Chapter I :

Prologue

“You’ve received another three portraits of potential suitors, Your Highness.”

“Has the summit talk location with Orlane and H’arkin been settled upon yet? If not, continue applying pressure on the prime minister of Orlane with our suggestion. It is one of the seven great wonders of the world that they have the gall to delay this proposal. Neutral territory along the border of H’arkin and our countryside duchy of Waterwell is an ideal location.”

With great acuity, the woman to whom this first statement was directed towards, had blatantly ignored the esteemed official.

Deep set eyes the colour of oceanic blue. Golden hair grander than a lion’s mane. Her Majesty, Queen Eilane Erst was the only person capable of such brazen pride towards the elderly gentleman walking beside her.

“Your Highness… There are requests to meet you from the great hero, Mithius. The neighbouring nation’s second prince, Joaquin. As well as the first son of Duke Waterwell, Cameron.”

Tch. How persistent.

“No matter how hard you try to procrastinate, you are already at the age of 23. Please excuse this lowly servant’s behaviour, but I must urge Your Highness to settle on a husband and think about producing an heir.”

Tch.

“You clicked your tongue again…”

“There are matters far more pertinent than marriage-”

“There is not. The court is restless about this nation’s future. Without guarantee of the next heir, there are more and more conspicuous acts of defiance from lower nobles towards the higher ranking ones. They all believe they have a chance at your hand in marriage the longer this charade carries forth. Hierarchy and order are crumbling.”

A snort escaped Eilane’s nose. “Oh Carlston, you have served me graciously for the past decade and are an old, old friend of my dearly departed father. It would certainly do me no harm to listen to your senile ramblings in old age. However, has it not occurred to you that these suitors will simply bring even more headaches to the royal palace?”

“You called me old three times just now…” Although Sir Carlston received damage from her words, he pressed forth, “This may be so, however just-” The shock must have penetrated deeply for his next words were coarse, “Just choose somebody! Anybody!”

He’s so desperate, his words have lost all decorum…

However, I have postponed all dialogue of this type of worthless talk even before maidenhood. Fighting off every knight, commander, prince, noble, ambassador, merchant, and whoever else tooth-and-nail. This time will be no different-

“Your Highness, you are correct. I have loyally and competently served the royal family since I was a young lad. However, this senior is growing older every day! Please allow me to retire with my mind at peace! Allow your deceased father, the King, to rest easily in his crypt!”

When my old man finally kicked the bucket and everyone thought I would finally settle down… I went and actually dueled some of my suitors, beating their arse so thoroughly they could no longer look me in the eye. As if I would allow myself to be engaged or even worse, share my power with such useless fools!

The elderly man was on the verge of tears, causing even this stubborn woman to freeze up.

Urk.

These days, no matter where I go and who I talk to, they all keep bringing this matter up. Perhaps, it is time I throw them a morsel…

Giving a side-eye worthy of any bandit or cut-throat mercenary, the Queen seemingly relented. “Then let us get this out of the way all at once. Call forth every suitor who has sent me a proposal to convene within the month.”

“Y-Your Highness!?”

“Every. Single. One. I will judge them in the grand hall and choose among those who show up.”

“Your Highness… Please just consider those with at least a certain level of qualifications!? The amount of work this will-”

“Godspeed, good sir.”

I wonder if it is possible to start a skirmish with some neighbouring countries, then draft every man, and send them to some far off place? The fearsome and evidently spiteful woman walked away with perfect posture and nary a glance back at the poor servant who was just dumped with a grand amount of work.

Thus, the Queen has successfully procrastinated the idea of marriage today as well.