"…"

I had no words to returns.

I bet… I was also surprised. By Freed's matchlessness.

Thinking that the Queen is the same, I quickly felt affinity for her… But what is this unpleasant feeling.

The Queen is trembling. She hugged herself with both hands and, like she was recalling something terrifying, said.

"I was the same at the beginning of the marriage; I shared the room with the King. At first, I did not think anything about it. I was convinced this is normal for Wilhelm. However, day by day… the King would come even during afternoon breaks to embrace me, gradually I began fearing it. My body only hurt, I was not given a day of rest. When I was exhausted, the King still came to the bedroom and it repeated. Eventually I became frightened by the sound of the door opening"

… Uwaa.

Unable to respond, I dryly laughed inside my heart.

No, I think I'm also similar, But, even if subjectively it's not a big deal for me, for others it might be horrible… My cheek twitched.

And thinking about it, in the worst case I could've been the repeat of the Queen.

I had a strong ally in Ms. Delris. From her I received a cheating stamina restorative medicine.

That's why I didn't mind much, but what if I didn't have it at the beginning.

First of all, I wouldn't be able to return to the mansion after the engagement ceremony, and I wouldn't have won the bet on the day following the victory celebration party.

Now, no matter how much I accept Freed it doesn't excessively burden my body thanks to the King's Flower's power, but before I recognized I love him I'd certainly say the same things as the Queen now.

"Nevertheless, I desperately endured. I understood it was a duty imposed on me. Until I had a child, I told myself I had to carry out my job as a princess consort… It took five years"

"… Yes, I am aware"

Even doing it every day, on average it takes five years until conception. I recalled what Freed had said before.

The Queen's story follows those words exactly.

"Even when I was pregnant, the King tried to embrace me… But using the child as the excuse, I firmly refused. After my son was born, somehow… I only had two years of peace. Afterwards even if I refused, the King wanted to have a second child. Impossible. Spare me from living like that anymore. I fulfilled the minimum of my duty. Take a concubine to bear your second child. I advised that to the King. After several years of struggle, as you know the King married a concubine, and I moved here. I finally attained peace. I cannot forget my joy at that time"

The Queen spoke without a pause and took a deep breath.

Brave, she was brave.

And what's scary is I can imagine myself and Freed like that.

I can easily imagine Freed wanting me even if it was unpleasant until we make a child.

And just like the King, he's sure to want many children. However… different from the Queen, I think I will positively respond to that.

Uwaaaaaa… What a decadent life…

Like that, outside of official business, all the time will be spend erotically with just the two of us.

Though, it's not much different from now.

While staring at me who solidified, the Queen nodded.

"This is why I called us sacrifices. We exist for the sake of accepting the desire of Wilhelm men. That is us, princesses consort. It fits perfectly, right?"

"…"

"I have never talked about it until now. Princess is the first. n.o.body else would be able to understand… But I believe Princess is able to understand my feelings"

"… Yes"

Well, since we're in the same position!

Head court ladies would unmistakably end the subject with "You are loved".

After all, they don't understand her bedroom matters. But, I do.

"About my son… I feel truly apologetic to you. That is true. However, it is also true that I am happy to meet somebody who understands me in the true sense for the first time. Princess, I will spare no cooperation. If you find my son painful, I will shelter you with all my might"

"B, but… a child…"

Wouldn't it be bad to not have one.

Ultimately, it's royalty.

However, the Queen said decisively.

"You can have one without doing it many times day after day. Just for example… Even if I shelter you once a week, the probability of conception will not change significantly. What is wrong with establis.h.i.+ng a period of time when your body can rest a little. It is not necessary to only adapt to man's circ.u.mstances. Rather than only forcing their desire, they should sympathize with us women a little more"

"That's… well"

It was too true to deny.

The Queen sweetly smiled.

"For now, stay in my room today. My son did not separate from you until morning anyway, right? Sleep at ease and recover your stamina"

"Eh…"

"I have already contacted my son via telepathic communication. He seemed to be a little noisy… But I do not care. I do not remember having a son who cannot take care of his princess consort"

The topic was too sudden, I was flabbergasted.

Eh? I'm staying overnight in the Queen's room today? Out of nowhere?

"Regrettably for you, the marriage is inevitable because you already have the King's Flower. And looking at Friedrich, I cannot imagine he would let you go… As your new mother, that is all I can do for you. But from now on too, I will do as much as possible for you"

"Queen"

"You can call me mother… To tell the truth, I wanted a daughter. As fellow princesses consort, could we get along?"

"Y, yes. Naturally. Please treat me well"

I'm truly happy to get along. That's why, I hurriedly bowed my head.

When I raised my face, the Queen was fixedly staring at my chest.

"There is one thing I want to ask you… Your King's Flower. Its shape is very different from the time I confirmed it before…"

"Ah… That's…"

The Queen confirmed my King's Flower. It's natural she remembers its initial condition.

She must find it strange the King's Flower became so large. She's tilting her head.

But――――.

I glanced at the Queen's chest.

The same smallish white lily as before. It definitely hasn't changed.

In other words, she doesn't know the meaning of the King's Flower's change.

And since there is a concubine, she cannot be a mate.

"… Umm, it seems this is what His Highness's King's Flower naturally looks like"

As a result, I returned a questionable answer.

The Queen tilted her head.

"Truly, Wilhelm is a country where mysterious things occur nonchalantly"

However, saying that she nodded for the time being.

After the tea I tried on the dress and decided to incorporate not only Mother's, but also Queen's suggestions.

While trying on the dress, the kiss marks Freed made with all his might caught Queen's attention, honestly I panicked.

As expected, corners of Queen's eyes raised… But I managed to somehow gloss over it.

If it continued, the Queen's image of Freed would only get worse and worse.

I feel like he'd reap what he sowed, but after all I'd like to avoid it.

By the way, I tried to convey the nuance that I don't hate it, but for some reason, Queen's eyes moistened and saying "In front of me you do not have to force yourself" she grasped my hands.

Just what does she think of Freed… No, of Wilhelm men.

She seems to be serious about me staying overnight. Since she reported it to Freed there's no reason for me to refuse, and now that we tried talking, I understand the Queen is a very nice friendly person.

Thinking about the future it's better if we have a close relations.h.i.+p, and ultimately it's fun.

That's why I changed clothes while thinking Well, whatever, and afterwards I was relaxing on the sofa, but…

"Esteemed Mother!"

Suddenly the door opened loudly.

While roughly breathing, Freed glared at the Queen. As he looked at me in wonder, his eyes narrowed for an instant.

Then a chilly, firm voice resounded.

"How can a person who will be the next King not even knock"

It was the Queen. Her eyes were sharp.

She didn't feel like the person I had been laughing with in a gentle atmosphere just before.

"I only came to pick up my fiancée. I will be leaving immediately"

Freed too responded in a chilly voice.

It didn't feel like an exchange between real parent and child.

While standoffishly facing away, the Queen said.

"I should have contacted you that today I will shelter Princess here. Persistent men are hated"

"I do not recall accepting it"

"From the beginning I had no intention of obtaining your consent. I simply reported my decision"

"Esteemed Mother! Lidi is my fiancée. She will return with me"

"How deplorable. To be unable to endure even one night. I am ashamed my son is like this"

I saw Freed's mouth twitch from the Queen's provocative words.

Waa… The Queen is strong…

Clara, the Queen, there are too many strong women in the Wilhelm Royal Palace.

Or I wonder if you can't survive without such strength.

The Queen smiled beautifully.

Her smile sent a s.h.i.+ver down my spine. Noticing it's the exact same smile Freed often shows, I became convinced that they really are a parent and child.

"Anyway, I have already received the King's approval regarding this matter. If you want to overturn it, first of all report to the King. Well, it is not like she is returning to the mansion, she will only stay with me who will be her future mother, even so, do you not mind being laughed at as a narrowminded man for not being able to endure even that"

"Laugh at me if you want. I just need Lidi"

"Excessive obsession is nothing but poison. You should grow up a little. For women like Princess it is more burdensome than you imagine. There is no use for a man who will not even think of the pain of the receiving party. I will return her tomorrow, so for today withdraw"

"Esteemed Mother…"