Chapter 24
Together with Mina and Father, I headed toward the entrance where the royal messenger was waiting.
When we went down the corridor and descended the stairs, a messenger clad in formal, pompous attire stood there—and in his hand was a scroll adorned with the royal insignia. That scroll surely carried a message… perhaps even a royal decree.
(—Last time, I was ordered to marry His Excellency… what could it be this time…)
Letters from the royal castle never carried good memories. Natalie instinctively braced herself.
“…You are the Lord of Pettigrew and Lady Natalie, correct?”
“Y-Yes.”
“…That’s right.”
Carrying out his duty mechanically, the messenger confirmed Father and Natalie’s identities. Then, he opened the scroll and began to read aloud.
“Words from His Majesty the King. …In this war, thanks to the notice given by your house, reinforcements such as the knight order arrived in time. As a result, enemy soldiers never harmed our lands, and thanks to your young lady, the allied soldiers suffered far fewer injuries—thus bringing the war to an end.”
“N-no, that notice was—”
“…That is merely the official pretense.”
“What!?”
Father tried to object to the messenger’s words, but instead, the messenger cut him off with the King’s true intent, shocking him.
“By proclaiming ‘the great deeds of House Pettigrew,’ His Majesty wishes to keep the other nobles in check. Do you understand the meaning?”
“……”
The letter from the current king—Edward’s father—was nothing less than a veiled threat. In short, by granting honors to House Pettigrew, a family not particularly powerful among the nobility, the crown intended to balance power among the peers. If they failed to grasp this implication—
(…Just imagining the consequences is terrifying.)
“Thus, His Majesty insists you accept the reward. That is all the royal family asks. …House Pettigrew, may you continue to remain in close favor with the crown.”
Father and Natalie both listened intently, hardly daring to breathe.
“Beyond this ‘reward,’ you need not think too deeply. His Majesty requests the lord of this house appear at the palace tomorrow… and naturally, Lady Natalie Pettigrew as well.”
“What—!”
“The crown shall bestow honor upon the lord and his daughter. That is all.”
Hearing his daughter’s name directly spoken from the King left Father gaping. Natalie, however, secretly felt relief—at least she wasn’t being offered as tribute to an allied nation.
Regardless of father and daughter’s inner turmoil, the messenger performed the minimum courtesy, saying, “Tomorrow, please come to the royal castle. I thank you in advance,” before promptly preparing to depart. He climbed swiftly into his carriage and was gone.
“…F-foooh. I see, I see.”
“…So tomorrow, we must head to the royal castle, Father?”
“…Hmm. Yes, we cannot refuse the King’s command.”
“Yes… that’s true.”
“Still, what I heard doesn’t seem entirely disadvantageous. We may attract some attention in society… but perhaps little else.”
Even if the crown granted them territory, their lands were far from the capital. To the other nobles, it wouldn’t be much of a threat. No jealousy should arise, and increased income was certainly appealing.
“However… my dear Natalie being seen by other men—that is a grave problem…”
“…Father.”
“N-Natalie! Those cold eyes, just like your mother’s… aimed at me!? Ugh…”
Father clutched his chest as if pierced by her gaze. Apparently, Natalie’s look had struck deeper than expected.
(…The royal castle, huh…)
She would return there for the first time since the ball. But unlike then, this wasn’t an event—according to the scroll, it was merely to receive a reward. Surely, nothing problematic would occur… she reassured herself over and over.
After the storm of this announcement, Franz—who had treated Julius—took his leave. He asked that if Julius did not awaken in a few days, they should summon him again. Natalie and Father saw him off as he departed back to his remote domain.
No matter how much she fretted, time continued on.
The day to visit the royal castle arrived. Julius still had not awakened. After Mina helped Natalie prepare, she went to meet Father, who was waiting in the carriage.
“My dear, Natalie… be careful.”
“…Yes. And please, take good rest.”
“Of course, I will.”
The King’s summons had not included her mother. After the war, Mother had fallen ill from the stress, so she remained home. Given the matter of the First Prince as well, Father judged it best not to burden her.
“Mother, we’ll be going now.”
“…Yes. Take care, both of you.”
“Ahh! We’ll return at once!”
With Mother’s farewell, Natalie and Father boarded the carriage and set off for the royal castle.
The royal family Natalie knew was different—the war had broken out, the First and Second Princes had fallen, and the reigning King had abdicated. The young Third Prince had then inherited the throne.
But now, only the First Prince’s death had been reported—the Second Prince, the current King, was still alive.
Comparing her knowledge of history with the present, Natalie’s thoughts carried her until, before she realized, the Pettigrew carriage had reached the castle. Unlike during the ball, there were no signs of war damage in the city or the castle.
She alighted from the carriage with Father, and they were guided by royal servants into the audience hall where the King awaited. It was a hall lined with red carpet, with a luxurious chair raised several steps above the floor.
“…I’m glad you came, Lord Pettigrew.”
“…We greet the noble radiance of the kingdom.”
“No need to be so stiff… raise your heads.”
Father and daughter bowed deeply. At the King’s words, they raised their heads and beheld him—he looked weary from the war, dark shadows under his eyes. The Queen sat beside him, and nearby were Edward and the young Third Prince.
“You have come swiftly, so let us not delay. I shall bestow a reward—land taken from the enemy, adjoining Pettigrew territory, shall be granted to you.”
“Ha! We humbly accept. Henceforth, House Pettigrew shall pledge unwavering loyalty to the crown.”
Other captured lands were still under negotiation with allied nations. This particular plot seemed less valuable, which was why it had been given so readily as reward.
“…Good. Enough of the formalities.”
When the grant ceremony concluded, the King nodded with satisfaction. He glanced at Natalie, then at her father.
“I realize we’ve had little interaction with House Pettigrew.”
“Y-Yes…”
“This war showed me the importance of closer ties with you.”
The King stared intently into Father’s eyes. Overwhelmed by his aura, Father grew timid.
“So, since today is such fine weather… let us converse leisurely in the gardens, Lord Pettigrew.”
“I-It is an honor.”
“Excellent… but then, Lady Pettigrew may grow bored, no?”
“N-no, not at all—”
“Edward, why not escort the young lady through the castle town?”
Natalie froze, shocked, but the King seemed not to notice. He sent Edward a mischievous smile. Edward, catching the look, only laughed wryly.
“Heh, I think it a wonderful idea. You haven’t often visited the town, have you?”
“E-eh… no.”
“Then allow me to guide you. With magic disguises, we won’t attract attention—and besides, my ‘shadow’ is always with us. There’s nothing to fear.”
“Y-Your Majesty!?”
As Edward’s gaze locked on hers, the conversation flowed swiftly. When Natalie admitted she had scarcely been to the castle town, the plan solidified. Father’s eyes widened in panic—his daughter walking with a man!?—but with royalty so near, he couldn’t openly refuse.
“Do not worry. Edward, see that you escort her well.”
“Yes, Father.”
(W-what… how did this happen!)
Natalie never expected any opportunity to speak with Edward—she hadn’t even brought the pendant he’d once given her. Father, intimidated by the royals’ presence, could only send pleading looks with his eyes.
Meanwhile, Edward approached her with graceful steps.
“Forgive me for the suddenness… may I take your hand, Lady Natalie?”
“…Eh?”
The radiant man, like the sun itself, gently took her hand.
“Then, we shall be off. We will return by evening.”
“Eh—ehhh!?”
Edward announced this to all in the hall. The Queen smiled, the Third Prince waved cheerfully—“Have a good time, brother!” And Edward, meeting Natalie’s eyes, narrowed his own with a bashful smile.
At that moment, Natalie’s vision warped—the scenery before her twisted, shifting into something else entirely—
