Chapter 196:
I awkwardly adjusted my collar while waiting for Marghetta in the dormitory. For some reason, my usual comfortable uniform felt oddly unfamiliar today.
I forgot again.
Sighing as I straightened my collar, I realized I was headed to the banquet in my Prosecutor’s uniform instead of formal attire.
Of course, there wouldn’t be a significant problem attending in the Prosecutor’s uniform. After all, this outfit was meant to show some form of respect.
However, the essence of the uniform was that of work attire, and the nature of the Prosecutor’s Office is quite grim. Sometimes, nobles even come down with PTSD at the sight of our uniforms.
So, with the thought that I should get different clothes, I kept forgetting to do so.
I need to attend more banquets first.
If I were a professional banquet-goer, I would’ve bought a couple of outfits by now. But my attendance is sporadic, at best every few months. No rush means I often forget.
Well, it’s not like I’m going alone.
So far, my forgetfulness hadn’t been a problem. However, this time I was going with Marghetta.
Showing up in a uniform next to a beautifully dressed lady? It would be akin to wearing a military uniform to a date back in my previous life. That would make me more than just crazy; it would make me utterly insane. It’s a situation where I couldn’t even complain if I got slapped by the lady I was with.
“Don’t worry, Carl. You look great in anything.”
Hearing that from the kind-hearted Marghetta still left me worried.
Right, I should buy some better clothes right after this banquet. I must dress appropriately for the New Year’s Ball!
“Carl.”
A voice from behind broke my internal monologue.
As I turned and caught sight of Marghetta, my determination to buy proper clothes intensified tremendously.
She wore a red dress adorned with various ornaments, and a bracelet that shimmered like her green eyes. She looked stunning, having clearly put in a lot of effort.
In contrast, I…
“I’m sorry! Did I keep you waiting long?”
“Nope! I was just excited to see you, Mar, so time flew by.”
I responded, feeling even more apologetic.
“I hurried out because I wanted to see Carl too.”
Fortunately, Marghetta seemed pleased, beaming a bright smile.
Yet, my guilt only grew.
I’m really sorry. From now on, I’ll dress properly…
*
Thanks to the teleportation mage sent by the Invincible Duke, we made it to the mansion in no time.
The Crown Prince, my father-in-law, sent mages to capture runaway slaves, while his father, the Invincible Duke, sent mages to take care of his guests.
Why is there such a difference between a father-in-law and a son-in-law? Shouldn’t the Crown Prince take notes?
“That’s quite a crowd.”
As soon as we landed at the mansion’s main gate, a sea of people unfolded before us.
They had said it would only be a small banquet, but did I misinterpret ‘small’ until now?
“I heard the Crown Princess is frugal, yet even her birthday banquet appears to be on the smaller side.”
Marghetta whispered as she took in the surroundings, echoing my thoughts.
Ah, so it really is small. I suppose I need to attend more banquets to get a sense of scale.
“It’s already minuscule holding it at a mansion instead of the imperial palace.”
She quietly added, as if sensing my doubts.
That was a fair point. It wouldn’t be unusual for the Crown Princess’s birthday to be celebrated at the imperial palace. Calling it small just because they chose a mere mansion wasn’t entirely inaccurate.
While calling the Invincible Duke’s mansion a ‘mere mansion’ feels strange, it does ring true when compared to the imperial palace.
“I’m grateful to be invited to such an intimate gathering. Let’s go greet the host.”
“Absolutely! We shouldn’t neglect to greet the host.”
With that, I extended my hand toward Marghetta, who responded with a wide smile, taking my hand eagerly.
As we walked towards the mansion, I could feel all eyes on us. There were startled glances at my Prosecutor’s uniform, which soon turned to relieved looks upon noticing Marghetta by my side.
“Executive Manager—”
“—The lady—”
Although they seemed to whisper quietly, the bits and pieces of conversation I caught were undoubtedly about us.
This is the perfect spotlight.
In my bitterness, I gripped Marghetta’s hand tighter. It seemed unfair that she was receiving undue attention because of me.
I cast a worried glance at her, but Marghetta wore an unwavering smile as she confidently walked ahead.
She’s okay.
Upon reflection, who would be more accustomed to attention, a seldom seen Executive Manager or the youngest daughter of a duke? Obviously, it would be Marghetta.
I’ve worried too much, unconsciously treating her as someone I needed to protect.
Relaxing my grip, I found Marghetta tightening her hold on my hand instead.
“Mar?”
“I’m a bit nervous, so please keep holding my hand.”
Surprisingly, her expression was one of calm assurance, miles away from tension.
“Got it.”
If that’s what she wanted, then I was more than happy to oblige.
*
As expected, no matter that the gathering was at a mansion instead of the imperial palace, it was a banquet for the Crown Princess. Naturally, every attendee was someone important.
What does it matter if the affair is on the smaller side? Fewer people or not, the elite are the ones calling the shots in social circles.
Even now, I could sense them: the glances pinned on us, the flickers of interest hidden beneath feigned disinterest.
Good.
Instead of feeling burdened, this brought a rush of satisfaction.
Look all you want, everyone. Everyone should witness this.
Carly is mine.
He was mine. The man grabbing my hand, the man that everyone was gawking at, was mine.
I could see their expressions clearly.
The nobles quietly assessing us, calculating, and the ladies whispering behind their fans.
Fufufu…
This was the exact outcome I was after, and the best one at that. Once this banquet wrapped up, word of my relationship with Carl would spread like wildfire.
Of course, Carl claimed he would go see my father right after the New Year’s Ball, but—
That’s okay.
I just want as many people as possible to know about us as quickly as they can. That isn’t too much to ask, right?
Plus, I wasn’t coercing Carl, who dislikes marriage, into anything. Yes, this really should work out fine.
As I struggled to keep my smile in check, I felt Carl’s hand tremble.
Could he be nervous? Was it the attention that was causing him to shake?
So cute.
My painstakingly maintained expression almost cracked at seeing this different side of Carl. With me, he spoke freely of even the most embarrassing things, yet he quivered under the gaze of others.
“Oh, you made it.”
It was only after Father cut through the crowd that I realized it had all been a misunderstanding.
…Still, isn’t it cute to see a future son-in-law getting nervous in front of his future father-in-law?
*
I spotted an old man approaching, one who seemed a whole head taller than everyone else.
Here he comes.
I closed my eyes unconsciously, my hands trembling as instincts screamed fear.
The more the distinguished nobles cleared a path as the old man, who actually looked more middle-aged, neared, the stronger my urge to flee became.
Yet, I held my ground. Turning your back on a predator only invites doom.
“You’ve arrived.”
His voice was deep and steady, exuding a natural command that today felt more like a judgment from the underworld.
“Carl Krasius, heir of the Krasius family and Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office, greets His Grace, the Iron-blooded Duke.”
To my greeting, the Iron-blooded Duke sneered and tossed back a single line.
“Empty formalities are worthless.”
It was clear that he meant, ’I have quite a few complaints about you.’ Hearing that sent another shiver down my spine.
This is complicated.
The Iron-blooded Duke, who had previously suggested that I should come to him and kneel if I wanted to marry Marghetta, was no joker. He meant every word. His blessing would only come after I knelt.
Yet, here I was, appearing as Marghetta’s partner at the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet without kneeling.
It wouldn’t be surprising if he felt disrespected, even scorned.
…Fortunately, given that he hadn’t thrown a punch yet, it seemed he wasn’t at the peak of his fury.
“Father.”
As Marghetta spoke, the Iron-blooded Duke’s previously stern expression softened swiftly.
He really is soft on his youngest daughter. Is that the fate of any father?
“Mar, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, Father! Have you been well?”
Her polite inquiry prompted the Duke to nod.
“Since my daughter won’t spend time with her old man, I have to take care of my own health.”
He added with a hint of sadness.
And with that, my already hesitant words grew heavier.
“Father did ask me to come with him, but…”
Yesterday, Marghetta cautiously mentioned this. Unfortunately, she had already declined the Iron-blooded Duke’s invitation to be his partner before I ever asked.
It’s understandable that he’s upset.
Last summer vacation, Marghetta had stayed at my mansion instead of returning to her father’s territory. At this birthday party, she declined the Iron-blooded Duke’s invitation and attended with me as her partner.
If I were the Iron-blooded Duke, I’d be furious too.
The more vexed he was with Marghetta, the more his anger directed at me seemed to rise.
“I’ve held up new guests too long. You two should go greet the host first.”
After staring at me silently for a moment, the Iron-blooded Duke turned his back.
His command to greet the host ‘first’ felt like an impending confrontation—was I just imagining it?
“Carl.”
“Ah, yes.”
Marghetta’s voice snapped me back to reality, keeping me from drifting off.
“Father’s just feeling a bit left out. Don’t dwell on it too much.”
Nodding silently to Marghetta’s kind words, I thought well, there’s no reason to panic.
I should pull myself together. Although bumping into the Iron-blooded Duke before a potential breakout is a bit unfortunate, I’m actually lucky it’s at a banquet for the Crown Princess.
Even the Iron-blooded Duke wouldn’t dare cause a scene at an event celebrating the Crown Princess. It would be way too distracting if the Executive Manager had to kneel, and the Duke made a spectacle of himself here.
He knows better than that.
Thinking that eased my tension a fraction.
*
It had been a while since I’d left the Magic Tower for reasons other than work.
I usually detest complex gatherings like banquets. The lingering glances, whispered conversations, and annoying approaches aren’t my cup of tea.
However, I had compelling reasons to attend this gathering.
My baby.
Aside from the New Year’s Ball and exclusive events among the imperial families, my baby hardly shows up. His presence at a banquet is a rarity.
Fortuitously, my workload has lessened lately, allowing me some time to step out. Plus, it’s just been a short while since he escaped from that cold prison. I really need to check in on him.
Wait for me.
I even brewed a new potion for my baby.
While it isn’t something that can extend one’s lifespan, it’s sure to be good for his health.
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