Chapter 9

Let Her Rot in the Dungeon
“You are being rude. Let go of her.”

“But—”

“Let. Go.”

Perhaps intimidated by the Dowager Queen’s commanding voice that left no room for argument, Veronica timidly released my arm.
I quickly took several steps back, putting distance between us.
Veronica now looked like a scolded child, crestfallen as if reprimanded by her governess.

Honestly, that reaction is remarkable in itself.
Does she feel no fear? No sense of reverence or humility toward the Dowager Queen?

Once Veronica quieted down, the Dowager Queen sternly asked,

“And what is the meaning of this commotion?”

“That’s—”

“Lady Clementina won’t give me back my cats…!!”

Veronica cut me off and blurted it out.

“Cats?”

The Dowager Queen asked with suspicion, turning her gaze to me—

“………………”

And fell completely speechless.
It was only now that she seemed to register my appearance.

In short—my hair, cleanly chopped short.
A hairstyle unthinkable for a noblewoman.

(Well, yes~~!! Of course she’s shocked…!!)

The Dowager Queen, mouth agape in disbelief, looked thoroughly stunned.
It was a rare moment of vulnerability from her—proof of just how shocking this was.

Frankly, what’s truly strange is that Veronica hadn’t reacted to my hair at all.
This is the normal response.

After several moments of stunned silence, the Dowager Queen, seemingly deciding that my hair was a far graver issue than Veronica’s whining, asked in a trembling voice,

“Y… your hair… what have you done…?”

“… I cut it, Your Majesty the Dowager Queen.”

I braced myself, expecting scolding.
Words like “How disgraceful”, or “Cover your head immediately”.
I was ready for it.

In noble society, my hair is a clear transgression.
Born into the House of Clausenitzer, raised as a noblewoman for twenty-one years—
I understand how unacceptable this is.

And yet, I did not regret it.
I was not ashamed.

I answered firmly, and the Dowager Queen’s eyes widened even further.
Before she could say anything more, Veronica, seemingly annoyed at being ignored, appealed to her.

“More importantly, Your Majesty the Dowager Queen!”

“More importantly, you say!? You insolent girl—”

The Dowager Queen’s eyes flashed with fury at Veronica’s words.

(Here it comes…)

A scolding on noble etiquette, customs, and unspoken rules.
And honestly, I deserve it for this haircut.
That’s how severe it is.

Prepared for the backlash, I inwardly sighed.

(… That’s why I planned to leave the castle quickly…)

Even if Veronica delayed me, I didn’t expect to run into the Dowager Queen.
I had steeled myself for the inevitable reactions to my hair—
But of all people, it had to be her.

(Well… nothing to be done. I made this choice knowing full well what criticism it would bring.)

It’s all accounted for.
Bracing myself, I met the Dowager Queen’s gaze.

(Alright then… let’s hear it…)

The Dowager Queen, still in a daze, finally seemed to snap back to reality with a clearing of her throat.

“Mm, mhm… well, that matter can wait. Now, about these cats.”

(… Mm? Mhm???)

Can wait?? Did she… did she just say that my hair “can wait”…!?

(No way—)

Unless my ears deceived me, the Dowager Queen just let my hair go unpunished.
The Dowager Queen.
The woman who practically is the rules incarnate.

Stunned, I stared wide-eyed.
And that’s when Veronica, feeling ignored again, loudly asserted herself.

“That’s right!! Lady Clementina took them all! Grandmother, please help me!”

“——”

I sucked in a breath.

Did she, just now.

(Say Grandmother…!?)

Didn’t she just call her Your Majesty the Dowager Queen a moment ago!?

The sheer casualness of it is staggering.
If my hair is a breach of noble decorum, Veronica’s words are in a league of their own.

(She said it so naturally… but… this girl…)

Grandmother… Grandmother, she says!!
She dares call the Dowager Queen that—without permission—despite not being related by blood!?
The sheer audacity made me dizzy.

(Among commoners, poor boundaries might be overlooked… but this is the royal castle.
And the Dowager Queen is stricter about protocol than anyone I know…)

The outcome was as clear as day.
I glanced at the Dowager Queen, who now regarded Veronica with thinly veiled contempt.

“You insolent girl. You there! Take this foolish child and throw her in the dungeon!”

“——!?”

“Eh?”

My startled voice overlapped with Veronica’s bewildered cry.

What do you think about this chapter?