Chapter: 391
I became the godfather to the Crown Prince at just twenty-something, an influential figure in the political arena. I was slated to metaphorically carry the next emperor on my back, yet strangely, my daily life hadn’t changed all that much.
To truly feel the weight of this newfound fame, I suppose I should be meeting new people. But here I was, stuck in the Academy, only seeing the same faces day in and day out. I had no interest in the social scene, so nobody was rushing to chat me up.
‘Not much going on here.’
That’s how uneventful it was, to the point where I felt indifferent about it. From the day the Crown Prince told me I was to be the godfather to the day of the announcement ceremony, sure, there was some pressure; but once that ceremony wrapped up, things were surprisingly calm.
If I were in the Imperial Palace taking care of the newborn Crown Prince, it might feel different. But handling a one-week-old baby who is totally helpless is a dangerous business. Even the crown princess could only hold him with the approval of seasoned maidservants.
‘A baby, huh.’
I unconsciously glanced down. The hand that had briefly held the Crown Prince during the announcement—it still felt surreal as I stared at it blankly.
“Ah—”
The Crown Prince’s babbling still echoed in my ears. It was a sound so faint it was almost non-existent, but for some odd reason, it stuck in my mind.
It’s weird. That little baby, who could barely open his eyes and was just starting to move his fingers, felt so significant. Am I just enchanted by the adorableness of babies?
“Wow, already babbling? You’re quite impressive!”
Of course, even if I was smitten, it was still less than what the Crown Prince was feeling. After the ceremony, the Crown Prince had been grinning like a cheshire cat when he heard the baby babbling—his jaw was about to fall off from joy.
It’s natural for him to react that way since it’s his first child, but that makes me the strange one, doesn’t it?
‘…Getting attached to him would be great.’
That simple conclusion came after a brief contemplation, and I sprawled out on my bed.
Since we already have this godfather-godchild relationship, it seems appropriate to care for him affectionately. Might as well think about raising any future kids early.
‘Let’s be a good godfather.’
My goal is to hear the Crown Prince say, “I like my godfather more than my Abamama!”
Imagining the expression on the Crown Prince’s face made my heart race.
*
Lately, I’ve started to fear death.
There are many theories about what happens after humans die. One of them states that if you’ve lived a good life, you go to the heavenly realm where Enen resides, and if you’ve sinned, you end up in hell.
If that theory holds true, as the Crown Prince of the Empire who has dedicated my efforts to the royal family and the people, my chances of going to heaven should be pretty high—
‘But I feel like I’d just be disappointed.’
Since I had already experienced the heavenly realm, I was more afraid of feeling emptiness and disappointment after I died. If the afterlife was just like this one, what would be the point?
But there’s nothing I can do. This is Enen’s mistake for mistakenly sending angels to the mortal realm.
“Ah—”
“Hoho, Mommy is here,”
The crown princess approached with a gentle smile, enchanted by the Crown Prince’s babbling. The beautiful scene made me smile too.
Alright, let’s think positively. Enen sent two angels—one to help me, tormented by the demon that is the second prince.
As I watched the two angels, the communication device in my pocket buzzed briefly. I had briefly stepped away from work, but I was still officially on the clock.
‘Oh no.’
Slightly stepping aside to check the device, I found a note from the Emperor that was quite concerning.
[ Dietrich Denhar of Antrah, Baron, has resigned as Minister of the Imperial Household. ]
The resignation of a long-time aide and partner of my father, the Minister of the Imperial Household. Seeing that news almost made me choke on my breath.
This minister was one of the top contributors to reconstruction in this Empire, which was in turmoil. Even though he was older than the Emperor, there were plenty of other officials older than him. Thus, I really hoped he’d make use of his abilities and keep going.
However, I couldn’t bring myself to convince him otherwise. The minister’s post is one that serves only a single emperor.
‘Eh, either way, he’d be replaced when I take the throne.’
It was bittersweet but unavoidable. A new emperor and a new minister of the Imperial Household running the government—that’s how things go in this Empire.
‘For now, the Minister of Finance will have to take charge.’
I couldn’t help but smirk at that thought. Once the Emperor appoints a new Minister of the Imperial Household, the current one’s resignation would lose its meaning, and I can’t appoint someone from my side just yet.
This necessary vacancy would fall on the shoulders of the Minister of Finance, handling both finance and this burdensome workload. Quite unfortunate.
‘…Huh?’
I continued reading the Emperor’s message, feeling a bit of pity for the Minister of Finance when an intriguing detail caught my eye.
“Ha.”
I ended up bursting into laughter without realizing it.
The Emperor certainly had a flair for the dramatic right up to his abdication.
*
Wherever there’s an organization, class structures are inevitable, and with classes come promotions and personnel changes.
The Empire is no different. In fact, due to its vast bureaucracy covering the nation, many people watch and crave personnel changes.
Specifically, there’s the regular personnel change that happens every six months, emergency changes when things become urgent, and finally, special changes that coincide with major events in the Empire. Those are the three cases.
‘With the Crown Prince’s appointment, that certainly counts as a major event.’
And today, just five days after the appointment ceremony, it seemed the special changes were set to roll out.
‘I hope there won’t be any surprises this time?’
I couldn’t help but feel my hands shake a bit. Ever since I heard that today would be the day of the special personnel announcement, I was on edge.
Thank goodness I managed to pass through this year’s two round regular appointments without a hitch. Even the war damage wasn’t significant enough for emergency changes to kick in. So, I had relaxed a bit until the unexpected variable of the Crown Prince appeared.
I was going crazy. For the regular appointments, the individuals involved are notified beforehand, but there’s no such courtesy for emergency or special changes. I mean, I didn’t wake up one day just to find myself as the Executive Manager by chance.
I was terrified. Honestly, as long as the ministers were still holding the line, my chances for promotion were looking bleak. But after everything from the war and now with the honor of being the Crown Prince’s godfather, it felt like I had a pretty legit reason to be promoted.
‘It should be fine.’
I kept repeating that thought over and over in my head.
Yeah, it’s alright. The only place I could rise to is the Minister of Finance. That seat is firmly held by the current minister, and the royal family wouldn’t be so generous as to retire him just for my sake.
‘Here we go.’
As I was lost in this constant self-affirmation, the communication device began to buzz.
Here it is. This damned personnel change, the dreadful news that feels like a stigma.
“Please!”
I unconsciously shouted out loud, almost praying. If anyone had been nearby in the Executive Manager’s quarters, they would have given me pitiful looks.
Of course, if I maintained my position as the Executive Manager, even those looks would be a win. Your Majesty, please have mercy on me…!
[ Under the blessings of Enen and the favor of the Great Emperor, the royal family has received great fortune, and so to commemorate this joy and glory— ]
I quickly skimmed the usual pleasantries at the beginning. I’m sure others reading this message were doing the same.
I flipped through the pages frantically. Whether it was blessings from Enen or virtues of the Great Emperor, such flowery language meant absolutely nothing to me.
[ —The position of Minister of the Imperial Household will remain vacant. The duties of the Minister of the Imperial Household will be temporarily carried out by the Head of the Imperial Family, and the administrative responsibilities will fall to the Minister of Finance. ]
At that moment, I flinched at the mention of the Minister of the Imperial Household remaining vacant.
‘He resigned.’
It’s the duty of the Minister of the Imperial Household to share in the reign of the emperor who appointed him. So, I anticipated he’d step down soon, but I never thought he would do it before the abdication.
Never have I felt so envious of the Minister of the Imperial Household today—well, the former Minister of the Imperial Household, to be precise. He certainly had more experience than I did, but I still envied him.
‘…At least the Minister of Finance is safe.’
Finally shaking off that envious feeling, I directed my attention back to the communication device.
Seeing that the administrative responsibilities would be carried out by the Minister of Finance tells me that someone is filling that role. Now the question is, will it be the current minister, or could I have made a surprise promotion?
‘Please.’
I whispered another prayer as I continued scrolling down the message. If I saw something like, “The Minister of Finance will be held by Cal Krasius of Yuris” I might bite my own tongue.
[ The Minister of Finance will remain, Count Dever Briard of Blotzen. ]
And just like that, the heavens answered my desperate plea.
My heart wept.
As soon as I confirmed that the Minister of Finance would stay in his position, I almost hurled the communication device away. As long as I hadn’t been demoted or fired, I didn’t care what else happened. Honestly, I could have been let go without a second thought.
But basic social etiquette demands one should congratulate others on their achievements. If someone I knew was promoted, I had to send my congratulations. So with a heavy heart, I resumed reading through the other details.
‘What the hell, damn!’
Then, in a horrifying twist, I stumbled upon a shocking bit of news.
Towards the end of the paragraph regarding the organizational changes of the administrations. It was brief and straightforward, yet it carried a weighty impact.
[ The Inspection Division of the Ministry of Finance, the Information Department of the Special Operations Ministry, the Mukgwangdae of the Special Operations Ministry, the Extermination Unit of the Special Operations Ministry, and the Flame Mage Corps of the Special Operations Ministry will be merged to form the Inspection Ministry. ]
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Did they just… merge? What are they planning?
[ The chairman of the newly formed Inspection Ministry will be the current head of the Inspection Division, Count Cal Krasius of Yuris. Furthermore, Count Cal Krasius of Yuris will also serve as the inaugural minister of the Inspection Ministry. ]
…
“Damn!”
That was the only thing that came out of my mouth.
So many other things I wanted to yell, yet all that slipped out were curses.
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