It was a soft question, but it hit the mark.
Was the Queen worried that I would have affection for the Crown Prince?
Of course, there is no need for any such worries.
However, in this case I cannot choose the Carlex flower.
So my remaining options were limited...
I looked at the Queen in her blue eyes steadily for the first time.
This may not be in keeping with court etiquette, but I wanted to behave myself.
“I will choose neither flower, Your Majesty.”
“Why?”
inquired the Queen in astonishment.
I smiled at her.
“Because I love myself more than anything else.”
An expression of astonishment crossed the Queen's face, then turned into a quiet, gentle laugh that looked like admiration.
Ludving's face lit up when he heard the sound of her laughter like a little child.
“Really, the rumors circulating about you in the capital are not false then.”
“Excuse me, Your Majesty, what rumors do you mean?”
“Brave, wise, and powerful lady of war: Erica Diehl.”
Oh, why does this painful past appear here and now?
I felt so embarrassed that I couldn't raise my head.
I held on to the cold cup of tea like a lifeline.
“It is said that you faced the monster that appeared in the tournament field and saved people. I was impressed by your courage.”
“Ash… Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“When did you learn archery? I heard that you are a librarian at the Royal Library, the training must have been difficult with the work.”
“I learned from Knight Duke Reinhardt, and I continued regular archery training every day after work.”
I answered the queen's question calmly.
“Amazing. When you faced the monster… weren’t you afraid?”
Pain crept into the Queen's cautious and weary tone of voice as she asked this question.
I worried that I might traumatize the mother who lost her son seven years ago.
After carefully organizing my thoughts on how to answer, I opened my mouth.
“Honestly, I was scared. I wanted to run away too.”
“Even you...I was.”
“Yes. But...”
I looked at Carlex for a moment.
His calm eyes stared fixedly at me.
Strangely, when I look at him, the nervousness and shaking stop and I become myself again.
"I had a dear person that I wanted to protect. That's what gave me courage."
Soft ripples formed in the Queen's emerald eyes.
She gently closed her eyes and nodded slowly.
“You are correct. Any person would have the courage to sacrifice his life for the one he loves.”
The queen rang a small bell and summoned a maid.
The maid brought a painting in a luxurious frame.
The Queen pointed to the painting with a smile.
“This painting gives me solace these days.”
“…!”
I almost spit out the tea I was drinking.
It was my painting.
It depicted a lady of war in a drawing more elegant and grand than the paintings carried by the admiring crowd in front of the library.
As if it were drawn by a famous artist.
Isn't beautification more exaggerated here than in our era with editing programs?
Anyway, how did this painting get into the hands of Her Majesty the Queen?
I looked at the Crown Prince with a quick, hateful look, without reaching the point of a stare that could kill.
“Your Majesty, this painting is exaggerated and does not look like me at all, and I apologize.”
But the Queen shook her head with a gentle smile.
“This painting expresses your courage and wisdom well. A real painting should depict inner strength and beauty, not outer appearance.”
Her pure, clear eyes stared directly at me.
“The people of Ruberia have long suffered from fear of monsters. Being careful of danger is necessary, but excessive fear eats away at the heart. I was always worried about that.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“But you instilled courage in the hearts of the people to expel that fear. Did you know that learning martial arts has become popular among the public now? And that archery is the most popular?”
The smile returned to her serious face.
A sincere smile, looking pleased.
“In an unprecedented situation with the appearance of monsters in the capital, the people overcame their terror and began to search for what they could do on their own.”
The Queen bowed slightly to me.
“As Queen of this kingdom, I express my thanks to you for your courage.”
It was a sincere greeting.
I also bowed deeply, filled with humility and gratitude.
I felt my cheeks suddenly turn red.
“No, Your Majesty, I just did what I had to do.”
The Crown Prince, who had been listening silently, interjected, smiling.
“Your Majesty, if you continue to praise her, Miss Dale’s face will completely ripen with embarrassment.”
“Oh, I confused her. Come on, have your tea.”
I finally breathed a sigh of relief and drank my tea.
As I was putting the cup down, I felt Carlex's fixed gaze on me.
It was a look full of pride, and his facial expression also showed his pride in me.
A look that made me feel pressured and embarrassed, so I avoided it, and this time my eyes met the eyes of the Crown Prince.
Ludving too was smiling contentedly like a proud father longing to show off.
What's up with these two men? And in front of the queen too.
There was a moment as we both enjoyed the fragrant scent of the tea.
Suddenly, the Queen asked how Carlex was doing.
“Lord Carlex, thank you for supporting His Highness the Crown Prince with all your might. I invited you with us because I wanted to see you as well.”
“I apologize for not visiting more often, Your Majesty.”
“How could I ask you to come when you are busy with matters of state on behalf of the Crown Prince? But Countess Demeter often comes to the palace and accompanies me.”
“That's how it is.”
Carlex nodded with a gentle smile.
The Queen looked at Carlex and the Crown Prince with a bright face.
“Do you know what Countess Demeter’s greatest concern is these days?”
"Mm? What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
Carlex inquired with a startled look.
“The Grand Duke’s marriage issue. He has reached marriageable age but is not thinking about finding a mate. The Countess must be very worried and of course I feel the same way. His Highness the Crown Prince also does not show any desire to choose a mate. It is a big problem.”
The Queen made a harsh speech in Ludving's direction.
Ludving looked confused and just smiled, looking like he wanted to escape the situation.
"Do you have any misses you like, sir? If you like, I would like to be your personal mediator."
At the Queen's suggestion, Carlex and Ludving's eyes met at the same time.
Why me again? It seemed like an emotional triangle.
I tried to be as normal as possible and pulled the chair back and sat down.
When I turned away, the Crown Prince and the Duke's gazes met in the void.
Their facial expressions froze, then they quickly turned their eyes.
Carlex coughed blankly and sent a polite refusal.
“Thank you for your words, but I don’t think the time is right yet to decide about marriage.”
“If you wish, the royal family will provide all possible support, so come at any time.”
“Thank you for your deep concern, Your Majesty.”
The Queen looked at Carlex in silence.
In her eyes, a warm emotion shone like someone seeing his son become a mature man again.
“I always remember your loyalty and dedication deep in my heart. Next time, bring Michael with you to the palace. I miss his angelic smile.”
At the mention of Michael's beloved name, Carlex's tension visibly eased.
The Queen gently placed her hand on the back of Carlex's hand. It was a movement of love and passion.
“You were also an extremely lovable child. It seems like only yesterday that you were playing in the rose garden during your visits to the palace… I am happy to see you come often in the future.”
For the first time, Carlex spread a soft, comforting smile on his stern, servant-like face.
A soft atmosphere, like that between a mother and son, existed between the Queen and Carlex as they exchanged glances.
Ludving looked at this scene happily.
I took this opportunity and politely asked Ludving what I wished to know.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I have something I would like to ask you.”
“For your questions, I will gladly answer them.”
Even in front of the Queen, the reckless Crown Prince sends me his passionate smiles.
It was a little embarrassing, but I was more curious, so I checked Calix's reaction and asked quietly:
“I heard that the Grand Duke, when he visited the palace as a child, was greatly admired by the noble ladies. Is this true?”
I remembered what Mr. Lloyd had told me earlier.
The reason Carlex did not participate in social events was that he received “exaggerated” affection at the palace when he was young.
Because of the trauma of the time, he avoids places where women are common.
I longed to know what kind of “tenderness” he received.
I swear I'm not doing this because of a bet with Mr. Lloyd over silver coins.
I whispered in a low voice, but it seemed to be of no use to Carlex's sharp ears, as his expression froze. And he turned pale, didn't he?
“That, ha ha!”
Ludving laughed upon hearing my question.
The queen answered for me while I was confused.
“She talks about ‘Callie.’ He was a really lovable kid.”
The Queen smiled happily, as if recalling fond memories.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty, who is Callie?”
“‘Kalle’ is Grand Duke Reinhardt’s childhood nickname given to him by the noble ladies who frequented the court at the time.”
“Isn't 'Callie' a girl's name?”
“Haha, when he was young, the Duke was as beautiful and quiet as a doll. So much so that he could be mistaken for a girl. So, whenever the Duke visited the palace, the noble ladies would dress him up in dresses, call him ‘Cali’, and play with him at tea parties. I still remember that adorable and beautiful picture clearly.”
The Queen placed her hand on her cheek and sighed as if she felt sorry.
“Ah, there was such a thing…”
Ludving was choking with laughter, while Carlex lowered his head like a defeated war commander.
Oh my God, that arrogant and cold duke who was called 'Cali' and was so affectionate as a child.
It was truly a painful chapter of life, how shameful... no, painful and embarrassing.
I can understand and deeply sympathize with this unfortunate feeling.
But, regardless of that…
I turned and whispered to the queen in a secret voice:
“Was there any picture of Callie?”
“Unfortunately no. Because Callie was very disapproving of it.”
Out of regret, I clapped my thighs.
"Ah! What a pity! I so wanted to see him!"
Of course, Carlex was staring at me with a terrifying look, his blue eyes burning.
“Ha-ha-ha, really, Librarian Erica. To hear about ‘Callie’ in this place. It was off-limits.”
Ludving laughed, holding his stomach.
Honestly, I wanted to laugh with him, but I just drank my tea sip by sip while watching Carlex's reaction.
After the happy childhood memories were over for all but one person, the Queen changed the subject.
"Miss Dale. Isn't the job of a librarian stressful?"
I straightened my seat and nodded seriously.
“No, I enjoy my work.”
“I heard earlier that His Highness the Crown Prince often visited the Royal Library to study government affairs. You must have been very tired helping him.”
Studying governance affairs for the Crown Prince, so they said.
Tea parties, reading romance and adventure novels, napping in my hideout passed before me like lightning... but I smiled solemnly.
“No, I just did my job as a librarian.”
The Queen looked at the Crown Prince with a look of pride.
“I heard that His Highness changed beyond recognition after he started frequenting the Royal Library. He reduced his meetings with ladies and his hunting of young nobles, and began to actively participate in state meetings and government administration. How happy I was.”
Ludving looked embarrassed.
“Since my mother is happy, I should be more committed to my duty as crown prince.”
The Queen tapped her lace fan delicately to her mouth and smiled meaningfully.
“I think I finally understand now. Who has held back his volatile emotions.”
Ludving looked embarrassed, as if he had been surprised by an unexpected blow.
This was not appropriate for him, the always calm and confident person.
“So, what about you, Librarian Erica?”
The Queen looked at me, narrowing her eyes gently.
Oh, why are sparks flying towards me?
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation