Your Highness, The Lady You’ve Abandoned IS the Saintess!

Perhaps, I shouldn’t be leaving my room, but it feels rather tiring to keep myself detained here. 

Even during my stay at the Conrad Manor, my father forbid me from going out due to Maynard’s incessant visits.

I was just about to entertain the idea of taking a walk in the castle’s courtyard when, with perfect timing, her majesty, the queen, invited me for tea there. 

‘Sure thing, it would be my pleasure!’ was the immediate answer.

Her majesty’s name is Lisette, and she looks so young and gorgeous that it’s unthinkable that she has a 22-year-old son. 

‘Aily, when should you like to marry my foolish son?’

With such a shocking opener for the tea party, I nearly spit the tea I was drinking.

‘That boy excels in studying, but (how should I say this?) he is awkward and all—at any rate, he is a foolish child, and I should like it better if he is wed to a sharp-witted lady like Aily sooner.’

No, no no, your majesty, think about this! It was your son who broke the engagement first!

When I said that in response, Queen Lisette put her hand to her cheeks and smiled—yes, that very same dark crazed smile that Maynard has whenever he snaps.

‘Oh, that silly incident conspired by our foolish men with their empty little heads?’

….Uhm, majesty, haven’t you only called your family nothing but fools thus far?

‘Mhm, I wonder what I ought to do about that, Aily? Would you forgive them if I had his majesty’s head shaved bald, write ‘fool’ at the back of his head, and have themselves prostrate before you in apology?’

Eeep! What a fearsome thing her majesty declares with such a sweet smile!

I have a feeling that there are some complicated details regarding the annulment of the engagement but I do not know a wit of its circumstances. But by her words, I can assume that his majesty, the king, is connected to it. As well as the fact that her majesty, Lisette, was not consulted either.

Scary! It’s a different level of frightening when utterly calm people become mad.

‘I mean, I was verily looking forward to Aily and Maynard’s marriage, you know? I was entertaining all amusing ideas like having you borrow the same veil I used when I was wed. It was sooo much fun to think about, and thought I should like to have the wedding even sooner. But then, that happened. For the time being, I made do with clobbering his majesty’s head with a bishop’s staff, but that wouldn’t suffice to get Aily’s peace, would it?’

It is sufficient, my queen! It’s more than sufficient, so please stop! 

Ah, this person is really scary.

On the day that Maynard announced our engagement, Queen Lisette immediately told me by letter that she already hit his majesty three times, but she told me that if I should like to do it personally, I am more than welcome to come to the palace. I was convinced she was only kidding, but she did hit his majesty, didn’t she?

‘I refrain from hitting Maynard as I wish him not to grow even duller, but his majesty, on the other hand, has nothing in store for him but to wither and die, so I did without reservations.’

‘………..’

‘So, pray tell, when is the wedding?’

I want to go back in time and tell my hours-ago self, who foolishly took upon her majesty’s invitation cheerily, to turn back and refuse.

Dews of sweat makes their way as I was nonplussed on how should I handle the dark smile on her majesty’s face. Then suddenly, I turned my head at the sound of hurried footfalls.

Oh, Maynard!

No day in my life has come yet to make me rejoice at the sight of you more than I do now.

Help me! Help me!—I darted him with a thousand pleading eyes and Maynard rushed to my side and held me tight.

‘Dearest Mother! Please do not frighten Aileen so much!’

‘My, how rude. I do nothing of that sort. She and I were just having our pleasant talks.’

‘But your very presence is frightening enough, mother!’

To think there’s a son who would think of his mother that way.

Lady Lisette and my mother had several tea parties going way back, and I remember being invited to some of them. Mhm, when I recall them smiling and giggling around in their conversation, but now I imagine how horrifying must have been the topics they traded with.

During those times, I was still thoughtless and saw nothing of it than my mother and the queen getting along well. I do recall instances of amusing myself with the super dark jokes they’ve said, but I see now that those things were everything but jests.

‘You speak awful things, Maynard. And here I was asking Aily to marry you soon as you prove too hopeless with it.’

Asking? I thought that was some light intimidation, your majesty!

‘What would mother do if her requests convince Aileen otherwise?’

Well, it won’t. Because I don’t want to marry you.

‘Besides, do not think me unaware of mother’s attempt to set up Savalier with Aileen instead right after our engagement was broken off!’

‘Well, Aily is just so adorable. I should like to keep her with me.’

Am I a cute pet or something?

‘Anyhow, Aileen is taking her peaceful refuge here! Please do not frighten her anymore than she already is.’

‘I am not frightening her. What horrible boy have I raised.’

Lady Lisette puffed her cheeks in small protest.

‘It should be you who ought to be doing something more. How long must these things drag on?’

Maynard was momentarily at a loss for words, but with a small exhale, responded, 

‘It is done, mother.’

‘Am I to believe you?’

‘Of course.’

The queen said ‘fine then,‘ stood up, and before leaving, she smiled my way and spoke again,

‘The prince of meddling has come so I must make my way, Aily. I shall call a seamstress sometime soon for the wedding dress’ measurement, all right, dear?’

I might be in some serious danger if I do not leave this castle soon.