Chapter: 764
Since the emergence of the playground for spirits within the Empire and the arrival of our new family members, Mane and Mine, time has flowed smoothly without any noteworthy incidents.
The only peculiar event was that Erich, akin to Schrödinger’s cat, kept fluctuating in and out of existence in the capital, but now he has completely returned.
“Uwoo…”
“That’s right! You’re doing great, Mary!”
“Uwooo!”
Our youngest, Mary, can finally crawl!
It’s truly a touching moment. While her siblings were all walking or crawling around, little green Mary had to stay in bed.
Fortunately, Mary resembles her mother, Piene, and quietly kept to herself even while lying in bed. However, seeing her alone while her siblings scuttled about had to be a bit sad—a type of social isolation, if you will.
“Mary! Amazing! So cool!”
“Come here, Mary!”
But instead of sidelining her, our kids adore their little sister. Whenever Mary lay blinking on the bed, they would rush over and even drop their sacred beasts onto her bed to play.
Now that Mary is crawling, the kids are as delighted as if it were their own little adventure. Well, she can finally join in on the fun!
“Go, Little Miss! You can do it! You’re almost there!”
“Just a bit more! Just a bit more!”
Even the sacred beasts—especially the deer named Charity and the pony named Kindness—were frantically cheering on Mary during her miraculous movements.
Those two used to carry the kids and dash down the hall or race while dragging a cloth with their tails. It’s no wonder they’re even more hyped about Mary’s progress; they need her to be able to hold herself up for the rides!
‘Is entertaining the kids their life goal now?’
Watching Charity and Kindness wagging their tails so fast made me chuckle. Despite each sacred beast getting accustomed to mansion life, it’s rare for any two to adapt so quickly and seamlessly.
Forget being a former evil god, those two seem like they’ve completely forgotten even being called sacred beasts. They now live solely as the children’s personal taxis, shooting jealous glares at any other animals rides while happily awaiting the kids’ approach.
Thanks to them, I couldn’t help but smile. A pet must be genuinely happy to carry a child—where else could you find such a sight?
“Mary.”
“U-wo?”
“Come on, come to mommy.”
“Woo!”
But despite the enthusiastic calls from the two taxi pets, Mary crawled straight toward her mom, Piene.
It’s not surprising—moms are always number one in a child’s world. Even I can’t compete with that, not even a little.
“Ugh, should I delay the ride for the little lady…?”
“What can you do when it’s the lady of the house?”
The obvious outcome seemed undeniable, as even the sacred beasts, Charity and Kindness, sighed in disappointment.
Lift your heads, taxi pets. Losing to their real mom isn’t embarrassing.
“Me! I want to ride!”
“Me too!”
“Great! Hurry, hop on!”
“Where are we racing to today?”
It wasn’t just me who felt sorry for the taxi pets; Friedrich and Alina’s requests to ride perked up the droopy tails of the two sacred beasts again.
They overcame their sadness a bit too quickly, but so what? If they’re happy, that’s all that matters.
Now that Mary is crawling, it’s time to start our honeymoon phase again.
It’s been about half a year since I traveled to the Jerano Kingdom with Mar, and now an opportunity has emerged to visit overseas with Rizie.
‘I hope Mary doesn’t go searching for Dad again this time.’
If she can move on her own, anywhere she can exert her energy becomes her playground. If Dad disappears for a few days? That wouldn’t even cross her mind as she busily explores the mansion.
I feel a bit sad, like I’ve become an unimportant existence for her, but it’s better than her bursting into tears, missing her Dad. As long as our youngest is happy, that’s all that counts for this Dad…
“I was thinking of heading to the Balkros Kingdom—how does that sound?”
With my only concern settled, I discussed our honeymoon destination with Rizie.
The Balkros Kingdom, located in the northeast of the Jerano Kingdom, is considered one of the cultural powerhouses of the continent. It’s a place where maritime and continental cultures intersect, heavily influenced by the Empire, the Holy Kingdom, and Yuben while beautifully blossoming its unique culture.
Artists born in Balkros have become legendary throughout the continent, and novels, poetry, and plays originating from there often set trends across the land. Truly, a country deserving its title as a cultural powerhouse.
“I would be happy to go anywhere as long as I go with you, Oppa.”
Seeing Rizie smile like that made me grin back.
“Oppa,” or “my darling,” eventually settled on “Oppa,” but not being greedy on this rare honeymoon after two years is so ‘Rizie.’ It just makes me smile for the sake of it.
“Anywhere is not acceptable. This trip is for Rizie, so we must go where she wants.”
But just because it’s ‘so Rizie’ doesn’t mean it’s ‘okay.’ I refuse to let it be just a casual excuse of ‘this is just what Oppa wants’ for a trip exclusively for Rizie.
To be honest, I can’t guarantee when we’ll have another chance to travel abroad after this period passes. Who knows if either of us will be able to go on a twilight trip when we’re in our 70s or 80s?
“Is that so?”
Rizie furrowed her brows slightly at my firm stance, deep in thought.
“…Still, I think Balkros would be nice.”
It wasn’t a long debate, but still.
“Actually, when I was a child, I read a lot of books in my room. Many of those were novels written in Balkros, and I wanted to visit at least once if I had the chance.”
“Let’s go right away.”
After that flawless justification, I immediately nodded in agreement.
Rizie—when she was a child, her health wasn’t great. If that culture filled her childhood, then of course we have to visit Balkros and experience the native flavor. If Balkros closes its borders, I’ll chop through them to get there.
*
I got a surprise message from my son-in-law.
He usually checks in regularly, but given that he had been devoutly checking in every certain number of days, it seemed like he should wait a few more days before reaching out next. But here we are.
– Sorry for contacting you suddenly.
“Sorry? I’m just glad to see your face.”
Well, the son-in-law is practically my son; it’s like a happy surprise party when he reaches out unexpectedly.
– Actually, there’s something I want to ask you, father-in-law.
“To me?”
But the reason for his call left me staring blankly, blinking in surprise.
Thanks to acquiring a territory in the Leon Kingdom, he became a high-ranking noble, while I still remain merely a Baron in the Empire. Living peacefully in the Aitini Baronage, I don’t have any elite information that he wouldn’t know.
Rather, I’d probably have more things to ask him. After all, he’s an Imperial Count and a minister.
– I heard that Rizie used to read a lot of novels as a child…
“Oh.”
As his following sentence came, I realized he meant the kind of information he wouldn’t be aware of.
“Right! Rizie had a book she wouldn’t put down. It was called ‘The Tale of Sir Phelon,’ about a heroine’s exploits.”
– The Tale of Sir Phelon?
“Exactly. It was about practicing chivalry to revive a fallen household, and even adults would find it quite interesting.”
At my words, my son-in-law chuckled wryly.
– A tale of a heroine.
His short mutter indicated that he understood where I was coming from, and I couldn’t help but let out a similar smile.
Rizie, who had been sick and unable to move freely during her childhood. Rizie, who had lived with guilt over her sister’s death. For someone like her, a heroine wielding a sword for the sake of her family would be an irresistible protagonist.
Fortunately, Rizie has regained her health now, allowing those memories to rest. I would have felt heartbroken if her past discomfort lingered.
– Is there another novel?
“There’s a romance novel called ‘Wind and Flowers,’ but I don’t know if Rizie would remember reading that one now that she has a wonderful husband.”
– You flatter me.
Hearing such unexpected praise brought a shy smile from my son-in-law.
The somewhat heavy atmosphere lightened up again.
*
The Minister of the Information Department, who previously requested a meeting with new officials, has made another unusual request.
“You want to get in touch with a writer from Balkros?”
“Yes, Minister. I apologize for this personal request, but you’re really the only one I could ask.”
I held my teacup for a moment as the Minister spoke.
He was right—getting in touch with a writer from a foreign country is something that only I, among the 17 ministers, could manage. If it were merely foreign contact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would handle it. But since it’s a ‘writer’ from a foreign country, it requires the Ministry of Culture’s involvement.
‘It’s not a difficult task, right?’
As the Ministry of Culture primarily handles historical research, they also oversee various literature and art. Given that I, too, have worked more in the literary sector rather than history, I have connections with writers and artists from foreign lands, especially the cultural powerhouse Balkros Kingdom.
Thus, the minister’s request isn’t particularly challenging. The authors of both ‘The Tale of Sir Phelon’ and ‘Wind and Flowers’ are still active.
“Is there anything to apologize for? The authors you seek are my dear friends. It’s a great opportunity for me to introduce a good person to my friend, so I should be the one thanking you.”
After a moment’s thought, I gladly accepted the minister’s request.
If I can accrue a favor from the minister for something as simple as this, I’d gladly oblige. In fact, even with the northern research I’m conducting in collaboration with the Education Ministry, having the minister’s support would be tremendously beneficial!
“Thank you, Minister. I won’t forget this favor.”
“Haha, no need to mention it. I hope you have a good time with my friend.”
I chuckled back at the minister, who slightly bowed his head.
Based on the minister’s words, it seems he’s anticipating a visit to the Balkros Kingdom soon, but honestly, that’s not my concern. If anyone needs to work hard, it’ll be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I just need to make sure I’m in the minister’s good books.
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