Ninym’s eyes moved to a corner of the room where Lowellmina’s aide, Fyshe, stood. However, she subtly refused to meet Ninym’s gaze. Perhaps she saw no harm in looking the other way if tightly squeezing an old friend brought the Empress a bit of happiness.
“…Wein.”
Seeing there would be no salvation from Fyshe, Ninym instead turned to her master for rescue as she felt a lock of golden hair tickle her nose.
“Think of it as your congratulations gift to her. Hang in there.”
He abandoned her just as quickly.
You’ll pay for this later, Ninym swore.
“Let’s set Ninym’s problems aside for now.” Wein’s previously polite tone evaporated. “You really showed your brothers how it’s done, eh? Despite an initial disadvantage.”
“Indeed. Many fortunate circumstances aligned, including the public’s feelings, my brothers’ hubris, and my own good luck. Of course…most of this is owed to my excellent efforts!”
“None of this would have happened if you hadn’t taken action, Lowa. I can’t argue that.”
“Quite so! Feel free to praise me more, you two.”
“Super,” Wein said.
“Great,” Ninym added.
“Put some heart into it!” Lowellmina poked Ninym’s cheek in disapproval. Ninym offered no resistance, having given up.
“So how does it feel to finally sit on the throne?” Wein asked.
“It is a profound sensation,” Lowellmina answered. “After all, I’ve finally been able to prove my abilities.”
Many had done everything in their power to keep Lowellmina off the political world stage merely because she was a woman. Her journey began with that first proactive step to challenge a society suffocated by social norms and tradition.
“And yet despite my successful rise as Empress, I must continue to demonstrate my political acumen. This is no time to relax.”
If all went well, Lowellmina’s reign would last for the next decade or so—far longer than Earthworld’s recent inheritance dispute. Besides, every nation in history had anecdotes of its own trouble with political corruption over the years.
“In that regard, you’re like a mentor to me, Wein.”
Wein was both Natra’s crown prince and, for the past several years, its true leader. Lowellmina calling him her mentor wasn’t too far-fetched.
“Seeing as you have more experience, might I ask for a bit of advice?” she asked.
“Advice, huh?” Wein mulled this over for a moment. “You should do some light exercise, or your body will break down.”
“That has become very apparent in recent days,” Lowellmina said with a deep nod. “Endless paperwork, reconciliation of interests, then more paperwork on top of that. When I consider what life as an Empress means, I can’t help but sigh.”
“I’m up to my eyeballs with work in Natra,” Wein replied. “So I can only imagine Earthworld’s responsibilities as the East’s greatest superpower. Still, you’ve got a whole team of capable officials to handle the extra load.”
“It’s true, they’re quite helpful, but…” Lowellmina trailed off as she lazily rubbed cheeks with Ninym.
“Becoming Empress was difficult enough, and it’s only going to get worse. You’ve chosen a thorny road, haven’t you?” Ninym remarked, her exasperation only partly masked.
Lowellmina nodded. “Most certainly.”
“But it was your own decision, so you have no one else to blame,” Ninym said.
“Also true!”
Wein smiled gently. “You’ll find a steady number of trustworthy subordinates to fill in the gaps, so hang in there.”
Lowellmina gave Ninym a very serious look. “Ninym, how would you like to come work for me?”
“And now I’m suddenly being scouted…”
“I’ll pay triple, no, five times your current salary!”
“This lady sure is generous with the Empire’s budget…!” Wein shuddered.
Ninym shot him a sidelong glance, then sighed. “I can’t leave Natra, so I must decline.”
“Well then, what if Natra joins the Empire, Wein?”
“That ain’t funny comin’ from you, Little Miss Empress!”
“I’m not joking. I mean it.”
The air immediately shifted, and Lowellmina released Ninym. She turned back to Wein, and Ninym felt a silent, uneasy spark fly between them.
“…Sorry, but I’ve got no plans for that.” It was Wein who finally broke the silence. “I believe the Empire and Natra are firm allies, but that narrative will change fast if you want us to become one nation.”
“Fyshe told me you were eager to sell out to us at one point.”
“That might’ve been true before your previous ruler passed away, but Natra has grown much stronger since the Empire was plagued by civil war. It would be tough to convince our people to join the Empire now.”
As Wein said, Natra’s strength and influence had advanced drastically both at home and abroad since he became regent, and that development showed no signs of stopping. It still paled in comparison to an Eastern giant like the Empire, of course, but every politician on the continent now understood Natra was not to be trifled with.
“…I see,” Lowellmina muttered. Ninym gleaned true disappointment from the woman’s expression.
That’s a bit surprising…
Lowellmina held feelings of love and friendship for Wein, but she also saw him as a worthy rival. To prove herself against him in battle and reign victorious was one of her dearest desires. It was peculiar that she’d instead asked him and Natra to come into the Empire’s fold. Had the Empress had a change of heart?
However, Lowellmina’s radiant smile returned before Ninym’s question could be answered. “In that case, I suppose it cannot be helped. I look forward to our fruitful alliance for many years to come.”
“Me, too,” Wein replied with a smile. “To that end, I’ll work hard and continue to meet with Earthworld’s dignitaries during my stay.”
“I’m the same, though my line is much, much longer!”
“That’s what you choose to compete over…?” Ninym shot Lowellmina a tired look, even as her friend seemed to swell with pride.
“By the way, I heard you met with Ernesto, Wein,” Lowellmina remarked.
“Hm? Yeah, a little while ago.”
Ernesto.
He was the leader of Eastern Levetia, the East’s main religion. Although Wein had been involved in the resolution of the Empire’s civil war, he’d originally come to the region to meet with Ernesto.
“What sort of person is he? I’m supposed to meet him next, so I’d like a point of reference.”
“He looks like your average old guy. You’d never guess it, but he was a teacher back in the day. Still…”
“Still?”
“We had an interesting conversation.” Wein smirked. “To be honest, I think you two will really hit it off.”
“Oh dear…”
“What do you mean, ‘Oh dear’?” Wein asked.
“Well, surely that means he’s an eccentric, right?”
“Oh. I didn’t think you were so self-aware.”
Suddenly, Fyshe stepped forward from her corner of the room. “Your Majesty, it’s almost time for your next appointment.”
“Aww, already?” Lowellmina muttered reluctantly, then turned back to Wein. “Unfortunately, I must take my leave… What will you do next, Wein?”
“I’ve been away long enough, so I think it’s high time I head home.”
Summer was drawing to a close, and Natra’s northern climate undoubtedly already hinted at the approaching icy hand of winter. As important as it was to rub elbows with the Empire’s elite, Wein wanted to return before his carriage could get stuck in the snow.