Chapter: 273
Whether a civil servant in his own country is poisoning the social scene or there’s a purging breeze blowing in a foreign land, the Emperor is buried deep within the Imperial Palace, not showing his face. Honestly, even if he seemed ready to abdicate, if it were any other ruler, the country would be in an uproar. But right now, the Emperor is the kind of guy you’d want to tell, “Please, just take a break.” So, it’s probably for the best.
The current Emperor had been a workaholic since his coronation, basically a self-prescribed overworker. Many noble families have been crushed under his iron fist. Maybe he’s just keeping to himself for the sake of the nobles’ and civil servants’ sanity.
And let’s be real, if the Emperor is having fun, that means the Crown Prince can have a wild time too. Your Majesty, please walk the path of a carefree sovereign!
“The Great Emperor has received the heavenly mandate for 300 years now. In the endless history of the Empire, those 300 years are but a fraction, and even this moment is merely a stepping stone to the future.”
Of course, this was a futile wish. No matter how leisurely the Emperor has been tossing hints to the Crown Prince, he personally conducted the closing address.
“We are merely a bridge that inherits the legacy of the past to be passed down to future generations. Do not forget this, unite, and diligently strive.”
The contents of his closing address were pretty standard fare. He just reiterated unity and progress, as he does every year.
The nobles were all ears, but it was nothing overwhelming. Unite with loyalty to the Emperor to progress the interests of the nation. It’s not exactly rocket science. It’s akin to saying, “Have a good New Year!” unless one is hell-bent on committing treason.
“Crown Prince, please say a few words.”
Just when it seemed like it would wrap up smoothly, the closing address suddenly drifted into unexpected territory. The Emperor handed over the conclusion of the New Year address to the Crown Prince.
The nobles, who had been kneeling in reverence to the old Sun giving full support to the next one, felt a shock wave.
‘What is happening?’
I was swept up in the shock as well. It’s frightening. Does this mean, just like the Minister said, there will be an abdication event within a year? If I’m unlucky, I might have to bang my head against the wall begging for leniency while I’m stuck at the academy.
And unlike the nobles’ agitation, the Crown Prince already seemed to have been given the nod. Bowing to the Emperor, he stepped forward.
“Just as Your Majesty has taught us, we currently serve as a bridge connecting the past and the future. Do not take the inherited legacy for granted; we must not only live in the present but also look towards the future.”
His words were not much different from the Emperor’s address. Naturally, at this timing, it would be weirder if the Crown Prince said something contradictory.
The Emperor didn’t call him to speak just to have some amazing revelation; he just wanted to give him a chance to make his presence felt.
“However, there’s no need to rush. A hastily built bridge is bound to collapse, and what we seek is a bridge that will last for over a thousand years.”
…Is it just me, or does that sound like a declaration that “I will roll you out forever”?
“So, I will simply wait. You will be the treasures that serve the royal family in the future, those of you sharing this moment together with the royal family now.”
As the Crown Prince said that, his gaze subtly shifted towards me. And with that direct look, my heart felt like it would explode, and tears of discomfort threatened to spill.
Isn’t it a bit excessive to say that while looking at me? The implication is that not only will I roll myself out, but the kids I’m going to have will be joyous toys too.
‘You little brat.’
No wonder he was so quiet during lunch; he was preparing to stab me in the back!
The New Year’s address for the year 1378 has now concluded. Excluding the grim prophecy dropped by the Crown Prince at the end, it was actually a decent New Year’s address.
I might have been hurt due to the familial bonds, but I decided to think it was all okay.
“I’ll make a visit to your territory soon.”
“Haha, please come at your convenience. I will be waiting with joy.”
Before I could feel too sorry for myself, I prioritized sending off my in-laws.
The iron-willed Duke and Count Iones who left first, soon to be the returning Count Flanbel and Baron Aitini. It isn’t easy to gather all these folks in one place, so ideally, they’d leave at a leisurely pace, but they all have territories to get back to. They can’t be held back if they need to return and handle their tasks.
Besides, it’s customary that when the Emperor invites noble houses for a New Year’s address, so do the lords, enjoying feasts with their retainers. Unless I want to label my in-laws as “nobles who disregard tradition,” I ought to let them go.
“To be honest, I’ve been quite worried that my only daughter hasn’t returned home, but now I can rest easy.”
Unlike when we first met, Baron Aitini spoke with a smile as the awkwardness had significantly reduced. Though the contents of his discourse were rather embarrassing.
Louise hasn’t returned home even once since entering the academy. During school terms, she stayed at the academy, and during breaks, she was at my mansion. Thinking about it, that’s a model daughter! Not just a pink capybara, but more like an elemental capybara.
“You’ve been feeling the same way? I never thought I’d find kinship in this.”
Count Flanbel, who was nearby, laughed at Baron Aitini’s words. Unfortunately, Irina was also a similar model daughter, so…
“…I’m sorry, I should have sent her back sooner.”
However, both Louise and Irina’s good daughter status is largely my doing. So, as I bowed my head in apology, both fathers-in-law shook theirs.
“Well, they do call regularly. And there’s no safer place than next to the Executive Manager.”
“I’m just grateful that you say so.”
What a relief! I’m glad they see me as a solid son-in-law rather than as a raider kidnapping their precious daughters…
After several rounds of apologies and thanks to Baron Aitini and Count Flanbel, I finally said my farewells to all the in-laws. The next time we all gather will probably be at the wedding.
“It’s quite a task sending off four families.”
“Indeed.”
Once the farewells were done, my mother approached me after chatting lightly with my mother-in-laws. The Patriarch had already returned due to the Imperial Council business.
Anyway, as I turned my attention to my mother, she still had a smile lingering on her face. It seems like she’s smiled every time I’ve seen her throughout this New Year’s address.
‘Was she always capable of smiling like this?’
It’s a bit surprising. She’s usually dignified, but it seems the eldest son’s marriage is a cheat code for parents.
“Are you going back too?”
“Since the lord is absent, the lady should at least watch over things.”
That was a natural question, and a natural answer, so I nodded. If the Patriarch had gone to the council meeting, then surely the lady ought to return as well. No matter how much the steward holds up, the lord’s family needs to be present for tasks to flow smoothly.
…But isn’t one lord’s family left behind in the territory?
“Actually, with Erich around, there’s no need to rush, is there?”
“That child is inexperienced in his duties.”
As I mentioned Erich, my mother subtly shook her head. No, who is already well-versed when they start? I stumbled my way into this position and rose to it from ignorance, after all.
But I thought I understood why my mother took that stance, so I let it slide. If another son meddles in work when the successor is already solid, it could cause needless confusion for the retainers.
“Besides, Erich is busy spending time with Sera.”
Wait a minute. Is she worried about a romantic distraction instead of the succession chaos?
I kept my eyes from rolling up to the ceiling as I quietly turned to look at Mom. Well, what does it matter why? The end result is all that counts.
“Mom, you’re going back. Let everyone know.”
And right after I turned my attention away, I gestured to the daughters-in-law, who had been maintaining a proper distance. It would make her happier to receive the farewell from her daughters-in-law on her final departure.
In fact, as my mother was surrounded by five daughters-in-law for her farewell, she seemed flustered with joy.
So this is filial piety… I’ve never done anything like this before.
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