落とし穴１９掘：緊急会議と答え (Part1)
**Pitfall 19: Emergency Meeting and the Answer**
**Side: Seraria**
Something wonderful happened today. Because of that, I’ve decided to record the events of this day in detail.
Well, to say "as usual" wouldn't be quite accurate.
With Weed’s founding festival underway, I had been busy since early morning dealing with nobles and handling those insufferable "fathers" of mine. It feels like a long time, yet it hasn't even been a year since I first met Yuki. In that short span, I have become the queen of a very small nation.
But I have my beloved husband, and I have the other wives who protect him. Wives who know his secrets and stay by his side regardless. There is no foolish power struggle here like in other places. It is a life of such happiness and fulfillment. I have a certainty that I am accomplishing something, far more than when I used to swing my sword for the sake of the kingdom.
He is a kind man who acknowledged me, helped me, and accepted me even when I forced a marriage upon him. Even if he occasionally deceives us, he is not a man who would commit an injustice. That is precisely why I remember that moment so clearly.
So, this is what jealousy feels like.
***
**Today, 10:32 AM**
An emergency alert was issued by Eris via the "Wives' Network."
At that time, I was busy guiding the Kings of Gartz through the Blacksmith District alongside Narjia. Since it wouldn't do to lump the Kings together with other nobles, Narjia and I had discussed it and decided to stagger the tours.
"Yes, what is it, Eris?"
*“E-Emergency! This is the Wives' Network! Everyone, gather at the inn immediately!”*
At that call, the wives—myself included—abandoned our posts. I shoved my duties onto Narjia and dashed off.
***
**Same time**
The wives gathered in the inn’s private conference room. We used the functions of our rings to assemble in one room. This wasn't the banquet hall, but an empty room set aside for us. It wasn't exactly a secret from my husband, but he had kindly provided it, thinking we needed a space to talk amongst ourselves. Usually, we use it to complain about work or have tea. While the banquet hall is fine, this is a place where we discuss our honeymoons and how we handle him, a place for mutual self-improvement.
However, right now, we sat in silence.
***
**10:40 AM**
Eris began her explanation. She reported a secret meeting between Lady Lilishe and my husband.
"I see."
"Honestly, the issue of those fraudulent expenses doesn't even matter anymore."
"This image is the problem!!"
"…They look like they're having fun."
The image of Lady Lilishe and my husband was sent to everyone. Both were smiling.
"But, surely, not Yuki-san..."
"That’s right. I was shaken when I saw it myself, but there is no way that man would do such a thing."
"Eris, that’s not the point."
Milly stopped Eris, who was trying to soothe Shera’s anxiety.
"What do you mean?"
"Yuki-san is certainly sincere. But that doesn't mean the other party is."
"Are you saying Lady Lilishe forced herself on Yuki-san?"
"No, it’s someone else. If it were Lady Lilishe, there would be no need to hide it, and that smile wouldn't make sense."
Hmm, I understand what Milly is trying to say.
"In other words, Milly, you’re saying our husband went to see Lady Lilishe to consult with her about this?"
"Exactly, Seraria. If that’s the case, he would need to talk with a smile, and Yuki-san isn't the type to suddenly bring up something grave."
"Indeed. But Milly, why would he keep it a secret from us?"
"That’s because he’s likely been cornered by some strange woman. He’s being hit on, and she’s probably threatening to expose him to us unless he pays up! That’s a common scenario in those 'conduct investigation' quests."
Given Milly’s experience, it sounded credible, and it was easy to imagine given my husband’s personality. If that were the situation, he would absolutely refuse to rely on us. He tries his best to avoid anything that would make us anxious. He flew off on the first day of the festival, but looking back, I realize it was intentional.
"If Milly’s theory is correct, I absolutely refuse to let that trashy woman become a concubine."
"““We are absolutely against it.””"
Everyone spoke in unison. Naturally. A woman who would prey on my husband is not fit to be his partner.
"But, what shall we do from here on out? Both regarding the current situation and the future."
"Deryu is right. Yuki-san wouldn't want us to know, and there’s no guarantee this won't happen again."
"Knowing our husband, I doubt there will be a second time, but it is worrying."
Rurua crossed her arms, her large chest heaving. As always, they are ridiculously huge. I could have him nestled between them, or even use them as a pillow! ...No, no, that’s not the point. I have to think about what to do.
"I think we should act as if we don't know about this incident, ask about the fraudulent expenses, and have Yuki-san settle it quickly."
"I agree with Riel. And for the future, I think one of us should always be by Yuki-san’s side. It shouldn't be a problem for one of us to take a day off from work, right?"
Everyone nodded at the solution proposed by Riel and Tori.
"…That, I can do. I won't let any strange women near Yuki. In fact, I’ll just stay in bed with him."
Kaya, that’s a good idea.
"Indeed. That is the best way. If, by any chance, Yuki-san asks for our help or the woman does something outrageous, we can step in then."
"Eris is right, that’s the best approach. Kaya’s plan is also adopted. If Yuki were to be pushed down and someone claimed they were carrying his child, it would be too troublesome. We should assign a dedicated guard for our husband. No, we need a wife whose sole job is to protect him. We are all quite busy, so we can't always be with him."
"Ah, I see. Come to think of it, the problem is that we’ve been letting the Master of the Dungeon walk around Weed all by himself."
As Ratz said, the problem was our past negligence. No matter how strong he is, that strength doesn't always apply to everything. There are fools who will take advantage of his kindness. In the worst-case scenario—I heard this in the Royal Capital—there are idiots who would scream they were pregnant just from being touched. We don't know what a foolish woman who realizes his power might do.
"Are we increasing the number of concubines? Wouldn't it be fine if a mistress just guarded him?"
"That won't do. If you were called a Demon Lord on the first day of the festival and then just stayed by his side, people would get suspicious. Besides, we have to stagger Deryu’s pregnancy, and we need at least one more specialist."
"Ugh, no way. I might already be pregnant, and even if I’m not, being forbidden from 'activities' from now on is too much like torture."
"We could retire once our terms as representatives end, but that’s at least two years away. Next year we’ll be vice-representatives, and the year after that, we’ll move to an election system. Even then, there’s no guarantee we won't run for office again."