第５３７堀：女王の苦労 (Part2)
"Well, yes. When someone is that capable, you can't help but want to rely on them, can you? ...My husband is quite useful, isn't he?"
When I spoke with such casual familiarity, the princess looked a bit surprised, but she caught on to my intent almost immediately and offered a smile.
"Yes. He is incredibly reliable, possessing a terrifying level of talent. Where did Your Majesty first meet such a person?"
"Let's see. In truth, I was saved from a desperate situation by him, much like you were, Princess."
"Just like me?"
"Well, in my case, my life was being directly targeted, so I wasn't able to maneuver through it as skillfully as you have."
"...Is that so?"
"In that sense, I can't really be too hard on you. I didn't summon him myself, but I am the one who dragged him into this, after all. But now, he is my partner. As one who oversees a nation, I must be strict about these things."
"Yes. I believe that is only natural. However, if I may be so bold, I have met Yuki-sama personally and understand that he has no ambition to seize nations, nor is he the type to be swayed by power or wealth. Yet, why does Yuki-sama carry the burden of Weed?"
She doesn't realize that Yuki was brought here from a completely different world by Luna. No, expecting her to grasp that would be asking too much. After all, Weed is merely the place Yuki needs to gather the resources to solve his mana depletion.
Well, Yuki is kind, so he works hard for Weed regardless. There is also the reason of ensuring we aren't at a disadvantage when diplomatic relations with Japan are eventually established.
...I wonder what they would think if they knew about the other continent of If, or that a superpower from another world's Earth was waiting in the wings? I hope they wouldn't foam at the mouth and collapse. I can't very well tell them that right now, so I suppose I'll just gloss over it with something vague.
...No, that's not right. I should subtly hint that there is something much larger at play. A princess as sharp as her will surely understand. She will realize that the problems my husband is shouldering are far beyond what a single nation could ever resolve.
"That is not a matter to be discussed just yet. We have not officially opened diplomatic relations with your country, after all."
"...I understand. To earn the trust of Weed, I will first resolve the issues within my own country."
"That would be for the best. I pray that your negotiations with the Findar Empire go well, if only to help you settle your own domestic affairs."
"Yes. Thank you for taking care of everything, from start to finish."
"You should tell that to my husband, who is working himself to the bone over there."
"I understand."
"Oh, but don't take too long, will you?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"As you can tell from our earlier conversation, my husband holds a vital position in Weed. Naturally, his workload is immense. And because of this current matter, things are piling up. No matter the reason, there is a limit to how long I can keep him tied up there. If you intend to rely on my husband and Weed to move forward, you must hurry, or you will find yourselves unable to move at all."
"...I will do my best to bring matters to a close as quickly as possible."
"I hope so. Oh, and one last thing I forgot to mention. Do enjoy Weed to your heart's content during your stay. If you need anything for your negotiations or otherwise, I have told Ratz to provide whatever she can within reason. Until we meet again, I shall look forward to hearing good news."
"Yes."
With that, I left the audience chamber. I know I'm asking a lot, but in another half-month, the envoys from the If continent will be gathering in Betan, and whether he likes it or not, I have to have my husband return to the exchange between Rogari and the If continent. Once that happens, the Haiden issue will have to be put on hold.
Well, that aside...
"Eris, Kirue, you two need to suppress your killing intent more effectively. You had Deryu and Ratz on edge the whole time."
Eris and Kirue, who were with me in the audience chamber earlier, had been radiating such intense hostility that they were ready to strike down the princess and Kagura on the spot if the princess had said anything careless. Because of that, I had been forced to draw my sword and intimidate them in their stead. While it was partly for the sake of Weed's reputation, the main reason was for the sake of those two.
"...I'm sorry. I thought I was keeping it under control."
"...I apologize. It was unbecoming of me."
"Well, I feel the same way, but for the sake of my husband and our children, I will avoid meaningless bloodshed."
"Yes."
Lately, I’ve been the one managing the remaining members in Weed, so I’ve started to understand my husband’s hardships. I only have to deal with conversations like this, but my husband has to deal with the intimate time in the bedroom afterward—that must be exhausting.
...Though, even knowing that, I have no intention of stopping that intimacy myself. Seraria is playing the part of the Queen properly, after all. And those around me are growing in the same way.
Yet, strangely, things never seem to get easier for Yuki.
Also, there’s something I want to do. It’s getting quite hot—not just in reality, but in the atmosphere—so, would it be alright to do a bit of an early ghost story or a test of courage? I know we’re doing one in the summer, but still.