It was exactly as Ainz had predicted.
Just as the mountains of work were finally getting smaller, they were suddenly brought back to impossible sizes due to their acquisition of the Holy Kingdom's territory.
He now sat in his office on the 9th Floor, facing such a mountain and very slowly chipping away at it.
In his boredom, his thoughts often went to all sorts of places.
For example, how was Neia doing?
... ... ...
Neia was drinking a coffee and eating donuts filled with strawberry jam.
The meeting was about to begin, but she had slept in due to working all night, and so she'd have to keep her people waiting for a bit.
She did feel a little guilty about that, but since eating was so important to her mood, she felt it could not be helped.
The warm fireplace combined with her hot drink made for a very pleasant waking up, making her feel quite energised for the day ahead. It was going to be full of work again, but it was important work that she cared about.
...
As she entered, the whole room stood and bowed.
"Your Holiness, everyone is here."
"Thank you, Bertrand. Please sit, everyone."
She walked and sat down in a manner that was hurried, but not rushed.
"We have a lot to discuss today, right? First, let's talk about the developing stances towards us becoming part of the Sorcerer Kingdom."
Three men and one woman stood up.
She looked to the young man overseeing the situation in the capital and its surroundings. His information was usually the most accurate and up-to-date.
"Your Holiness! The surrounding area is still absolutely supportive! We tried to find any hints of dissatisfaction so we could investigate its causes like you asked, but we could not find anything of the sort! I apologise!"
"Is that so? No unrest at all?... Unless there's something else, you may sit."
Seeing that he did, she bid the young woman to speak.
She was currently in charge of watching over the other major cities in the north and their surroundings. Those other cities had their own people in charge, much like how the young man who spoke just before was in charge of the capital. Those people reported what they found to this woman, so she could look for specific things or patterns, while also having a very good understanding of the general situation.
"Your Holiness! From all my available reports, I've only found a few instances of some minor scepticism! Other than that, there are mostly celebrations! And so, it seems that the other cities also seem very satisfied with the development! That is all!"
"I see. Thank you. You may sit."
She then looked towards the man who was in charge of the villages which were a bit more remote.
"Your Holiness! There were people excited about having help from undead workers! Some celebrations also occurred! That is all!"
The reports from such places were sometimes a bit more vague, but that was only to be expected.
After gesturing for the man to sit, she hesitated a bit before finally nodding to the last person.
It was a man in charge of monitoring the general situation in the south.
Due to their inability to properly operate there until very recently, this man used to have the job of bringing in some of the most detailed reports, despite having the smallest number of primary sources to work with.
Fortunately, this has of course changed. They were now very much involved in what was going on in the south.
"Your Holiness. There still seems to be a general sense of defeat and frustration. There is also a sort of anticipation. It seems many people were expecting to be murdered by His Majesty for being heretics."
Neia frowned. The fear those preachers instilled in their followers... if she was constantly told that a terrifying undead tyrant was coming to kill them all, she would probably feel the same.
"Is that so? How unfortunate... Let us hope they see the truth as soon as possible. Was that all?"
"Other than that, everything else is going as predicted. The noble houses who've had traitors in their midst have fallen completely in status, and the remaining former members of the old church seem to have scattered."
She nodded, and he sat down.
"Next, how has the integration of undead been going?"
Four people stood up.
She looked to Emma, one of her maids.
Amidst Neia's previous worry due to the state of things, Emma had suggested that Neia use one of those toys women were supposed to use on themselves in the bedroom, one imitating the male organ. Apparently it might help her relax if she was able to satisfy her urges as well as possible. She was too embarrassed to accept back then, but she's thought about it more since, and so now made a mental note that perhaps she should ask Emma to get her one of those toys after all.
"Your Holiness, the Death Knights took a few days to adjust to, but all the servants report being completely fine with them now. There have been no incidents at all."
"Thank you, Emma. You may sit."
Next, she nodded to Laeryn, her head bodyguard and highest commander of her personal paladins.
He bowed as he spoke, being the only one who did so.
"Your Holiness! The Death Knights have been a great boon! All of us have fully adjusted, and most of us even feel safer in their presence! Strategically, incorporating them as elite units has allowed us to be far more flexible! That is all!"
"Thank you. You may sit."
She then nodded to the man who was now standing up for a second time, the one who was in charge of the situation in the capital.
"Your Holiness! The Death Knight guards seem to have gained a strange sort of position. Many people come to simply get a look at them, as they are considered amazing gifts and direct connections to His Majesty! Some people report being a bit uneasy around them, but there's been no outright complaint. That is all!"
"Thank you."
She gestured for him to sit, while looking to the last standing man at the same time.
"Your Holiness. The Liches have been doing excellently, making things very efficient everywhere they have been sent. That is all."
She nodded with satisfaction.
"Thank you. You may sit down."
Overall, everything was going well.
Very well.
That felt good.
And so, she simply sat there with a smile.
She hoped her darling would praise her during the next date.
... ... ...
Neia was looking herself over in the mirror.
She had indeed gained some weight, and was just a bit plump now.
The increased portions would soon stop, meaning she would slowly start returning to her usual slim figure. But what if her darling actually preferred this?
Their date was just about to start, so she'd ask him then.
She applied a new, rather strong perfume recommended by Emma, and sat down to wait for him.
After a few minutes, he finally appeared.
She got up and quickly stepped close.
"Your Majesty!"
"Hello, Neia. I'm happy to see you again."
"I've missed you, too! Let's sit down!"
Right after they did, they both immediately reached out to hold the other's hand.
"Your Majesty, are you still as busy?"
"I'm afraid so. It'll probably be a few more days with this sort of inflated workload, but after that it should start to finally die down. How about you?"
"About the same. Just meetings upon meetings, letters upon letters, reports upon reports… and just like for you, I assume it should slow down a bit before the week is over."
"I'm glad to hear that. What else is new?"
"Me and Enri exchanged some more letters. I think we're becoming decent friends!"
"I'm happy to see you're still in contact. Did you consider another visit to the area, now that things have calmed down?"
"Not yet, but perhaps I should... did you have anything in mind?"
"Not really, no."
She thought about the details for a bit. Meeting Enri and seeing the central Sorcerer Kingdom again would indeed be nice...
"Ah, before I forget! Your Majesty, what size of woman do you prefer?"
"W-what size of woman? What do you mean, exactly? Where's this coming from?"
"I gained a bit of weight due to the increased portions, and I was wondering if you liked my usual slim form, or perhaps if keeping my plumpness would be better."
"Well… uhm…"
"But you haven't even seen my body yet… Maybe I should take this off so you can get a better look?"
"N-no! That won't be necessary! I can see even now that your figure is just fine, and it also was before! Yes, better than just fine. Beautiful!"
She blushed, and smiled cheerfully.
"Ah, do you really think so? Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, yes, there's no need to talk about this further. Let's change the subject, then..."
"Yes! I know what we should also talk about! Our anniversary!"
"Our anniversary?"
"Yes! It's soon going to be a whole year since we've met!"
"Is that so... do you want to celebrate somehow, then?"
"I would love to. Do you have any suggestions?"
He put his free hand to his chin, looking away.
"Hmm... perhaps..."
It took him quite some time before he looked back at her.
As he did, his free hand reached into nothingness, and pulled out a silver ring with a decently-sized emerald socketed into it.
"Well, it's not good enough for an anniversary gift, so I'll also figure out something else, but maybe this would be a nice little bonus for now..."
"... Your Majesty? What is that ring?"
"Take it and stay here, but don't put it on yet."
"Okay... I don't really understand, but..."
After she took the ring out of his palm, he gently released her hand and got up.
And then, he was gone.
A short moment later, she heard something in her head.
"Neia?"
She instinctively knew how to speak back.
"Huh?! What's going on?! Your Majesty, is that you?"
"Yes, it's me. This is the spell called [Message]. It allows us to talk remotely like this. I will now end the connection. Use the ring to contact me yourself."
"O-okay! I will try!"
And with that, it felt as if something was torn away, and she no longer felt that thing in her head.
It was a bit scary to her, but she hurried to put on the ring.
And just like that, she instantly knew how to use it.
She thought of the man she loved, and used the spell.
"Your Majesty?"
"Neia?"
"Yes, it's me!"
"I see. Then I suppose everything is working correctly? I'll be right back. Try ending the connection yourself."
"Yes! Uhm..."
She was able to do so, feeling a little proud of herself.
Immediately after, he appeared in her room again.
"Your Majesty!"
"So? I assume it's not a very impressive gift, but I thought maybe it could put you at ease to have a way to contact me immediately, and at any time..."
"No, it's great! That's exactly what I'd want! I love it!"
It was the truth. Being able to speak to him at any time felt perfect. Even now, she instantly felt very safe due to it.
"Is that so?"
"Yes! This is a beautiful gift! Thank you, my love!"
She jumped up and hugged him.
"Ah, I'm glad..."
He hugged back.
Only then did she realise she might've been a bit rude... Calling him "my love", and jumping to hug him like that without his permission... she really lost herself in the moment. Should she apologise?
"By the way, you smell nice."
She blushed intensely, and completely forgot her previous train of thought.
"Thank you! I'm happy you like the perfume! It was recommended by one of the maids. I didn't really know about such things myself."
"I see. Perfumes are usually reserved for nobility, so you wouldn't know much about them, right? But about that spell, it's possible you might be contacted by someone pretending to be me at some point. You should try to watch out for anything strange, and see if you can't properly verify who's really on the other end. So do not listen to any strange requests that might put you in danger unless you can verify it's really me for absolutely certain. Either way, you should only contact me during emergencies."
She nodded along as he explained.
And then, he put his face a bit closer.
"Hmm… yes, this smell really is nice… Have you ever used this perfume before?"
"No, I'm using it for the first time today. I was worried it might be a bit too strong…"
"I don't think it is… well, I don't have much experience sniffing women, but I do quite like it."
She laughed.
"Then I'll be sure to use it again next time!"
He nodded.
"And when it comes to the anniversary thing… will the gift be enough of a celebration?"
"Of course! Even if it came just a bit early… at least I think it did. I don't actually remember the exact date of our meeting…"
"Well, me neither… let's just say it's close enough, hm?"
...
Ainz thought that today's date was going well.
Neia was laughing, smiling, blushing...
She was happy.
And so was he. He was enjoying himself quite a bit.
Currently, she was resting against him, with her head on his shoulder. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was peaceful.
He found her rather cute when she was like this.
After several peaceful minutes, she suddenly got up.
"Your Majesty? Isn't it getting... ah, look! The date was supposed to end ten minutes ago!"
Ainz was about to get up, and agree to end it for today.
But then, he decided not to.
"... Is that a problem, Neia?"
"W-well... I thought you'd want to go back to your work as quickly as possible... It's very important, right?"
"It sure is, but none of it needs to be done immediately. I think we can be together for a bit longer."
When given the choice between immediately returning to his tedious work, and spending some extra time with Neia, the choice seemed obvious.
As long as there wasn't an emergency, he might extend the date by quite a while...
... ... ...
Ainz sighed.
The date was over.
He was now back in his office, facing another giant pile of documents.
After doing paperwork, he'd meet with Albedo to discuss several things in detail, and then he'd have to...
He decided to stop that train of thought.
Thinking about future work while already working was probably a good way to exhaust his energy in a matter of minutes.
And with that, he reached for whatever piece of paper he saw first.
"Is this anything interesting?... No, not really."
And with that, he stamped it. He already forgot what it was about before he reached for another document.
He should have spent even more time with Neia… this really was the worst.
…
Neia still stood there, looking at the ring.
Even if she was not to use it unless there was an emergency, she was very happy to have it.
She felt a lot closer to her darling than she normally would.
And a lot safer, as well.
But it was quite late now. She should get some sleep.