Volume 2 Chapter 29 His Majesty the Emperor
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Man, that flyer really did the trick. Of course, the discriminatory feelings some of the nobles have towards people ain’t gone, but on the surface, everyone’s equal now, so since it ain’t an affair, the main criticisms just stopped dead in their tracks.”
Chancellor Rainsheyn told me with a big ol’ grin. I just hope this whole queen situation settles down, but honestly, I (Puruun) should be standing next to Yuuta and officially announcing the wedding. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache.
”Chief Secretary Puruun. Can I have a word?”
I heard one of the staff from the secretary’s office call out from behind me.
”Um… I need to discuss something. Could you come with me to the queen’s office?”
So, I followed her into the queen’s office, but I realized I hadn’t been here in a while because I was too busy…
and then I looked at the queen’s desk and was shocked.
”Wait a sec. W-what is this?”
There was a mountain of documents piled up, all waiting for approval.
”Yeah… per the Chief Secretary’s instructions, we were told to put off non-urgent stuff, so we sorted through and left the ones that didn’t seem urgent, but… I think we’re reaching our limit here…”
”No way… ugh…”
With a pathetic sound, I just squatted down right there.
Oh, queen.
How hard have you been working… but I gotta do this.
It’s my responsibility too.
Just as I was thinking that and heading towards the queen’s desk…
”Ah. This is a real mess, huh?”
I heard a familiar voice in the hallway, and when I turned around, Queen Asuka walked into the office.
”Huh!? Your Majesty, what are you doing here? You need to be at the hospital!”
”I’m fine, Puru. I got the doctor’s permission to come, and look…”
The queen pointed down the hallway…
oh, Lady Beyond and Ms. Sharlin are with her too.
”I’m finally getting the doctors’ opinions. It seems like the pregnancy period will be based on the mother’s species. I mean, that makes sense, right? If it weren’t, the mother would be in big trouble. So, I guess my pregnancy will be about 3 to 5 years, just like a regular Elf. Apparently, even the fetus is developing accordingly when checked. So, since both my health and the baby are stable, I thought I’d come back before the floor gives way from me being gone so long!!”
”Ahh… Your Majesty──.”
I couldn’t help but leap towards the Queen.
”Whoa, Puru. Be careful! I’m wearing low-heeled shoes just in case, but…”
”I’m so sorry!!”
I said, instantly jumping back from the Queen.
”Well, that’s that, Chief Secretary. Me and ShaSha will continue to take care of the Queen, and we’ll manage her working hours so it’s not too much for her, so don’t worry.”
Lady Beyond said, and I couldn’t help but tear up.
”Thank you so much. I’ll be counting on you for a while longer.”
”So, Puru… I mean, Chief Secretary. I’ve created a debt to Ms. Akari that I could never repay in a lifetime. To repay her, I’m determined to put all my effort into Mr. Yuuta’s return!!”
”That’s something I’d wish for too, but considering it’s 3 times the annual military budget…”
”Yeah, but you know, Chief Secretary, there might be other ways than just charging in headfirst.”
”But… what exactly do you mean?”
”Chief Secretary. From now on, could you go meet Emperor Balmstra of the Empire through Elder Brother Yomo? I’ll handle this mountain of paperwork.”
”Wait!? The Empire… the very place behind this commotion?”
”Hmm. Well, how true is that, really? Sure, there have been some disputes with them in the past, but we’ve managed to get along well enough, and Emperor Balmstra isn’t someone who doesn’t understand things… Plus, they’ve completed something like a small gate, right? If we could get some technical support, it might help Sistemador too.”
”That’s true, but… it was the Queen who said the neighboring country was unstable to begin with… and besides, such state secrets shouldn’t be shared so easily…”
”That’s not like you, huh? Isn’t your strong point that you just act without overthinking it, like a brain muscle?”
”Haha, you’re right… I get it!! I don’t know what’s gonna come out, but I, the unworthy Puruun, will go meet with the emperor of the neighboring country!!”
Seriously.
The queen’s thoughts are still as wild as ever.
But it’s great.
Just having the queen by my side to think things through makes it so much easier for me to move! Still, the emperor of the demon race… sounds kinda scary, doesn’t it?
* * *
”Um… Duke Yomo. I really feel reassured having you with me, but… is that alright?”
”Yeah, it’s fine, Puruun, my chief secretary. I think Queen Asuka is already aware that I’m coming along, and she sent you through me. After all, we’re dealing with the emperor of the realm. If it was just a mere official, we might not get taken seriously. I mean, I’m a Duke, so… they probably won’t brush me off too easily.”
I’ve talked a few times with Sir Yōmo, the queen’s eldest brother, and he’s a really kind and gentle guy.
He doesn’t seem cut out for the front lines of politics, though.
But he’s not dumb and knows how to be considerate, so I feel like there’s no one better suited to support Queen Asuka than him.
Previously, after I discussed border security with him, it seemed like he was focusing on strengthening channels with the neighboring country alongside reviewing the defense system, and it looks like he used those connections to help me with my meeting with the emperor, which went surprisingly smoothly.
Sir Aaron, the younger brother of Sir Yōmo, is working with the humans to form a new community as the lord of Kashiwagi Manor, and I really think the queen’s knack for placing the right people in the right spots is amazing.
In the place where we crossed the border, we met up with the Imperial soldiers who were supposed to be our bodyguards, and the carriage headed towards the Imperial Capital.
And this is the Imperial Capital, Baiden…
It’s a grand name, but it doesn’t look that different from my hometown.
Well, the people on the streets are not Elves or Beastfolk, but they’re demons, and the buildings and street vendors don’t look that different either.
Although I’m biased towards demons, the people living here and their lifestyles might not be that different after all.
As I was thinking about such things and gazing at the town and its streets, we arrived at the Imperial Palace.
I was led to the audience chamber, and I stood slightly behind Sir Yōmo.
”His Majesty will be with you shortly.”
a voice said, and a large demon man appeared.
Wow, this is Emperor Balmstra…
He’s so beautiful and cool!
He seems to be around the same age as Yuuta.
He has a well-built, muscular physique, which is right up my alley as a lover of buff guys.
His face is also quite handsome, and as he converses with Sir Yōmo, his voice is clear and resonant…
I can’t help but be captivated by it.
While I was feeling a bit lightheaded, Sir Yōmo suddenly addressed me.
”Hey, Chief Secretary. Convey Queen Asuka’s message to His Majesty!”
”Ahh! That hurt!”
I exclaimed, accidentally biting my tongue.
Oh no! I’m such a clumsy and disrespectful person…
The Emperor must be laughing at me!
”It’s alright, Secretary. You don’t have to be so nervous.”
His Majesty said to me, and I became even more flustered and reached my peak of tension. But with a deep breath, I somehow managed to deliver Queen Asuka’s message.
Phew, that was good…
I was able to speak until the end…
I was led to the audience chamber, and I stood slightly behind Sir Yōmo.
The Emperor, His Majesty, closed his eyes in deep thought.
I wondered if he was considering having me arrested and executed right then and there.
But my wild imagination was interrupted as His Majesty spoke to me.
”Secretary, I understand the purpose of Queen Asuka’s visit. I’d like to consult with my retainers, so may I have a few days to respond?”
”Oh… um…” Before I could stammer, Sir Yōmo immediately replied, “I’ll take care of it.”
”I’ve conveyed the message. The rest is up to you now.”
Sir Yōmo whispered to me.
* * *
The next day, Sir Yōmo suggested we go sightseeing, but I wasn’t really in the mood.
So I asked the soldier who was my bodyguard to show me around the government quarters from the outside.
And that night, His Majesty invited Sir Yōmo and me to dinner.
In the middle of a large room, a sizable round table was set up, and the 3 of us──His Majesty, Sir Yōmo, and I──sat around it.
But even with just this setup, I felt so out of place and like I was in enemy territory!.
”Duke Yōmo, I’m always grateful for your consideration. Let me take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again.”
His Majesty said, and Sir Yōmo replied, “On the contrary, we are the ones who are grateful for your kindness.” I could tell Sir Yōmo had been trying to build a connection with His Majesty. But still, His Majesty was so humble.
After some time chatting over dinner, His Majesty addressed me.
”So, Chief Secretary, forgive my impertinence, but it’s quite rare to have a high-ranking bureaucrat from the Beastfolk nation of Zerlant in Elf lands. You must be an exceptional individual.”
Oh man, I got praised by His Majesty the Emperor!
”Yeah, I guess you could say that… The Queen seems to appreciate my actions more than my words…”
”Oh, Ms. Puruun. You’re too humble. I heard that the kingdom was saved thanks to your outstanding efforts during this whole ordeal.”
Wow, even Sir Yōmo praised me!
”Hmm… I see.”
said the Emperor, looking at me intently.
”But… it’s a shame. As much as you are talented, you cannot spend your life with Queen Asuka of the Beastfolk. No matter how exceptional you are, the Queen will always lose you first…”
”Ah, yes. That’s exactly what His Majesty said. But as for me, I will simply dedicate my life to serving the Queen with utmost loyalty…”
”I see. You have a strong will and conviction.”
The Emperor is really laying on the compliments.
I got carried away and kept chugging my drink.
* * *
Hey, what’s going on here? Weren’t I having dinner with Emperor Balmstra and Sir Yōmo? Oh no, I must’ve passed out drunk! But how did I end up here…
Huh? Hey, what are you doing here, Yuuta? Come on, spit it out and stop smirking.
Geez… When did you sneak back here? And why are you in my bed, drunk?
But… haha… I’m glad you’re here, Yuuta. Wanna do something fun? Here, take off my panties! Haha.
I’ve been waiting for you.
Alright, first… let’s eat! Chomp!
…Mmm… oh… whoa! You jerk, you should’ve warned me before you came! It’s hard to breathe when it goes down the wrong pipe! Geez… but… wow, you’re so energetic.
It’s getting bigger again. Now, let’s try from below…
Ahh… Yuuta, you’re in!
Hey, Yuuta. What’s wrong? Oh, is it too good?.
* * *
”Whaaaaaaaaat!? What was that just now? …Was that a dream, right?
Ugh, my head hurts.
Did I drink too much? Wait, what? I was drinking with Emperor and Sir Yōmo, right? Oh no! I don’t remember anything after a certain point!!
I wake up in a panic and look around…
It’s already night.
It seems like I’m on a bed, but…
Did I get carried here while I was drunk? Ugh, what an embarrassment!! It’s like I smeared mud on the Queen’s face…
My head hurts so bad that my brain suddenly froze up.
Huh!?
”Ah, Ms. Puruun. Did you wake up? You were quite drunk, so I took the liberty of carrying you to the bedroom. But you, you’re not only excellent in your political duties, but also in the bedroom. I feel so refreshed after a long time, thank you!”
Huh? Huh? How did I end up in the bedroom…
with Emperor!?
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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