Chapter 134: Summoned by the Queen

Even though I had planned to go out dressed up again the next night, Linda was on duty and there was no way we could leave. This was actually the best possible outcome, so I had no complaints. The night after that it rained, so of course we couldn’t go out...

The next day I spent a restless time. Of course there was history and magic class in the morning, and in the afternoon I continued working at the accounting bureau. The accounting bureau job was no longer a need for pocket money (I had received a polite letter saying Browning-sensei was too busy to supervise me even if I came). But out of habit I enjoyed working surrounded by the older sisters, and I secretly hoped the sweet moment would come again someday. Christine’s skirt was especially tempting today.

Even after the magic lesson, I couldn’t figure out why my new skills weren’t growing. The teacher tilted her head as if she normally should be growing too. Maybe it’s because I’m a human from another world and can only receive skills from people on the verge of death?

I studied diligently every day, but there were no summons from Prime Minister Richelieu. He never explained the incident or told me I was going to the Kingdom of Mainz. I thought there would be an ambassador’s appointment ceremony, but there was nothing. In short, nothing, nothing, nothing. While I wondered how hard it is to wait, I was working when another invitation arrived.

"Prince Robin is here?"

A maid came to the accounting bureau and called me from the entrance. Her voice was very sweet soprano and carried well. She looked young and cute, and I was happy to be called by name with that voice. But I knew this wasn’t a good thing. All the eyes in the accounting bureau turned to me, so I had no choice but to reply,

"Yes! I’m here."

The maid walked over, bowed politely, and smiled (her dimples were adorable).

"Please read this. It’s a letter from the Queen. She asked me to bring your reply immediately, so may I read it here?"

She held out a sealed letter. The entire accounting bureau went silent. Then, as if struck by water, the room became deathly quiet. The sound of the envelope being opened echoed through the room. I heard someone swallow hard. When I looked, Anise was gripping her hands tightly and staring at my hands.

"I have something I would like to discuss with you tomorrow morning. Could you come to my room?"

It was a very brief message. Even if she asked, I couldn’t refuse. So my reply was,

"I understand. I will come as scheduled."

When I said that, the maid smiled brightly and said,

"I understand. I will convey the message to the Queen. I will come to Lord Robin’s room in the morning. Thank you."

She bowed and left the room with quick, crisp footsteps.

The moment the maid disappeared, a collective sigh rose from every corner of the room.

Anise said,

"It’s amazing! My hands are sweating! Look!"

She showed her palms, but she didn’t need to get so excited. There were already so many people who had seen the Queen up close. I was already used to it, right? Or was I the only one who was used to it? But just the word "Queen" changes the entire atmosphere of the room so dramatically.

That night, thanks to rain, we couldn’t go out, but under the supervision of an old maid we had a very peaceful night. The next morning my body was overflowing with energy, and my son was standing at attention from the very start of the day. But I still had no idea where it would go.

"Someone is making my poor little thing suffer."

I said while watching my son stand proudly. He didn’t understand his father’s heart at all and stood even more proudly. Why wouldn’t he settle down? Thanks to him the button on the old maid’s pants kept coming loose. Just because her finger touched my son made it harder for the old maid to button it up. It was sad.

After that sad morning event, after breakfast I sat alone in my room waiting. Just as yesterday, the maid from the Queen came to call me.

She was even cuter than the maids around Mother. The maid in front of me had silvery hair that looked glossy and was styled in a loose bun with a few strands framing her face. Her hips swayed under the skirt in a way that was tempting. She’s adorable. I wanted to hug her from behind. Since Cass came along, the young, lively maids around me had disappeared. The only one who remained, Grace, had left because of Prince William. When Prince William burst into the rear palace that day, I should have let Grace be on night duty instead. While watching the back of the Queen’s maid, I felt deep regret. I always regret things too late.

Even while thinking that, I walked to the Queen’s room.

"Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Robin is here!"

The maid opened the door with a cheerful voice. The air of the room seemed to envelop me as I entered. Ahh, what a nice scent! I breathed in the Queen’s scent, which was different from Mother’s, and stepped inside.

"Good morning! Excuse me."

I greeted her cheerfully and entered. At the back of the room, bathed in light from the window, the Queen was sparkling.

"Welcome, Prince Robin. I’m sorry to call you on such short notice. There is something I must discuss with you."

She spoke gently, but I already knew what it was. The way she called me "Prince Robin" instead of just "Robbie" meant her mental distance had grown. Before long she would probably call me Robbie.

"I asked Prime Minister Richelieu about it, but he said it would be better for you to discuss it directly with me. He is busy, so I thought it best. I haven’t seen your face in a long time either."

"I’m sorry to trouble you."

I didn’t have the vocabulary to answer properly, so I gave a vague thanks.

"I’m grateful that Prime Minister Richelieu is busy, so it would be wrong to trouble him. If it’s something I can ask of you, I should have called you directly."

The Queen smiled slightly and said,

"Actually, I’ve always thought that Prince Robin is always very modest toward Prime Minister Richelieu. When we say it that way, it’s respect, but other princes think of him as a mere subordinate and speak to him rudely. Only Prince Robin speaks politely, so I admire it. If I had known that, I would have opposed your appointment as ambassador to the Kingdom of Mainz."

"Eh? You were involved in that discussion too?"

"Yes, it’s a diplomatic matter, so I overheard it. Now I regret calling you to the Kingdom of Mainz. If you were that interesting, I should have kept you by my side instead of sending you abroad."

I see. In that case, going abroad is better for me.

More importantly,

"Queen, am I really that interesting?"

I asked. What about me is interesting?

"Yes, you are. You’re completely different from the other princes. The other princes have no interest in commoners at all. They only know nobles, and especially high-ranking nobles. You know about delicious restaurants in the commoner district, terrible restaurants, and even walking the commoner district on your own feet. You may never do that in your entire life. That’s why you’re teaching me all sorts of things and acting as my guide. That’s why I call you ’Prince Robin.’ The other princes don’t use ’Prince’ in their titles, but I do for you alone."

"Haaaa... I’m deeply honored."

The conversation had become heavy and I didn’t want to continue. I couldn’t escape. The end was in sight.