Chapter: 707
There were ten little rings.
From them, I kept one through six, Erich held seven and eight, and the ninth belonged to the Senior Manager.
And the last, the tenth little ring, ended up in the hands of Ainter and Shati. What a beautiful conclusion!
‘Isn’t this trend supposed to be a quick flash in the pan?’
I couldn’t help but smirk at Ainter and Shati wearing the horizontally split rings. Sure, I could understand the trend taking off. Honestly, even I think the storytelling of “two becoming one through a ring” is quite touching. It’s only natural, given that it was a little brainstorm I hammered out to console the gloomy Mar.
But for that to get snatched up by my fourth father-in-law, Count Flanbel, and the Gold Duke? I could understand that too. No matter how temporary the trend, if it can shake the Imperial social scene, it’s a worthwhile investment.
But seriously, how long is this trend going to last? Fashion in clothing or jewelry rarely hangs around for more than a year.
‘I’ve sown poison across the Empire…’
It’s frustrating. An excuse to dodge the immediate crisis, a small seed I sowed has grown into a towering tree overshadowing the Empire. At this rate, it could last for decades—perhaps until the Empire meets its end.
The unique culture of the Kefellofen Empire now divided in half by this ring. I feel like I’ve sinned against the generations to come.
“Thank you. With you personally splitting it, it’s cleaner and more beautiful,” Ainter said.
“I truly appreciate it, Count Your Grace. I’ll treasure it for life,” Shati chimed in.
Seeing the newlyweds genuinely happy made it hard to throw a tantrum like, ‘This is a crazy trend! Stop it right now!’ The trend has long since slipped from my grasp.
“I’m glad you like it. Just like that ring, may you two live eternally as one,” I wished, mustering the most natural smile I could while blessing their future.
For the prosperity of the Livnoman Imperial Family. For the strength of the Gurt Marquisate. For the stability of the Empire.
And for the happiness of these two, the main stars of this wedding.
As they wrapped up the ceremony, Ainter and Shati greeted guests with handshakes, exchanging well-wishes and thanks, meaning the real socializing among nobility was just beginning.
“Let’s hang around here for a bit before we head out.”
“Yes. I doubt anyone else will come by now.”
As nobility flocked to the newlywed couple, the Emperor and I subtly slipped away to a small worship room in the corner of the temple.
Today’s main character isn’t the Emperor; it’s Ainter. The Emperor has already made his presence known by sitting in the guests’ area throughout the ceremony, so there shouldn’t be any rumors of sibling discord. If we lingered further, it might be seen as stealing the spotlight away from the newlyweds.
“…Finally, I feel like I can put down my burden.”
Upon entering the worship room, the Emperor let out a small sigh before flopping down onto one of the long, narrow chairs.
It’s somewhat awkward. There’s no better spot to dodge prying eyes, but unfortunately, the worship room only has these long pew-like benches. Should I just take a seat at the one behind me?
“Minister, sit beside me. There are only two of us here, no need to sit separate.”
“How could I sit next to you, Your Majesty? That would be irreverent.”
“Enough! If you can claim authority over a mere seat, it’s already crumbled and doesn’t matter.”
After a brief hesitation, I cautiously sat beside him. If I resisted after that, it would end up insulting the Emperor’s authority.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I have many sins to Atain,” he confessed.
“That’s merely a coincidence. I feel the same way, actually.”
Upon my calm response to the Emperor’s grumbling, he chuckled softly.
He said it like a joke, but it wasn’t. After becoming the Crown Prince, he had been excessively wary of Ainter, who was the Second Prince’s younger brother and the scion of the Eshilon Marquisate. That’s why he sent me to Ainter when I was purging the Second Prince faction, and I issued him a blunt warning when he was only fifteen!
It’s an embarrassing thing. Given the cutthroat environment of politics and social life back then, such a warning was unavoidable, but both the Emperor and I were far too cautious. Ainter remained silent even when the Second Prince was causing havoc and was a neutral force ignored by the Eshilon Marquisate.
I issued a death threat to a minor with no power and no history of wrongdoings. Upon hearing that warning, Ainter only bowed his head more, transforming into a ghost within the palace, existing but not truly existing. What a tragic development.
“Indeed, both you and I should have handled it differently. While we needed to prevent Ainter from becoming a new focal point, we should have sought a more peaceful method.”
The Emperor muttered bitterly as he gazed at the mural depicting the Eternal Blue Sky on the wall of the worship room.
“In truth, the reason I held the wedding ceremony in the Temple of the Eternal Blue Sky was partly due to influence over the North, but I was also embarrassed to perform it before Enen.”
“Embarrassed? How could there be anything you should be ashamed of before the Lord?”
“Enen has witnessed the ugly disputes of Livnoman, and he must know the heart of a brother who tried to kill his sibling. So, sitting before the Eternal Blue Sky makes me feel a little more at ease.”
I couldn’t fully grasp that sentiment, but I didn’t push myself to understand.
That was an emotion only the Emperor could feel. If I hadn’t lived the same life as the Emperor, I shouldn’t dare to pry into it.
“Is it fair to say you felt at least a bit more comfortable?”
“Luckily, somewhat.”
With that statement, the Emperor smiled softly.
He claimed it was just a little, but I’m sure he felt like he had thrown off all burdens. Didn’t he just say moments ago that he felt like he could finally unload the weight on his heart?
Treating Ainter, who is merely a nominal royal, as a true royal, handing over some Imperial estate alongside the title of Marquis Idrafen, and allowing regular contact with the next Crown Princess; the Emperor was gradually easing his guilt, and this wedding marked the final chance to do so.
Now, Ainter has the backing of the Gurt Marquisate. He finally has family that supports him. He has a new foundation in the North.
“If you had been a good brother from the start, things wouldn’t have turned out like this.”
“God allowed you that environment, so it was not your fault. Do not burden yourself with that.”
The Emperor and Ainter, the son of the Empress and the son of the Emperor. Regrettably, it was nearly impossible for them to maintain a brotherly bond.
Had their mothers opposed it, it may have been different, but the Emperor’s mother was the Empress, and that would have posed a problem on its own.
‘The firstborn touched by the claws of Eshilon.’
Just thinking of it gives me chills. As the firstborn, he wouldn’t even have a justification to oppose the Crown Prince’s appointment.
“Minister.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Now Livnoman can shine brightly once again, right?”
That line just sounded strange. Livnoman is the peak of the Empire and the only royal family on the continent. Livnoman has shone for 300 years and still does to this day.
“Yes, of course.”
But I swallowed the question in my throat.
The Emperor’s notion of brightness likely didn’t just mean power and honor.
“It will be a family that shines brighter and warmer than any other.”
“Just hearing that is heartwarming.”
At that, the Emperor smiled.
He gazed towards the deity in the sky with a light so bright.
“Though you don’t need to say it, you will continue to work harder for Livnoman. Our daughter is quite fond of you.”
In a burst of laughter, the Emperor threw his arm around my shoulders.
For a moment, I nearly yelled about where he was touching, but I held it in. After all, what he just said was as a family head, not as the Emperor.
“I will do my best for as long as I live.”
In response, I draped my arm over the Emperor’s shoulder as well.
Well, hell. Didn’t you just say it as the head of a family? Aren’t you saying the family head can’t put an arm around the shoulders of a father-in-law?
“Gah. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
The Emperor seemed to recognize he had just laid down the groundwork and only laughed.
Now isn’t the time to get picky about physical contact; we’ve walked too long a road for that.
*
After returning to the palace, Ainter and Shati bid farewell to the Emperor with their final duty completed.
“A couple must be able to trust and rely on each other; that is what makes a true marriage. Don’t carry your burdens alone, and don’t turn a blind eye to each other’s hardships.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Ainter and Shati bowed their heads thoughtfully at the Emperor’s advice. Perhaps because it was the Emperor himself speaking, it felt more profound. The man who had carried burdens alone throughout his life seemed to wish for his children not to repeat the same mistakes he made.
‘Don’t ignore each other’s hardships…’
And when my mother passed away under the pressure of the Empress and the Eshilon family, it felt as if she hadn’t shown any proper response till the very end, and I regretted that.
It was bittersweet. The fact that even he had regrets. The fact that his mother was practically his only regret, the Empress, weighed heavily on him.
“Your Majesty.”
Just as I was contemplating visiting my mother’s grave after a long time, the Emperor turned to look at me.
“While you were away, there was a minor stir at the Imperial Household.”
“A stir in the Household?”
I couldn’t help but ask back, surprised by his words.
With the joyous occasion of royal nuptials, the Imperial Household was already in a frenzy. Was something else causing more disturbance?
“I heard from someone that a gift came from Armain.”
‘Ah.’
I immediately understood. It was a gift sent by Prince Rutis, Ainter’s close friend.
I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpectedly quick gift. The wedding had been rushed ahead of schedule, and Prince Rutis was staying beyond the borders. It was surprising that he was able to send a gift on the day of the wedding despite those hurdles.
‘What a good friend he has.’
He may lack familial luck, but he is loaded with good friends.
“The gift will be sent to the Gurt Marquisate.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your consideration.”
Watching Ainter bow respectfully made me organize my thoughts.
If a gift came from Armain, the Holy Kingdom and United Kingdom of Yuben would undoubtedly follow suit soon. Instead of sending them separately, it makes more sense to wait until they’re all gathered to send them out together.
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