Chapter 297 - Kingly Duties

Chaotic at first, getting adjusted to Xula's routine felt as if climbing a never-ending staircase. Every so often, informants around the province would teleport in and relay news of what happened. Some inconsequential whilst others being more important – a triage had to be made whilst reviewing how the state should run for the week. 

"Sage," called Staxius, to which the man appeared without delay.

"What is it, majesty?" held onto an ancient rosewood staff with an orb atop, the light from the hall faded till darkness overwhelmed the room. The table and door were so far apart the distance kept on increasing. 

"How has the situation with the winged wolves developed. I've not heard of the adventurers returning."

"They've been fighting the frost giants since February; the numbers keep on increasing. The Villagers have asked for backup for a fortress made of impregnable snow was discovered half-way up the Alps."

"I see," focusing on the map, "-how has this not reached the Adventuring guild?" 

"You should ask Serene, is she not thine assistant?" on that, the sage vanished.

'Never would I have thought Xula handled all these issues without help. Not that it's hard, I better do a good job, she's given me a daughter, I have to let her rest awhile. If I'm to take over, I'll do things my way," *Ancient Magic: Teleportation.* From the Ardanian guild to the palace, Staxius made numerous trips until the analog table the queen used had a little upgrade. The guild card connected into an interface that lit the room in red and blue. Surrounded by screens, he stood and worked – the paperwork on the table was scanned and sent into the interface. There, abled to work at full capacity, one by one, orders were sent. 

[Supply run and Scout mission – Tier 5]: a quest request ordered by the King. *Description: Find and help the adventurers located in the Alps. Two members from the fighter's guild, two from the mage's guild and one from the trader's guild. Adventurers are to be hand-picked by the Guild Leaders.* Opposed to it being announced at the Central guild, the message reached each guild. There, excited – a team was to be dispatched later in the day with it all being coordinated with the Guild assistants. 

'That should relieve the team a little,' a sigh later, minute turned to hours. 

*Knock, knock,* "-your grace, tis time for lunch," in came the head maid with glasses and bunny ears. 

"No, Rosetta," he fired back without glimpsing, "-I shall eat once I've handled a good amount of the work."

"As you wish, sire," the door closed with a loud echo. 

'Xula did a good job of squandering a would-be revolt between the lizardmen and demi-humans. The swamp to the south of the capital was being trespassed by ignorant demi-humans in search of food and provision. From what the report says, the two were given a deal –new hunting ground for the demis and the promise of the swamp being given to Krask. That's a big area for a single representative; there's also the thing about a river-town to be built.' Scouring over the files, problems were found, and many were solved. 

"What concerns me is our coffers, the kingdom might look rich on the outside but is in quite a tough situation. She's ready to give out the order of building a new mine in search of gold. I wonder why?" mumbled and barely audible, the plans hovered around.

"Tis because of the risk of not finding anything. Digging cluelessly might cause unrest to the wild, it might harm the wildlife," a soft voice replied.

"Xula," turning towards the voice, she stood with a nightgown and tired face, "-why are you here?"

"I came to check up on you," half-asleep, her dreary eyes held a dark-brown color. 

"Tis wasn't necessary." 

"It sure was," pronouncing the last word, her legs gave into the fatigue.

"Careful!" caught before she fell, "-you need rest," he said with an angered tone.

"Come on," she voiced whilst being held, "-I'm not that useless yet." 

Crossed-legged with Xula in his arms, "-workaholic," his forehead crinkled in disapproval, "-Lizzie needs you more than me. Motherly love can overpower the love a father has for his child – I've seen it before, despite me loving my father, my mother always had deep routed attention. I felt at ease with her more than Father, that's why you need rest. The journey has begun yet. The four months of pain is still to come," patting her head, "-you needn't worry about the nit and gritty. I'll wake in the night to soothe her cries, you sleep and rest; the kingdom needs their queen." 

"How can I argue with that," she smiled, hair all messed up, sweaty visage, very unbefitting a lady. 

"Leave everything to me, I'll handle the coffers and make sure the kingdom is stable for when you return," standing with her in a princess-carry, *Ancient Magic: Teleportation.*

"Rest for now," tucking the mother in, he walked towards an elder-wood cradle. There, Lizzie slept peacefully with her tiny fingers curled, '-you adorable little darling,' *mwah.*

'Next order of business,' dressed in uniform, grey, one made by Arda, "-I better get the plans for the mine ready." Teleporting to the smiting guild, "-hello," pushing open the door, Dwarves and a few beastmen were seen around the waiting hall. Most stood with broken weapons, the reception jammed pack with delivering and taking in orders. A floor covered in dust, rust shards and broken bits here and there, those who waited snapped out of their day-dream.

"Majesty," called one of the peasants with a giant fork, "-what brings you here?" he asked with a straw-hat. 

"Good morning," giving a courteous smile, "-nothing much," ending the exchange of pleasantries, he walked to the reception as the farmer stared in awe. 

"I do apologize for the rudeness of skipping the line," staring down to a woman with bunny ears and shabby clothes, she carried a bag with farm tools. "Can I have the honor of speaking with the reception for an instant?" as politely and as charming as is could, the allure of a nightwalker worked. Startled at first, the farmer smiled and graciously accepted the selfish request. 

"Hello," turned to the receptionist, a dwarven lady with dreadlocks and a harsh face, "-is the guild leader around?" 

"You'll find him at the workshop, take the next door to the right," pointing without time wasted, tipping his head, Staxius headed out. 

'The populous sure are a lively bunch. My concerns now are filling our coffers – increasing tax isn't an option, I don't want the people to suffer for money. If we have the resources, nothing stops us from making our currency. I will probably need an audience with a financial advisor soon – still, mining for precious stones and valuables is a priority. 

Goggles on whilst welding, "-aye there, majesty," the leader caught a glimpse of Staxius. Filled with machines and small forges, apprentices, mainly dwarves, ran around to build and repair items. 

"Good to see you well, Skokdrag," stopping his work, the latter stepped off a stood to greet the king.

"What brings ya here?" he asked with a dusty face, even the teeth were covered in dirt – thus giving the illusion of rotten teeth.

"Glad you asked," taking a more relaxed posture, "-I was wondering if you could give me a few pointers on what is required to build a mine. First of all, I'd like to know how miners know where to dig – surely you don't go underground with hopes of hitting big."

"Gold, huh," he paused, "-there are normally people who are trained to look to specific metals and depending on the soil and rocks. Mostly blind luck, there's also a spell used for it, *Metallic.u.m Quaerere,* "-from what I understand, the spellcaster must be talented enough to sense a slight change in mana and how it reacts. Directed into the ground – usually in underground water reservoirs; don't quote me on this, tis how one usually finds it. It's not unusual to find other rare minerals. If his majesty is seriously considering trying to find gold; a trip to the university might prove useful. There, the structure and how a typical mine is built will be recorded in the books."

"Thanks for the word of advice." 

"Mining gold," mumbled Skokdrag, "-good luck, majesty, Arda might be abundant with resources, it's also very dangerous."

One after the other, evening came. Struck at 18:00, the library made a little whistle to call it's closing time. 'Sheesh,' held onto the forehead, '-I've read so many books about gems and how mine works. Haven't come across Metallic.u.m Quaerere anywhere. It might be a detection spell, the same as the adventurer use; high special awareness. The All-seeing eyes might be enough, I can travel through walls, go underground, and search for ores and deposits. Can't help but think about what I can add to the All-seeing eyes. Arda is resourceful, the land is rich, I'm sure I'll be able to find something precious soon. Whatever it might be, there are other possibilities. A magical weapon, from what I've seen we're the only nation who have a stronghold on that knowledge. Tharis is a better example; exporting arms through Phantom can be viable. Of course, they'll get a weaker version of our current models.' 

Teleporting back, without dinner, the king stumbled into bed and dozed off. Four hours later, arms and legs cozily wrapped around Xula, he slept with a smile. *Wahhh, Wahhhh!* 

"Lizzie," eyes opened, "-I'm coming," dashing off the bed, Xula kept on sleeping. 'Check her diapers,' he thought, '-no need,' holding her in a cradle, "-come on, let's go," he smiled and walked out the room with the babe crying wholeheartedly. "You're very much persistent," he smiled and gently moved, '-let's get you some milk,' headed to the kitchen, on-duty maids walked with sleep-deprived stares. Dimly lit, the counter held many unwashed dishes. Vague outlines of the room sufficed to walk in the almost pitch-darkness. A flip of a switch, the light turned, Rosetta stood near the stove. 

"You look dreadful," sat on a chair trying to calm the babe, the head-maid shook her head in disapproval. 

"I suppose you wish for milk?" she asked.

"Not me, tis the babe, she wishes for food," lost in making silly faces, Lizzie's eyes were wide open as she stared what her father did.

"The sleepless nights have yet to start," turned with no glasses, "-here," handing a baby bottle,"-she's quite demanding for her age." 

"You seem to know a lot," voiced Staxius as he fed the babe.

"I'm a mother too, let me tell you, after the first few months, it's easy sailing. Wait till she's an infant. It's amazing to see your child grow," leaned against the table, her attitude was one casual and informal. 

"Good," he stood, the babe finished – her cries grew lighter. "Why don't you teach me the ins and outs of how to care for a babe, I've wished for her to be healthy." 

"Majesty," back to her senses, "-I'm sorry for the attitude. I didn't mean to be disrespectful." 

"All is forgiven, I wish to learn, will you share the knowledge?" he asked intently.

"I-I s-suppose," head lowered to the floor, "-i-it w-will be hard."

"No matter, I care not, I shall do what is needed for my child." 

On that, the maid gave a summary of what to expect. Feeding the babe every time she askes for food. In addition to that, a few tips on cues to follow when the babe was hungry. Cries was a late sign, the feeding would be handled by Xula. Nightshift was handled by Staxius, holding the babe upright, she stared opposed falling asleep. Wrapped warmly, "-the sky looks nice, doesn't it?" Together, father and daughter got lost in stargazing. 

"She'll catch a cold, come in already," spoke Xula from the room.

"Yeah, yeah," he turned and closed the door, a few minutes had gone by, Lizzie's playfulness waned as sleep took over. "Go to sleep, didn't I say to rest?" opposed to the cradle, laid on her back together in bed with Xula. Lizzie grabbed onto her father's hand and slept peacefully.