16 — Agatha's Marriage

As the first day of the third week, today was supposed to be training as usual.

But Lorelai complained that they already trained the day before, which was supposed to be a rest day, and that she was feeling 'bloated' from their little picnic by the sunset.

Which would be great to rest, or even do some sightseeing in the capital. He has barely talked to someone outside the palace, aside from the young priest from the church of Sunnaria.

But of course not. Instead, he has to go to the library to read.

And there's no cool fantasy novel this time. Well, not really fantasy, because the previous book was just in his old world. But still, no easy-to-read fiction. Only books on politics, economics and military tactics.

There really is no rest for the wicked, is there?

He can't wait until this month's over.

He groans as he re-reads the same paragraph of a book about fiefdom taxes and the inflation of gold mines. Inflation! He didn't even know this wasn't a modern concept, but according to this book it's been a known phenomenon for thousands of years. After a few hours of reading, he managed to get only three chapters in. It's so dense! He kind of regrets skipping all of his required reading in school now. He has no patience for tomes like these, barely having read books at all before coming here, so this is a big culture shock. Keeping his focus is so hard!

This is the first day he really realizes how... uneventful this world really is. He doesn't have a smartphone he can open and get bombarded with thousands of news of major stuff happening everywhere, or be endlessly entertained with swipes of his finger. The previous days he was so exhausted physically and mentally that he never really realized it. This is the first day that he's fully rested and not training, and he's bored out of his mind. Maybe if he was allowed to do what he wants to he'd be a little less miserable, but as it stands it's utterly, deeply morose.

Although... it is better than his previous life.

The constant grinding, being pushed to get better. Being forced to do the things that are good for him, but are a pain to do...

It's exciting.

He never really wanted to do anything before.

This sense of purpose... feels really good, somehow.

That was the whole point of this, right? To become a better person. To be the person he always wanted to be, but always dragged his feet in becoming. That's what Sunnaria said, at least.

He refocuses his efforts on the book. After getting through this hurdle, studying high-school level math will be a breeze.

He needs to overcome this.

— — —

Oh, god. That was awful.

But he did it! He finished the book. All in one day, too. He looks outside of the window, seeing that it's already pitch-black out. That was a whole day that he wouldn't get back.

And even so, he doesn't feel all that bad about it.

Of course, it was a tortuous experience. But he feels like he got better.

Not only did he finish the book, he actually remembers most of it. Some of the stuff there may or may not be useful later, both in his life here or in Tokyo after he gets back.

He gets ready to lift himself up, go back to his room and catch some shuteye—

As the door to the library opens.

The click of heels cut through the pleasant silence of the room, as his eyes roam from the long flowing white dress, to the gaudy pearl necklace, to the stern face that enters the room. The short, straight blonde hair flows as the woman enters, her icy blue irises darting around the room and landing on him.

"Prince Joezand." She says, her face remaining expressionless as she looks him up and down. He feels colder just by being under her gaze. "That's not the appropriate posture for a member of the royal family."

"Empress Agatha." Joezand says, getting up. "I apologize. I was just leaving." He puts the book back on the shelf, and get's ready to walk out.

"Hold." Agatha says. He stops in his tracks. "What were you reading?"

"The name of the book is History of Taxes and Inflation, by Torquo." Joezand replies, looking her in the eye. She's very intimidating, but he's not backing down. "He was a Styrian merchant that sold his goods far and wide, all across Orskideal."

"And what did you think of it?"

"It was a drag to read, to be honest." Joezand says, honestly. "But it doesn't matter if it's enjoyable or not. It had to be done, so I did it."

"I agree with that sentiment." She says. Joezand doesn't miss the corner of her mouth turning slightly upwards. "And is there any example mentioned in the book that stuck out to you?"

"One really close to home. The Tirolian gold mine brought Styria tons of riches, but also unparalleled inflation to the point where all goods effectively doubled in price in only two years. The stewardship genius of the previous empress, Marie Onatz, was the only thing that saved the nation from ruin."

"That's right. I was here for all of it. Empress Marie was my mother, and she was the sharpest mind this kingdom ever saw." Agatha says, her gaze on him softening slightly. "I had my doubts before, but it seems like Pult was telling me the truth about you."

"Oh, so he was talking about me, huh?"

"It seems like his opinion of you improved when you stayed late just to watch him train." Agatha replies. "It seems you really are taking your duties seriously now. Better late than never, I suppose."

"That's some high praise. Especially from someone keen on exiling me just two weeks ago." Joezand spits out, a little bit harsher than he'd like.

"I only did what I thought would be better for you, Prince Joezand." Agatha says. "I couldn't have predicted that after running away from home you'd suddenly turn from active troublemaker to productive member of society. You may find me... harsh," She tries to choose her words carefully. "But all of the young royals have turned out intelligent and capable because of my methods. Agnes, Florian, Cecilia... and now you."

"That can't be where it stops, though. Right?" Joezand says. "Sure, I haven't met Florian or Agnes yet, but Cecilia... Regardless of how capable she is, she has some issues. A few days ago, she came into my room and..."

He doesn't know why he's telling Agatha this now, but it starts all coming out. He tells her everything, how she came into his room and left him paralyzed while she weirdly flirted with him, and how he doesn't know what'd happen if Anneliese didn't come in at the right time.

He's really missing Sunnaria, isn't he? To confide something like this to Agatha...

"Oh." The empress seems taken aback, her brows upturned in what looks like... Empathy? From Agatha? "I'm..." She sighs. "I suppose you either remembered or were told about our family's... peculiar customs."

"Yeah. You and Thaddius are siblings, and Thaddius and Cecilia are parent and daughter." Joezand replies. "But still... I don't know why. Why would you marry your own brother? And why would he have children with your daughter after that?"

"That's..." Agatha struggles, trying to find the right words. The previously intimidating woman seemed just as lost as he was. "A bit of a loaded subject. But... I loved him. I loved my brother, ever since I was a child."

"A... child? Does that mean..."

"Emperor Thaddius is thirteen years older than me." Agatha explains. "He's currently fifty six, while I'm fourty three years old. Duchess Cecilia is thirty one, and you are eighteen. I'm sure if you'd do the math, you can figure some things out on your own."