Chapter 422
Since Erich had chosen the title he would inherit, there wasn’t much left for me to do. The title succession ceremony was being prepared in the territory, so all Erich and I had to do was wait idly for it to happen.
Well, if there’s anything left to do, it’s just waving at the retainers and the nobles once the succession is over. Waving isn’t exactly a speech, and I’m confident I can handle that without any preparation.
“Oppa, over here.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Thanks to that, I could enjoy peaceful days until my father contacted me.
Days filled with eating cookies made by Louise, or, well, just more cookies.
‘This is getting ridiculous.’
As I looked at the mountain of cookies, I cautiously picked one up. Since that ‘incident,’ what used to be plain round cookies had evolved into sticks. To be more precise, they had elongated to a size where two people could bite into either side.
They even had chocolate coating on the outside. No matter how you slice it, this looked like those long candy sticks from the binge world.
‘People really do think alike.’
Yeah, both R and L start with the same letter. Maybe that’s where the connection lies.
Lost in thought while staring at what could barely be called a cookie—more like a candy stick—I took a bite. At that moment, Louise, too, nibbled on the other end with a sly smile.
This was all my fault, really. I inadvertently unleashed havoc on the empire’s confectionery scene.
‘Was it too extreme?’
Regret washed over me as I gnawed slowly on the stick. After Irina launched her “Aang” with all her soul as a cookie kiss, Louise seemed to awaken and started cranking out these candy sticks like a factory.
Of course, I get it. From Louise’s perspective, she’s sharing love through cookies she made with care. Even if that other person is a friend, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a pang of jealousy. I really didn’t think enough…
“Delicious, Oppa.”
“…Yeah, me too.”
The stick had vanished into both our mouths, and Louise opened her mouth with a bright smile.
In this bizarre situation, I couldn’t help but raise the corners of my mouth. I taught this innocent girl, who would gladly smile at a simple kiss, something strange.
I am a sinner. Not only have I started a horrific trend of splitting perfectly good rings but now I’ve also introduced candy-stick kisses—
“Ah, wait a moment. You have something on your hand.”
Louise, who had been smiling ear to ear, naturally took my hand and began to lick the chocolate off my fingers.
She blushed, but that didn’t stop her.
What even is life right now?
*
The night before the weekend.
– I’ll send a wizard tomorrow. Where should I send him?
“I’ll be with Erich in front of the main building, so just send him there.”
– Front of the main building, understood.
Indeed, my father is the type who only speaks when he’s certain. Just as he mentioned that things could be handled this weekend, it was happening for real.
It’s astonishing. I wanted it to be over quickly, but didn’t I just mention wanting to inherit the title a few days prior? And they’re already all set up? Did they cycle through retainers to prepare everything?
Or maybe after being urged to retire, he’s been prepping everything in advance. He did say he’d prepare everything in line with my schedule, so it’s entirely possible.
– Keep in mind, after the Hardiner Barony succession ceremony, you’ll be inheriting the Count of Tailglehen title.
That was a given, so I nodded. If they did the main event of the Count title first, Erich might just be overshadowed when he becomes a baron. Regardless of how people felt about him getting it, you can’t overshadow a family celebration like that.
With such a thoughtful father and older brother, Erich is indeed a lucky guy. He should acknowledge how much good fortune he has.
– Ah, after the succession ceremony, make sure to go to the imperial palace. If it’s for other titles, a letter of congratulations is fine, but the Imperial Count must pledge loyalty directly before His Majesty.
“Oh, yes. Understood.”
Though this was the first I’d heard of this, it made sense logically.
The Imperial Count is a direct vassal of the Emperor. If someone inherits such a title while not greeting the Emperor in person but with a letter, it might raise eyebrows about their relationship.
Especially since the Emperor just ascended the throne, and if the Imperial Count is the godfather of the Crown Princess, more caution is warranted. I’d have to go there even if told not to.
‘What a pain.’
I almost let out a sigh. Just when I managed to escape to the academy, I was being sent back to the Emperor’s side.
But what can I do? If I wanted to be stubborn, I should have inherited the title before the current situation unfolded.
‘Damn it.’
Thinking about entering the imperial palace made my head spin. I should have moved faster.
*
Looking over the report submitted by the butler, I nodded. It was flawless, no matter how many times I looked.
‘We can proceed like this.’
I sighed while stamping the seal of the patriarch assigned by Billy.
Billy too was trying his best to stay in the territory since he was passing on the title to his child, but naturally, as a council member, he had to spend more time with the institution. So it was up to me and the butler to prepare the succession ceremony instead of him.
Fortunately, we started preparing step-by-step after it was confirmed that Billy would retire, so we weren’t rushed. If I had only started preparing the moment Carl announced his succession, we might not have been ready until next year.
‘This should be the last time.’
As I looked at the mountain of documents on my desk, I couldn’t help but smile. Since this was all for my child, I didn’t find it difficult. However, thinking of this task as my last one as the lady of the Krasius family left me feeling both empty and at ease.
Once Carl becomes the Count of Tailglehen and, if he marries next year, I wouldn’t be the lady of the Krasius family anymore. Sure, at 40 finally, and considering the first daughter-in-law would need time to adjust, I’d probably still be acting like the lady for a while—but in name, I’d merely be a retired figure of the previous generation.
‘The previous generation, huh?’
Glancing at Laura, who was organizing other documents in the corner, I couldn’t help but laugh. If I was considered a figure of the previous generation, then so was Laura.
“Nia? What’s so funny?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
I shook my head toward Laura, who turned her gaze towards me after hearing me laugh.
I couldn’t say anything. I can’t very well tell you that you and I should both step back because we’re getting old. If I did, I know she’d blow up like usual, complaining about how she’s still in her youthful 40s and how others view her as in her 20s.
I’m just curious about who exactly those “others” are.
Of course, objectively speaking, I and Laura still do look relatively young for our age. But that’s true for all nobles who care about their grooming. Finding any noble who isn’t youthful looking is the real challenge.
“Doing nothing, huh?”
Luckily, Laura didn’t press me further.
‘Is she really feeling that good?’
She even started humming lightly and moving the paperwork around with a lighthearted gesture. That’s something only someone with good news would do.
But I can understand. My feelings were probably no different from Laura’s.
‘There’s definitely progress now.’
I couldn’t stop smiling. I confirmed that Erich and Sarah’s relationship had indeed moved forward.
Yeah, there’s definitely been advancement. If not, Erich wouldn’t choose the Hardiner Barony of all titles. He clearly had Sarah in mind when he made that decision.
Knowing this, Laura was happily helping out with work. Sarah’s long-time crush was finally seeing some light.
*
As soon as the weekend morning dawned, I waited outside the castle’s main gate for Karl and Erich. Since I had finished all my tasks, there was no problem being outside. I only wanted to meet the kids as soon as possible.
“…Lady, I understand your feelings, but the wizard hasn’t even departed yet.”
Billy’s words barely reached my ears. What mattered was not when the kids were coming. It was the excitement I had while waiting for them.
That excitement is how you start a day happily!
Billy just didn’t get it.
“The weather’s chilly, so why not wait inside?”
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
I appreciated Billy’s suggestion, but I shook my head firmly. Even if I’m not as spry as Billy or the kids, I’m still an adult who takes care of my health. I wouldn’t fall ill from a brief chill.
Besides, how disappointing would it be if the kids arrived and were welcomed by retainers rather than their parents? I’ve already wronged those kids enough; I can’t wrong them again—
“Then put this on.”
Billy draped his cloak over my shoulders.
I smiled at the warm black cloak.
“Thank you.”
Billy nodded in acknowledgment.
*
In case Erich decided to pull a fast one or go MIA, I personally picked him up and arrived at the territory. What kind of brother picks up his younger sibling just to give them their title? You should forever be grateful!
“Is it really okay for a teenager to be a noble…?”
Erich muttered bitterly, and I lightly brushed his remark aside.
In a world where teenagers can become Imperial Counts or Executive Managers, a teenage baron isn’t such a big deal. Trixie became a Duke at just 4 years old by human age.
‘Huh?’
Anyway, I patted Erich’s shoulder as he grumbled and turned my gaze toward the main gate. I spotted something rather unexpected.
Despite the winter chill, there was my father standing without a coat, and my mother wearing that very familiar black cloak, smiling warmly.
…Hmm.
‘Did I arrive too early?’
I felt awkward. It was as if I had interrupted a romantic moment between my parents.
‘If only I had come a day later…’
Then the youngest of the Krasius family might have been born by now.
But pushing aside my regret, I stepped forward. The mood that had been broken couldn’t be restored. It would be better to quickly close out this business and return, that would be considerate for both of them.
“We’re here!”
With that, I addressed them as if I were a son returning home during a holiday.
Just like a holiday, let’s make this quick!
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