Grancrest oneshots

Stress

3rd pov

*Set during the three years Theo is emperor*

Theo had always known that the work, paperwork, worries and problems got more and more the higher up the rank you climbed, but he honestly can't say he's ever had this much work. Having to fix the continent after the long time of war is hard, with some people refusing to accept the war has ended, some wanting to respark it, a few even trying their hardest to remove the Emperor himself, but none of that compares to the paperwork and the meetings he has to attend, Siluca working on the new Magic academy, because while magic may only be around a few more years, they still don't want to have to worry about an uprising from there.

Alexis and Marrine are around the huge castle, learning what they need to in order to take over once Theo has done his part, though since they can only take so much of studying everything they must know, they are also able to be found in the gardens, the art room or even sometimes the throne room, relaxing and enjoying themselves as best they can. Theo does not get that, being the actual Emperor, and so he sits, listening patiently as a lord explains the food shortage his people are having, another complaining about his people getting ill for no reason and the last lord currently in his room asking for aide since his area was recently attacked by a few Chaos monsters.

With a sigh, Theo offers a shipment of food to the first lord, as well as the proper way to plant seeds in order to get them to grow, to the second lord, he offers some of the medical staff and mages he has, while to the third, he asks him to appeal to the citizens for help, having them and his knights work together to fix the destroyed areas, though he warns the lord to leave some knight available in case more monsters show up. The three lords thank him and leave, the door closing behind them with a small thud. Theo groans, resting his head against his desk, his head is pounding, his eyes hurt from staring at the print of several reports from lords too overwhelmed to actually visit him, and his back hurts, from the top of his spine to the base, a giant ache, except for his shoulders which actually feel more like they're burning than anything.

He groans, rolling his shoulders and then sitting up, returning to the reports he still has, knows the people need him and he's going to put forth his best work, nothing less than that is allowed. He can feel his fingers starting to cramp as well, still not entirely used to being used this often in this way even after being emperor for almost 2 years. He flexes them, wondering if he should worry about that and decides it's probably nothing, returning to the paper in front of him. He's nearly done, only a few more papers in front of him, when he realizes it's dark, the candle with him the only light right now, and it's getting pretty low as well. He sighs, finishes reading the paper in front of him, writes a note on how to fix the problem and then stands, stretching out as he rounds the desk and heads out the door, walking for his room. He would love to cuddle with his fiancé right now, just relax and feel her warmth next to him.

He opens the door to his chambers, blinking to keep himself awake, before he yawns, stating on his clothes. He strips down to a shirt and his boxers, before getting on the bed, settling under the covers and turning, expecting to see his wife...only to pause at being faced with a note. He frowns, a sad and heavy feeling settling in his chest, even as he reads the tiny note she'd left for him hours ago, considering the ink is dry and the paper had been left on the bed.

Won't be back tonight, the Academy asked me to test the dorms in order to make certain they're habitable for students, sorry. Love you, Theo. Have a good night.

He recalls her telling him something like that earlier, but it was early and he was still mostly asleep, but he had really been wanting to see her. They're both so busy he rarely gets time with her any more, let alone the comfort of her presence. He's starting to wonder if this will really work out, because he loves Siluca, always has and always will, but there's just so little time that their relationship hasn't had much of a chance to grow, not with both of them working so hard. He sets the note aside and curls up in the bed, feeling cold and lonely in a way he hasn't felt since he first arrived here, alone and in unfamiliar land.