the strangest face I've ever seen. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
　Before you can worry about what's wrong, Raia and Yolanda nodded their heads in agreement.

So that's it.
"Yes?
"Deanna, you just said it yourself. You just said so yourself. You can call me that from now on.
"...... Raia, Yolanda?

　They were afraid to say it, but they did.

"Oh, my. "Oh. ...... Why, that's nice.
"Really. I've never been called that before, so it's really nice to be called that.
"Hey, Rhea, do you think we could call each other 'sir' sometime?
"What?　What kind of fun is that?

　"What kind of game is that?" Their eyes were shining with happiness as they giggled to each other.
　I thought it was just one way of calling each other, but then Leticia, who had somehow stopped crying, joined in.

"Oh, no. I hope you don't mind if I call you both that too. ......?
"Oh, Laetitia. You don't have to ask me that, do you?
Yes, I do. We've been friends forever. We've been friends forever.
No. I've always had a habit of using honorifics. I've had many opportunities to talk with people from all over the world since I was a child, accompanying my father in his work.
"Oh, I see.

　I couldn't help but agree with him. That's why I thought his words were so beautiful, even though he was being choked by tears.
　In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.
I'm just saying that Leticia's words are beautiful, if you ask me. I mean, you're scaring me.


Of course you are. You're angry.
You promised you wouldn't die, so it's time for you to put your foot down. ......

　The moment I said that, everyone around me turned serious. By the time I realized what had happened, it was too late.
　It was too late when I realized what had happened.

I know Rita told you, but you really don't understand Deanna, do you?
I know Rita told me, but Deanna really doesn't understand.
"Well, it's not good or bad. Depending on the circumstances.
"Deanna?

　Yolanda cuts in quietly.

I'm glad you like us and want to protect us. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that we love you too and want you to be happy. We don't want to remain unilateral and protected." ......

　I'm not sure what to say.
　You want to protect and support them, but if they don't want that.

"Don't get me wrong.

　I want to protect you and support you, but if you don't want that, then I don't want that.

It's not that I don't want Deanna to protect me. It's not that I don't like being protected by Deanna, it's just that your honesty is so comforting and your kindness is so endearing. Who wouldn't want to be protected at all costs by a girl like that?
But ......
"What we don't like is being protected by ourselves. If you are protected, we want to help you and support you. Isn't it natural to feel that way?

　When asked, Deanna shook her head.

"Then isn't that enough?
"Deanna?
"Lia, Yolanda, Letitia... They will always help me. I can't tell you how much you've helped me since I joined the palace. ...... Even this time, it would have been easy to pretend that you had nothing to do with it, but you came to the council. I was surprised, but I was happy.

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. Their unwavering attitude certainly helped to clear Diana's doubts.
　Without backing down from any of the accusations made by the conservatives in the outer court, the "rear court" was able to say, "The 'attempted poisoning' of the banquet is a crime.

It's not enough to say that you're a good person. ...... is not enough, I need change.
...... It was wrong to try and pretend that Deanna hadn't done it in the first place. I told you, didn't I?　I told you that "the best" is not always "the right".

　Yolanda says with a distant mutter.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's had to deal with this. I'm not sure what to make of this. ...... should not have been mended after what had actually happened.
"Yolanda, ......
I know that Deanna didn't mean to leave Sophia and the others like that, of course. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this. Isn't that right?
...... Yes, that's right.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one. In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to use it to make a lot of money. One of Dualis's sayings is that "not scolding a child is, in a sense, even more abusive than not praising them", and now that I can distinguish between right and wrong to some extent, I can understand the weight of this saying.
　People are creatures that make mistakes no matter what. And it's not easy for us to notice our mistakes.
　We live our lives learning by having our mistakes pointed out to us, and sometimes by being scolded and angered in this way.
　It would be a great misfortune if we were not taught this fundamental lesson at an early age.

　Deanna knows the despair that cannot be conveyed even with the best of words. Even so, if Sophia and the others were out of control because of their fondness for Diana, she wanted to believe that there was still something she could tell them.
　The "future" that Deanna wants, the sight of her loved ones smiling with happiness, is so far away that her life is spilling out. I wanted to tell her that it was wrong to think that Deanna would be happy if someone died, regardless of whether she was a queen or not.
　--That your actions were not only a crime under the law, but also hurt Diana.

　The more I think about it, the more it hurts me. The more I think about it, the more it hurts.

I will protect the palace and bring to justice those who should be brought to justice. I'm sure you're aware of that, but I'm not. I'm more than aware of that. ...... But, Deanna. I'm sure you're aware of that. But Deanna, the idea of a "peace" that requires someone risking their life to correct a distortion is just a myth. There's no joy in being protected by such pretense. It's just empty.
"...... Raia.
Your coming to the palace has saved the palace and the country. Your Majesty has changed. Because it was you who started it, and because you yourself are kind and good-natured enough to leave those in need alone. You're the one who's supposed to carry the burden.
That's not true.
It's true. You just don't know it.

　Lia smiled sadly.

I was wrong all along. You changed everything, and we wanted to 'support' you as our main focus. Don't you think it's funny?　What Deanna had, we should have had too. So we left it all in Deanna's hands and we just supported her. --Instead of 'supporting' her, we should be 'sharing' her burden.


...... Such a simple, obvious thing that we didn't realize until Deanna mentioned the poison.

　Letitia shook her head and let out a heavy breath.

I thought... I thought, if I could just take a little bit of what Deanna was taking on and carry it with me. Even if it was to clear the suspicion of poison, there were other ways to do it.
"Leticia: ......
I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this. I'm sure you'll agree with me. We are just helping Deanna in small ways while being protected in a safe place where we don't have to take the blame. This is not equal at all, and I can't call myself a friend.
I'm the one who asked you to do that. I'm the one who asked you to do that, because having you 'named' join the faction would only cause confusion.
"In the beginning, yes, but we had a chance to regroup when Madame Magnum arrived and the atmosphere changed. We could have rethought the way we were to be named if we wanted to. The reason I didn't do that is because ...... without realizing it, I was spoiled by the ease of moving behind Diana's back.

　There was a strange strength in Laetitia's quiet reflection on the past. There was a strange strength in Leticia's quiet reflection on the past that Deanna could not irresponsibly deny.
　Yolanda, who had been nodding in agreement with Leticia's analysis, moved her lips lazily.

The reason why the 'attempted poisoning' at the banquet was made public in the council chamber was to remove the deception. We have decided that it is necessary to put an end to the palace's practice of sacrificing one person to maintain the peace. --Above all, it was Master Sophia's own wish to confess her sins to the council.

　Diana's eyes widened at the unexpected words.

"Master Sophia is ......?
I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here. In addition, the most trusted maid of honor has committed the terrible crime of kidnapping a concubine. ...... Master Shayla scolded Sofia, who had been in a frenzy of 'kill me' for a long time.

　It's been a long time since I've seen anything like this. I looked at Shayla without thinking.

"I've been so angry since the banquet. You said you were doing it for the Red Rose, but you couldn't see Diana. You can't be too picky when you can't stand the reality of it and ask me to kill you.
"Well, ......?

　The expressionless face of Shayla as she speaks plainly is scary.
　I've never seen Shayla this angry before, and neither has Diana.

You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this. If you have time to pretend to be a tragic heroine, why don't you think of at least one way to save Diana from Sophia's position?
"Is that the original text of ......?
"It's a bit more conservative than the original.

　Raia's commentary made my head hurt. Sophia would have been shocked to come to her senses if someone who had tried to kill her and failed, who had been kidnapped by her own handmaiden and whose survival was considered hopeless, had suddenly appeared in front of her and lectured her in a radical manner.
　We all know that Shayla has a straightforward and decisive mind, so we are not surprised by her actions. It was surprising that she was so violent with Sophia.
　Yolanda smiles at Deanna, her eyes blinking busily.

Sheila's sermon seems to have woken her up, and just before we went to the council, she offered to testify properly about the attempted poisoning. At that time, thanks to the efforts of the maids of the Red Rose Room, we knew that the bottle of poison that Sophia was carrying was brought in as a cosmetic for Marcia, and we thought we could use it as an ultimatum to the Marquis de Cocotte.
"That's why everyone was not upset by Sophia's sudden confession. ......
I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

　I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

"Diana. --It's time for you to stop carrying all this on your shoulders.
"Ms. Yolanda.
I will neither deny nor reject your desire to protect us. Let us protect you as you protect us.
Even you, Raia?
We can fight, too, if we want to. You saw it at ...... Congress.
Letitia. ......

　Kai has been telling me this since the beginning. "Why would Deanna take that on? And.
You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.
　But Deanna had forgotten. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.
　I don't want to be alone, and I don't want to be reckless and go at it alone. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　...... Slowly, Deanna also got up from the sofa.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I've been so impressed with your work. ...... There's no way that's true.

　Instead of an apology, he reached out to his dear friends.

I'm sure you'll understand. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk.

　--Three gentle arms overlap the outstretched hand.

"What Diana wants is the world we all want.
"Let us support and protect each other for the sake of our own happiness.
The road may be rough, but we will be okay if we are not alone.
"-Riah, Yolanda, Letitia. I would like to thank you again for your continued support.

　The four of them nodded vigorously at each other and smiled.
　I'm sure you'll be fine.

Now that we've said what we wanted to say, let's get out of here.
"Yes. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.


"Yes?

　I looked down at Shayla, who was still sitting alone on the couch, her eyes darting around.

She looked down at Shayla, who was sitting alone on the couch, and said, "...... You don't really think that was the end of your sermon, do you?

　She said back in a voice that was completely turned on. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

"Master Shayla. I'm sure you're not the only one.
It seems so, Master Laetitia. I'm sure you'll do your best to reflect on your past recklessness.
"Well, let's not, shall we?　I know you're angry, so why don't you stop crying?
Just sit down.

　It's very, very scary to be told to 'sit down' with eyes so fixed.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

　...... Apparently, this is the beginning of the second act of the sermon.