That's probably what he wanted to ask the most. Come to think, I have a feeling he was persistent about that topic after the s.e.xy time in bath. I recall that at that time I answered a concisely as possible.

"… Because I said the Crown Prince has eight Side Consorts"

"Eight?"

I showed a nod to Freed who blinked his eyes.

"Right. I asked Cain about information on Crown Prince Maximilian in advance. At that time I was taught that he has not seven, but eight Side Consorts… Provoked by Crown Prince Maximilian I got angry and said 'I refuse a man with eight Side Consorts'…"

"And that's how you caught his eye. I see"

"I let it slip… I didn't think it was such a recent information…"

Saying sorry, I hung my head, and Freed let out an extrlarge sigh.

He placed his hand on my head.

"Of course that would grab Prince Maximilian's interest. Even I didn't know that information at that time, you know? He must've thought, what a precious species Princess is to have the latest information on my country. Moreover, Lidi had already taken the first step to attract Prince Maximilian… It was a decisive blow"

"Uuu…"

My head was strongly stroked.

"And you were reluctant to say that? Well, it seems you didn't want to talk about Cain, so it can't be helped… And? Is there anything else you didn't say?"

"Mu"

Upon hearing Freed's question, I recalled my exchanges with Crown Prince Maximilian.

The conversation with him on that day in the garden… That's right, he certainly.

I clapped my hands and told Freed.

"I forgot… Err, see. Probably it got exposed that I'm the master Cain made the contract with"

"Don't you I forgot me"

For an instant an awfully low voice escaped Freed's throat.

"I heard about it a little from Cain too. Could you tell me in detail how it came to that?"

His voice was scary enough to make me tremble.

"E, even if you ask me how… I was asked 'Is s.h.i.+nigami well?'. I was surprised…"

I absolutely didn't make a mistake. Even at that time I desperately feigned calm.

Freed's doubtful gaze pierced me. It hurts.

"Hmph… Well, Red s.h.i.+nigami is from a Sahaja a.s.sa.s.sin guild. There's a decent chance they have information we don't… huh"

I hurriedly nodded to Freed's words. I don't want to be blamed for things unrelated to me.

"Right right. Come to think, Cain's former colleague? knows he's alive, so didn't the information come from there?"

"Former colleague… I see. It leaked from there, huh. That means it's very likely the Sahaja a.s.sa.s.sins who are here are moving under Prince Maximilian's orders… huh"

"Ah, but Cain said he was invited to be a subordinate of the King of Sahaja?"

Hearing me add the words in a hurry, Freed made a difficult face.

"The King of Sahaja?"

"Yup. Certainly, Crown Prince Maximilian and the King of Sahaja are like cats and dogs. I can't imagine they'd share information…"

"You're right. Those two are on such bad terms they hate to see each other. Both are always planning each other's downfall. But, I see, it was the King of Sahaja who was inviting Cain… That means"

"Really, what a cold country… I'm glad I wasn't born in Sahaja"

When I said what I had also thought before, I was hugged by Freed worriedly. He whispered to me.

"Lidi has to marry me, so I wouldn't allow you to have been born anywhere else than Wilhelm. Well, even if you were a foreigner, I think I would absolutely find you"

"H… Hmph"

"Huh? You don't believe me? It's true"

I was simply happy, but Freed took it as me not believing him.

Peering into my eyes, he told me with a serious face.

"Lidi is the only one for me, so wherever you were, I'm sure I'd find you. And once I found you… I'd never let you go"

"I know that…"

I recalled how the King's Flower was forced on me against my will. It doesn't feel like it happened just a few months ago.

At that time I didn't imagine I'd fall in love with Freed like this… No, I might have had a slight inkling.

Freed declared, seriously enough to be scary.

"I won't hand over Lidi to Prince Maximilian… No, to anyone. Lidi is mine"

"Yup"

I nodded to his voice filled with determination and, bringing my face to Freed's chest, muttered.

"I also don't want anybody but Freed"

"Lidi…"

Freed raised my head. As the distance decreased, I invitingly closed my eyes.

Our lips overlapped many times. They only gently touched, yet pleasant s.h.i.+vers ran down my spine.

"Nn…"

The sounds of lips kissing resounded.

With only our lips touching my body grew hot.

When I tightly grasped Freed's coat to cling to him, my back was softly stroked.

"Fua…"

"Does it feel good just being stroked? Jeez…"

When my body quivered with a twitch, although Freed wryly smiled, he kissed me again.

"It's Freed's fault…"

"That's right. Lidi reacts like this because I taught you. Cute…"

Freed spoke in a seriously perplexed voice.

"Seriously, I don't want to go to work… Jeez… Should I just leave it to Alex today"

"You mustn't"

My enraptured feelings cooled off at once. Something like throwing away his work… He absolutely mustn't.

I'd feel remorseful if Freed's reputation got damaged because of me.

I want to protect Freed's image as the flawless prince as much as I can.

I raised my body and stared at him appealingly. I know, Freed breathed out.

"I got information from Lidi. I'll go properly. Hey, Lidi. If something happens in the future, will you tell me?"

"Yup"

Unfortunately, I have no more information at present. Still, if I obtain information that could be in some way useful to Freed, I'd happily inform him.

When I firmly nodded, he took a deep breath like he made up his mind.

Then he looked up at the clock.

"I have a little more time, is there anything Lidi wants to talk about?"

"Talk? Not particularly, but…"

I spoke vaguely.

Actually, there is.

About Mother-in-law.

That she truly loves Freed. That the words that came out during the marital quarrel that hurt him were not what she truly felt.

But can I tell him that now.

Fifteen years have pa.s.sed since then. There's a possibility various things have warped.

Besides, I only heard it from Mother-in-law, Freed hasn't said anything… Probably, he doesn't want to talk about it.

There's no way it'd be good to thoughtlessly tell him "You're actually loved" at my own discretion despite that.

Yup. After all it's no good.

I want to say it, but I can't say it yet.

That's why I said instead.

"Freed, I love you"

"Nn? What's this out of nowhere?"

Freed tilted his head at the sudden confession. Still his eyes were gentle, surely from happiness.

"I'll always love you… Could you believe me?"

I told him as seriously as I could. Freed's eyes widened, then his hand reached out for my cheek.

The big hand wrapped up my face. With a b.u.mp our foreheads touched.

"Of course I believe you. My mate. I believe Lidi's words. Because I love Lidi very much"

"Yup"

Once again our lips pa.s.sionately touched.

During it, I just deeply stared at Freed in front of me.

"I love you, my Lidi"

"Yup… I also love you, Freed"

Surely I love him more than I'm aware of.

I hugged Freed's back with both arms. In response, he returned a hug.

If by being with him I can heal his wounds even a little - I'm very happy with that.