Chapter 15

While Sanchiro was enjoying a solo DVD viewing session, cooling off with a fan, his wife, Aura, was fulfilling her duties as a queen in her office.

Most of Aura's duties as the head of the country involve meetings and consultations. Due to the absence of a prime minister and a marshal, the top political and military leaders in the current Carpa Kingdom, Aura's days are extremely busy.

The gaps between meetings and consultations are spent reviewing submitted reports. As Aura flipped through the stack of dragon-skin paper (parchment made from the tanned hide of a dragon), her secretary, Fabio, who stood beside her, spoke up.

"Your Majesty, it's time."

Called by the slender middle-aged man, Aura lifted her eyes from the dragon-skin paper.

"Oh, already? Who's next?"

In this world, where there are no precise clocks like in modern Japan, people are somewhat loose with time. However, in the royal palace, they manage time with a precision of at least fifteen minutes, which is a quarter of an hour.

Since most of her duties must be completed during the daytime, the queen is as busy as a modern Japanese politician during the day.

"Yes, the next person scheduled for a meeting is General Pujol Gijen of the Knights' Order."

At the name announced by the secretary, Aura's face visibly twisted.

This was one of the two most likely candidates to be Aura's husband before Sanchiro was summoned.

There's no doubt that he is a capable military man who achieved numerous military honors at a young age during the last great war. However, his ambition is too strong, making him an unsuitable person to be the queen's husband in Aura's view.

The ambitious man, who had the position of "Queen's Husband" within reach, had it snatched away by an inexplicable foreigner at the last moment. What could he possibly come to say?

Just thinking about it made Aura sigh involuntarily.

"Your Majesty, generals and ministers have the right to speak frankly to the king. Sir Pujol is merely exercising his legitimate right."

Aura's frustration grew at the overly calm words of the secretary. Still, she understood that Fabio's words were reasonable.

"I understand. That's enough. Let him in."

After a deep breath to release her frustration, Aura commanded with her usual dignified expression and voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The middle-aged secretary bowed to Aura and walked to the door leading to the waiting room, his steps precise and measured.

---

"Your Majesty, Aura. First of all, I would like to congratulate you again. Congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you, Sir Pujol. It's a relief to hear that from you. Although there was no romantic connection between us, I hope we can continue to maintain a strong relationship as ruler and subject."

"...Yes, Your Majesty, those are very kind words."

The conversation between Aura and Pujol in the royal office began with formalities that were almost too obvious.

Pujol Gijen, if described simply, would be a "typical warrior."

He was a head taller than Aura, who was already tall for a woman. His face was deeply chiseled and fierce. Multiple scars were visible on his forearms, and the palms of his large, glove-like hands showed the calluses from wielding a heavy sword.

If asked which of the two, Sanchiro or Pujol, would be a more suitable companion for Aura, a hundred out of a hundred people would likely choose Pujol.

Visually, the pairing of Aura with her red hair and tan skin and Pujol with his black hair and brown skin was harmonious. Their heights, with Aura being tall for a woman and Pujol being tall for a man, were well-balanced.

An excellent warrior, a capable general, and a young hero who achieved many military honors during the last great war.

The hero who missed the chance to become the queen's companion turned to the queen, his object of loyalty, and spoke bluntly.

"Your Majesty, as you may know, I have a younger sister who is ten years my junior. She has a thin royal bloodline, high magical power, and a personality and education that would not be embarrassing to present in public.

What do you think? To increase the royal bloodline, could you consider adding my sister as a concubine for Lord Sanchiro?"

"..."

Faced with the sudden and direct proposal from the ambitious man, Aura struggled to suppress the urge to clutch her aching head.

This is it. This blatant ambition is why, no matter how capable he is as a warrior, this man is extremely unsuitable to be the queen's companion.

Aura herself is not the type to be content with being a puppet to her husband. If Aura and Pujol had married, the Carpa Kingdom would have likely split into factions supporting the queen and the consort, leading to internal strife.

Still, to bring up the topic of a concubine right after the wedding of a newlywed is a complete lack of consideration.

Aura maintained her composed expression and asked in return.

"Hmm, an interesting proposal. What does your sister think about it?"

"? I am the head of the Gijen family, am I not?"

In response to Aura's question, Pujol tilted his head in genuine confusion.

Deciding a woman's marriage is the job of the head of the family. Pujol was making a common-sense judgment based on the country's traditions.

On the contrary, it was Aura who, maintaining her typical queen-like demeanor, was out of the norm for the Carpa Kingdom.

That said, most men would consider their daughters' or sisters' wishes to some extent when deciding their marriage. However, Pujol seemed determined to decide his sister's marriage entirely based on his own convenience, firmly believing it to be his legitimate right.

Realizing she had taken the wrong approach, Aura continued with a calm smile.

"I see. However, my husband is still adjusting to this world and lacks the mental and physical composure. He says he is currently preoccupied with being my companion."

At Aura's firm rejection, Pujol narrowed his sharp eyes.

"...Are those truly Lord Sanchiro's own words?"

To the subordinate's question, which could be seen as disrespectful and doubting the queen's words, Aura answered with an exaggeratedly proud chest.

"Of course. Do you doubt me?"

"No, I apologize. However, as a noble of the kingdom, I would like to pay my respects to our new lord, Lord Sanchiro, honestly.

Could you please tell Lord Sanchiro 'without a doubt' that I said this?"

"...Very well. I will ensure that 'word for word' it reaches my husband."

"Thank you."

Pujol, the general, gave a knightly salute by placing his right fist on his left shoulder and left the queen's office.

After confirming that the ambitious general had left, Aura sighed deeply.

"Truly, if his own marriage fails, he sends his sister next. His ambition is as blatant as ever. It's almost refreshing."

Contrary to her words, the queen spat out with disgust. The statue-like secretary, Fabio, who had been standing there, responded in a flat voice.

"However, General Pujol's straightforwardness is very useful for predicting the overall movements of the nobility. It is likely that similar proposals will flood in soon. If you continue to reject them with the same words, it will inevitably lead to rumors that 'the queen, despite being a wife, is neglecting her husband's freedom to protect her own power.'"

To the secretary's blunt and painful words, Aura frowned and countered.

"Staying secluded in the harem is not my decision but my husband's. I haven't said anything."

"Yes, I am aware. He is intelligent, currently kind, and on the surface, extremely cooperative with Your Majesty. However, the relationship between Your Majesty and Lord Sanchiro, even if it is going well, will not be known to the palace nobles if he remains secluded in the harem."

Faced with the secretary's reasonable words, Aura could only sigh.

"In that case, I suppose I must have my husband come out to the palace to some extent and have him personally assure everyone that our relationship is going well.

It feels like I'm causing him nothing but trouble."

It was somewhat disheartening to impose unexpected hardships on a companion who showed such sincere affection.

It made her feel like a villain who restricts her husband's freedom for the sake of power.

However, the secretary, who paid no heed to the queen's melancholy, continued without a flicker of emotion on his thin face.

"There's no other way. In fact, the proposal by General Pujol, 'for Lord Sanchiro to take a concubine,' is a highly reasonable suggestion when considering the continuation of the royal bloodline."

"Well, that's true, I suppose."

Aura had to admit the validity of the statement.

No matter how passionately Aura and Sanchiro loved each other, the number of children they could have was limited. Moreover, as the queen, Aura could not frequently withdraw to give birth.

"Actually, what do you think? Do you believe we should accept General Pujol's proposal?"

Aura asked the secretary, as if a thought had just occurred to her.

The cold and efficient opinions of this middle-aged secretary were very useful as a general guideline.

In response to Aura's question, Fabio, the secretary, unusually shrugged slightly and said,

"I have my own opinion, but it could be taken as an insult to the royal family, and I am unsure if it is appropriate to share it with Your Majesty."

He bowed his head.

However, Aura waved her hand dismissively and encouraged him to continue.

"It's fine. After all, your tactless politeness is your strong point. I won't punish you, so speak freely."

With the queen's permission, the secretary bowed and began.

"First, to conclude, I am against adding General Pujol's sister as a concubine for Lord Sanchiro."

"Hmm?"

Surprised by the unexpected conclusion, Aura leaned forward with interest.

"Adding a noble with valuable royal blood as a concubine for Lord Sanchiro might seem to increase the royal lineage and secure the future of the royal family, but in reality, it is a dead end when considering the next generation.

After all, all those with strong royal blood would become Lord Sanchiro's half-siblings."

"I see, that makes sense."

Aura nodded in agreement. Indeed, no matter how many people with royal blood there were, if they all shared the same father, it would make the next generation's marriage policy extremely difficult.

In the Carpa Kingdom, marriages between half-siblings and half-brothers and sisters, while not prohibited, are not particularly encouraged.

"Therefore, if we consider only the continuation of the royal bloodline, the best option would be for General Pujol's sister to marry Lord Raffaele of the Marques family, who was another candidate for Your Majesty's husband.

Additionally, if Lord Sanchiro were to take a powerful female magician or a suitable noble daughter as a concubine and create a branch of the royal family with a thinner bloodline, it would be ideal. Of course, this is on the condition that a legitimate heir is born to Your Majesty and Lord Sanchiro."

At the matter-of-fact words of the secretary, Aura's lips curled into a strained smile.

"With you, the marriage policy of the royal family and the nobility sounds like a breeding program for 'dragons.'"

The queen's sarcasm did not faze the thin-faced secretary.

"That's why I warned you about my rudeness. This is a discussion solely from the perspective of continuing the lineage of the 'spatial magic' successor. Marriages involve human emotions, and if powerful noble families like the Gijen and Marques families are united through marriage, it could lead to the creation of a domestic noble family that is too powerful for the royal family."

"I understand. I will make the final judgment based on the situation. ...However, regardless, if I don't expose my husband to the nobles to some extent, suspicion about me will only grow.

Fabio, how long can my husband remain secluded in the harem without arousing suspicion among the nobles?"

To Aura's sudden question, the secretary answered without hesitation.

"About one month at the shortest, and one and a half months at the longest. If it goes on longer, even if Lord Sanchiro says something, the rumor that 'the queen is making him say it' will be impossible to dispel."

"One month, that sounds about right. Very well, I understand. Fortunately, my husband has expressed a desire to 'learn the etiquette and customs of this world.' I will arrange a tutor for him."

"A tutor, you say. The harem is off-limits to men...?"

At the probing question from the secretary, Aura smiled meaningfully in response.

"Of course, the tutor candidates will be limited to women. I also want them to teach the basics of magic, so a magician would be preferable."

A female tutor with high magical power. Just hearing that, it would sound like an official candidate for a concubine approved by Aura. However, she added with a pointed tone.

"If there is no 'suitable candidate,' I will ask my grandmother. I can only hope no one acts rashly."

The grandmother referred to Pasquale, the wife of Espiridion, the head magician whom Aura trusted. Even if she heard that the tutor candidate was a woman over seventy, if someone still recommended a young, unmarried woman as a tutor, they were either a fool who couldn't read Aura's intentions or an ambitious person who prioritized their own power over the queen's request.

The middle-aged secretary, looking troubled, shrugged slightly and warned the queen.

"Your Majesty, if you test your subordinates too obviously, they will lose their loyalty. Please be careful."

"I understand. However, as you said, considering the future, we cannot ignore the possibility of my husband taking a concubine and creating a branch of the royal family. Therefore, it is necessary to weed out 'dangerous concubine candidates' early on."

Indeed, while Aura, as a new wife, was currently managing a unique new marriage smoothly, it was a somewhat unwilling situation.

While political marriages are a duty of the royal family, even royals have romantic feelings and a desire for exclusivity.

"Truly, it would be nice if they could at least let us enjoy some private time as newlyweds."

Aura said this, shrugging her shoulders with a look of disinterest.