Recently Freed returns early.

He often returned late at night before, but ever since our feelings became mutual he started coming back to the room in the evening.

When I tried asking if his work is alright, he returned "To be with Lidi even a little longer I'm finis.h.i.+ng it with all my power". Even if I say so myself I'm simple; I became so happy I clung to him, it's quite an embarra.s.sing story.

Of course, it goes without saying that my careless action caused me to be devoured with all his might.

Such Freed didn't show up for dinner just today.

We frequently eat meals in what's basically a dining room for Freed's exclusive use - that is, for the Crown Prince's use.

Unless there's something important, we don't sit with the King and Queen.

Head Chef's meals he himself brings are delicious as always, but recently I often eat together with Freed. Now that I'm alone, I feel sorry, but it feels a little flavorless. Especially since I was baselessly convinced we'd eat together today.

"He's late…"

I returned to the room, and having grown bored I decided to take a hot bath first.

Perhaps because Freed doesn't usually use it much, the small bathroom in the inner part of the bedroom recently is mostly for my personal use.

He often cleans himself with magic, and if he wants to bathe he almost always uses the large bath for royalty.

But I still can't use magic, so this bathroom is quite convenient.

Besides, in the large bath there are many court ladies, and it's troublesome to be taken care of in various ways.

I'm sorry, but I can't relax.

By the way, preparations of the room for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are now quickly advancing, so when I was asked for my wishes I requested a slightly larger bathroom. I want a bathroom I can soak in by myself no matter what. Since I was already being selfish, I had them also make a s.p.a.ce to wash my face and a tiny kitchen, I'm very much looking forward to its completion.

I got out of bath and looked up at the clock.

Freed hasn't returned yet.

Since it couldn't be helped, I took out a book that caught my eye on the bookshelf, sat down on the sofa and tried reading it.

―――― No good, I can't focus.

Every five minutes I look up at the clock.

Exactly when I gave up and stood up to return the book to the bookshelf, the door to the room opened.

"Lidi!"

Who burst in impatiently was of course the owner of this room, Freed.

Taking notice of Freed's figure, I spoke in a bright voice since he was finally back.

"Freed, welcome home"

"Lidi, I heard from Father, but… the King's Flower"

"Huh?"

As soon as he spotted me, Freed dropped down his gaze to the King's Flower.

His expression filled with joy. His voice sounded like he's about to cry any minute now.

"… It's true… It has really changed. Lidi"

"Fuwah!?"

Freed approached me and tightly hugged me from the front.

He hotly breathed in my ear.

"I'm happy, I'm so happy…"

"Freed…"

At his words I hugged him back.

I thought Freed is about to cry. I wrapped my arms around his back and lightly patted it to soothe him.

As smoothly as possible I said.

"… I was surprised when it suddenly became like this morning"

"Yeah, something so sudden would be surprising. I wish you had immediately come to the office without worrying"

I really wanted to be the one to tell you all that, as he bitterly said that I showed a smile.

"I didn't want to get in the way of your work, so I thought of asking when you came back"

"You didn't have to worry. But, I never would have thought Esteemed Father would beat me to it"

Freed slightly lessened the strength in his arms and peered at me.

I can see moisture gather in his beautiful blue eyes. He gently narrowed his eyes.

"Lidi… My only one. My mate. I'm happy you accepted me. I noticed Lidi's King's Flower was growing little by little, but without the definite proof I had to stay silent"

"Yup… I've heard from His Majesty"

"It can't be helped, but… I wanted to be the one to explain…"

His tone was disappointed, but his eyes were smiling. He gently crept his hand to the King's Flower.

It was so ticklish laughter escaped me.

"Stay still… Hee, amazing… So my flower changed like this. Fufu, I won't be able to hide that I did this, huh?"

"There's no need to hide it, right?"

When I responded so to Freed's words, he said "Yup" with a very happy smile.

"Perhaps Lidi hasn't noticed, but Esteemed Uncle's princess consort is his mate as well. Because they've been in love since they were young, it was that big from the time the King's Flower was invoked. I thought he had it good when I first saw it… I thought it was something I would never obtain"

I recalled Lady Sarah's King's Flower at Freed's words. Certainly, although it would be hard to call her King's Flower vivid, it was quite large.

Freed let out a deep, sweet breath and smiled at me.

"That's why, I'm very happy now. I've found my mate… and she's accepted me… and the King's Flower's changed as I wished… I love you, Lidi. I will always continue loving Lidi alone"

To those softly said words, I returned, Me too.

His lips descended, so I raised my face and accepted them. The hot, sweet tongue invaded my mouth, and I obediently accepted that too. When I chased after his tongue tracing my teeth, they nimbly entangled.

"Nh…"

"I love you…"

He whispered silently. Strength filled the arms embracing me. In the midst of this ecstatic sweet time, I suddenly noticed the Queen's King's Flower had the same size as mine before.

"…"

"Lidi, what's the matter?"

Perhaps bothered by me solidifying for a moment, Freed called out to me, but I shook my head while smiling.

Judging from the King's story, the Queen isn't his mate.

He has a concubine. There's no mistaking it.

But, I thought. Her white lily King's Flower awfully bothers me.

"Lidi?"

"… No. It's nothing"

This isn't a good topic to imprudently bring up. Promptly thinking so, I decided to keep it within my chest.

Still hugging me, Freed muttered in a voice filled with emotion.

"I was looking forward to it since Lidi had said that you love me… However, I'm deeply moved actually seeing it"

"Jeez, Freed, you're exaggerating"

I returned my consciousness to the conversation with Freed.

To accept means to reciprocate feelings of the other person who feels the same.

That's why, since the day I'd confessed to Freed, I think the King's Flower was rapidly growing.

And today, the King's Flower that waited until the time was ripe changed all at once, it's surely like that.

"Lidi"

"Nn?"

Hearing a sweet, low voice overhead, I raised my face.

Freed was smiling with a happy expression. It was enough to also make me happy.

"What?"

When I gently returned an answer, Freed looked me into eyes. His blue eyes seemed to appeal hotly.

"I don't think I'll be able to hold back today. That's why, let me apologize first"

"Huh!?"

When I stared at him, astonished by what he brought up, Freed said with a straight face.

"It's a big mistake if you think you can show me something like this and expect the usual… Besides, now that the King Flower has changed it won't be hard on your body, right? It's fine to do your best at least a little today, isn't it?"

"Huh? No, that's certainly true, but…"

"I'm happy about the change itself, but I'm also happy I can now love Lidi without holding back. Aah, I can't endure any more. For now, let me embrace you. Lidi, I love you"

I opened my eyes wide at Freed's words.

To say hold back.

Did he really mean to say that until now he was holding back.

What is this person saying.

While I stared at Freed with these thoughts, I was lightly lifted.

"Hiyah?"

"Nn, cute. I love you, Lidi"

I was kissed on the cheek, and like that taken to the bedroom.

Seeing him so happy that anybody could tell, I gave up.

After all, I love him as well.

If he wants me, I'll respond as much as I can

"Lidi, it's fine, right?"

I love how he forcibly brought me to the bed, and yet at the last moment asked me so.

With his eyes burning with desire fixed on me, I showed a firm nod.

"Yup, it's fine… Embrace me all you want today"

That's why, as my beloved gently laid me on the bed and covered me… wrapping my arms around him, I accepted him.