It's late, the interior lights are out, it's the middle of the night.
　Exiga was spending sleepless hours in his bunk in his assigned room at the Elgrand Palace.
　Every time he closed his eyes and tried to sleep, the scenes of the daytime flashed through his mind and kept him from sleeping.

(What? What the hell is that?

　The courtyard that the Red Rose Princess led me to during the day. The courtyard I visited during the day, guided by the Red Rose Princess, was on the outskirts of the corridor, not crowded and not very spacious.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation. ...... Even though such a thing is not possible.

I'm sure you'll agree.

　In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at this kind of a lot more. But the next moment, she was approaching the two with a bright smile on her face.
I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I have.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.

The two of them... The King of Elgrand is ......!

　The Princess of the Red Rose, speaking with the King and the girl who had been talking with him, kept a cheerful and gentle smile on her face from beginning to end. She gave him an excuse by saying, "It's strange to meet you here," and then added, "I had some time off from my political duties, so I went to the palace to join you and the prince for tea, and I saw Miss Callerd alone. I was just asking her what she was doing," said the king, without being offended by the king's statement, which was far from bitter. Master Shayla, you must have been surprised to suddenly be spoken to by His Majesty. He even showed some concern for his daughter, who was competing for the ...... king's favor.
　Not that, no.

"Your Highness. I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

　In order to avoid embarrassing Exiga, who was with him, he introduced himself and the lady of the house, whom he had never met before, and lifted her up peacefully by the name of Shayla Callerd. She is a very intelligent and hard-working young lady," he said.

(Why? Why is the princess--!

　Why does she smile so brightly, so lovingly? ...... To the woman who stole the heart of the man she loved, the woman she should have hated so much, why.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. There was no overt touching, but there was a definite flame of love in the eyes of the king as he looked at his daughter. The daughter responded to the king's words with trust, respect, and deep affection.
　Anyone who saw her would have understood. --King Elgrand knew who he truly loved.
　And yet... She was frozen in place, seeing the same scene as Exiga, ...... who must have been deeply hurt.

"Oh, Master Shayla. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that this rune is of a very unusual color.
Well, it's true. Is it a new species?
"It may have been an accidental development in the breeding process. Runes can dye silk threads very beautifully, so if we can artificially grow a large number of petals with this color, it will expand the range of dyeing.
That would be wonderful. I'll talk to Master Nasha about it soon.

　He didn't show any sign of distress, and even seemed to be enjoying the conversation with his daughter.

(I know. That's who you are, princess. She always cares for the people, the king, ...... and anyone else, and does her best to make them happy. It's because of her that I--)

　In my heart, the lid that had been closed began to open with a bang. The "it" that I had unconsciously restrained myself from and pushed deep into the depths of my heart. If the Stanza Empire and the Kingdom of Ergeland wished for friendship, if they wanted to build a good relationship in the future, it was a feeling that should never have existed.

　It was.

The princess. If you, the Red Rose, are not truly loved, there is no need for me to stifle myself.

　That's right. The truth is, I always have.
　Perhaps from that moment when I first saw her.

I've wanted her. Not just her body, but her ...... mind, everything.

　I've been in love with her, and I've been jealous of her, and I've been jealous of the king who has her love.
　But if you admit to such feelings,......, you will be found to be in love with the king's favorite princess, the next queen, and so on. You'll be able to't get rid of it by yourself. He substituted his male envy for royal envy, deceiving himself that he was only jealous of King Elgrand who had a wonderful queen.
　The "lid" that I had unconsciously suppressed and closed in this way was easily opened now that I had the truth about King Elgrand.

(I had suppressed myself because I thought that the princess loved the king with all her heart, and that the king also loved the princess. It was only when I believed that the princess was deeply loved by the man she loved and that she was happy that I was able to dismiss these thoughts as sterile. (......, but I never thought that this basic premise would be overturned.

　There is no doubt that King Elgrand values and trusts her as the Red Rose. He probably likes her as a person and has feelings for her.
　But it's not a love for her as a woman.

(I wouldn't have known that if I didn't know the king who looked at Shayla, or whatever her side of the family was. ......)

　King Elgrand is a man of deep feelings. This is why he didn't doubt the man's love for the Red Rose Princess when he looked into her eyes, and he believed in their relationship.
　But if you look at the eyes of the king looking at ...... Shayla, the difference is too obvious. The king never once looked at the princess with such passion in his eyes.
　From the beginning. King Juke's heart was not in the Red Rose Princess.

(Then what will become of ...... the Red Rose Princess, or rather, Mistress Diana?

　I've heard that it's almost a done deal that she'll be the next Queen of Ergeland. Perhaps that's true. There are very few women who have the ability and personality to be as suitable as she is. The reason why King Ergeland respects her as the "Red Rose" must be because he anticipates that she will become the queen in the future.


　The burden of being the queen and the slander of the nobles in the country was put on that gentle girl. The woman he loves is kept as his side wife, hidden and protected. ...... Is that what the man is trying to do?
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

(Such ...... is too much pity for Princess Diana, isn't it?

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. (Such as , I pity the Princess Diana too much!) The sleepiness vanished long ago. Getting up, Exiga put on her indoor shoes, struck a match and lit a table lamp.
　He must have sensed the movement of the air in the room. Not a moment later, Samba appeared from the next room.

"Your Highness?
Samba.
...... Can't sleep?
Oh. You're ...... just like me?

　I'm not going to talk about it. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm sure His Highness, ......, is wondering what happened. "I'm sure His Highness is still concerned about what happened between King Elgrand and his concubine during the day.
"Of course. ...... For what it's worth, what did you think when you saw the king and his concubine?
I'm not sure anyone could look at those two and not be convinced that they were man and wife. The distance between them, but most of all, the air that flowed between them, was that of a man in love.
Yes, it was.

　Samba, who was very knowledgeable about other people's relationships, assured me. After all, there was no doubt that the king truly loved that side of the family.
　At the sight of Exiga, Samba's expression changed to that of a competent aide.

I thought you might be interested to know that I have done some research on Baroness Shayla Callerd since then. The rumor of the king's favoritism toward her has been circulated several times before.
"......?
I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this subject in the future.
"...... Princess Diana's leadership?
Perhaps.

　She's... I'm not sure what to make of that. In the current situation where the king has neither a queen nor an heir, the reality that the king favors his aunt will only be a source of power struggle, and if it is not handled well, it will not even threaten the life of the aunt herself.
　To protect the country, the king, and her true favorite princess. In order to protect everything, she uses herself as a shield.

"Why are you doing this? ......!　Normally, you would hate her. You would hate her!
"I can't judge the princess's inner thoughts, but ...... at least during the daytime, I didn't sense any resentment or hatred towards Her Highness. On the contrary, you have accepted her presence with great fondness.
"Do you think he means what he says on ......?
"Well, ......, the Red Rose is a noble woman, skilled at hiding her feelings. So it's hard to tell if her fondness for Her Highness is just a facade or if it's the real thing. It's just--
"Just?
I'm sure you have nothing against Her Highness, nor do you hate her.

　...... Yes. I'm sure you're not the only one. She didn't hate Shayla, her favorite princess. She hates the woman who stole the heart of the man she loves.

"...... I didn't know such a woman existed.
It's unthinkable in the harem of the stanzas.
It is said that the atmosphere of the harem changes with each emperor's reign, but ...... at least under the reign of the current emperor, it will never be seen.

　The current emperor of the Stanza Empire, Exiga's father, is said to be a rare lover. Even though he is over sixty years old, his vigor has not diminished, and his harem is constantly filled with young concubines who love him.
　However, the emperor's favor did not last long, perhaps because he was constantly replenished with new women. Moreover, once the emperor became bored with a woman, he would often recall her on a whim and favor her again, making the struggle between the side chambers of the harem harsh and fierce. It would have been better if the emperor had been willing to let the officials control these conflicts, but the women competing for favor are gorgeous and beautiful, and the flamboyant emperor likes such beautiful harems, so they are almost always left unchecked. You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing. ...... After the suspicious deaths of five empresses in the past, he declared that he would not take any more new empresses, nor would he make any of his side rooms empresses. The only thing he was involved in was the state of the harem.

(If someone like Princess Diana of ...... had been the queen or a high-ranking concubine. (If someone like Princess Diana had been a queen or a high-ranking concubine, I wonder if she would still be alive and well.

　Exiga never knew her mother, but she has heard stories from those who knew her and took pity on her and helped her secretly. ...... She was simply a beautiful, modest, gentle, and ladylike girl. She never wanted the emperor's favor, she was not interested in power, and she was a warm-hearted person who cared about her family and the future of the child in her belly until the end of her life. --That's why there was no way for her to survive in the harem of the Stanza Empire.
　The image of the princess that Exiga saw overlaps with the image of her mother that she only knew through stories. There is a difference in that the mother is forced to give birth to a boy she does not love and the princess is not loved by the man she loves, but both of them are the same in that they do not hold grudges against anyone in their harsh reality, and they are caring for others and wearing themselves out.

"Can't we save ...... you somehow?

　The muttering was almost unconscious. The murmur spilled out more like a question to himself than to Samba. Samba's eyes widen slightly.

"You mean ...... the Red Rose?
"...... Oh, yes. I can't stand to see her like this.
I'm not sure what you mean by that. You can't say that this situation is unhappy, because the man you love likes you as a person and wants you.
"Samba, that's not like you. "Samba, that's not like you. It means that King Elgrand is taking advantage of the princess's affection. I don't believe that such a wise and loving man does not understand the reality of the situation. I don't believe that such a wise and loving person does not understand the reality of the situation. ...... He just pretends not to see it because his heart can't take it if he faces the reality.



　Samba took in Exiga's words quietly, and counted the beats of silence before saying-- "I feared that His Highness would say that.

I had feared that Your Highness would say that.

　He let out one big, deep breath.

I feared that Your Highness would say that.
"My heart?
"Your Highness has a manly affection for the Red Rose, the one who will eventually become the Queen of the Kingdom of Ergeland. Not human affection, but male affection.

　I'm not sure what to say. In the event that you've just opened the lid, the emotions that overflowed from it are already too much to cover up,......, but if you're just going to admit it to yourself, you can't be so bold as to confide your feelings to someone else. You can't be as bold as that.
　Because.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it." "Whether King Elgrand loves you or not, the fact that the Red Rose is your future highness is unassailable. Love has nothing to do with King Elgrand's marriage. Like Stanza's choice of queen, it's all about politics and your own aptitude. It's hard to believe that King Ergeland would let go of the Red Rose, who is a direct descendant of a prestigious old noble family that has supported the Ergeland royal family for a long time, who is intelligent and capable, who is compassionate and caring for her country and people, and who has a perfect track record as the acting queen. ...... I'm sure you're not the only one.

　So. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. It's not just that the future king and queen, who were thought to be bound together by trust and love, were in fact a couple who exploited the love of one of them to the detriment of the other.
　But that's just the story of another royal family. It's not a matter for others to interfere if the couple is happy with each other.

(...... if you're okay with it?)

"Samba.

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

You're right. Royal marriage has nothing to do with love, but everything to do with family and aptitude. Even if King Elgrand didn't love her, there was no way for her to escape it, even if he loved another woman beside her for the rest of her life. If ...... Princess Diana, after she has officially become the rightful queen.
"Your Highness ......, but that's what the Red Rose is prepared to do. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this in the future.
"That's right. I'm sure you're not the only one who knows about the Elgrand kingdom, and being placed in an environment where you are not allowed to love anyone other than the king, you can only be like that.

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

If, for example, the princess realizes that the world is larger. If the princess realizes that the kingdom of Ergeland is not the entire world, and that there are other lands that will accept and cherish her. What if a man came to know that there were other people who loved the princess with all his heart, and that he could think of them, and not just the King of Ergeland? Do you think he would cling to a token "queen" for the rest of his life, a life without the pleasures of womanhood?
"...... A wise and knowledgeable princess like yourself. I'm sure that when she sees the possibility of another life, she will at least realize the emptiness of spending the rest of her life bound to her love for King Elgrand.
"Yes. I'm sure that the intelligent princess is not unaware of the unreasonableness of the future she is being forced into. She just doesn't know any other way, and even if she did know ......, she would probably avoid thinking about it because of the low possibility of realization.
"What are you thinking about, ...... Your Highness?

　The seldom seen serious expression on Samba's face probably read 80% of Exiga's thoughts. That's why he has this look on his face.
　To his trusted aide, Exiga tells him. --"The princess knows of no other life.

"If the princess knows of no other life. If you know of another life and have given up on it, all you have to do is offer it to me. The Stanza Empire is not the same as the Kingdom of Elgrand. --There are men here who love the princess without being attached to King Elgrand.
So you think the Red Rose's heart will be moved soon?
It won't be right away. But if I can separate her from King Elgrand and show her the Stanza Empire up close, she will eventually come to terms with her intellectual curiosity. If you continue to whisper your love to her, she will realize the futility of continuing to love a man who does not return her affection.
...... You're serious, aren't you?
You are serious. The princess is still barely a concubine, and now is the best time to save her.

　I'll take the criticism that I'm losing my cool over personal matters. Even so, Exiga can't allow her, Diana, to continue to be used by the king and the country and rot away in the future.

(Isn't it too empty to live in a world where cunning cowards are successful and kind and loving people are sacrificed?

　He was a scholar, not a politician. ...... As a member of the royal family, if I have even a small amount of power in my hands that I can use, I will crush at least one unreasonable situation in front of me.
　--I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.

"Samba. Are preparations for your return underway?
"...... Yes, Your Highness. I've been in contact with Stanza headquarters as you instructed and have received permission to return.

　When we decided to turn this visit to Ergeland into a true goodwill diplomacy, we had instructed them to inform the Stanza Imperial High Command that we would be returning earlier than planned, considering the need to explain the situation directly to the Emperor. It seems that the clerical officials faithfully carried out their orders and obtained the permission of the home country. We've made up for a lot of the mistakes we made in the beginning, and now it's time to move on.

"Now that we have the Emperor's permission, we only have to negotiate with the Elgrand side.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk.
You have to expect that it will take some time, but ...... you should also use a tangled hand. It's not the same as an apology.
That's not an apology. Will it work?
...... You have no choice in the matter. I've heard the princess has many enemies. She can be used in certain ways.
I see. Yes, sir.
...... You're not going to object now?



　When I asked Samba, whose reply had smoothed out, he chuckled and said plainly, "I am well aware of the strength of your will, Your Highness.

I am well aware of the strength of your will. I know how strong your will is, and I'm sure you won't let my opposition change your mind now that you're here. ...... And if I may offer a personal opinion.
"...... Personal opinion?
I'm sure you don't have to choose such a difficult woman, but... The Red Rose herself is a very fine woman. I believe she is the most suitable woman to be His Highness' consort.
"......, I see.

　Samba is the man Exiga trusts the most. It's not a very long relationship, but it's very dense. It's a good idea to have a good friend who can help you out.

I will grant the petition to the Emperor. --"I shall grant the Emperor's petition to welcome the guests from the Kingdom of Elgrand to the Empire of Stanza.
Yes, Your Majesty. I'll arrange for a direct line to reach the court as soon as possible.
Yes, please. ...... We'll discuss the details of the negotiations with Ergeland's side with the High Council at the end of the night.
I'll have a rough draft for you by morning. I think it would be safer to keep the fact that His Highness adores the Red Rose and therefore wants to welcome her to Stanza a secret for now. I will make a plan to involve the dignitaries while keeping the details vague.
Thank you. Thanks again, Samba. --Thank you.
Thank you. - Thank you so much. ...... Your Highness gave me the light. It is only natural that I should serve you, Your Highness.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with your time.

(I will save you, I promise. I will cut the thread of the cruel world...!

　...... Just a little longer until the eastern sky turns white.