Chapter: 306
As soon as the day broke, I rushed over to Marcilio to ask for a teleportation. He raised an eyebrow at my sudden desire to head to the Capital, but when I quickly explained I was meeting with Second Manager One and Second Manager Four, he quickly obliged. It seemed that as the eldest sister among the lovers, Marcilio grew unusually lenient when it came to issues involving the others. A nice change that made me feel quite good.
“Baby, you’re sure it’s nothing big, right? It’s not another disciplinary issue, is it?”
“Not at all. There’s no reason for me to get disciplined even if I tried.”
However, right up until we arrived at the Capital, concern and suspicion lingered in Marcilio’s eyes.
I felt a bit sad that she thought of me as some delinquent civil servant who was always getting disciplined, but, unfortunately, she wasn’t entirely wrong. Most of the time, if there was a reason to head to the Capital during the Academy dispatch, it was almost always because of some form of reprimand. So, it wasn’t entirely surprising that she might think this trip was about that too.
“If it were for a discipline session, I wouldn’t even have the guts to say anything. It’s just something to wrap up quickly, so don’t worry.”
I hugged Marcilio, who was still gazing at me with those worried, moist eyes. Honestly, what was there to brag about getting disciplined that would make me ask a lover for a teleportation? I’d have gone alone quietly instead.
If I were to get disciplined, it was the Crown Prince who would send teleportation mages personally to drag me off. Saying it like this made me sound like a slave hunter, huh?
“Okay, I get it. Still, if anything happens, you must tell me, alright?”
As I embraced her, Marcilio gently pulled me closer and whispered. It makes sense; if someone was out to bother me in unofficial ways rather than on discipline grounds, I would definitely be ready to counterattack with Marcilio’s power.
Speaking of which, I’m relieved that Marcilio seems to have built up some resilience to skinship. In the past, a little touch would send her into a frenzy.
“I’ll be back in no time, so just rest at the mansion. The butler will give you a tour of the mansion.”
No sooner had those words left my mouth than I felt a familiar vibration.
Ah, that steady BPM, it’s definitely my Marcilio.
‘Not completely immune yet, huh.’
Of course, receiving a tour means being welcomed as the lady of the house, so it’s a natural reaction. Marghetta said she was happy during her tour by the butler too.
Anyway, having guided Marghetta and Marcilio already, I’ll have to guide Louise and Irina this summer break too.
I arrived at the Crown Prince’s Palace with light hands. Heading to congratulate on the second prince being pregnant while coming empty-handed seemed odd, but in reality, the crown princess’s pregnancy was still confidential. It would be terribly presumptuous for the Executive Manager to show up with a gift under such circumstances.
Besides, choosing a gift fitting for the royal family in just a day was impossible. So, I figured it would be best to go first and send the gift later.
But what should I send? It would be easier to pick out an appropriate gift if I had previously exchanged gifts like this.
‘Of all things, a gift for the Crown Princess.’
What a headache. For the Crown Prince, a few bottles of liquor would suffice as a casual gesture, but the one who was pregnant was actually the Crown Princess. I couldn’t care less whether the Crown Prince liked it, the present had to appeal to the Crown Princess.
How about something standard like jewelry? But that felt a bit too average. If it’s a piece of jewelry I could find, the Crown Princess likely already owns it. Perhaps some fine fabric for a fancy outfit? Necessary for sure, but it feels a little early for that kind of present.
‘…I’ll think about it later.’
After wracking my brain a few times, I decided to give up neatly. It would be a lot easier discussing this with the Vice-Captain or the butler.
Or it might be wise to seek advice from Marghetta. With so many nieces and nephews, she’d know a thing or two about good gifts.
*
Lately, I developed a unique habit. As my beloved entered her fourth month of pregnancy, where her belly was slowly starting to show, petting her belly became the highlight of my day.
This wasn’t a habit I would ever have imagined in the past, but it’s something every father could relate to, right? There’s a child from my beloved in there! Naturally, I’m drawn to it, and it’s only normal to want to stroke it just once more.
“Bee, just now your belly moved. Was that a kick from the inside?”
And while I’m stroking Bee’s belly, I wonder if I could possibly communicate with the child—
“I moved, Your Highness.”
“Oh.”
What a misunderstanding. How strange; I really thought my kid was kicking for some attention.
“A quiet and deep little one.”
How thoughtful to be reserving energy and hiding its playful side for the sake of the mommy’s comfort. What a sweet and considerate kid. I can already tell it has to take after Bee.
—Just as I thought this, Bee’s belly suddenly twitched.
“Oh! It moved just now!”
Bee said it with a bright voice, petting her belly. This time, it was indeed the baby kicking.
Already causing a stir for its daddy, what a clever child! The future of the Empire looks so bright!
‘Your future will surely be bright too.’
Feeling warm and fuzzy inside, I once again stroked Bee’s belly. With my father being a branch of the family, this child will be the heir. Unlike me, this child has no shackles of being a ‘forgotten’ son. If this child were to succeed me, it’d be the first time in a long while that a legitimately rightful emperor took the throne.
My father, who holds the same sentiment, is sure to lend power to this child’s legitimacy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made this child the Crown Prince before he steps down. What a perfectly legitimate situation.
—Knock, knock.
Just as I made that vow to raise this child well, a knock was heard at the door.
“Your Highness. It’s the Executive Manager.”
Hendrik’s voice came from outside the door, causing me to glance over. Bee spilled the pregnancy news just yesterday, and here he was showing up already. Quick on the draw, as always.
“Yeah, let him in.”
In a way, this visitor was interrupting my time with Bee, but if that visitor was there to congratulate her pregnancy, then it’s a welcome occurrence. After all, the more congratulations, the merrier.
Besides, what if this guest—who’s coming to congratulate—turns out to be a strong pillar for the Empire for decades to come? How could I not be thrilled?
‘Just turned twenty-two.’
I inadvertently thought about the age of the Executive Manager. Just a bit over twenty years old, if he takes good care of himself, he could easily live another sixty. Or maybe given Marcilio’s attachment, even longer may be possible.
In contrast, I couldn’t be sure I would even last forty years. The pressure of an emperor’s responsibilities would likely mean I’d die first or dismiss willingly. So either way, it was crucial that my child succeeds and becomes the emperor while the Executive Manager is still active.
‘A loyal servant for three generations.’
My heart felt at peace. There’s no greater reassurance than having the Executive Manager to assist my child. Knowing his personality, he wouldn’t disrespect someone younger than him, and since the child is Bee’s, he wouldn’t treat them callously either.
…Thinking about it like that, it still leaves me a bit disappointed. If the Executive Manager lived not for sixty, but rather around one hundred twenty, I could breathe a lot easier.
*
As soon as I opened the door, I was taken aback by the scene before me. The Crown Princess was seated, and on his knees was the Crown Prince.
What’s going on here? If the Crown Prince is doing that, should I kneel too? No, if the Crown Prince is kneeling, I should be prostrating—
“Your Highness, if you continue like that, the Executive Manager will be in trouble.”
“Oh dear, I just made a fool of myself in front of the Executive Manager.”
Fortunately, as the Crown Princess spoke gently, the Crown Prince got up from his position. As always, the Crown Princess remained the only conscience of the royal family. I trusted her entirely.
“The successor of the Krasius family, Executive Manager Carl Krasius bows to the little sun and little moon of the Empire.”
“Welcome. It’s nice to see your face despite your busy schedule.”
As soon as I saw the Crown Prince standing, I quickly bent over. The Crown Prince replied in a calm voice. If he knew I had pressing matters, he shouldn’t have invited me in the first place! If I dropped the pregnancy news to the Second Manager, it would mean I was expected over here.
Even so, I endure since this isn’t just anything, but something involving the heir.
Alright, as long as I’m enduring…
‘What’s with that look you have?’
The moment I straightened, I locked eyes with the Crown Prince. The glare in his eyes felt downright bizarre and difficult to describe.
What’s with this guy? He didn’t have a great expression normally, but right now, it was a bone-chilling look—like a dog merchant seeing a stray dog wandering alone in a small village.
“I heard about the Empire’s good fortune, so how could I sit quietly? Congratulations, Your Highness.”
I instinctively wanted to recoil from that gaze and quickly shifted the subject. I came here to offer my congratulations; I can’t leave in fear.
“Indeed, the dedication of the Executive Manager always leaves me in admiration.”
“Too kind of you.”
Fortunately, my quick change of subject seemed successful, as the Crown Prince nodded in satisfaction.
“I too shall celebrate when I hear about your good fortune, so bring news quickly.”
Is it just me, or did I misfire on the transition?
That felt like a compliment meant for a groom but sounded pretty ambiguous, didn’t it? If it sounded like he was instructing me to produce labor power to carry on my lineage, was that just my imagination?
“Executive Manager.”
Nevertheless, keeping up the appearance of formality as best as I could, I nodded earnestly while the Crown Princess spoke up.
“Thank you for congratulating us personally. Our child seems happy to meet the Executive Manager too.”
With a warm smile, the Crown Princess stroked her belly, and there was the Crown Prince kneeling before her, petting her belly as well.
It may be lovely to see the love within the family, but couldn’t they hold off on that kind of display when a subordinate was present? From a lower position, it was pretty awkward to see someone above me kneeling.
“Thank you for your kind words. If the Crown Prince looks upon me fondly, surely my children will have similar regard for you.”
It was a bit uncomfortable, but I couldn’t remain silent. I forced a polite smile and answered accordingly—
“Of course. The Executive Manager serves this child, so there’s no way I wouldn’t treat your children kindly.”
?
‘What the hell?’
What does that mean?
I don’t care how high of a prince he is, that line crossed a line. Even Hee has retired before King Sejong’s death; are you asking me to be an executive for a crown prince who served King Munjong?! Are you even human?
“Having the Executive Manager by my side would certainly be reassuring.”
But seeing the Crown Princess’s eyes shine brightly in delight, I couldn’t bring myself to contradict that.
“…Too kind of you.”
Damn it.
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