In the room where Miss Duchess was.
Miss Duchess was sitting on the bed, and Queen Kayana was sitting in a chair beside the bed. It appeared that they were the only two in the room; there were no other servants or knights.
“I apologize for making you meet me in this room, Your Majesty. I feel fine, but my husband keeps insisting that I stay in bed,” said Duchess Arlet.
“It’s fine, Miss Arlet. So, how are you, Miss Arlet? Is there anything stiff or difficult to move? Since you just woke up after 11 years of sleep, there are bound to be some parts of your body that feel stiff,” said Queen Kayana.
“No, not a single part of my body feels stiff or difficult to move. I feel fine now, Your Majesty,” said Duchess Arlet.
Duchess Arlet then moved to get out of bed. After that, Duchess Arlet stood on the floor beside her bed with ease. Then, Duchess Arlet began walking around the room. She seemed to be able to walk easily, showing no difficulty at all. After walking around the room, Duchess Arlet began jogging. Just like before, Duchess Arlet had no difficulty running around the room. Queen Kayana, who was watching, was immediately surprised and amazed to see Duchess Arlet in perfect health.
After running for a while, Duchess Arlet returned to her bed and sat down.
“Ser, Your Majesty? I’m fine, aren’t I?” Duchess Arlet asked.
“Yes, you’re perfectly fine. In fact, you’re more than fine. I didn’t expect you to be able to run after just waking up from a long sleep. I thought some parts of your body might be difficult to move, having been asleep for 11 years and not having moved your body for that long,” said Queen Kayana.
“I thought the same thing before. I was shocked to find out that I had been asleep for 11 years. During those 11 years, I certainly never moved a single part of my body. My limbs would probably be stiff and difficult to move once I woke up. But when I tried to move my body after waking up, I didn’t expect it to still move so easily. I could even run, as I showed you earlier, Your Majesty. Even so, my husband still worries about me. He always tells me to stay in this room, even though I say I’m fine. I’ve already given him proof that I’m fine, but he still tells me to rest in this room,” said Duchess Arlet, looking slightly annoyed.
“Ahaha, perhaps your husband is very worried about you because you just woke up from a long sleep,” said Queen Kayana.
“Yes, it seems so. He’s always been overprotective, even from the beginning. I thought that after 11 years of my sleep, his overprotectiveness would disappear, but it didn’t. But well, that’s what attracted me to him. Ahaha, sorry to bring this up, Your Majesty,” said Duchess Arlet.
“It’s okay, Miss Arlet. I’m glad to see you’re the same as you were before your long sleep. You still seem as cheerful and active as ever, a stark contrast to your daughter, who tended to be quiet,” said Queen Kayana.
“Well, Irene used to be a cheerful child, but for some reason, she prefers to be quiet. I have no problem with that. Whether she’s cheerful or quiet is entirely Irene’s decision. I won’t protest any of her decisions,” said Duchess Arlet.
“You are truly a kind and understanding mother, Miss Arlet,” said Queen Kayana.
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty,” said Duchess Arlet.
“Hmm, but looking at your face, it seems you don’t fit to be called Irene’s mother,” said Queen Kayana.
“What do you mean, Your Majesty?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“Your face is still the same as it was 11 years ago when you were young. Your face looks similar to Irene’s now, just a different hairstyle. If you were walking with Irene right now, perhaps other people who don’t know you both would think of you as older sister and younger sister, and not as mother and daughter,” said Queen Kayana.
“Is it that much? I’ve seen my own face in the mirror, and it does look similar to Irene’s, but would Irene and I be mistaken for younger sister and older sister? Aren’t there even mothers who look like their children?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“Yes, that’s true, but from my perspective, you and Irene are more suited to being younger sister and older sister than mother and daughter,” said Queen Kayana.
Duchess Arlet fell silent after hearing Queen Kayana’s words. Not long after, she began to speak again.
“I think it would be nice if Irene and I were mistaken for younger sister and older sister. Maybe I’ll try going for a walk with Irene later and see how people react to us. By the way, Your Majesty, you said that Irene and I are more suited to being younger sister and older sister. So, who is the older sister between us?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“Of course, Irene,” said Queen Kayana.
“Why Irene?” asked Duchess Arlet, looking slightly annoyed.
“Of course, because Irene looks more mature,” said Queen Kayana.
“Shouldn’t I be the one who looks more mature, since I’m Irene’s mother? You’ve always treated me like a child, Your Majesty. Even though we’re not that different in age,” said Duchess Arlet, still looking slightly irritated.
“Ahahaha. Well, we’ve known each other for a long time, and I already know your character and attitude. You’re always cheerful, playful, always active, and restless—isn’t that just like a child?” asked Queen Kayana.
“But I’m not a child, you damn Queen,” said Duchess Arlet, becoming even more irritated.
Queen Kayana seemed to simply laugh after seeing Duchess Arlet’s response. Queen Kayana didn’t mind at all that Duchess Arlet called her ‘damn Queen’.
-
Then, Queen Kayana and Duchess Arlet continued their conversation.
“Okay, okay. Let’s move on to something else. Hmm, how about we talk about Rid Archie? He’s currently your daughter’s boyfriend,” said Queen Kayana.
“I already knew that Rid was Irene’s boyfriend. I also learned about him from my husband. I didn’t expect him to be so popular and have contributed so much to San Fulgen Academy and this kingdom. No wonder Irene likes him; he’s no ordinary person. Well, seeing him wake me from a long sleep is proof enough that he’s no ordinary person,” said Duchess Arlet.
“Speaking of Rid waking you from a long sleep. Rid woke you with his magic, right?” asked Queen Kayana.
“Yes. When I woke up, I felt magical power flowing throughout my body. That magical power felt the same as the magical power Rid possessed,” said Duchess Arlet.
Queen Kayana fell silent after hearing Duchess Arlet’s words. Not long after, she began speaking again.
“It seems the reason you can still move your body even though you’ve been asleep for 11 years is because of Rid’s magic. That magic not only melted the ice surrounding your heart that kept you asleep, but it also restored your strength. That’s why you can still move your body even though you’ve been asleep for 11 years. And perhaps, you can still swing your rapier and use magic just like you could 11 years ago before you fell asleep,” said Queen Kayana.
“Why do you think that, Your Majesty?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“That’s because I know Rid quite well. I also know about his abilities. He possesses extraordinary healing magic. He can even heal wounds caused by demon attacks using ~Dark Magic~. But what I’m telling you is a secret, so please don’t spread it,” said Queen Kayana.
“A demon using ~Dark Magic~? Ah, my husband previously told me that two years ago, there was a demon attack at the courthouse in the capital of San Estella. The demons suddenly attacked while a trial was taking place there. The demons were believed to be artificial demons created through an experiment. Then my husband said that Rid contributed to the fight against the demons. So Rid also helped heal those injured by the demon attack and he could heal wounds caused by ~Dark Magic~ attacks with ease. If he can do that, then perhaps you’re right about Rid’s magic that restored my strength. So my body don’t feel stiff and I can move easily even though I’ve been asleep for 11 years,” said Duchess Arlet.
“Yes. But the fact that Rid can heal wounds caused by ~Dark Magic~ attacks is a secret. Rid doesn’t heal everyone who is injured, only a few. So please keep this a secret, Miss Arlet,” said Queen Kayana
“Yes, you can rest assured, Your Majesty. By the way, how are your son and daughter? Since 11 years have passed, surely your son and daughter are adults now,” said Duchess Arlet.
“As for Charles and Chloe, they’re both currently fourth-year academy students. They’re friends with Rid and Irene because they’re in the same class. As for Caroline, she’s 14 now and she’s actively training to prepare to become an academy student,” said Queen Kayana.
“Caroline is 14 now, huh? The last time I saw her was when she was 3 or 4. Well, that’s natural, since that was 11 years ago. Charles and Chloe are also adults now. The last time I saw them was when they were little. They were both very cute back then. Now, they must look more mature. And as for Chloe, her face definitely resembles yours, Your Majesty,” said Duchess Arlet.
“We do, but Chloe and I don’t look so much alike that we’d be mistaken for older sister and younger sister,” said Queen Kayana.
“You’re still bringing that up,” said Duchess Arlet, looking slightly annoyed.
“Ahahaha,” laughed Queen Kayana.
“I’m eager to see your children, Your Majesty. Besides, I also want to go see Miss Claret, Miss Arnett, and Miss Harriet. Although our husbands are always at odds and dislike each other, the four of us are quite close. I’m curious to see how they look after 11 years,” said Duchess Arlet.
Queen Kayana, who had initially smiled upon hearing Duchess Arlet’s words, suddenly changed her expression. This time, Queen Kayana looked a little sad.
“Miss Arlet, hasn’t your husband told you about Miss Claret and Miss Harriet?” asked Queen Kayana.
“No, what’s wrong? Then, why do you look so sad, Your Majesty?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“I don’t know if I should tell you about this or not,” said Queen Kayana.
“What’s wrong, Your Majesty? What happened to Miss Claret and Miss Harriet?” asked Duchess Arlet.
Queen Kayana fell silent for a moment. After a while, she began to speak again.
“Very well, I will tell you. Besides, this news isn’t news that should be hidden,” said Queen Kayana.
Queen Kayana then told the story of Miss Claret and Miss Harriet and what had happened over the past few years while Duchess Arlet was asleep. Duchess Arlet, who heard the story, looked utterly shocked.
“Lord Darwin and Lord James are dead?!?! Miss Harriet and Miss Claret have turned into demons?!?! Your husband, King Albert, has also turned into a demon?!?! Then there’s a plot to assassinate you and the entire San Lucia family, and Lord Darwin, Lord James, Miss Harriet, Miss Claret, and King Albert are also involved in the plot?!?! Wait a moment, I still have to process what you just told me, Your Majesty. I can’t believe so much happened while I was asleep,” said Duchess Arlet.
Duchess Arlet was currently holding her head. She seemed dizzy and confused by what Queen Kayana had told her.
“I thought you already knew about this, Miss Arlet, because you previously said your husband had told you about the demons attacking the courthouse. Two of the demons who attacked the courthouse were Lord Darwin and Lord James, who had been transformed into demons,” said Queen Kayana.
“My husband did tell me that there was a demonic attack at the courthouse. But he didn’t provide further details. I never imagined that all five of them were involved in the assassination plot against you and the entire San Lucia family. With Lord Darwin and Lord James dead, that means only Miss Claret, Miss Harriet, and King Albert are left at large as participants in the plot,” said Duchess Arlet.
“It’s not just the three of them; there are other perpetrators involved in the assassination plot. Considering that all three of them have been transformed into demons, someone must be controlling them, and that person is the main perpetrator of the assassination,” said Queen Kayana.
“I see. I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I can’t imagine how you feel knowing that your husband, who has been by your side all this time, is involved in the plot against you. In fact, your husband has been transformed into a demon and is being controlled by someone. I can’t imagine what it would be like if that happened to me,” said Duchess Arlet.
“Thank you for your sympathy, Miss Arlet. I was shocked and very surprised when I found out about it, but I’m fine now. After all, it’s been two years since I first learned about it,” said Queen Kayana.
“I’m glad you’re all right, Your Majesty. Furthermore, I never imagined there would be an assassination plot against you and the entire San Lucia family. Why didn’t my husband tell me about it after I woke up?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“Perhaps your husband didn’t want you to be worried and shocked after learning about it, especially since you’ve just woken up from a long sleep. So he didn’t or hasn’t told you about it,” said Queen Kayana.
“Yes, perhaps what you say is true, Your Majesty. By the way, do you know who the main perpetrator of the assassination plot is, Your Majesty?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“Not yet. The main perpetrator of the assassination plot remains a mystery. Although I’ve deployed many knights to track down the perpetrator or anyone else involved in the plot, their trail remains undiscovered. Moreover, they haven’t made any movements for two years. I suspect they’re waiting for the right time to make a major move. Therefore, I’ve already informed Lord Louis of my suspicions and told him to remain vigilant,” said Queen Kayana.
“So the main perpetrator of the murder is still a mystery, huh? It seems I need to start training again. I must help this family face those who might attack and kill the entire family. I must protect them all as the wife of the head of the San Lucia family,” said Duchess Arlet with a serious expression.
Queen Kayana smiled after Duchess Arlet said that.
“If you intervene to protect the San Lucia family, the San Lucia family will surely be safer. However, I’m not sure your husband will allow you to intervene. I’m not even sure he’ll allow it, since you’ve only just awakened,” said Queen Kayana.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. If he won’t allow me, I’ll keep forcing him until he does. Or perhaps, I could pretend to be angry and refuse to talk to him if he doesn’t. He’ll surely feel very lonely if I refuse to talk to him. After that, because he doesn’t want to be lonely, he’ll eventually allow me,” said Duchess Arlet.
“Ahahaha, that method you’ve devised sounds interesting,” said Queen Kayana with a laugh.
Queen Kayana and Duchess Arlet continued to chat.
“By the way, Miss Arlet, there’s something I’d like to ask of you,” said Queen Kayana.
“What is it, Your Majesty?” asked Duchess Arlet.
“You may have just woken up yesterday, but could you tell me about what happened in the Orokho Mountains? What happened that forced you to use the San Lucia family’s forbidden technique, causing you to fall into a deep sleep because your heart froze after using it?” said Queen Kayana.
“The Orokho Mountains, huh?” said Duchess Arlet.
After that, Duchess Arlet fell silent. During that silence, Duchess Arlet tried to recall what happened in the Orokho Mountains. Slowly, Duchess Arlet began to recall the events that occurred in the Orokho Mountains. Among the events Duchess Arlet remembered were the incident when Duchess Arlet and the knights on the expedition fought numerous dragons whose bodies were made entirely of ice. Then there was the incident when Duchess Arlet fought a giant dragon whose body was also made entirely of ice. And finally, there was the appearance of a woman who appeared human, but had horns and a tail resembling a dragon. In Duchess Arlet’s memory, the woman said something.
“Human, you are quite powerful, having defeated my subordinates. Because of that, I decided to appear before you in person. However, you are still very weak compared to me,” the woman said.
Meanwhile, Queen Kayana continued to stare at Duchess Arlet, who remained silent. Because Duchess Arlet remained silent for a long time, Queen Kayana began speaking to her again.
“If you don’t want to tell me about it, that’s fine, Miss Arlet. I’m not forcing you to. After all, you’ve just awakened from a long sleep, so it’s likely still difficult for you to talk about it,” Queen Kayana said.
After Queen Kayana said this, Duchess Arlet, who had been silent until now, immediately responded to Queen Kayana’s words.
“No, Your Majesty. I don’t mind telling you. I will tell you about what happened in the Orokho Mountains and about the creatures I encountered there,” said Duchess Arlet.
-To be continued