💫

 

In Tir na Nog, they formally sent the official opinion on the incense requested by the British royal family.

 

Upon receiving it, Lancelot promptly delivered the letter to Guinevere.

 

Morgana suddenly found herself hearing the contents of the letter she had sent, now being relayed through someone else’s words.

 

Guinevere, seated at her office desk, blinked repeatedly as she read the enclosed letter along with Lune’s emotional assessment.

 

“Divine power incense? That’s an outcome I never considered.”

 

Just as Morgana had reacted when she first heard it, Guinevere had the same response.

 

Only Lancelot, who had directly received the letter, remained nonchalant and shrugged his shoulders.

 

“That makes sense.”

 

Guinevere, resting her chin on her hand, read the letter over and over until it was nearly worn out, muttering with considerable seriousness.

 

“Could it be that our Mordred actually has a talent for the sense of smell?”

 

“Then wouldn’t that mean I have a talent too? It was temporary, but I did manage to detect it.”

 

“What do you think, Morgana? That perfumer named Lune seems quite famous at a glance. Should we ask if our Mordred has any talent?”

 

Ignoring Lancelot as if she hadn’t heard him, Guinevere openly smiled and asked Morgana again.

 

Despite her cold treatment, Lancelot remained steadfast.

 

“Admittedly, Sir Mordred does seem more sensitive than I am. I didn’t find the scent particularly unpleasant, though.”

 

“Did I ask you?”

 

Guinevere responded with a slight smile and a sharp retort. 

 

In reply, he simply smiled back, his eyes curving prettily. If one were only watching and not listening to the conversation, it would have been an exceptionally beautiful scene.

 

Unlike Lancelot, who had only lightly caught the scent in passing, Mordred clearly pinpointed the fragrance.

 

‘Are there so few opportunities to see the high priestess at the academy?’

 

Guinevere’s next words soon buried the brief moment of doubt as she collected herself.

 

“Morgana, wait a moment. Let me just review the parts related to the Pendragon family, and then we can go to Tir na Nog.”

 

Today was the opening day of the shopping center in Tir na Nog.

 

The rumors were so rampant that even Guinevere seemed curious, as she had suggested to Morgana that they go together.

 

It was just that she, still unfamiliar with her duties, hadn’t finished her assigned workload for the day.

 

“Ugh, seriously. Trying to rush through it is making me lose my mind.”

 

Since she hadn’t gone through a formal succession procedure, the quite intelligent Guinevere still seemed to be scrambling while handling the duties by proxy.

 

Morgana, sitting on the sofa in the office, gave a small laugh.

 

“Take your time. It’s not like the shopping center is going to run away.”

 

“Why? You know how much I loved the perfumes Lune sold at Salon Lu. They say it’s a new release. I have to buy it.”

 

Although the three perfumes Lune had created at Salon Lu could no longer be sold, the fact that she had made them had quietly spread by word of mouth.

 

The news that the perfumer, who was essentially responsible for Salon Lu’s sales, was releasing a new creation had greatly heightened anticipation among the nobles.

 

The same went for Guinevere.

 

Impatient, she scribbled quickly with her pen while muttering under her breath.

 

“Ugh, seriously… Even after passing, Father is no help. Why is the Pendragon family so complicated?”

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

Lancelot tilted his head curiously beside her. She flipped through the documents and answered.

 

“I can’t figure out how to reassess the estates and properties that were reverted to the royal family long ago. The market values are different from then and now, and some parts of the estates have already been granted as rewards to other families.”

 

“Ah, I see. That does sound complicated.”

 

It seemed to be about the matter Arthur and Sir Caradoc had discussed, regarding reinstating the Pendragon family titles.

 

“Well, the titles can be reinstated, but…”

 

Guinevere groaned, holding her forehead as if it ached, and stared intently at the documents.

 

“Was Father brainless? No, of course he was. That’s why he just ignored Duke Uther’s petition.”

 

A flicker of curiosity sparked in Morgana, and she quietly rose from her seat, moving closer to Guinevere’s desk.

 

Guinevere, who firmly believed they would soon be married, had no reservations about sharing state affairs with Morgana.

 

“Ah, Morgana, you knew Sir Arthur, right? You were aware?”

 

She turned the document around pointedly to show Morgana.

 

The contents of the petition raised by Duke Uther were written exactly as they were.

 

「Your Majesty, I recently heard a commoner’s report that the high priest is going around cursing people. 

 

At first, I thought it was false and ignored it, but upon hearing rumors that people have been frequently going missing lately, it seems it may not be entirely untrue. 

 

You should look into this.」

 

It was then written whether King Vortigern refused it or not, followed by the contents of another petition that was submitted again.

 

「You asked how the commoner knew this fact, so I will relay it to you in more detail. The commoner claims she was cursed, but it was lifted at some point. 

 

She is a woman living alone with her young daughter, seemingly barely making a living by selling herbs. She seems quite desperate for her own and her child’s safety, so it likely isn’t a lie.」

 

‘Herbs…?’

 

A comment I had vaguely heard from the weapons shop uncle came to mind.

It was a story that her mother, Igraine, had made some kind of accusation against a noble family.

I also faintly remembered hearing that she suffered because it was actually refused.

 

‘So mother was cursed…’

 

If she had been living with Morgana at that time, it’s possible the curse could have been lifted through her power.

One sentence from the petition stuck in Morgana’s mind.

‘She seems quite desperate for her own and her child’s safety, so it likely isn’t a lie.’

 

It seemed she had tried her best for her child.

 

Although it was an affection from before the possession, it seemed to reflect all the hardships she had endured.

 

Just before getting lost in thought for a moment, Guinevere set her pen down with a tap and rose from her seat.

 

“That’s enough. I’ll finish the rest later. I simply can’t go on any longer!”

 

Frustrated, she swept her hair back and then paused when she saw Morgana.

 

“What’s with your expression? Are you acquainted with Duke Pendragon or something?”

 

“No. It’s just… I was feeling a little envious.”

 

As Guinevere tilted her head, still not understanding what she meant, Morgana simply answered with a smile.

 

💫

 

Turning the corner past Tir na Nog’s herb shop, located on the street corner, opened onto a wide avenue.

Previously, it had been crowded with various shops like tea houses, salons, and restaurants, but the atmosphere of the street had changed since Tir na Nog recently purchased it.

The building facing the shops was named Sapphire.

It was a building where only Sapphire-grade patrons could enter, and it was still closed as it wasn’t yet fully completed.

The place that opened today was a space accessible to Ruby-grade guests, located very close to the herb shop.

Today, the line of customers in front of the Ruby building stretched all the way back to the herb shop.

As a member of the royal family, Guinevere didn’t have to wait in line and entered with Morgana.

 

The mercenaries and staff exchanged knowing glances, but, reading the atmosphere, they responded with kind, oblivious smiles in front of Guinevere.

 

“It’s an honor to have you visit.”

 

“The shop is incredibly spacious.”

 

Guinevere’s eyes sparkled as she looked around the lavish interior.

 

It seemed she felt at ease, likely because it was a new place, a space separate from her duties. 

 

Inside the shop, the newly presented perfume was displayed on a red cushion. It was adorned with gold tassels, making it clear to anyone that this was Ruby Hall’s main fragrance for the season.

 

Guinevere picked up the perfume, gave it a light spray into the air, and smelled the scent.

 

“Mmm, it’s good because it’s subtle. I like this perfumer—the scents aren’t too strong. Could you send three bottles of this to the palace?”

 

The staff bowed their heads in response to Guinevere’s request. She then offered to Morgana, who was standing beside her.

 

“Morgana, don’t you wear perfume? Should I buy you one?”

 

“It’s alright. I’m not particularly interested in perfume.”

 

“Why not? It’s good to have one for banquets.”

 

As she laughed and tried to persuade her, a voice, sharp as if tearing through the air, was heard from a distance.

 

“Lune, what do you think you’re doing?!”

 

The street was too far away to clearly make out anyone’s features, but the voice echoed loudly due to the open space.

 

The flamboyant clothing and the elegant parasol.

 

It was Madame Oted.