July 1, 3464.
Jin and Elsa were relaxing in their mansion in Loizart, the royal capital of the Shouro Empire.
Mio was perched on Jin's lap while Yuu sat on Elsa's, both utterly absorbed in reading picture books.
"It's already summer, huh."
"Mm."
Even in inland Loizart, the sweltering days were noticeably increasing.
"Is it about time for a summer getaway?"
"...Kaina Village?"
"Yeah."
Jin mentioned that with Marcia having recently crafted a sightseeing ship for them, the village was bound to be bustling with excitement.
"...So, I was thinking about inviting Her Majesty."
"Her Majesty... You mean Her Majesty the Empress Emerita?"
"Yeah."
The Empress Emerita.
Needless to say, he meant the former emperor, Gerhardt Hilde von Rubis Shouro.
Having abdicated the throne on May 1 of this year and passed imperial power to her nephew Ernst—Weißberg Ernst von Shouro—she was supposed to have been freed from her grueling duties. Yet, rather than taking it easy, Jin noted that she still seemed to spend her days bustling about with one matter after another.
"I hear things have finally settled down for her, though."
"Mm. She's been through so much, and she's taken such good care of us. I think that's a wonderful idea."
Besides, she knew Yuu and Mio well. Whenever she paid an incognito visit to the Loizart mansion, she doted on them endlessly, and the twins had grown quite fond of her in return.
Barred by her station from ever marrying, she had remained single her entire life, which made having little children around all the more endearing to her.
From Jin's perspective, had she not held the title of emperor, she was someone he would have gladly welcomed into the Jin Family.
Even after abdicating, however, she still held the title of Empress Emerita—the second-highest rank in the nation—so bringing her into the family was simply out of the question.
"I actually have a hunch she might drop by incognito today..."
...And no sooner had Jin spoken those words than—
"Master, Her Majesty the Empress Emerita has arrived," Butler D reported.
Entrusting Mio to Elsa, Jin hurried out to welcome their guest, accompanied by Reiko.
"Jin-kun, I'm here!"
Perhaps because she had finally been freed from the weight of imperial stress, Her Majesty the Empress Emerita was in remarkably high spirits. Her naturally healthy complexion looked even more vibrant, and the chronic lower back pain caused by years of desk-bound administrative work had fully healed.
Accompanying her was Flora Hekerat von Melante, who had officially become her personal lady-in-waiting.
Though she had risen all the way to chief lady-in-waiting of the Royal Palace, Flora had chosen of her own accord to serve as the Empress Emerita's personal attendant. Having originally been a female royal ritter, she was also a first-rate bodyguard.
However, her overly earnest disposition occasionally made her rigid and inflexible.
That very trait made her prime target for teasing, and the Empress Emerita frequently poked fun at her.
Today, too, she seemed somewhat worn out from being dragged along at the whim of the capricious Empress Emerita.
"Welcome, Her Majesty the Empress Emerita."
"Jin-kun, thank you for having me."
In stark contrast to the Empress Emerita's casual air, Flora maintained her usual stiff, formal posture.
"Lord Jin Nidou, we apologize for the intrusion."
"Please, right this way," Jin said, leading the Empress Emerita toward the reception room.
Accustomed to the mansion from her frequent visits, she followed him inside without the slightest hesitation.
"Here you are, Your Majesty."
Amez 102 brought over glasses of chilled green tea.
"Ah, on a hot day like this, nothing beats something so refreshing. That crisp bitterness with just a hint of sweetness is simply exquisite."
The Empress Emerita took a sip of the cold tea and smiled contentedly.
"My miscellaneous affairs have finally settled down, you see."
Sipping her tea, she let out a gentle sigh.
"I'd love nothing more than to unwind and take it easy for a few days. Jin-kun, do you have any good retreats you could recommend?"
"Well, there is one place, but..."
The moment Jin answered, the Empress Emerita leaned forward eagerly.
"Where? Do tell!"
Overwhelmed by her enthusiasm, Jin gave a wry smile.
"Er, well, there's a place called Kaina Village in the north of the Klein Kingdom..."
Before he could even finish his sentence, she caught on immediately.
"Ah, your domain!"
"That sounds lovely. I could never go when I was still emperor, but I'm free to travel now. Don't you think, Flora?"
"Y-Yes, well..."
Flora wore a look of complete resignation, knowing full well there was no stopping her now.
"By the way, how are the twins?"
"Doing very well. They were reading picture books until just a moment ago."
"My, how studious!...Oh, won't you let me see them?"
"Certainly, right away..."
Jin nodded and instructed Ruby 102, who stood on standby, to fetch Elsa and the children.
About a minute later—
"Welcome, Your Majesty."
"Welcome!"
"Welcome—!"
Elsa entered with Yuu and Mio, offering their polite greetings.
"Elsa, you're looking lovely....Hello, Yuu-chan, Mio-chan. Have you two been on your best behavior?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
At the sound of their cheerful voices, the Empress Emerita's expression melted into a warm smile.
"My, what good children! Come over here."
"Okay—!"
"Okay!"
The twins pitter-pattered across the room straight toward her.
"Oh, aren't you the sweetest things?"
She scooped them both up into her arms, and the delighted twins giggled and squealed with joy.
"Y-Your Majesty..."
Flora could only watch with nervous apprehension.
Jin and Elsa felt the same, watching with anxious eyes lest the little ones do something improper.
Before long, the twins wore themselves out from playing, and the Empress Emerita set them back down on the floor. Elsa swiftly scooped them up and sat them down on either side of her.
Just then, Amez 102 brought over some lightly sweetened citran juice.
"Yay!"
"Yaaay!"
Delighted by the sight of their favorite treat, the two happily sipped their juice.
"Yummy!"
"Delicious!"
With the twins quieted by their drinks, Jin picked up the thread of their earlier conversation.
"Your Majesty, if you decide to visit Kaina Village, I would be honored to accompany you."
"Oh, how wonderful! I had a feeling you'd offer, Jin-kun!"
Chuckling wryly at the realization that he could never truly best this woman, Jin turned his attention to working out the travel itinerary with her.