Chapter 47.1

Perhaps noticing the uneasy atmosphere, Mercuris grabbed my hand and said, “I’m with you!”

I did not know how many people Rafael-sama had with him, but from Ria’s calm appearance, it did not seem that he was attacking with a large army.

Judging that there was no danger, I decided to take Mercuris with me.

I am grateful that she is willing to stay with me, even though she lacks the strength to fight.

From Gilbert-sama’s room, we went to the audience Chamber on the same level. It was the first place I was taken when I arrived here.

“Lydith-san, the current King Evandia is quite young, isn’t he? Gilbert told me that he was your former fiancée.”

“Yes, Rafael-sama is two years older than I am, so I think he is eighteen now. He must be very young in the eyes of Ria-sama and the others.”

I nodded as Ria asked me as we walked through the corridor.

After all, it seemed that it was not King Sariel, but Rafael-sama who arrived here. King Sariel had no reason to visit, so it was not hard to guess that he had given up his throne.

“The Royal family of Evandia really takes their status very lightly. Accompanied by the King is another young man, and then a mysterious woman… Well, that’s fine. Lydith-san, we’ll protect you, so don’t worry.”

Smiling, Ria said.

Ria’s words were at most expected, but to come without his escort knight, perhaps he was acting on his own initiative.

The other man, I suppose, was Orchis, but I have never heard of him being a man of military prowess.

I didn’t think Rafael-sama would do anything to me, but I will gratefully accept Ria’s reassuring offer. I thanked him, and he touched the pattern on my hand as if he was touching something very precious. He then took me by the hand and led me into the Chamber.

We entered through the door behind the throne in the audience chamber.

The hall had changed from the dimness it had the first time I came here, and every corner had been cleaned and hung with luxurious candelabras.

The chair that Gilbert-sama sat still looked like a jumbled combination of bones and scrap iron, but now it is covered with ivy and blooming red roses here and there. The wood Nymphs probably decorated it.

Next to Gilbert-sama, Astaroth and Chuzel were standing side by side.

It was the first time I saw Chuzel outside the library.

Ria and I stood next to the chair on the opposite side of the room from Astaroth and the others, with Mercuris waiting just behind me.

On the carpet in the stone room stood Rafael-sama, whom I have not seen for a long time.

His usual soft smile was gone, and his emotionless eyes stared at me.

Next to him was Orchis. His long black hair was pulled back in one bun and he was wearing a white robe. It was the first time I had seen in this lifetime.

In this life, I should only recognize his name and existence, so I reminded myself not to speak to him indiscreetly.

Behind them, was a small woman wearing a black cloth and a hood that concealed her face. She must be Cynthia.

I was not sure why she was hiding her face, but I couldn’t think of other reason.

But still, I wondered. I wondered if Cynthia had agreed to being brought here.

If Cynthia, who is a baroness, originally a commoner, and who was so timid at the Royal Academy, has decided to go to the land of the demons, I wonder what was the reason is for that.

In the end, I could not understand what Cynthia was thinking in my last life. Whenever I tried to talk to Cynthia, she would only deny my words and would not speak to me properly. It was only natural that Cynthia, who thought she was being abused by me, did not want to talk to me.

I had no idea what she was thinking this time either.

“How do you do, King of the Demon Tribe? I am Raphael Evandia, King of the Kingdom of Evandia.”

With a graceful gesture different from Gilbert’s, Raphael gave a polite greeting and bow. He was a gentle and handsome man with hair as golden as the morning sun and eyes as green as the surface of a lake, dressed in white with a deep indigo cloak.

Gilbert-sama wore black clothes and a crimson cloak, making him look like the complete opposite. I stared at him as if I were a mother watching over her own child.

I wondered if Gilbert-sama will be all right. I wondered if he will be able to greet them properly as a king.

Gilbert-sama called me a little girl when we first met. I wondered if he will be rude again.

I was worried.

“I am Gilbert Yule Heinsolde. I am still a prince, but tomorrow I will officially marry my consort and ascend to the throne. You may treat me as your King.”

It was all right. Those were firm words.

I was moved by Gilbert-sama’s growth.

After Rafael-sama bowed deeply once more, he took a step forward.

Gilbert-sama is the king of a defeated country, but Rafael-sama is a master at being courteous as a guest without being arrogant.

Before Cynthia’s arrival, Rafael was a crown prince with a promising future who was not conceited about his position and was eager to learn and be taught.

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