Chapter 264
My steps felt heavy. I became so conscious of my breathing that I started to think about where to place my tongue. It was terrible. What kind of trial is Enen giving me?
Just a few hours ago, everything was delightful. I had the chance to meet my cherished daughter after a long time, and we were even attending the New Year’s Ball together. I couldn’t advocate for such an event since my daughter, at her tender teenage age, might find it tedious and burdensome.
How could I not be happy? Although our reason for attending wasn’t just family bonding, that was a minor detail. It wasn’t even a problem; if her love is the reason, I would gladly comply. With my only daughter wanting to find love, what could a father do?
However, I never expected such hardships to arise right from the start.
“It’s the first time entering alongside another family. It feels quite different.”
“Yes, yes. I feel the same.”
I tried my best to avoid looking sideways, but when the Duke opened his mouth, it was impossible to ignore him.
My head was still spinning. A Duke of Iron Blood, walking side by side with me? Could it be a harsher punishment for a mere Baron?
‘Maybe it’s a good thing, after all.’
I thought of Louise, who was following behind with his wife. It was an unexpected punishment from my perspective, but for Louise, it was a good sign. The Duke of Iron Blood acknowledging Louise and her relationship meant they had a good bond.
I was genuinely worried, though. While it brought me joy to see Louise wearing the ring and smiling, the thought of her feelings being for the Executive Manager caused me to contemplate whether I should intervene. Even though I live in a territory and know the social whispers, I heard enough to know Louise was infatuated with a man who had been fancied by the Duke’s youngest daughter. What a miraculous predicament!
I’d rather see it ignored; at least, that would mean Louise’s love remains unscathed. In the worst-case scenario, both Dukes might display their wrath over a Baron’s daughter becoming entangled in their lives. It could ruin not just Louise’s love life but also her future.
“It’s okay. Brother already accepted my feelings. Even my seniors support me.”
But looking at Louise’s genuinely smitten face, I couldn’t bring myself to object. Since Hilda left on her long journey, Louise had been carefully setting boundaries with others. Now, she was erasing those boundaries, and who was I to stop her?
Moreover, if there was something going on, the Duke’s youngest daughter seemed supportive of Louise, too.
‘If Louise is happy, I shouldn’t care who it is.’
Louise’s happiness and support from the Duchess left me with little reason to disagree. After all, Louise, who had built emotional walls, was willing to accept a partner, regardless of their status.
…Though it never crossed my mind that perhaps the issue lay in the disparity being too great rather than too low. Normally, nobles marry within similar ranks.
“Look, they’re coming. It seems they spotted us.”
“Oh, I see.”
The Duke, surveying the surroundings, focused on one direction as if he had found something. I instinctively responded, not knowing whom the Duke saw—
‘Oh dear.’
The moment I spotted a young man in a black formal outfit, followed by five others, my body froze.
I’ve never seen them in person, but that look, that formation—it was apparent who they were.
*
Indeed, the ones entering alongside the Duke were from the Nyeard family. The golden-haired man, who had now found himself walking alongside the Duke, was none other than the Baron of Aitini, Louise’s father.
“Your Highness, this is too much. Walking beside you must be quite a burden for the Baron.”
The Minister’s words, filled with a hint of pity, drew my attention.
‘What’s he thinking?’
In my mind, I wondered if that was what he’d wanted to say. Not only had the Duke approached, but now officials from the Treasury were following close behind, too!
I had planned to greet them alone, but this stagnant gathering turned into an RPG party where everyone just congregated for no reason. There’s no demon lord around, so what’s with all these people? Can you all just scram?
“My apologies for the delay in greeting. I should have reached out earlier.”
“No, no, it’s fine. Aren’t you a busy person with national affairs?”
At last, Baron Aitini stood surrounded by Dukes and Treasury officials, trembling like he was caught in the eye of a storm. Unlike Count Flanbel, who possessed a certain resilience to nobles, Baron Aitini was an ordinary local lord.
How could I even attempt to catch him? I said my goodbyes, promising to return for introductions once His Majesty arrived, and judging from the Baron’s quick nod, he understood this was a chance to escape. The Duke, having dined with him recently, didn’t seem to need lengthy conversations.
‘Not like we’re only seeing each other for a day.’
The New Year’s Ball isn’t something that wraps up in just one or two days. With all the titled nobles from across the Empire gathered, refusing to stick around upon arrival would be odd.
There would be plenty of time to socialize. Once the Emperor’s New Year’s speech concluded, it was banquets galore for days on end.
“Are you going with them now?”
While I was observing that bizarre combination of Duke and Baron walking away, the Minister casually spoke up.
“Not at all. Having the Duke and the Executive Manager beside them will only draw attention.”
I quickly shook my head at such a thoughtless suggestion to send me off into potential danger.
If I joined them now, it would simply disrupt their family time. Marghetta might be fine with it, but Louise was meeting her family after a long time, and they deserve to enjoy it peacefully. I couldn’t take that opportunity away from them when there would be plenty of future chances.
“Right. If they draw more attention over there, the Baron might faint.”
I nodded at that.
Having only seen the Baron when Louise was still a child, I had no clue what the current Baron was like, but at least the Baron of yesteryears was ordinary and down-to-earth, a kind paternal figure and lord you could easily picture. Not especially competent but without greed—such a person. If that temperament still existed, I could imagine the Baron feeling more than slightly overwhelmed.
The only son-in-law of the Executive Manager? Just that alone would be enough to make his hands tremble. But now, his son-in-law was linked with Dukes? He desired a peaceful existence but found himself entangled in power dynamics beyond his control?
I understood that pain and sorrow all too well. After all, I’m going through it live right now.
‘…Will I be able to greet him at all?’
I wondered if Baron Aitini would avoid me after the Emperor’s speech.
Noble families that had gathered in the open area of the Imperial Palace were converging in one spot. The Emperor’s New Year’s speech was about to commence.
The Emperor, like a sovereign deity, was personally greeting his subjects! It was then that everyone had to gather before the Emperor and not dare keep him waiting or scurry around.
“It’s more splendid than last year.”
“Last year was modest. This is more like the norm.”
The once expansive open area was even broader this year, adorned with decorations that had not been seen previously, and more knights were present than before.
It was evident that much effort went into this year’s ceremony, so I asked the Minister, who replied, stating it was not about extra effort but rather about reclaiming lost glory.
“Now they’re proudly presenting that the wounds of war and strife have fully healed.”
His additional comment made me think of Dorgon, who had been rampaging in the North, but I tried to keep those thoughts at bay.
Regardless of that rascal’s presence, the Empire was indeed regaining its pre-war vigor. In fact, showcasing this might just distract the nobles from remembering Dorgon. Even if he reappeared, they would be confident that the Empire would easily prevail.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Every extravagant display has its reason. If one could purchase authority and majesty, it would indeed be a profitable venture…
As I absentmindedly gazed at the podium where the Emperor would soon appear, the door swung open, and the Minister of the Imperial Household stepped out first. Here we go!
“Nobles who follow the divine will, kneel!”
As the Minister of the Imperial Household appeared before the Emperor, he pulled out what looked like a scroll and proclaimed with a booming voice—one that made it hard to believe he was an old man.
At his call, nobles simultaneously knelt, bowing their heads. No one in this situation could dare remain upright; otherwise, they would be deemed traitors!
“By the blessing of Enen, the heir of the great Arkman, protector of the divine will, master of Livnoman and the rightful Emperor of Krasius! Ruler of the kingdoms of Tiraf, Groten, Latia, Prunian, and Garlan! Duke of Itiruna, Hanten, Naigal, Raum, and Reneu! Marquises of Korta, Pellen, Lisiuta, Pulu, Urehun, Nichenova, Noman, Palenban, and Neuschten! Counts of Nasa, Letaron, Siren, Grano, and Winnius! Lords of Doba, Kandalen, Fedun, Yuridia, Camora, Truple, Ber, Izna, Norden, and many territories! Patron of the Academy of the Empire and master of the knightly orders, ally of the tribes—”
As the Minister confirmed that the nobles were kneeling, he quickly rattled off the countless titles of the Emperor. I mean, could we not just say “the Emperor of the Empire”? But flaunting those extensive titles was a way to showcase dominance over other nobles.
What’s more, since it was a tradition that had persisted since the days of the great Arkman, it couldn’t be changed now. It’s not as if it was a burden that needed reform…
‘…Wait a minute?’
Something feels off. The Minister of the Imperial Household’s words seemed shorter compared to last year.
What could this mean? I hadn’t heard any news about titles being merged. There’s no way they’d start skipping titles right now, not after explaining the tradition.
‘Oh!’
Suddenly, it dawned on me. If the number of titles the Emperor carries has decreased, the reason is obvious.
‘He must have passed them off.’
The realization brought me immense relief; thinking about the workload quadrupling for that brat made everything feel lighter.
Ah, but how wonderful it must be for him. With that many titles and lands, he’ll never run out of money.
Meanwhile, if I’m lucky, I’ll inherit a count’s title and a few baronages—barely scraping by.
Ah! I’m so jealous!
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