Chapter 452: Meeting Her Majesty the Queen and the Countess of Norfolk

I am visiting the Norfolk Count house bringing Lily and Konoka. In front of my eyes are Her Majesty the Queen and Countess Ann. The ones sitting are the three of Her Majesty the Queen, Lady Ann, and me, and the others are the maids, all standing.

The reason these three gathered at the Norfolk Count residence was to have Her Majesty the Queen look at Konoka, and initially Her Majesty the Queen seemed to have thought of meeting the Duchess of Vélez and together, but the Duchess of Vélez could not be contacted no matter what, and it became the Norfolk Count residence which is on good terms with both me and Her Majesty the Queen (though it cannot be said to the Countess of Norfolk). Of course the countess is very happy that Her Majesty the Queen came, and the count also said it is an honor, it seems. Unfortunately the count is out due to circumstances and absent.

Before the talk of Konoka, the talk ends up going to the Vélez Duke house after all. The silence of the Duke of Vélez seems to have become a topic among the nobles. The Norfolk Count house does not seem particularly on good terms with the Vélez Duke house, but it is not that there is no association. It seems they had been requested in advance from Her Majesty the Queen to investigate the Vélez Duke house.

Then, the result of the Norfolk Count house investigating was,

"The Vélez Duke house has completely cut off association with noble houses."

That was it. Neither the Duke of Vélez nor the Duchess of Vélez goes outside, nor receives guests, literally cutting off association completely. Of course, the servants of the duke house have association with the outside, so information leaks from there, but both seem to be almost shut in their rooms.

In fact my medicine has also not been delivered to the duke house. I myself have not been able to go to the duke house, and there is also no Annie-san the maid of the duchess coming to the embassy to pick it up. I also thought of sneaking into the duchess’s room in the middle of the night, but it felt quite dangerous so I have not approached.

Hearing the current talk of the duke house, it has come to feel dangerous beyond the dangerous feeling. That duke can go to hell! but the duchess is pitiful. Even so if I try to do something, I would be clung to and end up having a relationship and seem to enter a swamp and it is scary.

"That is worrying, I have a premonition. Shall I have the King summon at least the duke?"

Her Majesty the Queen says with a serious face, whether joke or serious is not well understood.

"If a summons from the King there is no way not to respond."

Well, that is so, but what reason to summon, I thought it was only me,

"That might be good. Wanting to see the face, because you have not shown your face at the royal palace for a while come, if said that it is fine."

The countess also agrees. Even without particular business, the King summoning the duke with a reason of about come to drink tea is also possible. Even saying duke there is no territory, and not holding a public office, so normally if summoned from the King it is natural to come readily. That side I will leave to Her Majesty the Queen.

"Takamoto Konoka. How is it, have you gotten used to it?"

Her Majesty the Queen asked Konoka directly.

"Rather than gotten used to, I am serving as a maid at the embassy normally."

Not knowing if it is all right for Konoka to answer Her Majesty the Queen directly, I answer.

"Is that so, if she has become accustomed I am happy. Because I was worried."

Her Majesty the Queen says as if relieved. Even without talking Her Majesty the Queen seemed to have understood from Konoka’s atmosphere.

Unlike before, there is no such thing as Konoka’s expression looking clearly strange, and the current expression is calm, so Her Majesty the Queen probably senses that Konoka’s emotions are stable. The countess does not say anything, perhaps because she had been told about Konoka in advance.

"Konoka is on good terms with Lily, and is learning the work of the embassy."

I answer. Konoka is overwhelmingly on better terms with Lily than with me. Rather than with Lily, it can be said that the information exchange with the Tachibana couple via Lily and Stevie became the trigger and the relationship with Lily deepened. For the time being now, her head is turned toward learning the work, so without thinking unnecessary things, I think her emotions are relatively stable.

"Lord Robbie."

Lily called out.

"What?"

"Konoka says she wants to play that."

In the direction Lily looks there was a smallish piano. A white rose picture was drawn on the outside, and I had thought maybe it is an ornament.

Hearing the conversation of me and Lily, the countess,

"Does she say she wants to play the harpsichord?"

asked. I thought it was a small piano, but was it a harpsichord. Harpsichord is the first time seeing so I did not know. I cannot distinguish it from a piano.

"Harpsichord..."

Konoka’s small voice is heard. Konoka also thought it was a piano, a slightly unconfident voice.

"If you can play, could you let us hear?"

The countess says, and Her Majesty the Queen is also nodding.

"Konoka, try playing."

"Yes."

Since permission came out, Konoka approaches the harpsichord and opens the lid of the keyboard. Surely something has a name, but I do not know. Then when opened, the keyboard was black and white opposite to a piano.

"When my daughter got married there is no one who plays. I am only having it tuned."

the countess says. Is that not the same as Japan? Making the daughter learn piano, and when the daughter disappears for university advancement or marriage the piano turns into a room object or shelf.

Konoka does not seem surprised that the color of the keyboard is different, and sits on the chair. She puts her hands together and cracks the joints koki koki, and gently places fingers on the keyboard and began playing. Ah, this is "Sanpo." I thought she would start playing Chopin or something, but of all things this! I did not think I could hear "Sanpo" having come to another world. The sound is delicate and not a striking sound like a piano, and feels kind to the ears. A little tearful.

Looking sideways at Her Majesty the Queen and the countess. Both are listening with smiles. I think it is the first time hearing, but it does not seem particularly disliked.

When Konoka finishes playing both applaud,

"It was good, a performance that somehow makes the heart bounce."

"As Her Majesty the Queen says. It was very soothing. It was a song I had never heard, but I enjoyed it very much."

they praise. This does not feel like social courtesy, but said from the heart. Yes, that is so. I also thought so. Perhaps because it is the song "Sanpo," my feelings were greatly soothed. Konoka stood up, and while blushing, deeply bowed in the Japanese style to both.

"Can you play something else?"

When Her Majesty the Queen asks,

"Yes, then I will play one more song."

Feeling she was truly praised, Konoka faces the harpsichord and began playing. This was also "Kimi wo Nosete" which even I know. The insert song of the anime video I had my parents show me when pestering as a child. Nostalgic, and childhood is recalled. Lily quietly holds out a handkerchief. When I noticed tears were flowing. Thinking that Konoka’s performance resonates in my heart this much, tears flowed even more.

But such a happy time was broken.