Chapter 586
The monumental first birthday of Padie. A doljabi I’ll never forget.
But on this joyous day, I found myself shedding tears. Just one word from Padie made me burst into tears like a waterfall.
“Appa! Jo-a!”
Just recalling his bright little voice sent another wave of tears streaming down my face.
What kind of dad can keep it together after hearing that? What father in this world could possibly be happier than me right now?
My son, who just started talking, said he liked me. When I urged him to pick something he likes, he didn’t hesitate and reached for me instead.
‘So today was my birthday after all…’
This all felt less like Padie’s birthday celebration and more like my own personal fête. I received the best birthday gift of my life.
“What kind of father cries at their child’s birthday?”
But then, the first voice that snapped me back was none other than my father-in-law, sitting in the front.
No matter how joyful I was, today was Padie’s day. What kind of dad steals the spotlight at his own child’s party?
I was about to apologize to the guests but instead,
“Ugh… sniffle…”
The moment I opened my mouth, bizarre sounds came out instead.
This is ridiculous. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn’t even speak properly.
“Carl, I’ll hold him. You take a breather.”
As I continued to sniffle, Mar, sitting beside me, gently patted my back and took Padie from me.
“I-I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine! I’d probably cry too if I were you!”
As I awkwardly apologized, Mar just smiled wide and shook her head.
It seems Mar, as a mom, totally gets what I’m feeling.
The tears finally stopped flowing only when the banquet was winding down. Other ladies, my parents, and even Titi tried to comfort me, but the tears just kept coming.
I surprised myself. I had no idea I could cry this much.
‘If I keep this up, I might just turn into a raisin.’
After gulping down three glasses of water, I finally began to calm down. A grown man crying in front of dozens or even hundreds of people? Well, that’s a catastrophe right there.
But honestly, rather than feeling ashamed, I felt proud. I wasn’t crying because of sadness or pain; I was shedding tears of pure happiness. If there’s anyone out there happier than me, I dare them to show their face!
I mean, come on, if they heard their child just turn one say “I love you, Dad!” would they not cry too? If a parent doesn’t cry at such a moment, they’re either devoid of emotions or worse, a soulless creature unworthy of pity.
“I can’t believe I’m witnessing a Minister weep thanks to you.”
I glanced at the Minister of Finance, who was incredulously shaking his head at my outburst.
Not understanding a father’s joy? Man, that’s just sad.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
But the Minister, clearly aware of his own plight, shot back with an irritated question, and I couldn’t help but smirk.
“I was just wondering if you’ve ever heard Padie say he loves you.”
At that, I saw his eyes twitch.
“…Padie is smart. He’ll surely say it in time—”
“I just heard ‘I love you, Dad’ in front of hundreds.”
This time, his eyebrows scrunched up.
I was blissful. I heard Padie say “Dad” while the Minister hasn’t even caught a hint of affection from his own offspring yet.
I got a public “Jo-a!” while the Minister could only get mundane titles like “Uncle.”
2 to 0. A definitive victory for me, proving the Minister was just a stand-in for my role.
“Damn it.”
The Minister muttered solemnly about his crushing defeat.
But, as he rightly said, Padie is exceptionally clever. Knowing how to say Titi, Mama, and now Appa, he’ll soon master calling the Minister “Uncle” too.
…
‘Titi…’
No matter how often I think about it, it still feels strange. Why did he say Titi before he said Mom or Dad? Did I use Titi’s name more than the others in front of him?
‘…Well, I guess I did call on her quite a bit.’
I realize I often ask Titi for help locating items or finding people since she has an impressive nose for sniffing things out.
But now that I’ve realized this, I should probably tone it down in front of the others.
I can’t bear the thought of being outshined by my pet!
*
The Minister had sent me a birthday invitation for his eldest son’s first birthday.
Of course, I couldn’t make it. I barely managed to make an appearance at the Minister’s wedding, so attending my children’s birthdays one after another isn’t realistic. If I went once, then I’d have to keep going for each birthday after that. No, thank you.
Yet, the Minister understood this and merely sent the invitation out of courtesy, and I responded with my regrets and a birthday gift. Honestly, if I truly attended, he would’ve probably looked at me like, “What are you doing here?”
Nevertheless, I felt I had to attend, even with that judgmental stare waiting for me.
“Did the Minister of Surveillance really cry?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Upon hearing the report from the Minister of the Imperial Household, I couldn’t help but sigh.
Apparently, the Minister had wept at his eldest son’s birthday when he heard him say “Dad” and “I like you” back-to-back.
‘How could I miss that?”
What a pity. I lost my chance to tease him. It would’ve been perfect to jokingly pat his shoulder while he was crying.
How could I trust my past self, who got too caught up in work and missed such a golden opportunity? I could’ve totally handled a day’s workload in the next two days if I really needed to.
“How unfortunate.”
Before I realized, I blurted that out.
The Minister of the Imperial Household pretended he didn’t hear, looking down at his feet.
“…I can fully understand the Minister’s feelings. Children are more precious than anything in this world to their parents. Which parent could hold back tears when hearing those words from their treasure?”
“Absolutely right. Even I cannot forget the moment my child began to speak as a father.”
He immediately chimed in as I cleared my throat and said something normal.
How embarrassing. No matter how sentimental I felt, I shouldn’t show my raw emotions in front of my subordinates. A ruler ought to handle and hide their emotions skillfully.
“More importantly, Minister. Tell me more about the event you hosted, the one with the Minister of Surveillance.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
And so, I skillfully changed the subject.
At the same time, I was genuinely curious. As expected of a Minister always up to something, he did something unusual for his eldest’s banquet too.
He arranged items in front of his child and let them pick. A simple act, but it held profound significance.
‘Picking the thread means health and longevity. Picking the money means wealth.’
Listening to the Minister of the Imperial Household’s explanation, I rubbed my chin.
It’s a superstition with no real foundation, but it’s intriguing. So whatever my child picks can turn into a blessing? Seems like an amusing idea.
And with such an event, as the child grows, you can’t help but remember it. When the kid who picked the quill shows intelligence, I’ll think, “Ah, that’s because of the quill.” And if they excel in something else, I’d wonder, “If they can do that, just how smart are they?!
‘Not too bad.’
Yeah, it sounds like a good event. For something that came from the Minister’s cranium, it’s impressively reasonable and gentle.
Although it feels somewhat hard to believe. This event is unfamiliar to me, so it must’ve originated solely from the Minister, who certainly doesn’t have a benign worldview to come up with such ideas.
‘An ancient culture from the Northern Region?’
At one point, I even pondered that. Maybe this was some old tradition from the nomadic peoples revived in this era?
Of course, regardless if the Minister thought it up or not, that didn’t really matter. What’s important is that he introduced this intriguing event, and I too had a little one.
‘Even though Padie’s first birthday has passed…’
Our Crown Princess is still a cute little baby. A slight delay isn’t an issue.
“Minister of the Imperial Household.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Command me.”
“Prepare a banquet for the Crown Princess. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; a simple meal will suffice.”
“I’ll consult the Minister of Surveillance and arrange everything.”
I watched the Minister of the Imperial Household depart, pleased with his timely response while grabbing the communication orb.
The Empress will surely be delighted to hear about this unusual banquet event.
*
The banquet was prepared on a small scale, just as I had instructed the Minister of the Imperial Household.
Since it was a last-minute arrangement, and given that it wasn’t even the Crown Princess’s birthday, we only invited close family and a couple of ministers. It was evident that allowing other guests at this gathering for family memories would only muddle precious moments.
“As you know, Your Majesty, the quill symbolizes learning; the wooden sword represents martial prowess; the thread signifies health and longevity; and the coins stand for wealth.”
“Must it be those four?”
“It doesn’t have to be. There are no established formats, so we can add items as desired. The meaning is truly up to the parents to bestow.”
Nodding at the explanation from the Minister, who had rushed over with the invitation, I found myself contemplating.
Ah, so it doesn’t have to stick to four specifics.
“Still, Minister, a crown is a bit too far.”
As I reached for the crown, the Minister immediately protested.
Come to think of it, there’s no point in including a crown that will eventually be used by the Crown Princess.
“Then I’ll proceed with just four items, like you suggested.”
“That is indeed a wise decision, Your Majesty.”
The Minister bowed his head after that comment and then started arranging the items the Crown Princess would be able to pick.
I can’t wait. What will our Charlotte, our adorable little girl, grab?
‘I hope it’s the thread.’
Her intelligence should likely come from me and the Empress, while her martial abilities are inherited from the Nuren family’s bloodline. She will easily inherit wealth as well.
But health and longevity? That’s something beyond our control. So I just wish for Charlotte to grab the thread and be blessed with years of good health.
‘…I’m kinda nervous.’
A laugh almost slipped out. Initially, I thought it’d be a fun superstition to indulge in, but now, being this close to it is giving me jitters.
And our Charlotte astonishingly grabbed something spectacular.
“Dabu! Dabu!”
“Um, Your Highness… not me, the item in front of you—”
“Dabuuuu!”
She actually took hold of the Minister’s collar!
‘Now that’s something!’
Watching that made me nod approvingly. Ha! She got the best possible item in the entire world.
My daughter is truly destined to be the next Emperor!
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