CH 33

Chapter - 33 || Are You Aware You Are A King Of A Country?

Rudolf-sama was not wearing loungewear, but a proper knight’s uniform.

I climbed down from my bed, put on my robe, and motioned to Erma to offer Master Ludolf a drink.

Rudolf-sama sat down on a chair with a backrest and drank a little tea instead of alcohol.

“I’m sorry.”

But before he could say anything, Rudolf-sama looked at me surprisingly.

“Why is Elvira apologizing?”

“If nothing happened, Rudolf-sama would be here for nothing. And you’re dressed like that, as well.”

Being in a knight uniform meant Rudolf-sama was at the top of his game and he was doing his utmost to guard us.

“You yourself took the initiative to protect me, Rudolf-sama. And yet, I had too little sense of danger.”

I thought back and sighed.

It was because of my own lack of perceptiveness since I came to the Kingdom of Turku.

Even though I was elated to be in a hometown that I was prepared to never set foot in again, I was still too careless.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

And yet, even at times like these, Rudolf-sama smiled gently at me, as if to reassure me.

“You didn’t feel threatened because you wanted it to be like that. Elvira didn’t have to think about anything else, I purposely created a drinking atmosphere so that I could enjoy the trip as much as possible. Of course, we had a good escort.”

I was told that my subjects were closer to me than usual, and that I was closer to them than usual, and the atmosphere was casual and relaxed.

Since Rudolf-sama didn’t say anything, I thought it would always be like this when we traveled.

“And Erma?”

Without the Countess of Klassen to guide her, Erma was spontaneous. Was it also to create an atmosphere?

Rudolf-sama’s smile grew wider.

“No, I didn’t say anything to Erma.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Then, there was something else to worry about.

“Did you catch the rats?”

So someone was trying to sneak in here.

Who could it be?

I’m already married to Rudolf-sama.

I don’t think I can be Patrisch-sama’s fiancée, so I don’t think I will be targeted by those who fear that Patrisch-sama’s power will grow.

Are they the ones who don’t want the Dukes of Lustro to prosper?

Even so, it would not be in their best interest to target me, the Crown Princess, directly here today.

Don’t tell me that Lady Natalia has a personal grudge against me?

But, if anything, isn’t it us who resent her?

Or, I can imagine that there will be people who will feel offended by my visit as a fake saint.

But in any case, it doesn’t make sense to me that it should be at this time and place.

“That’s the thing.”

Rudolf-sama sighed in exasperation.

“A rat is a rat.”

“Yes.”

“It was the king rat.”

“What?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

“Oh, no… No way…”

When I muttered, “No way,” Rudolf-sama nodded.

“If I hadn’t been stranded by the flooding river, I would have been able to see you at leisure today, and I wouldn’t have refused to eat. Maybe he was upset that he couldn’t see your face until the wedding. He offered to meet my wife, fair and square, at this hour.”

I was too dumbfounded to say anything.

“Fritz and Christopher politely refused, but he still didn’t listen and tried to lead the knight commander over there to get in. I finally turned him down, in person.”

I was so embarrassed that I covered my face with my hand.

“What a… really.”

He continued to mutter in a low voice, “I’m sorry.”

Alexander-sama, I wonder if you are aware that you are the king of a country.

I don’t know what you were planning to do when you met me, but, This is not the way to treat the Crown Princess of an Empire.

I really didn’t know what to do anymore, I was just ashamed.

Then,

“Elvira.”

When I looked up at him, I saw his serious eyes.

“It’s not your fault. Please don’t apologize.”

“But…”

“It was done by someone who had nothing to do with you.”

Rudolf-sama said softly.

“I’ve just decided to be even more careful about the security of this room. Starting with Christopher, I’m keeping an eye on the entire area around this room and from the outside where we can see this room. Then—”

Rudolf-sama added, glancing at the bedroom.

“Can I stay here too? You know, just in case.”

“That, yes, of course, is fine.”

“Good.”

In spite of this situation, I was a little flustered.

It was small compared to the Imperial bed, but it was large enough for two adults to sleep on.

I and Rudolf-sama laid down.

A little closer than before.

I couldn’t hide my nervousness.　

Rudolf-sama had changed from his knight’s uniform to his loungewear, but he showed no signs of sleep.

“Rudolf-sama, please rest.”

It would be better to get some sleep, so I called out to him.

“Don’t worry, Elvira, you’re the one who needs to sleep.”

“Yes.”

“That’s it.”

Rudolf-sama said as if he had an idea.

“Elvira, when you’re back in the Empire and settled, why don’t the two of us go to Lake Erie this time?”

“Lake Erie?”

I had never heard that name before. “Oh,” Rudolf-sama explained,

“It’s a revived lake in the south, where your father went to visit. It was named after you, Lake Erie.”

“Well…”

“Thanks to Lake Erie, irrigation is going well and crops are coming in. The residents are so grateful to the saint that they are happy to visit her.”

“I’d like to go.”

I was reminded once again that it is not the Kingdom of Turku, but the Zomer Empire that I will be making memories of.

I said softly to Rudolf-sama,

“I’m sorry to have gotten you into so much trouble because of my selfishness.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

While I was grateful for Rudolf-sama’s kindness, I couldn’t help but be curious about the top of the mountain to the north.

It was more like an urge.

But,

I reaffirmed my resolve to return as soon as the wedding was over, so I could check on the mountains to the north.

I have to go back.

Definitely.

To my place of return.

I told myself to suppress my inner urges and fell into a shallow sleep.