Chapter: 596
At the year-end service held in the capital…
Word spread that the next saint would officiate and the Emperor would grace the occasion, drawing high-ranking nobles from across the Empire. After all, they were coming anyway for the New Year’s celebration in just a few days. A little early arrival was just fine.
Besides, there was an announcement that even the always-absent royal family would attend this service. Anyone among the elite who skipped out could only be described as lacking—lacking faith or lacking social skills!
‘Now that the old man is coming, if I don’t attend, won’t I earn some serious ‘disgrace’ points?’
Of course, if someone really had that little social sense, they probably wouldn’t even make it to the upper crust of society.
“I was going to rest a bit during the year-end…”
Even Erich—who can be likened to a living embodiment of the phrase “lack of social sense”—was begrudgingly getting ready to attend the service.
“If you want to rest forever, you should just stay at home.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh for someone who just turned twenty?”
As I jokingly offered some advice, Erich frowned and grumbled in response.
He might react like that now, but in a few years, he’ll probably recall the advice I just gave him. Maybe he should have chosen to rest forever back then!
“Besides, Tannian’s here; I can’t just skip out. Last time, I couldn’t even see him because I was at the council.”
His sensible reason for wanting to meet Tannian kept me from offering any additional advice. If a friend comes all the way to your place, it’s only natural to go meet them.
Unfortunately, when Tannian first arrived in the Empire, Ainter and I had the chance to greet him, but Erich didn’t get to. He was too busy being the youngest member getting chewed out in the Imperial Council. So if he didn’t go now, who knows when they would meet again.
“What a shame. It was a perfect opportunity for my niece to receive the saint’s blessing.”
“What niece? Your marriage isn’t even settled yet. Don’t go mixing up the family tree.”
At my well-intentioned yet somewhat awkward consolation, Erich just chuckled and waved his hand.
I can truthfully say that since Pedi was born, the family tree is fine. My firstborn is older than any future nieces he might have, so the succession line is unlikely to get tangled.
But Erich has made it clear that he won’t marry until after my wedding with Peine, and that all six of his wives will each have at least one child before he even considers asking for another. It’s quite the considerate view, treating the others just like Mar.
“I wonder if my sisters-in-law will resent me for this.”
“Sarah and your sister?”
At my question, Erich fell silent for a moment before shaking his head.
“I doubt it. They say if it weren’t for you, they probably wouldn’t have even been engaged yet.”
‘Ah.’
There was nothing I could say to counter that; it was reasonable.
Surely, had I not interfered, those three might still just be childhood friends. I quite literally fast-tracked their relationship to engagement, so putting off marriage a bit longer is a small price to pay.
“And in two years, it will be our turn. It’s good to be able to prepare for marriage at a leisurely pace.”
With that, Erich threw on his coat and turned to leave.
“Alright, I’ll be on my way. The three of us decided to go together, so I need to head out first.”
“Sure, see you later.”
It seemed just a bit like he was headed for a short year-end date with his fiancée, so I let him go without any fuss.
‘He’s doing just fine without me now.’
Watching Erich fade away, I wiped my eyes. Back when we were at the Academy, I had to step in to set everything up for them to hang out, but now he’s figuring out dates on his own.
It felt like a sign that my little brother has grown up, and it was enough to bring tears to my eyes. I just hope he keeps growing like this.
Please.
*
Somehow, this year-end service turned into a full-blown family event for the Krasius family.
Originally, my father and mother were supposed to be resting comfortably in their territory. The royal family was participating and all that, but they’re retired, right? I’d be more than enough to entertain the royal family.
However, when Tannian said he would bless Teresa, the two of them gladly rose to make an appearance at the official occasion. Parents can’t just skip out when their child is receiving a blessing!
Of course, this reasoning applied to me and my wives too. At this point, the blessing for our youngest, Friedrich, was a monumental moment that all the wives wanted to witness, and we planned to take Pedi and the triplets along.
“Do you guys want to join us?”
So, I suggested the kids’ good playmates—no, their friends, to join us for the service. Since it’s a family event now, wouldn’t they want to attend the service together?
“What?”
At my suggestion, I was met with a lifeless stare from Jangsaeng, sprawled uselessly on the floor as if he were telling me I was talking nonsense.
Seeing him like that gave me a fleeting sense of guilt. He used to be the most rebellious and ferocious when he was just released from his seal, but since coming to the mansion, he’s been through a lot and lost his edge.
“Aw-”
“Bbaaa!”
“Bubu…”
The main culprit here might just be the triplets, who’ve started crawling around.
Formerly known as Death, now just Jangsaeng. Aside from his menacing past name, he looks just like a little Yorkshire Terrier.
Thanks to his cute and harmless appearance, the triplets have taken a particular shine to him. They chase him around on all fours when he tries to escape, and if he naps for a little while, they’ll grab his legs and treat him like a doll. Considering he was once a god, he’s holding up well under the relentless attention of the kids.
“Paws!”
“Are you seriously saying you want to take me, looking like this?”
As he stared up at me with glistening eyes while one of the triplets was gnawing at his ear, I was momentarily at a loss for words. The guy who once had to hold onto my shoes for dear life is now getting mauled by my kids. Quite the tragic fall for a former deity.
“…Still, you guys are divine spirits, so attending the saint’s service would be good—”
“Why the hell am I divine? I was a wicked god that ruled this continent!”
When I said that, Jangsaeng, who had been moaning, stood firm on all fours, declaring passionately.
“Aw!”
“Bbaaa!”
“Stop it! Don’t pull my tail!”
Naturally, he was promptly brought down by the triplets who deemed him a pushover.
“Master. I don’t mind.”
“Oh come on, the one who gave me a new name is doing a service; of course, I should go.”
“Will there be food? The Dawn Sect kids made great food.”
It seems like the other divine spirits, witnessing the poor treatment as an audience, quickly expressed their intentions to join.
Their posture screamed survival of the fittest. It might be a bit materialistic, but I appreciated their wise decision. At least I won’t have to worry about them creating trouble on the side.
“Plus, the Crown Princess will be there, so treat her well.”
“Eh?”
“The Crown Princess… will be there?”
Pressing the ‘Crown Princess’ button sent waves of excitement through the divine spirits, but nobody declared they wouldn’t attend.
In that brief moment, Jangsaeng got toppled by Maria and then mercilessly tormented by Cecilia.
“I… I’ll go too…”
“Huh?”
“I’ll go, so… let me out…”
At this heartbreaking declaration of surrender, I gently lifted Maria off of Jangsaeng.
“Aw?”
“Let’s play together, my daughter.”
“Aw!”
Maria extended her arms to me with a bright smile.
Fortunately, it seems like she doesn’t like Jangsaeng more than her father just yet.
*
The grandest and most sacred church in the Empire, St. Paronas Cathedral.
It was the place where the current Emperor’s enthronement ceremony and the wedding of my advisor brother took place, and now it’s the venue for bestowing blessings upon the child of my friend, the brother of my advisor.
“What adorable children.”
I smiled at the sight of the girl looking at me while nestled in my advisor brother’s mother’s arms, and the boy asleep in the lap of Sister Louise.
What adorable kids! The girl, with sapphire-like blue eyes resembling her mother, showed no signs of fear even when meeting a stranger. She’ll grow up strong and valiant, just like her brother.
The boy, with pink hair like Sister Louise, was sound asleep despite the surrounding commotion. No matter what anyone says, he seems determined to follow his own path.
“People say if they sleep too much during the day, they won’t sleep at night…”
“Yeah. That’s why putting them to sleep every night is a chore.”
As I noticed, Sister Louise broke into a bright smile while gently pinching the child’s cheek.
With her loving touch, the child seemed pleased enough, sporting a faint smile. It’s still the same; they’re both sound asleep.
‘Children…’
Watching the pink-haired child stirred some bittersweet feelings in me.
It wasn’t because I was seeing the child of my first love or anything complicated like that; I’ve long since put those feelings aside.
Rather, it felt peculiar that a friend who spent three years together at the Academy now has a child. I haven’t even found someone I click with, let alone entered marriage.
“It must be boring for the kids to keep staring at a stranger like me. I’ll get right to it.”
I didn’t verbalize those feelings, though.
I’m here to offer my congratulations, not to indulge in grievances.
After bestowing blessings upon the girl named Teresa and the boy named Friedrich, I entered the chamber of the cathedral to double-check my prayers. This is the final service of the year, and reciting a plain and dull prayer would be tiring for everyone involved.
However, despite checking it several times, the prayer didn’t seem to sink in. Friedrich, who had been in Sister Louise’s arms, flickered in front of my eyes.
‘When will I be able to have children myself?’
Suddenly, I felt a pang of envy toward my advisor brother. Even though there’s not that much of an age difference, he already has five children.
“Brother?”
As I absentmindedly fiddled with the prayer, Sister Alexandriana tilted her head nearby.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I got a bit lost in thought after seeing some familiar faces again.”
“It’s only natural to reminisce when you see long-lost friends, so there’s no need to apologize.”
With her gentle smile, she nodded, graciously understanding my blunder.
I’m thankful to her for always being forgiving towards my mistakes. She was a great help when I first started on the path of priesthood alongside His Holiness the Pope and my mentor.
“Sister.”
“Yes, brother?”
“If I ever have children, I want to raise them to be kind and bright like you.”
At my sudden statement, her hand froze mid-motion.
I messed up. No matter how many thoughts I had about children, a single unmarried man isn’t supposed to say such things to an unmarried woman—
“Hah…”
Sister let out a long sigh and stood up.
“I’ve held back as long as I could, but I can’t anymore.”
“Y-yes?”
Her serious muttering made me shudder involuntarily.
“It’s all your fault, brother. You keep making me hope by saying things like that.”
“Sister, what do you mean…”
“If I ever have children, I want to raise them to be just like you.”
Hearing her echo my own words left me speechless.
My face must have turned as red as hers did.
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