Wakako had a long, long dream. In the dream, she clutched the soft hem of the Saint’s robe, burying her head in the warmth of the Saint’s embrace, surrounded by that comforting fragrance. She did nothing, simply stayed there, basking in the comfort. She remembered every detail vividly, including how Miki reached out to stroke her head, smoothing her stray…
The mercenaries were often summoned by the Queen, so they had residences both inside and outside the palace. These were located some distance from the Saint’s residence, but it wasn’t difficult for them to get there. Since the Saint was at the banquet with the Queen and the ministers, there weren’t as many guards on duty outside the courtyard. Moreover,…
The ministers’ discussions in the study grew more intense over the course of half a month, and word of these deliberations gradually spread. Even the common people in the capital began to hear rumors, leading to much speculation. Soon after, the Queen issued a decree enacting several new laws. However, this was a common occurrence and didn’t cause much of…
The next day, the Saint took the initiative to meet with the Queen. The two of them had a private conversation in the study for a long time, dismissing all servants, so no one knew the specific content of their discussion. The only thing the servants outside the study noticed was the Queen’s expression when the Saint emerged. Her face…
That night, when everyone else would typically be asleep, the Saint’s residence remained lit, as if waiting for someone’s arrival. The pastries on the table had grown cold. Senryu replaced them with a fresh plate and looked up at Miki, who was engrossed in a book. “Lady Saint, should I go and find her?” Miki, who had just recovered from…