kscans

Chapter 63 - Episode 50: Returning Home, Part 1

"I’m exhausted…"

It wasn’t the full-out dash in a dress and high heels that had tired her out. It was the oppressive atmosphere of that place, the feeling of being on the verge of being swallowed by it, that was the true source of Lupia’s fatigue.

As soon as they returned to the Qua Kingdom, a group of people who had likely been on standby rushed over to them. Was she hurt? Did they say anything unreasonable? Were they trying to force her to return to her homeland? And on and on. The Head Maid of the Qua Kingdom turned pale when she saw the blood on Lupia's dress and started fussing, but even when Lupia told her the wound was already treated, she was scolded with, "That is not the point!"

If this had been the old Lupia, back when she was a candidate for Crown Princess in her homeland, she would have been on high alert, thinking, ‘They’re just pretending to be kind so they can use me.’ But it wasn’t like that now. The people of the Qua Kingdom were… warm-hearted, one might say. They had been wary when she first arrived, but after some months had passed, most people seemed to have understood just how ridiculous the rumors about her had been. That Head Maid hugged Lupia tightly and told her she was so glad she was safe. Bewildered, Lupia looked around and saw that the members of the Knight Order, and even the prince and princess who had rushed over, were all relieved. Ah, she had made them worry so much. They had been genuinely concerned for her. Understanding this, Lupia naturally bowed her head and apologized to everyone.

Of course, there were some who didn’t understand. But that’s just how people were. So, she wouldn’t let it bother her. She’d let them say what they wanted, and if they later regretted it, it was no responsibility of hers.

And so, peace of mind had finally come to Lupia. As she sat on the sofa, stretching broadly, Richel brought her tea. While placing the teapot, teacups, and sweets on the table in front of the sofa, Richel asked her a question.

"My lady, is everything finished now?"

"Oh, Richel. Thank you. …Yes, that’s right. It’s finally over."

"That is wonderful to hear."

"I made you worry a great deal back then, didn’t I?"

"...I truly… wondered what had become of you, my lady."

Richel must have been remembering the time Lupia was being controlled. Her face tensed, and she clenched her hands tightly. The doll-like Lupia was gone, and the Lupia before her now was the real ‘Lupia.’

"I worried you, Richel, but I worried Alf as well. Though, Alf did mess up a little."

"My sincerest apologies…"

Alfred, the knight guarding her from behind, remembered his recent blunder and hung his head with a dejected sigh. He looked so much like a large dog being scolded that Richel couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

"R-Richel?"

"Hehe… Forgive me. It’s just that Alfred-sama… you look rather like a puppy right now… fufu."

He was a dependable knight, but could he be seen that way? Lupia turned to look at Alfred behind her.

"My lady?"

He tilted his head, his eyes sparkling as if to say, ‘Is there something I can do for you?’ Seeing him like that, Lupia had to agree. Yes, he’s definitely a large dog…

"Um, my lady…?"

"It’s nothing. I was just thinking that what Richel said fits you perfectly."

"What?"

A dejected cry that was somewhere between a shout and a scream from Alfred, and the sound of Richel’s cheerful laughter. Listening to the two of them, Lupia slowly enjoyed her tea. She was truly glad, from the bottom of her heart, that she could spend her days so peacefully.

After they returned, she heard that an express letter of apology had been delivered from the king of her former homeland. The foolish actions of the Crown Prince and Princess had, of course, been severely condemned. However, the future of that country was clear. Liam would become king, and Falty would become queen. That much was fixed. It was like a curse, but the fact that those two would be the future rulers couldn't be changed, no matter what. They had entered that route, and that future had become set in stone.

When she thought again about the power of the entity called the ‘System,’ Lupia felt a chill run down her spine. She had been controlled by it, her emotions and actions restricted for a whole year. In her case, she had been released after just that, which was incredibly fortunate. The people of that country couldn't escape the coronation of Liam and Falty, no matter how much they disliked it. She didn’t want to imagine it, but there was a high possibility of something like a coup d’état occurring.

Their future was fixed, but the people who had been freed from that story, like Lupia, were probably now dominated by a sense of wrongness. Lupia, for her part, had quickly cleared her head and returned to her normal life.

However, among those who had so naturally supported and praised Falty, there were surely more than a few who were now thinking, ‘Why was I supporting the Crown Princess so much?’

It was a sweet dream that was always destined to end.

Come to think of it, Lupia remembered. The ending that Falty had wanted to achieve was apparently of a very high difficulty. However, there had been others, in different positions, who had been caught up in that ridiculous game before. It seemed their paths had been of a much different difficulty than the one Falty had chosen. Lupia vaguely remembered the System complaining, ‘The others built proper relationships with the rival lady, so there were no problems.’

Presumably, the other people had followed a completely different story from Falty’s and had reached a neat and tidy conclusion. Otherwise, it wouldn't have spewed such vitriol at someone who had made it to the end.

Lupia didn’t even want to imagine what the others had thought, what they had wished for, to take the ‘System’s’ hand.

A wish is only valuable when you grant it with your own hands. If you have someone else grant it for you, there’s no fun in it, no sense of accomplishment. However, there are people who would want to take a shortcut if it meant their wish would come true. As she sipped her fragrant tea, Lupia muttered to herself.

"To be used like that… I would hate it."

It was because she had thought it was for her family’s sake that Lupia had been able to endure the harsh education. It was because her father, mother, and relatives had acknowledged her efforts with a ‘Well done!’ that she had been able to grit her teeth and bear it, no matter how painful.

"My lady, is something wrong?"

"...No, it’s nothing."

Apparently, her expression had become unexpectedly grim. Not wanting to worry Richel, Lupia smiled.

"I was just… reflecting on various things."

"...A lot has certainly happened, hasn’t it…?"

As if agreeing with Richel's thoughtful murmur, Alfred nodded as well. Lupia couldn't see him since she was looking at Richel, but she could sense it.

"But this is truly the end. …My very worrisome uncle gave me some time off, so maybe I’ll take it easy for a few days."

"That would be wonderful! My lady, how about exploring this mansion?"

"...Hmm, that sounds fun. If I remember correctly, there’s another library here besides the one where we stored the books from our old home, right?"

"I believe so!"

"Then, let’s go after we finish our tea. I’m already looking forward to seeing what kind of books are there."

Lupia said with a smile. After all, she had been given a proper vacation. It would be a waste not to spend it meaningfully instead of just lazing around.