Wein’s delegation arrived in Natra several days later.
The vassals greeted the returned party with great enthusiasm. The delegation had officially visited the Empire to meet Ernesto, the leader of Eastern Levetia. Unfortunately, it had been dragged into Earthworld’s civil war and wound up assisting with Empress Lowellmina’s rise to the throne. Although the vassals knew everyone was safe, thanks to letter correspondence, they were relieved to confirm the truth with their eyes.
This was no cause for Wein to be complacent, though. Lowellmina’s coronation had stirred things up on the continent. Between reviewing intel gathered in the Empire, hearing what had transpired in his absence, meeting with dignitaries who’d been left waiting, and keeping the citizenry at ease, the list of tasks was endless.
“Phew…I can finally take a breather.” Back in his familiar palace office, Wein, who’d finished his work for the moment, threw himself on the sofa in a show of exhaustion. “Life over there wasn’t half bad, but there’s no place like home.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Ninym replied from beside him. She’d usually correct Wein’s slovenly appearance immediately, but after the stress and fatigue of their long trip to the Empire and catching up on all the missed work, Ninym was feeling lenient.
“I’d say we deserve a little vacation, Ninym.”
“And how long would this ‘little’ vacation be exactly?”
“Half a year maybe?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Wha?!” Wein cried as Ninym instantly shot him down. “Come on! I’ve been working really hard! I deserve a lazy day!”
“Half a year is still out of the question. We’ve finished today’s responsibilities, but there will be plenty more tomorrow.”
Like the ocean’s ebb and flow upon the shore, no one could stop it. Sure, you might succeed if you drank the entire ocean, but such a feat was beyond mere mortals.
“Sigh. I love free time, but the feeling is never mutual,” Wein mumbled nonsensically.
Ninym watched her liege in exasperation. “Well…I suppose a week wouldn’t hurt.”
Wein’s surprise and excitement were visible. “What winds doth blow this way?”
“Don’t make such a big deal. I just mean that Natra can afford it right now, thanks to Princess Falanya,” Ninym said. “It looks like she and the vassals really did their best while we were away. We’re still checking the reports, but there haven’t been any issues so far. Even if you took some time off, they should be able to handle everything.”
“I see. In other words, I can gradually leave the work to them and kick my feet up.”
“However you look at it, a brother who dumps his responsibilities on his little sister is the absolute worst.”
“I just want to see her grow up strong.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Wein’s shenanigans earned him a scowl from Ninym. “This isn’t just about moral principles. Don’t you know what will happen if her role as your substitute grows any larger?”
“She’ll probably shoot up and tower over me.”
“Wein, I’m being serious here.”
Just as Ninym took a step toward him, a hesitant knock tapped on the office door.
“Do you have a minute, Wein?” Falanya, the very subject of their discussion, suddenly stepped inside. Wein had already corrected his posture, and he offered a magnanimous nod.
“Of course. What is it, Falanya?” he said.
“Um, I’d like to discuss something if you don’t mind.”
Those words alone revealed Falanya’s adoration for her big brother. Their close bond was common knowledge, and Wein had just returned from a prolonged stay in the Empire. Falanya’s lonely desire to make up for lost time came as no surprise.
However, an odd feeling struck Ninym out of nowhere.
Princess Falanya…?
She was usually cheerful and energetic whenever she saw Wein, yet her present expression swirled with confusion, fear, and anxiety. And there was something else. Another dark, complex emotion kept her rooted, a tragic yet firm resolve.
“Ninym.”
Wein’s voice broke the Flahm out of her bewildered trance.
“R-right. I will prepare tea.”
“No need,” Wein replied. “But do give us a moment alone. It looks like Falanya is hoping for a private conversation.”
“…?!”
Ninym was left speechless. Although she was Wein’s public and private confidant, there were naturally occasions when he required privacy. However, Ninym could not recall one instance where she was excluded from a conversation between the two royal siblings.
Falanya surprisingly raised no objections. Ninym understood the princess had an important matter to discuss with Wein, but normally she’d ask Ninym to stay and provide sisterly support. Instead, Falanya simply stared at Wein and gave no indication that she needed Ninym. The princess seemed to take no notice of her. Falanya’s inexplicable behavior and motives confused Ninym more than Wein’s unusual order.
“Ninym.” Wein called her name again.
“…Understood. Please excuse me.”
She quietly left the room after a bow, leaving the two most important figures in Natra to themselves.
“So what did you want to talk about?” Wein asked in a rather pleasant tone.
His sister, on the other hand, responded with fiery determination, “Natra’s future.”
Outside the room, Ninym gave a small sigh. What were they about to discuss behind the heavy door at her back?
I know the princess has matured quickly these days, but…
Ninym loved and admired Falanya as both a princess and a younger sister. Falanya likewise saw Ninym not as a mere servant but as an older sibling and role model. They weren’t linked by blood, but Ninym took pride in their tight-knit relationship and unspoken understanding.
That had changed.
A sense of alienation throbbed in her chest, but it was presumptuous to meddle in a conversation between royals. Unlike Wein, Ninym had failed to detect the meaning behind Falanya’s odd behavior. So she stood in the hall and stewed over her thoughts.
“You don’t look too good,” a voice suddenly called out beside her. When she turned to face it, Nanaki had appeared out of nowhere.
“Nanaki, you…”
Ninym was about to ask, “You know something about this, right?” but stopped herself. Wein or Falanya would share any vital information later. To question Nanaki just because she felt excluded was spineless.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s…nothing.”
“Okay,” Nanaki replied without another word.
He usually shadowed Falanya, so his presence here had to mean he’d been dismissed, too. However, unlike Ninym, Nanaki didn’t appear bothered in the slightest. In retrospect, he alone stood unfazed even as Natra’s people struggled to catch up with the rest of the world. Ninym envied his consistency.
While thoughts raced in her mind…
“There you are, Lady Ninym.”
…a human shadow approached her and Nanaki while they waited outside the door. It was a Flahm official.
“Do you have some business with me?”
The man nodded. “Yes. The meeting of representatives will begin shortly. I shall escort you.”
“A meeting?”
There was no need to ask for what purpose. Natra’s Flahm were well aware of their tentative position and thus gathered periodically to secure a contingency plan. However, Ninym regarded the official questioningly.
“I wasn’t aware of any meetings today.”