While Venelana was still indulging freely within the beachfront villa, simultaneously—within the luxury penthouse equally positioned atop Keystone Gate.
"Oh my? Mom just returned from outside?"
Like perfectly-timed coincidence—a daughter who'd been resting in her bedroom emerged for living room business, coincidentally encountering her mother's return—La Folia spotted the queen standing at the entrance immediately upon exiting her bedroom.
Polyphonia had largely stabilized her emotional state by now.
Upon detecting bedroom door-opening sounds, she'd promptly adjusted her positioning—adopting the appearance of someone who'd just returned from outside, currently changing shoes at the entrance. Beyond slight residual crimson coloring her cheeks, she appeared virtually identical to normal circumstances.
Hearing her daughter's voice, Polyphonia paused momentarily before turning her head. She maintained her bent-over shoe-changing posture while smiling somewhat awkwardly.
"Oh my, why did La Folia-chan emerge from her bedroom? Isn't this timing for bed preparation?"
"This timing?"
La Folia's expression radiated confusion as her gaze tracked toward the living room's wall clock. Currently, barely past nine—approaching ten o'clock.
"That's excessively early. What young person sleeps this early nowadays? Plus, didn't you meet Bokue-kun for discussing my and Kanon-chan's major life arrangements?"
"Y-yes..."
Polyphonia's expression stiffened fractionally.
Conversely, La Folia suddenly smiled.
"Exactly my point. Given that objective, I couldn't possibly sleep before your return. So sit down—tell me everything! What did you and Bokue-kun discuss?"
"Uh..."
They faced each other across the entire living room's distance. Approximately several seconds elapsed before Polyphonia finally nodded with somewhat rigid motion.
"A-alright."
Consequently, both relocated to the sofa—seating themselves adjacently.
One side: a mother who'd borrowed "discussing daughter's life arrangements" as pretense for secretly dating the young man. Opposite side: a daughter who'd anticipated precisely this outcome, tracking them throughout—observing the complete sequence covertly.
Not exactly "unspoken understanding," though both harbored private agendas.
After seating, La Folia initiated vocalization.
"So, what topics did you discuss with Bokue-kun, Mom?"
"Well..."
Polyphonia's response carried hesitant stuttering.
"Actually, we didn't cover excessive material."
After all, despite spending over two hours outside with Bokue, beyond initial inquiries regarding his perspectives toward Keystone Gate's assembled girls, their conversation had basically fast-forwarded directly into standard dating protocols—walking around, browsing shops, general sightseeing. She'd completely forgotten the original message pretext.
"Didn't discuss much?"
La Folia glanced toward the wall clock again.
"Didn't Mom depart around six-something, before seven? Nearly three hours total. How could nothing substantive occur?"
"Mm... initially, discussions happened. Except later, discovering nighttime Itogami Island appeared more beautiful than daytime presentations... so while browsing, I accidentally forgot everything..."
Polyphonia scratched her cheek with slightly embarrassed explanation—resembling students discovering forgotten homework immediately before collection deadlines.
The saying goes: lies mixed with half-truths prove hardest discerning. Though she didn't intend deceiving her daughter, revealing partial truths remained acceptable.
"Eh~ I see."
La Folia nodded with comprehension.
"So what topics arose initially?"
"Uh... regarding Bokue-kun's attitudes toward you all, basically."
Polyphonia spoke vaguely.
"Though overall, Bokue-kun demonstrated considerable responsibility. He mentioned approaching each of you seriously, plus hoping everyone achieves happiness through these relationships... approximately that summary."
"Mm~ That genuinely sounds like Bokue-kun's characteristic phrasing."
La Folia nodded earnestly.
Immediately afterward, conversational trajectory pivoted.
"Did Mom discuss anything regarding herself with Bokue-kun?"
"Eh? M-me?"
Polyphonia froze momentarily.
"I personally had nothing requiring discussion with Bokue-kun. Moreover, this meeting's purpose centered around you all..."
"Really?"
La Folia interrupted directly.
"Except I distinctly recall Mom maintaining constant hand-holding with Bokue-kun throughout the entire shopping expedition."
!!!
That single statement triggered instantaneous bodily trembling from Polyphonia. The vibrations transmitted through underlying sofa cushions—reaching the adjacent silver-haired princess's posterior.
"Wait, La Folia-chan, you..."
"We witnessed everything clearly~ ♡"
Since vocalization had already commenced, La Folia abandoned concealment entirely—speaking frankly.
"After Mom and Bokue-kun departed tonight, Kanon-chan and I tracked behind, observing every detail comprehensively. You maintained such intimate proximity—truly nothing was discussed?"
"I..."
Polyphonia found herself completely engulfed by overwhelming shock. Her lips trembled twice without producing coherent sounds.
Sniff sniff~
La Folia leaned forward, inhaling twice near her mother's collar before extending her tone with head-tilting motion.
"Mm~ the collar still carries Bokue-kun's lingering scent."
"La Folia..."
Polyphonia repeated her daughter's name blankly.
She'd never anticipated her childhood's obedient daughter would execute such tactics—not merely suspecting but actually tracking her own mother. Such education had never occurred during their Aldegian Kingdom residence!
Is this women's innate detective ability when catching infidelity...?
While Polyphonia's thoughts descended into stunned paralysis, the silver-haired girl before her suddenly displayed radiant smiles.
"So I've conceived an excellent solution—capable of helping Mom considerably."
Eh? Helping her with what...?
Before the queen could process implications, La Folia covered her mouth while leaning toward her mother's ear.
"Mom remembers this morning's discussion regarding you and Kanon-chan's virtually identical appearances? I believe leveraging that similarity—tomorrow, when the opportunity arrives..."
The princess's volume decreased progressively. However, the certain queen's cheeks flushed increasingly crimson.
Finally, she could no longer suppress interrupting La Folia's whispered conspiracy.
"Stop... wait! La Folia-chan, why would you... shouldn't you... no, no! First, tell Mom where you learned all this!"
"Hm? Obviously from palace serving maids back when I lived in the royal capital~ ♡"
Discussing precious knowledge acquired from personal attendant groups previously, La Folia puffed her chest proudly while humming twice—hands planted on hips.
Meanwhile, Polyphonia had completely frozen.
Though she'd previously encouraged those serving maids to share diverse experiences and observations with La Folia, these shared materials proved excessively unconventional!
Feels like... returning home demands promotions and raises for them.
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~ 70 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon
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