For a moment, Erdene couldn’t understand what Sophia was saying. Practicing pinning brooches on formal attire, for three whole months!

What on earth is the reason for doing such a thing? Erdene thought.

“What do you mean? It doesn’t sound like the daughter of a marquis is doing manual labor or sewing for hire.”

“Of course not. I merely stated things as they are, so you can understand them as such, Your Highness. As my mother said, I grew up hearing from the age of twelve that ‘I must marry King Arkan and become the queen of Betor.’ Mother believed it would certainly happen, and said she would make it happen even if it didn’t.”

Then, Sophia suddenly burst into laughter as if finding it ridiculous.

“Goodness, even if that’s the case, was it necessary to make me memorize the positions and meanings of accessories on formal attire? The maids would surely take care of it anyway. Don’t you think so?”

Erdene’s gaze changed a little more. Now her expression showed almost no hostility, only curiosity.

“You seem remarkably calm for having gone through so much trouble. Considering your lifelong dream was stolen by a woman who came out of nowhere.”

Sophia stared at Erdene intently.

“Your statement about coming out of nowhere doesn’t make sense. It would be hard to find anyone in Betor who doesn’t know about Princess Erdene Baatar, heir to the Hirschsten throne. And there’s one important thing I should tell you: becoming King Arkan’s companion was not my wish. It was my mother’s desire. That’s why I can be calm. In fact, I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you appeared.”

Now a clearly discernible smile had appeared on Erdene’s face.

Though her quick and smooth speech, devoid of flattery, made her seem a bit impertinent for a queen’s confidant, Erdene preferred dealing with someone who spoke their mind without unnecessary embellishments.

“So you’re saying that since becoming queen wasn’t your intention, you won’t act as a spy, is that it?”

“If you’re worried because of what my mother whispered in my ear earlier, you can rest assured. Of course, my mother’s intention in sending me as Your Highness’s confidant was probably hoping that I would report your every little detail. But earlier, it was just useless advice.”

“What kind of useless advice?”

“Advice to immediately inform His Majesty if Your Highness were to verbally abuse or attempt to use violence against me.”

Erdene suddenly burst into loud laughter at Sophia’s words, which seemed devoid of emotion.

To think she delivered such trivial words with such a grave expression! Remembering how Lady Fiddlers had been glancing at her, Erdene couldn’t help but laugh.

Sophia said:

“But I’m not my mother. And I’m not a fool either.”

“Are you implying that your mother is a fool?”

“Please don’t misunderstand, Your Highness. I love my mother. I was born late, and she nearly died giving birth to me. How could I despise or cut ties with the person who risked her life to bring me into this world just because she does some foolish things?”

Erdene, now with a fully interested expression, took a step closer to Sophia.

“So what is it you want to say? That you have no intention of being a spy, so I should trust you completely? Or is there something you want to ask of me?”

Sophia’s large eyes moved in a circle, lost in thought.

“If you’re asking if I want you to trust me completely, then yes. Of course, I’d like to say that, but it would be difficult for Your Highness. In fact, I know that… no matter how much time passes… it’s hard to gain perfect trust. And as for a wish, well…”

Sophia, who had been thoughtfully stroking her cheek while pausing mid-sentence, said:

“Do you know a man named Bellen Wizard?”

“No, it’s the first time I’ve heard that name. Did he borrow money from you and run away? Would you be satisfied if I caught him and beat him until he coughed up all the money?”

Sophia furrowed her brow as if the mere thought of him vomiting was horrific—even if he were to vomit gold, it wasn’t a scene she wanted to see.

“No, that’s not it. Actually, that man is considered the most excellent military officer in the Kingdom of Betor and throughout the inland allied countries. There hasn’t been any serious conflict between Hirschsten and Betor yet. So it’s understandable that Your Highness hasn’t heard his name…”

At the mention of a skilled military officer, Erdene suddenly felt her body itching with excitement.

Come to think of it, she realized she hadn’t properly exercised her body since coming to Betor.

‘No wonder my body feels stiff every morning.’

As Erdene was thinking that she should resume her morning and evening training regimen starting tomorrow, Sophia spoke in her characteristically calm tone.

“I prefer men like Bellen Wizard over King Arkan. A warrior with powerful strength and outstanding skills. But I’m not sure if he really has such skills. They say there’s no one among Betor’s knights or soldiers who can defeat Lord Wizard, but that’s natural since Betor isn’t very interested in military administration. So, if it’s alright with you, I’d like Your Highness to have a sparring match with Bellen Wizard.”

It was an absurdly unexpected request.

As an imperial princess, or as the leader of military officers, she had heard all sorts of ridiculous requests and pleas, but this was the first time someone had said, ‘I want to know if my potential marriage partner is reliable, so please have a sparring match with him.’

Erdene, with her arms crossed, said:

“I’ll win for sure. Will you live alone for the rest of your life then?”

Sophia briefly turned her gaze to the side and then twisted the corner of her mouth.

“If he were to be utterly defeated by Your Highness, I would rather choose to live alone. However, if he loses by a narrow margin, I might need to reconsider.”

“Then what if, by some chance, he defeats me?”

As if there was no need to explain that, Sophia said:

“I would propose to him and take him away immediately.”

While Erdene burst into laughter again, Sophia reflected her image in the large vertical mirror.

And she checked once more to see if the formal attire was damaged, or if any accessories were misplaced.

Erdene said:

“You’re truly amusing. If you like that man enough to propose immediately should he defeat me, why didn’t you say such things to your mother?”

Sophia looked at Erdene intently, as if wondering if she really didn’t know the reason, then answered:

“If I had said such things, my mother would have pretended to faint, clutching her neck, and then she would have stayed in bed for a month or two. But now we have Your Highness, don’t we? It’s time for my mother to let go of her meaningless hope.”

“Let me ask one more thing.”

Sophia blinked as if to say go ahead. Erdene said:

“Is your lack of attachment to the queen’s position because you’re passionately in love with this man called Bellen Wizard?”

Sophia answered:

“No, it’s just that to my eyes, he looks more handsome than His Majesty Arkan.”

Just then, the head servant Platt, who was about to announce Arkan’s arrival, overheard Sophia’s words.

Arkan, standing right beside him, must have heard the same… Platt’s complexion paled slightly.

“Y-Your Majesty. Um…”

But Arkan raised his hand to signal him not to speak.

As he had been cutting off conversations more frequently lately, Platt frowned in a way unbefitting his age.

Arkan said:

“That voice, isn’t it Sophia Fiddlers? The marquis’s youngest daughter.”

“I-It seems so, Your Majesty.”

“What on earth is she doing here? Open the door.”

As the servant opened the door, Erdene and Sophia turned their heads simultaneously. Arkan strode in.

Erdene, seeing Platt’s unsettled expression, said teasingly:

“What’s the matter with you? Do you have an upset stomach?”

“Not quite… Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It’s nothing like that.”

Sophia quickly interjected:

“Then, Your Highness. I shall go and select the maids I mentioned earlier. Head Servant Platt, I apologize, but could you assist me?”

“What? But I must attend to His Majesty…”

“Go ahead, Platt.”

Platt couldn’t say anything in response. Sophia swiftly vacated the place, dragging him along, almost as if he had been dismissed like the two noblewomen who had visited earlier.

Arkan found himself unable to take his eyes off Erdene, who was perfectly dressed in her wedding attire.

Like the first day he saw her alighting from the carriage, when he realized she was neither burly nor giant—of course, the rumor about her having three eyes was also false—as the rumors had suggested, his tongue momentarily stiffened.

Erdene, for her part, was engaged in a staring contest with Arkan, pondering whether to put into action what she had decided earlier.

While she liked the idea of keeping Sophia by her side, she was displeased that her opinion wasn’t sought in choosing the person who would serve her most closely.

“Princess, I…”

“I was hoping you had run away in fear of marrying me, as you were nowhere to be seen. How disappointing.”

Arkan’s lips firmly closed, his words cut off. That one sentence was enough to understand.

Erdene had not the slightest intention of resolving her grudge against Arkan.