Located in the innermost corridors of the palace, the Queen's Palace is an elegant building with a refined atmosphere.
I walked behind the Crown Prince through three corridors, heading towards an iron door engraved with luxurious decorations.
When we walked through the door, I was astonished and amazed.
“Ah... it's a really captivating place.”
The garden in front of me sparkled, with colorful roses blooming in various shades of beauty.
Even the breeze was filled with the sweet, rich scent of fragrant roses.
Water flows continuously from a fountain in the middle of the garden, and its sprays sparkle under the sun's rays in a beautiful sight.
But Ludwig's contemplative look at the garden seemed to hide behind it a certain loneliness.
“It is the only place that gives some solace to Her Highness the Queen.”
I couldn't ask him why, but I could guess it.
According to the original text, after the Queen lost her heir Prince Richard seven years ago in a brutal attack, she sank into deep grief.
Since then, she has only performed her minimal duties as queen, isolating most of the time in her palace.
Ludving stopped walking and glanced affectionately at Carlex.
“Carlex, remember when you used to come here to play as a kid?”
For a moment Carlex looked around the rose garden thoughtfully.
A distant nostalgia for childhood days appeared in his eyes.
“Yes, I remember. This place... is still as beautiful as it was.”
“So His Highness the Grand Duke often visits the Queen’s Palace?”
At my question, Carlex began calmly recounting his memories.
“True. I used to go to the court a lot with my father or my aunt. I used to attend tea parties held in the garden of the Queen’s Palace to spend time with His Highness.”
“Aha! Did the duel you once mentioned to me take place here?”
She remembered their conversation in the library about the outcome of a sword duel between Ludving and Carlex in their childhood.
“The duel that ended in my victory? If you want, I can recount the details to you, Librarian Erica.”
The Crown Prince intervened quickly, of course.
I graciously declined with a smile.
“No need, I understand your friendship started from this garden. It must hold a lot of precious memories.”
Carlex's gaze changed to become sharp.
A look that doesn't match the tranquility of the garden.
“It could even be said that it was the beginning of a thorny relationship.”
Ludving smiled lightly, then picked a luxurious red rose.
“Then let’s forget the thorny relationship and start a new relationship from here.”
The Crown Prince placed the rose on my right ear.
I was dizzy from the intense, sweet aroma that emanated from it.
Why did I remember the red rose that Carlex once put to my ear in Duke Reinhardt's garden?
Carlex's face changed color.
Then he in turn picked a soft pink rose from the climbing rose arch and advanced steadily toward me.
O humans! What are you doing? It's not a competition, so what's the point?
“No need! His Highness the Grand Duke also placing a flower on my head is…”
Despite my polite protest, Carlex's hand was faster.
He put a rose on my left ear.
Even without looking in the mirror, I know what I look like.
An eccentric girl with two flowers on either side of her head!
I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and angry, but the two men were looking at the two roses on my head with a satisfied expression.
Which made me even more angry.
“Isn’t it inappropriate to go to meet Her Majesty in this state?”
Ludving shook his head with a satisfied smile.
“It's okay. It makes your beauty even more beautiful. Moreover, the meaning of this flower is that you and I…”
The Crown Prince stopped talking and looked at Carlex.
When Carlex's gaze became sharp as a sword, Ludving laughed like a naughty boy.
“…and also Duke Reinhardt. It symbolizes our beautiful three-way friendship.”
“Excuse me for interrupting your conversation, but when did I and His Highness the Crown Prince swear such a beautiful friendship?”
When she faced him with a skeptical look, Ludving's eyes widened.
"Isn't it obvious without saying? Aren't we mutual friends?"
Huh... I have a lot to say... but let's forget about it.
I took a deep breath and started walking forward.
“Let us go. Her Majesty must be waiting for us.”
Then the Crown Prince came to my right side and extended his arm.
“Accompanying a lady is a gentlemen’s etiquette.”
When I looked at him uncontrollably, he gestured for me to put my arm around his.
“Carlex, you too.”
The Crown Prince also urged Carlex.
He couldn't have meant for Carlex to put his arm around his own, could he?
Carlex silently stepped to my left side and extended his arm in an orderly, solid motion.
She laughed at his stiff look.
Doesn't he have experience accompanying women? This is worthy of His Highness the Grand Duke, pure and refined.
In dramas or novels, when the hero says to the heroine, “Put your arm in my arm,” it sounds adorable.
But when it comes to these two, it seems childish.
It's like two brothers fighting every day and begging me to hold their hand.
After all, who would care about big, reckless men like that?
With the mentality of a sister who takes care of quarrelsome brothers, she held Carlex and Ludving's arms tightly.
“Gentlemen, let’s go, I will accompany.”
Two flowers in my hand, or rather the Crown Prince and the Duke of the North.
I feel like the heroine of the story.
Then I energetically pulled the two men and confidently crossed the Queen's Palace garden.
***
Behind the luxurious beds of roses, stands a bright white canopy.
A beautiful harmony between the dome, the pure white columns and the climbing branches of red roses.
The maids waiting before the canopy bowed reverently towards us.
I felt embarrassed by my appearance in front of them, so I quickly untangled my arms from the two men.
“Come in. Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you. Please come in.”
When we entered, we were first confronted by an elegant and imposing tea table.
On the bright white table, the center of the table is decorated with a luxurious composition of blue hortensia flowers and white roses.
The elegant silver teaware and tea kettle themselves were exquisite pieces of art, engraved with beautiful rose motifs.
Across the table appeared an aristocratic lady with braided red hair wearing an elegant light blue dress.
She was staring out into the garden with a pensive face.
As if she sensed our presence, she slowly turned her head.
This was Artemisia, queen of the kingdom of Luberia.
A personality that radiates the prestige of a queen.
Even without advertising its status, its atmosphere commanded respect.
The experience of a lifetime appeared in the wrinkles around her eyes and the lines at the corners of her lips, adding beauty to her quiet beauty.
“Hello. I was waiting for you. Duke Reinhardt, Miss Diehl.”
The Queen's voice was calm, soft, and comforting.
“Erica Diehl, I salute your majesty. Thank you for the invitation.”
I tried to hide my nervousness and bowed gracefully.
Carlex also respectfully offered his greetings to the Queen.
Ludving kissed the back of the queen's hand and smiled at her with an affectionate look.
“My mother’s beauty blooms like a rose every day.”
At the Crown Prince's praise, the Queen covered her mouth and smiled like a little girl.
“Our Crown Prince’s jokes are getting weirder every day, but he is still being heard.”
Ludving sat next to the Queen, while Carlex and I sat across from her.
When the maid was about to pour the tea, the Crown Prince stopped her.
“I would like to serve tea myself after a long absence.”
“The Crown Prince’s touch gives tea sophistication, so I leave it up to you.”
The Queen replied happily.
The Crown Prince skillfully steeped the tea leaves to prepare a fragrant tea.
First pour the tea into the Queen's cup, then serve it to me and the Carlex.
My hand trembled as I raised the silver cup in front of me.
It was a luxurious cup decorated with golden ribbons and with a golden lion emblem embossed on the handle.
If you break it, the compensation must be a ridiculous amount?
She carefully raised the cup and took a sip.
Warm tea, infused with floral and fruity aromas, soothed me.
The Queen put down her cup and smiled slightly.
Then she turned her gaze to me.
“Is this the first time we've greeted each other? Miss Dale.”
“Yes. I am honored to invite you, Your Majesty.”
I recalled the court etiquette I had once read in books and answered politely.
Perhaps due to stress, my speech became stiff and my features hardened.
The Queen noticed this and said gently:
“Don't be nervous and relax. I invited you to see the beautiful garden and talk about worldly matters. Seeing flowers and drinking tea with good people is one of my simple pleasures.”
“Your Majesty, you are the most beautiful flower in this garden.”
The Crown Prince said with a serious gleam in his eyes.
“Oh, are you mocking your mother? You, the Crown Prince, are famous for being the flower of high society?”
At the queen's sharp remark, Ludving's expression became like that of a blamed child.
The queen laughed happily.
“Haha, I made a joke too.”
Only then, as if reassured, Ludving's expression returned to normal.
The affectionate, informal conversation between mother and son automatically made me smile.
But fearing that would be inappropriate, I gave a feigned cough and hid my expression.
The Queen looked at me and said softly:
"Mr. Carlex may know well, but Miss Dale may not. Do you know why the Crown Prince is called the flower of high society for his extensive activity?"
“I don’t know, Your Majesty.”
The Queen drank the tea for a moment and then continued:
“After His Majesty the King fell ill and fell, my health was not good either and I was unable to carry out outside activities. Being in the position of Queen who must take care of the Kingdom and my inability to carry out my responsibilities made me always feel a burden. His Highness alone filled this void.”
It was a reason I did not expect.
In the original text, he was depicted as a charming crown prince lavishing himself at luxurious palace parties and having fun among society.
But the truth is that he was trying, on behalf of the grieving King and Queen, to manage the opinions of the nobles and to demonstrate the prestige and greatness of the royal family.
She looked at Ludving again with renewed admiration.
“Exaggerated praise from your highness, Your Majesty.”
Ludving answered calmly and blushed slightly.
If he were the usual crown prince, he would show off and be proud, but in front of the queen, he appears to be an obedient, serious and calm son.
His unfamiliar image aroused my curiosity, so I kept glancing.
The Queen's gentle gaze settled on the two head roses.
“The rose that adorns Miss’s head is really beautiful.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“They are from my garden. Giving a rose to a woman’s head is an act known as romance.”
Oh, was it unheard of to pick flowers in the garden of the Queen's Palace?
Cold sweat trickled down my forehead and I didn't know where to look.
As if deep in thought, the Queen tapped her chin with her finger.
“Two roses carry contrasting charm, a red rose carrying a luxurious passion, and a delicate, elegant pink rose... not one person chose them.”
“What? Oh, this...”
I was puzzled by the Queen's sharp observation, which matched the conclusions of an expert investigator.
While Ludving and Carlex, the real actors, looked away at the same time.
They get along well only in such moments.
No wonder they are childhood friends.
The queen watched me with an interested look.
"I'm curious. Two roses hold two different charms. Two hearts. Which flower do you prefer?"
She shuddered unconsciously and placed the teacup firmly on the plate.
Ting! The sound of the pots clashing rose loudly and cheerfully.
Ludving and Carlex's gazes intensified at me as if they were waiting for an answer.
A heavy silence fell over the table.
I could hear the sound of a needle falling.
Should I choose between the Crown Prince or the Duke? One of the two? In front of the stakeholders?
The Queen smiled broadly and urged:
“Come on.”
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation