Chapter 68

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Volunteer
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Lucy, tracing her thoughts, slowly smoothed her furrowed brow.

No, that couldn't be it. It was less about the Imperial Family's honor and more about what the Crown Prince himself couldn't bear.

“They say that Lycan vanished after the Empress died of illness. I don't know if he simply disappeared or was killed... In any case, I believe something related to the Empress is the reason the Crown Prince hates other races.”

For Alex, whose pride was second to none, if the truth that he was an illegitimate child were to be revealed to the world.

And what's more, that he had the blood of a Lycan, a race considered lower than slaves.

It was a scandal even an ordinary person would find hard to endure. One didn't have to think hard to imagine the immense impact it would have on Alex.

“Ha, I had no idea there was such a story behind it... My goodness. How did Your Majesty come to know of this?”

“That's a secret. In any case, let's end the talk about the Crown Prince here. Any further interpretation I'll leave to your imaginations. By the way, Grand General, what was it you wanted to tell me?”

Skillfully changing the subject, Lucy turned her gaze to Walter. Walter shook off his somber expression and returned to his usual impassive face.

“Ah, yes. The one who volunteered for the lady-in-waiting position is waiting for you in the drawing room, Your Majesty. If you are ready.”

“Let us go.”

Lucy rose first and took the lead. With a gesture that beckoned him to follow, Walter bowed to Kill before following Lucy out of the office.

In the royal palace garden, bathed in sunlight, blue hydrangeas were in full bloom, adorning the late summer scenery. Lucy walked slowly along the corridor, tapping the hydrangea buds with her fingertips.

“They say the atmosphere at the border is tense... It seems like it will only get worse if left alone. What should we do?”

Remembering Walter's request after her coronation to speak to him informally, regardless of the occasion, Lucy hesitantly spoke in a casual tone.

Walter, who had been watching her white fingertips dance rhythmically from one flower bud to another, lifted his head a beat later and answered.

“First, it would be best to assess the local situation. It is time for me to head down to the Southern Command anyway, so I was thinking of inspecting the border region at the same time. If the situation appears serious, we may have to consider mobilizing our forces.”

“Huh? You're going down south? Why?”

Walter seemed momentarily taken aback by Lucy's obvious question. He quickly composed himself and continued his explanation in a low voice.

“Touring each command headquarters quarterly is one of the Grand Marshal's annual duties. I must confirm whether the commands are operating as ordered and if their systems have become disorganized. Also, a visit from a superior is a great boost to morale.”

“Ah... I see. Now that I think about it, you were gone for about a fortnight about three months ago to visit the Western Command, weren't you?”

“That is correct.”

“So if you leave for the south this time, I won't see you for a fortnight?”

Walter, having quickly calculated the schedule, shook his head in denial.

“Including the border inspection, it will likely take about a month. I will return as soon as possible, so please do not worry and wait for my return.”

“A month?”

Lucy's eyes widened at the thunderous news.

A month.

How could he be away from Central Command—away from my side—for an entire month?

She lifted the hand that had been fiddling with the hydrangeas and pressed it firmly between her brows. Lucy held her breath to stop a sigh from escaping.

I can't let him see me so shaken...

She hadn't realized it when he was by her side, but she had come to understand something during the fortnight Walter was away.

That there was no one to counter Duke Kill's snide remarks.

That there was no one to 'gently' provide necessary information when she needed it.

That there was no one to listen to the day's accumulated, trivial chatter in the afternoon after her official duties were done.

The first two things could be handled by others, but the last one could not be replaced by anyone but Walter.

Before her coronation, she had lived at the command headquarters, sharing casual conversations with the soldiers. But after moving to the royal palace, she was surrounded by servants and nobles, forced to act dignified all day long, which was sheer torture.

The soup for lunch today was really delicious.

It was hilarious how Count Bubehol had a booger hanging from his nostril during the meeting today.

Chancellor Kill only ever talks about his second son. I'm curious what his first son is like, but does anyone know?

Most people would chat about such trivial topics with family or friends, but as it happened, Lucy had neither family nor friends.

So, Lucy would save up these miscellaneous thoughts and, whenever Walter stopped by the palace to report after finishing his work at the command headquarters, she would catch him and chatter on and on.

「You had tomato soup, you say. Seeing how you despise vegetables, I thought Your Majesty was a picky eater... That is very well done.」

「In Count Bubehol's nose... ahem... Still, it is a relief that you did not laugh in front of him. Count Bubehol is a man who is easily embarrassed, so you must be careful with your words.」

「The Duke Kill's eldest son resembles the Chancellor in both personality and appearance. Unlike the affectionate second son, he is widely regarded as a cold-hearted figure. From my personal observation...」

Even when she rambled on about trivial matters, Walter would respond calmly in a monotone voice, showing no sign of annoyance. While others might have dismissed him as a boring person, to Lucy, his attentiveness was so deeply moving that she couldn't imagine a better listener.

But his absence brought an end to her chatter.

Acting solemn all day wasn't difficult, but having no one to share useless stories with was incredibly lonely.

And so, ten days into Walter's absence,

「I discovered something hilarious today. That old man, Goedel Kill. Did you know he raises his pinky finger every time he lifts his teacup? His expression is as solemn as can be, but it's so funny I had a hard time holding back my laughter.」

Lucy had reached the point of grabbing a bird in its cage and muttering to herself.

It was only after hearing that Whees, who had been watching her with concern, had consulted the royal physician about whether the queen might be going mad that Lucy realized something was wrong with her. And then she also realized that she would be in trouble without Walter by her side.

If she was like that for just a fortnight, what would happen if they were apart for a month...?

Chewing on her lip, lost in thought, Lucy finally blurted out with a sense of 'to hell with it'.

“If you're going to inspect the border, then I should accompany you.”

“Pardon?”

“Well, I need to see the situation with my own eyes to understand its gravity... I have things to think about, and I need to make some plans for the future.”

“But it would be problematic for Your Majesty to leave the palace. The Chancellor has not been in his position for long, and you have the general council with the lords coming up soon...”

Oblivious to her inner turmoil, Walter blinked rapidly and waved his hand in the air. Feeling frustrated by his cluelessness, Lucy gathered his fingers together and held them tight.

“Chancellor Kill handles most of the trivial matters anyway, so it's fine for me to be away for a month. I keep hearing that the situation in the border region is not good, and I want to see it for myself this time.”

Walter looked down at his captured hand and fell silent.

After an ambiguous silence that was both long and short, he slowly nodded and carefully withdrew his hand.

“If you insist... very well. If Your Majesty is to accompany me, we will need to be meticulous about your escort. The journey will not be easy, so I would appreciate it if you would keep that in mind.”

“So I can really come along?”

Walter answered in the affirmative and then gave some instructions to Whees, who was following behind.

It seemed they were discussing the schedule and escort arrangements. Glancing at them, Lucy went ahead, quickening her pace toward the drawing room.

...Anyway, I never thought someone would actually volunteer to be my lady-in-waiting.

A few people had been recommended as ladies-in-waiting before, but they all hovered around Lucy with an awkward air before quitting in less than a week.

I know I don't really have any friends... Was it a problem with my personality?

I don't think so. It's just... when we were together, our conversations never clicked.

Our interests were different, our upbringings were different. We tried to get along, but the conversations never lasted long.

Then again, if I put myself in their shoes, the women who came to be my ladies-in-waiting must have been frustrated too.

An ambiguous commoner, neither royal nor noble, who suddenly became queen one day. Even if Lucy herself were a noble lady, she would find such a person burdensome and wouldn't want to be her lady-in-waiting.

“I wonder how long this one will last...”

She scratched the back of her head and hurried her steps. The conversation had dragged on, and she felt bad for making the person wait longer than expected.

The moment she arrived at the drawing room, an unexpected figure greeted Lucy with a bright smile.

“Have you been well, Your Majesty!”

A familiar woman, her arms raised high in the air, came trotting toward Lucy.

A small, round face with overly large glasses, and hair resolutely swept up into a bun without a single stray strand.

Above all, those large front teeth that shone with a particular sparkle and presence whenever she smiled.

A cute woman with a sharp, capable impression, completely different from her plump and fussy mother. She scurried over and stood before Lucy.

Lucy, looking her up and down, spoke in a hesitant voice.