第５６０堀：束の間の休みと早すぎる仕事の再開 (Part1)
Chapter 560: A Fleeting Break and the Premature Resumption of Work
Side: Seraria
I was in the Weed office, looking over reports as usual.
This one is a budget request for an event in the commercial district.
...Yes, no problems here.
After confirming, I stamped it and passed it to Quar, who was sitting in the chair next to me.
Quar has grown accustomed to this; she checks the documents I pass over for any deficiencies before finally placing them in the distribution box for the relevant departments.
This is the standard work of a queen.
Audiences are in the morning, afternoons are strictly for paperwork like this, and occasionally, there are dinners with dignitaries from other countries in the evening.
"However, we are reaching our limit, aren't we?"
While I was mindlessly organizing documents, Quar suddenly said that.
"Hm? Was there some kind of emergency?"
"No. I mean that we have reached the limit of Yuki-sama not showing his face in public."
"Ah. He hasn't shown his face for about a month and a half now, has he? Because of the New Continent."
He was suddenly taken to the New Continent, and as an emergency measure, we have been handling the bridge between the Rogali and If continents. But without a doubt, my husband is the one with the most influence in both.
Because of that, countries are tilting their heads in confusion at the situation where my husband hasn't appeared for a while.
There are many matters that would go smoothly if he were involved. That husband of mine has an incredible way with words and a devious mind, after all.
"I hear the situation in the New Continent has settled down, so could you please have him show his face here? Or rather, I believe most of the other wives are also being pressured about Yuki-sama regarding their roles in intercontinental exchange..."
"Of course I'm being pressured. Even I've been asked by that old man—my father—where my son-in-law has gone quite often lately. Jessica and Samantha are being hounded by their countries, too. They're begging for a connection. But even so, we can't just abandon the New Continent, can we? It was an emergency situation over there, too."
"Well, that is true, but..."
"A month and a half can be brushed off as a scheduling conflict."
"But surely, any longer than this will be problematic."
"I know. Just the day before yesterday, the raid on Haiden was a success. We can say that the pro-war faction has shrunk due to this incident, and the reconciliation faction has successfully surged back. As a result, their bigwigs have been gathering for meetings every day. There's no room for Yuki and the others to step in for a while. It seems Steve and John are having the Haire Church investigated. I think it's fine to bring Yuki back here now. As for Baide, we'll leave Shera and the others there to act as guards and liaisons for the pregnant women like Tori."
"If I may say so myself, what about the guards for the people you became acquainted with in Haiden? If an assassination were to occur, the current situation could go down the drain, couldn't it?"
"Deryu will remain there as a diplomat to Haiden, training with Eoid and Amanda. Taiki is basically using a Doppelganger, and the real one goes when he has free time. Well, Taiki is a king, after all. Oh, the same goes for Taiki's guard, Ruth."
If they are assassinated after being pulled out, then so be it.
Well, we have already seized the initiative, and it's precisely because I believe such things won't happen that I went along with Baide.
Deryu and the others are basically in Baide, and those with deep ties to Weed have been given rings, so they can evacuate via teleportation to the Haiden royal capital, which has already been turned into a dungeon. Since it originally had top-tier defensive capabilities, there's nothing to worry about.
As for Taiki and Ruth, we are using Doppelgangers because of the country's patriarchal nature, to ensure they aren't looked down upon.
Eoid... well, he still lacks experience.
"I suppose that's true. Then again, ordering a Hero and King around is unheard of."
"It's not ordering him around, it's a request from a friend. He's been taken care of by us quite a bit, after all. Also, as was the case with the If continent, being a step ahead of other Rogali continent countries in terms of exchange with the New Continent is beneficial for the country."
"Truly, everything depends on how you phrase it."
"Tell that to my husband."
"Impossible. I don't feel like I could win in a debate."
"I agree."
"So, can we have the silver-tongued Yuki-sama come here?"
"Yes. No problem. That was our intention, too. However..."
"However? Is there a problem?"
"Quar. You don't understand the biggest problem with this matter, do you?"
"Yes?"
"You heard that Milly finally gave birth around midnight yesterday, right?"
"Ah, yes. I heard Milly-sama safely gave birth to a daughter."
"That's right. A super cute little sister was born to our cute daughters. The whole family is in high spirits. In fact, because Milly's child was born, we shifted our forces in the New Continent back to Baide all at once."
"...In other words, Yuki-sama is also..."
"It's a pity. Just as we dote on our husband, he is head-over-heels for the children. My husband, who has been too busy to play with them lately, is taking it easy, using the birth of Milly's child as an excuse."
"...Sigh. What a difficult situation. However, we are in trouble if he doesn't do his work."
"I know that. But, you know... pulling that husband of mine away from the children is quite the task..."
"You must find a way..."
"I know, I know. Don't worry, I have a final resort."
And so, my work now includes overtime: dragging my husband, who is finally using his hard-won break to play with our daughters, back to the workplace.
Haha, having to destroy the time my husband spends with our daughters is part of a queen's job—what a crappy job this is.
My husband really did manage to land himself in a convenient position.
Thinking about such things, I finished my paperwork, and before I knew it, work hours were over and I was on my way home.
"Well, for now, when I get home, I'll try talking to my husband about returning to the intercontinental exchange."
My husband also said that the premise of having "said it" or "conveyed it" is important.
It makes it easier to use force later.
It's a kind of indulgence. The "I tried talking to him but he wouldn't listen, so I had no choice" excuse.
When I returned to the house in Baide, it was eight hours earlier due to the time difference, and it was just past noon.
The lives of the members working in Weed are like this: they finish work in the evening, return to the noon of Baide, eat dinner, sleep in the evening, go to work in the middle of the night, and head to Weed for work in the morning—a grueling lifestyle.
"Sigh, because of this, it's hard to ask for the impossible."
The change in lifestyle due to the time difference is a huge burden on the body.
And the most painful part is...
"Ah, Mama!"
"Mommy!"
"Oh, you're back, Seraria."
"Yes. I'm home."
"Welcome home!"
My daughter Sakura, Rurua's daughter Sumire, and my husband welcomed me, but...
"Hey, Mama, play with us!"
"Read us a book!"
I cannot accept these pleas from the children.
If I don't eat dinner and rest, I won't make it through tomorrow.
At first, I thought I could manage, but I ended up falling fast asleep in the office before three days had passed, so I've been refraining from playing with the children.
"I'm sorry. Mommy is tired from work, so I have to eat and rest."
"Ehh... again?"
"Uuu... when can you play with us?"
The children look at me with sad faces.
Ugh, why can't I be with my children?
Isn't this putting the cart before the horse...?
I hate this job!!
I hate the job that makes them look so sad!!
Perhaps sensing that my frustration was building up, my husband began to follow up.
"You mustn't be unreasonable. Mommy Seraria is working hard for Sakura and the others. And Sakura and Sumire, you're big sisters now, aren't you? You have to aim to be wonderful big sisters who are role models for your little sisters."
"Ugh... I'm a big sister, so I'll be patient."
"Me too... work hard, Mommy..."
"There, there, good girls. Then, as a reward, Daddy will play with you today."
"Yay!"
Phew.
I managed to get through it for now, but...
It's still hard to bring it up after that.
If someone told me to abandon my children and go back to work, I'd be furious.