The study session of the Rosenkreuz of the Rose Maiden Cross ended successfully.

There was even a moment where the Saint and Lady Alberta argued, but that in itself made things lively.

There was also an incident where Lady Patricia saw Chrysoberyl strolling in the backyard and ran over to hug it.

Even so, before the exam they promised to gather again at the ducal residence.

For some reason, everyone looked at Li and flushed slightly.

* * *

The next day.

From early in the morning, Li had been asked a favor by her father.

Naturally, it concerned that infamous massage chair that ruins people.

This happened recently.

When the King, his older brother, saw Li’s father arrive at the castle looking unusually refreshed, he pressed him for answers.

As a result, the conversation eventually reached the forbidden chair Li had created.

Fundamentally, the two brothers got along well.

So in the end, Li’s father relented under the condition that it would only be used in the private rooms of the royal family.

Her father spoke to Li with an apologetic expression.

“You don’t have to force yourself. But they insisted.”

“Understood. Then I will deliver two chairs.”

“Sorry, Li. I will make it up to you somehow.”

“That’s quite alright. Father, you’ll have a hard time if you keep worrying so much.”

“And also,” her father added.

Arrangements had been completed for Li to enter the castle and visit the Founding King.

Even if she was the daughter of a ducal house with the right of succession, she could not simply enter the castle whenever she wished.

There had to be proper formal grounds for her visit.

It had been mentioned almost as an afterthought, but to Li it was a very big matter.

After all, she had been curious about what kind of treasure the Founding King had mentioned.

So once the academy lectures ended, Li decided to head to the royal castle instead of attending the Rosenkreuz of the Rose Maiden Cross meeting.

Li traveled to the royal castle by carriage.

By now, however, she was already well known among the guards and could pass without issue.

Part of it was because the carriage bore the crest of the Karasebed Ducal House, but Li herself had also been remembered.

She was an unbelievably beautiful girl whom one rarely had the chance to see.

The guards themselves understood that she was a flower on a high peak far beyond their reach.

Even so, it was probably a man’s nature to still dream of a one-in-a-million chance.

However, perhaps because they understood those thoughts, Li’s escort knights were tense.

As if to say, ‘Do not cast improper eyes upon our Lady Li,’ they maintained an ironclad guard.

Recently, this had become a common sight in the royal castle.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.”

Li performed a perfect curtsy before the King.

They were in the usual private room.

The King, her father and the Chancellor were present as usual.

“Mm. I’ve heard the story, Li. You solved the mystery well!”

“No, it was not my power alone. Father helped as well.”

After exchanging greetings like that, they headed together to the spire tower where teleportation could be used.

Along the way, the Chancellor spoke.

“Oh, right. Li, I’m sorry but the matter we discussed the other day has been canceled.”

“The matter from the other day?”

“The treasure vault. You spoke quite passionately about it, didn’t you?”

When the Chancellor said that, Li remembered.

She had complained that the treasure vault had been organized too neatly and that it lacked romance.

“Ah,” Li murmured, and the Chancellor smiled wryly.

“What you said that day prompted us to confirm it with Lady Harriet.”

Harriet was Li’s grandmother.

After mentioning the book she had borrowed from her grandmother, the atmosphere had become tense.

Remembering that, Li stiffened.

Had she said something unnecessary?

“Honestly, Aunt Harriet is troublesome. To think she sneaked into the forbidden archive and borrowed it.”

The King began to complain.

“There was also the matter with the Queen. So we decided to tighten security again and manage things in a way that would be easier to oversee.”

As a result, Li’s proposal was rejected so the treasure vault could be managed properly.

It was unfortunate that the sense of aesthetic was gone, but it could not be helped.

She had gotten a little too passionate back then.

While they were talking like that, Li and the others arrived at the room in the spire tower where teleportation could be used.

They activated the magic circle and teleported together.

“It has been a while, Founding King.”

Thus, Li and the others once again came to meet the remnant of the Founding King.