“Kent, Rachel. I apologize for my foolish wife’s disturbance.”
After Bine left, Margaret bowed deeply to Kent and Rachel.
“I was wondering earlier, who was that?”
“Someone who could silence Bine, so she must be quite an important person.”
The tension in the bakery dissipated. Away from the main group, Natali and Cibol were discussing the mysterious woman who had resolved the issue on her own.
“Although she’s dressed like that, she is the Queen of this country.”
““Eh?!””
Lola, who had previous experience as a waitress at a shop where she had worked, knew Margaret. When she quietly told Natali and Cibol this, they were both very surprised.
“Please, raise your heads. I don’t mind.”
Kent had been greatly disturbed by Bine’s attempt on his life, but he thought it would be inappropriate to make the Queen of this country bow down. He conveyed this to Margaret.
“Is that so? If Kent says so, then I shall.”
Margaret accepted Kent’s sentiment and raised her head.
“I was worried about what would happen if Auntie hadn’t come to help. Thank you.”
“““Auntie!”””
When Rachel called the Queen “Auntie,” Lola, Natali, and Cibol, who were watching from a distance, gaped in surprise.
“I broke out in a cold sweat thinking about what would have happened if I hadn’t been nearby. If I hadn’t appeared here, this country might have been destroyed by your rampaging selves.”
Margaret turned her gaze to Emily, Al, Mike, and Hanako and spoke.
“I’m sorry. Because I was affected by your magic power, I’m actually having trouble standing. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to rest here for a bit. Please don’t worry about me and feel free to resume business.”
“Understood. As thanks for your help, there will be no charge, so please order any drinks or food you’d like.”
“Thank you. Then I shall accept your kind offer.”
Margaret decided to rest at a table in the dining space. Kent offered to cover their meal expenses as a token of his gratitude, which Margaret gratefully accepted.
“Alright, alright, let’s resume business. Everyone, back to your stations.”
Rachel gave the order, and they decided to reopen.
*Gruff gruff.*
“Oh? Do you need something from me?”
“Mmm, I do.”
Once the bakery reopened and customers began to enter, the shop became lively again. The Queen was seated in the dining space, but none of the customers realized that the Queen of this country was sitting there in commoner’s clothes, so Margaret blended in as just another customer. It was then that Hanako tugged at Margaret’s sleeve.
“Mmm, I have a request…”
Saying this, Hanako stretched up a little and whispered something in Margaret’s ear.
“As long as nothing is broken or damaged, it’s fine. I can’t quite imagine it from just words, but I’m looking forward to it. Well then, I’ll write something now.”
Margaret began to write something at a table in the dining space.
“I’m sorry to ask this during your work, but I still can’t move well, so could you please take this letter to the guards at the castle gate?”
“Y-yes! T-T-T-Manager, I’ll be right back.”
“Mmm? An errand from Auntie? Understood. Have a good trip.”
Natali, who happened to be nearby, took the letter from Margaret and left the shop. Since it was an errand from the Queen, Manager Rachel did not stop her and instead saw her off.
“I see… so this is where it becomes relevant.”
“Mmm, at this time…”
“…This will be my responsibility, won’t it?”
“Understood, meow.”
“It can’t be helped. I’ll help you.”
By and by, Emily, Al, and Mike gathered around Margaret’s table, joining Hanako. They were looking over something that resembled blueprints and discussing it.
“What are they doing over there?”
“Older brother, don’t just stand there. The next customer has arrived.”
Kent felt a sense of unease, as if they were not casually conversing but having a serious meeting. However, customers kept arriving, so he couldn’t ask about the details and had no choice but to focus on his work, urged on by Rachel.
Meanwhile, Natali, on her way to the castle as Margaret’s messenger, was feeling incredibly nervous.
*(I’m holding the letter I was entrusted with securely.)*
Natali repeatedly checked to make sure she hadn’t lost the letter Margaret had given her, which was tucked away in her pocket. She headed toward the castle with a restive demeanor. The castle also served as a government office, so people entered it for various procedures. However, the entrance for those handling government affairs was separate from the entrance for nobles. This time, Natali was heading not for the government office entrance but for the one used by those with business at the castle. Natali, being a commoner, lived a life with no contact with nobles. However, since taking her current job, she had had opportunities to interact with nobles through customer service and had acquired some basic etiquette. Yet, this was only the etiquette for serving nobles in a commoner’s shop. Therefore, she naturally didn’t know any detailed manners and was anxious about what might happen if she encountered other nobles at the entrance.
*(All I have to do is hand the letter to the guards at the entrance. Natali, you can do it!)*
Natali told herself this, confirmed that there were no other nobles near the entrance, took the letter out of her pocket, and headed toward the entrance.
“Excuse me, you’re working. I’d like to deliver this letter.”
“Hold on, directly appealing to the castle is forbidden. Do you understand?”
“Eh? Eh?”
Natali was surprised when she tried to hand the sealed letter to a soldier at the entrance. This was understandable, as directly appealing to the castle was prohibited in this country. If one had a complaint, they were expected to ask a noble with the right to speak or to go through the relevant government office. Violating this rule would result in punishment.
“Ah, um…”
“Once the letter has been submitted, I cannot overlook this. You will be taken into custody for the time being. Hey, this is a case of direct appeal. Take her away!”
““Yes.””
When a soldier at the entrance called out, two young soldiers emerged from the guardroom and apprehended Natali.
“The document will be confiscated as evidence.”
“Ah, that letter!”
“Are you resisting?”
When the young soldiers took the letter entrusted to her by Margaret, Natali desperately tried to get it back. The soldiers interpreted this as resistance and reached for the swords at their waists.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Another soldier, drawn by the commotion, arrived.
“Sergeant, this person submitted this letter, so when we tried to apprehend her for direct appeal, she resisted, and we were about to issue a warning.”
The young soldier handed the letter he had taken from Natali to the person addressed as Sergeant.
“Th-this seal on the letter… My apologies. Hey, you two, release her immediately.”
“Sergeant, why has your complexion changed like that?”
“Imbeciles. This letter is a direct communication from the Queen.”
“““Eh?”””
The young soldiers were astonished by the Sergeant’s words.
“You two, go back to the training grounds!”
““W-we are truly sorry!””
The young soldiers lowered their heads in unison as the Sergeant’s angry voice echoed.
“I apologize for my subordinates’ rudeness. I will speak to them sternly later. Please forgive us.”
“N-no, it’s alright.”
Startled by the Sergeant’s deep bow, Natali was unsure how to react and stammered.
“N-now, please, allow me to guide you. Please come this way.”
“Eh? I was just told to deliver the letter…”
As if not hearing Natali’s words, the Sergeant led the way, and Natali was guided deeper and deeper into the castle.
“The King is waiting for you in the inner chambers.”
“Eh? Eh?”
At some point, the guide changed from the Sergeant to an elderly man clad in expensive-looking attire. He led her to the audience chamber.
“E-excuse me.”
“Hmm, you are the one who brought Margaret’s letter, are you not?”
“H-how do you do. My name is Natali. Here is the letter I received from Margaret.”
The King of this country was seated on the throne. There was also a chair next to him, but it was empty. Even though it was her first time in the audience chamber, Natali easily deduced that it was the Queen’s seat. When she handed the letter from Margaret to the man standing near her, he presented it to the King.
“Hmm, I have received the letter. Tell Margaret that I will handle the rest.”
“Yes, I have received your command.”
“You are dismissed.”
Natali, still tense, bowed and left the audience chamber.
*(I was so nervous. I never imagined I would be delivering it directly to the King.)*
The tension released, Natali felt as if her legs might give out, but she managed to bear it and successfully leave the castle.
“I need to tell the Queen that I delivered the letter.”
Natali headed for Marie’s Bakery No. 2 to report the King’s message and the completion of her mission.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work. We’ve managed to finish today’s work.”
Marie’s Bakery No. 2, having reached closing time, began the tidying-up process. Since the event was over, they were divided into teams to remove the Christmas decorations as well.
“Um, are you alright?”
“I’m sorry for intruding until this late hour.”
Kent, concerned that Margaret was not moving even though it was closing time, spoke to her. In the beginning, she had looked truly unwell, but now her color had returned, and she seemed to have recovered considerably in appearance.
“I’m back.”
Just then, Natali returned.
“It took longer than I expected. Were you able to deliver the letter?”
“Yes, I delivered it to the King.”
“Oh, so you were taken all the way to the audience chamber? I’m sorry for burdening you with so much.”
Margaret had expected Naatli to simply hand the letter over at the entrance and was a bit surprised that Natali had been escorted to the audience chamber.
“Did my husband say anything?”
“Yes, he said he would handle the rest.”
“I see, then it’s alright. Hehehe. I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
When Natali conveyed the King’s message, Margaret wore a satisfied expression and a sly smile.
