Chapter: 270
It feels awkward. Like wearing clothes that don’t fit.
A warm atmosphere, a father-in-law extending a handshake with a smile, future daughters-in-law bowing to greet me. All of this feels so unfamiliar. It contradicts everything I know.
‘Is this what’s considered normal?’
I blankly stared at my hand after shaking hands with Baron Aitini. Perhaps this atmosphere could be normal. It might be a completely ordinary norm that I and my wife have never experienced.
Back when I was still just an heir, I rejected my father’s will and married my wife. I ignored the orders to form alliances with other families and kept my wife as my only companion. That’s why my father had a stiff demeanor during the meeting with the Aras family, and our couple tended to be cold afterward.
Of course, even without that situation, he was always a cold person.
‘No need to pass that on.’
Fortunately, the meeting today, the connection led by Cal, is different from us.
I didn’t force Cal into marriage. I placed no expectations or obligations upon him. Thus, he has brought the relationships he desires, allowing us to celebrate this purely, unlike during my father’s time.
And the result is what you see now. The meeting is a bit awkward but harmonious. The daughters-in-law behave warmly without caring about their in-laws’ gazes. It’s such a given, yet something my wife and I never experienced.
‘Thank goodness.’
I brought the wine glass I held in my left hand to my lips. Fortunately, there was only a little left, so I emptied it.
Yes, thank goodness. I’m glad I didn’t pass on misfortune to Cal. I’m relieved my daughters-in-law won’t suffer the same pains as my wife. So, this current awkwardness is something I can gladly endure. If it’s an ill-fitting outfit, I just have to wear it until it fits.
“Father, may I pour some for you?”
But no matter how I think about it, I really can’t seem to overcome this awkwardness.
“…Yes. Please do, Your Highness.”
“Ah, feel free to speak casually. What father-in-law would speak formally to his daughter-in-law?”
With a gentle smile, the Duke Marcilio poured new wine. I stifled a laugh at his composure.
‘Father, huh?’
Duke Marcilio isn’t wrong. Referring to your father-in-law as “Father” and using informal speech with a daughter-in-law is accurate, too.
Still, even so, isn’t this a bit extreme? My father and grandfather treated Duke Marcilio with respect, yet I’m being told to treat him as my daughter-in-law. Does that even make sense? If we had met as in-laws, it wouldn’t have felt so strange.
“It’s still not an official wedding, so addressing Your Highness casually isn’t appropriate.”
After a moment of hesitation, I finally managed to say something that sounded reasonable.
Even if the wedding is a given, it’s not officially held yet, so I will treat him respectfully. That’s a perfectly understandable reason.
“Is that so? What a pity. I’ll have to wait until the wedding,” he replied.
That made a cold sweat break out. While it is a sound reason that even Duke Marcilio can accept, it’s also a pretty clear timeline for when I can let my guard down.
If I’m treating him respectfully because it’s not officially recognized yet, doesn’t that mean I’m free to address him informally right after the wedding? If I insist on formality after marriage, Duke Marcilio might feel slighted.
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Understanding? You simply stated the obvious; how can I agree to that?”
I just nodded along with Duke Marcilio’s warm voice.
‘You need to get used to this.’
And inside, I vowed to abandon common sense and reason until Cal marries Duke Marcilio. I must become accustomed to speaking informally to a lady of the Duke.
Fortunately, Cal’s first marriage partner isn’t Duke Marcilio but Lady Marghetta. And since Lady Marghetta has no plans to marry before her graduation, we have at least a year before that happens. How fortunate—
…Is that really fortunate?
‘The Duke with multiple wives.’
It makes my head spin. It’s shocking enough that the Duke isn’t the only wife, but I find myself in a situation where I’m not even the first.
“Lady Marghetta is a Duchess, and I myself am a Duke. The status of both families is equal, so it isn’t a problem if Lady Marghetta is the first wife.”
What can I do? The Duke confidently declares it’s perfectly fine to be the second, after all.
The expression of the Iron Duke upon hearing that was quite memorable. The declaration of a strong rival yielding the first wife position would bring joy, but I imagine it would also feel like a blow to their previous understanding. I get it; everyone gathered here probably felt that way.
Both may be Dukes, but it’s obvious that the Duchess ranks higher than the Duke, right? But if you look beyond titles, perhaps it’s true they hold an equal place…
…
‘Not my concern.’
I quickly sorted my thoughts. After all, legal or customary issues are matters for the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court to handle. I trust they’ll sort it out the way Duke Marcilio desires.
“Sorry for being late.”
Just as I cleared my head, Cal appeared with the Iron Duke.
‘Why is he only showing up now—’
I quickly shook off the resentment that suddenly crossed my mind.
What a ridiculous thought! Cal went to the banquet at the Emperor’s summons. It’s something I should be proud and honored about, not resentful. Do I even have the right to blame Cal?
“Baby.”
Cal’s powerful presence made my minor complaints feel silly as Duke Marcilio quickly approached him, childlike excitement visible.
“I think he’s being punished,” I whispered.
“Wife.”
As the daughters-in-law and in-laws gathered around Cal one by one, my wife, who had approached me, whispered softly.
“If only you all had gathered from the beginning, we wouldn’t have to deal with this.”
“…”
Caught off guard by my wife’s comment, I fell silent. She was right; if everyone had met from day one, there wouldn’t have been a need for Cal to disappear, leaving me to fend off Duke Marcilio alone.
Of course, I do have excuses. Didn’t Cal say he’d catch up with his wife later? So even if I made time on the first day, it wouldn’t have made much difference.
‘Why did I speak carelessly?’
The problem is that on the first day of the New Year celebration, when His Highness the Crown Prince urged Cal to attend, I resisted too much.
What can I do? I couldn’t leave my wife fidgeting as I watched Cal from a distance. If I’m guilty of anything, it’s having shared inane topics of conversation to calm her, and perhaps letting slip things that I should’ve kept secret.
“When we return to the territory, we’ll be in separate rooms for a while.”
That anxious look on my wife’s face vanished as she coldly spoke.
Still, I think getting her calmed down was a worthwhile sacrifice.
*
The meeting went off without a hitch. After all, during the New Year gathering, we’d been glued to the in-laws, and while I was pulled away by the Emperor, my patriarch and mother likely conversed plenty with my in-laws.
My father appeared as stoic as always, only nodding, but my mother couldn’t seem to wipe the smile off her face. The smiles directed at Lady Marghetta, whom she had already picked as a daughter-in-law, and even Lady Louise and Irina, whom she had met once, were truly endearing.
She even treated Duke Marcilio kindly, even if a bit awkwardly. I noted how strong a mother’s heart is when sending off a son.
The introduction with the family ended without any issues.
Just the introduction.
“Isn’t that the one who has been stirring up the social scene this year? We finally meet.”
Even though the introductions have ended, the New Year gatherings keep on going. That means I still have countless nobles to mingle with.
Although my in-laws stuck closely by me, I can’t keep every noble at arm’s length. There are road rollers that can crush through any barrier in this Empire.
“Already this year? It’s only January.”
“From my perspective, I doubt anything will surpass your news.”
For instance, a certain Gold Duke casually throwing out daggers.
“Still, Director, any news like this is welcome any time.”
Those who laugh along with the likes of the Vice Captain seem relaxed too.
I’m not sure where the Wise Duke is—probably off somewhere nursing whiskey and board games in a corner.
“If your night was enjoyable at all, I’m glad.”
I bowed my head and greeted the two Dukes.
Seeing Duke Marcilio surrounded by twelve ladies and the lone Vice Captain made me want to cry. Why is it they’re the same rank yet exhibit such different personalities?
“If it’s going to be entertaining for a while longer, don’t worry about it.”
“Yes…”
I couldn’t help but feel a bit bothered by what the Gold Duke said, who grinned and then glanced at my left hand.
“I finally see the object I’ve only heard about in rumors.”
An object, a strange thing. I almost marveled at the Gold Duke’s keen eye, which pierced through the essence of this ring.
Yes, no matter how you look at it, this is a strange object, not something to lead a trend. Truly, I can see why someone capable of influencing the Empire’s economy would have such insight—
“Indeed, trends are typically led by strange objects.”
Good… good… ugh…
“You flatter me.”
“Still, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. Had you shared such an idea, I would’ve gladly shared the profits.”
“I had no idea it would blow up like this.”
I answered with an effort to maintain a smile despite the absurdity of it all.
After all, it was a ring I hastily made because I forgot to buy couple rings; who in the right mind would claim such an idea to a Duke?
“Still, Count Flanbel seems to be preparing for a business opportunity. If you think of it as a gift from the Director to the father-in-law, it makes sense.”
His words only elicited an even more awkward smile from me. I had heard this from the Iron Duke too, but hearing it again made me want to scream.
If Duke Marcilio brings it up, it must be a major business venture. Even if Count Flanbel is allied with the Gold Duke, there’s no way the Gold Duke would remember each member’s proposed business.
For the Gold Duke to even dedicate memory space to remembering such a business… that’s terrifying.
“When the business does start, I’ll be placing an order and finally be able to wear all twelve on my fingers.”
“Uh, yes, congratulations.”
The Gold Duke was grinning, quite genuinely pleased, which shifted my gaze to his hands.
With twelve wives, the Gold Duke would wear twelve rings. Naturally, each finger bore its ring, plus bracelets—which he claimed were rings—adorned his wrists.
‘…How nice.’
I couldn’t help but divert my gaze from those bracelets, no, rings, and lamely sighed.
Yeah, I suppose a ring size would indeed allow for all twelve to fit.
In that moment, I offered the Gold Duke my peace.
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