That day, I visited Rumi, my wife, for the first time in a long time.


    I had been in the army for so long that I hadn''t had a chance to see Rumi. Besides, I had just met with the king, Hasse, today, and it would not look good to go to the wrong wife.


    Besides, he thought he could complain to Rumi.


    "You know, your brother is a bit of a pain in the ass..."


    Rumi said it first.


    Yes, Hasse had made a strange suggestion that he would be the general of the group.


    Rumi has a pet long-haired cat on his lap and is petting it. It is a gift from somewhere. For a regent and his wife, the amount of gifts alone is quite large.


    However, he is not in a position to seek additional wealth at this time. That is why those who are trying to pay tribute also try to buy their favor by giving such mysterious gifts.


    The cat, at least, is very much liked by Rumi, who cares for it. Especially since Rumi doesn''t have any children yet, he may love the cat even more.


    "It''s not like your brother hasn''t been fighting at all. Several times he was killed and took a sword or a spear. But it is not because of your brother''s bravery that he has survived. It was all because of luck.


    "Luck is also an important condition for a king. If you are unlucky, you will never live. There has never been a king in history who has not been the target of an attempt on his life.


    It''s a good thing I don''t have to condemn Rumi''s brother. I''d rather defend him.


    "But for some reason your brother seems to believe he has the courage of his convictions. Of course, he has no illusions that he can beat you, but that doesn''t make up for the fact that he has never lost a fight in his life.


    Rumi clutched his cat to his chest. The cat did not thrash about, but remained calm. It seems to have fully acknowledged Rumi as its master. Or perhaps he thinks of Rumi as his mother.


    Indeed, there is no other wife who can make us feel motherhood as Rumi does now. Raised in a monastery, Rumi has a spirit of compassion.


    If I become king, Rumi will be queen, or mother of the kingdom. The word "mother of the nation" would suit Rumi well.


    No, but if Rumi does not bear a child, will Serafina be installed as queen?


    The battle of the rear courts has been fought many times in the history of the world.


    A queen killed her mistress after the king''s death, or vice versa, or a mistress who rose to the queen''s throne destroyed the other wives'' families. ....... There are many stories lying around that make me sick.


    Frankly, I don''t want to see that happen again. Maybe it''s too early to say, but I don''t want to see my loved ones suffer tragedy at any cost, even before becoming a king.


    "I understand Your Majesty''s desire to play an active role as the founder of the new dynasty. But the next battle may very well be a battle of wars. We don''t want His Majesty, who is not used to war, to step forward. That''s exactly what I''ll do if anything should happen to you. ......"


    I have been sloppy with my words, but it''s impossible for them not to get the message.


    If Hasse, the king, should fall, the former king will be elated that he is the king. The atmosphere could change completely to one in which the other side is the king.


    "Yes, that''s right. Your brother has a son, but with two daughters and a son who is not even old enough to remember what happened to him, it''s not very promising for the heir to the throne.


    "You''re absolutely right. I hope His Majesty will be more careful.


    Yes, the place of the kingdom will become very unstable after Hasse''s death.


    Even though he is only supported by me, there are many lords who recognize this kingship because Hasse is still an adult. If this were to change to a young emperor, the story would be completely different.


    The young emperor himself has no power. It would be better if the relative was an influential person, but she is a daughter of a dying noble family with an old family background. He is not a powerful man.


    So it would do me, or the kingdom, a hundred harms and no good to have Hasse in the line of fire.


    --He is weak, yet he tries to go to war. He''s just like Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Yoshiaki was weak like his brother.


    Was the man carried by Oda Nobunaga like him?


    --He was saved thanks to his weakness. Anyway, he was a stubborn man.


    In terms of stubbornness, Hasse may be troublesome too.


    "Rumi, we have a long time to prepare for the next battle. In the meantime, I would like to ask you to persuade His Majesty.


    With a smile, Rumi nodded.


    "Yes. I, too, believe that your brother would be happier in a quiet life in King''s Landing. You shouldn''t go off to war. It''s just in case."


    We''re done for now.


    From here on out, it''s husband and wife time. I reach for Roomie''s shoulder.


    "Can you switch him from the cat to me, please? It''s been so long, I''ve almost forgotten your skin."


    "You must have been playing with them in the middle of the war.


    I was a little hesitant to say that, since I had no idea what he was talking about. For example, Tarsha, sister of Sightred, the Machar frontier count: .......


    "Oh, I knew it. I''m sorry to hear that."


    I said in a joking tone, and Rumi nodded again.


    "It''s your own fault for marrying into such a family. Please love me now.


    Rumi has grown up to be a truly beautiful girl. Not only her body, but she is imbued with a kind of elegance. She is truly a woman of the highest caliber.


    Many men would like to hold a woman like this once before they die.


    I think I am blessed to be a regent because I have such a Rumi all to myself. It is worth the risk.


    While I was sleeping tiredly in my bed, Rumi was holding me.


    "Oh, honey, there''s something I have to tell you."


    "In a place like this?"


    What in the world?