Chapter 330 - The challenge of delegating tasks
Back in Eieneos, Samir is still dealing with a huge headache. He tried stopping Luna from waking up all three men at the same time since he wants to focus on dealing with each person separately as much as possible.
It is not like they are enemies. The four of them even grew up together in the old kingdom of Eieneos, spending most of their early childhood, education and then even sharing classes on how to be proper heirs of their corresponding households afterwards. They even all fought side-by-side during the great war as well. It is just that their personalities don't really meld well especially a certain person that has always been annoying.
Currently, he is seated inside his own quarters with three said men. Though he hated dealing with these three at the same time, he had no choice but to meet them like this so the tasks that his wife has given him can progress.
He was previously tasked by his wife to complete the briefing of the three newly awakened mystiques regarding their assigned jobs in the kingdom. He just hopes that they will be open enough for instructions.
He is not trying to be a leader amongst the four of them. He doesn't want to command them to do anything since they all should know what to do at this age. He is trying to think of how he can relay the information without sounding too bossy or overstepping his station to avoid trouble again.
Since their four families used to govern a different territory, he gave them the freedom to manage their own territories as they see fit. After these three woke up, the other 75% of the territory that was previously covered by an impenetrable fog has now appeared. They have to make most of these areas the soonest.
Since this was the practice even before, all three guys agreed to this arrangement without complaints. Samir also told them about a few rules in their wife's family that they had to adhere to no matter what if they don't want to be kicked out.
They tackled things like avoiding conflict as much as possible. It also includes not hurting, sabotaging or putting other husbands or their children in any type of danger due to jealousy, rivalry and such. He relayed that their wife doesn't require them to be on friendly terms with each other. Being at least in a civil relationship and helping each other as needed should be enough since they all are supposed to be in the same team .
The others immediately nodded their heads in understanding. Who would even want to be kicked out just after waking up from centuries of sleeping? Who even wants to fight with others all the time? That's just damn exhausting.
As per the original arrangement with Luna, the first thing he instructed for Luxiel to do is to regulate the day and night cycle of the kingdom. He honestly told the guy that this task was the main reason why their wife chose to wake him up next.
He did not want to spare the feelings of these men. They have to get used to the fact that their wife have other men in her life. Unfortunately, she likes them way more than she likes the four of them. Even Samir himself is still being treated more as an employee than as a husband up till now.
He actually just wanted to take his petty revenge at Altair for pointing this fact out. He does feel that it was inappropriate to hurt the other two but that is how it turned out. He just kept his silence and continued speaking in a matter-of-factly tone as if his personal feelings are not involved.
Thinking of getting even with Altair though not liking the fact that he is treating the others as collateral damage, he still told them that the only reason they were all woken up was because their wife and her main consort had a huge argument. He even used the same words that their wife used which was "let there be chaos" as her reason for waking up all three of them at the same time.
Luxiel, as the ever positive thinker, chose to focus on the good things. He can't help but smile at the fact that his wife chose to wake him up next.
He did not care if it was because he was needed for a specific task. He was just glad that he was needed at least. He just had to work harder for her to need him for bigger things so he would eventually become indispensable to her.
Touya looked at Samir in surprise and then showed a helpless smile. He was smart enough to know that he said this to put not only him in place but all four of them. It was a painful reality check, so to speak.
He felt it clearly in the way their wife talked to all of them when they met for the first time. There was no excitement or joy in her eyes. She was too formal, even cold if he thinks about it.
It hurt him but though it is inappropriate to think this way, he thinks that at least their wife did not like any one of them in particular so he is not the only one in this situation. Even Samir that has been awakened for several months was still untouched and was treated as a regular employee of the palace. He has also observed how Luna treated each of them and it was evident that if she had a choice, she doesn't want to have anything to do with them at all.
On the other side of the room, Altair just looked at Samir in amusement. With a smirk on his face and a cold tone of voice, he spoke, "Does saying all those things to us three make your poor heart feel a little better, Samir?"
Samir's head snapped towards Altair's direction and he gritted his teeth. He then spoke with a voice that is obviously trying to contain his irritation, "I am telling you all of that because it is the truth. Can you at least talk to all of us nicely? We grew up together and if you don't realize we are too old for these quarrels."
Altair chuckled and sarcastically responded, "It was just a question. I am not quarreling with anyone so you don't have to be so defensive. Besides, how can you be so shameless to ask me to be nice to you after you called me "insufferable" in front of my wife. As far as I know, I am only obligated to be nice to my wife and my in-laws. I missed the memo where that should include the three of you. I can be at least civil with these two but for you... Well..." As he prolonged the last word of his sentence, Altair looked at Samir up and down with disdain in his eyes.
Touya who always chose silence just looked helplessly at the silly looking face of Luxiel for a few seconds. Obviously, this guy only listens to things that he wants to hear, his optimism too toxic for his liking.
He then looked at Samir and Altair alternately who is about to go in to a full blown argument. He does not have any intention to be a referee and would rather do more important things. He sighed and spoke with a soft voice towards Samir, "Is there any particular instruction for me from our wife?"
Samir looked towards Touya and gave him a cordial smile. He then responded, "There aren't particular instructions since she wants to give all three of you time to inspect your respective territories first which were previously enveloped by a thick fog. She only mentioned the task for Luxiel about the day and night cycle so far. Since all the representatives of the houses are complete, we might as well fix the timing of the seasons too. She seems to be planning on ensuring that our kingdom has enough food and other resources for the popuation that will soon live here."
Touya nodded his head in understanding. He then responded, "I understand. I can help with Erst and Kir (two rainy seasons), Arga (autumn) and Tika (winter). I can also help with maintaining the water resources in the territory for farming and other purposes. For now, I will inspect the Amagai territory first to see if anything needs to be fixed."
Luxiel, as if he has gotten back into his sane self, interjected, "I will start with the day and night cycle for now since my wife assigned it just for me. I noticed that we do have Mayari and Kadeyuna (the two moons) up here but just having those two has turned this kingdom to something akin to Aeterdumnox, the sky in eternal dusk. It seems this place doesn't have enough mana to support the Soleia (sun) unless I do something about it. I will help with the seasons too. I take dibs on Llov (summer). I will then go to the Flynn territory right after to inspect it."
Touya, Samir and Luxiel then all looked at Altair, expecting him to say something about what tasks he will be doing to help out. He looked at each of them then chuckled, "I will work on things that are within my capabilities. I am leaving for my territory for now. See you around."
He then nodded politely to Touya then tapped Luxiel's shoulder with his hand as a goodbye. As for Samir, he looked at him again for a few seconds, scoffed and turned around to leave.