Chapter: 118
After receiving the report from the Senior Manager, several more days passed, and it became increasingly difficult to endure the situation. It was now time to return to the capital. The main reason I came to the territory was that Mother wanted to see me for a bit, and the presence of the others was more of an added bonus. There was no reason to stay any longer, so heading back to the capital made sense.
Honestly, it was hard to remain in the County of Tailglehen, which wasn’t really known for its tourism. Right now, the victims of Rutis’s Five Knights Play were quietly seething in anger for a rematch, but who knew when these fools would start clamoring to go out again?
“I’m thinking of heading back to the capital.”
“Then I’ll let the others know!”
So, I assigned the task of spreading the news to Louise. Surely, no one would be so stubborn as to want to stay in the territory if Louise said we were returning to the capital. Anyone uncooperative enough for that didn’t deserve to be in the pastry club, anyway.
Even Marghetta, who had been on my mind, agreed to return to the capital. She seemed a tad sad, but we couldn’t stay in the territory forever, could we? We ultimately had to go back, and it seemed she willingly agreed.
“You’re going back?”
“Yes. Since everyone is staying in the Empire for their travels, it’s difficult to remain in one place, right?”
“I see.”
Mother just nodded without much reaction. With the eldest son she summoned for marriage discussions busy wielding his career like a shield, there was no point in holding him back.
So, just like we had suddenly arrived at the territory, we were now suddenly returning to the capital. Life is filled with such abruptness, isn’t it?
“You must eat it every day. It’s ineffective if eaten irregularly.”
“Ah, yes.”
That was also a sudden event.
On the morning of our departure back to the capital, Mother bombarded us with a plethora of gifts. After receiving the Mage Duchess’s potions, I was now faced with actual health foods from Mother. It was honestly a bit overwhelming.
She even had the head maid, not just any ordinary maid, personally explain and hand over each item one by one. “You should take this at this time for the best effect,” “This is good for you at certain times,” and so on — it felt like I was receiving a lecture with each gift.
“If you think you’ll forget, just tell the butler. He’ll hand them over at the right moment.”
“Understood.”
Glancing sideways, I noticed that Erich was struggling to hold onto the growing pile of items in his arms. I thought about offloading some of my items to Erich, but even that seemed tough now.
Then, following my gaze, Mother shifted her target to Erich.
“I hear the Academy’s training can get intense, so make sure to take these.”
Erich dumbly nodded. With that amount, he’d still have leftovers even when graduating.
‘Is this Mother’s way of caring?’
It was heartwarming to see her consideration for the undutiful sons who rarely kept in touch.
‘If only this had happened sooner.’
Honestly, it might have been better if she had been like this before Erich entered the Academy. Maybe she only realized how precious he was once he was off at a faraway Academy.
But hey, at least she’s changing now. The Patriarch might remain unchanged, but if Mother becomes more affectionate, Erich will surely be happy.
“I have to go now, but I’ll be in touch.”
After confirming the farewells from the Patriarch and the members, I bowed to Mother. Yes, let’s keep in touch, even if it’s just every once in a while. I also didn’t want Erich to feel uncomfortable if he didn’t reach out to Mother after seeing me not contacting her.
Initially, my time here with those clowns felt daunting, but I was able to leave with a light heart in the end. If Erich and Mother’s relationship could improve, that alone justified the trip to the territory.
*
They are leaving. I want to ask them to stay for just one more day, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t feeling sad. Now that I have just started sharing normal, happy conversations with those kids, I wanted to relish that happiness a bit longer.
But I managed to stifle that regret and send them off. Thanks to the confidence that the happiness I’ve experienced won’t vanish like bubbles, but that I can relive it again.
‘When they return…’
Those kids will come back. Although they had to leave home temporarily because of their roles as a civil servant and a student, they would eventually return.
And when that day comes, I can enjoy that happiness once more. Clinging to the present and stubbornly holding onto it would only worsen our slightly repaired relationship.
‘Let’s wait.’
I neglected those kids for nearly 20 years. In all honesty, the time I actually engaged with them properly was less than 20 days, yet in that fleeting moment, I managed to revive a relationship that once seemed utterly impossible.
I shouldn’t act hastily, especially for those kids who approached me as their mother, even though I never truly deserved such love from them. Also, for the sake of my daughter-in-law, who helped mend our relationship, I must not rush.
It is possible only because of them, not due to my own actions. Therefore, I need to proceed carefully and gradually.
“Wife.”
“Billy.”
As I watched the children’s backs grow smaller in the distance, Billy approached.
He kept his promise and waited to tell me that Carl would return on his own. It was a bit embarrassing remembering how I had grabbed him by the collar during their discussion.
“I’m relieved that grabbing you by the collar wasn’t for nothing.”
Billy seemed to have read my thoughts and casually spoke. I quietly averted my gaze. No matter how agitated I was or how angry I felt towards Billy, that had been far too harsh an action.
Still, if given the chance, I would probably do it again. How could he say such harsh words about returning those kids, who were just starting to engage in conversation? Especially when I hadn’t even officially connected his son with his daughter-in-law yet!
‘Impressive for her age.’
With thoughts of my daughter-in-law, a mix of regret and pride welled up within me. I wanted her to at least be engaged to Carl, but it didn’t work out. But how could I possibly blame her? She was a child filled with ambition to serve the Empire.
Surely, I must have known that she was intelligent and mature. I never would have imagined that a noblewoman would aim to be a civil servant, but that was a pleasantly unexpected surprise.
Of course, as Carl’s mother, I wish she would choose marriage to Carl over her career. However, I couldn’t bring myself to voice that thought; after all, I owed her a favor from my perspective.
If Carl can persuade her to opt for marriage instead of pursuing a career and they then come to Tailglehen after her graduation—
‘I’ll have to teach her the hostess duties.’
She’s preparing for a government position, so she’d surely pick it up quickly.
*
The dissonance of being at home in the morning and at work by lunchtime was more heart-wrenching than I had anticipated, especially since it wasn’t from the capital’s mansion but from the territory. It felt like working during a holiday.
‘People are such bothers.’
This was all because of the former Count Horfeld. If he hadn’t retired so suddenly, I wouldn’t have had to come to work.
“Is he healthy?”
“Yes, he even enjoyed hunting yesterday.”
“So he’s still in good shape. I see.”
I raked my fingers through my hair roughly at the Senior Manager’s calm reply. A person whose health was deteriorating to the point of needing to hand over their title to a 19-year-old certainly wouldn’t be capable of partaking in extreme sports like hunting. What’s really going on here? Did he retire just to goof off?
If he had formally relinquished the title, then it must have been approved by the Emperor. However, regardless of whether it got approved or not, we had to ascertain the reasons. After all, there might be some hidden schemes or backdoor dealings with other nobles.
But no matter how closely I looked, I couldn’t find anything. Most likely, he just wanted to kick back and relax.
‘How envious.’
From now on, former Count Horfeld will be my role model.
In any case, I moved on from the urgent escape case of the former Count to other documents. The reasons for his departure were less important than the aftermath.
“He seems capable.”
And the aftermath was surprisingly calm. The Imperial Council had fluttered slightly with the sudden change of a member, only to settle down again.
“Most of the former Count’s shares have been inherited. It seems he consulted with his vassals before retiring.”
“That makes sense.”
Abruptly announcing his retirement publicly is one thing, but keeping it a secret from even his own vassals would just be madness.
As I examined the details closely, it turned out the Count’s vassals remained mostly unchanged, with only a few young subordinates added. The amount of money circulated among the other members of the imperial council to celebrate their ascension was exactly what I had anticipated.
And an appropriate level of “friendship money” had also made its way to the Prosecutors’ Office.
It turned out to be way less problematic than I initially feared. I had worried he might go on a “young hothead” spree and refuse to hand out any under-the-table money!
‘Well, no issues here.’
Coming to work felt absurdly annoying given there were no problems at all. Sure, I was relieved, but what’s this bittersweet feeling lingering in the air?
Rubbing my stiff neck, I turned my gaze back to the Senior Manager. I came in a hurried rush today due to Count Horfeld, but now that I’m here, I might as well address any pending matters.
“Are there any unusual occurrences?”
At my question, the Senior Manager flinched and cautiously opened his mouth.
“The 2nd Manager reached out first.”
Damn it, I was merely checking, but something popped up right away.
Hearing that it was the 2nd Manager stationed in the north made my mouth go dry.
“He requested more alcohol.”
“That bastard.”
I was the fool for worrying.
“…Send it over.”
“Understood.”
The urge to immediately contact the 2nd Manager and curse him out surged inside me, but I just barely held back.
Right, I should send it. He’s struggling up north; the least I can do is help him out. If he made such a request while lounging around here, I wouldn’t let it slide.
It’s just regrettable that the last thing I had to hear before reporting to the Minister was the 2nd Manager’s nonsense.
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