If she could simply live out her days drinking beer, watching exciting baseball games, and enjoying the fireworks show every night, then she would do so without a question.
But unfortunately, her title as the Duchess necessitated her actually going back to her own territory and managing it like a royal should.
"Duchess? We have arrived," said her butler.
"I know, I know," she replied exasperatedly. She opened the carriage door and exited, finding herself in the expansive mansion she had with a view overlooking the entirety of Metropolis.
This was a view that many people would die for. But for the Duchess, she would exchange this entire castle for a simple house back in the Nation of Reborn if she could.
"Haaa," she sighed, pushing her feet to go inside.
As soon as she opened the door, she felt nothing but silence.
Her children and her grandchildren remained back in that paradise, enjoying themselves to their heart’s content.
She even offered Harry or Elizabeth the crown so that she wouldn’t have to return here, but they declined. They were happy and content with their new lives there. Her grandchildren made friends, so she couldn’t ask them to go with her. It wouldn’t be fair to them.
So, she remained in her large castle alone, forced by her duty to take care of Metropolis lest it fall to ruin.
The first few nights were the hardest. She missed visiting the famous tree houses with her family and watching the parades down on the streets. She missed visiting the taverns and drinking beer with the Dwarves like a normal person.
She missed the comfort that the Nation of Reborn offered her.
The worst part was the headache that she had to endure as all the paperwork finally caught up to her.
"Duchess, you have a decision to make regarding our policy here..."
"Multiple companies are requesting for you to approve of this, Duchess..."
"You have meetings tomorrow till next week, Duchess. We can’t delay it any longer..."
In her absence, a lot of her duties had piled up. This was especially so because of the appearance of New Sparta. It caused a lot of companies to make moves in order to ensure that they wouldn’t fall behind in the race to get the Beastfolk’s attention.
"I have to thank Alaric," she said, massaging her temples as she looked through her old letters. "He already arranged for the companies in Metropolis to stand together."
She was very familiar with the political ramifications of New Sparta.
Metropolis was only the most successful territory in the lower regions of the Queens region because of their connections to the conglomerates and the two big organizations.
But with the appearance of the Beastfolks, there would be a great shift in the rankings.
If Metropolis didn’t stand together to compete in New Sparta, then the other territories could finally catch up to them. They would lose their top spot. Because of that, people and companies would leave Metropolis and find better pastures, further exacerbating the decline.
"How’s the situation in New Sparta, 001?" she asked.
Suddenly, a man wearing an all-black attire that obscured half of his face appeared kneeling beside the Duchess.
He was part of her Secret Service, her eyes and ears in the places where she cannot be.
"The smaller territories have carved up their own space in New Sparta. Some of them have made allies with the Beastfolks, while some are still fighting to take that chance," 001 replied.
"How about those two?" the Duchess asked, her implication obvious.
"Bonacore Town has made a decent headway. Some chose to ally with factions from Metropolis to get a better shot with the Beastfolks, while some chose to simply stand aside."
The Duchess turned to look at 001. "And Zenthaven City?"
"They have already allied with most of the Beastfolks," 001 replied.
Regina pursed her lips. "Looks like the Auberts really are on their way back to the top," she grumbled.
Although there was no bad blood between her and Zenthaven City, she knew that they, and the Auberts specifically, were their greatest competition within New Sparta. If they were to reach great success in New Sparta, they could potentially take back their past title as a Conglomerate.
This would put Metropolis in their shadows, which her pride couldn’t take. It reflected badly on her if Metropolis lost their place as the best territory in the region.
And with that thought, her eyes turned serious, a competitive fire burning in her pupils. In the back of her mind, plans and schemes commenced.
For a second, 001 stared at the Duchess.
Her expression brought him back to the olden days where Metropolis had yet to become the territory it was now.
Back then, the Metropolis army was led by a great general whose fist was as mighty as a Draconian, wits as sharp as the Magus, and courage as deep as the seven seas.
People feared her, and that was how she led Metropolis into the top.
As unfortunate as it was, time, comfort, and familiarity had dulled this general’s sword. And once she had a family, her priority turned from conquering to preserving.
But now, 001 was seeing a hint of that fearless general once again.
Was the Duchess about to release her fangs once more?
But just then, a knock rang out from the door.
"Duchess, there’s a letter for you," said the butler.
After asking for permission, the butler entered the Duchess’ office room and found her all alone, hunched in her desk overlooking stacks of paperwork.
"Who is it from?" the Duchess asked him. "Is it from the Beastfolks?"
The butler didn’t answer and kept a subtle smile on his face as he gave her the letter.
"It’s from your grandchildren," the butler said.
The Duchess’ eyes softened as she opened the letter.
{Gramma! Are you back at the castle yet? Hope your journey was fine. Don’t worry about us because we’re being fine and healthy here! Don’t listen to him, grammy! He’s been drinking soda nonstop! His teeth are crooked. It’s not, yours are!...}
The letter was nonsensical and scribbled so sloppily that it could barely even be legible.
Despite that, a single tear dropped onto the paper, staining it wet.
Duchess Regina couldn’t help but laugh and cry as she imagined those troublesome grandchildren of hers wrestle their pens away from each other writing this letter.
She took a deep breath.
This gave her the levity she needed in these stressful times.
After a pause, she started to wonder. Was it so bad if Metropolis stopped becoming the best territory in the region?
She could retire back in the Nation of Reborn and let New Sparta pass her by.
There was no reason for her to keep struggling. What would this bring her? More fame? More prestige? If she had to sacrifice seeing her grandchildren grow up, then it wouldn’t be worth anything.
"Duchess?" asked 001, reappearing again after the butler was gone. "We still need your signature on these letters. There are people waiting for your appearance in New Sparta."
Regina looked at the stack of paperwork in her desks, and then back to the letter in her hands.
She opened her mouth, about to say something, then they heard another knock from the door.
Knock knock!
"Yo, Duchess. You there?" Michael said, opening the door.