Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 221

 "Oh? It seems you've hidden yourself, I can't see you. You can come closer, you know?"

After entering the room and greeting, Seriana was told to raise her face immediately.

However, surrounded as I was, I couldn't see the Queen's face, and it seemed the same was true for her, as she said that.

Elena opened the way and gently pushed my back... should I go?

Meeting Prince Liezel and Princess Elisha had been nearly as surprising, but this was the Queen.

Seriously... you don't just meet the Queen so abruptly like this, do you?

"Come closer."

I hesitated a bit before taking small steps forward, stopping about a meter away. She told me to come even closer.

She tapped the armrest of her chair, indicating I should come that close, perhaps?

Despite her resemblance to her children, her gaze was sharp. She stared at me intently with those piercing eyes.

I guess I shouldn't look away...

"This is different from what I heard."

"Shall we have him remove it?"

"Yes, please do."

She scrutinized me even closer and muttered something under her breath. Was she talking about my makeup?

◇

After going to the trouble of removing the makeup I had carefully applied, I faced her again with renewed determination. She seemed satisfied with my bare face and exchanged a few words with each of us before leaving the room, accompanied by her maids and the knights guarding her.

And so, we were left in the room to have tea.

The decor wasn't overly extravagant, but the furniture was all from Esta, understated yet not cheap. The colors of the carpets and curtains gave a feminine impression, suggesting it might be the Queen's private room.

"...What was that all about?"

In the end, I still hadn't received any explanation.

Had she perhaps come to give us the "Blessing of Mira"? I could understand if that were the case, but she just wanted to see my face up close and that was it.

Now, I'm sitting on Elisha's lap, receiving her treatment, but I'd really like some explanation.

I've met high-ranking individuals before, but meeting the Queen is on another level.

"Didn't you decline a request recently? Today, that person is meeting with Her Majesty the Queen."

"...Huh?"

"Even though she went to the trouble of sending an emissary to meet you, she was refused. And now, with no particular reason, my mother could summon you. Which do you think is higher?"

Seriana's words left me puzzled, and Elisha added further explanation.

"Is this harassment? Are they on bad terms?"

Was that why we were summoned with such a large entourage?

"It's better not to ask the name of the country. It's partly harassment, but that's not all. Recently, your name has spread to foreign countries as well. Within the country, the Muller family name is enough, but dealing with foreign countries is different..."

Ah... I've left all the management to others...

"Did I refuse an important person by mistake?"

I looked over at Oriana, feeling a bit anxious, but she shook her head.

"That's not the case. However, within the country, you receive requests directly, while internationally, there's often an intermediary. This makes the process more cumbersome, and they tend to be more persistent. While today's meeting wasn't official, it might make future interactions smoother, having met with the Queen."

"What?!"

"Mother also knew about you and was interested. She happened to have some free time, and today's schedule suited her, so she decided to meet you. Maybe she'll even make a request herself."

"Oh... wait, so what was the point of bringing me here without any explanation?"

There must have been a reason for bringing me here, but I still don't understand it.

"We were told not to tell you anything. She probably wanted to see your reaction knowing nothing. But you noticed, didn't you?"

"When we kept moving deeper into the palace, I did start to wonder... but still. Please don't scare me like that again."

"My apologies. I needed the royal family's assistance for some investigations. This makes it easier to ask for their help, and you did well."

Seriana apologized, though she didn't seem particularly sorry.

Investigation... investigation, huh. For the city, maybe?