kscans

Chapter 41 - Even Close Friends Have Their Limits

And so, Lupia and Rupert stood together, checking each other's attire. It had been three days since their arrival in the Qua Kingdom. The king had arranged a date for their audience, and today was finally the day.

"Haaa…"

"Well, it's natural to be nervous."

"You look perfectly normal to me, Sis."

"What's the point in panicking?"

"…I guess you're right."

Lupia's long hair was gathered to the side, but not fully up, styled into a side ponytail. It was braided, and small, jeweled hairpins added a touch of elegance. Her chosen necklace was a platinum choker pendant with a sapphire at its center, custom-made to fit her neck perfectly. Her earrings were of a matching design. Her dress, which capitalized on her tall, slender figure, was a mermaid-style gown, but with a fishtail design that was calf-length in the front and grew longer toward the back. The dress itself was a pale blue, but with the accessories, her entire ensemble was based on a color scheme of silver and blue.

Rupert was dressed in a knight's uniform of a pale cream color. Had things been different, he would likely be serving as a member of his home country's Knight Order right now, but that was no longer possible. Not that it was a major problem; he had decided to change his path the moment it became clear Lupia would not be the Crown Princess.

"Lupia, Rupert, are you ready?"

Their mother, Millière, entered after knocking on the door. The twins stared at their own mother, who looked so young it was as if she were faking her age. Her normally waist-length hair was intricately braided and arranged in an updo that was elegant yet not overly heavy. Her hair ornaments were simple but studded with delicate jewels that sparkled as they caught the light. One could tell at a glance they were of high quality. The fabric of her dress, the delicate lace and embroidery—all were tailored just for Millière. It was an off-the-shoulder mermaid-style gown, just like Lupia's. The color matched her father's eyes and suited Millière perfectly.

"We're ready, Mother."

"Mother, is it time to head to the palace?"

"Yes. You don't need to be too nervous, but… be careful. The high-ranking nobles of this country probably despise us."

Millière said it casually, with a little laugh. The twins nodded, understanding that it was likely true.

From an outsider's perspective, they were probably seen as shameless nobles who had used Millière's connections to cleverly ingratiate themselves with the royal family and even receive a peerage. Moreover, their eldest daughter, Lupia, was a damaged lady whose engagement had been broken, rendering her education as a future Crown Princess useless. Her twin brother, Rupert, was a defective product, insufficient to inherit the ducal title.

That was likely the general consensus.

No one would dare complain to Millière and Aristerios directly. But there was no doubt resentment would surface.

"Well, let's go."

Millière prompted them with a bright smile. Aristerios, who was already waiting by the carriage, escorted Millière, while Rupert escorted Lupia. They wanted to bring their guard knights, but given the location, Alfred was ordered to stay behind this time.

"Please proceed."

At the signal to the coachman, the carriage began to move slowly. The destination, needless to say, was the Qua Kingdom's Royal Palace. This audience with the king held several meanings: as immigrants from a neighboring country, as relatives of the king, and even for their ennoblement. They had heard that the nobles had been gathered because the king had decided to do everything at once.

"So typical of my brother."

The twins glanced at Millière as she muttered to herself.

"What do you mean?"

Seeing his mother's somewhat exasperated expression, Rupert asked. Since it was just family, Millière didn't hide her feelings and sighed.

"I just thought he could have handled the ennoblement on a different day… I'm sure he doesn't intend to make a spectacle of us, but I suppose this is a trial from my brother, a way of asking, 'You're outsiders, but you can withstand this much adversity, right?'"

"Ah…"

"That sounds just like Uncle. It's his decision as the king of a nation, after all."

"I suppose so. It's fine for us to interact as family, but that's that, and this is this, Millière."

"I know, I know. I was just complaining a little."

She understood. Since they weren't commoners, it was simply the way of the nobility. No matter how many sighs they heaved or complaints they lined up, the carriage mercilessly arrived at the royal palace. The prime minister, who had come to guide them, bowed his head to the Calmond family.

"Welcome. His Majesty is waiting. This way, please."

They walked down a long corridor as prompted. The construction of the royal palace is so similar, yet so different, Lupia thought vaguely. She recalled walking down a long corridor just like this when she had visited that other country's palace as a guest. Not all the memories were good, but there had been some happy ones, too.

(Let's stop. It's a waste of time to think about it.)

As she walked, she gave her head a slight, gentle shake. Rupert noticed and whispered to her with concern.

"Are you okay, Sis?"

"Yes, I'm fine… I was just remembering the palace over there for a moment."

"Oh? Well, as long as you're okay…"

Don't push yourself, he added, before straightening his posture and starting to walk again.

Ah, was the royal palace of any country this suffocating? With that thought, Lupia straightened her back and walked forward. Rupert, walking beside her, was surprisingly composed. Huh? Lupia thought, and as she watched him, their eyes met.

"It's okay, Sis."

"…What?"

Rupert smiled brightly and continued in a firm tone.

"No matter what happens, I'm on your side. It's okay. You're my amazing sister, after all."

Those simple words, spoken to encourage her, seeped warmly into Lupia's heart. It's okay, she told herself as the family stopped before the doors they had reached.

—Now, let's begin.

The doors creaked open. Beyond, a great number of nobles stood in rows. And further still, waiting with the face of a king, not a relative, was Rod-Li-Qua.