"Funfufun"

Unintentionally I started humming.

Yesterday I finally noticed my feelings for Freed, and we happily confirmed our love for each other.

Various things happened at that time, and well, how should I put it, far from all night, I was embraced until the noon of the next day.

Under the guise of punishment, just as he declared I was sweetly melted to a mush.

Honestly, he didn't do anything cruel. But, he kept making me feel so good I became silly.

… In a sense, that might be tougher.

No matter how many times I cried that it's impossible, I was told "It's a punishment, so nope", and sucking up my tears he continued slowly rocking. And as he did, a strange pleasure ran through my body, and I came in the twinkling of an eye.

Or rather, it's like I was almost constantly coming while being embraced.

Even so, my body was honest. Hearing Freed say "I love you" in a sweet voice, I tightened around him. He accepted my begging, and laughing "Fine" he unleashed his pa.s.sion into my deep place.

And that repeated.

I'm not sure what happened near the end, but even if I say so myself, I did a good job not pa.s.sing out.

Anyway, I was outrageously embraced like that… But, surprisingly I felt happy about it.

The time I clung to him while he gave me sweet words and pleased me… How should I put it… I felt happy that I was desired, and could actually feel that I am loved.

Whenever he told me he loves me and I replied with similar words, he smiled with a face of utmost happiness.

Happy about it more than anything … I ultimately responded to everything.

Yup. Call me an idiot if you want.

I think that too myself.

However, despite doing it so much, my physical condition was very good. I was drowsy from the lack of sleep and physically tired, but fundamentally I was well.

… No, well, until I drank the medicine my hips were in just a little pain… But strangely the essential place didn't hurt at all despite doing it so much.

… Yup. Really, it's dreadful I'm getting used to it.

If it was me before, I think I absolutely wouldn't be able to go along with it, and surely my whole body would be so sore I couldn't move.

Anyway, since I was helpless against the lack of sleep, after Freed left for work I went to sleep for about three hours. Afterwards, when I had a meal that Clara brought, I was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with vigor. I can go anywhere! My state recovered by that much.

"Princess Consort. You are in a considerably good mood. Did something good happen?"

While I was having the court ladies change my clothes, Clara asked so with a smile.

"Well" I vaguely laughed it away. I don't think she would believe me if I said that we communicated our feelings only this late.

At any rate, it seems the common understanding among Clara and the other court ladies is that we've loved each other from the start…

No matter how much I didn't notice, it's embarra.s.sing there were all sorts of leaks to the surroundings. But, the situation is what it is. I decided to take a nonchalant att.i.tude.

Because, we're actually lovers now――――.

―――― Lovers.

Using that phrase, I felt completely embarra.s.sed.

Since yesterday, perhaps deliberately Freed's been excessively using the word 'lovers'.

Each time I become a little embarra.s.sed. I would want him to stop, but I certainly feel just a little happy about it, so in the end I couldn't ask him to.

"…"

"Aah, something happened with His Highness, right? We are relieved your relations.h.i.+p is as good as ever"

While I was reminiscing, Clara made a guess and nodded with a self-satisfied face.

Something did happen, but how should I put it, it's too embarra.s.sing.

"It's, it's not like that"

I instinctively denied, but without minding at all Clara laughed.

The court lady who was combing my hair also slipped out a giggle, and happily said.

"Again with such a thing. His Highness too left in a very good mood…. And, it's finished. Lady Clara"

"Yeah. Princess Consort, please put on this coat today"

When I received a thin coat from Clara, I tilted my head. I'm wearing a dress with the same design as always that shows the King's Flower. I don't get why I should expressly put on a coat.

"Clara?"

When I asked her finding it strange, Clara averted her eyes from me. Her face was a little red.

"Umm… Today they… stand out just a little more than usual…"

"Nn? …!!"

As I understood what Clara wanted to say, this time I turned bright red.

In other words, it's about, um… the kiss marks Freed persistently left last night.

I thought he was careful to leave them at the back, but I wonder if they are so noticeable.

Those on my chest are more or less hidden by my dress, but I don't know about my back. But, judging from Clara's behavior, they're probably quite noticeable. When I looked around, all the court ladies were also hanging their heads in embarra.s.sment.

Remembering him fervently sucking on my skin last night, I shut up and put on the coat.

"At any rate…"

Clara and the court ladies withdrew and I was alone in the room. I was looking at the King's Flower engraved on my chest in the full-length mirror.

"As expected, it's not just my imagination…"

I softly touched the King's Flower. As always, it looked like an ordinary tattoo that hadn't hurt at all.

What's bothering me is the size of that King's Flower.

The King's Flower given by Freed is a magical seal. Although it was flashy from the start, it wasn't so big. It was also quite easy to hide, so I wasn't worried at first.

No matter how I look at, it feels like just recently it grew one size, to best describe it.

It's absolutely not my imagination… I think.

I stared fixedly at the King's Flower reflected in the mirror.

"Hmm… After all it grew? It did, right? I wonder? But I don't feel it changed that much… I wonder if it's my imagination"

Because I'm usually not conscious of it, I don't remember the precise size.

If I was told it'd been like that from the start, saying Is that so? I wouldn't be curious anymore.

"… Well, it doesn't look like an illness, so whatever"

My health hasn't really deteriorated. Rather, recently I'm in a strangely great shape.

… Mostly when it comes to nights with Freed.

Without worrying too much, I fixed my garments and left the room.

Since I'd obtained the permission in advance, the royal guards protecting the room didn't say anything.

The two knights who had been waiting besides the royal guards got on their knees upon recognizing me.

"By His Highness's orders we have been waiting. We will provide escort until the guest room"

"Yeah, please do"

"Yes"

Having received my words, the knights stood up. Following their lead, I slowly walked.

Right now, same as yesterday I'm heading to Sion's room. I'm much obliged to him, so I want to visit him to once again thank him, and um… report.

I'd informed Freed about it in advance.

Freed readily nodded as I said I want to go give my thanks. I was happy about that too, but above all I was happy that he had believed me about my previous life.

Without making light of it all he seriously listened to my story, and moreover told me he loves me regardless of the memories of my previous life.

He accepted everything.

Knowing that, he accepted me.

Honestly, since I'd been frightened about how he'd react, I felt immensely relieved.

The strength in his arms embracing me didn't waver. Feeling that… I felt like I was about to cry. I fell in love with him even more.

"Then, we will be standing by here"

I came back to myself at the knights' words.

"Eh, yeah, I will be back immediately once I'm done with my talk"

I nodded to them standing beside the door, and knocked.

Hearing "Feel free" I opened the door.

Of course inside was Sion and…

"Ara? Where's Rena?"

Sion got up from the sofa and walked here to greet me. I couldn't see the beastman girl that should be near him.

When I asked about my doubt, with an Aah Sion nodded understandingly.

"She went to study"

"Study?"

When I asked another question not understanding what he meant, saying Feel free Sion showed me to sit on the sofa and began talking.

"She was my maid while we were in Tarim. That's why she said she wants to take care of me, but… after all the common sense, and everything is different in Wilhelm and Tarim. She seems fully aware of that, and now she's seeking teachings from court ladies"

"Hee…"

She received His Highness Friedrich's permission, as Sion said so with a nod, I sat at the shown spot. Almost at the same time I heard knocking, and a court lady who's not Rena brought in tea.

Having finished serving it the court lady bowed, once she left the room I picked up the tea that exuded a ginger aroma.

The season is winter. Ginger tea that warms up the body is one of my favorite teas.

Confirming I relaxed, Sion continued with the talk.

"For all that Rena… She seemed concerned she would get in court ladies' way. However, she said she wants to study to be more helpful to me"

The situation is self-evident. Finding it pleasant, I broke into a smile.

"I see. It's lovely how she puts utmost effort to it"

Sion agreed with my view.

"Yeah. Very. As far as I'm concerned, I think there's no need for that. However, Rena was a slave who had been struggling for a long time. I said many times she can be freer from now on, but she wouldn't listen"

"… Surely she wants to pay back Sion for helping her, even if only a little. She'd be pitiful to have it denied"

When I said so, Sion understandingly nodded.

"You're right. Even if I say not to mind, she must mind it a great deal. Until she listens, I will let her do as she wants. Honestly, I want to return her to her country"

"I wonder if she is from the island?"

Having recalled the island where beastmen live I tried asking, and Sion affirmed.

"Yeah. She said so. When she was very young, she was kidnapped and brought here. It's not like she isn't homesick so I think she should go back, however, she insists she couldn't do that"

"When she was young… I thought Rena is still small"

She's a small child. She doesn't look 10 yet.

When I pointed that out, Sion shook his head that I'm wrong.

"It's what she declared, but despite appearances she seems 15. Cat beastmen are pet.i.te by nature. I heard she was kidnapped when she was five"

"… In either case, what a cruel world"

"Yeah, truly"

With that Sion ended the subject. Sitting in front of me, he met my eyes.

"You haven't come here today to talk about this, right. I apologize for drawing it out. Let's get back to the talk. Princess Consort. What is your business today?"

Suddenly having that brought up, I became lost for words for just an instant.

Still, I corrected my posture and spoke to fulfil my original purpose.

"I came today to give my thanks… Truly, thank you for yesterday. Thanks to you, I was able to convey my feelings for His Highness"

At my words Sion's eyes widened just a little, and then he let out a tiny laugh.

"… Is that so. It's wonderful if I could help you"

"Yeah, it's thanks to you. Truly, thank you"

"I didn't do anything so important to receive thanks"

"Not at all. Without your words, I probably would not be able to move forward"

When I told him that, while still calmly smiling Sion said.

"Is that so. You are a sincere person. You do not have to worry though. Is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah… And, this is for Rena. It's chocolate made by the castle's Head Chef. As expected, I couldn't make it yesterday or today"

Since it felt empty to come without a gift, I sent a message to the kitchen beforehand, and received Head Chef's deluxe chocolate. I really wanted to make it, but regrettably I didn't have time.

Next time for sure I'll have them eat my homemade chocolate.

When I handed him the package I'd brought, Sion nodded.

"You didn't have to worry so much. Still, thank you very much for your consideration. I will take care of it. I will give it to Rena afterwards"

"Please do. Then, with this I"

Because I was finished with my business, I stood up.

Sion also stood up like he understood that.

There's nothing more to talk about. Such atmosphere drifted between us.

I headed for the door in silence.

I felt like it's better to not say anything unnecessary.

When I opened the door, with "That's right" Sion called out to me like he remembered something.

"Lidi"

"What?"

Although I was deep down surprised to be called by my name and not "Princess Consort", I looked back, and when I did, Sion asked quietly.

"… Lidi. One last thing… Are you happy right now?"

"Yeah, very"

As I replied without any hesitation, Sion narrowed his eyes and made a dazzled face.

I wonder if it's my imagination that there was a hint of loneliness in it.

For a while Sion said nothing, and eventually he nodded once like he understood something.

"… Is that so. That's the most important. Then, please give His Highness Friedrich my best regards"

"Yeah"

As if that was all that he wanted to ask, Sion said no more, and acknowledging that I went outside.

The moment the door closed behind me, I felt like I could hear a tiny voice.

"So you… could smile like that"

"Eh…? What?"

I couldn't hear it well. And so, I once again looked back - only for the door to close with a bang.

If you're wondering why Lidi is wearing a stole rather than a coat in the ill.u.s.tration, it was changed in the light novel.