Translator's note: It may be a late change, but I've decided to change the 'King's Flower' to the 'Royal Flower'.

I almost fainted upon learning that my flirting with Freed earlier had been seen.

At the same time, I lost confidence in my earlier remark that we hadn't kissed.

… I don't remember… B, but perhaps we might have kissed somewhere.

Fundamentally, I accept Freed's wishes.

I might have kissed him if it was just a peck.

"Uu…"

My confidence continued plummeting. Seeing my gaze wander about, Lady Helene loudly laughed.

"Ufufu. I lied. It was a complete lie that I'd seen it. When I came, His Highness's training had already ended. I only guessed from the feeling of the rumors I'd heard… But perhaps it was a bullseye even so? If that's the case, I'm amazing."

"… Lady Helene…"

I know my complaint is barking up the wrong tree, but I still wanted to utter it.

What's with her guess about my flirting with Freed being a hit.

After all I must restrain myself a little.

Contrary to the crestfallen me who dropped her shoulders, Lady Helene seemed to have a lot of fun.

"Ara ara, what happened to the energy you had until a while ago? Isn't it fine. It's not His Highness's one-sided unrequited love, right? You too love His Highness. Isn't that right?"

"Yes…"

There was no need to deny that, so I immediately nodded.

Lady Helene picked up her cup and moistened her throat, then she laughed slightly.

"You have it good that it's a mutual love. It's enough to make me envious. Clinging to and flirting with my beloved is something I absolutely cannot do."

"…"

Of course, the beloved Lady Helene is talking about is the King.

The King and flirting.

She's his concubine so there's no problem, but try as I might, I can't imagine it.

Besides, when I think about Mother-in-law, I don't want to see it.

Hmm, while I was thinking, Lady Helene said.

"Don't worry about me. It's a rare chance, so please tell me about yourself. And? Is His Highness also amazing in bed, I wonder? How many times a week does he call for you?"

"Eh…?"

Lady Helene's question made me feel uncomfortable.

What is this.

Lady Helene misunderstood my bewilderment for not wanting to say it and piled up words.

"Isn't it fine. We're both women. I'm curious. After all, the story goes that that upright, strait-laced His Highness is head over heels in love with his fiancée. There's also the Royal Flower, so you're already doing it, right? That kiss mark is amazing too."

"Err… Umm, yes."

As expected, I couldn't say that it's wrong when asked by the King's concubine.

When I returned an affirmation, Lady Helene got even more excited.

"Ara! After all you are! And, how does it feel?"

"Even if you ask me about how it feels… I live in the same room as His Highness, so he doesn't particularly call for me…"

"Aah, that's right. Then, I wonder if he wants to do it every night? After all fresh lovers are different. Aren't you lovey-dovey!"

Nn?

I feel more and more uncomfortable.

Not understanding what's making me uncomfortable, I tried asking her.

"Err… Rather than me… How about you, Lady Helene? Um… Isn't it difficult?"

Since Mother-in-law doesn't entertain him, Lady Helene should be the King's only partner. I was worried about Lady Helene's condition since she doesn't have the Royal Flower, but she smoothly said.

"I'm alright. His Majesty is gentle. He never does anything unreasonable."

"Is, is that so."

Told so I couldn't ask for more.

However, something's bothering me.

Hmm, while I was thinking, incidentally my gaze s.h.i.+fted to the bed in the inner part of the room.

Here the King and Lady Helene…

Lady Helene didn't miss my momentary frown.

"Fufu, curious?"

"N, no. No way…"

When I shook my head, Lady Helene laughed that it's fine.

"It's strange you aren't curious. But your face is saying you are in the Queen faction."

"Eh… The Queen faction…"

I tried asking about what she meant, but Lady Helene cut me off.

"Aah, I don't particularly blame you. It's fine. Lady Lidiana, continue being the Queen's ally. She is lonely, so I'm sure it'll help if she at least has an ally in you."

"Lady Helene…"

"Even if I say that, since I'm a concubine it's not persuasive."

"No…"

Lady Helene's eyes were serious when she told me to be Mother-in-law's ally.

But, I understand Lady Helene less and less.

Mother-in-law said she was grateful to Lady Helene. Then what about Lady Helene?

I want to know what Lady Helene is thinking.

"Lady Helene. What do you think about the Queen?"

"Ara? It's another blunt question."

"I, I'm sorry."

The question rushed out of my mouth, but it was just met with a smile.

But, I have a feeling that Lady Helene is more likely to answer to a straightforward approach rather than a strange roundabout questioning.

Let's see, Lady Helene said after looking like she pondered for a short while.

"I hope she forgives soon."

"Forgives?"

"Yeah. That's basically all."

Shh, Lady Helene put a finger to her smiling lips.

"Aah, but. This is a secret. Don't tell the Queen, okay?"

"Yes."

Since I didn't have the intention to tell anybody, I nodded. Then, Lady Helene said, "In that case".

"In exchange for keeping it a secret, I'll tell you one more good thing. This too is my treasured secret."

"Eh? Lady Helene? I didn't really…"

Mean to ask for a secret as a reward.

So I don't need it, I gave such a firm refusal, but saying "It's a precious opportunity" she didn't listen.

She happily leaned forward and whispered into my ear.

"As a matter of fact, I――"

"Eh!?"

I froze, overwhelmed by the bombsh.e.l.l statement that I didn't intend to hear that came from Lady Helene's mouth.

When I stared at Lady Helene in astonishment, she corrected her posture on the sofa and made a troubled face.

"Ara ara, it's just a little secret, you don't need to be so surprised."

"No… It's very surprising."

The words I heard were beyond unexpected.

"It's not really a problem, right? It's alright. Despite appearances I'm unexpectedly an earnest woman."

"Earnest… But…"

Giggling, Lady Helene looked extremely refreshed.

"Ah, I feel refreshed now that I said it. I'd never told anyone until now. Thank you for listening, Lady Lidiana."

"I don't mind, but was it okay to tell me that?"

What Lady Helene said to me was a considerably problematic statement.

It's a secret you'd keep for a whole life and take to the grave.

And yet she only laughed.

"Of course. Because you're the Queen's ally, right? Then there's no problem."

Since I'm Mother-in-law's ally, I think it will be nothing but a problem.

Recalling Lady Helene's statement, I sighed.

She may be satisfied to have said it, but as the person who heard it, it's unbearable.

But――.

"Huh?"

I felt uncomfortable again.

The words said to me ran around my head.

I raised my face and fixed my eyes at Lady Helene.

"Lady Helene…"

"Nn? What is it?"

"N, no, it's nothing…"

I shook my head in a fl.u.s.ter.

But, I received information from Lady Helene. And, I've realized something.

Of course, it's nothing but my own conjecture.

It's necessary to verify it. But, this might be that kind of thing.

"… Good luck."

"Eh."

A hard to hear, quiet voice.

Hearing it, I looked at Lady Helene's face again.

Without saying anything else, she just gave me a wink.

Editor: Valeria