Chapter 138: 15. The Married Queen's Mother-Daughter Rice Bowl
"……And this is……"
"Yeah, yeah."
"……Next time, we should put it here……"
"Sounds good."
"……This is like this, and that is like that……"
"Nice."
Responding half-heartedly to the incessant buzzing in her ear from her fiancé, Princess Sharina pictured another man's face in her mind—not her fiancé's, but the one who always filled her head and heart. Today, she missed him more than ever.
Han Siu, the man she hadn't seen in days already. His name alone made her sigh.
'Haa, Siu-nim…♡'
Beneath her flowing golden hair, her pale skin flushed red.
Just thinking of her beloved man filled her with so much happiness and joy.
'I miss him….'
She longed for him.
For that lovable man, the strong stud who had taken her true first time.
In the princess's mind, Siu's face naturally expanded to reveal his full body.
A week ago, heading to a dungeon in the kingdom's southern region.
Officially recognized as a saint by the Holy Empire, he had swiftly completed two missions back-to-back afterward. Both had been fairly challenging, but he'd cleared them in under a week combined—a rapid march.
Then, after just a day of rest, he'd set off on a mid-term mission lasting over a week.
Because of that, she hadn't been able to spend any intimate time with him.
Still, Sharina wasn't too disappointed.
She knew what lay beneath the clothes of the hero Han Siu as he departed on his missions.
'Haaah…♡'
Firm muscles hidden under mere scraps of thin fabric, yet skin that was warm and soft to the touch. And lower still, the very symbol of manhood itself. Just imagining it made her heart pound.
What excited Sharina even more was the fact that fewer than ten women had tasted what lay within.
'Hehe, even Siu-nim is surprisingly picky.'
Siu might have been flustered to hear it, but it wasn't entirely wrong.
In a typical scenario, he could have easily racked up three digits over the past eight months.
There were plenty of women who'd spread their legs at a mere glance from him, but his discerning taste and sense of duty to prevent the world's destruction kept him in check. Others might judge it variously.
'Still, I'm so glad. Thanks to that, I won't end up as just another princess by Siu-nim's side. And it's all thanks to Mother.'
She felt she could never thank her mother enough.
At that moment, her fiancé, who had been chattering nonstop beside her, asked,
"…Hey, Sharina. You are listening to me, right?"
"……."
Sharina stared at him with eyes full of boredom, offering no reply.
Reading her mood, her fiancé flinched visibly.
'What a pathetic man….'
Looking at him made her sigh involuntarily.
He had an overwhelming appearance that could turn most men into squids just by standing nearby. But that was his only merit. If she squeezed, maybe his wealthy family.
Compared to her beloved Siu, he was hopelessly inferior—a reject stud. No, not even worthy of being called a stud. It made her wonder how she'd ever loved such a man.
'His vibe is off too. He never caught my eye before, but now I see he's got quite the lust for power. How did I miss it?'
"Sh-Sharina?"
The man cautiously called his fiancée's name.
Though annoyed, Princess Sharina flashed him a sweet smile.
"Of course. I'm listening."
"Ah…."
"But I guess I'm a bit tired. My mind keeps wandering for a second."
"R-Really? Then should we head back and rest?"
"Yeah, let's."
Eager to leave, Sharina shot up from her seat.
Turning her head, she saw her fiancé waiting with eager anticipation for her to take his arm.
As annoying as it was, she still needed to play along for now. It was karma from rashly accepting the engagement. Until that day came, she'd have to humor him appropriately.
The princess extended her hand toward her fiancé.
"Let's go."
"Sure!"
Seeing him relax at such a simple gesture only fueled the pity growing inside Sharina toward him.
It was ridiculous for her, the one deceiving him, to think that—but even funnier that he still believed the princess was smitten with him.
At the same time, it made her pity herself for having been so deluded once.
"Blah blah. Chirp chirp."
"Yeah, yeah, I see."
Even on the way back to the palace, her fiancé wouldn't stop talking.
To the princess, who responded half-heartedly, his words sounded like the shrill cries of an irritating bird.
And she continued thinking of the man she loved.
'He said he'd be back from the mission in two days….'
It wasn't exact.
She'd only vaguely heard that Siu, having successfully cleared the dungeon and completed the mission, was returning. Hero missions were sometimes classified, even to her as a princess.
'I hope he comes back soon…♥'
The princess smiled dreamily, pining endlessly for her beloved's return.
Her mother felt the same.
"Aaah, I'm so exhausted…."
Queen Sharfria stretched her arms across the desk piled high with documents, burying her face like she was collapsing.
Her voluptuous breasts caught awkwardly on the edge, leaving her in an odd position, but she didn't care. She just needed something to relieve the stress from the avalanche of paperwork.
"Your Majesty. If you don't get up soon, more documents will pile up."
"…Countess Persha."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Isn't this too much, even so? Does our kingdom really lack talent this badly? The more I do, the more work piles up, doesn't it? Yeah. Something's definitely wrong."
The married woman in her thirties muttered in confusion. If Siu had seen it, he'd have undoubtedly called her cute, but unfortunately, he wasn't here.
In the queen's office were only the queen, the royal maid chief, and the captain of the guard.
"The talent issue will resolve if you endure a few more months. We're gradually bringing in those who went abroad. Contracts and other issues are just delaying their immediate return."
"A few months…. A few months…? No way…."
A despairing timeline.
Sharfria seriously pondered the kingdom's plight.
Even Siu was incredible, but the fact that one man was shaking the entire nation showed how pitiful Palania Kingdom was. And he'd only appeared less than a year ago, with serious activity for just a few months.
'I thought I'd been working hard all this time… but was maintenance all I achieved?'
A wave of gloom crashed over her.
Exhausted from the mounting workload, the queen's mood had been fluctuating lately, mostly negatively. She knew it, but emotions weren't so easily controlled. It didn't help much.
So, Maid Chief Countess Persha had sought outside help.
And just minutes ago, she'd received advice from a priest of the main church.
"Um, Your Majesty?"
"What is it, Countess?"
"We've identified the cause of Your Majesty's recent depressive feelings."
"Really…?"
Sharfria replied listlessly.
Even knowing the cause wouldn't change much, she thought—but the maid chief's words made her bolt upright.
"Pregnancy depression?"
"Yes. According to the main church priest, carrying a child often brings various symptoms, one being sudden bouts of depression… It usually starts around the sixth month, so yours is a bit late, but it fits."
"Pregnancy…. I see…."
Nearing eight months, Sharfria stroked her large belly.
A gentle smile soon graced the queen's lips.
"A sign that our baby's birth is drawing near? Hehe, you naughty child. Tormenting your mother like this."
Her voice brimmed with excitement, belying her words.
Countess Persha cautiously continued to the queen.
"While the cause is the baby… if the depression gets too severe, it could harm the child instead."
Sharfria flinched.
"…Really?"
"Yes. Truly."
Those words about the baby shifted the queen's gaze.
It burned with fierce determination and desire not to yield to mere depression.
In truth, Sharfria's episodes were occasional and not severe, but the maid chief hid that to motivate her. It would help Sharfria in the end.
"I need to buck up."
"Haha, yes, you do."
Sharfria turned to the light blue-haired knight laughing heartily.
"Countess Lubblestone."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
One of Palania Kingdom's strongest military forces, the Royal Guard protecting the palace closest at hand. She was its captain and the countess of the Rubelstone family, drawing attention for various reasons lately.
"You look radiant these days?"
"Must be all the recent gifts. Lots of health-boosting items."
The queen smirked at her reply.
Gifts that meant bribes.
The guard captain admitted it boldly, but Sharfria didn't mind.
Bribes only become true bribes when something is given in return.
She knew Countess Lubblestone wasn't that type.
Half the bribe money was secretly donated to the royal family—they were practically allies.
"Hmm, not just your face, but your body looks healthy too?"
"……? Of course. I'm a master, after all."
The coveted realm for all mana users: master class.
There were ranks within and higher realms, but master was undeniably aspirational.
Countess Lubblestone, top among masters, had a face and figure that looked like sisters beside her daughters.
"Then… no thoughts on a third?"
"…Pardon?"
For the first time in ages, Sharfria saw the guard captain's dumbfounded face. It was so amusing it was a shame only they two witnessed it.
"Wh-what do you mean…? It's been years since my husband's passing…."
"Come on, Countess. You know what I mean."
"……."
Countess Lubblestone fell silent.
The three women in the office all pictured the same man's face.