In the end.

The Queen did not stop at tea and even stayed for dinner at the ducal house before returning.

That she threw a tantrum about wanting to stay the night is a confidential matter.

To placate such a Queen, Li provided several pieces of furniture.

In particular, the canopied bed that the Queen took a liking to delighted her greatly.

Incidentally, the Queen was also provided with a Jewel Dimensional Vault.

It was presented as Mother’s new magic tool and Li’s name was deliberately not mentioned.

It was a hectic vacation, but Li personally felt she had been able to relax.

Thinking that she would be returning to the academy from tomorrow made her feel just a little excited.

It seemed she had taken to academy life more than she expected.

For Li as well, she thought it was surprising that she could feel that way.

* * *

The next day.

Her younger sister protested stubbornly like the Queen had.

It was a manner of sulking that made Li keenly feel their blood relation.

“Big Sister, don’t go.”

That said, Li commutes from the ducal house.

Even when she said she would be back by evening, her younger sister would not listen.

They had been apart for several days due to outdoor training.

Then, just when she thought Li had gone to the royal castle, she returned home exhausted and asleep.

Li’s repeated behavior had been causing her younger sister anxiety.

At that point, one of Li’s hidden trump cards came into play.

It was a stuffed toy she had made in her spare time, just in case something like this happened.

Two of them, a cutely deformed dog and cat.

Upon seeing them, her younger sister stopped crying.

“Big Sister, make sure you come back properly, okay.”

Li gently stroked the heads of her younger sister and younger brother.

The stuffed toys were nestled securely in the siblings’ arms.

* * *

“Lady Li.”

As soon as Li appeared at the academy, Lady Alberta came running over.

“I’m glad to see you looking well.”

“Good day, Lady Alberta.”

The two walked side by side toward the classroom.

Li’s class is made up of high-achieving students.

Naturally, the Crown Prince and the Saint are in the same classroom as well.

When Li shows herself in the classroom, a small stir runs through the room.

The girls come one after another to greet her.

Responding with a smile, Li takes her seat.

Then the Crown Prince appears.

He approaches Li, his footsteps sounding briskly against the floor.

“Good morning.”

Li offers a safe, polite greeting.

“After lunch will be fine. I want you to come to the salon. I have something to discuss.”

The salon refers to a room on the upper floor of the dining hall building.

Is it an annulment of an engagement, Li wonders, an ominous phrase flashing through her mind.

She understands that is not the case, yet she cannot help thinking it.

Nine times out of ten, it must be about the Queen, Li judges and nods.

“Understood. I will come after lunch.”

“Please do. Ah and come alone. It is a confidential matter.”

Why would he say that in public, Li feels disappointed.

‘Does he not understand just how much attention we attract.’

If he says something like that, what kind of fantasies the young ladies will spin.

To begin with, if it concerns the Queen, Li herself is directly involved.

She is fully aware that it is confidential, so she would have gone alone without being told.

Why he cannot grasp such subtleties is beyond her.