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nWhen I pondered over my color preferences, several maids came in with several boxes with a variety of tea leaves. Opening the boxes full of tea one by one, I felt happy for a moment.

nAs they were used by the imperial family, the tea leaves were best among the best, so I couldn’t figure out which one to choose.

n‘Let me pick one effective for overcoming fatigue.’

nI chose chamomile, rose hip, and peppermint among the many tea leaves. I mixed the tea leaves in the proper proportion in an empty kettle and poured hot water. Then I counted inside and poured it into the mug when I thought it was about the right time.

n“Here you are… ”

nI hastily shut my mouth as I was about to give the teacup to him. I found him asleep, leaning against a chair. There was peace on his expressionless face. It was the first time I saw his face so calm and peaceful.

nI felt strange at the moment. In the past, he was so cold when I wanted him to be with me so much, but now when I tried to move away from him, he called me and showed me his new attitude and look. Namely, he was changing. Never did I expect that I would see his new look like this so easily in an unintended situation.

nHesitating for a long time, I quietly took off my jacket. I walked on tiptoe for fear I might wake him up, but I was startled at the sound of his tossing and turning. I held my breath and stopped on the spot, but fortunately, he was still asleep.

nI gently covered him with the jacket and stood up silently.

n‘As he’s busy, it’s okay to let him take a break like that.’

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nI walked to the bookshelves and looked over the titles. When I came here last time, I was so nervous that I couldn’t look properly. When I saw the books packed in every bookshelf, I was just amazed.

n‘Wow, this is a rare book with only ten copies left on the entire continent! This book is It’s amazing that he has an undamaged version.”

nI was so excited that I looked at the books here and there. I thought a lot of time passed while I was at it. He was still asleep. Maybe I should wake him up now. Even if he didn’t take a nap long enough, I thought he might feel better by now.

nAs I approached him on tiptoes, I suddenly saw a teacup on the table. I felt I would like to brew it again, so I silently opened the door and told a maid to bring me boiling water.

nAfter receiving the new kettle from the maid, I brewed the same tea as before and called him quietly, “Your Majesty.”

n“… ”

n“Please wake up, Your Majesty.”

nAs if he was in a sound sleep, he didn’t open his eyes at my repeated calling. Although I knew it was rude, I couldn’t help but shake his shoulder. At that moment, his blue eyelashes trembled suddenly before opening. Finally, he opened his sleepy eyes.

n“Oh, you are waking up now, Your Majesty.”

n“Well, how long have I been sleeping?”

n“Not that long.”

n“I see.” When he slowly raised his upper body, my black jacket, the official knight uniform, fell off. Looking at the jacket without a word, he slowly picked it up and handed it to me. Maybe it was because he just woke up. He was looking at me intensely for a moment.

n“… Thank you. ”

n“Tea is getting cold.”

nSmiling awkwardly, I took the jacket. I couldn’t figure out what to say when he thanked me for the first time.

nHe reached out and picked up the mug, then tilted it without hesitation.

n‘Ooops!’ It might be very hot because I just brewed it. He paused for a moment and emptied the cup without saying anything.

n“Isn’t it hot? I just brewed it again…”

n“…It’s a little hot. ” He replied, putting down the empty cup. When I was about to lift the kettle and brew it again, he said, stopping me, “Aren’t you leaving? Oh my, time flies!”

n“Ah. Yes, Your Majesty. ”

n“Let me see you off in return for your tea. Let’s go to your wagon.”

n“You must be busy… I’m fine, Your Majesty. ”

nDespite my dissuasion, he got up and walked out first. I helplessly walked after him, thinking he was really strange these days.

nOn the way back home I thought about what was going on with him. Last time when I brewed tea, he emptied it quickly and took a second cup. Why did he refuse it today? Didn’t he like it?

nOf course, he emptied the first cup. Come to think of it, when he came to my house the other day, he acted rather strangely and hastily drank hot tea. Did he react like that when he was embarrassed?

n‘Well, let me check if my guesswork is right next time when I see him.’

nLost in thought, I opened the carriage window and looked at the scenery outside.

nWith the festival around the corner, all the roads were full of excited crowds, street musicians’ playing and delicious smells.

nIt was the first day of the National Founding Day festival.

nThe streets that I watched on my way to the Imperial Palace were all festive. Because the festival was banned due to a massive famine for the past three years, it was natural that everyone was excited about its return. Even though it was already getting dark, there were many crowds on the street.

nWhile I got carried away with the sound of crowds’ voices, street musicians’ playing music and children’s joyful laughter of children, I suddenly felt like I wanted to go out there to join them, but gave up.

n‘Well, I may have a chance to enjoy the festival someday.’

nI closed the window quietly, giving up the urge with regret.

nI arrived at the Central Palace and entered with the crown prince waiting for me.

nShortly afterwards, the emperor entered and delivered a short congratulatory speech, starting the first day of the festivals to celebrate the National Founding Day.

nAfter delivering the speech, the emperor, who sat at the top of the platform, looked at him and me who were sitting side by side on the lower platform.

n“Lady Monique, you are so beautiful today.”

n“I’m honored to hear your compliment, Your Majesty.”

n“Why don’t you wear things like this more often instead of wearing a uniform all the time? ”

n“… Yes, Your Majesty.” I replied feebly to him who cracked a joke with a hearty laugh.

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nI looked at my dress again. The dress I picked in advance was dark, but I changed it because I was bothered when he asked me why I liked dark colors.

nI was putting on a light blue dress that fluttered like a wave, a hairpin inlaid with sapphire and diamond and a necklace made of aquamarine on a silver line and earrings with the same design as the necklace. I looked different from what I was before.

nAt that moment, I saw five women approaching us. Come to think of it, today they were supposed to formally introduce themselves as candidates of the crown prince’s bride candidates. Starting off with Princess Frincia, they showed due manners by bowing to the emperor. He then left, asking them to enjoy the banquet. After bowing to the emperor, I came down from the platform, holding the crown prince’s hands.

n“Some of you have already met her, but this is the first official meeting. Please introduce yourself.”

nThe princesses were silent. They looked hostile to each other. It seemed that they felt offended as they had to bow to each other because they were accustomed to living as royal family members in their motherlands. Or they might have felt bad because they might have to bow to me first as they heard about the rumors about the crown prince’s alleged breakoff of engagement to me.

nPrincess Frincia spoke to me first with a smile.

n“Hi, Lady Monique. I’m glad to see you again. Since it is an official place, I would like to introduce myself again. I am Frincia de Lua, the 2nd princess of the Lua kingdom. ”

nShe slightly made an eye gesture to me with a smile. I also smiled at her.

nWhen she stepped back, another princess greeted me hesitantly.

n“Nice to meet you, Lady Monique. I am Beatrice de Lisa, the fifth princess of the Kingdom of Lisa. ”

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