4019, Mist Kingdom Castle Central Chambers, A few days later.
"Don't you think the Queen has been too busy since the joust ended?"
Ashley commented.
"Right? It's too much even for her.."
Carlo agreed.
While Carlo wasn't a retainer or knight, Pupillam knew that he was loyal to Queen Lyn too. Otherwise she wouldn't have invited him over to this discussion.
"As her loyal knights and retainers, we should do something about this.. Your thoughts, head advisor? General?"
Lan said.
Pupillam exhaled deeply, well ...her gaze flickered on to her Queen's important individuals that surrounded her. While she is the Queen, so it's natural to be busy. As of late, it felt like the older woman was purposely distracting herself. It's unlike her to accept work from the people she's with now too. She usually dismisses requests that sound too selfish. Pupillam could see how worn out she looked.
"I have a friend's wedding I cannot attend. Pupillam, could you ask the Queen to go?"
"Eh? But that would be.." Attending a wedding event means the Queen is blessing the couple. It's the highest honor.
"It's no normal wedding."
Seeing the invitation in his hands, Pupillam looked at him questioningly, "Since when did you make such connections?"
"While I take advantage making connections. This time around, it's because of an old friend. Give this to the Queen."
"Hey, wait, what's your business?"
But Teo had already walked away.
"Isn't it that? He's off to investigate Madam Miley's mark."
Pupillam nodded, "Yeah, I saw him in the central library chambers the other day. He's worried."
That mark, he would get more information asking the Queen herself. Teo most likely wanted to know before the Queen became weird.
____________________________________________
No matter how much she distracted herself, it doesn't go away. Perhaps overloading herself with work was a bad idea. That's why when Pupillan handed her the invitation. Lyn accepted without hesitation.
It didn't take long before she found herself alongside Pupillam, Allen and his head aide in a carriage. The destinatjon was still within the Mist Kingdom grounds, but quite a distance from the castle. Nobody would let her use magic to get them there quicker, hence the carriage. They worry about her too much. Her condition is a lot more stable recently.
"What?"
"I was thinking, it's unusual of you to accompany me to things like this. Don't you usually find it bothersome?"
"I have the time."
Realizing he wouldn't disclose his real reason, Lyn turned to look outside the carriage window.
Normally Pupillan would be enough for this journey, but her gaze drifted on to Miley and her Fourth knight, who was riding out front. Are they that cautious? They're still in the Mist Kingdom grounds. Well, she supposed she can take it as another outing to help Miley's boredom. That child appeared to be slightly more indifferent since the jousting tournament. Meeting the girl's gaze, Miley looked away. Still mad, huh?
"Madam Miley's attitude.."Pupillam spoke up.
"Do not mind it too much. She's a child, she's free to throw tantrums. She probably didn't take it lightly when I interfered with her match."
"But, you saved her.."
"In her eyes, it destroys her pride. Miley is disappointed in me for not believing she could block the attack."
Allen interjected, "A child is still a soldier, a subordinate. If she does not have the courtesy to show respect after you saved her life. Then she has no place here." Contrary to his cold words, Lyn understood his meaning.
"Are you worried?" Allen doesn't respond and Lyn continued, "It's fine, through the girl's carefree attitude, her tantrums may be exactly what I need right now."
....
Mist Kingdom, Town
As the 'Queen' it was natural, she gained a lot of attention since it was a small town. Many people came out to greet her. So it was a few hours after when they arrived did she finally greet the couple in question. However, she noted something strange. Her father isn't here. This girl, Carla's father was a general in her kingdom. But he took leave to handle affairs back at home. After receiving the invitation, she finally understood what those affairs were. Yet, she frowned not when she saw the General was not around.
"Is your father out? I wished to greet him."
Carla almost dropped the bowl then, but her fiance grabbed it in time, "M—My father, he's out hunting. He ought to return shortly. He apologizes for not greeting you my Queen."
She lied.
How come?
Her gaze landed on her Fourth knight, and he nodded. Lyn exhaled deeply, so much for a peaceful time. But, her gaze landed on Miley who also caught on. If it's a small skirmish, then she can allow Miley to fight. Perhaps it will help relieve her stress just a little.