Interlude
At Castle Grandiose—
A fragrant aroma wafted from somewhere within. The ivory wall curtains were quilted with golden threads and the large room was full of art and other assorted decorations. The old butler showing some guests around extended his hands, clad in white gloves, and continued his commentary.
“This portrait by Duke Reedlance was drawn in the thirty-fifth year of the Lyferian calendar, and stands as a masterpiece of realism. The sculpture over there was made before the country’s founding, and was discovered in a northern sorcerer’s tower. The works presented in this corridor were all carefully picked by Duke Bricken, who is known as an astute critic.”
“...Is that right?”
“Hm.”
Rem threw in a few agreeable responses every now and then, trying to maintain some façade of courtesy. Shera simply gave disinterested, absentminded reponses.
The two girls had arrived at Castle Grandiose and were now receiving the grand tour from the old butler.
“With the new year and his duties of visiting the royalty and other nobles for the festivities, His Majesty Delouche Xandros is extremely busy.”
“...They would want to celebrate His Majesty’s good health and the new year, I’m sure.” Rem gave the sort of praising response expected of her.
“Who’s Delouche?” Shera tilted her head. As expected, this earned her a severe glare from the butler.
Rem sighed. “Shera, the current king of Lyferia is His Majesty, Delouche Xandros.”
“Oh, right. I thought I’d heard that name somewhere...”
“...Didn’t they teach you how to behave in front of royalty when you were a child?”
“Well, I wouldn’t normally leave the kingdom after becoming queen. Greenwood’s a small country and we don’t get too many visitors from the outside.”
“...How peaceful.”
“Isn’t it?!”
It seemed sarcasm had a way of going over Shera’s head. Instead, the elven queen asked, “Weren’t you always an adventurer, Rem? How do you know all this courtesy stuff?”
“...I left home after my parents passed away, but my family usually had dealings with royalty and other nobles.”
The butler then stopped in his place, directing a careful gaze at Rem.
“Miss Rem Galleu...could you be of the Gadou clan...?”
“...I’ve left my hometown behind, but...my uncle serves as this generation’s instructor of the arts.”
“Unbelievable...” The butler then corrected his stance.
“Huh?!” Shera exclaimed with her eyes round.
Rem remained silent.
“What’s the Gadou clan?!”
“...So that’s the issue. I see... Well, I will tell you one day.”
“You better tell me before I forget I asked, you hear?!”
“...If you only care that much, I may as well not tell you.”
“But I wanna know more about you!” Shera enthusiastically persisted with her absurd demands.
Rem sighed again. The butler then opened the door at the end of the hall.
“This is a visitors’ section of the castle. It is meant to house royalty, nobles, and other important guests. I do believe you will not find yourself inconvenienced here in any way.”
“Whoooaaa!” Shera exclaimed at the sight of the luxurious interior as she walked into the room.
A soothing aroma filled the air. The curtains were embroidered and the furniture all had delicate, attractive designs. The canopied beds were spacious, there was a large table and sofa, and the sideboard was stacked with glasses and bottles of wine.
“If you are ever in need of anything else, please ring this bell...” The butler motioned toward a bell sitting on the table.
“You mean this?” Shera rang the bell, which chimed loudly.
Rem moaned and cradled her face. Before long, a maid entered the room and bowed politely.
“May I be of service?”
Shera gave a small “oh wow...” and scratched the back of her ear. The butler coughed dryly.
“As you can see, a maid will quickly come to tend to you.”
Feeling it’d be rude to call her over for no reason, Rem asked the maid for a cup of water. The maid bowed and walked away. The butler went on to explain how to use the toilet and bath...but seemed to not touch on the most pressing question.
“...I’m sure he’s busy, but how long do you think it would take before we receive an audience with His Majesty?”
“I believe you will have to wait for some ten days.”
“...Is that so?”
“Huh?! Ten days, as in, ten days?! That many?!”
Shera’s shock came as no surprise. They’d only visited because King Delouche personally requested them. But that was simply how matters were when it came to royalty. Rem didn’t raise any complaints, as understanding as ever.
“If you ever need anything, we can bring anyone right over to your room, be it a tailor, beautician, musician, troubadour...” The old butler said apologetically. “Your food will be prepared from the finest ingredients in all the land in the hands of the most skilled chefs in the kingdom, and will be available to you at all times throughout the day. And, of course, you may help yourselves to our world-class wine. In addition, our Castle Grandiose houses more works of art than you could hope to see in a mere ten days, and I would be glad to show you around.”
“...Are we forbidden from leaving?”
“You may leave the castle, but if you do, your audience with the king will be delayed.”
So they’d essentially lose their spot in line.
“...Can we write letters?”
“Why of course, you are free to send letters out. We will provide you with pens and papers should you request them. However, you must leave the sealing to us.”
“...I see.”
So they could write letters, but their contents would be inspected. This meant that if they were to contact anyone, it’d be best if it were High Priest Lumachina. Rem thought it’d be wise to not establish a connection between Alicia, the imperial knight, or Horn, the student, with the self-proclaimed Demon Lord Diablo.
The butler bowed and closed the door to the room. Shera dove onto her bed.
“So soooft~”
“...Phew... It seems you still need to learn some manners, don’t you?”
“...Zzz...”
“...You’re asleep already?!”
It seemed they’d have to stay inside the castle for the time being...
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