ITMFYWCLBU 4

In the afternoon, the Duchess of Edinson and Matilda arrived.

Matilda, the future crown princess, was only a year younger than Clarisse, yet her movements were refined and graceful, exuding a natural nobility.

Because the King of Roberius practiced polygamy, it wasn’t impossible that Gracian might take a consort after marrying Matilda—but at present, the two were so close that it was hard to imagine such a thing.

Even two years from now, Prince Gracian hadn’t taken a consort. They were still genuinely close… Maybe he’ll become the first king since the founding of the kingdom to have no consorts at all.

The issue of taking consorts was closely tied to succession.

The current king had taken his second consort largely because, a year after marriage, Félicité had shown no sign of pregnancy. Not long after marrying Joanne, Félicité conceived Gracian—but whether due to her constitution or the king’s, she never bore another child.

Matilda, however, conceived just six months after marrying Gracian, and even two years after Clarisse’s death, she had been pregnant with their second child. With no concern over heirs, there was little reason for Gracian to take a consort.

“What is it, Matilda? You look troubled.”

As the tea gathering began, Clarisse and Bruette stood a little distance away. Félicité asked Matilda with concern.

Matilda smiled and said it was nothing, but her mother—the Duchess of Edinson—gave a wry look and revealed the truth.

“This child has been worrying already about His Highness taking a consort.”

“Mother…”

Matilda shot her a reproachful look, but the duchess only shrugged.

Félicité widened her eyes, then rested a hand against her cheek and smiled gently.

“That is something I can’t really speak to… But does he have someone else he’s inclined toward besides you, Matilda?”

There was no way—that much was clear even two years in the future. But Clarisse, of course, kept silent.

I wish I could tell her that even two years from now, he never takes a consort and cherishes only Lady Matilda…

Perhaps because the wedding had not yet taken place, Matilda’s expression remained clouded. Clarisse felt an urge to tell her about the future—but restrained herself.

If she said such things, she would only be viewed with suspicion. She likely wouldn’t be believed and would be scolded for speaking nonsense. Worse still, careless words could change the future.

After all, Clarisse herself was now scheming to dissolve her engagement to avoid being killed two years later.

“No, it’s nothing of that sort… I’m simply weak-hearted.”

“I suppose so. Before my own marriage, I too worried excessively and rode a constant wave of joy and despair.”

“And I was the same before marrying my husband. Fufu—perhaps it’s simply a rite of passage before becoming a bride.”

The Duchess of Edinson laughed lightly.

So that’s how it is. I was just… purely happy.

Clarisse was meant to marry Alexis a year from now—one year before her death, according to her memories of the future. All she remembered of the preparations and the wedding itself was happiness and excitement.

Well, I’m not marrying Alexis anyway!

No matter how joyful the wedding might be, she would be plunged into the depths of despair a year later. She never wanted to marry him again.

As Clarisse mulled over this, the three women continued chatting pleasantly. It seemed the topic of consorts had passed.

“Oh yes—soon it will be time for the flower-viewing gathering.”

The Duchess of Edinson clapped her hands lightly, as if remembering.

The flower-viewing gathering was an annual castle event held in mid-spring. In Roberius, each consort owned a greenhouse within the castle grounds, where they cultivated flowers throughout the year and displayed them at the gathering.

Though the current king had only two consorts—Félicité and Joanne—the event dated back to ancient times, when kings kept many consorts as symbols of power. While its meaning had faded over time, the flower-viewing gathering was still, at its core, a contest for royal favor.

The consort whose flowers were deemed most beautiful earned the privilege of having the king spend an entire week at her side.

Though His Majesty’s affection already lies with the queen, so it hardly matters now.

The king had always cherished Félicité. As far as Clarisse remembered, Félicité’s flowers were chosen every year—partly because of favoritism, but also because her flowers truly were exceptional.

That was why Joanne reportedly went to great lengths each year, desperately collecting rare flowers in hopes of winning the king’s favor.

“Fufu, the flowers this year are blooming so beautifully.”

With only two consorts, each displayed several varieties. Félicité loved roses and showcased roses she had personally bred every year. According to Clarisse’s memories, the centerpiece this year would be the rainbow rose—a variety Félicité had carefully cultivated for years, now finally ready for display.

Clarisse and the other ladies-in-waiting would all be helping, and she was already looking forward to it.

They’re not literally seven colors like a rainbow—but the gradient from deep purple to pale pink is breathtaking.

The center of the bloom was a rich purple, fading outward into lighter hues, with the edges of the petals turning pale pink or white. It was a large, striking rose, born by chance during Félicité’s experiments with crossbreeding.

“Once you marry Gracian, Matilda, you’ll be given a greenhouse as well. From next year on, perhaps we can enjoy this together.”

As crown princess, Matilda would participate alongside Félicité until Gracian ascended the throne. Any flowers Matilda cultivated would be displayed together with Félicité’s.

Incidentally, princesses were also permitted to compete—so since last year, Princess Wiejeny had been displaying flowers alongside her mother, Joanne. If Wiejeny’s flowers won, the credit would go to Joanne.

If memory serves, Lady Félicité’s flowers will be chosen again this year.

The rainbow rose would be selected as the finest bloom. Knowing the future allowed Clarisse to prepare with peace of mind.

This year will be the last time I’m involved in the flower-viewing gathering… So win or lose, I need to make sure the preparations are perfect.

According to her memories, six months from now Clarisse would resign as a lady-in-waiting to prepare for marriage.

She wished she could continue serving like this forever—

And then, suddenly, inspiration struck.

That’s it! That’s the way!!

With this, she should be able to avoid marrying Alexis.

As she continued listening to the conversation, Clarisse smiled quietly to herself.