ITMFYWCLBU 17

Half a day by carriage north of the royal capital, the royal villa stood halfway up a low mountain. Built to accommodate the royal family for an entire month, it was spacious and grand in design.

Since the king would reside there for a full month, numerous military and civil officials relocated as well. Though it was called a summer retreat, the king could hardly spend an entire month at leisure; he conducted his affairs from the villa.

If everyone moved at once, it would become a grand procession, so they traveled in three separate groups.

First came the king and queen’s party, then the second consort and Princess Wiejeny’s party, and finally Gracian and Matilda’s.

Because they departed at staggered times, Gracian and Matilda were scheduled to arrive the day after Félicité and her group reached the villa.

Félicité seemed positively delighted at the prospect of preparing Matilda’s room before her arrival.

“Heehee, having a daughter is such a lovely thing.”

Saying so, she ordered the curtains changed to brighter ones and arranged for special tea leaves to be placed in the room, all so that Matilda would be comfortable.

Matilda’s room was next to Gracian’s. After their marriage, they would share the official marital suite together—but naturally, they could not openly place them there before the wedding.

“Your Majesty, shall we use these light blue cushion covers?” Clarisse asked, holding one up.

“Oh dear, I’m torn. Pink or light blue—which do you think is better?”

Félicité pressed her index finger to her chin, humming thoughtfully.

“It is summer, so the light blue might feel cooler,” Clarisse suggested.

“But the pink is hard to give up. The white floral embroidery is so charming.”

“Then again, the little birds embroidered on the blue are lovely as well.”

They laid the pink and blue covers side by side, and the ladies-in-waiting all frowned in earnest deliberation.

When it came time to prepare the crown prince and princess’s future chambers, Matilda would surely decorate them to her own liking. But this room was only for use before the wedding, so the matter had been entrusted to Félicité. As a future mother-in-law, she wished to create a space Matilda would love—and her attendants were just as determined to assist her.

“There were other colors too, weren’t there?” Félicité asked, glancing toward the packed trunks.

“We have mint green, cream, and white lace as well,” Bruette replied, deftly withdrawing them from the case.

Lady Léonie had not accompanied them—she could not leave her children for an entire month—but she had supervised the packing. Apparently she had anticipated Félicité’s indecision and prepared plenty of options.

“Oh dear… this is difficult…”

Félicité examined each cushion cover, one by one, hand to her cheek.

“What are you all puzzling over?”

It seemed their voices had carried through the open door. The king himself peered in, and Clarisse and the others hurriedly straightened.

“Ah, Your Majesty. Perfect timing. We’re deciding on cushion covers—light blue, pink, mint, cream, or white. Which do you think?”

“You brought quite a selection… Why not use them all? There are plenty of cushions, aren’t there? If not, fetch more from another room.”

“Oh! What a splendid idea!”

Félicité clapped her hands as if scales had fallen from her eyes.

Her dilemma resolved, she cheerfully decided to use all five colors, directing the maids to arrange the cushions across the sofas and bed.

“Let’s put the white and pink on the bed. The rest can go on the sofa.”

“Settled, then? In that case, come take a break with me. I find myself a bit peckish.”

The king had evidently come to invite her. Laughing softly, Félicité entrusted the rest of the preparations to her attendants and left with him.

Once they were gone, Bruette closed the door and exhaled quietly.

“This room is far from the second consort’s chambers, so it should be safe—but just in case, let’s make a list of everything in here. …It would be dreadful if someone played a trick.”

At her hushed words, the others nodded gravely.

By evening, Jeanne and her party would arrive. Jeanne, who regarded Félicité as a rival, might very well attempt some mischief in Matilda’s room.

It might seem overly cautious—but in the past, something had indeed been done to Félicité’s own chambers. The culprit had never been identified, yet Lady Léonie had confided to Bruette that it was likely Jeanne. Bruette’s expression was stern.

“If you find anything not on the list, take note. Check the color of the furniture too. If even the slightest shade looks altered, be suspicious. Understood?”

“Yes.”

Félicité’s attendants would take turns serving Matilda as well. They resolved that someone would always keep watch nearby, and while Félicité took tea with the king, Clarisse and the others hurried to inspect every corner of the room.

Even if it’s nothing life-threatening, it would be terrible if something happened before the wedding.

The last time Félicité’s room had been tampered with, a chemical that caused rashes upon contact had been smeared on the window frames and furniture. It had not escalated into anything serious, but Félicité had suffered mild irritation. A petty, insidious harassment.

If something similar were done to Matilda—if her hands or face broke out before the wedding—Clarisse shuddered at the thought.

No one deserves to marry under such a cloud. We must be careful.

In her memories, Matilda had never endured such harassment. But just like the incident at the Flower Appreciation Gathering, something unforeseen could occur.

Better to remain vigilant.

As Clarisse checked the decorative shelves, she let out a quiet breath, hoping that this month would pass without incident.