Chapter 84

“I’m going to die at this rate…”

At the sound that escaped her before she knew it, Michelle sucked in a breath and looked around.

As the ruler of a nation, she was not supposed to show weakness in front of others, but she was so free-spirited that she had ended up whining like she used to.

It had been over two weeks since she became the duchy’s ruler, and she had not rested for a single day. No, she had not been able to rest. The burden and pressure of having to lead the duchy alone were weighing heavily on her.

Fortunately, it seemed the aide working with her had not heard.

With a sigh of relief, Michelle rang the bell and summoned a maid, then had her bring an ice-filled leather pouch. After staring at tiny letters all day, her eyes were burning, and she thought she needed to cool them a little.

The maid’s comings and goings disturbed the quiet office, and Michelle’s aide, apparently distracted, set down their quill.

“Your Majesty, why don’t you take a light stroll or do some exercise?”

Michelle, her head tipped back as far as it would go and the ice pouch the maid had brought resting over her eyes, waved her hand. The perceptive aide took that as his cue and continued.

“You’ll have to lead the duchy for a long time to come, so there’s nothing to gain from overexerting yourself right now. The more you work, the better you’ll get at it, so there’s no harm in taking things a little more slowly.”...