"I feel I've been deceived…"

While strolling through a vast garden connected to the royalty quarter, I absentmindedly muttered.

It's before noon. After Freed reluctantly left for work, I excitedly took the stamina recovery medicine and for a change of pace went for a walk.

Delris-san's medicine is properly effective. Having finally run out of the medicine I had received at that time, with plenty of sweets I went to request for a refill while enduring the shame.

Hearing my story, Delris-san's shoulder quivered, and she gave me an excellent refill that not only recovered stamina, but also cured ache and simple injuries.

"Well, you're going to go through lots of hards.h.i.+ps…"

Though she told me that while laughing, being grateful from the bottom of my heart I thanked her again and again despite my shame, and then promised to bring her my new product.

… How could I put on airs. This is a matter of life and death.

Cain isn't at my side now. We talked before I left the room, but he was about to go out having something to investigate.

"Sorry. I have a small matter to check out, so I'll leave your side. Princess, are you returning to the mansion today?"

As soon as I became alone, he familiarly dropped from the ceiling as agreed, without becoming agitated in the slightest I received him in a usual way while sitting on a chair.

I placed the cup in my hand on the desk and while looking Cain in the eyes announced today's schedule.

"Hmm, actually I'll stay here today too. Somehow, I've been skillfully coaxed… I wonder why"

I'm staying, or what should I say. I promised we'll do it tonight. Well, it might be similar.

Muu, as I showed my worry, Cain said that it's good, relieved.

"Ah, that's perfect. I'm relieved Princess is in a place where your husband can take care of you. However, absolutely don't go back home until I return, okay?"

Because I'm your guard, as he said that, that's wrong, you're a ninja, I denied in my mind.

Occasionally I explain him the profession of ninja, but try as I might it doesn't seem to click with him.

The tawny costume of Hiyuma clan Cain wears is exactly like ninja costumes I know of, the swords that are his keepsakes also bear close resemblance, there are various things. That's why for me, Cain has exactly the impression of a ninja.

"Yup, I understand, will you be gone for the night?"

"No, I'll come back today"

I don't know what time thought, as Cain said ambiguously, I nodded.

Occasionally Cain disappears unexpectedly like this. Because he doesn't go into details, I guess it's probably related to his former a.s.sa.s.sin guild. Because he's aware that I'm not good with b.l.o.o.d.y stories, he doesn't say it.

I'm grateful for that concern, and what different things he does isn't my problem. I think it's good if Cain can do what he wants.

"Once I'm back I'll contact you"

"Okaay. Be careful. See you"

"… I'm off"

Although unused to my words, Cain returned that, and saying Then vanished like smoke.

It was so brilliant, despite n.o.body being here I unconsciously clapped.

Wonderful. Bravo, ninja!

Left in the single room, I got bored and looked around. It's Freed's room that I became completely used to seeing. In this room where there are only minimum necessities, there's nothing to kill time with. I have no doubt because I thoroughly searched it while watched by Freed.

With a smile Freed said "You can search if you like", no matter where I looked he seemed calm, it completely withered my spirit as I thought of teasing him for finding something erotic. If it was Brother's room, I'd certainly find one or two things.

By the way, I know where Brother hides his indecent stuff. I stay silent about it, thinking of threatening him with it in case of emergency.

"Hmm, I'm bored…"

Should I go for a walk again.

To be honest I want to peek into the kitchen, but as expected it'd be impossible without obtaining permission. I don't want to hinder cooks.

Reluctantly I decided to stroll close by to kill time.

Last time I met Will, but as expected now that'd be difficult.

"Princess Consort, where are you going?"

When I opened the door, sure enough a royal guard addressed me.

"I'm going on a little stroll, don't worry about it"

"I will accompany you"

A soldier faithful to his duties said he'll accompany me. As expected. But if possible, I'd like him to spare me.

"No, it's fine. I'll only walk a little, I won't leave the royalty quarter"

"However…"

"It's okay. Besides, guards are stationed, right?"

At any rate, I think guards are stationed all over the place.

Naturally, it's impossible a suspicious person would enter the royalty quarter.

"… I understand. Please be careful"

Without delay I walked, leaving behind the royal guard who reluctantly nodded.

The royalty quarter is relatively s.p.a.cious, but unfortunately there's n.o.body taking a walk aside from me.

To enter this quarter you either need a special permission, or be royalty, exclusive guard or royal guard. Each royalty has a private room, it seems it's possible to enter it when accompanied by its owner.

Freed previously explained that thanks to the 'King's Flower' I'm already endowed with the same rights as royalty, it seems I can act freely in this place.

Currently living in the Royal Palace are only the Royal Couple, King's concubine, and Freed who's the Crown Prince. The previous King moved to a residence in the suburbs with his Princess Consort and six concubines, at the time Garay-sama got married he left the castle and moved to his territory.

Freed is Queen's only child, the concubine Helene-sama has no children. Aside from the King and Garay-sama, the previous King had four children with his concubines, but no one lives in the Royal Palace.

That is to say, only four people occupy this vast s.p.a.ce.

Aimlessly I walked through a corridor. The general area is quite so, but the royalty quarter is even more splendid.

Even the unprotected vase decorating a corner of the corridor probably has an unthinkable value. Because it's definitely of the national treasure grade. Furthermore, the paintings that adorn the walls are by artists from hundreds of years ago who are known by everybody. Naturally, they're genuine. Just how much did it cost, I feel dizzy just imagining it.

There's no doubt you could ama.s.s a fortune just by selling antiques from here.

You'd be arrested as a criminal before that though.

I grew tired of walking through the corridors and headed for the stairs to the ground floor. The soldiers guarding the staircase looked at me and for an instant turned severe gazes at me as if I was a suspicious person.

When I thought it'd be better to introduce myself, the soldiers took notice of the 'King's Flower' on my chest.

Perhaps as they understood who I am they returned to their original positions in a fl.u.s.ter and opened the way.

"Forgive our impoliteness, Princess Consort. Please continue"

"… Yeah"

"Where are you going? If necessary, we can accompany you"

"It's fine. Please continue carrying out your work"

After doing such an exchange several times, I finally reached the ground floor.

… Tired.

I'm fed up with immediately having that exchange every time I'm discovered by royal guards or guards.

I looked up front. Seeing a beautiful garden, I moved there as if invited. No matter where I walk soldiers are noisy. But, it might be a little better in the garden.

Thinking so, I advanced into the depths of the garden, like that I endeavored to walk.

"I've absolutely been deceived…"

I uttered words similar to those some time ago and crouched down on the spot.

The season is winter, but in this country blessed with climate winters aren't harsh. The few flowers that bloom are well worth seeing.

I put my hand on a tiny violet flower and thought about Freed.

To me completely fascinated by his military uniform, Freed said that he's looking forward to the night.

As I was bright red from his military uniform, foolishly I readily accepted, but the problem is from there.

Going by the flow of our talk, the military uniform play should've been waiting. So I can't be blamed for expecting that.

And yet, looking at the results, somehow it started with the bath play, then we immediately moved to the bedroom. Afterwards it switched to the normal play. No, it's fairly tough to call it the normal play.

Yes, it finished without even a trace of the military uniform. What the h.e.l.l was that.

I've been cruelly deceived. Isn't this in the realm of fraud at this point.

I'd been looking forward to it, yet what a disappointment.

For now, I think I'll gallantly ignore what I'm most disappointed with.

After all Freed is aware I'm weak to him wearing a military uniform.

In spite of that, what's up with not meeting my expectations.

That needs to be strictly protested.

I want to see Freed erotically open his military uniform.

That's right, I want to see what I want to see, what's wrong with living true to myself.

Eh, what? Afterwards my hips will hurt a great deal? The course is certain to last until the morning?

… Hmph, very well. I don't really mind. Not this late.

If I'm to be crushed in his embrace anyway, does wanting to have my favorite play make me a pervert?

… Yup, it does.

Sorry, my bad. Please forget this statement.

My thoughts went round and round in incomprehensible direction.

A lot has happened yesterday so perhaps I'm tired… After all, let's return to Freed's room and have tea prepared. And leisurely spend time until he comes back.

Finally thinking that, I stood up.

There's no one around. Naturally. I hated people repeatedly calling "Princess Consort" "Princess Consort" so I escaped.

"… Where is this?"

I decided to head back, but I've become completely lost.

In the first place I don't have much sense of direction. Especially I have even less when I'm absentminded. Without knowing the way back I became stuck.

After a while, somebody will come searching for me. I said I'll only move around the royalty quarter, this garden should be within its limits.

When I thought I'd like somebody to come as soon as possible.

"Is this Princess here"

"Eh?"

Hearing the lowered voice, I looked back. I wasn't really thinking.

I just looked back having my name called. That's all.

But, when I s.h.i.+fted my gaze, my eyes reflected a figure. The moment I noticed whose it is, I solidified like a stone. No wonder. Because there was.

"Been a while, Princess"

"… Your… Highness"

The one responsible for my refusal line yesterday, the Crown Prince of the Sahaja Kingdom, His Highness the Crown Prince Maximilian, was the person there.