Chapter 265
I recalled the Minister of the Imperial Household’s words, trying to calm the twitching corners of my mouth. For now, the royal titles, including the Duke’s, remained unchanged. That’s something you wouldn’t back down from unless you were actually stepping down.
However, several marquisates and numerous earldoms had mysteriously vanished. Naturally, the one who’d discover these missing titles would be the Crown Prince, and I figured the Emperor would recognize that achievement by granting the finder the titles instead of taking them back. Just thinking about the Crown Prince receiving those titles with tears of joy makes me feel emotional too.
Of course, it’s tears of joy for me. If there’s that much closeness between the wealthy, the Empire’s future looks bright.
“─His Majesty Korbus Aimanka Livnoman of Kefellofen, protector of the Holy Land and father of the people, is arriving for the nobility. All nobles who follow the divine will should bow their heads and welcome the great Emperor!”
Last year, the Minister’s lengthy proclamations felt tedious, but this time they were surprisingly enjoyable. Maybe it was because of the warm attention the Crown Prince was getting.
In any case, as the Minister spoke, nobles bobbed their heads lower, and not long after, the sound of the doors opening accompanied the rhythmic footsteps.
“Raise your heads.”
Soon, the voice of the Emperor echoed through the hall. It was a low, heavy voice—not large, but distinct enough that it felt like he was speaking right beside me. That voice carried an immense weight befitting an Emperor.
Honestly, whether his voice was loud or soft didn’t matter much. If I couldn’t hear him, I’d have to shout, “I’m actually deaf!” and get my ears cut off myself.
“It is remarkable to see the pillars that support the Empire gathered in one place.”
Fortunately, the nobles raised their heads instead of cutting off their ears, and the Emperor briefly looked down at them, stating his words.
A quick glance over the Emperor’s shoulder revealed the Minister of the Imperial Household kneeling, along with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and lastly, Ainter standing there.
‘Oh.’
I almost let out a gasp at the sight.
Sure, I’d heard Ainter was attending the New Year’s ceremony, but I didn’t expect him to stand there so boldly. Typically, the only royals who could stand with the Emperor during the New Year’s Address were the next heir or favored offspring.
Initially, the current Emperor had only the Crown Prince and Ainter as children, but just because he had only two children didn’t mean both could stand. There were instances when the Emperor didn’t bring a child he favored to such events.
‘There’s no need to reignite competition at this point.’
As long as the Emperor wasn’t losing his marbles, he wouldn’t pit Ainter against the Crown Prince in a succession dispute. The Crown Prince’s expression also seemed calm—no, slightly fatigued—suggesting he didn’t have any real grievances.
It wasn’t a succession struggle, and the Crown Prince accepted it. That meant Ainter, who had been living under the threat of purging due to being the full brother of the second Prince, had returned to being a regular royal. For Ainter’s mentor, that had to be extraordinary news. Suddenly, the reason to eliminate Ainter had vanished.
“The Empire has encountered various troubles over time, but those disturbances are merely a page in the vast history of our great Empire. The legacy built from our predecessors and your loyalty has become the bridge that allows the Empire to move forward.”
And it was unlikely that the other nobles wouldn’t catch wind of the changes in the royal family that I had detected. Even amidst the subtly rumbling atmosphere, the Emperor continued speaking nonchalantly.
“The Empire is steadfast. Even if one pauses to glance elsewhere, it will not collapse. Should it venture toward another path, it will swiftly find the right direction.”
A brief yet direct New Year’s Address. The atmosphere, originally slightly uneasy, calmed down rapidly. After all, the Emperor’s words were imbued with overflowing confidence and a subtle warning.
Having faced the ravages of the rebel’s antics and the second Prince’s drama, the Empire bore considerable losses, but he was affirming our recovery. There may still be remnants of the rebel’s spawn in the North, but the Emperor expressed confidence that it was an issue we could handle.
Yet, all this was only possible because the Empire had achieved unity. If anyone were to take a step away from that, like those from the second Prince’s faction in the past, they would face a merciless reckoning.
‘So grim.’
The Emperor delivered an invigorating New Year’s Address that would fire up anyone’s heart, leaving the nobles so moved they couldn’t even lift a finger.
The indirect speech typical of politicians; if the Emperor spoke so bluntly, it meant he was serious. If any noble showed even a hint of strange movement henceforth, their heads would be on the chopping block in no time.
“My words are concluded. The Crown Prince shall remain in this esteemed position for the loyal ones present.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After finishing the New Year’s Address, the Emperor handed over the platform to the Crown Prince and turned away, prompting the nobles to murmur once more. Everyone knew the Emperor had stepped back from frontline duties. We could tell that from the numerous titles he’d passed down, as mentioned by the Minister earlier.
However, it was another matter altogether to speak briefly during the New Year’s ceremony and then step aside. This event was a once-a-year gathering of all titled nobles. If he left the Crown Prince to handle things midway, it signified he felt unnecessary to stay.
“…It can’t be more than three years, right?”
No matter how you sliced it, this felt like a clear indication of abdication—one that would happen sooner rather than later. No later than three years, something would definitely happen.
“Could be next year.”
Thank goodness I wasn’t the only one feeling antsy; when I cautiously asked the Minister, he spoke with a stiff expression.
It’s frustrating. I’d hoped it was a far-fetched thought when I observed the Emperor relinquishing duties and titles one by one, but many believed it was likely to soften the blow when he unexpectedly passed away.
This show, however, would change their minds; it was clearly a hint of impending abdication.
‘I’m doomed.’
What do I do about this? When the abdication announcement is made, everyone at the manager level or above will expect me to dive headfirst into the situation. Even if the Emperor made up his mind to abdicate, it’s customary to make a few attempts to dissuade him in this bizarre world.
It drives me insane. Is it just me, or does the original author have a weird thing for Confucianism? I swear, signs of it pop up in the strangest places…
After the Emperor dropped three bombs on the nobles in rapid succession and exited, they split into three groups.
There were nobles rushing to curry favor with the Crown Prince, the newly crowned title-holder and the “real” third Prince Ainter, looking to form connections, and finally, nobles mingling among themselves, who weren’t of royal blood.
I was among the latter.
“Whoa─ Kyaaa! It’s been ages since I’ve laid eyes on you!”
“Yes, indeed. Nice to see you.”
“Hehe, right? Isn’t it great seeing you?”
Ugh, not at all.
I swallowed my words that rose to my throat and stared at the drunken idiot in front of me. The New Year’s Address had finished and now, the Duke could return without anyone batting an eye, but why did this guy have to stick to me?
Feeling conflicted, I turned my gaze to the man beside me.
“It’s been a while, Uncle.”
“Indeed. It has been a while.”
Unlike the drunken ruffian beside me, the gentle smile of the current Duke Salorn’s husband—a man with soft brown hair and blue eyes like my mother—made me feel better. However, he seemed to be experiencing quite a bit of stress, as evidenced by the few strands of white hair peeking through.
What a pity. Ironically, although they married for love rather than an arrangement, even overflowing love couldn’t outlast this drunkard. No, maybe it was worse because he loved her that he felt more pained by her drunkenness.
‘Who would have the gall to stop this guy?’
The current Duke downing whiskey straight from the bottle—it looked like he had been this way long before the New Year’s Address. It was strange considering he was supposed to be seated right up front to hear the Emperor’s Address. Yet again, I suppose it’s entirely plausible since even the Emperor cannot reign in the Duke’s drinking habits.
In the past, the Emperor once personally entrusted the Duke with a cup and recommended he only drink one a day. Of course, knowing well that if you served him a small cup, he would eventually end up finding another, he’d given him quite a generous-sized cup. But drinking that much would still result in him drinking less overall than usual.
Since then, however, the Duke had taken to gulping it straight from the bottle. Naturally, the Emperor must’ve been flabbergasted, thinking, “You’ve finally boiled your brains in alcohol, huh?”
“What? Why aren’t you showing your face?”
The Emperor must have given up on the drunkard when he seemed to pick up on my glance and cocked his head, asking.
“Are you worried about your aunt? You’re in front of your nephew, so perhaps you should keep your drinking in check.”
“Ahhh~ I just love this! Why would I hold back? It’s so good!”
“Didn’t expect to witness such tenacity…”
While smiling, the Duke patted the current Duke’s shoulder. As he did this, he further charmed his aunt, putting on a display of his tongue twisting around while being delightfully tipsy. It was quite clear he was the one who had encouraged the drinking. A self-inflicted disaster!
I can’t believe this. Why do I have to witness this mess…?
‘Now’s when I should be making myself scarce.’
A wave of nausea washed over me, leading to resentment directed at the financial officials who should’ve been around.
My back felt cold. The sense of emptiness behind me was rather disconcerting. The moment Count Flanbel, the Iron Duke, and Baron Aitini made an entrance, they’d been by my side. Yet, where were they when I needed them? It’s so frustrating… the treachery of the Finance Ministry is nauseating.
“Duke, while it’s commendable that you and your wife are on good terms, excessive display might be a bit embarrassing.”
To my surprise, an unexpected savior came forward, warming my back at once.
“Oh! Duke Chellor!”
Caught off guard by the Iron Duke’s sudden arrival, the current Duke waved excitedly, and my uncle nodded respectfully in greeting.
How touching. In a scenario where my colleagues were abandoning me, my first father-in-law came to shield me. Ah, the compassion from Valenti; it’s almost beautiful.
“It seems you have quite the leisure. After the New Year’s Address, shouldn’t you be off to visit your in-laws?”
The Iron Duke, nodding slightly at my uncle’s gesture, spoke bluntly to me.
But I knew well enough. His curt tone seemed reprimanding, but it actually concealed care for me—an effort to rescue me from the clutches of the besotted Duke.
“I’m sorry.”
“I just needed to hear that.”
See? Even with a simple apology, he’s willing to let go.
“May I take this guy with me? He’s busier than a finger in honey and I can’t let him go on like this.”
When he said that, the current Duke’s gaze turned toward my hand—specifically at the six rings I wore. Upon noticing, he let out an obnoxious laugh. Ugh, it’s so irritating. It’s no wonder he finds it hilarious.
“This kid’s really been a bother, hasn’t he?”
That might not be an inappropriate description. You’ve always been a nuisance.
But I certainly wouldn’t voice that; I’d rather avoid triggering the aunt who might just whine about losing her dear nephew.
“Take care, nephew! Go play with pretty ladies, not just me!”
“Yes, Aunt. Thank you.”
Thank goodness the current Duke was just a sort that was annoying but not clingy.
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