Chapter: 305
The end-of-fair banquet went rather impressively. Irina, who had been bogged down prepping for the Gardening Club’s booth, finally rejoined us, and with her coming along, I strutted into the banquet hall with four lovely ladies.
Thanks to that, I was definitely getting some hot glances. If four people attracted that much attention, I can’t even imagine how intense it would be with all six of us together. I suddenly felt a bizarre sense of respect for the Gold Duke.
Of course, I had long moved past worrying about how others saw me. Were they looking at me? Sure, but I definitely wasn’t in a position to feel self-conscious. If I walk in confidently, who cares how others look at me? It took me a while to realize that.
But still, having seen some unavoidable scenes, I had no choice but to say the banquet left a deep impression on me.
“Idiot.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, recalling yesterday’s events. There was Erich squished between Sara and Count Horfelt. Honestly, it didn’t matter how confident I was at that moment; it was all meaningless. What could a brother do while his sibling was fumbling about?
In fact, when he was caught up between the two ladies, it reminded me of last year’s Crown Princess’s birthday banquet—it nearly gave me PTSD. But seeing Erich’s calm expression helped me recoil from the thought pretty quickly. I was the one nervously glancing between them, while that guy remained totally unfazed.
“I was the one who fell.”
It was strange. My body had taken the fall, but why was Erich’s intelligence and awareness the ones that went down? Do our bodies synchronize somehow?
Anyway, witnessing the heated debate between Sara and Count Horfelt with the exciting context of Erich being stuck between two ladies—who, by the way, happened to be the sibling of the famous Executive Manager—was truly something. The bizarre mix of elements had the whole banquet etched deeply in everyone’s minds.
“Thank goodness nobody danced.”
I continued massaging the back of my neck as a throbbing discomfort formed there. Yes, I was grateful Erich didn’t dance. If he had started dancing with anyone, it would’ve been chaos depending on who got to dance with him first.
Fortunately, whether it was thanks to Enen or not, Erich, claiming to be tired, showed no interest in dancing. With Erich’s firm refusal, Sara and Count Horfelt also fell silent. Dancing to establish rapport with someone only to pressure someone disinterested in dancing made no sense at all.
…But was he really that tired? Maybe he felt some odd signs and used that as an excuse?
“No way.”
I dismissively shook my head after a moment’s thought. No way. If he had any awareness or intelligence left, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a situation.
Besides, Erich’s lack of awareness didn’t mean he had a bad character. He wasn’t the type to knowingly ignore others’ feelings for no reason. Given that he himself had experienced unrequited love, you could imagine the depth of understanding he had.
“It’s been a while since I rode in a carriage, so I didn’t expect it to take this long.”
While I kept rubbing my neck, Gerhardt, who had come carrying the carriage, lightly chuckled.
“Oh, you should get a new assistant teacher soon.”
“Haha, I wish, but there’s not much interest in History. I might as well focus on improving my tea ceremony skills while I wait.”
I lowered my hand, which was resting on my neck, and gave my reply, but received a somewhat disappointing response in return. It was mixed with laughter, but why did my heart feel heavy?
Still, judging by Gerhardt’s expression, he didn’t seem disgruntled over not having an assistant teacher. After all, if he were someone who would care about hiring a single assistant, he wouldn’t have chosen to study the history of the Northern Nomads—a minor subject at that. He probably preferred the peace of mind that comes from focusing on research without someone else to look after.
“Besides, having Christina as an assistant teacher probably leaves little room for anyone else to meet his standards.”
Seeing Gerhardt shrug gave me a strange feeling. It was as if I was witnessing a professor singing the praises of a graduate student, full of sorrow over losing a good “slave.”
Of course, I quickly brushed that thought aside since it would be rude to Gerhardt and Christina. It would be an insult to those who chose the path of academia for the sake of learning and progress. They merely chose a more arduous path as martyrs; they were definitely not criminals.
“When I see you next time, it’ll likely be as a full-fledged teacher.”
As I subtly changed the topic, Gerhardt shook his head quietly.
That reaction sent chills down my spine. What? Is he still an assistant teacher? The deadline for his thesis had been extended, so did he fail the dissertation?
“What should I do?”
A pang of guilt crept up. Even with the extended deadline, Christina must be in a rushed situation to whip up a new paper. If the quality was lacking, it wouldn’t be surprising.
In the end, I had thrown Christina’s thesis into the trash, causing her to miss her exit from the master’s program. Given that’s now the case, I’d need to intervene with the Compilation Department—
“I did finish the assistant teacher period, but you won’t see Christina as a teacher while the Executive Manager is at the Academy.”
Fortunately, I sighed in relief upon hearing that he did succeed in escaping his master’s thesis. I hadn’t ruined a person’s life after all. No need to probe the Compilation Department further.
But this also raised new questions. It made sense she was taking a break during her honeymoon, but Christina had been quite passionate whenever I saw her, irrespective of her tiredness. Wouldn’t she take up teaching right after dropping the assistant position?
“I hear that Christina received her life thanks to Enen recently. She wants to raise him personally without a nanny.”
Gerhardt clarified my queries, shedding light on the situation.
Ah, so it’s not just a honeymoon, but she’s also utilizing maternity leave as well.
“That’s great news.”
I couldn’t believe 2nd Manager kept his mouth sealed about this momentous occasion.
A subordinate who didn’t share good news with the higher-ups deserves to be grilled.
“Congratulations on the child.”
It was a rather fragmented congratulatory compliment, and the 2nd Manager only chuckled awkwardly in response.
“What? Where did you hear this?”
“From your wife’s former superior.”
Upon my words, the 2nd Manager furrowed his brows slightly before he breathed out softly. This guy had forgotten all about the existence that is Gerhardt.
In any case, getting a direct congratulatory remark from a superior apparently made him happy, as the 2nd Manager kept chuckling. He seemed so blissfully happy that nothing else could come out.
“Shouldn’t have tried to keep it under wraps but got caught quickly.”
Yet even amidst this joy, there were things needing to be extracted. By that last remark, it became clear the 2nd Manager had intentionally kept the news hidden.
“With a baby on the way, why would you hide it?”
“I planned to say something in due time. They say to be careful of small things early in the pregnancy. It can get troublesome if it turns noisy for no reason.”
That was such nonsense but somehow sounded convincing enough that I had no retort. Honestly, I had no experience with kids, so I had no clue if what the 2nd Manager was saying was valid.
“And they say you shouldn’t see any ugly things during the pregnancy either.”
“Hey, you jerk.”
He had inadvertently compared himself to something ugly. This guy never holds back when talking to his superiors.
“Why so? I believe if Number 3 starts doing somersaults in public or if Number 1 brings something bizarre as a present, isn’t that uglier?”
This time, I had no retort. He was far too spot-on with that remark— it even painted vivid images in my mind.
Images of the dread that is our awful Number 3 doing somersaults while on stage because it supposedly congratulated a pregnancy or Number 1 bringing weird gifts, all things that would make Christina scream. If I were in the 2nd Manager’s position, I’d want to avoid that too.
So as I was rendered speechless, the 2nd Manager beamed, nodding his head with a smug smile as if proclaiming I finally understood his deeply profound reasoning.
“Therefore, I’ll kindly ask for your discretion, Boss.”
His heartfelt desire to shield his wife and child from harmful sights really is quite admirable. A true moment worthy of applause.
“I’m sorry.”
“…Huh?”
But it was already too late.
In the past, the moment I heard about 2nd Manager Junior, I would have contacted him immediately. Then I would have witnessed the 2nd Manager’s paternal instincts kicking in, and I’d keep my mouth shut. After that wild guy would have shown he genuinely cared for his family.
But I also had a (future) family now. Whenever I heard something good or interesting, I had someone to tell first.
“I’ve already told Elizaveta.”
“Oh.”
It seemed like a death knell as the 2nd Manager let out a quiet sigh right before I cut the call.
Still, was it just me? Just as I was about to hang up, I could have sworn I heard Number 1 calling for the 2nd Manager.
Well, who cares. The more people congratulate, the merrier.
That night, Number 1 contacted me first.
“Seriously now, how could you hide that you’re having a baby? Are we supposed to be embarrassed?”
Adding in a snort, Number 1’s response left me utterly speechless. I knew well how the 2nd Manager felt, so it was impossible for me to reply with a no.
“It’s his first child; he’s going to be sensitive about it.”
I merely uttered a neutral comment, hoping to remain unbiased. Thankfully, Number 1 didn’t seem to have any plans to complain further, nor did they take me to task. Or maybe they had already vented all their frustrations to the 2nd Manager, leaving them feeling a bit lighter.
Sorry, 2nd Manager. I admit I was the one who acted rashly. I thought you were hiding it for some trivial reason with your image.
“I also heard from a senior today that it seems concealing something is all the rage these days.”
I mindlessly began nodding but froze mid-motion. The person Number 1 referred to as a senior was seriously just one person, wasn’t it?
“…Senior?”
“Yep. Apparently, she became pregnant at the end of last year but kept it quiet for concerns. Now it seems she’s entering her stable phase, so she’ll announce it soon.”
Number 1 said it matter-of-factly, but the implications were anything but light.
There hadn’t been a child born between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess yet. Meaning, if a child came about now, they were both the first royal offspring and, barring no strange occurrences, the direct heir to the Empire.
“Turns out they are human too, huh?”
Hearing about the 2nd Manager Junior gave me a different sort of shock. I had thought he behaved like a little beast; hearing he was finally to have a child confirmed he was a true biological human.
“I should at least send regards.”
A momentous occasion had surfaced with the arrival of the first royal child. I was ready to overlook this if I hadn’t learned it, but knowing, I couldn’t just ignore it.
Even though it was just before an official announcement, it was evident that the Crown Princess had intentionally leaked her pregnancy news to Number 1 so it could get to my ears. Before the other nobles start making a fuss, I should offer my congratulations.
With the weekend approaching tomorrow, it was a perfect time to go visit. While I was at it, I could also see Number 1 and Number 4.
“Thank goodness they’re still in the country.”
Number 4 was already expected to be dispatched to the North shortly after I arrived at the Academy, so finding him still at home was a delightful surprise. This would allow us to stay in touch daily through the communication channel. Didn’t he mention he was off to draw dragon blood before heading to the North?
In any case, Number 4 has had quite the journey. Given he was probably active near the capital carrying out dragon-related missions, we must meet up.
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