Neia sat in the room within her mansion dedicated to meetings, listening to the reports of her subordinates.

Overall, things seemed to be going well. She wasn't really sure what she was even expecting from the announcement of the marriage, but nothing bad had happened at all.

Well, except for one thing… the man currently speaking was in charge of monitoring the nobles and the rich of the Holy Kingdom.

"... apart from that, collectors are also now commissioning portraits of Your Holiness on a large scale. They circulate under names such as 'portrait of the Sorcerer Queen'. A very high-class sculptor has recently claimed to have received dozens of requests to make busts, and he doesn't seem to be the only one..."

She was listening in silence, but on the inside, she was panicking.

Why the hell was everyone interested in her now? She was just some preacher... she didn't feel like marrying her darling made her special at all. It was still just her.

She was already making sure the other speakers were emphasising that she wasn't going to become queen, and they made many statements about it, but it seemed people just considered her to be that anyway. She must have become really popular in her own right without realising it.

And now, she couldn't wait to eat her lunch already... that would calm her down, at least...

... ... ...

Emma looked around one last time.

'Is this really the place?'

She stood in front of a tiny, poorly maintained house in one of the former capital's poorest districts. Being a high-class maid, it's been some time since she's visited such a place.

Honestly, the sight filled her with sadness and pity.

'So this is where they live now...'

She sighed forcefully, stepping closer to the door and knocking quickly.

It took some time before footsteps were heard.

When the door opened, she saw a familiar face.

"... E-Emma?!"

"Hello, Claire. I came to visit, if that's fine."

"O-of course! Make yourself at home! Though it's only me and Amelia here..."

"That's alright."

...

"... water?"

"No thanks. I don't want to trouble you."

"Come on. We're friends, right?"

"It's exactly because we're friends that I don't want to impose on you. Clearly you don't have it easy."

In response, Claire shrugged.

"Fine, then. But do ask if you need anything."

"I appreciate it."

After that, there was a brief moment of silence as the two women sat right next to each other on the chairs of the dining table. There was nowhere else to really sit in the small home.

"... So, you're one of Her Holiness' maids now? Hey, can you tell me more about this wedding? I'm sure you know everyone just has so many questions..."

Emma gave a cheeky smile.

"Oh? We meet for the first time in gods know how long, and you're asking me about another woman?"

Claire's cheeks turned red.

"H-hey! What the hell! That one time didn't mean anything! You said it yourself! We're just friends!"

"Haha... are you sure? You're the only one who still seems flustered every time I bring it up."

Her friend didn't respond, instead looking away and pouting.

Smiling at her own little victory, she decided it was probably enough with the teasing... for now.

"... Either way, I don't really think there's much to say about Her Holiness marrying His Majesty, is there? They secretly dated for a year or so, and now he decided it was time to go public with it."

"Yeah, but... isn't that really crazy? Did you know?"

"Out of all the other servants, I was probably the only one who suspected, actually."

"Really now? Are you sure it isn't your ego talking?"

"No, really. Biggest hint was that sometimes she didn't want to be bothered for a few hours at a time. She also really cared about her appearance at seemingly random times even if the day's meeting were over. But that was about it. I could see more hints than the others because I was always closest with her, which is also why I'm now head maid."

"Huh. I guess that makes sense... so, you know what this means for the Holy Kingdom?"

She shrugged.

"Hey now, I try to stay out of politics. Though there are whispers of something... well... come closer... I shouldn't be telling you this anyway..."

She leaned closer, turning her voice into a whispering one.

Claire now looked truly intrigued by what secret she was about to tell her, and so she put her face close as well.

And so, Emma whispered right into her ear.

"... you smell nice..."

"Ah! What the hell!"

Emma laughed as she watched her naive friend pull away instantly.

"Not funny!"

"But you are blushing..."

"W-what?! No I'm not!"

"But nevermind that. As for what will change, nothing. We're already part of the Sorcerer Kingdom, and His Majesty won't play favourites like that. She won't become queen, like the announcement said, so it's mostly the church that's going to use this. No one else will be impacted at all, most likely."

"... Is that so? And what will the church do with this? They've been quiet so far."

"I don't know, really... It's weird, because Her Holiness doesn't want status. She actively avoids it most of the time. I'm not sure she'll be able to this time, however. That strong paladin guy, Laeryn, has the right idea, even if he's a weirdo. She should just declare herself a saint, or something. Everyone already thinks of her that way… Well, with this, people might even consider her the secondary God of the faith."

"Yeah, it does seem like that..."

Claire looked off into nothing, clearly in deep thought.

Though she didn't particularly like doing so, Emma interrupted whatever those thoughts were.

"But that's enough of that. How's everyone?"

Her friend's expression soured.

"We're all alive, if that's what you're asking. Though Estella had a bad cough recently... and as for Amelia, she wants to become a maid, of all things."

"Really? A former noble becoming a maid, huh..."

"Yeah. She looks up to me, if you can believe that."

"I sure can. You're a good woman, Claire."

"... th-thank you."

A calm silence followed. There wasn't much else to say, it seemed.

"Well, sorry to end things right here, but if that's all that needed to be said, I'll take my leave for now. I have places to be, unfortunately."

"Should I expect you again soon?"

"Who knows. I'll do my best, but my duty to Her Holiness is my priority."

Claire only nodded with understanding.

"But before I go, here."

Emma pulled a pouch out of her coat, and placed it on the table.

"H-hey! Is that money?!"

"Don't be such a dumbass, Claire. You need this. I already live at the mansion, so I don't."

"But-"

"No buts. None at all. I'm leaving now."

"... thank you, Emma..."

"No need. Just say hello to everyone for me."

... ... ...

Winter was slowly ending.

The wind was cold, but the sun warmed one's face in a pleasant way. It was another period of the year Neia really liked.

But she could enjoy the outside later. She closed the window and went over to the spot where she always waited for her darling.

Today, he would take her to meet someone who seemed rather interesting, at least from what she was told.

...

When he finally appeared, she instantly felt her heart beating faster, like when her love for him was still young. They were engaged now, making it feel all new and different again, just like back then.

"Hello, Neia."

And his deep voice… It made her a little excited.

"Hello, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty?"

"Ah, sorry darling! Still trying to get used to calling you that..."

He stepped closer, extending his hand towards her. She took it happily.

"Don't worry. How has everything been?"

"I mostly feel amazing and truly thankful for our love, but... recently, a lot of the people have been holding me in such high regard! Some are even calling me the unofficial Sorcerer Queen, and think I'm now an important figure in the religion... I mean, can you even believe that?"

"Of course. Why's that a problem?"

"W-wait! What do you mean, darling?! Surely that's not appropriate at all!"

"Why wouldn't it be? Are you not an important figure already?"

"I mean... not in the sense that the faith speaks of me. I am just a messenger... surely anything more is not right, since the religion is dedicated to you!"

"Isn't that inevitable? You're my wife, after all. I wouldn't worry about it."

"I... I suppose that's true... very well, I won't worry myself too much. Still, I can't encourage this!"

...

Her darling opened a door and stepped through.

She followed him in, but it was only when she went to his side that she saw the kneeling maid which was previously blocked by his large frame.

A little surprised, she only listened silently as he addressed the young-looking woman.

"Rise, Tuare."

"Yes!"

Seeing the maid rise to her feet and face her properly, she looked to be just a bit older than her.

"Now, why don't you introduce yourself?"

In response, the woman bowed.

"Yes! I am Tuareninya Veyron, a maid serving Nazarick and Lord Ainz!"

"Uhm, hello! I'm Neia Baraja... I'm Ainz's wife, as you know..."

"Hm... if that's all, I'll be leaving you two alone, then."

"Alright, darling... May I have a kiss first?"

"Of course."

He leaned down towards her, and let her kiss his teeth. Afterward, they rubbed their cheeks together gently. This was the current agreed upon "kissing routine".

"Goodbye then, Neia."

"Goodbye for now, darling!"

Instead of disappearing, he actually walked through the door again, which Neia found a little cute.

When that was done, she turned to the maid, who was still bowing, apparently.

"Ah, uhm, please raise your head!"

"Yes!"

"Erhmm... you don't need to treat me like that. I wasn't actually made the Sorcerer Queen, or anything like that… you don't need to act with so much respect towards me…"

She could tell from her expression that she wasn't really getting through.

"Just... let's just dispel most of the formalities, okay?"

"Y-yes, Lady Baraja!"

Neia sighed. That's dispelling formalities? Her tone didn't change at all.

"Shall we sit down?"

"Yes!"

Neia moved over to the table in the centre of the room, and sat on a very fancy chair.

Only when she was fully seated did Tuare sit on one of the sofas.

A silence then followed. An awkward one.

It was pretty hard for Neia to feel normal when this girl thought she had to treat her as if she were Ainz… Because of this, it was Neia who had to start the conversation.

She sighed.

This had actually spooked the young woman quite a bit, making her jump. Was she that nervous?

"Uhm, so... well... how did you come to be part of Nazarick?"

"I w-was rescued from slavery by Sebas Tian, the head butler. I then f-fell in love with him, and Lord Ainz allowed me to stay and serve as a maid."

"I see... I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a past. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Sir Tian yet, unfortunately. How come is it that he rescued you? The way you said it… Did he do so of his own accord?"

"Yes. Doing so has caused trouble for Lord Ainz..."

"Ah, but I hope he has since forgiven Sir Tian?"

"Yes. He is a very kind master."

Neia smiled.

"I know that much. And a very kind husband, too."

She was trying to lighten the mood a bit, but Tuare still wasn't very receptive to her attempts.

"... do you live happily with Sir Tian now?"

"Yes."

"I see..."

"..."

"..."

"... uhm, perhaps you would like to ask me questions, as well?"

"M-may I?"

"Of course. Ask away."

Tuare then started fidgeting for a bit.

"Uhm... so how did you and Lord Ainz meet? How was it?"

Neia's memories of her life at that point made her feel quite... strange.

It was possibly her greatest low, but it was also when her love for her darling was young, and there was something beautiful about that.

Feeling that she was getting lost in those memories, she shook her head and answered.

"It was when I was sent along with a delegation of paladins to secure help for the Holy Kingdom. I could instantly tell he was a very powerful, kind and wise ruler, though he would only prove himself to be greater and greater every time... either way, the time we really started talking was when I accompanied him on the journey back, as I was made his squire. We sat in a carriage for days on end... Haahhh, to spend entire days with him... he was scary to me at first, and I was only starting to fall in love back then, but I do envy the old me. I was a little rude to him a few times by accident, but he was just so kind again…"

Neia was losing herself in her memories for the second time, so she once again shook her head.

"I uhm, hope that answers your question."

Looking at the maid, she seemed to have sparkles in her eyes.

"Really... that's so romantic..."

Neia smiled.

"Do you want to hear about how I confessed my love to him?"

"Y-yes please!"

... ... ...

Laeryn was walking quite quickly through the crowded streets, to the point where he was almost running.

Today was one of the few times where having a day off was something he happily agreed to.

He then finally reached his destination. The new meeting place was a tavern owned by one of the group's members. It was a perfect place now that their number was growing. It was of course currently closed, so that the members had the whole place to themselves. They really did need all of the room.

They also recently came to have a few unofficial titles, such as "followers of the Sorcerer Queen".

Either way, he finally breathed in and knocked.

When the door opened, a rather large man opened it only slightly, probably ready to turn away any fool who did not read the "closed" sign.

"Ah, Laeryn! Come on in."

The man recognised him, which almost everyone did, seeing as he was one of the first and also most significant members.

"Thanks."

Stepping inside, he could instantly hear the commotion coming from deeper within.

There were all sorts of people inside. Nobles, speakers for the church, paladins, common farmers... everyone came together, united by their core belief.

When a smaller group of men saw him, they stopped talking amongst themselves to approach him.

"Sir Laeryn. It's good to see you."

"Hey Stefan. More arguing?"

"Yeah... some of it got a little heated earlier, but it's just back to normal."

The thing the collective mostly argued about was the matter of expanding. Some of them wanted to be more careful when it came to allowing new members in on their existence, whereas some thought that this didn't really matter as much, as they were going to be discovered sooner or later. Some even suggested operating openly right now.

Laeryn himself was somewhere in the middle. He really did want others to see the truth that Her Majesty was their rightful Queen, but he also knew that she wouldn't be pleased at all with their existence.

He sighed.

"Meh, let them argue. They'll forget about their differences once we get to the main event, like they do every time we hold these."

The main event was their own sermons, mostly conducted by those among them who had experience giving them because they were speakers for the main church. There was also feasting and drinking in her honour, of course.

He was often asked if he had any snippets about her which could be used to aid in or prepare new speeches, but he only rarely did.

"Yo, Laeryn."

He turned around to see another friend of his, Alfred. He was part of the delegation sent to find aid for the Holy Kingdom, all that time ago. Though he didn't really speak to Her Majesty since she seemed to keep to herself back then, many were a little envious that he knew her before she became their God's chosen, including Laeryn.

"Hey. Hopefully no one got their face smashed yet?"

"Hah! Not at all. But Count Tarrare is running his mouth plenty! Maybe someone should shut him up by now, eh?"

They both smiled.

"Of course he is, the bastard. Still boasting about that one time she sent him a letter thanking him for that donation?"

The whole group shared a laugh.

"Alright then, let's go talk to him."

As they moved through, Laeryn got a few nods of respect here and there.

And then they arrived at his table.

"Ah, Laeryn! How glad I am to see that pig-face of yours! Come on then, you cheeky fucker. Sit down."

"Heh."

As he did, the atmosphere suddenly got a bit serious.

"But you're here to talk business, huh?"

"I am. How much?"

"10 Gold."

"Yeah... that's a steep price. But fine. I accept."

"Hah, attaboy."

The men shook hands.

As for what the deal was about, Laeryn was buying a high-quality bust of Her Majesty. He was one of the few who outright prayed to her, though that number was slowly increasing. And so, he wanted that bust so he could pray to it. The biggest problem was going to be keeping it secret right under her nose, since he spent almost all his time either guarding the mansion, or living in the adjacent private barracks along with the rest of the men.

... ... ...

And then, Neia was teleported back to her bedroom, still holding her beloved's hand.

"So, did you have fun?"

"Yes! I think me and Tuare are quickly becoming friends! Though it was a bit strange at first, we got to talking about all sorts of girl things!"

"I'm happy to hear that."

"Will it be possible to stay in contact with letters?"

"Of course. I'll talk to the servants about it."

"Thank you, darling. Will you be leaving now?"

"Unfortunately. But don't worry, we'll spend the entire day of the wedding together."

"I can't wait. Can I get a goodbye kiss?"

"Of course."