Volume 5, Chapter 42 – Sudden Change

Although many soldiers did not yet recognize Yisi as a Duchess, and she temporarily had no family crest to prove it as she had not yet accepted a formal investiture, thanks to the pureblood wings at her waist, she still easily persuaded a soldier to take her to see Boris. Then, with Boris vouching for her, Yisi entered the regent’s mansion.

Just as she had imagined, the mansion, with its flower garden courtyard, was bustling with activity. Maids carrying all sorts of clothing hurried through the corridors, while soldiers formed long lines, loading and unloading various items from the carriages.

During tomorrow’s Festival of Original Sin, the Queen would be dressed in ceremonial attire, ride a float to the altar in Astrid City, offer her sincerest thanks to the First Queen, and pray for the Royal Ancestor’s blessing in the coming year. The wooden boxes being moved by the soldiers contained not only the offerings Andrea would present, but also a great deal of food purchased from other territories and even human kingdoms.

According to tradition, this food would be personally scattered along the roadside by Andrea as she rode on the float. Whoever ate this food would be free from illness and pain in the coming year. Of course, this was just a legend that had been passed down and, like Alvier VI’s curse, was not binding.

Infected by the festive atmosphere, Yisi’s mood also became much lighter.

“Boris, what time does the Festival of Original Sin start tomorrow?”

Walking in front of Yisi, Boris, who was leading the way, slowed his pace slightly to walk beside her.

“It will begin at sunset. Her Majesty the Queen will depart from the regent’s mansion on a float and travel to the wheat fields east of Astrid City. After the ritual is over, she will take the first ear of wheat from this year’s harvest from the altar and then return to the Royal Capital.”

“It sounds very tiring.”

“Her Majesty has already performed this ritual four times, so she must be used to it by now.” As if he had suddenly remembered something, Boris paused and turned his head to look at Yisi. “Speaking of which, according to tradition, when Her Majesty sits on the float and receives the prostrations of her subjects, her relatives or partner should be the one to scatter the blessed food from the float. In the past, Her Majesty had no such person by her side, so she could only do it herself. Now that we have you, Your Grace, the Duchess, may I ask for your help to share Her Majesty’s burden?”

Normally, she would definitely not be willing to take on such a thankless task. Setting aside the matter of distributing food to the Blood Clan below the float, just sitting on it and being worshiped by thousands was quite embarrassing. It was like being in a spotlight, making one feel uncomfortable all over, always worried about unconsciously making some small, unceremonious gesture.

However, in the current context, she simply could not refuse Boris’s request. According to his words, this was a duty she should bear as a Duchess. If she refused, the task would once again fall on Andrea alone, and she would be filled with a sense of guilt.

Yisi said with a straight face, “No problem. Are there any special considerations for scattering the food? And what about the wording and dress code?”

“Your Grace only needs to change into a proper formal dress. The only thing to note is to avoid choosing white and gold as much as possible.”

“And the food scattering? Do I just throw it down from the float?”

“Yes. The food chosen is all of the type that won’t spoil easily from being dropped. Your Grace can just throw it down from the float.”

How crude… Yisi complained internally. She couldn’t help but glance again at the wooden boxes the soldiers were moving. She could see that they were mostly filled with things like bread and large blocks of salt. Considering the sanitary conditions of this world, for ordinary commoners, even food that had fallen on the ground could probably be picked up and eaten without hesitation.

Passing through the corridor, Yisi was led by Boris to where Andrea was. Andrea had already finished her conversation with the nobles and was now trying on clothes in her room in the mansion.

“Well then, Your Grace, the Duchess, I still have patrol duties, so I shall take my leave.”

“Ah, thank you for your hard work.”

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After seeing Boris off, Yisi knocked on the door. If Andrea was trying on clothes, it was only proper etiquette to knock before entering.

Andrea’s voice came from inside the room. “Who is it?”

“Yisi.”

“Ah, it’s Lady Yisi!” The calm voice clearly became flustered. Immediately after, Yisi heard the sound of hurried footsteps, the tearing of fabric, and a handmaiden’s shriek. “Please wait a moment, Lady Yisi! I’ll be right there to open the door.”

There’s no need to panic to this extent. Besides, as the queen, you should have asked the servants to open the door.

Soon, with a pitter-patter of steps, Andrea, who had run to the door, opened it. Perhaps because she had been in a great hurry to change, her cute face was slightly flushed.

“Y-You may come in, Lady Yisi.”

“I’ve told you, just calling me Yisi is fine.”

“How could I do that!”

Andrea made way for Yisi. As Yisi walked into the room, the several handmaidens inside walked out. For some reason, Yisi noticed that these handmaidens, who were around twenty-five years old, all gave her a look that seemed to say, “Good luck.”

How inexplicable.

First, she poured Yisi a cup of some unknown, noble tea. Then, she placed a soft cushion on a chair and arranged the hidden desserts on the table. After doing all this, Andrea finally invited Yisi to sit down with a satisfied expression.

Although this was Andrea’s personality, she seemed a bit too enthusiastic today. And as a queen, to be doing things that should be done by servants, Yisi felt both out of place and a strange sense of vanity rising in her heart.

Lifting the teacup for a light sip, Yisi looked at Andrea, who was still standing beside her. For some reason, Andrea’s face was full of expectation, giving Yisi the feeling of a pet waiting to be praised by its master.

“Aren’t you going to sit down, Andrea?”

“Ehh…” The expectation was tinged with a little disappointment.

Yisi looked Andrea up and down. I see.

“Your style of dress today is completely different from before, Andrea.”

In the past, Andrea had always worn a night-colored dress. Although it was also very magnificent, it was only of an ordinary level among the nobility. But today, not only was Andrea wearing an exceptionally luxurious, floor-length pink gown, but her pink pigtails were also pinned up. Paired with the large expanse of snow-white skin revealed at her chest, she was extremely feminine and charming, transformed from the innocent and inexperienced young girl of the past into a socialite queen. Of course, this was only in terms of dress; Andrea was still the same pure and kind Andrea.

Andrea’s eyes crinkled with happiness. “This is the ceremonial dress I’ll be wearing for the Festival of Original Sin tomorrow. I only get the chance to wear this dress once a year. Although it’s not easy to put on, when I think of how everyone will happily accept my blessing tomorrow, I feel all warm inside. Augustin also always says I look best when I wear this dress.”

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“You look good in anything, Andrea.” She’s a natural clothes horse.

Suddenly thinking of a key point, Yisi placed her right fist below her lips and studied Andrea with a burning gaze. Being stared at by Yisi, Andrea became fidgety, constantly playing with her fingers.

“Andrea.”

Suddenly having her name called, Andrea’s shoulders jumped in tension. “Yes!”

“You said you only wear this dress once a year. Including this year, does that mean you’ve worn this dress for five years already?” Yisi’s gaze rested on Andrea’s chest. The ceremonial dress was designed to expose a large part of the chest, and it had also taken Andrea’s age into account. Even if Andrea’s figure was not well-endowed, the exposed snow-white skin was very eye-catching.

A statement completely different from what she had imagined made Andrea’s face turn red with a whoosh. “Wh-What are you talking about! Even I couldn’t possibly have maintained a nine-year-old’s body until now! This dress is custom-tailored every year… I originally thought you were going to say something about wanting to kid-kidnap me, but I didn’t expect you to say only…”

Kidnapping is unnecessary. A few dark lines appeared on her head. Yisi pretended to be casual and began to tease Andrea. She took a theatrical sip of her tea. “It’s because you’re so cute, Andrea. You make one want to marry you and take you home. If we had children in the future, you would surely be a gentle and virtuous wife. Hah, what a pity I’m not a man.”

“H-H-How could you! Yisi… Lady Yisi, for you to want to marry me… the nobles would definitely object. B-But if we eloped… it might not be impossible… live by the sea or in a village… boys seem too naughty, but a girl… but…”

Mmm… I had forgotten that Andrea was a complete fantasy-prone person.

Yisi cleared her throat, pulling Andrea back from her fantasy to reality. “Um, Andrea, I’ll be riding the float with you tomorrow. Boris has put me in charge of distributing food to the commoners.”

“Eh? Really? Boris acknowledges you, Lady Yisi?”

“Acknowledges? Didn’t Boris already recognize me as a Duchess?”

“Ah… so that’s how it is. Thank you, Lady Yisi.”

For some reason, although Andrea was saying thank you, there was a hint of disappointment in her golden eyes. Then, Andrea lifted the hem of her skirt and sat opposite Yisi. Like a child, she held her teacup with both hands and blew on it.

“Did you only come here to relay Boris’s message, Lady Yisi?”

“Can’t I come and see you without a reason, Andrea?”

“Of course not!” Andrea’s voice rose a notch. Seeing the smile on Yisi’s face and knowing she had lost her composure, Andrea shyly lowered her head, taking small sips of the hot tea and blowing gurgling bubbles. In a voice so quiet it was almost inaudible, she said, “…You can come anytime, Lady Yisi.”

She really is cute.

Yisi was silent for a moment. She had originally come here to relay Edith’s words to Andrea, to tell her the method of clearing the undead. But tomorrow was the Festival of Original Sin. If she told Andrea the method now, with her personality, she would probably run off to the Lost Lands immediately to test it out.

Purifying the undead was not a matter of a day or two. It was a rare festival; it was better to let Andrea enjoy it without any worries. She would tell Andrea about the undead after the festival was over. One day’s delay wouldn’t make a big difference.

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Having made this decision in her heart, Yisi yawned and stretched languidly. The bones in her body made a series of cracking sounds.

“You seem very tired, Lady Yisi.”

“It’s nothing, just that I’ve had too little sleep these past two days. And last night I was squeezed by Camilla and Mary all night. My shoulders are still a little sore.”

“Would you like me to give you a massage? I’ve only ever done it for my mother, but I don’t think I’ve forgotten how.”

“Huh?” Andrea’s charming proposal made Yisi sit up straight. “You’re the Queen, Andrea. If anyone saw you giving me a shoulder massage, setting aside the issue with you, I would definitely be the one held accountable.”

Andrea answered with great joy,

“No one will see if we just lock the door.”

No, no, the problem is the act of a queen giving someone a shoulder massage, not being seen.

But Andrea’s proposal was too tempting for Yisi to refuse. After glancing around for a moment, Yisi nodded in embarrassment.

“Alright, but I can’t offer you a proper thank-you gift…”

“No gift is needed. In fact, this is my thank-you gift to you, Lady Yisi. You’ve spent so much time with me, yet I’ve never given you a proper thanks.”

Andrea sprang up from her chair and came behind Yisi. Her soft hands, a size smaller than Yisi’s, were placed on her shoulders.

Yisi’s body stiffened.

I’d thought it would be a pleasure, but when it was actually happening, I felt very constrained.

It was mainly because I was too embarrassed. The thought that Andrea had not yet come of age made Yisi feel as if she were deceiving a little girl.

Andrea’s hands began to knead. Just as Andrea had said, her technique was quite good. Coupled with the fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days, Yisi felt so comfortable that she felt the urge to let out a moan.

If I were to take Andrea away, I could enjoy a shoulder massage every day.

The thought that suddenly popped into her head made Yisi pause for a moment. She had never thought of taking Andrea away. Andrea was destined to be a queen. If she took her away, all sorts of problems would arise in the Blood Clan. At that time, even if she didn’t care, Andrea wouldn’t really stand by and do nothing. Ruling the Blood Clan was her responsibility, not something that could be abandoned just like that.

“Hey, Andrea, have you thought any more about what I said yesterday? About taking you to a place where no one will disturb you.”

The movement on her shoulders slowed slightly, then quickly returned to normal. “I’ve already thought it over.”

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“Mm.” Yisi nodded, waiting for Andrea’s answer.

“After I’ve arranged things for after I’m gone, I will leave the Blood Clan with you, Lady Yisi.”

“Are you really sure, Andrea? You’re okay with abandoning the Blood Clan?”

“I’m just giving the opportunity to someone who is more capable. No matter how hard I try, I can’t possibly fulfill the duties of a queen. Just as those servants in the castle say, I’m just a toothless lion. A toothless lion can’t kill its prey. I am not qualified to be king.”

Andrea had possessed a royal bloodline since birth and was destined to be an existence above thousands. If even she was not qualified, who else in the Blood Clan was? Although she wanted to say that, Yisi chose not to argue.

“Is that so…”

And then.

Knock knock knock, knock knock knock.

A series of urgent knocks.

Andrea quickly let go of Yisi. After giving her an apologetic look, she walked to the door.

“Who is it?”

“Your Majesty, an urgent report from the Royal Capital.”

Boris’s deep voice came from outside the door.

For no reason at all, a sense of foreboding rose in Yisi’s heart. She subconsciously stood up from her chair, her gaze fixed on the door.

Andrea opened the door to let Boris in, but he immediately fell to one knee by the door with a thud, his right hand clutching the hilt of his sword, his head bowed low, not daring to look Andrea in the eye.

Sensing the abnormality, Andrea unconsciously clutched the hem of her skirt.

“Boris, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Boris’s tone was filled with difficulty.

“Your Majesty… the Vladimir Territory—has fallen.”