Chapter: 842
The invisible hand of the Masalo family bore down on us with an iron grip.
We were in a room farthest from the banquet hall, a distance too great for any meddler to reach. The room was set up like a little fortress, complete with food, outfits, simple luxuries, and even a tub—basically cutting off any reason for the servants to interrupt. Even Ferentz, the little one we had to look after, was in the clutches of the Masalo’s head maid. At this point, we had to muster up energy we didn’t even have left.
‘Things are definitely heading this way.’
I rolled my eyes around the room and let out a sheepish laugh.
It had become a sort of tradition for my wife and me. Whenever we went on our honeymoon, we ended up not just with fond memories but brought back new little lives too. It’s a delayed kind of “honeymoon baby,” but hey, better late than never.
However, instead of going abroad for a long trip with Eri, we had been hitting a few day trips, returning home by evening. Unlike other couples, we hadn’t quite carved out enough evenings alone.
But we were about to scratch that itch now. In a place where it’s just the two of us. In this solid fortress, untouched by others.
“It’s definitely time to make a little sibling for Ferentz.”
Eri, who had been glancing around the room like me, nodded in satisfaction.
It was true. We had Mar, the firstborn; Trixie had dropped a trio of triplets; and Rizie and Lynn both had their second babies. By this pattern, it’s Eri’s turn now, with Pina up next.
But I hadn’t expected to fulfill this beautiful tradition in my in-laws’ home. I mean, doing “that kind of thing” at your wife’s family home feels a bit off.
‘…Is this really okay?’
But then again, it’s not like I was the one getting carried away; the family had laid out the ground for us first. So maybe at this moment, this space is ours—not the in-laws’. If I acted too stiff, that could be an even bigger problem, right?
Yeah, that sounds like it would be more of an issue. This is all part of my father-in-law, the head of the Masalo family’s, wishes, and certainly Grandma’s, the star of the banquet.
“Eri.”
“Yes?”
“It’s okay to skip a night’s sleep, right?”
Since starting tomorrow or the next day, there will be other wives around. Our time together is just today.
So we need to make the most of this day as if it were three. That way, I, Eri, Ferentz, the father-in-law, and Grandma would all be pleased with the outcome.
“Of course! I’ve spent years in the Information Department; one day is nothing! I could go ten days without sleep!”
“Ten days is a bit much—”
“And I’ve been training hard, okay? I won’t collapse like last time!”
“Oh.”
Her confident reply made me break into a smile.
What is this strange, shaky confidence based on sheer nothingness? Just because the weak have trained doesn’t mean they evolve into something strong, right?
“That’s a relief.”
Of course, that confidence was as shallow as a puddle and would likely deflate in just a few hours. No need to argue when it’ll pop like a bubble anyway.
So I nodded along for now. Sometimes, kindness through silence is more valuable than hitting someone with the truth.
—
Morning broke.
“Wake up?”
“……”
I poked Eri’s shoulder but got no response. She seemed as good as dead.
“Hasn’t all that training just turned into a breathing exercise?”
I poked at her pride, but still, no reaction. She must really be out cold.
What a shame. Given her earlier confidence, it was likely she’d trained— but being able to tell the difference between 100m 1cm and 100m 2cm isn’t easy. At that point, it’s just a margin of error.
Sadly, Eri’s training was at that exact level; hardly noticeable and practically meaningless. Something so trivial could easily be disregarded.
‘Is this what restraint looks like?’
This isn’t my house or a rented place; it’s my in-laws’. No matter how much they set things up for us, I was still holding back a bit. Even so, Eri got utterly crushed.
‘Maybe I should suggest she learn some magic or something.’
Trixie and Rizie aren’t martial artists, but thanks to their magic, they’re capable warriors. It’s high time I recommended Eri pick up some magic lessons too.
It just so happens I’ve eased out of the second manager position, so I’m practically jobless. Plus, the best wizard in the continent is literally under the same roof. If Eri really wants to learn, this is the best setup she could ask for.
“Your Grace, my lady. It’s the head maid. Have you been coughing?”
I was hoping perhaps knowledge of Eri’s plight would bring out the head maid’s softer side. As if reading my mind, her voice came with a knock.
“The lady’s still asleep. I’m sorry to have troubled you so early in the morning.”
After glancing at Eri, still out cold, I cautiously replied. It took some real courage to admit, “Eri’s out cold right now. She won’t wake up if you poke her.”
At least on the bright side, despite being the weakest, Eri’s resilience isn’t too shabby. She looked dead to the world now, but she’d definitely wake up before lunch.
Or at least I hoped so. Despite being the weakest, she was still up to knight standards, objectively speaking.
“Understood. If the lady coughs, please use the communicator on the table to reach us.”
“Absolutely.”
The head maid, perhaps sensing how the night went, responded with a hint of tremor in her voice.
Awkward. This is all because Eri isn’t strong enough. If I had just stayed alert, this wouldn’t be happening.
“But head maid, is Ferentz alright?”
“Just as you mentioned, he was shy but was happy to be around, no trouble at all. He’s currently sleeping peacefully next to another maid.”
“Is that so?”
He was sleeping soundly without us actually nearby, which struck me with a mix of relief and disappointment.
Of course, it’s better than Ferentz crying for his mom and dad, but seeing him sleep so soundly while we’re not there feels a bit…
‘That means he was hugely fatigued.’
But that disappointment faded quickly. It was late morning, not too early. If Ferentz, who usually plays from dawn, is still sound asleep, it means yesterday’s banquet truly wore him out.
“Send him to this room once he wakes up. Thanks for watching over him last night.”
“Thank you, but how could I call that labor? It was wonderful to be with such a sweet little lord.”
I couldn’t help but nod at that heartfelt sentiment. The head maid was standing outside the door and couldn’t see me anyway.
“When we come back, we ought to bring another cute kid to join Ferentz.”
For some reason, feeling empathetic, I tossed a cheeky remark toward her.
Another cute kid just like Ferentz. Not just my kid, but a new addition to carry on the Masalo bloodline, like Ferentz.
“That would be most appreciated,” she replied with a friendlier tone, catching the context of my joke.
Who knows? She might rush over to my father-in-law with news like, “The Count says he’s making a second baby!”
—
As dawn broke, joyful news flowed in.
The first piece of good news was that the wives of my sons had come to the castle. Among them was the sister of the new Duke of Uulkan and the current Duke Servette, Marcilio. These two noble houses had personally come to celebrate my mother’s birthday.
Aside from that symbolic reason, Eri’s family willingly came to attend a Masalo family event, which naturally brought me immense joy as Eri’s father. It was a chance to showcase to my mother that Eri gets along well with others too.
“It seems Your Grace and the lady have had some quality time.”
“Most enjoyable indeed.”
The second piece of good news was the head maid had just delivered steaming hot news. It was that my son-in-law and Eri had acted as we hoped.
Honestly, this second piece of news is far more gratifying than the first. It can’t be doubted that Eri is well with family, but having Ferentz’s sibling is not something that naturally happens. The existence of children in a family requires efforts from husband and wife alike.
It’s indescribably satisfying to think I contributed to the birth of the youngest grandchild. I’m sure my mother would also be overjoyed when she hears this, calling it the best gift of all.
“And Your Grace, the esteemed guests from Krasius wish to greet the senior lady.”
“Oh, lead them in. Mother wanted to see Eri’s family.”
“Yes, I will—”
“I’ll take care of it. Head maid, you stay and attend to our grandchild.”
“…Understood.”
The head maid hesitated for a moment but eventually bowed and agreed.
Honestly, if Marcilio is among the guests that need to be received, even the head maid would feel some pressure. But since I’m family to Marcilio and I’m also a marquis, it’s comparatively easier to handle.
‘That brat Maramento. He must feel some burn right now.’
A chuckle escaped me as thoughts of Marquis Lavirje flitted through my head.
The attendance of the Wise Duke at the banquet can be seen as a “major event for the western noble families.” If something similar happens at the Duke Digo’s, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Wise Duke there too.
But the attendance of the sister of the new Duke of Uulkan and the current Duke Marcilio is solely due to a gathering for the Masalo family. If something happened like this in Digo, those guests would never, ever come.
‘This is the gap between bloodlines, you second-rate wannabe.’
No matter how many years you try, that gap will never close.
You’ll always be stuck living your life as the second act in the West—no, if you include the Wise Duke, a third act.
—
I made my way to the room where the esteemed guests were gathered, alongside my mother.
“Mother, it’s me. There are some people here who would like to see you. May I enter?”
I gently knocked on the door but received no response.
“Perhaps she’s still sleeping? If that’s the case, we can come back later.”
Among the ladies were the sister of the Wise Duke and the First Lady, and I shook my head.
Mother had just finished breakfast a little earlier. A person who would nap after breakfast wouldn’t be up.
“They might just not have heard us. With age, it’s sometimes difficult to catch sounds.”
With that reasoning, I knocked again, but still, no reaction.
…
‘No way.’
Suddenly chills ran down my spine, and without permission, I opened the door.
No way would that be the case. Not on a joyous day like today.
‘Oh.’
But upon entering, the first thing that caught my eyes was my mother, sitting quietly in a chair with her eyes closed.
She looked to be experiencing a peaceful slumber. Perhaps even an eternal sleep.
“Mother!”
Panicking, I rushed to her side. I felt a burning shame course through me, imagining having become such a poor son that I couldn’t even be there to see her off.
“Shut up, you brat.”
?
“What are you making such a fuss for? You think I’m dead?”
“No, well, I…”
“It’s been a while since I attended a banquet, so I just took a quick nap. Did you think an old lady like me could prance around all day and be perfectly fine?”
With that, my mother gave a good smack on my back.
“Ow, Mother!”
“You brat. You cheeky little thing. You always seem to wish for my demise the most, don’t you?”
Her hand, showing she was far from nearing eternal rest, felt surprisingly strong and stinging.
Should I laugh or cry?
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