"Uwaaaaaaaa!!"

When I looked into the full-length mirror one morning, I raised an extremely loud voice.

"What's this, what's this, what's this"

I could only repeat the same words. That's how shaken I feel.

After all, I have absolutely no idea what is happing to my body.

"No way… Why?"

―――― It should've been a usual morning.

After seeing Freed off early in the morning, I comfortably went back to sleep, which has recently become my custom.

The number of times Freed desires me have further increased ever since we confirmed our love for each other, I simply wouldn't be able to go on without going back to sleep.

Of course I could just not respond… But, I can't refuse my beloved's desire without a reason.

Ultimately, the days of going along with it until it's almost down and then dozing off despite getting sleep continue.

I can't help but find it strange that Freed is energetic while living such a life.

I do think the number of times could be reduced a little, but it's not like my physical condition is bad or that I hate it either. The situation is such that I may very well leave it alone.

And so, indulging in indolence this morning with such reasons, I woke up in a good mood.

It's almost the time for Clara to come.

Having perfectly grasped my daily behavior pattern, Clara comes in with a change of clothes at the perfect timing, as if she knows when I wake up.

"Fuaaa"

Perhaps because I overslept a little today, I was still half-asleep.

I grandly stretched out to wake up. At that time, suddenly a bizarre sight was reflected in the full-length mirror.

"Eh…?"

I thought my eyes deceived me. I blinked my eyes, then stared at it… And hurriedly ran to the full-length mirror.

"Haa?"

Seeing myself reflected in the mirror, I raised a hysteric voice.

But, it can't be helped.

The King's Flower on the left side of my chest. For whatever reason it suddenly changed to something big enough to cover the whole left side of my chest.

"Ueh? Why!? Why did this happen?"

No matter how many times I look, what I see remains unchanged. It's not my eyes deceiving me.

The sterns and leaves of the King's Flower stretch from my shoulder to the middle of my chest, the blue rose itself has also certainly grown a size.

From the start it was a seal in shape of a vivid, detailed rose, and now that it's grown, how should I put it… It's extremely flashy.

"What's this… This is not on the level where it could be my imagination…"

I tried to touch myself in a daze.

Some time ago I certainly was wondering if the King's Flower had increased in size.

But, this is not something that can be put away with such simple words.

It has evidently, you know, grown.

"Eeeh… I haven't heard anything…"

I haven't heard about the King's Flower growing from Freed.

Or rather, I can say with certainty that when I took bath yesterday there wasn't anything strange, so it happened from yesterday evening to this morning… No, last night Freed didn't say anything, so surely it happened after I went back to sleep.

"Eeh…? What the h.e.l.l is the cause?"

I have absolutely no idea.

Be that as it may, I won't say it feels unpleasant.

The King's Flower is the proof of Freed's princess consort. Now that I recognized I love him, it's very dear to me. It doesn't matter if it's large or small. But, I want to know the reason behind the sudden change.

I'd try asking Freed since he probably knows what's happened, but he's already went to work, and I have n.o.body else to consult.

Fortunately it doesn't hurt. Rather, my physical condition is excellent.

"Uu…. I have to wait for Freed to come back… huh"

Since there's no problem with my body, I'll leave it alone for now. I don't want to disturb his work.

He's the Crown Prince. His work is often connected with the national interest.

I judged that it's not a matter that requires immediate consultation enough to interrupt that.

―――― Let's ask when he comes back in the evening.

For now, having decided on that I sat on the sofa and waited for Clara.

"Haa…"

Clara, who came to my room afterwards, made a surprised face when saw was the King's Flower on my chest, however she calmly held her tongue.

She must think she's not in position to ask about the King's Flower.

I wouldn't be able to answer anything anyway, still I was grateful that she left it alone.

Even so, without trying to hide the King's Flower she put on a usual dress with a design that emphasized it, in a sense I thought it was just like Clara.

I'm walking through a corridor in the royalty quarter that I've already got used it.

When the guards saw my King's Flower, they made startled faces for an instant.

n.o.body's saying anything, but because I understand I'm being watched, endless sighs escape me.

"Uuu. It's like I'm an exhibition. I wish I had put on something"

I'm going to the kitchen as usual, but it's slowly starting to feel unbearable.

It'd be better if I was at least wearing something over it, but it's too late to regret now that I've come out.

I totally want to go back to the room.

"I give up…"

"Lidi"

While I was absentmindedly walking while feeling dejected, a voice I'm familiar with called out to me from the front.

When I raised my head in response to it, at some distance I saw Father and the King walking together here.

In a fl.u.s.ter I straightened myself. I also tightened my face to fit my status. I won't show a shameful appearance to the King.

Father came closer and slightly loosened his mouth.

"Lidi, it's unusual to meet you in such a place"

"Father, it has been a long time"

When he heard my reply, Father wryly smiled as if to say good grief.

"Certainly, it's been a long time. Even though we are in the same castle, we don't meet much. It seems His Highness treasures you?"

"Yes"

When I agreed since there was nothing to deny, the King who was next to Father addressed me with a smile.

"Princess Lidiana, it's most important that you feel well. We haven't met since the concert"

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty. Thanks to your backing I can spend time without experiencing any inconveniences"

"You are set to become my son's wife. You can think of here as your own place and live without reservations"

"Thank you very much"

With the King's Flower implicitly hinted at I quietly bowed my head.

As long as it's there, I'll definitely marry Freed. It cannot be overturned.

In other words, it's that kind of thing.

When the greetings finished and I raised my head, they erased their soft atmosphere and stared at me with awfully serious faces.

The King asked me as if to make sure.

"Princess Lidiana… That, King's Flower… Since when? When did the change occur?"

When he asked me in a low voice to avoid attention, in a fl.u.s.ter I replied in a similar voice.

"I have no conclusive evidence… But I think it was probably this morning…"

Listening to my answer, they stared at the King's Flower with serious look on their faces.

While enduring the uncomfortable looks, I realized they definitely know the reason behind the King's Flower's change.

After all, they are the King and the Prime Minister. It's impossible they don't know.

Ooh! Information source in such a place!

While I felt relieved that I can finally understand the reason, the King further inquired.

"Princess Lidiana. Have you already talked with my son about it?"

"Eh? No, I noticed it after His Highness left to perform government duties, therefore… not yet"

"I see… Then, my son doesn't know?"

"Yes"

When I affirmed, the King all of a sudden directed his eyes at Father.

"… Lucas, let's take Princess to my private room. It's a good opportunity. As his father, I will talk about it"

For a moment Father was lost in deep thought over the King's words, but soon he strongly agreed.

"… Indeed, that should be fine. Lidi, come"

"Father?"

"If I said it's a talk about the King's Flower, would you understand?"

"Ah… Yes"

Father once again s.h.i.+fted his gaze to the King's Flower and let out a deep breath.

"That flower, you really… I knew it would happen from His Highness's att.i.tude and His Majesty's words… But honestly, I was dubious until I saw it with my own eyes"

"… Father?"

"…"

Without answering me, Father began walking first.

The King stood next to me.

"Princess, sorry, but could I have a little of your time?"

"Yes. Naturally"

I'm also grateful that I can receive an explanation about this King's Flower matter.

I didn't have any particular appointments, so I nodded immediately.

Without looking back Father said.

"We will talk after we enter the room. It's not good to talk in a place like this"

"… Yes"

Per his words, Father kept his mouth closed.

I obediently followed after the two people with stiff atmosphere and for the first time set foot inside the King's private room.