Book 8: Chapter 14
‘The outer court was kept as always. It appears that my outer court remains the same even in my absence.’
‘Living in the outer court actually makes me feel that I’m a guest, a stranger now. My guess is that it’s due to me having gotten used to living in my own palace. Additionally, this is Mom’s palace. It’s Mom’s territory, not mine. Perhaps that’s why it feels foreign and I’m struggling to adapt.’
‘It seems that I’ve lived as a master for too long.;
‘Nara is arriving today so I’ve prepared to provide her with a reception. As the Prince, I don’t need to welcome her outside of the city. However, I need to at least meet her and her group in the guest hall.’
‘Truth be told, given our relationship, I wouldn’t have a problem with welcoming her at the entrance.’
‘The only thing is that I would have failed the requirement Freya gave me, and that is to ensure I maintain a balance.
‘Hence, the three of us sat in the guest-room and waited for Nara. Luna had made tea. Wait. We say boiled tea here. I wonder if Nara, who always drinks strong alcoholic beverages, will be able to drink tea. Freya sat behind me with her eyes shut as she awaited their arrival. Perhaps she was listening for the sound of the horse carriage.’
‘You know, the vassal states do suffer a fair bit. They have to send tributes at the end of every year. Not long after is Her Majesty’s birthday, so they need to send another bunch of gifts. And now they have to send more gifts once again. Hmm, I actually think the people in charge of the national treasury are the most pitiable. Her Majesty can’t store any more in her inner court, and there’s more stored at my outer court.’
Sounds suddenly came from outside. The sound of a heavy horse carriage’s wheels rolling on the road came in. Freya stood up and looked out the window. You can see a corner on the other side of the flower garden outside of the window. She chuckled and said, “It appears that the group from the desert have arrived. I never thought Socina’s group would be late.”