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Chapter 54 Part 4 – The second princess of Hydrangea, Margaret, invades.

After hearing my explanation, Bradd was convinced and said, 「…… If you say she’s comparable to Seraphy, then she must be really amazing.」

In the previous 「108 times」 of my loop life, Princess Margaret had passed away prematurely a few years before the battle for the throne. If she had survived, the battle for the throne would never have occurred in the first place and I would never have ascended to become the queen.

In the previous 「108 times」, the death of Princess Margaret was the trigger that made His Majesty turn weird. I had assumed it was the shock due to his doting love for her, but I changed my mind when I became more deeply involved with the royal family in this 「109th time」. It was a more serious matter. Princess Margaret was a true genius. The young Princess Margaret was already the backbone that supported the royal family that was on the verge of decline. She was the star of hope that was supposed to bring an end to the stagnant situation of the royal family. With her death, the Hydrangea royal family met their demise. That’s why His Majesty the King threw in his lot and signed the survival race of that crazy battle for the throne.

It is also the gateway to the path of ruin, which is my accession to the throne as queen.

In other words, conversely, if this second princess survives and ascends to the throne as the Queen of Hydrangea, the route for me to become queen will disappear. Everything will be settled peacefully. And as long as she can take over Hydrangea when it is in a somewhat secure state, I have no doubt that she can develop this kingdom to the extent that it will not lose to the four great kingdoms.

The battle for the succession to the throne is an essential event for me to become queen. It is also the beginning of the full-scale upheaval in Hydrangea. I must prevent the battle of succession at all costs.

Of course, I have no intention of participating in the battle of succession even if it does occur and I am preparing to become a shut-in so that I can survive even if the current Hydrangea regime is destroyed and this kingdom comes under the control of whoever comes to power. However, I am not sure how much compelling force this accursed fate will have and it would be the best if the current state system remains secure at that time. To be honest, it will be troublesome to rebuild the various relationships from scratch. It would be easier if the status quo is maintained.

That is why I have helped the royal family many times to overcome the crisis in Hydrangea. I even defied my own creed of wanting to be a shut-in at times.

Bradd ran swiftly.
He was not burdened by my weight at all.
In the blink of an eye, we whizzed through the fresh greenery and reached the gazebo by the pond near the mansion.

「It looks like the princess is in the greenhouse right now.」 said Bradd as he dropped me off after quickly looking over the area. The greenhouse of the ducal residence is the pride of my family. It is large enough for a light stroll and is planted with rare plants from various kingdoms. There is even a stream and a small waterfall inside. It is the perfect place for contemplation, where you can immerse yourself in an exotic atmosphere without leaving Hydrangea. Well, at least that’s how it looks on the outside ……

「Thanks. I need to change into boy’s clothes as soon as possible. Let’s use the hidden path.」

There is not a moment to lose. Actually, the greenhouse has a hidden side. In the deepest part of the greenhouse, one of my family’s important sources of funds, an exotic plant that is 「going to be popular in Hydrangea in the future」, is secretly being grown there. If that plant is discovered, it will hinder my money-making plan for becoming a shut-in. Without knowledge from the loops, it should look like nothing more than a slightly unusual plant, but I definitely cannot let my guard down around Princess Margaret. There is a possibility that her intuition can detect that it’s a treasure trove. It would be terrible if that plant were requested as tribute and monopolized by the royal family.

We entered the mansion through a secret passageway from the gazebo. The ducal residence has many mechanisms in case of emergencies. Well, we could have entered through the front door, but doesn’t a secret passageway sound so cool? Besides, this path heads directly toward my room.

Anyway, I am running out of time. I’m in such a hurry that it looks as if my butt is on fire.

It takes a long time to put on aristocratic clothes, as well as to go to the bathroom. Moreover, today, the attendants that can help me get dressed are not here …… Left with no other choice, I reluctantly had to ask Bradd to help me. Ah, it’s not to go to the bathroom. I asked him to help me change my clothes. I’m probably the fastest potty-trained toddler in the kingdom.

Bradd was squatting in front of me, muttering his complaints.
Naturally, as a lady, I made Bradd wear a blindfold.

「…… Be aware that I’ll punch you if you peek. Bradd. Hurry up and tie the belt neatly. We don’t have time for this.」

「You know, are you aware of how unreasonable you are being?」

「Don’t be so noisy. You can just detect my body through the blood flow as usual. Tremble at the honor of touching the future Jewel of Hydrangea. …… Hyaaa, that tickles!! Don’t touch any naughty parts!!」

「…… Detecting the blood flow is a secret technique of the〈Lawless Crew〉. My ancestors would be crying if they knew that I used it to help a girl change her clothes. You’re so short and have no waist that I can’t even tell where your chest is and where your stomach is even if I detect your blood flow …… Eh, there’s a lot of blood gathering on your temples …… Ouch, that hurts, why did you hit me?」

Apologize!! Apologize to my future nice body and to the little girls all over the world!!
This strike is for the hurt you have caused to the heart of countless kindred souls!!
And this strike is …… for my maiden heart that has been wounded by you!!
Ahhhh it hurtsss!! I hit him as hard as I could, and the result is, my wrist hurtss!! Is my wrist broken? Bradd, pleasee, check if my wrist is okay or not. …… Gyaaaaa!! I’m nearly naked in my upper body now!! I take back what I just said!! Don’t look!! Don’t lookkkkk!!

「…… Please forgive me for the delay, Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret.」

And then, after punishing Bradd with my iron fists, I put on the airs of a dazzling noble boy, covered up the pain in my hand with a smile, and dashingly entered the greenhouse.

By the way, my hand was fine. I could see a little of a maiden’s soft skin ……

I found Princess Margaret pleasantly chatting with my mother, bent down respectfully, and kissed the back of her proffered hand. Mother was guiding her to a treasured flower bed of poisonous plants. What a place to guide her to …… Even so, mother, you’re completely ensnared by her.

After all, she said while smiling, 「Margaret-sama, if you’re okay with someone like me, please think of me as a substitute for your late mother. You are always welcome to visit us here like we are your family.」 then the princess hugged my mother and said, 「Really!! I’m so happy.」

Haaa, she’s so good at acting like an innocent little girl.
Well, actually Margaret-sama is a little girl. But inside she’s a monster.

The two knights of the Imperial Guard standing behind Margaret to escort her greeted me with their eyes. Their eyes were filled with favor. They also looked a little relieved. Our family is familiar with them. Even though they were on an incognito visit, there was no way that Her Highness the princess would be traveling with only her guards and without her attendants, so I guessed the attendants were waiting in a separate room.

「P-Princess!? E-Ehhh!? No way …… umm ……」

Mother finally realized who she was conversing with and nearly passed out on the poisonous plants bed due to the shock.