I had finally found someone who annoyed me more than the prince, as my eyes narrowed at the lean yet muscular Queen. With a wide smile on her face, she was easily plucking the far-reaching fruits from the tree she was currently sitting in. It was odd enough that Queen Amelia looked fondly at her spouse, but it was annoying to see the princess look at the other woman with such admiration and surprise.

While the two women had been blinded by the stronger Queen’s show of agility and strength, their old advisor kept grumbling beside me. He had been the same way on the journey here to the gardens as well paired with him muttering to himself. I would have thought that he was chanting a spell or something, but as soon as I watched his disapproving stare at Queen Bran – I realized that our unease was collectively being caused by the same person.

“Is the Queen usually this...active?” The man looked at me with surprise since I hadn’t addressed him before then. I was surprised by my question as well since I didn’t want to make an acquaintance with him. He looked similar to my father and Ulgrim, which was saying enough of how he could be. But as we heard the awe in Queen Amelia’s voice as she called the other Queen down, the advisor scoffed slightly and nodded his head.

“She enjoys physical activities. She has also defeated all the royal guards at the Geraldian castle, in a spar.” As much as I was in awe of the Queen, I was also irked by it. She had been the subject of attention ever since we had left the castle.

We had taken the same carriage to the gardens, and I had watched her hold a hand out for the princess as she entered the carriage. The princess’ dark cheeks were enough for me to burn a fire of dislike for the confident Queen.

She already had a Queen, why extend her gentlemanly actions towards the princess! That was just my argument with myself since I couldn’t voice these thoughts to anyone else. It would seem inappropriate since the princess was not mine or anyone else’s.

“Queen Bran is so enthusiastic!” My right eye twitched as I watched the princess smile adoringly at the Queen, who blushed while being in the tree. The redheaded Queen signaled for the other woman to climb down the tree once again. “We have enough fruit, dear, please come down now.”

I didn’t know how to describe the sensations in my heart since I was envious of the two Queens’ relationship, but I was also jealous of how the princess kept her attention on the other Queen. It felt like a double-edged sword which was stabbing my heart as well as my head. Clearly, I was not making any good decisions while burning with bitterness.

The monkey Queen had finally climbed down the tree as she fixed the crown on her head while Queen Amelia helped straighten out her tunic. I watched with envy as she draped the Queen’s mantle onto her shoulders as well. If I was their advisor, I would’ve advised them to get a room, but fortunately for me, I was not.

“We got so many fruits thanks to the Queen!” The princess raved as she handed the basket filled with oranges over to me. The most irritating part of this entire situation was that she barely glanced at me. I took the basket with a frown on my face which I couldn’t hide anymore. “It was an easy task.” I wanted to scoff but refrained from doing so as the princess replied with the same enthusiasm as before. “The last time Elena and I were here; we could only pick the oranges that were closer to us. Even then, Elena had a far more difficult time than I did.”

My cheeks darkened in embarrassment as the princess giggled while all attention shifted to me quickly. “I could teach you how to climb a tree, advisor Elena.” Queen Bran seemed ready to ascend the tree once again but was stopped by the old advisor now. “I believe the Queen should refrain from strenuous activities. Both the Queens have to discuss important matters later on.”

As if on cue, Queen Amelia nodded her head as she turned her gaze to the princess. “Hm, since the princess has been generous enough to show us around and even bring us to visit the gardens, we certainly cannot overstep your hospitality. We would like an audience with the Queen to discuss something urgent.” She paused as she glanced at the old advisor before continuing. “Preferably now would be a good time.”

There was no visible urgency in her voice, but her eyes held a different emotion now. One which the princess had also identified. “Apologies to the Queens for not sensing the severity of your visit. Please forgive me for asking you to roam around the gardens with me instead of preparing for a meeting with the Queen.”

I watched the way Queen Bran’s eyes widened as she shook her head immediately, not even allowing the other Queen to say anything. “Oh no, no, it’s not the princess’ fault at all. We just thought that we would be meeting the Queen or the prince as soon as we arrived.”

Immediately, the princess’ expressions showed a sadness which was shocking since there was nothing that could cause offense from Queen Bran’s words. But here the princess was, making the Queen feel horrible immediately.

I couldn’t understand what happened as well while Queen Bran stumbled with her words. “N-Not that w-we wouldn’t discuss important matters with the princess as well.”

Queen Amelia and advisor Elric stared at Queen Bran as she provided access to the information which the princess and I had been hoping to obtain. “We should discuss with the princess instead, right, if the Queen isn’t available?” Queen Amelia sighed as I watched her look at her spouse with disbelief. She was stuck in a rock and a hard place as she looked at the advisor beside me.

Both of their expressions were dire as Queen Amelia looked at the princess in a new light. I could tell that she had realized the innocent way in which her spouse had been brought to say the very thing we had wanted.

“Very well then.” I couldn’t help but smile as the redheaded Queen nodded her head. “We shall discuss our business with the princess instead, only because we do not plan to stay in Naja for long. Though I hope the princess relays it word by word to the Queen.”

I frowned slightly as the Queen finished speaking. Naja and Geraldia were neighbors but not even wanting to stay a night in the kingdom was odd for the Geraldian Queens to do. The princess, however, didn’t pay much attention to the Queen’s previous sentence, and nodded her head while giving the redheaded royal her entire attention.

“I hope you are aware of a man named Pellin Jade.” My ears stood in alarm as I was reminded of the name of the man who was supposed to create a way into the Geraldian castle for the Najan spies. We had gotten news of his death but there had been no news of his cover being blown. He was simply a bad man who faced an early demise. The princess glanced at me before nodding her head reluctantly.

Queen Amelia’s eyes brightened as she continued. “He tried to take over my reign in the last days of his life. He also tried to assassinate me and my Queen, while also stealing significant resources from my Kingdom.” That was information that the princess and I knew of till now. “Yes, I am aware of all that.” I frowned at the princess’ admission which was unnecessary but thankfully, Queen Amelia did not hold onto it for long as she spoke further.

“Pellin Jade also left us incriminating letters between him and someone with a royal army.” My eyes widened as I bowed my head, in hopes of not letting my expressions be known to the Queens or the advisors. But while I had the luxury to protect my emotions, the princess’ frown was apparent. “What did these letters state?”

That was the question which changed everything for the princess and I as the old advisor brought out a scroll from his belt. “Presenting this to the princess.”

I watched from over the princess’ shoulder as she unrolled the paper and read aloud the few sentences written there. “Dispose of the Queen as soon as you are finished with the Quarry. I will send the third army as soon as you notify of your completed task.”

Both the princess and I glanced at one another as the intention of the words was clear to us. But the words didn’t quite make sense as I found myself speaking aloud unconsciously. “But Naja only has two armies.”

In just a few words, both the Queens and the advisor frowned over at me, and we were all left in a silence where we could only piece together the answer, not knowing that there was still a piece missing.