CHAPTER 793: THE QUEENS’ REQUEST ( 793 )

Then Felicia’s mother, the Beastkin Queen, finally spoke, her voice calm but edged.

"What is happening to both of you? Mimi, you are blunt and abrasive, that is your nature. But you, Felicia?" Her gaze sharpened on her daughter.

"Are you not supposed to be gentle, serene, graceful, and refined?"

"M...mo...mother..." Felicia’s voice cracked as she lowered her head, her hands trembling. She stared at the floor, unable to meet her mother’s eyes.

The air grew heavy, tension pressing down on the four girls like a storm about to break.

But then.

Lady Francesca’s serene laugh cut through the silence, soft and melodic. She lifted her hand delicately to her lips.

"Now, now~" she said gently, her tone like silk. "Don’t scold them too harshly, Your Highness."

The queens turned slightly toward her, but Francesca’s gaze never wavered, her smile steady.

"They are young, eager, and in love," she continued smoothly. "Such boldness is... natural. And besides, it shows their hearts are already devoted to my son."

The queens exhaled softly, their expressions loosening slightly.

"If not because of Lady Francesca," the Beastkin Queen said firmly, glancing at Mimi and Felicia, "you would already be receiving punishment from us."

"Yes..." added Queen Ferya, her voice low but sharp. "Discipline is not something we take lightly."

The Demon Queen’s eyes lingered on Delya, cold but calm. "And you especially should know better, delya."

The four girls stiffened, their faces pale as they bowed deeply.

"We... are sorry!" they chorused in unison.

"Now, every one of you should join us," the Beastkin Queen said firmly, her gaze sweeping over Mimi, Felicia, Delya, and Ferine. "Since the young lords are going to the capital."

"Eh!? For real!?" Mimi’s ears perked up, her tail flicking with excitement.

But Queen Ferya’s expression turned colder.

"Do not misunderstand. Don’t think about joining him."

The Demon Queen folded her arms, her tone sharp. "They are going to attend a Human royal council. This is no simple banquet or gathering. It is a formal seat of power within the Human Kingdom."

Francesca’s serene smile lingered, though her tone softened as she explained further. "You four are princesses and heirs of your own nations. If you were to sit in on a human council, it would not be seen as support for Armand, it would be taken as interference."

Queen Ferya nodded firmly. "And that would cause unnecessary problems for Lord Garius. Some might even accuse him of inviting foreign powers into human affairs."

The Beastkin Queen sighed, though her eyes remained sharp on her daughter. "Exactly. It would spark suspicion and political strife. You must not make things harder for him."

Mimi’s ears drooped, her excitement fading. Felicia pressed her lips together, nodding with quiet shame. Delya lowered her head, cheeks flushed with guilt, while Ferine whispered softly,

"...We understand."

"We are all fortunate," Francesca said gently, "to be invited here to the Armand region. To attend the feast last night, and to remain for several more days in peace."

Queen Ferya gave a curt nod. "Yes. Consider this a rare respite, a chance to enjoy the hospitality of Armand while matters of succession are still unsettled."

The Demon Queen folded her hands neatly. "Until the decision for the coronation is made, our presence here is neither idle nor wasted. We wait, and we observe."

The Beastkin Queen’s tail flicked once as she added calmly, "But do not mistake this respite for freedom to meddle. It is a sojourn of courtesy, nothing more."

The four girls lowered their heads together.

"Yes..."

"But really, Francesca," the Beastkin Queen said with a small sigh, "we are sorry if we caused interruption. Our husbands... they spoke of attending the coronation." Her tone carried the weight of realization.

The Demon Queen folded her arms, her lips tightening. "Indeed. We thought it was certain. Yet it seems..."

Francesca’s serene smile never faltered. She lifted her hand lightly to her lips and laughed softly. "Ah~ don’t worry about it, Your Highness. I am sure my husband already knew. Their excuse to come here was just that, a little lie, so they could enjoy themselves and relax."

The two queens exchanged glances, then let out long sighs.

But Ferya simply smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Well... my husband was invited to the party. So I believe we are good... fufufu~"

"Speaking of husbands," the Beastkin Queen’s eyes narrowed slightly as she turned to her daughter, "where is your father, Felicia?"

"Um... I don’t know... Mother..." Felicia’s voice was small, her gaze fixed on the floor.

The Queen’s tone grew sharper. "You were sleeping in the young lord’s room last night, weren’t you? Our maids said you were not in your guest room."

Felicia froze, her face crimson. "U-umm..."

But before she could stumble out an excuse.

"We all were," Mimi said bluntly, her tail flicking casually.

The air turned thick with silence.

Felicia’s knees nearly buckled. Delya covered her face in horror. Ferine lowered her head in mortified silence.

Francesca chuckled softly, her voice smooth and amused. "My, my~ how honest. Truly, children these days have no sense of subtlety."

The other queens shot her a look, but Francesca’s serene smile never wavered.

"Anyway," Francesca said smoothly, folding her hands in front of her with serene grace, "since Your Majesties are our honored guests... if you do not mind, perhaps you could tell me if there is a place you would like to visit during your stay?"

Her warm smile lingered as she continued, "The Armand region is vast, but every corner is yours to enjoy while you remain here."

"Really?"

"For real?"

"Can we?"

All three queens leaned forward slightly, their eyes shimmering with sudden excitement that contrasted their usual regal composure.

Francesca’s smile deepened, her voice carrying both warmth and calm authority.

"Yes~ of course. I can arrange a time to accompany you personally and inform the household to prepare. And if it is about safety."

She inclined her head gently, "I can ensure our troops and units are ready at all times."

The queens exchanged delighted glances, their dignified masks slipping just enough to show the eagerness beneath.

The Beastkin Queen’s tail swished once. "Then... perhaps the famous park I’ve heard of, the one said to be shaped by your Armand magic technology? A place where nature and magic blend together?"

Queen Ferya chuckled softly, her eyes glimmering with curiosity.

"And I would very much like to see Gaze Town, your capital. They say it is unlike any other city in the Human Kingdom."

The Demon Queen’s lips curved faintly. "The hot springs rumored to rival even those of the north... I would not mind seeing them for myself."

Francesca smile elegantly, lifting her hand to her lips. "My, my~ so many choices. Very well. Allow me to see that all is prepared. You will not be disappointed."

( End Of Chapter )