Chapter 541
It’s already been a month since my brother had his third wedding.
But wait, that’s not quite right. Since the second sister-in-law had a wedding once in the Count’s Territory of Servette and another in the Elf Residential Area, it should technically be the fourth wedding, right? When you get down to it, that seems to be the correct count.
‘Four weddings in one year.’
That’s a dizzying thought. My brother married his first wife around this same time last year, which means one person has held four weddings in the span of a single year. Even the Gold Duke can’t compete with that.
And flipping that around, it means I’ve attended four weddings as a guest in just one year.
‘Did I somehow catch a lucky break back then?’
Out of nowhere, a silly thought popped into my head, making me smirk. Was my brother’s overflowing wedding luck simply trickling down to me like some kind of love potion?
If that’s not the case, there’s got to be some cosmic joke behind it all. Ever since my first crush didn’t work out, I’ve been living a mundane life, yet suddenly I found myself with two fiancées. Once my brother marries all six of his wives, I’m next in line for marriage.
If we’re weighing the pros and cons, it’s definitely the former. I’ve realized feelings I didn’t know I had, relationships I’d have had to wait years to form are rapidly coming together.
‘…That’s a good thing.’
As I rubbed the back of my stiff neck, I sighed.
Yeah, it’s undoubtedly a good thing. Not being sarcastic here—it’s truly good.
If I hadn’t been spurred on by my brother, I can’t imagine how I’d endure this hellish workplace.
‘Damn the assembly.’
I signed the papers irritably and roughly snatched the next pile.
‘Damn the members of parliament.’
Just like that, the corners of my mouth, which had been creeping upward, fell as if snatched away by the devil. I felt like I could burst into tears with just the lightest touch.
It’s painful. Why do I have to endure this place? No matter how much of an imperial count’s son I am, as the second son, I thought my destiny would be to inherit a modest barony and live a peaceful life dealing with tiny estate affairs.
All of this is happening because my brother is now a minister. No, it’s the Empire’s fault for illegally blocking ministers from holding parliamentary positions. How could someone already handling ministerial duties also take on parliamentary work? The Empire is hampering its own efforts for efficiency.
‘Should I propose a bill with my sister?’
I seriously pondered while looking at the pile of documents on one side of the desk.
A bill stating that only the current imperial count can be a member of parliament. Surely, that’s a necessary law for a brighter future in the Empire?
– Knock knock
“Erich, it’s me. May I come in?”
While I was stuck in those pointless thoughts, I heard the bright knock along with Sister Zenobia’s voice. Funny enough, I had been thinking of her just then.
“Uh, come in.”
As soon as I identified the owner of the voice, I replied without hesitation.
Sister is the only support keeping me going in this hellish assembly.
In the courtyard of the Imperial Assembly, which is usually deserted and free of prying eyes, I lay quietly on Sister’s lap with my eyes closed.
Just lying there felt cozy. In the estate, I could feel Serah’s warmth; in the assembly, it’s my sister’s warmth that keeps me holding on. If either warmth was absent, I’d have bitten my tongue out of sheer frustration.
“Are you very tired?”
“I feel like I could die.”
I firmly replied to Sister’s gentle touch as she stroked my hair. Honestly, I didn’t want to worry her, but I couldn’t even fake a “I’m alright.”
That’s why I admire her. Until I graduated from the academy, Sister was the youngest member and the smallest member of parliament. How did she manage to bear it all? Unlike me, who relies on her, she was all alone.
‘Imperial counts are different from regular folks.’
Sister, the youngest legislator, and Brother, who became a minister after being the youngest executive manager. Although they seem to have nothing in common, they share one unifying factor: currently being an imperial count.
So, doesn’t it imply that imperial counts bestow transcendent abilities to those carrying or set to carry titles? If not, how could brothers from the same family turn out so different?
‘Thank goodness I was born later.’
Of course, it’s better to live as an ordinary noble than to bear such exceptional burdens in exchange for exceptional tasks.
Plus, once Pedi grows up, I’ll be completely free. No matter how old I get, I can retire by forty, and I definitely won’t be working into my sixties like my brother.
‘This is true for sister as well.’
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at Sister’s face, which bore a faint smile.
When my brother struggled, all my thoughts were sympathy. There was no need for deeper worry since nothing would change; besides, my brother always worked hard even while grumbling under his breath.
However, Sister’s struggles are a whole different story. What kind of man compares his brother’s hardship with that of his future sister-in-law?
“Sister.”
“Yeah?”
“When we have kids, let’s pass the title down at an appropriate time.”
At my words, Sister’s eyes went wide, and she erupted into giggles.
“Then our kid will have to struggle even more, right?”
“They can pass it on to their grandkids.”
It was a slightly irresponsible comment, but it wasn’t entirely wrong.
Once you carry the title of imperial count, you cannot escape the parliamentary duties, so wouldn’t the best course be to inherit the title while young and discard it in middle age? After all, struggling in youth is better than working into old age.
Now even Uncle Georg, who I should call father-in-law, seems content to be unemployed. It’d be nice if Sister could retire around the same age as him—
“Retire? What makes you think I want to do that?”
Suddenly interrupted by a gruff voice, I scrambled to sit up.
“Y-Your Excellency.”
“Enough. I came here to take a breather, so you stay seated.”
I recognized the voice, and Sister tried to rise from the bench, but the Chairman’s gesture made her stop awkwardly.
I too sat on the bench in an awkward posture. I never thought I’d see the Chairman in the assembly courtyard, a place where even the other members seldom visit.
‘He’s a guy who only stays in the building unless he’s coming or going.’
Count Kador, the current Chairman of the Imperial Assembly, had just taken over the chair and was overwhelmed with duties. Did he come to the courtyard during lunch?
‘…What’s going on?’
A sense of unease washed over me. Even I, who had only started in the assembly less than a year ago, had realized the truth: “Members of Parliament don’t act without reason.” Those who have crawled through politics as the hands and feet of His Majesty the Emperor do not make trivial gestures without meaning, let alone the representative of the members, the Chairman.
And ominous premonitions never turn out wrong.
“I came for a moment to get some fresh air; there’s going to be some complicated matters this afternoon. Seeing young friends like you gives me a bit of energy.”
Though he uttered a cheerful tone, the Chairman’s eyes were sunken and haggard, causing my lips to tremble.
I might as well think that I’m dead this afternoon.
I was fooled by the Chairman.
“There’s going to be some complicated matters this afternoon.”
I ground my teeth, recalling the statement I’d heard just hours ago.
“The Crown Prince of the Leon Kingdom has died. The Asturias royal family of Leon has thus ended its lineage.”
And then my brain went blank at Count Telno’s declaration on the podium.
Where on earth did “a bit” come from? Has the meaning of “a bit” changed behind my back?
“Three hundred years ago, the Apels’ Valor family lost its heavenly mandate due to its constant tyranny. In response, the Great Emperor Aimancka raised his army to rescue the grieving continent and subjects; the overwhelming strength made even the Apels’ youngest, Ignas, bow before the new heavenly mandate.”
Count Telno continued his ominous remarks while the other thirty members of parliament were gathered.
“Since that day, the noble Livnoman family has become the protectors of the heavenly mandate, unlike the fallen Valor family. And the seventeen holy emperors, as their representatives, have shown mercy and tolerance for peace beyond the Empire.”
After this, Count Telno struck the podium hard.
“And today! A powerless royal family that could no longer govern their country has crumbled! The pitiful subjects yearning for the Emperor’s wise and gracious governance are eagerly awaiting the Imperial protection!”
“Count Telno, please be mindful in your statements. The Asturias royal family is indeed the ruling family of Leon, based on the consent of the blue bloods.”
“I apologize, Your Excellency. I was imprudent.”
The Chairman, who had been quietly listening, admonished Count Telno, yet neither the Chairman nor the Count appeared angry or awkward.
‘Ah.’
Only after pondering over the Chairman’s remark a few times did the underlying truth hit me.
‘He didn’t contradict the remark about them being powerless.’
In fact, the Asturias royal family became a family ruling due to the agreement and support of the nobility, which was a thinly veiled mockery.
“Just think about what the members say in reverse. They’re used to twisting their words, so that’ll be more comfortable.”
Suddenly, I recalled the advice my brother had given me on my first day as a member of parliament.
As my brother had said, even simple statements have different meanings. It’s better to listen after flipping it around once than to take them at face value.
“However, Your Excellency, the Asturias royal family, which has the duty to bring peace to the subjects of Leon on behalf of the Livnoman family, has lost that power. The subjects of Leon can no longer enjoy the peace under the shadow of a rightful ruler protecting them!”
“I agree with the Count’s statement. The Empire has the duty to ensure that even the most desolate corners of this continent, even the wretched slaves, are well-fed; we cannot turn a blind eye to the misfortunes of neighboring nations.”
As the Chairman expressed his agreement with Count Telno’s words, the other members nodded in approval.
Only I could not follow the current flow, feeling as if I was watching a meticulously choreographed play.
‘The Empire’s duty?’
Was such a thing… even real?
‘The tragedies of neighboring nations?’
When did we start caring about such things?
But I didn’t say anything aloud. If I can’t take part in the performance, I might as well not interrupt it.
“Thus, I boldly assert before my dear fellow members of Parliament! Our Empire must demonstrate a firm and proactive response to the tragedies facing the Leon Kingdom and its subjects! Even if it involves radical measures, even if other nations fail to comprehend the Empire’s just cause!”
“I agree!”
“Truly, a wise statement!”
Before I knew it, some members were up on their feet cheering.
What do I do? Should I join in too…?
“I, Laitan Fornio of Telno, propose a temporary bill for the expedition to the Leon Kingdom as a member of the honorable Imperial Assembly!”
At this cry, the remaining seated members began to stand up and applaud.
And that day, the temporary bill proposed by Count Telno passed the Imperial Assembly by a unanimous vote.
All of this happened in just a matter of hours.
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