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The thought came in bits and pieces.
There was a very clear before and after when it came to sleeping in regards to swordmaster syndrome. Human bodies had immutable physical needs like food and rest. No amount of sword training could change that.
Javier voiced his concerns to Lloyd when it came to the foreign princess. Not only was Lloyd providing her with the lullaby service for free, he was making Javier train her for free, too, and leave Lloyd unguarded.
Once again, he had no idea what Lloyd was planning or thinking.
The mermaids fell into a similar trap, then once back on land, construction continued with a strangely greater fervor than before.
When sparring the queen, the pieces clicked into place.
The queen suffered from swordmaster syndrome. Very badly.
Javier was impressed by her prowess and progress even while so thoroughly exhausted.
This realization made him think with no small amount of sympathy and horror that — well known or obscure — there was no other treatment for the horrible insomnia, yet another reminder that the fake Lloyd had a very rare and unique trump card up his sleeve.
After his wedding, Julian professed a mild jealousy that his wife was only able to sleep because of Lloyd’s lullaby, and that he was unable to recreate its effects himself. (It didn't help that Julian admitted that the lullaby also put him to sleep before he could figure out how it worked, either.)
Honestly, it must have been a miracle that Lloyd wasn't blackmailing the queen with the lullaby service as he did Javier.
As construction continued, agonized over what the right course of action was.
Nevertheless, Javier wasn't one to withhold a potential solution from someone else, especially given the circumstances. He would present the facts, the options, then let the queen decide for herself.
“Your Majesty,” she waved a hand for him to continue. “How well do you sleep?”
She smiled wryly. “You don't mean nightmares.” It wasn't a question. He shook his head in response anyway. “Of course not. Figures.”
A chuckle. “There is no end of work for me to do. Sleeping less simply gives me more time to complete it.
“Of course, falling asleep while completing or reviewing budget reports is inadvisable due to inevitable errors.” The queen shot him a side glance. “I personally recommend memorizing noble family trees. It reliably gets me a few hours.”
That would have been invaluable information to a Javier that had never experienced Lloyd's lullabies. Unfortunately, he was no longer that Javier.
“I wish I had better answers for you,” she said sympathetically.
His mouth twisted ever so slightly. “There is.”
“Oh?”
There was no backing out anymore. Javier explained his situation.
After a pensive moment, the queen said, “That sultan must be very indulgent with that daughter of his.” At his unspoken question, she explained, “I have never heard of a magical tool capable of recording things, so it's likely such a thing is very valuable there. And the princess just up and took one. Only one…” she let out a dark laugh.
“I can't help but be curious about this lullaby. I don't know how long it would take the magicians to design a working recording device, nor is it easy to ask that master of yours for any favors, either.”
Even with no further input from Javier, the queen drove her curiosity further.
“There are the possibilities here: first, I get Lloyd to show off that lullaby of his at great personal cost.
“Second, I provide us both with recording devices.” Javier was flattered to be included.
“Third, I bypass Lloyd entirely and hear it from the princess’ device.” This one was spoken with an air of triumph.
Javier was aghast. Putting aside the fact that he himself had subtly tried to probe for it before, he asked, “How would you go about that?”
Her lips stretched out into a victorious grin. “I don't plan on demanding it from her. I simply need to hear it for myself, and I have a very convenient reason to meet with the princess: diplomacy.”
He nodded. That also opened the possibility of recording the recording further down the line.
“This was productive.” The queen stretched as she stood up.
With some additional formalities, they parted ways.
The next time they sparred, Javier could see frustration mixed in with the exhaustion. He wondered if she regretted it. Ignorance was bliss, especially when it came to a good night's sleep. A person could never be the same.
“I take it you've now experienced the lullaby,” he spoke leisurely between strikes.
Audible to only his heightened senses, the queen grit her teeth as she intensified her counterattack.
“I wish I had better answers for you, Your Majesty,” he echoed in commiseration.
“I could just confiscate it, right?!” The queen bit out. “After all, isn't it a matter of national security? Such an effective sleeping draught, more potent than any poison, with no defense. And in the hands of a foreign princess, no less.”
She sounded, in this moment, not at all winded but perhaps half crazed.
Maybe Javier should be the one with regrets. He wouldn't put it past Lloyd to scam the queen into participating in construction. It was an unsettling image. Actually, Lloyd would be relentlessly vying for a lifetime labor exemption instead. Wouldn't that be something crazy.