Chapter 259 – Princess Stephania's Visit

“How does it look?”

Ashley’s hair dyeing was complete. Perhaps because her original hair was silver, the black color turned out slightly lighter on her than on me, with a somewhat purplish tint.

…Somehow. Combined with her eye color, it suits Ashley quite well.

“Yeah. It looks good on you.”

When I answered honestly, Ashley nodded happily.

“What other colors are available?”

“Well—”

Perhaps because the results turned out well, everyone was enthusiastically discussing hair dyeing. Since the color could be easily removed and wouldn’t damage the hair, it seemed they could enjoy coloring it casually. They were getting quite excited about what colors would suit Marlene and such.

Hmm. It’s a harmonious girls’ gathering, but I should do what I can before we go out.

“If you’d like, I was thinking of using Magic Construction to create an underground passage and hidden room. What do you think?”

“An underground passage?”

When I brought this up to Marquis Zilbolt, he showed a slightly puzzled expression.

“Essentially, it’s an emergency shelter. You could also station soldiers there secretly.”

“Oh? That sounds quite interesting.”

Since Marquis Zilbolt seemed enthusiastic about the idea, I had him show me the floor plan of the villa and decided to create the entrance to the underground passage in a secluded study that would be difficult to breach from outside.

I created an underground passage by making the entire wall with bookshelves into a Revolving Concealment, and made a room large enough for everyone to enter.

I also created an exit from the emergency room side. The design was such that attackers who thought they had cornered someone in the study would instead find themselves attacked from behind. I would have liked to install other anti-intruder mechanisms as well… but I had to head to the Royal Castle to arrange the meeting appointment. For now, I decided to keep it to the bare minimum to maintain appearances.

“Well, that should do for now. If we get surrounded or invaded by enemies, we can retreat to the study to prepare for counterattacks, and both Surprise Attacks and pincer attacks would be possible… that’s the idea.”

“…I’ll have weapons and preserved food brought in.”

Marquis Zilbolt grinned.

“This is quite amusing.”

Princess Stephania seemed to really like the bookshelf Mechanism. She kept going in and out of the passage by rotating the Revolving Concealment bookshelf.

“Hmm, hmm hmm… Well, I suppose we must go to the Royal Castle and arrange the meeting procedures.”

Princess Stephania seemed to notice our gaze and cleared her throat, straightening up as if regaining her composure.

…Whether it’s abundant curiosity or something else. I’ve heard that Princess Stephania has a reputation as a well-behaved lady… but this is probably her true nature.

“What about making something similar in your sister’s territory?”

“I don’t mind.”

I nodded in response to Rosemary’s words.

“Oh? That would be wonderful.”

Princess Stephania’s territory is also relatively close to Silvatoria. Having such emergency shelters might provide some peace of mind.

Let’s wrap up the emergency room discussion here for now and get moving.

We boarded the carriage driven by Sheila disguised as a servant and headed to the Royal Castle. Tephra, Elliot, and Marquis Zilbolt remained at the villa for temporary standby. We also left Caduceus, Lavigne, Ambrum, and Ignis behind as combat power and communication liaisons for the villa side. I planned to keep our cards hidden until the very last moment before the meeting when things would start moving.

Apparently, King Eberhart of Silvatoria and King Melvin of Verdgar had some level of interaction even before each ascended to the throne and were old acquaintances. Princess Stephania’s marriage arrangement likely started from that connection.

“Your Highness Stephania, you mentioned you’re acquainted with His Majesty Eberhart, correct?”

I asked Princess Stephania.

“Yes. When I was little, I was invited to tea parties with Father and Josiah. …I remember him as a calm, gentle person.”

“Are there any trusted figures among His Majesty Eberhart’s senior advisors?”

When Rosemary asked, Princess Stephania thought for a moment before answering.

“They’re not exactly senior advisors, but… there are several.”

“If those individuals view the Crown Prince as problematic, they might become allies.”

“That possibility is quite high.”

I nodded at Grace’s words.

Having multiple people on our side who are familiar with Silvatoria’s domestic affairs, including the positions of others, is reassuring. If anyone makes contact with us, we’ll assess them while considering their background.

The carriage crossed the Royal Castle’s drawbridge and stopped after entering inside the castle gates. The maid serving at the Royal Castle who came out to greet us seemed slightly surprised when she saw Princess Stephania disembark from the carriage, but only for a moment. She bowed respectfully to Princess Stephania. They seemed to be acquainted.

Well… that makes sense. We have the Emblem indicating we’re envoys from Verdgar displayed on the carriage. When assigning someone to handle the reception, they would likely choose someone familiar.

“Princess Stephania. How wonderful to see you.”

The maid nodded at her words, and Princess Stephania conveyed her purpose.

“It’s been a while, Carmela. I heard about His Majesty Eberhart’s condition and have come, though rather belatedly.”

“That… His Majesty the King would surely be delighted.”

The maid… Carmela smiled.

“However, I don’t expect to be able to meet him immediately. Since I don’t know the detailed circumstances, there might be various inconveniences with such a sudden visit. That’s why I’ve come today.”

It would be diplomatically unacceptable treatment for both countries if a foreign princess visiting to see the king wasn’t granted either a formal audience or a private visiting opportunity.

So by first arranging a meeting appointment, they could schedule it for when King Eberhart’s condition is better, and give the Silvatoria side preparation time, thus considering both sides’ dignity… that’s what Princess Stephania was saying. It’s somewhat roundabout… but precisely because they used his sickbed as pretext to hesitate granting an audience during the previous envoy’s visit, it would be difficult to refuse this.

“Understood. Please come this way.”

“Please handle this appropriately.”

From the maid’s position, this wasn’t something she could answer or promise. Carmela proceeded to guide us inside the Royal Castle.

We were Princess Stephania’s companions, also serving as attendants and Escorts. Therefore, carrying swords inside the castle was permitted to some extent. This must be unique to royal visits.

We proceeded through the spacious castle corridors and were shown to the Royal Castle’s guest room. It was a lavishly decorated room.

The maid who guided us relayed information to other servants. The servant who heard the maid’s words bowed and left the room. They probably went to inform the appropriate person about Princess Stephania’s visit and its purpose.

“Will Your Highness Stephania be staying at the Royal Castle?”

“I came to Silvatoria accompanying Marquis Zilbolt, who was visiting Termwills. I plan to stay at the lodging he recommended.”

That high-class inn right near the Marquis’s villa. Well, actually, it would be Ambrum disguised as Princess Stephania staying there.

“Marquis Zilbolt, you say?”

Carmela’s eyes widened.

“Yes. It’s very close to the Marquis’s villa. Besides my attendants, the Marquis has arranged Escorts for me, so I feel quite secure.”

When Princess Stephania responded with a smile, Carmela’s expression clouded.

Carmela briefly showed a gaze that seemed to be gauging our expressions. Noticing this, Princess Stephania asked.

“…Is there something about the Marquis?”

“N-no. It’s just, well…”

“It’s alright. They’re all from Verdgar and trustworthy individuals. Please speak freely without hesitation.”

Princess Stephania encouraged Carmela to continue with a gentle smile.

“Well… I recalled that Marquis Zilbolt was close with His Highness Zadias…”

Carmela said hesitantly.

“…I see. So that’s how it is.”

“Um… I…”

“Don’t worry. Given your position, saying more would be difficult. I’ll keep your words in mind. I won’t let them reach other ears.”

Princess Stephania answered with a quiet smile. At this response, Carmela showed a relieved expression. What had crossed her mind was clearly wariness toward Marquis Zilbolt—and toward the Crown Prince behind him.

Yes. We were also considering the possibility that someone opposed to Zadias might attempt contact with Princess Stephania, either to warn her or request cooperation.

Officially, Marquis Zilbolt is close to Zadias. So if someone concerned about Princess Stephania’s safety who appears to trust the Marquis, they would likely be apprehensive about the Marquis providing Escorts. That’s why the Marquis didn’t accompany us this time.

Conversely, those who make contact under such pretexts would be emotionally on our side.

Carmela had been worried about Princess Stephania enough to reveal that she holds a poor impression of Marquis Zilbolt and Zadias.

From her position, trying to convey that must have taken considerable courage. That she tried to communicate something difficult to say is probably due to Princess Stephania’s virtue.

Of course, we know the circumstances the Marquis faced, so we trust him, and the Marquis himself agreed to use his ill reputation to distinguish friend from foe. …Once the Zadias matter is resolved… we must absolutely restore the Marquis’s honor, that’s for sure.

In any case… Carmela seems like someone we could trust to some extent, as long as it doesn’t burden her. If we want to probe the situation within the Royal Castle, she would be our starting point.

“Is His Highness Zadias here now?”

“No. He’s currently absent. He’s staying at the Sages’ Academy, saying he’s busy with Magic research and development.”

Oh ho. That’s convenient. He probably sent Elliot because his hands were tied to begin with.

Still, if he’s at the Academy, he’ll likely notice Princess Stephania’s and Marquis Zilbolt’s visits before too long.

He’ll probably… make contact with us. As for Alvelinde… should we have Elliot spread misinformation to buy time until the Surprise Attack?

Hmm… That one was a Demon, so how about hinting that she went to Beriondora for some reason?