Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 80: An Empress's Birthday

Princess Erimaya and Hekate laugh together as they catch up while everyone is gathered for breakfast. It's one of the few times Hekate sits in her own seat, next to Erimaya, and Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel have crowded around Daniel, taking the chance to try to feed him their cooking. Geirahoel gave herself a head start by practicing cooking on her own, but all three of them have tried their best, and they can make edible meals.

"... and then we'll begin exporting the meat. I have no doubt people all over the world will love it!"

"Isn't it a lot of work?" asks Erimaya as Hekate explains the livestock program the Citadel is starting.

"It is! But, that's why it'll be more expensive. I have no doubt we'll have customers. After all, it's supposed to make the meat taste even better!" Hekate cups her cheeks, drooling a little.

"I-I hope I'll have the opportunity to try it!"

Wenlianna asks, "Daniel, is... Princess Erimaya...?"

"She'll be staying with us for the foreseeable future. She believes she's in inordinate danger in Mornistae, including from the consequences of Rikuto's actions."

Erimaya nods, distracted briefly from her conversation with Hekate. "Yes. Please take care of me. I promise I'll carry my own weight, and I'll absolutely please our Darling Daniel."

"Keep dreaming, Princess," retorts Daniel dryly.

The young princess is undeterred, standing up as she proudly stands with her hand on her chest. "I too, like Lady Wenlianna, wish to ensure that the Kingdom of Mornistae allies itself with the Fievegal, and if they refuse to negotiate, we'll use me as a hostage."

Treia asks dryly, "'We'? You sound pretty excited to be a hostage."

Erimaya nods too proudly for the situation. "Mm-hmm! I'm happy to help my friends and my husband!"

"Oh? Then, can we marry you off for a political alliance?" jokes Daniel.

She doesn't gasp playfully or whine. Instead, her expression darkens, and Daniel is surprised. He quickly adds, "Forget I said that, sorry."

She is quiet for another moment, but she perks up, resuming her positive energy. "Right! So, I want seven children, and if you'll allow it, I'd like to be a school teacher. I-I'll still maintain my wifely duties, though." She grins with a sunbeam-like smile.

Daniel sighs. "Ask Hekate the rules, Erimaya. If you'll all excuse me, I have to go check on the manufacturing teams." Daniel excuses himself, and Choul follows.

Erimaya asks softly, "Did... I upset him?"

"Nah," replies Hekate dismissively. "Daniel gets like that when he doesn't want to admit his true feelings."

"He's not shy at other times," replies Aoloan. "But he does sometimes get the strangest urge to run away."

"It's when he feels overwhelmed," replies Reignleif. She is holding Ryuogriar's forearm, having stopped the senior dragon from following Daniel. "Daniel spent much of his life alone."
"Oh... I'm sorry..." apologizes Erimaya.

Reignleif shakes her head. "You did nothing wrong. Daniel just has to think of answers to deflect you with."

Ryuogriar scoffs, and the others chuckle.

Meanwhile, Daniel and Choul use the transport station to travel to the hangar, rather than the manufacturing floor. Choul asks, "My Liege?"

"I lied, Choul. Just needed to get away."

"Because Erimaya is too young?"

"Yes. In my world, kids her age should be worrying about playing and going to school, not... ugh... Adult things. Hekate's the same way. Truth be told, I'm happy Erimaya is here for Hekate, but, I also don't want to upset her when I reject her."