#833 Marital Affairs in the Mermaid Kingdom - Extra Edition

My name is Hendra.

I am an official serving the great Mermaid King Arowana.

People around me often call me “the confidant” or “the king’s secret weapon,” and I take these compliments to heart.

Despite my professional duties, I have a family, and our home life is thriving.

My wife, Lampeye, is one of the infamous Six Witches of the Mermaid Kingdom, known as The Witch of Hellfire.

Not only is she adept at handling explosive potions, but she also serves as a guard in the Mermaid Palace, unmatched in her combat prowess.

Though women are forbidden from participating, I’m sure if she entered the Martial Swimming Competition, she could easily make it into the top eight with her skills.

She’s such a valuable asset in many ways.

Now that her past sins have been forgiven, she could excel anywhere.

Staying as a palace guard, her original job would be a safe choice, but with her reputation as a witch, she’d even be warmly welcomed in any magical potion research institute.

Her unparalleled combat abilities as one of the Six Witches make her a prime candidate for the military, and her experience training young warriors on the farm makes her an ideal instructor.

With her extensive connections, she could easily secure any of these positions.

She could even be a handmaiden to the current Mermaid Queen Puffer or work closely with Prime Minister Zoth Syra.

However, she chose none of these paths.

After we got married, she returned to her old post as a palace guard for a while, balancing home and work. But after conceiving our first child, she took maternity leave and eventually resigned officially after giving birth.

Now, she has fully immersed herself in domestic life, living in my family home, the Betta residence.

She has completely withdrawn from society.

I’m unsure if this is the right decision.

Sometimes, I think her overall abilities surpass mine, and I wonder if it’s fair to confine such a capable woman to domestic life because of marriage.

Isn’t this a loss for her and a society lacking her talents?

My old-fashioned father praises Lampeye’s choice, saying, “It’s only natural for a woman to look after the house!” But I can’t take his opinion seriously.

We already have a daughter named Half Moon.

There were insensitive comments about hoping for a male heir, but that’s irrelevant to us.

As the second son in my family, I have no inheritance duties, and any child born to my beloved is precious, regardless of gender.

So, I wanted to temper my wife’s eagerness for a second child.

Now should be the time to shower our newborn first daughter with love.

As King Arowana’s right-hand man, I spend my days at the palace, leaving little time for family.

But when I manage to come home early occasionally, I see my diligent wife busy at work.

Several apprentices lay sprawled out in the Betta family home's garden. 

All knocked down by my wife’s training.

“Welcome home, dear,” my wife, Lamp Eye, says nonchalantly.

She’s clearly behind all this chaos, yet there’s not a hint of disarray or a drop of sweat on her.

“Lampeye... were you training the apprentices again?”

“Yes, these youngsters will eventually become vital forces for our country and family. It’s important to train them well from the start.”

The Betta family is known as a “fighting fish family,” and we take in promising young people from all over to train on our property.

We train and select them, eventually sending them to join the army or keeping them as private soldiers.

I understand this is done to ensure no potential talent slips through the cracks, but I can’t help feeling uneasy about it. It seems like we might be nurturing a breeding ground for military factions, and frankly, I’m not too keen on that idea.

Yet, at home, my wife seems eager to train these apprentices.

Consequently, I often find them near death from exhaustion.

“You’re diligent, but what about Half Moon? Isn’t she being neglected?”

“No worries there. The maids are looking after her.”

Well, our family is noble enough to employ maids, but...

I wish the mother could focus solely on her daughter, but she never neglects her various household duties, tirelessly dedicating herself to them as well.

“If you’re so enthusiastic about training, why not visit the official army training grounds?”

“What are you talking about? Our apprentices will eventually serve in the castle, aiding you, dear. That’s why I’m training them to be useful overall. There’s no need to go to the army training grounds.”

“I see...”

Recently, I’ve been wondering if my wife’s overexerting herself.

Cooped up in our estate, not showing her face at festivals like Orkubo’s Castle or the Martial Swimming Competition, she has not bothered to renew old acquaintances with the people at the farm.

Truth be told, I wasn’t too keen on living in my home, the Betta residence.

Not being the heir, I had planned to rent a house near the castle, but Lampeye forcefully decided we should live with my parents.

As a non-heir and a son who once ran away from home, it’s incredibly awkward living there. What exactly is her intention in insisting we live under the same roof as her in-laws?

If Lampeye has lost her vivaciousness because of our marriage, was this union really the right choice?

These worries started to cloud my mind.

“Don’t worry, dear,” says Lampeye, as if seeing right through my unease. “Now that I am your wife, my primary role is to support you. My focus is unwavering, solely dedicated to this purpose – that’s what being a married woman means to me.”

O-Okay...?

“Being chosen as King Arowana’s right-hand man, it’s my duty to do everything within my power for you. By supporting you, you can fully contribute to the governance of our nation, and in that way, I, too, am contributing to society.”

Y-Yeah, I suppose you’re right...!

Lampeye’s straight gaze seems to affirm the certainty of her thoughts.

Originally devoted to serving the mermaid royal family, she must have discerned that marrying me and dedicating herself to my cause was her way of contributing to society.

“But Lampeye, married life doesn’t always need to be about contributing to society, does it? We can think about our family too, and maybe you should also consider our daughter...!”

“Don’t worry, I will take proper care of her. Right now, it’s her nap time, so as a mother, I’m free.”

“Is that so...?!”

“Raising the next generation is our duty. I want to nurture Half Moon with love, so she grows up to be a fine lady, perhaps even marrying Prince Moby Dick someday.”

I see...!

She really does pour her heart into our daughter.

That alone is reassuring... Hm?

Did she just say something unsettling?

“Marrying the prince?”

“I’ve already discussed this with Puffer at a recent tea party. Since our children are both the same age, one a boy and the other a girl, we thought it would be nice if they married when they grow up.”

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!!!

Please don’t just decide things on your own like that!

The child is still a mere infant!

It’s too early to make such decisions between mothers at this stage!

Not to mention, the kids’ wishes haven’t even been considered at all. This decision is a bit too risky!

With King Arowana handpicking me, my position has given me enormous power as it is.

If we were to marry our daughter off to the future king, wouldn’t that practically guarantee a hold over the era’s power?! 

This is a blatant scheming for a state monopoly by a cunning courtier!

I’m setting myself up to be brought down by the kingdom’s concerned warriors!!!

“What are you talking about? You are a loyal and essential minister of this country. Holding power, wealth, and military might – it’s my duty to support you in leaving a great legacy. I am your wife, and I am here to support you.”

L-Lampeye, are you thinking all this through...?!

“Staying at your parent’s home helps us align with a powerful and influential house. Training apprentices is for the future when you need reliable people. As for Half Moon, while we would be grateful if she becomes a queen, it’s ultimately her decision. For now, I’m content with continuing your lineage.”

“Lampeye...!”

“But for you to properly control national affairs, it is essential that our daughter becomes the queen.”

“Lampeye?!”

Is my wife harboring some hidden ambition after all?

Is this okay? Can I really trust her?!

“For now, I want to fulfill my duties as your wife.”

“And what might those duties be?”

“Of course, the creation of our second child.”

Saying so, she boldly moves closer.

“You’ve returned home early, and Half Moon won’t be up from her nap for another hour. A good wife must ensure the continuation of her husband’s excellent lineage. The former Queen Mahi bore nearly ten children. I must follow in her footsteps.”

My wife, Lampeye.

Her recent overzealous behavior must be her way of showing her love for me.

Perhaps this is just another form of married life...?

But wait.

Surely, jumping straight into battle before dinner is a bit much...!