The day out in secret.
The day after I entrusted my letter to Suzy, when I returned to the dormitory from the academy, a reply from the Queen had already arrived.
“……”
… Miri-chan, are you bored?
Or rather, she just really wants to eat my mock-eel rice bowl…
“Young Lady Joan?”
Sarah called out to me, worried, since I hadn’t said a word and was staring down at the letter in silence. Finally, I raised my face.
“Hm? Ah, sorry. I just didn’t expect a reply to come the very next day.”
“Ah—certainly. That’s definitely out of the ordinary.”
“Right? Anyway, the contents are… hehe.”
“Y-Young Lady Joan?”
“Ah, sorry, sorry. Sarah, I need to go out for a bit.”
“What? Right now?”
“Yep. Also, please send word to Cathy. Tell her I’d like to visit after I’ve changed.”
“Understood. Anny, could you handle the change of clothes?”
“Of course.”
After changing, I visited Cathy’s room.
Her room had soft pink wallpaper, white claw-foot furniture, and a canopy bed—basically the very picture of a princess’s room. But since it matched Cathy perfectly, it didn’t feel gaudy at all.
“Joan, what’s this all of a sudden?”
“Hey, want to go out with me for a bit?”
“Go out? Right now?”
It wasn’t just Cathy—Bibi looked startled too.
“Yup. There’s someone I’d like to meet before the Queen’s tea party, and she said she’s available right now.”
“Someone you’d like to meet? … Could it be—”
“Yeah, I think it’s probably who you’re imagining.”
“Then I need to change—”
“Ah, no need. We’re not going to her house or anything.”
“B-but…”
“Just something simple like my dress is fine.”
“… Really?”
“Really.”
＊＊＊＊＊
The meeting place was the Lampail estate in the capital.
But applying for permission to leave right now would be troublesome, and if word got out that I was going to meet Her Majesty, who knows where that leak might end up… which means teleportation is the only option. The problem was, I wasn’t sure if I should reveal that to Cathy.
“Hmm, better check with Father whether I can tell Cathy or not.”
“Yes, that would be wise.”
“Okay, if Cathy comes, please look after her for me.” Poof…
I teleported to our city estate, explained everything to Father, and got his approval to share my secret with Cathy.
Poof…
On the way back, I appeared in Sarah and Anny’s room just in case.
Click. “You’ve returned?”
“Yeah. Is Cathy here?”
“She arrived just a moment ago. She’s waiting.”
“Thanks.”
“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Cathy.”
“It’s fine.”
“Before we go, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“We’re heading to the Lampail estate in the capital… but we’ll be going using my skill.”
“Using your skill? What do you mean?”
“I can… use Teleportation.”
“Eh? Teleportation? Isn’t that something only a handful of top-class magicians can manage?”
“Apparently. But I can do it. Thing is, hardly anyone knows about it—outside my family, only the royals and Belle. Cathy, could you keep it a secret too?”
“Y-you’re entrusting me with something that important?”
“Of course. You’re my friend. Plus, I got Father’s permission to tell you.”
“… Friend. Thank you. I swear I won’t tell anyone.”
“Good. Then, take my hand.”
“L-like this?”
“Yup. Sarah, I’m leaving things here to you.”
“As you wish.” Poof…
Poof… “Here we are! Welcome to the Lampail estate. You okay, Cathy?”
“Y-yes. It truly only takes an instant…”
“Welcome home, Young Lady”
“Ah, I’m back! This is my friend, Cathy.”
“I apologize for the late hour. I am Catherine Cutter, eldest daughter of Duke Cutter.”
“Thank you kindly. I am Liam, steward of this estate. Her Majesty has not yet arrived, so please enjoy some tea in the meantime. Martha?”
“Yes. I am Martha, head maid. If you would kindly sit down first…”
“Right, let’s sit, Cathy.”
After a little while—
“Young Lady, she has arrived.”
“Okay, Cathy, let’s go.”
“Y-yes.”
“It’ll be fine. But… you might be surprised.”
“Eh?”
Click. “Pardon me.”
“Joan-chan, long time no see~!”
“Lady Amy!”
The Queen waved brightly, while Suzy scolded her.
To me, this was nothing unusual. But to Cathy… yeah, she was shocked, as expected.
“Cathy, you okay? Amy! Mind the TPO!”
“Ah, sorry! Ahem… it’s been a while, Young Lady Joan, Young Lady Catherine.”
“I-it’s an honor to see you again, Your Majesty.”
Cathy gave a perfect curtsy.
“Oh, please call me Amy here. I’m incognito, after all.”
“U-understood. Lady Amy.”
“No need for ‘Lady’ either.”
“… Then, Mrs. Amy.”
“Good. So, Joan-chan, what’s this about?”
“Haah… already dropping the act, huh?”
“Well, I’m incognito. And if Catherine’s here, that means you trust her, right?”
“That’s right. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought her here by teleportation and introduced her to you.”
“Then it’s fine. So, what did you want?”
“Well, I wanted to ask about next week’s tea party.”
“Ahh, that. It’s about time we decide Albert’s fiancée.”
“… So Catherine’s guest will be you, Joan-chan?”
“Yeah. I don’t really want to go, but since Cathy asked me, I’ll go.”
“Joan…”
“And what worries you about the tea party?”
“Not really a worry… I just wanted to ask about the other candidates. And also… if Cathy really became Albert’s fiancée, could she truly be happy?”
“Joan!? W-what are you saying—”
“Because we don’t know Prince Albert’s true feelings. Sure, it might be a political marriage, but if Cathy won’t be happy, then I will not hand her over to him!”
What do you think about this chapter?
