Chapter 182: At Last, Departure Day Has Come
Chapter 182: At Last, Departure Day Has Come
Dawn broke, and the weather became suitable for departure.After eating breakfast, we were scheduled to leave immediately. Because it was to be a quiet departure, there would be no ceremony followed by a fanfare sending the carriage off. There would be no finely dressed cavalry leading the way in front of the carriage. A completely ordinary (or rather, ordinary in a way I didn’t know) carriage should be waiting at the entrance.
I walked toward the entrance of the Rear Palace together with Mother and Cass. Mother wore a sad expression, but Cass had her usual face. Cass-san, where had that passionate tsundere Cass gone? The slight firmness visible in her skin — was that because of last night’s bath?
At the entrance... the Queen was waiting. His Majesty the King was not there. Lily and Stevie were also present, of course.
"The Queen!?"
Mother was speechless. She stared at the Queen with wide, round eyes.
"It has been a long time since we last met, yet you are so beautiful..."
She stopped speaking there. Cass was also frozen in surprise. Hmm, what’s wrong? No, I understand! I know! She looks completely different, doesn’t she—! Even the soft plumpness of her upper arms is gone, so of course anyone would be astonished.
Seeing Mother’s reaction, the Queen wore an expression of complete satisfaction as she walked toward me. The Queen’s inner joy became an aura that poured down upon me!
"Robin-sama, thank you for indulging my selfishness and for all the trouble I caused you. This is a letter of introduction to my younger sister, who is married into the Veres Ducal House of the Mainz Kingdom. When you arrive in the capital of the Mainz Kingdom, please go to my sister first. I am certain she will not treat you poorly. I do not think Robin-sama needs financial assistance, but she should be able to help you advance in high society. Please take this."
Saying that, the Queen held out a sealed letter. It was an extremely luxurious, decorated envelope. Because of the sealing wax I could not know what was inside, but if I believed what she said, I would surely receive help. I accepted it gratefully.
In that case, I had to give something in return. I took the usual glass out of my mana bag and offered it. The Queen smiled with one cheek, showed a bewitching light in her eyes, took the glass, drank it in one gulp, and returned it. Then she brought her mouth close to my ear and said,
"When you return, please let me drink it directly again."
She said something quite dangerous. Her smile was seductive and frightening.
"Robby, what did you give the Queen?"
Mother asked. There was a slight edge to her words — was it because the Queen and I had looked intimate? Or something else?
"I received a youth-rejuvenating medicine,"
the Queen said with a glamorous expression. The maids present all began murmuring at once: "That’s the rumored one," "It really existed," "Don’t tell me it was from Robin-sama," "I want some too," and so on. Awawawa!?
Hearing that, Mother asked,