1 I Really Wished for a Vacation

It was nearing the 'Christmas Celebration Event Season' or simply 'Christmas Party' that Roland held a year after he claimed the throne and started governing the Kingdom of Greycastle.

The whole kingdom celebrated a holiday that came from Cheng Yan's world which surprisingly became popular to the point that this tradition managed to spread from the Wildlands to the far Shadow Islands.

The day also became a holiday that every household tried to celebrate even if they have limited money to spare. Because Roland aimed for a progressive country where everyone eat at least 3 times a day (maybe more), commoners' life somehow became easier and can enjoyed more of life not worrying every second to earn money to live.

As the one who proposed this event, Roland was a busy man indeed. Even after ten years of celebrating this festivity, when the novelty should have died down, people were still excited during this season and that means more paperwork for him.

Roland endeavored to uproot the church (all of it with its' followers -- maybe by converting them) and rid the continent of that barbaric, dark ages type of thinking like the ones in his world during that exact same time where the church and religion reign. The concept of using morals, rules from a higher being, focusing the hate to a certain minority -- in this case to an actual witch not just some heretic they labeled as a witch or a spawn of demon like the church in his world -- was the enemy of breakthrough, evolution and Science that he was trying so hard to promote. This was fully realized when Roland ascended the throne. During this time, he managed to implement the universal education program throughout his whole kingdom (most of the continent). When the sub-rulers of the other three city states -- namely Eternal Winter, Wolfsheart, and Dawn -- received the order to start implementing the universal education program from His Majesty Roland, that was the start of better days for all of the people in the continents. As Roland helped them retrieved their kingdoms back from the claws of the church, he became the official ruler or the one true king or president (as he liked to be called) of all the former kingdoms.

The Witch Cooperation Association became popularly known as the Witches' Partnership Union during the time when they helped Roland unified all the kingdoms and abolished the church. During this time, those witches, that were part of the group that Tilly Wimbledon founded, already joined the union.

The whole council which consisted of Roland and his allies -- both witches, the militia, and government allies -- was gathered inside one of the pointlessly (in his opinion) spacious rooms inside the castle. They were currently reporting different problems within the kingdom and possible threats to the kingdom to His Majesty.

This meeting was already ongoing for a couple of hours with only a few minutes of interlude for bathroom breaks. Everyone was stressed out and wanted to finish this meeting as soon as possible but there were still a couple of issues that they have to deliberate before ending the meeting.

Now they were discussing the possibility of starting a business with branches in different parts of the continent for Christmas related goods and novelty items; ranging from Christmas socks, and wreaths to easy to sell foods like ham, candy canes, Christmas fruit cakes and/or pudding.

This proposal was suggested four years ago but was postponed because there were more important things that have to be resolved at that time. It was already forgotten until Nana remembered it as Christmas season was coming up.

All of them continued voicing their opinions on this as there were too many variables about setting up a business especially one that has multiple branches. It would be a good idea to first start a main branch within the kingdom and stabilized it before spreading it outside. They managed to worsen Roland's headache with their continuous bickering.

'At this rate, I will be sick which I cannot afford! Why didn't I thought that a simple Christmas Party event will be blown out of proportion so much that, instead of it being an outlet to relax during the holidays, it became an additional source of stress (not to mention the paperwork involved).' Roland thought silently while rubbing his throbbing head. 'So much for wishing to have a vacation...' He then signaled Carter Lannis to make them stop so he can start to speak.

"Silence! His Majesty has something to say." Carter bellowed to be heard through the noisy room.

"Thank you. Before you all started arguing again about this 'Yule Emporium' that you all were so passionately yapping about, was that all the issues for this week? Was there anything else that I need to know?" Roland asked after drinking his tea, that Nightingale kindly prepared for him during one of the breaks, hoping to soothe his headache.

"Yes we already discussed the problems that needed your attention your Majesty." Anna said wishing that they finished this conversation and continued unto the topic of Yule.

After Roland introduced this holiday, it immediately became her favorite time of the year and was so excited for it even after celebrating it for a decade. She even begun preparing her gifts for them three months before the month of Yule.

"Your Majesty! Christmas Day was near and we resolved all the problems within the kingdom so can we finished the meeting after talking about the Yule Emporium?" Nana chirped at the side successfully easing the stressed atmosphere inside the room with her joyful aura.

Despite trying to focus in what they were saying, Roland can't understand anything through his increasing headache.

They were silently waiting for Roland's response. Noticing that His Majesty haven't responded in quite some time and seemed to be deeply contemplating, Barov waited for a couple of moments before coming near Roland and asking: "Your Majesty, are you alright? Should we take a break?"

"... Hmm?" Seemingly in pain, Roland was holding his head while his face contorted for a second which didn't managed to escape the attention of his trusted allies that closely observed all his actions -- even if he thought that no one was looking.

Slightly concerned, Nana and Nightingale moved closer to Roland's seat. Then Nana said "Your Majesty... Roland?"

Roland was feeling nauseous and tried to go to the bathroom but he collapsed immediately after standing. This sent the whole council into chaos.