Ugh... This is way too hard. My brain feels like it’s about to start steaming...
I grumbled to myself while listening to the reports from my vassals.
"The chaos caused by the Labyrinth Stampede three months ago has effectively subsided. Furthermore, regarding the food shortage concerns brought about by magic beast damage... Lady Nagisa, are you listening?"
I was being drowned in an overwhelming flood of information. The vassal who had come specifically to deliver the briefing peered at me with a suspicious look.
"I-I'm fine! Please, continue!"
I hurriedly straightened my posture and looked him square in the eye.
No matter how difficult things got, I couldn't afford to buckle here. This was my burden to bear—the responsibility of the Asagiri House, the family that had usurped Kyokutou from Big Sis Fuuka and the Shinonome House.
As long as I stood as a pillar of this nation, I had to overcome every obstacle, no matter how daunting.
The vassal frowned for a moment, but he resumed his report almost immediately.
"...Understood. Regarding the food supply—"
I focused my mind on his words, determined to keep up with the council's discussions. Suddenly, I sensed a familiar presence nearby.
"Oh! S-sorry! Something urgent has come up. I’ll have to hear the rest of your report later!"
I cut the vassal off, rushed out of the room, and hurried toward the source of that presence.
"Lady Philly... W-welcome back!"
I approached and called out to Lady Philly, the woman I had sensed.
"Oh, Nagisa. Haven't I told you time and again that there is no need for such formalities? You’re an adult now, actively involved in Kyokutou’s governance, aren't you? You really needn't worry about me."
Lady Philly spoke with a tone of gentle concern. A soft smile played across her lips, making her appear entirely friendly.
Enticed by her warmth, I almost let my guard down. But I had to remember.
I couldn't forget that Lady Philly lacked a human heart.
How many times had my people suffered because this woman was left to her own devices? Philly seemed to find some value in me, so she never targeted me directly with her cruelty. That was exactly why I had to act as a bulwark for my people. Whenever she was in this country, I had to keep her under constant surveillance.
...Wait.
Usually, no matter how much she masked her expressions, her eyes remained cold to the core. But today, I didn't sense that chill.
"Th-thank you for your kindness... Um, Lady Philly? Did something good happen?"
"Oh, can you tell? Actually, I’ve finally seen a path toward achieving my long-cherished wish."
"Your... long-cherished wish?"
"Hehe. There's no need to be so cautious. I won’t be acting on it quite yet. In fact, I was planning on relaxing for a while. This country is about to hold a festival, isn't it?"
"...Do you mean the Reibu Festival?"
"Precisely. I thought I’d try purely enjoying a festival for once. I have no intention of causing a scene, and I promise not to lay a finger on the people of Kyokutou until the Reibu Festival is over."
"R-really?!"
"Yes. So, make sure your preparations are flawless. I’m quite looking forward to it."
Lady Philly was a dangerous individual, but she was a woman who strictly kept her word. She had never once gone back on a promise she made to me.
This was a massive relief. Preparing for the festival while simultaneously keeping watch over her would have been an exhausting ordeal.
"Understood! I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you enjoy yourself, Lady Philly!"
"I'm glad to hear it. I truly am looking forward to it."
Thank you for reading to the end.
I’ve kept you waiting!
Chapter Nine begins now!
I hope you’ll continue to follow the story in the next chapter.