Mirellia's Court
Following her count lover's departure to return for his village, Mirellia was to resume her duties involving the matters of state. She was yet to notice any signs that she was again blessed with Naofumi's child (again). The possibility was not improbable. She and Naofumi and made passion-fueled love enough during the night he stayed at the castle as well as at her personal retreat for his seed to have inseminated her in their private congregation and rendered her enceinte.
Still hoping that Hal would have a sibling to accompany him in the future. Preferably a girl. She still had time for that to be a possibility fortunately. She was still a few years separated from before her womb was expected to be nearing sterility and with Naofumi around she was expecting it to be refilled before then.
And by the time of the truth was planned by Mirellia for it to find its way to the light she was to be long departed and among the dead when the revelation was made public. Thankfully the few documentations which she kept regarding her tryst with Naofumi and his status as her secret husband were kept under not only secrecy by extensive guard by the Shadows. And only the most select and trusted few of them at that.
Was it queer for her to be doing so at her age? Perhaps. Although Naofumi had mentioned women from his world of Mirellia's having done so themselves. Some reportedly managed to rear a child at unexpected ages—getting one last out. When he was at last barren she would accept it, but Mirellia was grateful for the opportunity to have such a man fathering children with her. She hoped only that once her body denied her that ability, he was able to still love her and continue on with either Sadeena or Raphtalia.
Raphtalia being the one she would have been interested to see become involved with Naofumi. The Queen was aware of the demi-human's love for her secret husband. Only a fool would have been blind to that fact. Naofumi was the only non-fool to remain in the dark. And this Mirellia found somewhat understandable considering what her vile first child with Trash, Bitch, had put him through. And this was the least revolting of Bitch's crimes, as difficult it would have been for the Shield Hero to believe if she told him. Mirellia had some fondness for Raphtalia, having the girl to thank for the monarch's lover being returned from the brink of madness before Mirellia and the Shield Hero first met. It was for this reason that Mirellia was supportive of the idea of Naofumi possibly even loving her as he did herself. She had desired the same for Melty once but now, with the birth of Hal, such a politically convenient matchmaking was redundant. But Raphtalia she knew genuinely loved Naofumi and was interested in such a match being a reality…in time.
Raphtalia was of more chance to succeed in attaining the Shield Hero's affection than Trash's own futile attempts to attain Mirellia's good graces. Even if the disgraced former king had not insulted Hal whilst he was in the womb, Naofumi's existence made the king-consort being as useless as his attempts to repair their (long beyond repair) damaged relationship.
Then her mind focused on Trash—whilst the chambermaids were dressing her for the day—and felt a sudden urge to set fire to something. Once she was fully dressed, she departed from her room. As she was in the process of passing a few portraits containing captured images of times when they were more amicable. Before the boy died. Tempting her to use her magic for the purpose of setting the paintings alight as target practice. Feeling the memories of her anger spurred by learning of Trash's pettiness against the summoned Shield Hero (and having her Shadows keep paintings of Trash and Bitch on standby for anger-venting target practice) reigniting, thus causing her to put a mite more spring in her step.
The day was intended to have more than a few distractions thankfully. And fortunately, her work in the castle was not to confluence with the detritus from her pre-Naofumi family life (Melty being the exception of that description).
Swaggering into the Throne Room and seating herself upon the throne. Melty was first to find her way to the spacious chamber. The royal council was soon to follow.
"Good day, Mother." the blue-haired princess greeted. Seeming a smidge still drowsy but reaching full awareness.
Mirellia nodded stoically to her daughter. "Good day, Melty." Not bothering to ask of her being or Hal's, she knew the answer to both. Melty was well. Perhaps still miffed, or lingering feelings of resentment regarding the revelation of her continuing affair with the anointed Count, but fortunately Mirellia did not need to fret over the possibility of the relationship affecting her ability to perform her duties in the royal court. Melty (unlike her disappointment of an older sister) was if anything capable of professionalism. And Hal was under round-the-clock surveillance by a team of trusted Shadows and a select few trust guards, under strict orders to permit none—especially Trash and Bitch—near the infant prince under any circumstance unless told to do so directly by herself or Melty.
He would not end up as her first son did. Not if Mirellia could help it.
True to form and her own expectations the royal court, advisors, sycophantic nobles who managed to weasel their way in, and the typical bean counting members of the aristocracy (and other useless bean counters and elements Mirellia endured the existence of). Even the former king consort was lurking about. Though he was beyond her notice, and, thankfully, not causing noise (as he had when her belly was swollen).
Bitch failed to appear that day (surprisingly) as she often had—attempting to curry favor with her mother, hoping to regain the boons and privileges she had enjoyed before Mirellia's return from her political conferences in anticipation of the Waves (which she failed miserably; like father, like daughter in that regard but for deviating motivations)—with Mirellia somewhat relieved by the lack of that eye-sore. A mother may have been willing to try and mend the fence with her daughter, or hope that there was yet some good left to reach out to, but by this point Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc knew better. She tried and failed miserably to reform the evil in her daughter's heart to no avail. The only change was Bitch no longer being a virgin. And unlike her former beloved husband, she was not so delusional to make continued efforts.
The focus of that day was multifarious.
First were economic concerns to be influenced by the effects of the Waves—particularly the travel routes implemented by the merchants which had suffered some no thanks to the efforts of bandits and highwaymen taking advantage of the aftermath to each of those waves and the monsters to wrot destruction; as well as monsters and abominations native to their world—as well as the ability of merchant venders in the city having been requesting permission to construct new establishments on the outskirts of the capital city. These were resolvable fortunately because of the Shield Hero's prior efforts enabling Melromarc (the country) to have some wiggle room in terms of state coffers and manpower.
Patrol routes and military expenditures were next on the agenda. This was not a subject to come out of the blue. It had been developing gradually while Mirellia was pregnant with Hal and her advisors had made the matter worse by making a decision in her absence during the pains of birthing the prince—while pressuring Melty into making the decision in the process. Mirellia more than punished the guilty parties, but remedying the matter had not been as easy as she would have preferred. The last of the soldiers being recalled were hit with a snag and based on the reports of the Shadows and military scouts it was not an ideal situation, as fiends had demanded some attention from them and now that particular region of the kingdom was at risk of instability. The appropriate and decisive action was necessary and this was what both Mirellia and Melty elected to go with, sending a small regiment of more seasoned knights to resolve the matter, whether ruthlessness was required or not. Efficiency was the primary concern for that precessing concern.
The less asinine of topics to arise.
There was some discussion of inquiries regarding the existence of the prince whose paternity had become of some marginal interest to certain elements of the royal court. The 'gossiping prone' spheres as Naofumi would describe them. But any attempts to garner that information was as always quashed ruthlessly. There had initially been none who would dare to test their luck with the Queen on this issue, but occasionally some brave fools would dare test the Monarch's patience—only to be reprimanded severely. However this did not prevent further fools from trying their hand. For now. It was to be a issue in the future; not one which Mirellia suspected would be a detriment for Melty when she at long last assumed the throne's burden, however it would more than likely be a cause of irritation for Hal at best (and any other children to be sired by Naofumi with her).
Most other matters such as country-strengthening policies were more of the pertinent concern to both Mirellia and the best interest of the people. And yet some of the aristocracy thought this (teen-angst level drama, as Naofumi would describe it) was worth discussing? Granted, Hal's paternity could have been a issue if he was ever to be but upon the throne however because of Melromarc's matriarchal nature in terms of governance and with Melty the designated heir, Hal would have to both overcome a number of hurtles as well as have other scenarios such as any other prospective heir to be removed from the board. So regardless it was not too great of a possibility to dwell upon so vexatiously.
As that subject was righteously castigated out of the grander discussion of the day, more of the kingdom's subject-related matters once again were to be resumed. Medicine development had become less of a problem thanks in part to the Shield Hero's efforts before his name was rightfully cleared (and then some even after his exoneration), but they were to discuss the means of distributing some to the local villages in anticipation of the future waves.
The matters of state were discussed—one after the other—in succession. Until one subject was to catch her ear that Mirellia was surprised to have not received word of sooner.
There was the growing concern of a monster reported to be causing trouble in the region between the capital and what had once been Lurolona valley (where Naofumi's village now resided). The beast was not attacking on the regular. In fact, only a few villages have reported it laying siege to them. Most instances of its wrath being carried out on adventurers, traveling merchants, and implementers of the supply routes. But all the same it was a detriment for the country's flow and ability to prepare itself in advance for future Waves (or even the unlikely possibility of war).
"How long has this been a concern?" Mirellia asked, in as commanding of a tone as she was to give in any other situation.
The nobleman to bring it up nervously told her "For some weeks now."
"Why was this not brought forth sooner?"
"The victims either were unable to come forward or did not believe it was as great of a concern as it would turn out to be."
Mirellia pinched the bridge of her nose and Melty sighed. They would need to confront the problem swiftly. "Once the knights return, have them prepare for this aberration. And have a message dispatched to N—the Shield Hero. I fear this will require a joint effort."