Maria Visits the Senior Queens (Naden Version)
Good morning, everyone. I’m the Maria who just lost the job she held for many years. Now that I was going to get married to Souma, I wanted to chat with my senior wives more so that we could live together happily.
Early in the day, Second Secondary Queen Naden said she’d be going down to the castle town, so I joined her.
“Souma tells me you do the weather forecast, and also act as a sort of jack-of-all-trades in the castle town?”
“Well, that’s how it’s worked out, yeah,” Naden said, awkwardly scratching her cheek as we walked down a cobbled road in Parnam. “When I was killing time in town, I helped out an old lady who was in trouble. Then I did a bunch of other stuff, like delivering some things a customer left behind or moving a damaged cart out of the road. It kept happening to the point that people just casually ask me for favors now.”
Naden was a black ryuu from the Star Dragon Mountain Range. She had strength and mobility, which probably made her a big help to the townspeople.
“You lend an ear to the common people. That’s lovely.”
“It’s not that big a deal.”
I was serious, but Naden waved it off.
“Ah! Naden. Thanks for that delivery earlier.”
“Hey, Lady Naden! I’ve got good vegetables in stock, would you like some to take home? Your husband loves cooking, so he’ll be grateful for them!”
“Lady Nadeeen, let’s play hide and seeeek.”
The baker’s wife, the greengrocer, and a child walking down the road all called out to Naden like close friends. Naden turned and responded to each of them.
“Your kids are still little, right? If you need anything else, just let me know.”
“I’ll drop by on the way home, so hold onto them for me!”
“I’m showing someone around today, so no can do! We’ll play next time!”
So she played hide and seek too, huh? The number of people calling out to her never let up. My eyes widened with surprise.
“You really are popular, Naden.”
“They’ve all forgotten I’m a queen.”
When things settled down a bit, Naden said, “They respect Souma, Liscia, and the others like they’re supposed to. I’m the only one they treat so casually. Your people loved and respected you too, right?”
“They did, yes, but...that’s not always a good thing, you know?”
“Hm? It’s not?”
“No. People respect kings or queens because they don’t see them. Obviously, they see our faces over the broadcast, but they aren’t closely involved with us. That’s why the common people fear and respect royalty.”
“That...could be right.”
Naden looked somewhat, but not entirely convinced. I was telling her what I really felt though.
Thinking back to when I was an empress, I said I was doing things “for the people,” but never had the chance to actually come into contact with those people. I never spoke to them directly, so could I really hold my head high and say I was a good ruler?
“I think their relationship with you is healthy, Naden. If anything, I see it as close to ideal, the way you’re able to hear the voices of the townsfolk directly.”
“It’s not that big a deal. But I don’t mind hearing you say that,” Naden said with a smile. That’s when I had an idea.
“I know!” I exclaimed, clapping my hands together.
“Huh?! Wh-What was that about?”
Naden gave me a dubious look. I didn’t let it bother me. I grabbed one of her hands with both of mine.
“You have a lot of free time, right? Let’s use that time to travel the country together! Then we can meet people all over the kingdom!”
“Travel?! What’s this out of nowhere?!”
“If you let me ride you, I’ll be able to hear from people all over the kingdom. From the weak and downtrodden, whose voices rarely make it to those at the top too. With you there, we won’t need bodyguards. Naden! Let’s go hear from lots of people, and make this country better together!”
“H-Hold on!” Naden hurriedly shook free of my hands. “I respect the idea, but the only one who’s supposed to ride me is my partner, Souma, you know?! I can’t just let you ride alone and take me all over the place...”
“The partner of your partner is your partner. So it’s fine!”
“It’s fine? On what basis...?”
“Now, with that decided, let’s go and get Souma’s permission!”
I took Naden’s hand and started walking along.
Naden started protesting, “Listen to meeee!”
But...that’s fine! We were going to get along great!
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login