***

  After bumping into Christa

  I began to think in a slightly different direction.

  Christa knew how to take care of her own, furthermore, her attitude was refined and regal. She must have many talented people by her side.

  We were about the same age, so most of the noblewomen I would want to have as ladies-in-waiting must have been taken by Christa.

  Under the circumstances, it was clear that the plan to take some time to observe the high society of the Western Kingdom before choosing a woman to be a new lady-in-waiting would not be very effective.

  Surely all the people who could be ladies-in-waiting to the queen, Christa already had.

  Even if there were some left, they were most likely not interested in being ladies-in-waiting from the beginning or had a good relationship with Christa’s ladies-in-waiting.

  So……

  “Can you hand a letter to Miss Mastas asking her to be my lady-in-waiting?”


  I had no choice but to show a bit of adventurous spirit.

  Rose, who had been pensive for over an hour after meeting Christa, became alarmed when I suddenly mentioned Mastas’ name and asked,

  “Lady Mastas?”


  “Yes, I intend to appoint her as my lady-in-waiting.”


  “But Your Highness. As you could see, that young lady…… is not fit for the position of lady-in-waiting.”


  “That is why I intend to bring her.”


  “?”


  “I don’t think Christa had to take many risks”


  “!”


  “Come to think of it, it does seem strange to me…… May I ask you a question, Miss Rose?”


  “Oh. Yes. Ask me anything.”


  “You’re smart and your etiquette is perfect. Why weren’t you Christa’s lady-in-waiting……?”


  Rose was an excellent lady-in-waiting.

  She was a tactful, clever, and graceful noblewoman.

  At first, I asked Rose to be a lady-in-waiting to appease Yunim, but now I’m quite pleased with her.

  So it’s strange, why didn’t Christa take Rose?

  “Hmm. It’s a little embarrassing because you’re suddenly flattering me. ”


  Rose smiled awkwardly, scratched the top of her nose, and sheepishly confessed,

  “Saying it that way makes me feel embarrassed because you make it seem like I rejected Christa. Well, she never offered me to be her lady-in-waiting in the first place. Hmm, I think it’s because Yunim is a subordinate of His Highness Heinley.”


  “Wasn’t Sir Yunim a knight of the royal guard before?”


  “That’s true, but…… uh, he wasn’t the leader.”


  Rose closed her mouth in shame after speaking.

  The king back then was Heinley’s brother. It seemed awkward to say that the knight of the guard who was supposed to protect the former king was Heinley’s subordinate.

  Instead of asking further, I smiled and took her hand.

  “That’s a relief. I like Miss Rose very much.”


  Rose’s eyes grew wide, she smiled shyly and whispered,

  “Indeed…… so do I.”