Several days after requesting Freed's cooperation.

I was busy preparing for an afternoon tea.

The location is the same garden as before, where only royalty can enter. In a place with spring and summer flowers blooming I had a table set up and tea confectioneries and tea leaves prepared. Afterwards, I cleared out people.

"I will do the rest. It will be an important conversation, so do not get close."

"Certainly. Please call us if you need anything."

When I told that to my exclusive court ladies who had helped me prepare, they all bowed their heads and left.

I finished the remaining preparations and took a breath.

"Phew. I guess that's all I need to prepare."

I looked around. The view is good, so if somebody comes, I'll see them right away.

When I restlessly checked, it was about the agreed time.

"Lidi."

Mother-in-law appeared almost right on time. I smiled and greeted her.

"Thank you for coming, Mother-in-law."

"I was invited by my daughter-in-law. Of course I would come. Fufu… There will be no hindrances today. I want us to talk leisurely."

"Err… that's…"

I couldn't return words to Mother-in-law who smiled happily. At that time, a pair that had been waiting appeared.

"Lidi, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Freed."

Who came from the entrance was Freed, who brought the King along. The King's usual composure was nowhere to be seen. He was making an awfully discomposed and awkward face.

They came here and stood a short distance away.

Mother-in-law glared at Freed then turned her gaze to me.

"… What does this mean?"

"Mother-in-law."

While keeping eye contact I talked in a quiet voice, so the other two wouldn't hear.

"Mother-in-law. I believe it is necessary you face His Majesty soon. Please listen to His Majesty story without looking away from the reality. That much should be fine. I think His Majesty has suffered too."

"Lidi… You are being selfish. I told you to forget it."

"… I am sorry."

Mother-in-law's rebuke was natural. However, I don't want things to stay like this no matter what.

Even if Mother-in-law hates me for it, I want her to know the truth.

That's why I told Mother-in-law.

"Mother-in-law. Fifteen years ago, His Majesty certainly welcomed Lady Helene as his concubine, but he hasn't visited Lady Helene even once. The place His Majesty goes to every night is Mother-in-law's room. The source of the suspicious sounds at night is none other than His Majesty."

"Eh…"

Hearing my words, Mother-in-law looked at me, overcome with surprise. I showed her a firm nod.

"It sounds unbelievable, but it's the truth. The soldiers in charge of guarding Mother-in-law's room also testified that. Same with the soldiers guarding Lady Helene's room. There's no reason for them to lie, right?"

"T… that's."

I said what I'd heard from the soldiers.

I frankly asked the soldiers guarding Mother-in-law's room, "Does the King come here?", but I couldn't do so with Lady Helene.

I considered the possibility they were ordered to be silent, so I asked a seemingly unrelated question.

'Has Lady Sarah come and visit here?'

Because, Lady Helene said that I'm the second person to come to that building.

At that time I simply thought it was the King, but it's different. The King hasn't visited the concubine.

Then the other person would be――.

I guessed it was Lady Sarah, who I was told is close with Lady Helene, and it was a bullseye.

Since only me and Lady Sarah have entered the building, the King hasn't after all.

"This is only my guess, but I believe His Majesty has always regretted. That's why he at least married a concubine just as you wanted, Mother-in-law. A concubine he didn't love and would never embrace."

"…"

Mother-in-law was lost for words. Still, her small lips spun words.

"T, there was no need for that… Besides… it's too much for Lady Helene."

Mother-in-law shook her head, not wanting to believe it.

But, I told her the truth. The truth that I'd gathered over the past few days from here and there.

"Because Mother-in-law, you couldn't have been truly relieved if he hadn't married a concubine, right? You would have been uneasy, wondering when His Majesty would come, right? Regarding Lady Helene… Apparently, becoming a concubine was a contract with both sides' consent."

"C, contract?"

"Yes."

That's right.

I asked Freed to investigate, and apparently Lady Helene's house before she was summoned as a concubine was in a miserable situation where it was on the brink of ruin.

And yet, a short time after Lady Helene became a concubine, her house for some reason revived.

Now after fifteen years have pa.s.sed, the house has recovered to the point that the story of it being close to ruin sounds like a joke.

Probably, that was the compensation for Lady Helene's white marriage.

Because, Lady Helene said, 'I'm satisfied with how I am now'.

She was asked to become a concubine without the obligations of marriage. The reward was revival of her house. She accepted that. There's no doubt. Because, anybody would gladly take the hand that was offered to them if their house could be saved under such conditions.

Even though it's normal to be forced to marry with obligations of s.e.x, she didn't have to. It's a greatly, or should I say exceptionally, welcome condition.

That's right. For Lady Helene, it wasn't against her will. She willingly accepted the contract.

It might've been unfortunate if she came to love the man, but there's no need to worry about Lady Helene in that respect.

Because on that day, she told me, 'I have a person other than the King who I love.'

For a moment I thought she was betraying the King, but that isn't so.

Neither she nor the King have looked at each other from the beginning.

As long as conducted herself 'like' a concubine, the King wouldn't say anything.

That's why she was able to act freely in that building.

Moreover, I also understood the discord with the court ladies who she had been given at the start.

The King wouldn't visit Lady Helene, who should've been his favored mistress.

They must've wanted to somehow draw the King's attention. For the sake of Lady Helene whom they had served.

But for her, it was an unnecessary concern.

Not wanting to match the taste of a man she didn't love, she drove them away.

The reason she didn't say it outright was probably because she had an agreement with the King.

However, Lady Helene must've grown tired of the misunderstanding between the King and Queen. And at that time, I, who was Mother-in-law's ally, appeared.

She gave me hints within the limits of what she could say and waited for my move.

"Such a thing…"

Listening to my story, Mother-in-law turned pale.

It must've been beyond unexpected. It was written on her face that she didn't imagine that her husband, who she considered matchless, haven't embraced anyone for fifteen years.

I softly encouraged Mother-in-law.

"… He hasn't said it, but I believe His Majesty loves Mother-in-law. Otherwise, it's impossible he wouldn't lay a hand on a woman for fifteen years… Haven't you always talked about the strength of Wilhelm royalty's libido, Mother-in-law? With just that in mind, I believe you should at least hear him out."

"…"

"I definitely believe you are lacking conversation. It's a rare chance, so how about you slowly have tea together?"

Mother-in-law didn't answer my words. However, she wasn't angry and didn't try to escape from the spot.

She was just fixedly staring at her husband's face.

"Your Majesty…"

"… I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time, Elizabeth."

The King muttered a few words. Upon hearing them, tears overflowed from Mother-in-law's eyes.

The King rushed to Mother-in-law and hugged her. Mother-in-law stirred a little, but before long she stopped resisting.

Like that, she quietly continued crying in His Majesty's chest.

I approached Freed and pulled his sleeve.

"… Let's go, Freed."

"You're right."

It'd be boorish to remain here.

From the start I wanted the two of them to talk, so I only prepared tea party for two.

It would be good if they met halfway a little at this opportunity.

However, the rest is their own problem. I could only dispel Mother-in-law's misunderstanding.

While cheering on them in my heart to do their best, I quietly left together with Freed.