The Desert Empress Who Loves Her Heartless Husband So, So, So Much
Meanwhile, in Shetka. Having ascended as queen, El Sadat sat with her legs crossed upon a golden throne befitting her station, attending to state affairs. Already known as the Empress among those around her, her mood had been buoyant for a time after her coronation, only to turn inexplicably foul of late.
"Lady Sadat's mood has soured again…"
"Is it that day?"
"No… it's still too early for her cycle."
"Even if it were, she has magic to manage it. That can't be it."
"It must be because of that."
"That?"
"Yes, I'm telling you."
Queen El Sadat listened to the reports with a listless expression. Though nothing had occurred to warrant displeasure, her brows knit as irritation suddenly flared. Then she would roar, "How dare you ask me again when you cannot even grasp something so simple!" It was as though she were venting her frustrations on others.
"Whoa…"
"She's getting scolded again today."
"Didn't we warn that person not to report anything half-finished when Her Majesty is in a bad mood?"
"She never listens to us subordinates anyway…"
"Serves them right."
Gyaahhh~!! Gyaahhhhhhh~!!!
Leaving the rampaging Sadat behind after she seized upon a pretext, the attendants continued their chatter. The spot where they stood was the corridor right before the throne room, and while their hands busied themselves with menial tasks, they spoke of what they had witnessed earlier.
"—So, it seems she's on good terms with Duke Cornelius."
"Hee… But isn't it dangerous to talk about this?"
"It is. She'd probably kill us if we did. No joke, she'd really do it."
"I shouldn't have listened…"
The attendants had glimpsed the intimate relations between Cornelius and Sadat from afar. A gag order had been issued, so nothing would leak beyond the pyramid, yet that very secrecy made Sadat's behavior seem all the more suspicious to them. It was not that they had realized the late King Dodo had been assassinated; their doubts pointed in an entirely different direction.
"But you know… about that throne…"
"Hm?"
"One is being used by Lady Sadat, but there are two, aren't there?"
"One must be for 'that person'…"
"Yeah… probably…"
Every attendant pictured the same face. Then they exchanged knowing glances, thinking, "Our queen has quite the girlish side after all." Of course, their guess was not wrong. In fact, it struck the mark precisely.
'Aaaahhhhhh……… My beloved… my husband… Why have you not sent even a single message… when I spend each day in such longing…… Whyyyyyyyyy……'
The moment the man who had served as her punching bag fled, Sadat slumped over the throne, going limp. She reached out to touch the empty seat beside her or waved her hand at the empty air, behaving nothing like her usual self. Her face was haggard, like a dog abandoned by its master, her expression utterly miserable.
"Lady Sadat~?"
"What is it… I have no energy right now… If it is a trivial matter, spare me…"
Her stepdaughter Shapira stood beside her holding documents, but Sadat merely waved her palm dismissively, telling her to go away. Yet the gloomy princess merely chuckled and thrust the papers toward her.
"…Mmm?"
Thinking it was work, Sadat scanned the documents with an irritated look, only to straighten her back at once. It was the latest intelligence from the Cornelius family.
"Mmmhmmhmm…! So the women I sent to infiltrate never returned… Every last one of them fell for my husband and betrayed me…!!"
"He really is an extraordinarily abnormal person… It doesn't seem like a scheme either… It appears they've genuinely betrayed us and become his attendants…"
"But this information? You said they all betrayed us, so why is detailed intelligence still coming in?"
"Lord Roman permitted them to report back…"
"They were all found out, weren't they?!"
"Seems so… Wahaha…"
In the end, the report was essentially a letter Roman had sent to Sadat. It detailed how he had created a lake with the great water spirit and built a hot-spring village beneath it, that he was favorably considering a large-scale expedition, that he had turned most of the fiancées who had flocked to him into slaves and succeeded in gacha with one of them, and that the twins sent from the Chang Kingdom had turned out to be an absurdly explosive pair—everything was written there.
"My husband is in good health. I worried that, being a man who likes women, he might be troubled by the fiancée commotion, but it seems my fears were unfounded. There appear to be no rats within the Cornelius family, and the mention of the hot-spring village suggests he is requesting personnel support."
"We have many experts in ley lines who can locate oases or wells…"
"Select skilled individuals and dispatch them. Provide assistance with civil engineering as well. Right after the completion of the walls along the Roman River, quite a few laborers have time on their hands."
"Understood…"
"And regarding the Chang Kingdom… My husband seems rather troubled by them?"
"They are on the verge of civil war… Thanks to that, there are plenty of holes, so all sorts of information is coming through…"
Shapira relayed everything she had heard. From the fact that the current emperor was a petty man, to how Princess Sunho's faction was struggling to make their efforts known. How the eunuchs were pushing the youngest sister forward, volunteering as her attendants while expanding their own influence. How they had recently confiscated all the tribute sent by the Cornelius family. How Princess Sunho was trying her best, yet without the emperor's support and with her faction members being poisoned or implicated in scandals, their shoulders were growing narrower by the day.
Hearing this, Sadat rested her chin on her hand atop the throne and let out a weary sigh.
"Why are men all the same? Teber, the Chang Kingdom, even our own Shetka. Every man who calls himself king is nothing but a spineless fool. The only one with any redeeming qualities is Shappel, but that man's roots are as a merchant, not a king. Perhaps there truly is no man worthy of the title among the Five Great Nations."
"Eh, what about Lord Roman~?"
"My husband is obviously an exception! Do not state the obvious!"
"Yes, yes… That boyfriend bragging… It's getting awkward to react as your daughter…"
Shapira grimaced, wondering who could have predicted her observation would prove so accurate.
"I did not dislike that wench Sunho, but if left alone, she will meet an end unworthy of her talents. No, it will not stop there—the nation itself may fall. If those fat fools continue to govern, even the thickest pillar will rot and collapse. The movements of the Satisfaction are suspicious as well, and now signs of a nation's ruin have appeared in the neighboring country. This is truly troublesome."
"Because the emperor treats his slaves like brothers… There is no worse omen than this…"
"That fool laughs even while that slave holds his own daughter and shakes her about. To think that even with an expedition right before his eyes, he issues invitations to banquets instead of making preparations."
"…Will you go?"
"Have you lost your mind? Do you think I would go there and suffer some calamity? It would be a hundred times better to calculate when that country will fall and profit from it."
Sadat snapped, but Shapira merely chuckled.
"…What is that suspicious laugh?"
"No… Along with the report… there is an invitation…"
"An invitation? I just said I have no intention of getting involved with the Chang Kingdom."
"Well… Please don't say that… Hehe…"
"How suspicious."
Despite her refusal, Shapira insisted, so Sadat took the item to check what it was. There were two invitations. One from the eunuch, and another from Princess Sunho.
"Why are both of them sending the same thing… Even the princess's looks quite tattered?"
"Given the situation, they must have thoroughly inspected the letters… The emperor's daughter having her correspondence censored due to factional strife… It's hardly a laughing matter…"
"Causing trouble for my husband is enough—now sparks are flying my way as well… Foolish wretches…"
First, she read the invitation from the eunuch. It began with an unpleasant "Nyohohoho~!" and went on to suggest that the regime would soon change, so they should get along. The nuance subtly revealed their plan: once the youngest sister took the throne, the former emperor would be sent far away, and they would seize the capital. They were well aware of El Sadat's reputation and implied that if she came to liven up the atmosphere, their positions would be secured, even going so far as to openly ask if she had any thoughts of marriage.
"What is this 'long vacation'? Does that fool actually believe this at face value?"
"They must have sweet-talked him quite thoroughly…"
"Even offering me a marriage interview~? No matter how little they know of my husband, do they truly think they can bring a man who would catch my eye?! Do not make me laugh! No matter how barren our Shetka may be, we are not so destitute that we would lick the lard off you pigs!"
Wham! She flung the invitation aside. The latter part was an immense discourtesy. The other party consisted of slaves to an emperor who held only a modicum of power, yet they dared to arrange a marriage meeting for a queen of an entire nation. No matter how well they fared in their own country, they were ultimately eunuchs. Such an attitude was proof they had grown intoxicated with internal power.
"Huuu, huu, huu~!!"
"Stress is bad for your skin…"
"It is because you showed it to me! I said I would not look, so why did you show it anyway—what is with that tone!"
"This is the last one…"
Then she forced Princess Sunho's letter upon her. Though Sadat truly did not wish to read it, she reluctantly opened it, wondering if there might be something to it…
"…………"
"Hehehe…"
"……There is no content?"
"Is that so~?"
Sadat read the contents again. It simply stated that there would be a banquet on such-and-such date and month, and that she should come. That was all.
"What is this? This is not the sort of writing that wench would produce, is it?"
"It is one hundred percent Princess Sunho's invitation…"
"Did you inspect it with magic?"
"Yes…"
"Hmm."
Sadat's expression grew markedly serious, unlike before. She had been calling her a wench, a wench, yet precisely because of that, she was curious about the other party's intentions.
"Currently, all letters and invitations sent by that wench are being censored or inspected, correct?"
"Probably."
"Yet it reached me, which means there was no issue?"
"Yes."
Even upon closer inspection, no other words were written. 'What meaning could this hold?' She crossed her arms and pondered, but no answer came. She was pursing her lips, unable to grasp any sense of it and finding no hints, when—
"Lady Sadat. A long-distance communication crystal."
"Long-distance~? Without prior notice?"
At the sudden words of the attendant, her brows furrowed. Important institutions in each nation had barriers installed to prevent information from leaking, blocking communication crystals from transmitting outward. Normally, this applied to royal castles, state institutions, research facilities, or entire capitals—contact within the country was one thing, but messages from afar were difficult to handle.
"I do not know what ill-mannered fool this is, but tell them I refuse. A long-distance communication crystal without prior notice in broad daylight is no different from demanding we lower the barrier over the pyramid."
"Is that acceptable…?"
"…Are you questioning my words?"
"N-no, that's not it~!"
The attendant, who would normally never talk back, still replied despite her "Hyat!"
"It's… because it's from the Cornelius family, so I thought perhaps…!"
"—Puh?!"
At those words, Sadat let out a breath unlike her usual self. While she had been going on about her husband, to receive a long-distance communication crystal from that side—there was no reason to refuse.
"Uwooo… W-well done! Truly well done! I shall reward you separately later, so withdraw at once!"
"Thank you…"
The attendant closed the door to the audience chamber where the golden throne stood and hurried out. Even as she left, she was thinking, 'As expected,' confirming the relationship between Roman and Sadat.
"Shapira! Lower the barrier!"
"Yeees… I'll open a small hole at the top of the pyramid, so please use that…"
Crack! With a finger snap, a hole opened at the apex of the golden pyramid, and through it, the communication crystal connected. After confirming no one else was present, Sadat knelt before the throne, clasping her hands respectfully.
『Aah, aah, communication test. One, two, three, four… To whoever is receiving this now. Can you hear me? This is Cornelius. Roman · Cornelius.』
"Yeeees!!! I can hear you! My husband!"
『This voice… Sadat? It has been a while. Sorry I could not contact you often. I heard you became queen… How is it? Are you doing well without me?』
"Yes, of course! I am glad to hear you sound healthy as well, my husband! To hear your voice after longing for you day after day as though each were a hundred—it must be that my prayers have reached the heavens!"
『What's with that stiff tone? Don't be so tense. I contacted you through the crystal because I wanted to hear your voice after so long. Or were you in the middle of work? I didn't contact you at a bad time, did I? If so, I'll call again later…』
"Rather than busy, I do have a meeting with the city lords and the Satisfaction regarding countermeasures, but……"
"No, not at all! This is a very leisurely moment!"
"…………"
When Shapira tried to interject, Sadat immediately blocked her with her palm and answered. Even though she was clearly in the middle of official duties, she kept bowing and scraping. Sadat's tone crumbled as she fawned, while Roman spoke arrogantly—their relationship was thoroughly twisted.
『I thought I heard someone else answer just now.』
"It is my daughter, Shapira!"
『Is that so? Come to think of it, I never properly greeted her. Is she well?』
"…………"
"…Do not say anything unnecessary."
Nod nod.
"Mm."
"Puhaha~!"
Once Sadat removed her hand, Shapira grinned while behaving obediently.
"Yes… Lord Roman. I have heard the circumstances, so please rest assured. Both my mother and I are spending our days in good health…"
『I see. Since things suddenly became that way with Sadat, I wanted to speak with you as well. If there is anything inconvenient, do not hesitate to say so. As the one who caused this, I am prepared to hear your complaints.』
At Roman's tone, Shapira inwardly muttered, 'This person is incredibly arrogant,' but she held no particular dissatisfaction. When it came to arrogance, Sadat was no slouch either, and now there were simply two of them.
"Please do not concern yourself. I welcome it…"
『Hearing you say that puts me at ease as well. The next time I visit, I will make more time, so let us talk then.』
"There is no need to go that far—"
"You are coming again?!"
She intercepted those words immediately. Roman paused for a moment before replying carefully.
『That is why I sent the communication crystal. It has been several days since you ascended as queen, so I was wondering if you were thinking of holding a celebration banquet soon. Normally it would have been held earlier, but seeing how quiet it has been until now, it seems you have been busy with work?』
"The fools besides me are all idiots, so it was truly grueling! While the river is a good thing, it has led to conflicts with foreign nations, and some are even trying to pin King Dodo's death on my assassination, so the purges kept me truly, truly busy~!"
『But I did not hear any ugly rumors. It must have been handled well?』
"Of course, I am El Sadat! The Sun Empress and my husband's concubine! Do you think I would make such a foolish mistake~!"
『I see. Then, who are you inviting?』
"Naturally the Five Great Nations, and besides them the minor states right in front of Shetka. Currently Shappel is maintaining exchanges with foreign nations, so those people will also participate! I intend to strengthen ties with the outer continent at this opportunity and deal a major blow during the next expedition!"
『As expected of Empress Sadat. When I told you to prepare for the expedition, you are on a completely different level from those idiots who squander others' assets. You are truly a woman to be proud of.』
"Uwaaaahhh~♡"
At the honest praise, she rejoiced while sitting formally. It was a shameful sight, unbecoming of a woman called the Empress.
『Since the topic came up, there is a somewhat unreasonable request I would like to make. Is that all right?』
"I will gladly accept any command!"
『Then let me ask one thing. I would like you to prioritize your celebration banquet over the one being held in the Chang Kingdom.』
"Huh? Prioritize… Does that mean advancing my banquet?"
『Yes. While you are at it, I would like you to invite the emperor of the Chang Kingdom as well and reprimand him.』
"I heard the situation in the Chang Kingdom is not good lately, but suddenly… Even to reprimand him, in what way?"
『He is a fool who ignores his capable eldest daughter and, swayed by the eunuchs, tries to place the youngest on the throne. Even without me explaining, you know full well there are plenty of things to criticize, do you not?』
"That may be true, but…"
『If you do that, I will attend the banquet. But if you cannot, then I will skip this banquet. —Choose.』
"Ah?! It is possible! So please attend!!"
『Then it is settled. I will tell you the details when we meet, so do not fail.』
"Ah… Wait, your voice a little more…!"
Sadat reached out into the air, but—
—Beep!
The communication crystal ended without fail, and the pyramid's barrier was restored.
"Uuuu~!! He really is a heartless man~!"
"Long-distance communication crystals are dangerous in many ways… He probably wants to be mindful of security as well…"
"Huu… But I still like it… I love him…"
"Haa…"
Shapira rolled her eyes once more. Having heard his voice after so long, Sadat's expression was filled with motivation. Her head spun, and the timing of the contact gave rise to all sorts of speculations.
"Hmm… It seems my husband wishes to lend his support to the Chang Kingdom, and to Princess Sunho's side at that."
"Is that so~?"
"Otherwise he would not say such things. As someone who knows my influence better than anyone, he is all the more so. The fact that he does not step forward himself and instead tells me to advance the banquet is because he cannot set foot in the Chang Kingdom directly."
"That place is the eunuchs' home ground… Princess Sunho's letters are censored there as well, so honestly, it is frightening…"
"Unlike that place, where even I would hesitate to set foot, Shetka is practically my husband's land. It seems he has no intention of participating in their banquet and plans to attend only this one."
"To think that far…"
"This much is basic. Look, the circumstances are clear. Moreover, those eunuchs sold off what my husband sent in order to line their own pockets, so it is an act that makes one's teeth grind. I, his capable wife, cannot stand by and watch that happen."
"Can you please stop the wife appeals every chance you get… Something inside me is getting dented…"
"You should find yourself a good man too."
"You're serious…"
Shapira still wore a disgusted expression, but Sadat paid it no mind and smiled slyly.
"It is not yet time to reveal my identity, so I must choose my words carefully, but I cannot neglect my husband's orders either. Shapira, go quickly and write a letter in my stead. One with content that the neighboring country's foolish emperor will fall for hook, line, and sinker."
"Shall I try to entice him~?"
"Both sides have spouses, yet that is precisely why there is something that burns. Let us see just how foolish a face he will come running with."
"Hehehehehehe… Yes… Mother~♪"
Shapira vanished with a swish of black smoke. Sadat once again straightened her posture and, reverting to her usual arrogant demeanor, declared,
"—Summon everyone who was on standby! I will finish all scheduled work before the sun sets!"
At that single command, the door burst open and retainers rushed in. For the sake of the upcoming banquet and her beloved husband, the 'beaten wife' Sadat moved busily once more.