“The more skilled a person is, the better they are at arranging their time, so I’m certain you, of all people, can find the time!” I said.
Being “skilled” didn’t refer just to how smart you were; it had more to do with knowing how to put your abilities to their best use. That was what made a person effective.
If you’re genuinely so busy that you can’t afford to take a break, then you need to make absolutely sure to rest once the busy period passes! Use that PTO; don’t let it go to waste!
“Your Majesty, you would allow Lord Sarius to take time off if he asked, wouldn’t you?” I asked.
“Of course. Sarius is always working too hard… You really should take a few days off now and again, Sarius,” the emperor said reflectively.
“I can’t stand not being busy working on something… But I will take it into consideration,” Sarius allowed gravely.
I hope his relationship with his children can improve after this.
“But Father’s so busy with important work…” Marie protested, her uneasy expression making clear how conflicted she felt about interrupting her father’s work for the sake of family time. Perhaps that was because she’d never allowed herself to be the least bit selfish with her father’s time before.
“Marie, it’s as Lady Nefertima said; if I want to make the time, I can. I haven’t done so up to this point because I was putting an unfair burden on you.”
“It’s my duty to support your important work as a member of the imperial family, Father.”
Maybe Marie, even more so than Daux, has a deep-rooted loyalty to her father?
“No, Marie,” Towen said. “Families are meant to support one another. My parents tried to teach this to me, but it seems I failed to understand it fully until now.”
It’s possible he failed to notice he was slacking on family obligations because his relationship with his siblings is quite good. But while siblings are an important part of “family,” they’re different from your wife and kids!
“Why don’t you try asking for a hug?” I whispered to Marie, who clearly didn’t know how to go about seeking affection from her father. If Marie was holding back, her father would also likely have a hard time judging how proactive he was welcome to be.
We have to use the special perks of childhood while they’re still available to us! That means acting a bit spoiled now and then!
“Um… Father, would it be okay for me to get a bit closer to you?”
“Of course. Come over here, Marie,” Towen said, holding out both hands and crouching down slightly, positioning himself for a hug.
Marie looked a bit uncertain, or maybe she was just scared? Either way, she didn’t show any sign of moving, so I gave her a little push from behind.
I doubted the strength of my gentle push really did much, but either way, Marie took a hesitant step toward Towen and then another…
Once she’d closed half the distance, Towen came the rest of the way to meet her. Towen’s tender feelings for his daughter showed on his face as he wrapped his arms around her, giving her a big hug.
That’s right! Marie is so sweet and cute that she’ll undoubtedly be snatched up by some lucky guy the moment she’s of marriageable age, so this is your chance to have her all to yourself!
I wonder what kind of face Marie’s making?
I couldn’t see her face from where I was standing, but I figured she was probably either blushing bright red with embarrassment or was so happy that she was struggling to hold back tears.
Either would be really cute, so it’s a shame I can’t see!
Now then, what will Daux do?
“Daux?”
He was frozen in place, unsure what to do or say now that the emperor was here in front of him. When I called out to him, he looked about to cry. Instead, he quickly hid behind me.
“I can’t… I don’t know what to say…”
Maybe he was flustered because what was supposed to be just observing from afar had taken such an unexpected turn.
Sorry, Daux. This is due in part to my poor planning. But we can’t let this chance pass us by!
“It’s okay. Just try telling His Majesty what you’re thinking,” I encouraged.
“No way, it’s too embarrassing,” the young prince refused outright.
There’s nothing to be embarrassed about!
I turned to face Daux, took both his hands in mine, and did my best to convince him. “Daux, listen to me. Being small and cute are powerful weapons! Just look at Seigo and Rikusei. They’re cute right? So cute you can’t help but look at them?”
Daux tilted his head to the side, clearly confused about what Seigo and Rikusei had to do with anything.
“This time, when you’re a child, and people see you as small and cute, will only last for another two or three cycles. That’s why you have to use it while you can!”
The childhood period when it was okay to ask for hugs was short. Even more so for boys.
“You’d be surprised by the number of things you can get away with while you’re young. But as you grow, those things become fewer and further between. Don’t you think it’s a waste not to do all the things you can still get away with now while you have the chance?”
We have to use this special “get out of jail free card” now while we have it! That is the secret weapon given to all children!
“Lady Nefertima, that sounds suspiciously like the speech a general might give to his troops before sending them out into battle…” The emperor was grinning as he said that, but he wasn’t wrong—in some ways, this was a life-or-death matter!
“Your Majesty, children can’t go through their life all alone, you know? It can be anything—even just empathy is enough—but children need adults to show emotions towards them,” I stressed.
Even if they’re properly clothed, sheltered, and fed, that’s not enough. A person needs to interact and form bonds with others in order to grow.
“I see… I suppose it’s akin to a form of battle tactics for children, for the great battle of life.”
“In the first place, are those who’ve never been shown love even capable of loving others? Whether or not Daux can love the citizens of the Linus Empire as a member of the imperial family depends entirely on you and your family, Your Majesty.”
It was likely that Daux’s difficulties coming to terms with his position as a member of the imperial family were partly due to not knowing how to interact with the citizens.
“That’s true… I want Daux to love our empire’s citizens as I do and help me govern this empire.”
“See, Daux? His Majesty doesn’t think of you as a bother—he loves you! So he’ll forgive you for being a bit clingy sometimes!”
I did my best to get Daux to see past his insidious concerns of being a hindrance to his father by telling him there was nothing to worry about. Then, I led Daux over to where the emperor was standing.
Once we were right in front of the emperor, he knelt down to put himself at eye level with Daux. Then he gave Daux a tight hug.
“I’m sorry for making you feel lonely. The empress and I love you very much, Daux.”