I Favor the Villainess Chapter 43Reward

It’s my first time coming to the royal palace.

Rather than describing it as luxurious, grand would be the more apt word, after we passed through the gate, treading on fluffy carpets, we were guided inside the palace.

We were led to the waiting room .

There are dozens of people who have audience with the king every day.

Right now in this waiting room there’s only me and Claire-sama, but in others there are lots who also await their audiences.

While absentmindedly thinking about things like that, I curiously observed the furniture in this room.

“Sit still, you look restless”

I guess she’s used to it.

Claire-sama sipped the served tea without a hint of nervousness.

“It’s not particularly that I can’t calm down, I just think the rooms in the royal palace sure are different”

“Obviously. The royal palace represents the country. It is natural for even a single table to be a highest-grade article. Even this table is probably made of mahogany”

“Haa”

To me who has no confidence in my aesthetic sense, I only understand they appear expensive.

Pearls cast before swine, caviar to the general, preaching to deaf ears… something like that.

“At least like that you do not seem out of place”

Claire-sama put back the teacup on the saucer and sent me a fleeting glance.

“Thank you for lending me clothes”

After all, I couldn’t attend an audience with the king in my usual clothes.

I’m wearing a suit borrowed from Claire-sama.

Contrary to my expectations, students being permitted to show in their uniforms seems to be a rule that only exists on Earth.

Claire-sama, who panicked when she learned I planned to participate in my academy uniform, got the suit tailored super quickly.

It exposes as little skin as possible, the sleeves are long, and the lower part consists of pants rather than a skirt.

The color is black typical of formal wear.

All of these are determined by the dress code.

As for Claire-sama, she looks truly elegant in her dress.

Even if I say it’s a dress, it’s not an evening dress, but a day dress which also exposes as little skin as possible.

It’s a one-piece dress abundant with drape, the skirt part is long, reaching her ankles.

Unlike the clothes I’m wearing, Claire-sama is dressed impeccably.

Although it might sound obvious, when she’s dressed in such clothes you can clearly understand she’s an upper class young lady.

“It was not particularly for your sake. I simply found the thought of my common sense being doubted due to the person I came together with to the audience unbearable”

“You’re saying such things again. It’s love right, love”

“… You truly should stay silent”

Claire-sama looked exasperated.

“Claire François, Rei Taylor. You are granted an audience with His Majesty the King”

After we waited for a while, a person who appears to be a chamberlain came to call for us.

At last it’s the audience.

We walked, stepping over a red carpet.

It’s soft, making it slightly difficult to walk.

Although Claire-sama is wearing high heels with such a long dress, she’s walking gracefully without any problem.

I guess it comes to the difference in experience.

In the meantime, we arrived in front of what appears to be the audience room.

“It is Claire François and Rei Taylor”

When the chamberlain read out our names in a loud voice, the door with a refined, intricate design opened.

“…”

After bowing, together with Claire-sama we entered the audience place.

On both sides, soldiers who appear to be the royal guard are lined up, at the end sitting on the thrones are the king, His Majesty Rousseau and the queen, Lishe-sama.

Stepping forward in front of the throne, I got down on my knees and bowed.

Until this, I’ve been strictly trained by Claire-sama.

Rei’s rei.

Oh well.

“Raise your heads”

His Majesty’s dignified voice resounded, and we were allowed to look at His Majesty and the queen.

His Majesty Rousseau has dark eyes and black hair, in some respects he resembles Rod-sama.

As expected, he doesn’t have Rod-sama’s lively atmosphere, he possesses dignity fitting for the king of the country.

His attire resembles the king from cards, but looking at the real thing it appears extremely beautiful.

The crown on his head is glistening.

The queen, Lishe-sama has blonde hair and blue eyes, she looks like Yuu-sama in some ways.

Her long hair is done up and a silver tiara is radiantly sparkling on her head.

As her mouth is hidden with a fan, I can’t read her expression.

“I’ve heard about the sequence of events that led to the resolution of the conflict in the academy. I appreciate your efforts”

At the words of praise, we once again lowered our heads.

“And, I’ve heard you’ve saved my son’s, Sein’s, life. It’s a great achievement”

I lowered my head again to receive thanks.

“I will grant you a special first-class reward. Please state your wish”

After hearing that, I raised my head once again.

“We are Claire François and Rei Taylor. We feel truly delighted to have the honor of being granted an audience on this day”

Claire-sama started speaking.

From here, I’ll leave the talking to Claire-sama.

Although I was told I could choose a reward, it’s unwise for a commoner to speak with His Majesty the King.

“Umu”

His Majesty generously nodded to encourage her.

“For a reward, there is only a single thing I would like to request of Your Majesty”

“Tell me”

“Yes”

From here it’s a critical moment.

I’m counting on you, Claire-sama.

“I would like to plea for the Orso family’s life”

When Claire-sama stated her wish, commotion spread across the audience.

Well, no surprise.

“Quiet”

However, with His Majesty’s voice echoing, the audience hall fell silent again.

The silence continued for a short while.

“I’ve heard the Orso family is the main culprit behind this riot. Are you saying you wish for the reduction of penalty for the Orso family?”

“Yes. I humbly request for Your Majesty to grant them a pardon”

At His Majesty’s flat voice from which emotions can’t be read, Claire-sama’s repeated her plea.

“Salas, how about it?”

At the king’s question, the prime minister who was standing next to the throne took a step forward.

The prime minister’s name is Salas Lilium-sama.

He’s a handsome man with silver hair and red eyes.

“It will be difficult. The legal principle is that good deeds should be rewarded and bad punished. There’s no reason to reduce Orso family’s penalty”

Salas-sama informed in a chilly voice.

As expected it’s difficult, huh.

“Until now, Orso family has devotedly served the country. Especially in the magical gem business, I believe their contributions are not insignificant. Once again, please consider granting them a pardon”

Claire-sama desperately persisted.

Whether Lene’s and Lambert-sama’s lives are saved depends on this opportunity.

“Certainly, Orso family has devotedly served the country until now. Is it impossible to reduce their penalty with their meritorious service as the reason, Salas?”

“The crime they committed is too big for their meritorious service to offset it. They attempted to murder royalty and nobility on foreign orders. It doesn’t appear that the family can avoid execution”

Likewise, Salas-sama said coldly.

“That’s how it is. State another wish”

Is it hopeless after all.

Claire-sama’s face turned ashen and her fists clenched.

At that time――.

“… Your Majesty, couldn’t you somehow grant the hope of theirs”

A familiar voice resounded across the audience hall.

“Sein, huh”

The owner of the voice was Sein-sama.

He entered through the door on the side of the audience hall and lined next to Claire-sama.

“… This time, the foundation of the uproar was commoners’ dissatisfaction with nobles. Behind the courtyard incident, which led to the riot at the academy, was the criticism of the overimportance of aristocracy”

Sein-sama spoke clearly.

It’s the first time I’ve heard Sein-sama speak so much.

“… I understand that a person from Orso family is the culprit and the commoners’ movement calmed for now. But, unless you demonstrate the royal family doesn’t look down on commoners, the same thing will occur again”

“Are you saying sparing lives of Orso family will help?”

“… That’s right”

“If I may speak, Your Majesty, Sein-sama”

The one who interrupted their conversation was Salas-sama.

“In the first place, it’s beyond doubt that a person from Orso family instigated the commoners’ movement. The royal family doesn’t look down on commoners, but numerous nobles wouldn’t stay silent at Orso family being spared as their children were put in danger”

That’s correct.

From the start, the goal of that black-masked man was to kill noble children.

If the demon was let loose inside of the academy, some people would certainly die.

“… It’s a matter of balance. Currently, the scales are tilted in favor of the nobility. Considering the significance of magic, clearly commoners must be considered important from now on. In order to not turn Your Majesty’s meritocratic policy into empty words, please reconsider”

As soon as he said what he wanted to say, Sein-sama shut his mouth.

“I understand the points of both parties”

After saying so His Majesty seemed to ponder some.

A while has passed.

In reality it might not have been long, but at least that’s how it felt to me.

“Orso family’s punishment will be banishment from the country”

His Majesty’s sentence was banishment.

The family execution was avoided.

I exchanged glanced with Claire-sama.

Claire-sama also had a relieved face.

“Your Majesty, if I may speak――”

“Salas, I won’t allow any objections”

“… As Your Majesty wills”

Although Salas-sama seemed to have an objection, he reluctantly backed down upon hearing His Majesty’s strong voice that refused intervention.

“The details regarding the punishment will be provided later. Claire François, Rei Taylor. You can retire”

“Yes”

“Sein-sama, remain. We need to talk”

“… Yes”

Claire-sama and I left the audience hall.

Even while leaving the royal palace, we were silent for a while.

But, after we passed through the palace gate, our patience reached its limit.

“We did it!”

“Yay!”

At the same moment both I and Claire-sama spontaneously made a guts pose.

Claire-sama quickly came to her senses and hurriedly undid it.

“Hm, hmph! Could you not copy me?”

“Our minds connected. Look, it’s a happy thing, be honest about your joy”

“I do not particularly want to be pleased about uniting with you?”

“Then, let’s love each other”

“What are you talking about!?”

It seemed we returned to normal, but Claire-sama was more talkative than usual.

On the way back to the academy, we had an unusually lively conversation.