Chapter 197 - Keep Pampering Me (2) (1/2)

Translator: Aura / Editor: Maybe

It was a few days after my brother left for the knights’ expedition.

“Aren’t Lord Koshar and Your Majesty the Queen twins?” Mastas, who was diligently polishing the spear on her lap, asked unexpectedly.

She looked up at me as I pondered over what the question was about, “We are not twins.”

When I responded with a smile, she said, “Oh…” and nodded.

Seeing this, Rose grinned wickedly and gently nudged Mastas in the ribs.

“He interests you?”

Mastas nodded casually, “Yes.”

When Rose looked at her in surprise at her confident answer, Mastas continued speaking casually, “My brother says he’s very strong. I’d like to test him.”

“By test, you mean a fight, right?”

As soon as Rose asked suspiciously, Mastas nodded, “Yes,” she replied as she looked at Rose as if she were a pervert.

“Queen! Don’t you think Miss Rose’s mind is very dirty?”

After being together for several days, the two seemed to get along much better. When Laura and Countess Jubel arrived, this place would be even more lively. I missed Countess Eliza and the other ladies-in-waiting, but fortunately, I was also happy with the new ones I met here.

‘Ah!’

It’s true. As I smiled at both of them, a good idea suddenly occurred to me.

“Miss Rose.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Who is the most popular person in the Western Kingdom’s high society?”

Rose nodded and named two individuals, “Duke Liberty and Miss Mullaney.”

“Two people?”

“Originally the most popular was Heinley. He was followed in popularity by Duke Liberty and Miss Mullaney, but now things have changed. No one can treat His Majesty as a popular socialite now that he has ascended the throne.”

Rose added after a moment’s reflection, “Ah, Duke Liberty and Miss Mullaney are close relatives. Duke Liberty is the brother of Miss Mullaney’s mother.”

“Would it be possible to meet them both?” As soon as I asked, Rose smiled as if she had realized my intentions.

“You want to persuade both of them, no?” But the following was not positive, “It’s a good idea, but it won’t be easy.”

“Are they Christa’s subordinates?”

“Duke Liberty.”

“What about Miss Mullaney…?”

“She and Christa don’t get along so well, they even once had a fight.”

In that case, I guess it’s alright, no? When I raised an eyebrow, Rose shook her head and continued, “Miss Mullaney was originally one of the candidates for Queen.”

“That’s alright.”

“Not only that. She’s also a very ambitious young lady with a domineering personality. I don’t think she likes to serve others…”

“That’s still alright. She doesn’t have to be my subordinate.”

Duchess Tuania was not my subordinate either. She was just my friend.

Rose seemed troubled by my words but replied, “I’ll arrange an appointment.”

I nodded and rose from my seat. At the thought of Duchess Tuania, I came up with an even better idea.

‘Why didn’t I think of it sooner?’

“Your Majesty?” Rose asked.

“I need to see Sir McKenna.”

“Not King Heinley?”

Taking with me Rose and Mastas, who were surprised, I went to see McKenna.

McKenna seemed puzzled to see me but greeted me with a soft smile. After everyone left the office so I could talk to him privately, I carefully asked, “I know you can turn yourself into a bird… can I ask you a question about that?”

McKenna seemed more puzzled when I brought this up, but simply replied, “Yes.”

I realized that McKenna was worried I would be angry for having deceived me. But I didn’t come all this way for that reason.

“In bird form, how long would it take you to find someone?”

When McKenna heard my question, he responded with a bit of relief, “Is there someone you want to find?”

“Yes. Is that possible?”

“Do you know their location?”

“No. I’m sure she’s not in the Eastern Empire, but I don’t know anything else.”

“In that case, it would be a bit difficult.”

However, contrary to expectations, McKenna said it was a bit difficult to find someone like that. Even if he searched in bird form, he would have to check the faces one by one. It would be possible if he knew the approximate location, but it was hard to find someone guided only by ‘she’s not in the Eastern Empire’.

“It might work to put up wanted posters,” McKenna said with a smile. His suggestion surprised me.

I returned to the detached palace. The person I was looking for was Duchess Tuania. I would rather not find her, than look for her with wanted posters.

I thought about it for a moment and this time I asked Rose, “Do you remember the journalist who interviewed me before?”

“Yes. That journalist’s interview with the Queen appeared in a newspaper and became a topic of conversation.”

“Is that journalist still at the royal palace?”

“Probably.”

“Can you call the journalist? Navy blue hair…”

“Yes.”

About two hours after asking Rose to call the journalist, I was able to meet the journalist I had seen before.