Haikei Heika, Nidome No Ouhii Wa Okotowari! Chapter 2 Part1

It is the day after the coronation ceremony.

Alicia is handling the doc.u.ments of regional s.h.i.+pments.

She sneaks a glance from behind the pile of doc.u.ments on her desk, to see Julian, who is reviewing the data about the tax increase. There are several ministers around him, and they are a.s.sisting him by a.s.sessing those doc.u.ments together.  It is the usual king Alicia knows.

(I guess he was drunk yesterday, and I don't think he even remembers what happened last night.)
Alicia is relieved, but she still cannot help but getting conscious of him.
She went to work wis.h.i.+ng that she could apologize to him this morning, but she cannot.
(I should apologize once it's time to take a break.)

"……Let's have everyone to collect the materials individually. It's almost time for lunch. We should have a break and return two hours later. Everyone, dismissed."

"Understood."

The ministers gather and pack the materials at their desks. Julian, who was just watching them, suddenly turns his violet gaze to Alicia.

–s.h.i.+vers.

Usually, he would always keep his composure. However, this young king, who was so disciplined in front of his subjects, is now smiling, enjoying himself staring at Alicia.

(Eep……!?)

Alicia lets her pen slips from her hand, and one of the minister stares at Alicia after hearing the pen rolling. Those ministers look at Julian who seems to be enjoying himself watching Alicia as she is a rare creature.

"Y-your Majesty!"

"Oh…… what did you just say just now?"

"N-no, it's nothing……"

Julian returns to his "Serious King" Mode as soon he was asked by the minister, but his expression just now was not a lie.

(What's with his expression just now……?)

Those ministers seem to have gotten the idea, and they leave the office as soon as possible. Reivan, who is still standing by the wall, averts his gaze while holding back laughter. He notices Alicia glaring at him, and he only raises his thumb and says, "It's also time for me to take a break," and he leaves the room with other ministers.

(No, don't!)

No one can hear Alicia's heart screaming as the door shuts.
Now, with her escort, Reivan leaving them, there are only Julian and Alicia alone in the office.

(……I can't look at him at the eyes.)

Alicia continues with her paperwork in a cold sweat. She focuses her eyes on the doc.u.ments, but she can still feel his gazes coming straight in front of her.

(I thought I should be used to people watching me work, but…… why cannot I do the same this time?)

Alicia still cannot forget of what happened last night, and now all ministers are giving their times alone.

(I'm tired……)

Alicia comes out to the hallway, then she leans against the pillar after confirmed that there is no one around. Her hands are tired from holding the pen for too long, but she is more mentally exhausted.

"Oh Alicia, are you also taking a break?"

Behind her, Alicia can see the three ministers and servants carrying scrolls and books. Perhaps they were in the archive during the lunch break.

Alicia calms herself down, corrects her posture, and bows.

"Yes. What were you doing, everyone?"

"Umm, we were researching some materials."

"It was a lot of work."

"I'm sorry for troubling you, but can I have a bit of your time?"

Without delay, Alicia is surrounded by those three ministers. It is already past noon, and she is hungry, but she knows what they are going to say. Alicia can only smile bitterly.

"……Sure. Let's move to another location."

"…… You're right."

"Let's get our food prepared."

The instant the ministers ordered the servant, a vacant room prepared with meals is prepared. The meals will be served later, and while waiting, Alicia will be having a chats with those three ministers while drinking tea.

"Alicia, it's about His Majesty."

(Right, of course we're going to talk about that topic.)

They just went straight to the topic that Alicia couldn't help but biting her lip and hiding her nerve.

"I have been supporting His Majesty since the previous King's reign, and I have seen His Majesty since he was born, but it was the first time he shows so much emotion."

"If my old eyes were not wrong, His Majesty always smiles when he's watching Alicisama, even though he doesn't say anything to us at all."

"It never happened until yesterday…… what did you two do yesterday's evening?"

They keep asking her one another, making Alicia fl.u.s.tered.

(……Indeed. Since they are ministers, they might be able to convince Julian-sama.)

These ministers have been supporting Kings of Emblem for half a century. With sharp intuitions and calm judgments, they are the perfect companions for royal marriage counseling.

"……Actually, yes. His Highness proposed to me last night."
……and Alicia explained to Julian that she is a widow, so she refused the proposal, and the conversation did not end well with dispute.

After listening to Alicia's story, the ministers stay quiet making difficult expressions. Soon after, the servants come with their lunch. It is better to eat first while putting their thoughts together.

"……So, His Majesty wishes for marriage?"

"and the partner is to be Alicisama."

"I see,  I see……"

Alicia watches the ministers as she eats. The meals brought by the servants were delicacies in addition to Alicia's favorite pie, but she cannot really taste them well now.

After finished with their meal, the servants go away to prepare after-meal tea, then Alicia speaks out,

"I understand myself that I am not fit to be his wife, but I could not convince His Highness alone…… That is why I want to ask for your helps.'

"HUH?"
The ministers blink their eyes while looking at each other's faces. They make a closed ring to discuss, not letting Alicia to hear anything, then they turn back to Alicia.

"You are a strange one, Alicisama."

"You were asking us to convince His Majesty to give up—"

"Do you think it is a good idea to refuse His Majesty's decision?"

Alicia is surprised. She did not expect that she would be scolded by the ministers.

(……why do I get a bad feeling about this?)

"You meant……?"

After the tea is served, the ministers smile.

"We think the marriage between His Majesty and Alicisama would be a fine idea. We have no objection."

"I thought we would have hard time looking for His Majesty's partner, but if it is Alicisama, we don't mind."

"Right. Alicia is loved by the public. She would make a good queen."

"……Huh?"

The ministers are smiling, but Alicia is no longer smiling.

(……What were they talking about!?)

Alicia asked the ministers to persuade Julian, but it turns out that they also agree with the marriage?

"If that's the case, I think we have to announce this as soon as possible."

"True. With the engagement announced after the coronation ceremony, public would be very pleased."

"We have been struggling with courts.h.i.+p letters sent to His Majesty recently. With this, we can say the job good bye."

"……Wait, please wait!"

The ministers keep on talking.

"I told you earlier that I would like to refuse His Highness!"

"Why so?"

Those three ministers tilt their heads in sync. Alicia is astonished at their response seemingly like something most would expect from women rather than old men like them.

"Why…you ask…… there is no way I can become a queen—"

"Alicisama was Alexis-sama's  wife and also His Majesty's sister-in-law."

"Alicisama is no longer married with Alexis-sama's death, and Alicisama is just a free woman. However, it would still not change His Majesty's decision."

"After Alexis-sama's funeral, it was confirmed that Alicisama does not bear Alexis-sama's heir, so there is no problem with the remarriage."

"Alexis-sama has been thinking about Alicisama even on his death bed. He would be very pleased if you marry his younger brother."

"Alexis-sama and Larrsama are no more. Only Alicisama, who can soothe and support His Majesty.  His Majesty is likely to be harsh to our words, but if it's yours, His Majesty would surely listen."

"I want you to be our queen-rather… Please be our queen."

"I'm asking you. The burden is just too heavy for us."

"Please release us from our muscle pain and stomachache."

After making such outspoken statements, those three ministers lower their heads together toward Alicia.

Alicia's lip is redder after bitten too long.

(Why is this happening!?)