The place where the queen had her conversation was the garden of Bersia.
It was hard to think of a better place to both avoid the gaze of others and properly serve the king of another nation.
Sitting across a tea table, Usher lifted her head.
It was their second encounter, and thus, it was still awkward. It might have been inevitable, considering she was meeting a woman who resembled Bersia so much that she thought, “When Bersia grows older, she will surely look like that.”
She didn’t speak hastily.
After all, the relationship between Bersia and the queen could be called that of a biological mother whom she hadn’t met since she was five years old, so there wouldn’t be any sense of discomfort no matter what was said.
However, that didn’t mean Usher could fully represent Bersia’ stance.
He had to be careful not to cross any boundaries.
“Then, may I ask what the reason for your request to speak with me is?”
The words sounded cold at first.
However, if it were Bersia, this is how she would have initiated the conversation.
The queen flinched, but didn’t express any further negative emotions.
She simply gave a sad, faint smile.
“First, thank you for granting me this audience.”
“Because you are a guest.”
“Yes, that’s right. A guest.”
It was a statement that clearly defined their relationship.
“…Have you been well?”
At those words, Usher hesitated for a moment.
Since joining the order, had Bersia’ life been something that could be called ‘well’?
He couldn’t arbitrarily judge her past life.
However, reflecting on the Bersia he knew, it seemed so.
“Yes, it’s been okay.”
From that, he could imagine a fragment of her past.
Having gone through such times, Bersia must have lived a life that could be described as ‘okay’ until now.
At times laughing, sometimes playful, and at other times, bored. But, in front of herself, always like a child.
That was the Bersia Usher knew.
The queen smiled bitterly.
Silence enveloped them, and after a while, it was broken.
“I wanted to apologize. Always.”
“Is that so?”
“Words like ‘I didn’t know’ or ‘I was afraid’—none of them would be an excuse. Even though I tried to hide behind such excuses, the sins I’ve committed were not small enough to be covered by them. I know it’s something I must apologize for, but I couldn’t even do that. Perhaps, I was afraid of the Saint scolding me.”
Even from the fragmented clues, Usher could tell what this meant.
It was likely about Bersia’ siblings.
What was surprising was that Usher felt a kind of anger at hearing this.
It was certainly an issue between the queen and Bersia, and it would be mere interference for him to be angry, but still, that was how he felt.
Maybe it was just like the saying “the arm bends inward.”
What right did he have to feel like this? He thought, but his expression became stiff.
The queen seemed to have noticed that expression, and she made an apologetic face.
“…I came to deliver those words.”
The queen stood up. She deeply bowed her head.
“I know that words cannot resolve everything. I will make sure not to waste time with such matters again. Perhaps, this will be my last participation in the Saint’s Festival. I wish you good health.”
It was a promise that she would never appear before her again.
Usher wondered if it was okay to let it end like this. Was it alright for someone who wasn’t directly involved to accept such an apology?
This situation, where their bodies were swapped, made things complicated.
But he couldn’t leave it unanswered.
He bowed his head in return.
He didn’t add any other words.
As they left the garden together, no words were exchanged.
Finally, they reached the end of the garden, just about to part ways.
“Ah, the Crown Prince.”
There was a young boy standing at the entrance of the garden.
He appeared to be around fifteen years old.
He was growing taller, but his youthful energy still made him look like a child.
With sky-blue hair and blue eyes, his features seemed to blend those of the queen and Bersia.
‘Ah, it’s that child.’
The Crown Prince, who had been in the queen’s womb when Bersia left for the order.
The Crown Prince and Usher exchanged glances.
Usher briefly bowed his head, and the Crown Prince flinched, looking around nervously before stepping toward the queen.
He seemed like a timid child.
The queen placed her hand on the Crown Prince’s shoulder, then turned and left.
Usher watched their retreating figures for a moment.
He felt an overwhelming sense of frustration inside, and a sigh escaped his lips.
‘The Saint…’
He would have to tell her.
After all, it was all related to her.
Usher took a step forward and headed towards Bersia.
Bringing up the conversation with the queen was never going to be easy.
That was because the reaction Bersia would show was rather predictable.
Just as Usher expected.
Bersia didn’t hide her displeasure and showed it clearly.
The only fortunate thing was that she suppressed her emotions and listened.
Usher spoke as clearly as possible.
Bersia silently listened, then finally spoke.
“Well, if it ends there, I guess it’s fine.”
She seemed to have no desire to get involved further.
“Thanks for your trouble. I’m sorry you had to be caught up in it instead of me.”
Usher carefully observed her face.
Then, he spoke.
“Are you okay?”
“Suddenly?”
“Just… it seemed like it was a bad memory.”
I only understand fragments of Bersia’s past, but even so, knowing how she treats him, I had no choice but to ask this question.
If she wasn’t okay, then I would have to think about what I could do.
However, Bersia smiled.
“You said it yourself, Sir Knight. You are on my side.”
She brushed the back of my hand.
It wasn’t a playful or suggestive gesture like usual, so I didn’t feel much from it.
Her smile was also different from usual—it was calm.
“Because I have someone on my side. That’s enough. I’m not going to bother caring about people who are no longer involved.”
Sometimes, knowing that my words or actions have reached someone brings joy.
The moment Usher heard those words, he felt a strange sense of relief and happiness.
“If that’s the case, I’m glad…!”
That was enough of the gloomy talk.
Bersia seemed to think so as well.
“Tomorrow is the Holy Star Festival.”
“Yes, it’s finally time to be done with this tiresome management. Seriously…!”
“Shall we go enjoy the festival after the ceremony?”
“Oh, that sounds great!”
Usher grinned widely.
“There are so many things I want to eat.
Especially some festival-exclusive foods that have stuck in my memory.
Back when I was a cadet, I went to those places many times with Marvin.
I’m sure he’ll come again this year.
Would you like to go together?”
“That sounds good. I also have a few places like that in mind. Let’s visit them all.”
“Ahh, finally free from all these greens…!”
It had been dreadful days.
Preparing for the ceremony was an experience he never wanted to go through again.
Just thinking about all the festival food made his mouth water.
As he showed an excited expression, Bersia commented.
“You’re going to gain back all the weight you lost in a single day.”
“I—I don’t eat that much!”
“Really?”
“Are you sure about that?”
She shot him a teasing glare.
But unlike usual, she wasn’t just being snarky.
More than anything, the fact that Bersia’s mood had improved was a relief.
Usher realized that he was surprisingly happy about it.
A thought crossed his mind.
He wanted Bersia to be happy.
He didn’t want to see this kind-hearted person with a sad expression.
He wanted to be her support, her source of joy.
And when he couldn’t, he felt frustrated.
Why?
He didn’t try to answer that question.
He unconsciously avoided it.
He simply looked forward to spending time laughing with her, to exploring the festival together.
He imagined the moment she would smile because of him.
He told himself it was just simple goodwill, nothing more.
Usher still didn’t realize it.
That his heart had begun to tremble ever so slightly.
A day passed.
It was the morning of the Holy Star Festival.
That day, Usher woke up even before the sun had risen.
Not of his own will—he had been woken up by the High Priest personally.
Since it was the day of the main ceremony, of course, it was going to be busy.
Still half-asleep, Usher was dragged out and washed himself thoroughly before changing clothes.
He struggled to do everything alone, making sure not to reveal the traces of the curse, but by the time he finished, he was more or less awake.
After that, he gathered with the others in the chapel for the dawn prayer.
For the past month, every morning, he had seen the other saintesses show up looking as if they were about to collapse.
The only one who still seemed fine was Halia.
“Alright, everyone, let’s do our best! Today is the last day!”
He smiled cheerfully, and Halia responded.
“That’s right! Bersia, you better finish up quickly and go on your date!”
He reacted instinctively.
“T-That’s not it!”
His face turned completely red as he denied it.
A date? That word was way too suggestive!
But the response he got was…
“If you’re going to make it so obvious, why bother denying it?”
“Sigh.”
Usher felt wronged and embarrassed.