The Audience Chamber
“Open it.”
Acting as though nothing were unusual, Elizalina approached the doors of the audience chamber. When she instructed the two guards posted there to open them, they slowly pushed the doors wide.
Inside, several pillars stood symmetrically on both sides, and at the end of the red carpet that stretched straight from the entrance was the throne.
Passing through the doorway, Elizalina walked along the red carpet leading to the throne. When she reached her father, the king, seated upon it, she dropped to one knee and spoke.
“Father, I am so glad to see you looking well.”
“…”
Watching her, the king paused for a moment before speaking.
“Elizalina, who always dislikes kneeling and makes excuses such as being family or that no one is watching, now kneels before me. That must mean there is significance to your appearance here today.”
“Yes.”
If this were only the usual routine report, kneeling would be too much trouble. But what I must say today is no ordinary matter, so to prove I am serious, I should at least observe proper etiquette.
“Then raise your face and state your business.”
“Understood.”
With that, Elizalina lifted her face as commanded, met the dignified gaze of the king, and spoke.
“I, the Second Princess Elizalina, have decided to become engaged to a certain man. The arrangements have not yet been made, but in preparation for when they are, I wish to obtain your permission now so the engagement can proceed without delay. That is why I have come to the audience chamber today.”
“Oh… Elizalina has finally found a fiancé, has she. Is he royalty, or a noble?”
“He is a noble from a count’s family in this country, who turns sixteen this year.”
“…”
Hearing these words from Elizalina, the king furrowed his brow.
The pressure from that expression alone would be enough to intimidate an ordinary duke, yet Elizalina’s expression did not change in the slightest, nor was her heart shaken.
Observing this, the king let out a sigh before speaking.
“Elizalina, and Felisiana as well… Why is it that you both choose, of all things, men from a count’s house?”
“With all due respect, Father, love has nothing to do with rank.”
“You are daughters of the king, which means you are royalty. Love may be important, but above all, what you as royalty must consider is the future of this country and its people. With that in mind, the one you should be engaged to is certainly not some mid-teen boy from a count’s family.”
“Father.”
Elizalina spoke in a dark and heavy tone, turning hollow eyes toward the king.
“If you intend to insult him, even you, Father, I will not forgive it.”
“…”
The king said nothing in response, but Elizalina dropped her vacant gaze and instead smiled as she continued.
“Just kidding! That was going too far, wasn’t it! I apologize, Father! But it seems you are misunderstanding one thing, so may I clarify just that much?”
“…What is it?”
After offering an insincere apology, Elizalina spoke clearly.
“I am not saying I want to be engaged to him for love alone. If he and I were engaged and able to move this country forward together, I believe the nation would improve so much that I would no longer even need to act as a mediator. So while love is certainly a major reason, I have also properly considered the future of this country, and this is the answer I reached. That is what I wanted to make clear.”
“…”
“That is all! Since it seems difficult to get permission right away, I will excuse myself for now~”
With those words, Elizalina turned her back on the king and left the audience chamber.
That was close! If Father had gone any further in insulting Lux, I don’t know what I might have done. Not getting Father’s permission immediately was expected from the start, so really, everything is going according to plan. All that’s left is to wait for the right moment. Ahh, Lux, I want to see your happy face soon!
With such thoughts in mind, Elizalina walked through the castle corridors back to her room, where she once again began indulging in fantasies about Lux.