While Kelly’s family was still panicking, I had Kelly get on Charite and fly away. They couldn’t follow her up in the sky, after all. Lord Nazel and I got on Geni next, and Torre—who’d come along but hadn’t spoken a word and simply focused on his guard duties—also got on his pegasus, and we gently took off. Kelly’s family seemed too afraid of the mountbeasts to get any closer; they stood frozen in place, looking up at the sky with dumbfounded expressions. The crowd of people from around the neighborhood that had gathered near Kelly’s family home also looked up at us.
“All right, time to depart for the capital.”
Flying above the vast suburban town, our mountbeasts started flapping their wings toward the capital. Kelly’s hometown gradually appeared smaller and faded into the distance.
Kelly seemed to relax a little as she talked to us.
“Excuse me, Lord Nazelbart, Lady Agnes...I’d like to thank you once again. Without you, I imagine that talks of my marriage would have progressed against my will. I’m not sure I could have resolved this on my own. Furthermore, I would like to apologize for my family’s discourteous behavior.”
Thanks to our mountbeasts’ barriers, I could hear her even up in the sky. Flying mountbeasts could create a barrier using their mana to protect themselves and their passengers. Otherwise, humans would struggle to breathe while riding on mountbeasts flying at high speeds.
Kelly’s expression was the same as ever, but she seemed grateful.
“Originally, we should have already arrived at the capital by now, but because of me...”
“As I already told you yesterday, you have nothing to apologize for. Both Lord Nazel and I are doing this because we want to. You’re precious family to us, Kelly.” The House of Florescruz was a large family now, but Kelly, someone who’d been there from the very beginning, was special among everyone. Even if our standing was different, I considered her a close friend.
“Agnes is right. You don’t need to apologize, Kelly. In fact, I’d prefer it if you relied on us more.” Lord Nazel’s opinion was the same as mine.
“Exactly. If more pressuring letters come, don’t hesitate to tell me.” As Kelly’s intermediary, I was going to protect her.
For now, we need to look into the man who proposed to Kelly. He’s apparently a famous merchant in the capital, so we might be able to gather some information on him while we’re at the castle.
Even as we were having our conversation, our mountbeasts continued flying smoothly, steadily progressing through the sky, and we reached the airspace above the capital before long. Although we’d taken an unplanned detour, we were still on schedule.
We had Geni and the others land at a mountbeast station, and we took a carriage to the palace. The mountbeasts would be carefully tended in an animal pen at the station, so we would be parting ways for a short time.
We would be staying in guest rooms in the royal palace. The dispute between the former queen’s faction and the current king’s faction had calmed down, so Lord Nazel and I could now confidently spend the night at the palace. The two of us were given a room fit for nobles, while Kelly and Torre would be staying in servant guest rooms.
The mountbeast station was close to the palace, but most nobles took carriages the rest of the way to avoid any trouble. Things would be different if we were traveling incognito, but right now, we had been formally invited to the palace. Lord Nazel and I smiled at each other in our neighboring seats, the carriage shaking along the way. Kelly was sitting across from us, while Torre was in the driver’s seat. He’d declined sitting inside the carriage, stating that his build was too large. I didn’t particularly mind, but it might be easier for him to act as a guard outside, so we let him do as he wished.
While we were still en route, my mind drifted to the king and queen’s sons.
The princes are turning two this year. I wonder how big they’ve gotten. Queen Latriche had given birth to twins around six months before I’d given birth to Solis. I couldn’t wait for our children to meet.
I should review the birthday proceedings in my head. Celebrating a prince’s birthday in Desnim went as follows: First, only the family went to a church to offer a prayer for the kid’s birthday. In Desnim, two religions were technically mixed together, but prayers for celebrations were the role of the same churches that performed appraisals. Next, a banquet for royalty and nobility was held inside the royal palace. We would be participating in the latter event, where we would be giving the princes presents and our congratulations. At the same time, commoners would start festivities across the city, which would expand into a major, nationwide event. Various stalls were already lined up across the capital, and preparations for stages with attractions were underway. The bustling atmosphere was a sign of peace.
I felt delighted as I looked at the city’s scenery through the carriage window. The carriage proceeded along the beautifully paved street, passed through the large palace gates, and gently stopped at a station inside the palace grounds.
“Looks like we’ve arrived,” Lord Nazel said. He led me by the hand as we slowly got off the carriage, with Kelly following after us.
Here in the capital, it was currently the start of winter, so naturally it was a bit chilly. It made me miss Sutrena, where it was warm all year round.
After we left our carriage, guides from the palace approached us to welcome us inside and take us to our rooms. Torre had also come down from the driver’s seat, so the four of us followed the guides. Whenever I came here, I felt nervous walking through the historical palace interior.
A very luxurious double room had been prepared for Lord Nazel and me. A private dressing area was also properly provided in the adjoining room. Furthermore, several maids were also in charge of our room. They would be temporarily under Kelly’s command to care for me. When they came to greet us, they were overwhelmed by how handsome Lord Nazel was up close.
I understand exactly how they feel. Lord Nazel’s charm was in a league of its own; I’d also been dumbfounded during our first meeting. I’d grown more used to him now, but I still got nervous often.
Once the greetings were finished, the palace guides, maids, Kelly, and Torre each left the room, leaving me alone with Lord Nazel. After inspecting the room, I opened the window and looked outside. Because of the season, the garden wasn’t exactly filled with numerous flowers, but it was still neatly arranged. It looked like they’d prepared a nice room for us.
As I looked outside, I thought about the princes’ birthday party again.
The party is tomorrow. I need to work hard to make sure I don’t mess up... After all, the last time I’d visited the palace, I’d failed to conduct myself properly and ended up in a world of trouble.
I don’t have many good memories in this palace to begin with...do I? During my first visit here, I’d attended an evening party in my Lady Bumpkin attire, and ended up getting engaged to Lord Nazel as a punishment. During the second one, the former queen’s faction had been condemned during Princess Mia’s newborn party, and Master Robin had sexually harassed me. During the third one, I’d come to meet the new king and queen and gotten attacked by people from their rival faction.
My marriage to Lord Nazel had brought me endless joy, and I was glad that the former queen’s faction had been arrested for all their misdeeds. However, during my first visit, I remembered crying because of my own worthlessness.
I believe I’ve grown a little since the last time, but I need to brace myself. I tensed my whole body and exhaled with determination. I wouldn’t let my negative emotions get the better of me.
As he watched me, Lord Nazel came up next to me with a confused look on his face.
“What’s wrong, Agnes? You have a very gallant expression.”
“I’m firing myself up.”
“Are you perhaps nervous? Don’t worry, you’re adorable wherever you are.” That sounded both right but also a little wrong.
“As your wife, I will do my best not to embarrass you.” I braced myself once again.
“I don’t think you need to worry that much...” he said with a pensive look.
While we were talking, there was a knock on the door, and King Bertrand and Queen Latriche showed up. Prince Valen, who’d arrived at the palace before us, was also standing behind them. Queen Latriche and Prince Valen were siblings, so they resembled each other a lot when they stood side by side. Their hair color and aura were identical. I had a feeling that King Bertrand was being intimidated by the pressure emanating from Prince Valen.
“His Majesty may be showing consideration for his brother-in-law,” Lord Nazel whispered low enough that only I could hear.
That makes sense. That’s the result of Prince Valen’s strong love for his sister. Perhaps the prince was the kind of person with an excessive attachment to his sister.
Even amid all this, King Bertrand gave us a powerful smile.
“Lord Nazelbart, Lady Agnes, thank you for coming from so far away.”
Lord Nazel and I bowed together.
“We would like to thank you for the invitation. Congratulations on the princes’ birthday,” Lord Nazel said.
“Last year must have been tough for you, since Lady Agnes had also recently given birth. I’m happy to see you two looking so healthy,” King Bertrand replied.
Queen Latriche walked from King Bertrand’s side over to me.
“I’ve missed you, Lady Agnes! We have been exchanging letters, but seeing you in person is the best. I also want to visit Sutrena, but going out is difficult when I have two sons.”
“I’ve also missed you, Your Majesty! When Solis gets bigger, I’m going to bring him here.”
“The two of them are so cute it’s a feast for the eyes,” Prince Valen said with a smile, looking at us holding hands. Lord Nazel and King Bertrand just stared at him.