It was the morning of their second day in the Empire.

Ainz was currently laying in bed next to a sleeping and naked Neia, reading more of those notes on romance.

He was doing this the whole night, as well as sometimes just looking at his cute wife as she was peacefully sleeping.

He'd probably run out of reading material soon, so maybe he'd have to find some other activity for the nights? Or just something else to read, like more of those self-help books, or perhaps even fiction.

Just as he was thinking that, he felt Neia quietly stir next to him. He put the book back into his inventory, and slowly turned to look at her.

After some more time, she breathed in deeply and started shifting around more. Eventually, she also opened her eyes. When she turned her head to look at him, she froze up for just a moment, before starting to smile.

"Ah, good morning, darling."

"Good morning, my love."

She then moved to hug him.

"... This is the first time I've woken up to find you at my side..."

"... How does it feel?"

She smiled even more.

"Absolutely wonderful."

He chuckled, and leaned in for a kiss.

...

By the time they were done with cuddling, and got properly dressed, it was a bit late. But that was fine, as they were in no hurry.

They then left their room, heading out to find the nearest maid.

They found two of them waiting close to the skeleton at the end of the hall. The maids both immediately bowed, and one of them spoke after a small delay.

"Your Majesty, Your Holiness."

"Raise your heads. I need you to point us to a place where we can take a bath."

He heard Neia snap her head to look at him in surprise. He hadn't told her up until now, but he planned for them to bathe together for the first time today.

In response, Neia put her face close to his, and whispered.

"D-darling?! 'We'?"

He pulled away and nodded, which made her instantly blush, and her wings started flapping.

...

When they were led to the baths, they were met with yet more maids, who once again bowed upon seeing them.

"Your Majesty, Your Holiness, the water is warm, and everything is ready."

"Hm. Then leave us alone. Once again, we do not want to be disturbed at all. Keep well away from the entrance to the baths, please."

...

After the maids had all left, and Ainz cast his anti-information spells, they didn't waste any time before starting to undress each other. They paused doing so a few times to hug, kiss, and just touch each other's bodies.

When they were ready to enter the bath, they did so together, and slowly.

"Mmm... it is quite hot. Do you like the water, darling?"

"I do. Though it's not like Nazarick's."

By this point, they were submerged up to their chests.

"Of course. Ah, I still want to try out all the different baths there. I've only been to the Roman one, and it was so long ago now..."

"Hmm... I suppose I'll try to arrange for another trip sooner than later..."

"Thank you!... Oh, but only if it's not a bother."

"Don't worry about that at all. Anything for you, my love."

In response to his affectionate tone and words, Neia's wings started flapping around again, splashing water everywhere.

"Ah! S-sorry!"

But Ainz didn't mind at all. It was incredibly cute, but also quite funny. And so, he started laughing.

And as he was laughing, he started thinking.

Thinking about how perfect this moment was.

Well, he could say that about every moment spent with her...

And then, emotional suppression had activated.

His happiness and love for her reached such a beautiful height that they were both suppressed.

This stopped his laughter dead in its tracks, and a sort of emptiness suddenly overtook him.

She of course noticed this.

"... D-darling? Is everything okay?"

But as he heard her wonderful voice, and once again looked at her beautiful face, some of his earlier pleasant emotions started to slowly return.

But there was now something else.

Frustration.

Him being with her... it was never as good as it could be. This undead body was always in the way.

Which is why-

"Darling?"

He was torn out of his thoughts by the woman he loved.

"Oh? Sorry Neia. Don't worry at all, okay?... But I need to contact someone. Is that alright with you?"

"Uhm... o-okay..."

He breathed in slowly.

"[Message]. Demiurge? This is Ainz."

"Lord Ainz? What do you need?"

"That project we spoke about before I left. Make it a priority. And that applies to Pandora's Actor, too."

"Of course. Right away."

"Thank you."

And with that, he cut the connection. This left him alone with an uncomfortable and worried Neia.

"Sorry my love. Why don't we get back to where we left off?"

He then looked at her gorgeous breasts, to try to get himself back closer to his previous state of mind, before the suppression forced him out of it.

"Okay..."

He moved closer.

"So, perhaps you'd like me to help wash your hair?"

"Yes, please..."

Still a little uneasy, she turned around, and then submerged her whole head in the water.

After she rose out of the water again, she waited for a few seconds before speaking again.

"Alright, I'm ready."

He hoped to relax both of them right now, and so he got to work quickly, running his fingers through her wet hair.

It didn't take long for her to seem a little less tense, at which point he reached for the slimy liquid solution which the people of the Empire used as shampoo.

Seeing this, Neia turned her head up, to make sure nothing would get in her eye. He wondered if something like that would even cause her any pain, considering not only the wedding ring, but also the others he's given her since then. Would poison protection kick in at a time like this?

After covering his fingers in the shampoo, he started applying it to her scalp, trying to be both gentle and thorough.

A few moments of this later, she chuckled happily.

"This feels quite nice."

"I'm glad it does, my love."

Her wings splashed some more water around after he said that, but she was quickly able to stop them this time.

He still found that very cute.

"... darling?"

"Yes?"

"I'm just really happy to be here... exploring a new country with you... Well, the 'with you' part is what's most important to me, of course."

He chuckled.

"I feel the same way. Though for me, it's also just being able to get away from all my responsibilities for once."

"Do you take vacations often?"

"Not really, no."

"Well, let's make it count, then!"

"Yes, let's."

...

He continued with the washing for some time after that, just enjoying the moment. It seemed she very much was, too.

But they had to stop at some point, to get to… other things.

"... Neia, my love? Probably time to rinse by now, right?"

"Uhm... can you continue for a bit longer?"

He chuckled.

"Alright then."

"Ah, but only if it's not a bother!"

"Oh, not at all. I'm very happy to do this. It's not like my hands get tired, and making you happy is just something I love doing."

"Okay... thank you, darling."

And so, he happily continued, making sure he got every spot, while also making it a pleasant experience for her.

After some time spent in pleasant silence, she was the one to break it.

"... Darling? Do you have any experience with pets?"

"Oh? Would you like one?"

"Well... maybe in the future."

"Hmm. Well I don't really have much, no."

"I was doing some research into different pets and how they are, and I think I would like a cat."

"Is that so?... Yes, a cat could be very nice."

"Well, let's see if it gets to that… I think it's time for me to rinse now."

"Of course."

He then backed away, giving her proper space to fully submerge and get the shampoo out.

After she emerged, she rubbed her eyes for a moment, making sure the water doesn't get in once she opens them.

"So, Neia, want me to help you use the soap next?"

"I'd love that... if it isn't troubling, of course."

"Oh, you worry too much, my beloved."

He grabbed a small brick of solid soap.

"Where do you want to start?"

"Uhm... maybe with my arms?"

And so, he got to gently but quickly rubbing her with it, making sure to not miss a spot.

"Does that feel nice, Neia?"

"It does. A lot."

He smiled internally as he continued.

...

Eventually, he was done with both arms.

"... so, what area should I go with next?"

"My shoulders and… chest, please..."

Her blush made him chuckle, and he got to work, starting with her shoulders from the front and top.

After that, he slowly moved down to her boobs.

He circled around one of them, getting closer each time.

And then, he went straight for the nipple, rubbing it gently but quickly, forcing a moan out of her.

"I see you're enjoying this?"

"... I am, love."

"Well, want me to continue?"

"Yes please..."

He continued rubbing the soap against one nipple, while using his free hand to squeeze her other boob.

She then spoke again, struggling not to moan in between words.

"D-do you really like my boobs s-so much, darling?"

"Of course. They're absolutely gorgeous, my love."

She made a very happy smile, and her wings were moving again.

"I... I'm so happy to hear that... T-they're kind of s-small, after all..."

"Don't worry about that at all. They're beautiful to me, and that's what's important, right?"

"O-of course, darling."

... ...

After a bath that took about two hours total, the two of them got dressed, with Neia wearing a bathrobe and a towel over her head, as well as her visor.

When they left the bathing area, they were of course met with multiple maids, who quickly bowed.

"Your Majesty, Your Holiness, what will it be? Was everything to your liking?"

"Yes. We'll now head to our chambers so my wife can properly dry off. I suppose breakfast can come after that? Or are we too late for that? Will it be time for lunch by then?"

"N-no, you may of course have any meal you wish at any time of day."

"Well that's a bit... whatever. We'll be going now."

...

After closing the door behind him, he heard Neia sigh.

"Ugh... I'm starving..."

"Oh? Why didn't you eat breakfast before we went to take the bath?"

"W-well... I didn't expect we would take it together, making it so much longer with our lovemaking."

"I see. I'm very sorry about that. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I suppose I should have put more thought into it..."

"W-what? No, don't apologise, darling!"

"Why wouldn't I? Either way, I should really get your breakfast now. Don't want you to continue being hungry, after all."

"B-but... okay..."

"Love you. I'll be right back."

...

After he teleported back to their room, he saw Neia still standing right where she was before.

"Welcome back darling. Thank you again for bringing me all the food personally..."

"Of course. Don't worry about it at all. Also, I have this salad for you, but I suppose that may not be enough since you said you're starving, so I also had the chef prepare some red curry. It'll be ready by the time you finish eating."

"Oh, thank you darling... you're always so thoughtful."

Ainz's mind froze a bit as she said that.

Maybe he was now, but he truly believed nothing he could ever do would take back all the horrible things he's done to her through Jaldabaoth. All he could do was try to make up for it. To spoil her and make her eternally happy.

"... Darling?"

"Hm? Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment."

He moved to put the food down on the table.

As he was doing so, he noticed that she wasn't moving from her spot.

"... Neia?"

She smiled lovingly as she spoke.

"Just wanted to say that I love you... mein Liebling."

Ainz froze again, but for a different reason.

"... that's... Pandora's Actor taught you that, did he?"

"He did! Do you like me calling you that?"

Surprisingly, it didn't feel completely embarrassing for Neia to be speaking German taught to her by their "son"... Now that he thought about it, he didn't really see Pandora's Actor as that embarrassing in general at this point...

That was probably because of how Neia had actually approved of him. Maybe he wasn't that bad if the woman he loved thought he was alright…

He then realised he failed to give an answer.

"Well... I don't think I prefer it, but I suppose you could use that to mix it up sometimes..."

... ...

Neia had dried off just in time for them to go to a breakfast, which would likely be very much like the feast from yesterday, except with far fewer people.

When the doors to the room were opened for them by servants, Jircniv immediately stood up to greet them.

"A pleasant noon to Your Majesty, and to Your Holiness. I hope you enjoyed your bath?"

"We did."

While Ainz was answering, Neia blushed as she thought about what they did there.

All three of them then moved to sit down at the table, which once again had a massive variety of food. This made Neia a bit uncomfortable.

"I hope you enjoy the meal!"

Was the Emperor really going to have every meal be so extravagant? Surely she should protest. She knew from her own experience how expensive this grade of food was, let alone in this quantity.

And so, she decided to speak up.

"Jircniv? Do you really think spending so much on our meals is necessary? We'll be here for a while, after all. I do not need to eat food due to my husband's magic, so surely preparing such expensive meals is not necessary at all. I'm sure I could just order a single portion of something specific ahead of every meal, so that you don't have to prepare a whole buffet each time."

Surprisingly, the young man in front of her then made a completely baffling expression of shock for just a moment, before he regained enough control to fake composure.

What the hell was up with him? Should she bring it up to Ainz?

After opening his mouth but not saying anything for several seconds, Jircniv finally spoke, his words seemingly being forced out.

"W-well... If that is what you say, that is what will be done."

She felt that he was quite an odd one, always being worried about something... Did he have some sort of trauma from childhood that made him always nervous?... Yes, that was probably the case... What a poor young man.

The next to speak was Ainz.

"Jircniv, I would like to discuss our plans for the vacation. I've been really vague with this before, so I hope we can talk properly now."

"O-of course."

"First, I would like Neia to see the Grand Arena. Is there a particularly interesting event happening soon, or should we just go there on any given day?"

\\\

Jircniv felt just a little bit of relief, at finally seeing some of his preparations bear fruit.

"Of course. Considering your arrival, I've arranged for quite a big event in a few days."

Baraja spoke next.

"Oh? I am very grateful for all you've done to be a good host, but I hope this hasn't been too troublesome or time-consuming. I'm sure you have so many important duties, after all."

Even now, he still wasn't sure why she was the one who insisted on constantly pressuring him with questions that would result in trouble should he answer incorrectly. Was it something personal, or something regarding how he ruled?

Either way, after that extremely disarming attack regarding their meals earlier, he felt this was far easier to deal with in comparison. He still wasn't sure if he handled that previous interaction correctly at all, which was the worst thing about it.

"Please, I am extremely honoured to have you both visit my capital. It is no problem at all, really."

Baraja nodded, which gave him some hope, even if he couldn't really see her expression due to that thing on her eyes.

Gown was the next to speak.

"I'd also hope to visit a theatre here. Could you have someone find out what they'll be playing in the near future, so we can select which plays we'll go to?"

Jircniv felt even more relief, as this was also something he thought of. He secretly arranged for local theatres to play far more Sorcerer Kingdom propaganda than they normally would, to give a better impression.

"I've already taken the liberty of preparing a list of scheduled plays from all the finest theatres in the capital."

"Is that so? Thank you. Now, I also wanted to know if there were any archery-related events planned? I spoke of this in a letter, but how did it end up?"

"Yes, I'd arranged for a decently-sized competition to take place later in the week."

He then thought that he could see a minor smile appear on Baraja's face momentarily. Assuming his observation was not just his eyes tricking him, her happiness was probably genuine, which was excellent news for him. Her love for archery seemed to be one of the few things he could be almost certain she wasn't lying about.

"Either way, we'll just be exploring the city today, to see some of the nicer looking parts, maybe see about the street food, and just generally see how it is. We also wanted to see some of the local churches."

Jircniv tensed up.

Them touring the churches was probably one of the parts of this trip where failure was most likely. The Empire's churches would probably not be very impressive to Baraja, who lived in the birthplace and centre of the faith, even after he's thrown so much money at them. Maybe it would be better if he was there to cushion the blow, somehow talking his way out of them being subpar?

"P-perhaps I should accompany you?"

"... Accompany us?... On our date?"

"I uhm... erhm, well, not for the whole thing... Uhm, I apologise for my faulty wording. I meant I wanted to accompany you for the last thing you mentioned, the churches… W-well, at least the cathedral we have here."

"Hmm... Neia?"

"Uhm, I suppose that's fine... Yes, we could discuss some more things related to the church while we visit there."

... ...

In the end, it was decided that they would go to the cathedral first, as it was easier than having to plan everything in a way where they would all arrive there later at the same time. He said again and again that it was not a problem at all for him to wait for the couple, but they insisted, pointing to his hospitality already being so substantial.

He was now in his carriage, sitting across from them, and conversing with Gown.

"... and what about the Minotaur Nation?"

"Trade is still open and flowing freely with them, but... Well, to this day, we don't really even know their exact attitudes regarding your Kingdom's rise in power. I apologise, but the way humans are treated and viewed there makes information gathering more difficult."

"Hm? Don't worry about that. I suppose I didn't outright instruct you to find any of this out, so it's not like I could blame you for that, right?"

Damn it. How should he respond to that? It was him extending a kindness, so accepting it too hastily was bad. He should be humble in how he agrees with him.

"W-well... yes, you're right, as always."

With Gown not responding any further, instead looking at his wife, Jircniv's eyes wandered over to her, too.

Her head was turned towards the window, but due to her visor, it's possible that she was eyeing him with the corner of her eye this whole time.

The idea of that glare being fixed on him without his knowledge was terrifying, and so he decided to look out the window as well, trying to pretend she wasn't there.

...

After some more time, the carriage started slowing down, and his anxiety started rising again.

When it stopped fully, Nimble opened the door for him, and he was the first to get out.

He looked around, seeing all the people just going about their day, now surprised to see their Emperor standing out in the streets.

Then, he looked towards the cathedral, and the statue of Gown which stood a distance in front of it. He just hoped it'd be enough to impress...

Behind him, the real Ainz Ooal Gown was offering his hand to his wife, as she was getting out of the carriage in a most regal, elegant manner.

They were still holding hands as they were walking in his direction, now also looking at the cathedral.

He steeled himself before speaking.

"I hope all seems well when it comes to the exterior?"

Baraja then put her hand to her chin, and seemed to be in thought for a while.

"... I must say, I'm impressed. I'd say it looks quite nice! What do you think, darling?"

"Well, that Ainz there looks quite lonely."

Jircniv felt momentarily stunned as he heard the sentence which seemed nonsensical upon a first listen. Thankfully, Gown continued.

"I strongly believe that statues of me should be accompanied by equally large statues of Neia. A loving pair should always stand side by side, no? That's how we already built them in the former Holy Kingdom, but I suppose it should be the case everywhere else, as well."

His mind and body then both completely froze.

He didn't know whether the outlandish statement was a joke he should laugh at, or some sort of test of loyalty.

Surely Gown wouldn't allow Baraja to be depicted as his equal, right?...

Right?

He didn't know about any such statues being built in what used to be the Holy Kingdom, but maybe they were only built recently? It took quite some time for information to reach from there all the way here, but those who could teleport shared no such restriction...

But... Well, they weren't laughing themselves. Instead, Baraja's wings started moving around for some reason, and he didn't know what that meant at all.

But that didn't matter. Were they waiting for his reaction now?

Damn it... it was probably best to just go along with it... it was probably worse to assume they were testing him, as he might anger them by implying Gown was a liar. In comparison, being a heretic who thought Baraja could be equal to Gown seemed like the less bad offence, considering Gown himself was the one who suggested it.

"... I see! In that case, I'll have construction start as soon as possible!"

"Hm. Thank you."

And there it was. Gown really meant it. Baraja was to be depicted as his equal…

What a baffling state of affairs.

Well, he now also needed to know whether those statues already built in the Holy Kingdom depicted her with that thing over her eyes or not. Making a mistake like that could be quite bad as well.

...

Once they stepped inside the cathedral, everyone inside simply looked at her and Ainz with awe. This was true for most of those on the outside already, but now it was that familiar faith-based adoration.

It didn't take long for her to be met with a familiar face, hastily walking towards her from the private portion of the cathedral.

"Your Holiness, Your Majesty!"

This man was one of their best speakers, which is why he was entrusted with an important place like this. He was also incredibly devout and loyal to both her and Ainz, of course.

"Hello Gournivald. Everything going well?"

"I've been trying my very best as always, Your Holiness."

She then looked to her side, and realised it might not be proper to have conversations like this while her husband was just idling by.

"Ah, but perhaps it's time for us to leave, darling?"

"If you feel it is."

"Uhm... well, I would like to address the faithful now that I'm here. I've never done so in the Empire before, after all... if you don't mind, of course."

"Oh, please go ahead, Neia. That's perfectly fine. I should probably stand with you. I'm sure everyone here will be delighted."

"Okay, darling!"

... ... ...

After they returned to their room, he watched Neia immediately head for the bed, and fall onto it face first.

He chuckled as he spoke.

"Tired?"

"... yeah..."

"Well, you didn't need to address the people at every church we visited."

She sat back up, and turned to face him.

"But it seemed unfair not to do so when I've already done it at others before!"

He sighed in a fake way.

"If you say so... either way, it's time for lunch, isn't it? Well, it's closer to dinner at this hour."

"Yeah..."

She smiled, and then spoke again.

"Being here... it's been really fun so far, darling."

As he walked over to the bed, he smiled too, but only internally.

"Of course. Though we're not even done with the second day..."

This made her chuckle.

"Yeah... This is great, darling. I really need to thank you for this trip."

"Oh, don't thank me. It's no less pleasant for me than it is for you. I'm also very happy to be here with you... very happy indeed..."