Approval From The Queen

“We are deeply honored that you have taken the time to visit today.”

Lucien bent at the waist. Beside him, Marguerite also offered the highest form of bow.

It was a manner of etiquette that had even been reviewed and certified by instructors invited to House de Broy.

Emilenne gently curved her crimson lips at the sight of the two of them.

“Raise your heads. There are no other eyes here. You need not be so formal.”

At her words, Lucien and Marguerite lifted their faces. Emilenne was smiling cheerfully, just as she had on the wedding day, while Noel wore his usual unreadable expression.

“I told the butler not to bring me through the grand hall and to have you greet me here instead. In strict confidence.”

While waiting on the queen, Richard must have been terrified beyond measure. After all, the heads of the house had no idea that royalty was already under the same roof.

“I’m sure that if I had shown my face in the hall, I would have heard nothing but rumors I had no wish to hear.”

Understanding that she was referring to the quarrelsome complaints between the two houses, neither Lucien nor Marguerite could say anything.

“Rather than confirming a situation that hasn’t changed, I thought I would place my bet on the two of you.”

“On… us?”

“Yes.”

After nodding to Lucien, Emilenne turned her gaze to Marguerite.

“Is Lucien kind, Marguerite?”

“!”

“Yes!”

Lucien caught his breath at the sudden question, and his surprise only deepened at Marguerite’s firm reply.

Lucien himself was aware that he had not behaved in a way that would earn an immediate yes to such a question.

If Marguerite were to speak of the treatment she had received in House de Broy, it would be House de Broy that would be punished.

Perhaps that was why Emilenne and Noel had come—to issue that warning.

But Marguerite did not complain about how she had been treated in House de Broy.

“There are still parts we are not accustomed to with one another, but Lord Lucien speaks with me. He states his own opinions, listens to mine, and if he thinks something is wrong, he calls out to me.”

Emilenne nodded repeatedly, clearly pleased. Noel nodded quietly as well.

As for Lucien—

‘…?’

Without changing his expression, he pondered inwardly whether anything like that had really happened.

What Marguerite was referring to, incidentally, was Lucien’s declaration in the library that he had no intention of loving her, his stunned silence as he listened to her response that she likewise had no intention of loving him, and the moment he had spoken to her when she was soaked to the bone.

As for that last incident, he had merely spoken to her and then left without helping her up, but—

“He even gave me advice on how to earn my mother-in-law Lady Yumila’s trust!”

Marguerite said this with a smile—one that came from the bottom of her heart.

To her, the harassment from House de Broy was no more than child’s play. Considering the longstanding hostility between the two houses, it was only to be expected.

Even so, she felt gratitude toward Lucien for having informed her in advance about the banquet.

“Splendid!”

Emilenne clapped her hands and rose to her feet.

“Dialogue is the beginning of all things. Then it seems you will be able to build a happy life with Lucien.”

“I am already more than happy as I am.”

“Just as I thought—my eye was not mistaken.”

Emilenne took Lucien’s hand and Marguerite’s hand, overlapping them together.

“For the sake of the kingdom, and for your happiness, I shall offer whatever support I can.”

“Those words are more than we deserve.”

“Thank you very much.”

While bowing with a composed expression, Lucien was inwardly drowning in question marks.

Whether she knew his true thoughts or not—

“Then I shall be leaving for the night.”

With only that, Emilenne briskly headed for the door. Noel followed after her.

“Ah—would you care for a drink, at least…?”

“I already had some earlier. I’m full just listening to your sweet talk.”

‘Sweet talk…??’

Lucien certainly had not said any. And he was fairly sure Marguerite had not either.

As the royal guests departed almost as soon as they had arrived, Richard hurried frantically to prepare the carriage.

Lucien and Marguerite also saw Emilenne and Noel off to the front entrance, offering their farewells along the way.

“…It seems we managed to please them, at least.”

“Yeah.”

Left alone in the entrance hall, Marguerite looked up at Lucien. Outside was darkness, but the light spilling from the wide-open doors illuminated him.

Lucien still wore a stern expression, his brows knit.

‘Did I do something wrong? I don’t think I failed in my greeting, my courtesy, or my conversation…’

Unable to endure Marguerite’s steady gaze, Lucien averted his eyes.

And then—

“…You helped me.”

If she had not misheard, the muttered words could only be taken as thanks.

Before Marguerite could confirm his expression, Lucien turned on his heel and walked away, but that, too, did not particularly trouble her.

‘He acknowledged me…’

A soft, warm feeling welled up through Marguerite’s entire body.

How many years had it been since someone last acknowledged her words and actions?

Unaware that this joy was far removed from any ordinary standard, Marguerite wore a shy smile.

If there was one miscalculation, it was that Lady Yumila refused to believe the report that “Queen Emilenne visited, met only with Lucien and Marguerite, and then left.”

“That she would not meet either my husband, the Duke of de Broy, or myself is unthinkable! Lucien, even you—what nonsense are you saying!”

The fact that the queen had approved of Marguerite was something Lady Yumila could not accept.

And so, the harassment of Marguerite continued.

As did the confusion within House de Broy.