"Freed, I will have tea with Lady Helene"

"Lady Helene? Got it. Take care"

When I talked to Freed about having tea with Lady Helene, he was a little surprised, but he allowed it quite easily.

I thought I might be told that I can't, but apparently Freed thinks nothing of Lady Helene.

Lady Helene too is the same, she seems to have no particular sentiment towards Freed.

I wondered if Freed might look at her as his mother's rival in love, but I rea.s.sessed that it might be a perspective unique to women.

"I need to talk with Glenn a while longer. Afterwards, I'll return to the office"

After hearing Freed's plans I nodded.

"Got it. Then, when the tea party finishes, I'll immediately return to the room"

"Yup. I'll also try to finish as soon as possible"

See you later, saying that, he kissed me, so I returned the same.

Of course, it wasn't on the lips. It was on the cheek.

I remembered what Glenn told me earlier and properly held back.

Fufun. I'm a child who can do it if she tries.

… I won't deny I was about to unintentionally go for the lips.

Together with Lady Helene I left the chivalric order headquarters. I stole a glimpse at the profile of Lady Helene walking next to me.

Her beautiful profile is bewitchingly s.e.xy. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s are big, honestly speaking, I'm envious.

"What is it? Is there perhaps something on my face?"

Lady Helene must've felt my line of sight, and so she asked me with a bitter smile.

There's no reason to deceive her, so I unreservedly answered.

"No. I thought it'd be nice to have big b.r.e.a.s.t.s"

Hearing my straightforward answer, Lady Helene's stared at me in wonder.

"Ara, you are honest. But, is it His Highness Friedrich who is saying such things?

"No, His Highness isn't saying that. I am personally envious, that's all"

Freed is a person who says with a serious face that anything is fine when it comes to me.

My b.r.e.a.s.t.s - when I mentioned that, Freed only returned "Lidi, if you mind, I'll cooperate". By the way, by cooperation he unmistakably meant more breast ma.s.sage.

"Here"

After walking a relatively long distance, we arrived at the destination.

The place Lady Helene lives is inside the royalty quarter, but it's in a different building from the main one. It's a single-storied house that could be called a royal villa.

It's different from the place where Mother-in-law lives. While I was wondering why she lives in such a place, Lady Helene said, perhaps understanding my doubt.

"I am a mere concubine. Unlike you, I can't live in the main building because I'm not royalty in the true sense. This is a building for the successive generations of concubines"

"So… that's how it is"

I blinked my eyes, having realized the difference between princesses consort and concubines for the first time.

I see, princesses consort can live in the main building, but concubines can't.

In other words, this is something like a harem.

When I reached an understanding in my own way, Lady Helene furthermore said.

"I say that, but I am the only one here now. The previous King had a lot of concubines, so it seems this place was lively. This is a building for the King's concubines, but of course there is also one for the Crown Prince's. It looks like your prince doesn't need it though"

She winked, but as for me, I felt complicated.

"A building for the Crown Prince's concubines…"

How should I put it, I don't want to see it.

When I frowned, Lady Helene next to me giggled amusedly.

"Your face is saying it's not amusing. You're honest. But, it's alright. His Highness declared he won't take a concubine, right? It can't be demolished because it's used for the successive generations of the crown princes, but after His Highness's statement the building was closed"

"Closed… Is, that so"

It must've been obvious that I was honestly relieved. Lady Helene's joyous laughter intensified. Her gaze went to my neck.

"You're worried despite being loved so pa.s.sionately? Speaking of His Highness whom I saw a while ago, didn't his att.i.tude blatantly say he can see no one but you?"

"No… I am not particularly worried…"

I trust Freed, so I'm not worried.

I just felt a little uncomfortable hearing there's a building for the Crown Prince's concubines.

However, it's not something I can tell this person in the position of a concubine.

It would be too impolite.

What should I say?

While I was troubled, at just the right time the door opened.

A slightly older court lady came out. She might be around Clara's age.

The court lady clad in the regular uniform gently smiled.

"Welcome home. Today you returned considerably early. Ara? Lady Helene. This lady is… perhaps a guest?"

As the court lady asked happily, Lady Helene returned a positive answer.

"Yeah, that's right. Emma. It's been a while since I've welcomed a guest, right? I think you've heard about her, but she is the rumored His Highness Friedrich's beloved. His fiancée, Lady Lidiana"

"His Highness the Crown Prince's…"

The court lady called Emma fixedly looked at me.

When I looked back, her face lit up.

"My. I've been hearing rumors for a long time. It's an honor to invite a lady who won over His Highness Friedrich's heart. Please come in. I've just baked sweets, so please relax"

"Y, yeah"

It was an incredible welcome. While I was surprised, Lady Helene, who entered the building first, said while looking back.

"Emma is my exclusive court lady that I brought with me from my parents' home. It's true that it's lonely since I have few guests, so I'd be happy if you didn't mind too much"

"Ah, is that so"

So Lady Helene brought her along when she became the concubine.

Then I can understand why she's so close with Lady Helene.

Convinced, I followed after Lady Helene and Emma.

There were a few soldiers serving as security beside the door, and everybody immediately saluted upon seeing me.

It's warm inside, and it's more s.p.a.cious than I expected. It seems Lady Helene and Emma are the only people here. There are plenty of rooms, but all are vacant.

While I looked around, Lady Helene explained.

"There's an excess of rooms because I'm the only concubine. If more came, the vacant rooms would fill up, but it probably won't happen"

For a moment I thought she said that because she's the favored concubine, but I couldn't feel such intention in her voice. Rather, it sounded relieved and delighted.

She talked so easily and lightly that I unconsciously asked about what was on my mind.

"Um, don't you have other court ladies besides Emma to take care of you?"

"Yeah, I don't"

Even though she returned the expected words, I couldn't hide my surprise.

Because, what's with leaving everything to just one court lady the King's favorite mistress brought with her from her house. I can't help but see it as bullying.

Even though I haven't married yet, I already have Clara and five exclusive court ladies take care of me.

As I thought that I better consult it with Clara afterwards, Lady Helene said while looking back.

"Because, it's irritating. Everybody's pus.h.i.+ng this and that on me saying His Majesty will be pleased. Even though I don't need that. They were so noisy I dismissed them all saying Emma alone is fine"

"Dismissed… Did you say you didn't want their interference?"

"Yeah"

I was stunned.

Going by what Lady Helene said, I shouldn't be wrong about what the court ladies were doing.

So to speak, I have a feeling it was similar to Clara and the court ladies preparing the excessive see-through clothes that Freed likes for the times we are alone.

It's a very much correct att.i.tude as the court ladies attached to me… No, if possible I'd truly be grateful to obtain normal night clothes, but I understand that's just the way it is.

"Err… I don't think the court ladies were doing anything particularly wrong…"

Rather, they were working properly.

They were putting effort so her husband would be pleased, it wasn't hara.s.sment or anything.

However, Lady Helene didn't seem to accept that.

"That's true, but see… I want to wear dresses I like, and the normal night clothes are perfect. Since that's fulfilled, I like my current way of life"

"Is that so…"

Welcome my new editor, Valeria!