Chapter 330: Dee Speaks

Even if Her Majesty smelled of semen, would Anouk stay quiet? It would be smelling from Anouk’s crotch too, so the same, yes? I would not say a thing like that.

"That is so too."

"Last night such a terrible thing happened, so I think Her Majesty should rest and take the safe course, but the schedule ahead is set, so I do not think she can."

"Being a high person is hard. I am glad I am a shabby prince."

"Are you glad? I think Lord Robbie keeps running into scenes where life is at stake."

"Is that so?"

As expected of Lily. She watches me well.

I came down from the bed slow and put my face in the mirror. A face with no life, though I am eleven. No life and no sex, I think that, so I feel it all the more.

"Now, now, Lord Robbie, please come here."

Lily called and sat me in a chair. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

"Lily, what are you doing?"

At my question,

"Makeup. Your color is still bad, and I cannot feel life, so I will hide it with makeup. If Her Majesty sees Lord Robbie’s unwell face, Her Majesty will worry too, yes? So if I put makeup on we can fake it a little."

When she said it, I see. Up close you would know, but at a distance you could fake it.

"Please."

I said, closed my eyes, and left it to Lily.

"Yes. Finished."

There was a hand mirror in front of me. Looking at it, the face was better than a moment ago. The swollen eyes looked a little more open. About minus fifty percent of the usual handsome.

"Then let us go to breakfast."

Told by Lily I stood and went down the stairs. Breakfast was prepared in the VIP room. Everyone was seated except the seat deep in the center, which was empty. No one had good color, and no one’s expression was good. You could tell clear that everyone was dragging last night. I had been allowed to sleep a little, but many would have been up all night. I sat at the lowest seat, waited a while, and Her Majesty appeared with Anouk. At a distance she looked as usual. But the usual majesty was not there.

Her Majesty sat, spoke the words of prayer, and the meal began. No one looked as if they had appetite, but even so everyone carried food to their mouths without resting their hands. No one said anything. Everyone ate on in silence. Leaving food is said to be a blasphemy against God and a rudeness to the one who provided the meal, so the people here, the nobles, all finished it. But the inn side had read the room, and the amount had surely been reduced.

At the meal last night was not spoken of at all, and we departed. I had meant to lie down once I was in the carriage, but when I boarded Dee boarded all at once. After Dee another man boarded. I think this man was the vice head of this trip.

My face was something, and Dee’s face had become something too. His eyes were sunk and bloodshot. In one night his cheeks had hollowed, and his black hair had gone pure white. In one night he had changed into another person. I had been surprised seeing Dee at the meal too, but seeing him this close the worn-down look was still clearer.

Dee and the deputy sat in the seats facing me, and the moment the carriage started both of them bent their bodies and lowered their heads further than their knees. Then Dee said,

"Lord Marie, I am truly sorry. And thank you truly! The whole kingdom thanks you for your work! Thank you!!"

He said only that, shook, and did not move. I could tell without being told how much Dee had worn his spirit down last night. I do not think Her Majesty blamed Dee, but from Dee’s side that would be the hard part. The deputy was not as far gone as Dee, but he was badly worn too.

"Dee, no, Lord May, please raise your head. I have received the thanks enough. More than this is not needed."

I spoke looking at the thinning crown of Dee’s head.

"Last night, I do not think it could have been stopped no matter who was on guard. That I noticed had luck in it too. Even this Lily did not notice, so I think it cannot be helped. I do not think you alone need to bear the responsibility."

When I said that far Dee raised his head. Tears overflowed from his eyes.

"Her Majesty said so as well. She also said her own caution had been insufficient. But it is also a fact that we allowed thieves to enter easily. This crime is worth ten thousand deaths. By rights I should be stripped of the post of head of the suite and charged. Death would be proper. Only, now both the quality and quantity of the guard are insufficient. At last night’s attack they were only people who made empty noise and could do nothing. Then if I take responsibility here and die by my own hand, it seems I would put Her Majesty in danger again. So for now I will pass the post to the vice commander, become a plain attendant, and follow until this progress of Her Majesty ends. And when the progress ends and we return to the royal capital I will stand in the seat of judgment. You may think this lukewarm, but right now there is no guard we can trust. We want even a little more hands. So I will follow because I have no choice. Please forgive that."

At Dee’s words I thought that was natural, and also thought Dee truly has no luck.

"Her Majesty laid a gag order on last night’s events and ordered that it not be spoken of at all. And officially the fact that Her Majesty was taken does not exist. By rights it would not be my crime alone. Everyone who came along to guard Her Majesty would have to be charged. But Her Majesty said nothing happened last night, so no one will be charged."

Hearing that, it sat in my gut why no one said anything at this morning’s meal. Not only regret and reflection over the failure of Her Majesty being taken. A gag order had been laid, so no one spoke.

I happened to be left with the result of saving Her Majesty, but I had been given the role of guard as well, so I myself would by rights be charged too. I am a foreigner, so that area is delicate. Rather the merit of protecting Her Majesty is being brought forward, but I also committed the failure of overlooking her being taken. So my merit is gone too. Only that I received an unofficial reward from Her Majesty remains...

The man who had taken over the responsible post from Dee opened his mouth.

"Lord Marie, I am Bill Blueford, a baron of the Mainz Kingdom. This morning I took over the duty from May. Please treat me well."

He held out a hand so I shook it. A cold hand. That cold felt good.

"You know enough about me, I think. I am Robin Marie, ambassador of the Marie Kingdom. Please treat me well."

I greeted him for form. A little hard...

"The same here. Then to the point. Last night’s thieves found Her Majesty’s room splendidly and attacked. As if they had known Her Majesty’s room beforehand. There was no sign they searched other rooms. Meaning there is someone who told the thieves where Her Majesty’s room was, I think. Whether that person is among these attendants or someone tied to that inn is unclear. If there is a traitor among the attendants, the attack will be repeated tonight or from the day after tomorrow."

Blueford spoke it in one go. That was true. I had been thinking the same thing. Blueford went on.

"So I have a request of Lord Marie. From tonight I would like you to serve as guard in Her Majesty’s room."

"Nn?"