Chapter 261
Historically, the heart of the continent was the Empire, and at its center lies the Capital City. Thus, the Capital City symbolizes the grandeur of the era and serves as evidence of divine mandate; today’s Capital, Ausen, remains an enduring city of glory, shining bright and bustling with life.
The year-end is a particularly lively season in the Capital. All ranked nobles gather for the New Year’s Ball, while the entourage of nobles swells, intensifying the already bustling atmosphere.
Simply having more people inevitably creates a ripple effect, and when those extra bodies are the high-ranking nobles and their retinues, it’s like unleashing a financial windfall. As expected, the merchants in the Capital let out joyful screeches at this influx! It’s a delightful chaos!
Meanwhile, the once-quiet noble estate district regains its warmth in preparation to welcome back its long-absent masters.
“Isn’t it fortunate to run into the Executive Manager as soon as you arrive in the Capital?”
Just like now.
“I’m glad to be able to bring joy to Your Grace.”
I bowed my head in respect to the Marquis Iones, who wore a face beaming with happiness. Seeing me made him even more pleased.
‘What a peculiar scenario to find oneself in.’
Meeting a future father-in-law in the estate of one’s beloved — but calling it a surprise attack here would be a stretch.
While the Masalo family’s estate is full of charm, the real master of this house is still the patriarch, Marquis Iones. It’s not odd for the owner to visit his own estate.
The problem lies in the unexpected encounter. I simply thought the Executive Manager would arrive later since he hadn’t mentioned anything, and I certainly didn’t expect him to show up today.
‘What a sneaky little scheme.’
A quick glance at the Executive Manager revealed him awkwardly avoiding my gaze. He must’ve suddenly insisted we share a meal here, leading to this surprise.
It’s evident that he knew the Marquis was coming yet chose to keep it quiet. Perhaps he thought I would decline the invitation if I knew. Given the Executive Manager’s personality, he would’ve flip-flopped in a frenzy if he knew that lunch was getting interrupted by the Marquis’ presence.
‘I wouldn’t have minded even if I did know.’
I took pity on the Executive Manager’s meaningless little scheme. Meeting someone at the New Year’s Ball only a little earlier shouldn’t cause any problems, right?
Unless the Marquis were brimming with displeasure like some iron-willed noble, that would be a different case, but I shared a friendly rapport with him.
In a personal capacity, he’s the official overseeing my lady’s interests, and publicly he’s the illustrious head of the Marquis Iones family, who wiped the floor with the Aesilon family. Considering how the wealthy Iones family benefited from the aftermath of Aesilon’s downfall, it makes perfect sense he’d be pleased with me.
“So, how about it? Aren’t you happy to meet your future son-in-law?”
Then, as if to break the thick silence, the Executive Manager casually slid his arms across his chest. For the Marquis, seeing his precious daughter sharing affection with some scoundrel is a bonding moment, yet his expression radiates pure warmth.
No, it looks rather like he’s achieved the wish of a lifetime.
“Indeed. I can’t help but feel emotional seeing my daughter finally find a match.”
Such heartfelt words left me, and even the Executive Manager, at a loss for words.
It was a short statement, but it held a history of the Marquis’s worries about his daughter. Even a cold-hearted battle-hardened veteran could bring tears to their eyes upon hearing them.
After all, it’s deserving of such concern. If a 21-year-old like me is still safely tap dancing on the edge of marriageable age, imagine the worries he has faced. The moment his daughter turned 20, he likely felt like he was being grilled on hot coals, and when she reached my age, he must have rolled on the floor in agony.
Moreover, to top it off, his daughter’s profession is a civil servant? Set aside the miserable feelings, he probably resigned himself to the idea of her remaining single.
“All this time, I’ve been worried about her lack of a partner, but if this time was meant to meet the Executive Manager, it makes sense I guess. Mmhmm, it must be so.”
However, the Marquis seemed to have washed away that misery, worry, and worry all in one go. Even if his daughter spent a lengthy period without a boyfriend, he could easily laugh it off since it was only preparation for landing an SSR-level husband.
“Thank you, Executive Manager. I’m genuinely grateful that you haven’t forgotten my request.”
“Pardon?”
Startled, I could only respond in confusion to the shaking hands of the emotional Marquis as he grasped my own.
A request? It’s not like I have many opportunities to meet the Marquis, so it’s not like I’d received any requests from him. Probably just the usual… well—
…?
‘No way, right?’
The request must not have been in a superior-subordinate relationship but rather as a suitor speaking, no?
“Although I’ve lived a life without lacking in much, the only thing weighing my heart down is this child.”
Fortunately or unfortunately, the Marquis poured out a father’s heart without a care for my interjections. With his noble position, prosperous family, and well-behaved children, the only worry that remained was his daughter failing to find a match.
That pitiful plea could make even the Executive Manager hide his eyes and fumble in discomfort. But the Executive Manager… does he know that his family loves him? When it comes to them, he gets soft. If someone else had said that, he would have dismissed them, thinking, “Life is what you make of it.”
“While she may not be your first wife, I believe you’ll treat her without deficiency.”
“I will live up to your trust.”
At that, the Marquis beamed warmly, patting my hand several times.
It was a foreign feeling. After getting used to the fierce intensity of the iron-willed noble, it felt bewildering to see this gentler approach…
‘For now, two.’
And I almost shut my eyes as the thought of another potential father-in-law — one I’d never actually met — floated into my mind. One who’s completely out of my league: the Baron father-in-law, and the Count father-in-law, whose connection with me was a near disaster.
This New Year’s Ball is bound to be quite fiery.
Thanks to the Marquis, the hands that should be light on their return were now weighed down. Sure, the size of the gifts were modest, but the worth felt heavy. Maybe because the Marquis holds one of the leading noble families, it’s as if I’m being handed land deeds straight from the back of a chair?
Even the iron-willed noble poured in the marital supplies to bursting, so maybe real estate has become the new way for nobles to express affection these days. It’s a little bit of a scary trend. At this rate, by the time my kids are ready to marry, I’ll be flat broke.
“Isn’t it fortunate to be a beloved son-in-law?”
“It’s my position that is bringing me a little attention.”
I playfully replied to Marghetta’s words, which were accompanied by a gentle smile.
Yet, there’s some truth in that. As the head of the Executive Manager, I’ve received my fair share of bribes from other nobles, but those were typically tangled and convoluted processes. This direct receiving? This is practically unheard of. It feels like I may have gotten something I shouldn’t have.
At least I’m relieved that I’ve had prior experience with the iron-willed noble. If there hadn’t been any previous encounters with that fierce father-in-law, I might have felt burdened and rejected his goodwill.
“Ha ha, you’ll have to get used to it. I hear it’s a parent’s wish to spoil their dependable son-in-law with gifts.”
That statement sounded suspiciously like, “Now that you have four parents-in-law, you’d best prepare yourself.”
…But still, Marghetta isn’t wrong. As long as it’s not blatant corruption, back-and-forth exchanges among blood relatives are customary. When something comes up, your eyes are drawn to family, and when you receive something nice, you want to share it with family — just the way it is.
“Yes, that’s how it should be. After all, I am a noble before I am a civil servant.”
Not just a mere civil servant acting like a machine following the Emperor’s orders, but rather a noble engaging in the ebb and flow for the benefit of their own house and territory.
I might not be able to shed that civil servant title… or maybe I don’t really have one, but honestly, the title of noble seems to come from birth. As a member of the Krasius family, I need to get accustomed to this noble lifestyle and marriage.
“I think Kai will adapt quickly.”
“Thank you for your words.”
I smiled at Marghetta’s comment as I glanced around the table.
It was a standard dining setup, with servants on standby for any unforeseen circumstances. However, what stood out today was the absence of Louise and Irina, who always dined with us. Their absence feels noticeably odd.
But it can’t be helped. Baron Aitini, Louise’s father, and Count Flanbel, Irina’s father, have come to the Capital. From the fathers’ perspective, wouldn’t it be frustrating if their nearby daughters didn’t come to pay their respects? They aren’t the kind of cold-hearted people to ignore their family while so close.
“Are you feeling a sense of melancholy already?”
Noticing my gaze, Marghetta chuckled softly. Whoops, I guess my eyes gave me away; I’m a bit embarrassed.
“Of course. Losing even one familiar face feels strange, let alone a person. So, what’s it like?”
I genuinely couldn’t deny this feeling. Those two aren’t just casual acquaintances; they’re my closest lovers, sharing rings with me. Denying that would be even weirder.
“Make sure to tell them that during the New Year’s Ball. They’ll both appreciate it.”
“If I forget, you can remind me, Marghetta.”
Even though it was a relatively dull joke, Marghetta chuckled at the silliness. It’s really true that it’s the speaker that carries the joke.
‘The New Year’s Ball, huh.’
While thoughts of Marghetta got me drifting towards the New Year’s Ball. Louise and Irina, who ran off to their families, aren’t just stopping by to say hi; they’ll actually join the celebration.
‘What a bore of an event, though.’
Having been to the New Year’s Ball, I’d really want to talk them out of it. With all the ranked nobility and the Emperor making an appearance, it’s grand and glamorous but not enjoyable for blooming young ladies. Wouldn’t those attending alongside the lesser-ranked nobles just gather to have their own gathering? If someone wants to enjoy a party, they should go there instead.
I ended up having that idea shot down because Marghetta forcibly advocated for attending the New Year’s Ball.
“Both me and His Grace the Duke are already tied together, and rumors are bound to spread. The two nobles here would be in the same boat. They’re both operating around the Capital.”
“But Lady Louise and Lady Irina are at the Academy, causing constraints on rumors. Sure, some whispers might pass through thanks to students letting it slip, but they’ll be far less than meeting in person.”
“So, this is a prime opportunity. It’s a chance to show off boldly in front of the ranked nobility.”
Days ago, Marghetta made an earnest push for attendance over dinner. Her persuasive words had captivated Louise and Irina, who seemed spellbound.
She wasn’t wrong. In addition, to be fair, as a simple Baron like myself, who usually concentrates on lower-tier politics, my standing isn’t significant enough to lead the social scene. Sitting quietly at the Academy, there’s no way for them to publicly showcase the close ties we’ve built.
“Honestly, it would be better to attend the New Year’s Ball and the gatherings organized by the younger generation too…”
“…I’ll consider that. But for now, let’s just focus on the New Year’s Ball.”
After her words, I had no arguments left. “If those two don’t attend the New Year’s Ball, you’re obligated to go to their get-togethers.”
“Don’t worry too much. I may not have as much experience as Kai, but I’ve been to my share of them. I’ll be sure to do my utmost to help.”
Marghetta’s final declaration to participate left me without any reasons to protest.
It looks like it’s shaping up to be a splendid New Year’s Ball…
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