Albion Rules the Wind 7 - or 'No, this is not a copycat of Noblesse Oblige' (Zero no Tsukaima, Wales' Twin!SI)

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Politics were not what Louise enjoyed, but in the last year or so (maybe two, she wasn't paying attention) she came to learn it was good to keep an eye on those.

Reforms had always been demonized back home as a 'threat' to the noble status quo. In a sense, she could see the reasons for that, but the pinkette came to understand why some privileges were just unneeded.

Albeit raised and pampered due to her status, Louise was somewhat accustomed to the role money had in maintaining a nation's capacity to be. Thus, when it came to expand the means and the rights of workers and merchants alike, she saw the innovation behind it. Especially as the country of Albion, once a prime trader for all countries, had found itself lacking in terms of potential partners.

An expansion of the internal industry and production was motivated by this, and economic reforms were passed through. Schooling was expanded and 'standardized', the army was also turned into a permanent standing institution compared to a levied force of peasants.

The young men and women that joined the Royal Army were sharply drilled and taught warfare, they were educated to fight for their country and king. Another change that Louise kept notes on, especially since it pertaining to her as 'Fiance to the King' was the matter of charities.

Louise had been a bit worried when she first was asked to take part to charities with Lady Tiffania. First and foremost since Tiffania was an elf (the myth of Elves as Demons part of her education) and then because she was meant to deal with the lowest commoner. What no one had told her was that her first chore involved little orphans.

And that those took a shine upon her, to the point of calling her 'Big Sis Louise'. Within a lifetime where she was scorned and belittled, the pinkette found the absolute love and trust given to her by youths younger than her heart-warming. She made it a mission to always be on top of her 'game' and try to be around the kids, to make them play, to let those in pain be comforted or aided.

She was in many good tales of lovely playdates, but... then there was the bitter harshness of the healthcare system. Some of those children were sick with illnesses that could be cured with the right price. But the price was too high for a time, something that she asked, if not begged, her future husband to fix.

Scott did involve the topic and she saw herself involved in parliament. The debate was intense, but the gradual introduction of an universal healthcare system paid by the country saw the light of the new day.

More doctors were trained and assigned around the many cities and towns, many more were also educated to handle the research into some of the more incurable illnesses and much more.

Louise didn't start a political player, but she became a spectator for her own good. Scott himself never coerced her to take any stay by Parliament, but she could tell it was less about her status as a woman and more about the praises some of those nobles within the council gave her.

Flattery and pampering- all for a reason: influence.

Louise learned how to waddle the water, hardly got scorned for being cautious, and she actually felt more at ease in her new home without being chided for the least of offenses.

Speaking of Scott, her relationship with him had significantly deepened. For a time, she could have deigned it as a friendship with a little crush at play, but then that grew into genuine admiration and love.

Dates happened, handholding happened, kisses happened- the poor girl still blushed at how awkward and yet lovely the feeling of lips on hers felt. Nay, the feeling of her lover's lips on hers.

He never rushed her, giving her the chance to adapt to the pace and, ultimately, seek more. The pinkette kept on studying, both the matters of being a Void Mage and a future queen. She felt stiff over this last bit, but she knew it was inevitable and... she wasn't too shy about it.

The timid nature of her arrival had thawed over the time she spent learning the ways of Albion. The windy days, the cold weather in the winter, the oddly filling meals. Louise knew she should feel upset in saying this but... she loved Albion as her new home. It was pleasant, she hardly felt like she was from any other place but this one and...

And she loved Scott. A lot. Like, really a lot.

It goes without a saying that she found Tiffania a pleasant company, but one she hardly had around when Scott was involved. Family or not, the young naive woman was gifted with breasts that made Louise envious and worried that her future husband may found delectable to ogle at.

Despite her woes, she still got reassured by Scott himself he loved her more. And he would kiss her nose silly.

...

Anyway, things came to a strange 'development' when it comes to the news of a 'positive budget'.

The king had been coercing for a 'deficit budget' for a while now, each time draining the coffers of the nation to expand the local industry, introduce replacements for lost resources from no-longer present trade deals, and even created a robust welfare state that supported all sorts of classes without any problem.

The reason the nobles were fine with those changes was the matter of pensions. The state was to provide a percentage of what all paid in taxes back through monthly checks from a pensionary fund. The more taxes one pays, the more they would end up receiving upon retiring with this untaxable monthly income.

There were inspectors around to keep the system devoid of bloating and corruption, the policy needed to avoid bribery and attempts to circumvent the system with loopholes. And Louise was surprised to know she was 'getting paid' too in a similar fashion for her chores. She would receive a monthly allowance that was taxed already and a slice of the taxed money would come to her in the eventuality she was to 'retire or abdicate' in the distant future.

This was... all interesting. And very exciting. And as the budget finally saw the income outpacing the massive spending programs, the King finally made her an offer she accepted without hesitation.

"Would you like to marry me?"

The pinkette didn't waste time in rushing her fiance and give him the biggest hug and kiss yet. No hesitation, just endless butterflies buzzing in her chest. She was the happiest lady in Albion but... there was immediately an issue as soon as the excitement of the offer came to an end and then the announcement was rendered public.

They needed to have guests. And she was quick to send letters to her family as they deserved to be there but...

Things went for a strange turn as Scott asked for her and showed her a letter.

It was from Henrietta and... she demanded to be there with Wales or her family wouldn't come.

And for the first time in many years, she found herself with a dilemma or... maybe not.

As much as she felt uneasy over this ultimatum, Louise knew she didn't owe Henrietta much for what led to their friendship to end. No, she knew that this wouldn't be acceptable and she made her point clear.

"She is not invited to our wedding, but my familywillbe."

And one thing that Henrietta hadn't considered was that her 'little Louise' was no longer a fluke at magic. And the Void gave her the skills needed to go around this flimsy demand of hers.

After all, teleporting back home to snatch her family for the event sounded like a feasible option to Scott too.

AN

A wedding, lots of tension with Tristain and Germania will soon pull a dumb move that will cripple them up.