Freed glared at his real mother. As for the Queen, her expression seemed to say Try talking back if you can.

I experienced the feeling of being left behind for the second day in a row as this parent and child situation suddenly unfolded before my eyes.

… Well, as always, I'm the main topic.

Neither of them budged an inch.

I had enough feeling out of place, so I stood up and, estimating the right timing, forced myself into their conversation.

"… Excuse me. May I for a moment"

"Lidi!"

As soon as I did, Freed happily reached out his hand for me.

I endured the feeling of wanting to take that hand.

"Lidi, that's why I told you that you don't have to go to Esteemed Mother's place… I'm here to pick you up, so let's go back soon?"

Freed invited me in a coaxing voice. Although I felt sorry for him, I refused.

"Err, listen, Freed. I intend to stay at Queen's place today"

"Eh…?"

He must've absolutely not expected a refusal.

Freed's movements perfectly stopped.

"Lidi…?"

"As Queen said, I will return tomorrow. Could you endure just one night?"

"… No way"

Fufufun, the Queen showed a triumphant smile as Freed stood stock still in shock.

"Princess. I told you to call me mother"

"Ah, yes. Mother-in-law"

"Lidi, why!"

Freed shook his head in disbelief. He grasped my hand that I unconsciously reached out.

"I don't want to be separated from Lidi. I'll be coming back with you"

"Freed"

"Even if it's just one night, I won't endure without Lidi"

"ah…"

I was lost for words as he complained with a serious face. I'm happy to be desired like that.

I could tell my heart was wavering. But, somehow I wanted to hear the Queen talk more. That's why, I said.

"Sorry. Endure just a little. Err…"

Worried about the Queen, I whispered into Freed's ear so that she wouldn't hear.

"It's just if you feel like it… And of course, if you can fit it into your work schedule… When you come back tomorrow… Let's do it… until morning?"

"Eh"

"N, no, forget it"

What are you saying me, thinking so I hurriedly denied, but having properly caught my words, Freed didn't allow it.

"… I will adjust my schedule. If Lidi's not coming back there's no point in returning to my room anyway, so I will work hard. But, Lidi"

"Nn?"

When I looked up, Freed had a troubled face.

"I don't really only want to embrace Lidi? I want to talk, and I want to hug. I don't mind if you're just at my side. Don't misunderstand that, okay?"

"… Yup"

Truly? I wanted to ask that with a serious face, but I let the matter drop in front of the Queen.

Freed regrettably separated from me and let out a large breath.

"If Lidi says she is staying, I will not say anything else… Esteemed Mother, please take care of Lidi"

"Naturally. Protecting Princess is my responsibility. Even if you are lonely, do your best sleeping alone"

"… Esteemed Mother"

Seeing Freed's resentment, the Queen laughed scornfully.

"You came here abandoning your government duties, right. You even inconvenience your close aide… Truly shameful. Just what about it is related to the word flawless… I want somebody to explain it to this mother"

"… I am going back"

"Do that. Otherwise, Princess would be shocked"

The Queen gestured to shoo him away. After another deep breath, Freed turned to me.

"I will come pick you up tomorrow"

"No, it's alright… I'll come back properly, so wait. And… about the subject before, let's talk about it tomorrow too. Okay?"

"Got it"

Regretful over parting, Freed stroked my head and like that left the room.

I wonder if the lack of the usual kiss is, as I imagine, his Mother bothering him.

"Honestly, that child… Before I knew not only his appearance, his inside also grew up to be like the King"

"Mother-in-law?"

As I reacted to the words spat out with a sigh, the Queen smiled sweetly.

"It's alright. I am on your side. I will not let you suffer on my watch. If it becomes unbearably harsh, you can take a measure of welcoming a concubine same as me"

"Eh…"

"Since then, the King's visits have abruptly stopped. Yeah… I felt relieved"

Therefore you too, as the Queen said that, I hurriedly shook my head.

I don't want to be misunderstood at least about this.

"Umm, Mother-in-law. I do not wish for him to marry a concubine"

"Truly? But, it is much harder to accept Wilhelm men than you imagine. It may fine now, but before long you too…"

"No, truly. Um… I would hate it if he had anybody but me"

I would rather accept everything he wishes for. Of course, since the truth is that I'm his mate it wouldn't happen, but I still think so.

The Queen blinked her eyes as I clearly told her that, and before long she nodded.

"… I understand. Come to think about it, at first I also entertained thoughts like that. However, eventually you will understand what I said. At that time, I will spare no cooperation"

… Good grief.

Really, just how deeply rooted is the Queen's resentment.

While I was thinking so, the Queen said silently.

"I do not know how it is for you… But for me, the act itself is already unbearably frightening. So much I could not continue accepting the King. It took time, but I am truly glad the King could marry a concubine"

"Mother-in-law…"

The Queen looked into my eyes and nodded.

"It seems the King visits the concubine's, Mistress Helene's, place every night. However, there are no news of pregnancy yet… Nevertheless, when I catch sight of Mistress Helene sometimes, I see no signs of exhaustion, so surely the King does not force her. Then it is fine. I am satisfied with that. I want to protect my current peaceful life. That is my wish. To receive the King… Truly, I am grateful to Mistress Helene"

"…"

The King's desire that the Queen couldn't accept alone.

She seemed relieved to have transferred it onto another woman. At least, that's how it looks to me.

The Queen trembled when she said didn't want to continue being embraced by the King,

I can guess she had it awfully hard. I'm fortunate that my King's Flower began changing relatively quickly, and that I was fine thanks to the stamina recovery medicine…

… Had Mother-in-law's King's Flower changed.

In that case, surely the ending would be different.

Still, seeing that the Queen isn't the King's mate, that can't be wished for.

The King also said it. That change occurs only in the King's Flower of mates.

That's why in a sense it may be unavoidable for a princess consort who can't accept her husband to request for another woman. And for the husband to accept it.

That's why Wilhelm royalty successfully practices polygyny. Understanding part of the reason polygyny is accepted, I let out a sigh.

Yup. I'm glad to be Freed's mate…

I honestly thought so.

Because, I want to be the only one Freed wants. No matter how abnormal the number of times is, it's much better than him s.h.i.+fting attention to other women.

I absolutely don't want to tell Freed to marry another woman. I'd rather give Freed everything he wants. Just like I am Freed's only, he is mine only.

I don't want to hand him over to anyone, and I don't want to share him.

Polygamy is impossible. That's why, it's truly good I'm his mate.

Come to think of it… I thought incidentally.

It's just a feeling from listening to her story, but there were many places where the Queen's and my experiences overlapped.

Especially until the King welcomed the concubine.

The story wouldn't feel out of place if it was about me and Freed instead.

That is to say, it sounded like the King had been considerably obsessed with the Queen.

Right, as if – the Queen was the King's mate.

"Strange…"

"Princess?"

I came to my senses at the Queen's voice.

"Ah, I am sorry. Mother-in-law. And, um… If you please, could you perhaps call me Lidi. I would be happy if you did"

I hurriedly apologized to the Queen who called out to me. And while at it, I tried asking her to call me by my name.

She got me to call her mother-in-law, so I also want to be called by name.

Having heard my suggestion, the Queen happily spoke.

"Naturally. Lidi, my new daughter… I will surely protect you as your mother-in-lawmother. I will not let that matchless savage do as he likes with you"

"Ha… haa"

After all the talk returned to that.

I thought about what to do, but I gave up and decided to reluctantly hold my tongue.