"What do you think?"
After the Eve Festival had ended, Jin returned to his room to consult with Elsa.
"I believe it’s certain that Gloria-san still feels the same way about Ani-sama," Elsa replied, her opinion mirroring Jin's.
"Right? She’s definitely conscious of him."
"Mm."
"Even if they clear the first hurdle, it's what comes after that's the problem..."
Jin suspected that since both of them likely held national secrets, their respective countries wouldn’t be willing to let them go easily.
"Father, what about an 'international security guard'?"
The suggestion came from Reiko.
"I see! An international security guard!"
That might be better than being beholden to any single nation.
"If they serve there for a few years, it’s possible those secrets will no longer be sensitive by the time they leave."
Jin felt that this was a good direction to pursue.
"All that's left is to find a chance to confirm their feelings."
"That sounds best."
After their talk, the two of them—exhausted as they were—relaxed in the bath and then fell into a deep sleep.
＊ ＊ ＊
The morning of September 1st dawned.
At nine o'clock, the main gates of the Royal Palace were thrown open to the sound of a gong.
While the noise startled a few, most of the citizens took it in stride, as they had been informed beforehand. If anything, they were eager for some good news after the long string of dark events following the famine.
"A 'Magi Craft Meister'?"
"Yeah, apparently he's the engineer who invented those pumps."
"He's remarkably young."
The Raglann Company, which Roland belonged to, had been distributing the pumps far and wide, and the developer's name had spread alongside them.
"I heard it was his wife who cured the king's illness."
"Heh, and she's so young, too."
"I heard she's only eighteen."
"That's the same age as my daughter."
"She's a beauty, and clearly talented. Remarkable."
Such voices rippled through the crowd.
"I heard she's a friend of Princess Lieschen's as well."
"Ah, I heard that too. They say she played matchmaker for the princess and Prince Ernest of the Kingdom of Egerea."
"She certainly has connections."
"Well, he is the only Magi Craft Meister in the world, after all."
"A technical genius and a master healer... They're so far out of our league I can’t even feel jealous."
A few voices from the Quinta seemed to be mixed in among the crowd as well.
＊ ＊ ＊
Under a clear sky, the parade made its way through the city before returning to the palace, where a wedding reception was held from late morning through the night.
During the segment where they were expected to receive formal greetings from the nobility, Jin and Elsa managed to swap places with their Doppels.
Even so, the festivities dragged on long after they had switched back, leaving the couple utterly spent.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...Only one country left!"
"...But we still have tomorrow."
Jin and Elsa slumped wearily against the sofa in the guest suite. Reiko offered them glasses of Persica juice.
"Father, Elsa-sama, please."
"Ah, thanks."
"Thank you."
The cold juice helped clear their heads a little.
"Tomorrow will likely be a quiet gathering, so that's fine. After that, all that's left is the Kingdom of Franz."
"...Catherine-san's country."
"Ah, that's right."
Catherine de Lafayette. She was an acquaintance from the incident involving the demon race, and she also happened to be the mother of the current king.
"Is she the dowager queen now?"
Elsa shook her head at Jin's question.
"No. 'Dowager queen' refers to the principal consort of the former king. It doesn't necessarily refer to the king's biological mother."
"Is that so? Now that you mention it, that makes sense."
Elsa was far better versed in these matters of status and hierarchy than Jin.
"Mm. The king's principal consort is the queen. Even if the next king is not her biological child, she remains the dowager queen."
"Understood. Thanks for explaining."
"You're welcome."
Elsa gave a mischievous little giggle. She looked so endearing that Jin couldn't help but pull her into a hug. Seeing this, Reiko dimmed the lights and stepped out of the room.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Please spend today at your leisure."
The following morning, September 2nd, at half-past eight, Jin and Elsa were visited by Chancellor Powell after a light breakfast. The chancellor informed them of the day's schedule himself.
"It is merely a quiet tea party under the guise of a post-festival event... effectively just a luncheon."
"Understood."
Since they had no plans until noon, Jin decided to take it easy.
At nine-thirty, Princess Lieschen arrived, accompanied by Tia, Jessica, and Gloria.
"Jin, Elsa, are you not bored?" the princess asked the moment she entered.
Jin answered with a smile. "To be honest, yes, a little."
"Is that not so? I came thinking I might at least provide some conversation."
Jin was privately relieved that Gloria was with her. Given his current standing, he felt that calling for Gloria specifically might be seen as him favoring a particular individual—which would be bad for his reputation and potentially compromise Gloria's position.
"Tia, you seem to be doing well."
"Yes, Jin-sama. Thanks to you."
Jin started with some safe small talk.