Chapter 9: Agate
Jade had an aide who served as his royal advisor by the name of Agate. He was a loyal retainer who had supported Jade ever since his coronation at a young age. Around the same age as Chelsie, he had crimson eyes, a head with follicles receded and ravaged by old age, and a long, white beard resembling some sort of mountain sage. In stark contrast, at the end of that long, luxurious beard, tying it all together under his chin, was a rather adorable-looking bow. This was the same Agate who had been putting his subordinates to work in search of a bride for Jade.
Meanwhile, in Jade’s office, the entire room was draped in silence. The only sounds came from Jade and Claus’s pens as they scribbled across their documents. It was dead silent. Until...
“Oh, Your Majesty~! Just when are you going to find your bride-to-be~? What happened to the young lady that Joshua brought with him?!” Agate shouted, barging in unannounced.
The sudden shouting alarmed Ruri, who was dozing off on Jade’s lap, making her jump.
Jade simply sighed and said, “Agate, we’re in the middle of working.”
“What are you saying, Your Majesty? If you keep saying things like that, then you will never decide upon a bride! Now then, put down that pen and let us go to the young lady that Joshua brought to us.”
In spite of Agate’s prodding, Jade didn’t seem to have any intention on stopping his hand. “Not necessary.”
“You said there was a girl who caught your interest. That is exactly why I’ve been putting so much effort into the search.”
“Uh-huh, you don’t say.”
“I do not appreciate that listless response, Sire. Now, come. One little visit will not kill you,” said Agate as he tried to wrench the pen from Jade’s hand in an attempt to get him to come along.
Jade, however, had no inclination of rising from his seat and sighed in an exasperated manner.
Ruri did nothing but silently listen in. She looked off to the side to see Claus continuing to scribble, smiling awkwardly. He seemed to have no intention of interjecting.
“I know Joshua brought someone back with him, but according to him, it’s most likely a different girl,” Jade started as Agate’s eyes opened wide. “Joshua’s girl bears some resemblance to the person I talked to, but on the day I met the girl in question, she was apparently already shipped off to sea by slave traders. Basically meaning, it’s not the same person. So there’s no reason for me to meet them.”
“What is that?! And here I thought your future bride had finally come...” Agate commented, clutching their head in shock.
Jade remained completely unfazed.
“Jade-sama, you don’t seem very perturbed about their predicament. Isn’t this girl someone you fancy? Don’t you want to see them?” Ruri asked.
He shot back a comforting smile and patted Ruri’s head. “Since I have you, I have no need for a bride right now. You help comfort me more than enough.”
Even though she knew his statement was driven by affection toward his pet, Ruri’s heart skipped a beat, nonetheless.
“Your Majesty, I implore you to show that same winning smile to the girl you fancy so,” Agate pleaded.
“Ruri is a girl herself, is she not?”
“Well, yes, but that is not quite what I meant by that remark...” Agate said, slumping his shoulders in disappointment. “Ruri, you should say something, too! At this rate, His Majesty will never be wed!!”
“I mean, that’s not really my business... But I do think that forcing the matter won’t help him find that special someone. Why not just wait until Jade-sama is ready to marry on his own?” replied Ruri, giving an innocuous response. She wanted as little involvement in this as possible.
“You heard Ruri. I don’t need a wife right now.”
“Grk! I shall not give in. It has been my dream to care for your children one day, Sire, so I will not leave this earth before one is born, mark my words!”
“Enough with the grim commentary before you jinx yourself.”
Ruri thought that whoever Jade’s bride was, she would have it rough. If they married Jade, it seemed they would be getting a very naggy “mother-in-law” as well, who would most likely try to butt in on every occasion if they ever had a child of their own. She felt a tad sorry for Jade, suspecting that this was making his search for a partner difficult.
“Next time, I will bring portraits of suitable young girls for you to check!” Agate said before hurrying out the room.
Jade breathed a tired sigh for what seemed to be the umpteenth time.
“I really wish he would just give up.”
“I cannot say I blame the effort. All of your court wishes for you to be wed, Your Majesty. Me included, of course,” Claus said, smiling in a teasing manner as Jade rolled his eyes in slight disdain.
Overhearing the whole conversation, Ruri started thinking about marriage. The marriageable age in not only the Nation of the Dragon King but this entire world was pretty early. Late teens to the early twenties was the prime age, which was relatively early in comparison to the world Ruri was raised in. In this world, it wasn’t uncommon for women around Ruri’s age to have children.
Seeing that was the case, Ruri became interested in her own marriage. As long as she couldn’t return to her world, she would probably spend the rest of her days on this side.
(I do want to get married, and I do want kids as well...)
Ruri suddenly realized something. There were more than just humans in this world. There were demi-humans and beast people—some soft and cuddly just like she liked them. If she were to marry one of those special humans, then she would have a child with those soft and fluffy attributes.
(My own fluffy little child... That might be a good idea.)
Ruri’s heart went aflutter. However, in order to accomplish that, she would need a soft and fluffy husband first.
(Right, let’s shoot for that.)
Just like Jade, she didn’t have any desire to marry yet, but she figured dating someone couldn’t hurt.
With that, Ruri found a new objective for herself.
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