TWFLLYM Ch 91

Two Mountains

[Kalart] "How cute. Falling asleep so suddenly and dreaming already."

He spoke out of nowhere. Roserikta shook her head slightly.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness, it is strange to call such a thing cute."

[Kalart] "In my eyes, it is."

He probably has no idea what 'cute' really means because of the curse.

[Clobell] "That's right. It's weird. I’m the cute one here."

His expression hardened at the cat's intervention.

[Kalart] "I can't entirely deny your words, Clobell. However, the fact remains that she is the one who is cute to me."

[Clobell] "Wow. Does being cursed give you a license to talk nonsense? Is the curse a free pass?"

[Kalart] "It is not nonsense. It is the truth."

[Clobell] "Hmph. Just because you say it doesn't make it real. You’ve hurt a cat's feelings."

She slapped his arm with the tip of her tail. He flicked the tip of her ear in response.

[Kalart] "I would appreciate it if you viewed my tolerance of your attitude as a sign of my affection."

[Clobell] "Did you expect a cat to speak formally to a human? Not a chance. Your dreams are far too big."

She turned away with a huff and leaped onto the refreshment table.

[Clobell] "I’m angry, so I’m going to eat cookies. Don’t stop me."

Crunch, crunch, crunch!

The sound of chewing echoed loudly. Roserikta and Kalart suspected she was merely acting angry to get to the cookies, but they decided to let it slide.

[Roserikta] "Only one, Clobell."

[Clobell] "......"

Crunch, crunch, crunch!

Clobellina ignored her and focused on her snack. At the right moment, Kalart lifted the plate and called for Haley.

[Haley] "I shall enter, Your Highness. Has Your Grace already awakened?"

[Kalart] "She has. Please take these cookies away."

[Clobell] "Ack...... No!"

She bared her claws in a threatening swipe, but Roserikta quickly scooped her up. Had Countess Aldwin seen them, she would have beamed at how perfectly the two worked together.

Haley handed the plate to a maid and returned.

[Kalart] "So, there is no other way to obtain moonstones right now?"

[Haley] "No, Your Highness. It takes time for the raw stones to reach the capital. If you tell me the amount you need, I will have them crafted and sent to you as soon as they arrive."

[Kalart] "As many as you can get. Does that sound right?"

He looked at Roserikta.

[Roserikta] "Um...... Yes. The more, the better. But we don't need them crafted. Please send them in their raw state."

Haley blinked in confusion.

[Haley] "Raw moonstones have no beauty to them, Your Grace."

To a jeweler, a gem that lacked beauty held no worth. He couldn't understand why she wanted unrefined stones.

[Roserikta] "It's fine. I have another use for them. I’ll leave it to you."

[Haley] "If you say so."

Kalart tried to grab Roserikta's hand, unable to wait, but nearly got scratched by Clobellina.

[Clobell] "Can’t you see she's holding me? Wait your turn."

[Roserikta] "Clobell."

She quickly soothed the cat, and he showed a hint of annoyance.

[Kalart] "I didn't realize I had to compete for this. This is too much."

[Roserikta] "Clobell is just being grumpy, Your Highness. She only had one cookie."

[Kalart] "I don't think that's the only reason."

[Clobell] "My, he's quick. That's right. You have to stand in line. Don't try to sneak into a marriage. I haven't given my permission."

[Kalart] "......The road ahead is long."

He frowned. Roserikta decided to tell him later that Grandmother Mazi stood on that road alongside Clobellina.

He looks far too serious right now.

[Kalart] "Then only the Merve family remains. I should send someone. It might take some time."

[Roserikta] "Oh, there's no need for that. You won't find moonstones there. And as expected, that place has no connection to the, um...... Countess."

Conscious of Haley's presence, she avoided the term 'Black Witch.'

[Kalart] "I don't doubt your words, but I am curious how you learned this."

[Roserikta] "I’ll tell you later."

[Kalart] "Very well."

He looked disappointed but didn't pry further. Pride swelled in her chest.

See? He isn't such an unreasonable person. He tries to listen to whatever I say. Grandmother Mazi will recognize that too.

The road isn't actually that long, Your Highness.

After finishing their business at the jewelry shop, the Crown Prince's party returned to the palace under the tight escort of the Royal Guard.

By then, rumors had already spread that the Crown Prince had gone out with his lover. Crowds flocked to the streets to catch a glimpse, forcing the Royal Guard to struggle more than planned.

---

The road Kalart had to travel for the marriage was not actually long. There were simply two large mountains in the middle. Since one of them was Clobellina, he was halfway there. However, before he could even descend the first mountain, a taller second mountain appeared.

[Arad] "The Merve family requests an audience, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "......What?"

[Roserikta] "Pardon?"

Both lost their words at the news that reached them the moment they returned to Trifolium.

Wow. Look at that speed. Who said who had a fiery personality?

I don't think he can even catch up to half of Grandmother's temper.

[Kalart] "What a coincidence. This can't be a fluke, can it?"

She nodded at his words.

[Roserikta] "Yes, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "Then it is best to meet without delay. Will you join me?"

She thought for a moment before shaking her head.

[Roserikta] "No, Your Highness. It would be better if you met them alone."

Requesting an audience with the Crown Prince must mean she has something to say to you alone.

And honestly, she didn't trust herself to pretend she was meeting Grandmother Mazi for the first time in front of Kalart.

I’ll probably just keep smiling. Then I won’t be able to keep Grandmother's request a secret.

[Kalart] "I expected you to want to see them together. Do you know the Lord of Merve?"

Gosh, he's sharp. I used to think I was good at lying to him, but perhaps he just let it slide despite knowing the truth.

I really can't lie to him anymore.

[Roserikta] "You’ll see when you meet them."

[Kalart] "I see. Very well."

He leaned in and kissed her.

[Kalart] "I shall meet them. As you wish."

This man possessed a talent for making even simple words heart-fluttering.

Roserikta wrapped her arms around his shoulders and returned the kiss, whispering,

[Roserikta] "Make sure to cross the mountain."

Grandmother Mazi won't treat you too harshly. Probably.

He nodded, only half-guessing the meaning behind her words.

[Kalart] "I’m not sure what mountain it is, but if you tell me to cross it, I will."

Without even changing out of his outdoor clothes, he headed straight for the audience chamber.

---

[Elona] "Lady Roserikta! Have you heard?"

Elona appeared, gnawing on the edge of her apron.

[Roserikta] "Ah, Lady Elona. Welcome."

Her greeting carried warmth.

To be honest, after Countess Aldwin volunteered to take over all the personal service Elona used to provide, things had become quite difficult. Roserikta still had no idea why the head maid had changed her mind.

[Roserikta] "Hear what?"

[Elona] "His Highness is in the audience chamber right now......! Ah, Countess Aldwin was here too."

Elona finally noticed the head maid and bowed quickly. The head maid immediately gave her a cold stare.

[Aldwin] "How many years has it been since you became a member of the Imperial Palace?"

[Elona] "Pardon? Why so suddenly...... It has been three and a half years, Head Maid."

[Aldwin] "Yet you are still so slow with etiquette. When you enter a room, you should naturally greet Her Grace first, not me."

[Elona] "Uh...... what?"

Roserikta, Elona, and Clobellina, who was playing on the curtain rod, all looked bewildered.

[Clobell] "What's wrong with her? Is she about to die suddenly?"

Elona nodded subconsciously.

What is this? Why does it feel like the head maid is taking Lady Roserikta's side?

Did I eat something wrong?

[Elona] "That's...... no, yes, you’re right, Head Maid. Of course. It's natural to greet Lady Roserikta first. I committed an offense in my haste. Please punish me."

[Aldwin] "Again! Now too!"

The scolding grew louder. The three blinked their wide eyes.

[Aldwin] "Calling her Lady Roserikta! You must call her Your Grace! How can you not even use proper honorifics?"

[Elona] "Ah, right. She is Your Grace now. I’m sorry, Head Maid. I will be careful from now on."

[Aldwin] "Tsk. I shall be watching."

[Elona] "Yes, Head Maid."

While Roserikta remained stunned, Aldwin undid the hair she had braided into three strands for the outing, brushed it, and tied it back in a more comfortable style.

[Aldwin] "It is finished, Your Grace. I shall prepare refreshments before dinner, so please rest until then."

I can't get used to this. Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?

[Roserikta] "No. I already had tea at Haley's jewelry shop. I’m fine, so you don't need to worry about it."

[Aldwin] "Not at all. Worrying is my duty. Today's tea is a specialty from the Visheron Kingdom. It would be disappointing if you didn't taste it, so trust me and try it. I have also prepared matching cookies."

Wow. She's like a different person. Is this the power of a title? No, I felt like the head maid would have hated it even more if I got a title.

Then what is it? Did she somehow find out about the stork's visit? No. Only Lady Elona and Sir Eaton know about that.

[Roserikta] "If you say so."

When she nodded reluctantly, a faint smile even appeared on Aldwin's stern face.

[Aldwin] "I am grateful you recognize my sincerity. Please rest. Lady Elona, don't bother Her Grace too much and keep your words brief."

[Elona] "Yes, Head Maid."

Aldwin lifted her skirt slightly and bowed politely.

[Aldwin] "I shall see you again, Your Grace."

Click, clack......

Even the sound of her receding shoes sounded polite.

Finally, the head maid closed the door and disappeared. Elona let out a long breath.

[Elona] "Wow, what......! Why is she doing that?"

[Roserikta] "I’m the one who wants to ask that, Lady Elona."

[Clobell] "I’m curious too. It's scary when someone acts so out of character. Did the Crown Prince beat people up? Did he tell her to be nice to you?"

Elona responded with unnecessary seriousness.

[Elona] "No, Clobell. I haven't heard anything like that."

[Clobell] "Then why is she like that?"

[Elona] "Hmm...... I guess that Lady Roserikta running away from home was the deciding blow."

[Clobell] "Ey, what do you mean run away? A witch just went for a quick ride on her broom."

[Elona] "Only a few people know about the stork's visit, right? The head maid obviously doesn't know. So, she probably guessed that the reason Lady Roserikta vanished without a word was that she had bullied her."

[Clobell] "That's not convincing. Would such a conscientious person have been so mean before? I think the Crown Prince went around beating people. Given his personality, it's entirely possible."

[Elona] "Well, that could be true. Even if he didn't raise a hand himself, he's someone who could easily threaten others. The Prince is."

Both were wrong. Aldwin had changed her attitude even before that. It was a pity that no one recognized it.

[Roserikta] "Surely she isn't doing it on purpose. Whatever the reason, if she's decided to be nice to me, isn't that a good thing?"

[Elona] "Well, that's true. Then, since I’m here, I’ll prepare the refreshment table in advance...... No! That wasn't it!"

Elona brought up the topic she had briefly forgotten due to the shock.

[Elona] "A guest has arrived for His Highness! And they say she's an incredible beauty!"

[Roserikta] "Hmm?"

She was startled.

[Roserikta] "Really?"

[Elona] "Yes! Sir Arad was in charge of guiding her to the audience chamber, and he said she was more beautiful than that damn Black Witch."

[Roserikta] "Ah, I see......"

That's interesting. Did Grandmother Mazi change her appearance?

Elona glanced at Roserikta tentatively.

[Elona] "Shouldn't we be worried?"

[Roserikta] "Even if she is beautiful, His Highness won't see her that way."

[Elona] "No, no, that's not what I mean! Of course, His Highness only cares about you. Even I know that. It's just that you said the Black Witch is so beautiful because she's a pure-blooded witch. Then isn't the Lord of Merve, the Prince's guest, also a witch? Sir Arad looks quite uneasy, too. He asked me to tell you as soon as possible."

Being a witch was correct.

Clobellina jumped down from the curtain rod, approached the opposite side, and rubbed her nose with her paw.

[Clobell] "Exactly. Isn't it suspicious? Arad is that really dull guy. If even he felt it was suspicious, it must be a big deal."

It was time to tell Clobellina. Elona felt a bit like a bonus, but since she was tight-lipped, it was fine.

[Roserikta] "She is a witch."

[Elona] "Ack!"

[Clobell] "Eek! Then what do we do?"

As expected, Elona and Clobellina were so startled they didn't know what to do.

[Roserikta] "But she's on our side."

She began to tell the story of her meeting with Grandmother Mazi, unable to stop smiling from start to finish.