Chapter: 740
The final wedding of the Krasius brothers has begun.
The ceremony takes place when both the groom and bride are 22 years old. While somewhat late for a noble wedding, compared to my own age when I first got married, Erich and Sera are quite fast.
Moreover, neither the parties nor the attendees show any regrets about being slightly late. They are just thrilled that the wedding has happened.
‘There’s no point in being disappointed over the timing, considering the outcome is good.’
I glanced at my parents sitting at the very front of the audience, along with Sera’s parents.
With this marriage, the Krasius family has successfully seen both the eldest and now the second son married. Aside from latecomer Teresa, all the children have established their families, and even that union isn’t arranged; it’s a love match. My parents can’t help but be happy.
Sera’s parents, Baron Jaigel and her nanny, are no exception. Their only child and heir, Sera, who might not objectively be a perfect match due to her frail body, is finally married off. And not to some dubious family, but to someone she has cherished since childhood.
Perhaps because of that, Baron Jaigel’s shoulders regularly tremble as he holds back tears, and the nanny keeps dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
‘They must have suffered a lot in their hearts.’
I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Baron Jaigel and the nanny had two children. The eldest passed away at a young age, and Sera has lived in a fragile state. It’s reminiscent of Rizie losing her sister while she herself was weak.
Perhaps that’s why those tears felt both tragic and fortunate. I could somewhat empathize with the feelings of the baron and the nanny.
“Dad.”
While I watched the wedding, Pedi, who was snug in my arms, quietly spoke up.
“What’s wrong?”
His voice was so soft that only people at the same round table could barely hear it, making me instinctively smile.
Our brilliant and clever Pedi, whispering softly so as not to disturb his little uncle’s wedding. It’s hard to believe a child can be so considerate.
“How many times has little uncle married?”
“What?”
However, despite his small voice, his question was far from considerate.
Asking about the next wedding during the ceremony! No, more specifically, to someone whose last wedding this is!
“Ugh.”
“Cough. Ahem.”
The others at the table, Rizie and Lynn, desperately tried to hold back their laughter at this astonishing question.
“…Little uncle, this is the last wedding. I won’t do it again.”
“Huh? But little uncle this is his second, right? Why not do it again?”
With twinkling eyes, Pedi genuinely looked puzzled.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell Pedi, “Actually, weddings are supposed to happen only once.” That would mean he has abnormal parents.
“Dad, did you take little uncle’s wedding instead?”
“Pfft… heh…”
Before long, Erich too was chuckling.
“Did Dad take your wedding instead of his?”
If I looked closely, Mar and Trixie, as well as Pina, were biting their lips and desperately staring straight ahead.
It was a good thing the guests were seated at various round tables; otherwise, it would’ve been a disaster if they were lined up like church benches.
‘What do I do about this…’
Of course, a disaster almost happened, but my heart was already torn to shreds by Pedi’s innocent attack.
This is why they say parents are mirrors of their children. I ended up indoctrinating Pedi with strange notions.
“Our Pedi. It’s fun to play with Titi, Jangsaeng, and… kids like that, right?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s great to play with many at once, but you shouldn’t do that.”
“Yeah. Younger siblings should play too.”
“Marriage is kind of like that. It’s great, so having many makes you happy, but if only one person has a lot, others can’t. So everyone has a different number.”
“Is that so?”
No, not at all.
Nobody marries multiple times simply because they love the act of marriage, and those who do it more just think less of others doing it less. The only true thing I said was that the number can differ per person.
“So, yeah. That’s how it is.”
But Pedi is still young. I have to explain as simply as possible, so I can’t say something like, “Marriage is an art of social interplay intertwined with love and strategy.” I must mention familiar elements Pedi can easily grasp, to convey, ‘Anyway, the numbers differ per person.’
It’s a bit of a bizarre analogy, but for now, this will do. I need to be able to cover Pedi’s innocent inquiry of ‘Why has Dad gotten married more than little uncle?’ with the thought, ‘It’s normal for numbers to vary!’ Detailed knowledge can wait until Pedi is older.
“Well then, I’ll marry just once.”
“Huh?”
“If it’s good, the younger siblings should too! I’ll only do it once!”
I blinked in surprise at those words, then couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
I’ve seen my fair share of declarations of lifelong bachelorhood, but this is the first time I’ve heard someone declare they’d only marry once for their younger siblings.
“Sure. If Pedi wants to marry just once, then that’s what you do.”
I stroked Pedi’s head as I supported his decision.
A father with one wife, me with six, and now Pedi back to having one.
‘Is my grandson also heading for a six-wife return?’
It was a ridiculous generational legacy, and I felt a bit scared.
But wait. Including Hecate, it could be seven wives, and my grandson could end up going for seven as well.
Pedi caused a little stir, but Erich and Sera’s wedding ended smoothly.
In just four years, there have been eight weddings conducted in the Krasius family. With such monumental experience, the Krasius Count family has proudly risen to become the second most esteemed wedding experts among noble families in the empire.
It goes without saying that the top spot belongs to the Duke Oshiden family. There’s simply no contesting them.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
In any case, the eternal oath of love sealed with a kiss, the loud applause from the guests, and the flower shower from above.
In this triumvirate, which symbolized a successful marriage, I approached Erich and offered my best wishes.
“Congratulations, Sera. No, I guess I’ll have to call you sister-in-law now.”
“Thank you, brother-in-law.”
Seeing Sera’s beaming smile almost brought me to tears again.
How much did I struggle to connect Erich and Sera? “You won’t be human if you can’t eat this!” “If there’s no progress, you’re not a human being!” I repeated those thoughts countless times.
Finally, that tearful effort bore fruit. Erich, after exchanging glances and a goodbye kiss, shared a wedding kiss with Sera.
“Bro, are you crying?”
“Shut up.”
That was the last vestige of my rationality that stopped me from adding, “You little brat!” Surely, I couldn’t punch a newlywed in the stomach in front of his new bride.
“Take plenty of time to rest. If the radio silence is any indication, Lather’s wedding won’t come until late autumn at the earliest.”
Then I quietly whispered in Erich’s ear.
Once Lather does get married, Erich plans to head to Yuben in his personal capacity, leveraging his relationship as a friend from the academy to congratulate him. While it’s dreadful to go abroad during their honeymoon, fortunately, there’s a few months of buffer.
“What if you can’t be there when the firstborn arrives?”
However, even with months to spare, Erich muttered in a somewhat vexed tone.
That’s undoubtedly a concern. Erich, like me and Father, is a healthy warrior, and Zenobia has quietly and safely conceived a child. If Lather’s wedding is around late autumn or winter, it’s quite probable that Erich will miss the birth if he’s in Yuben.
But heading abroad while his wife is heavily pregnant is also a tough predicament.
“Just teleport back if it comes to that.”
So I calmly offered a solution to Erich.
“Oh? Is that okay?”
“Since it’s not an official mission and you’re going personally, no one will say a word if you say you need to return due to family matters.”
“But still, His Majesty…”
“Since it’s not a mission of national importance, His Majesty will understand.”
If he doesn’t, I’ll just create a scene when I get to the Sun Palace.
I’d have no qualms watching Erich suffer alone, but if it’s related to my sister-in-law Zenobia and my first nephew, that’s a different issue. Imagine how heartbreaking it would be if the head of the family were absent at the moment of the first child’s birth.
The Emperor, wanting to strengthen the bond between the Empire and Yuben, is aiming to send Erich, but I doubt it’s something that must go through.
‘If he thinks it’s a must, then so be it.’
If the Minister from the Information Department matters more than building a relationship with Yuben, then let him choose in which direction to fly.
“…Hey, brother, then—”
“If you don’t have a reason, don’t even think about it.”
“Damn it.”
I firmly thwarted Erich, who was trying to weasel out.
This guy too has to obey the Emperor when there’s no justification, so how dare he think he could slip away?
‘Not a chance.’
Whether it’s about timing of childbirth or anything else, I’ll be the one to block him if the Emperor tries to extricate him.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way now. Enjoy yourselves.”
Not wanting to prolong discussions about work, which would surely deflate the newlywed mood, I discreetly drifted away.
Moreover, Baron Jaigel of Sera’s family, now her father-in-law, along with the nanny, were approaching from the other side. I shouldn’t disrupt the intimate moments that my brother should have with his in-laws.
‘The beloved son-in-law.’
Baron Jaigel, holding on to Erich’s hand and nodding repeatedly. The nanny gently patted Sera’s back as she embraced her.
With such a heartwarming scene, I decided to hold back my parents, who were approaching Erich.
Even if families get along well, there are times when in-laws need some private moments.
*
“Spring has come, and the fish are biting well. Should we set a day soon to get a boat out?”
“A boat? Is that really necessary?”
“A small rowboat would do, don’t you think? It’s nice to fish while enjoying the scents of grass and earth, but sometimes it’s also pleasant to be out on the water.”
“Hmm. That’s true.”
I turned my head to the side, watching the conversation between Billy and Carl about fishing.
Laura and Baron Jaigel were still shedding tears. Erich looked flustered while Sera shyly smiled.
‘Is it really okay to be this happy?’
My lips couldn’t help but curl up. Right next to me, a father and son shared the same hobby, and in front, the second son was receiving all the love from his in-laws.
I felt happy. Just a few years ago, I couldn’t even dream of such a scene.
‘Now, if only Teresa grew up healthy.’
Our precious youngest, Teresa. I hope you grow up well and become the happiness of your mom and dad.
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