Chapter: 271
Family can be born by nature or formed through choices. You might find yourself as part of the Valenti family simply by being born into it, or you could connect to the family through marriage. That’s why my father puts great importance on this introduction meeting.
With just one meeting, we’ve formed in-law relations with the Krasius family, one of the imperial counts. We’ve also aligned ourselves with the families of Duke Katoban, Marquis Masalo, Count Yoru, and Baron Nayard, entering their familial circle. For my father, who values family, this is undoubtedly a joyous occasion.
However, it isn’t just the elders of the families who are connected under the name of family.
“Are you still working with your brother?”
“Ah~ We’ve worked together for two years… Wait, no, it’s three now! Before that, we just shared the same affiliation.”
“Well, three years is quite a long time to know someone.”
These women, now sharing the same husband, were once strangers but have become closer than anyone else.
Moreover, since our relationships must be maintained for the connections between our families to endure, our duties as wives carry immense weight.
As the first wife, I might feel even more pressure, but—
‘No problem at all.’
Seeing Lady Louise and Lady Erich warmly chatting helped me relax. Despite the potential for conflict—between a marquis’s family and a baron’s, bureaucratic and academic, teens and twenties—they were smiling without any care.
It truly is a relief. If even one of these women had a sharp and aggressive personality, it would be hard to maintain the family unity. Thankfully, they, as well as the other wives, are not difficult personalities at all. Whether it’s a blessing from Enen or just Carl being good at reading people.
Actually, there are some notorious rumors circulating about Lady Erich, an executive manager in the Information Department, but honestly, if we’re talking about notoriety, Carl probably wins. It doesn’t seem like I need to care about such problems.
“So what can we do? These days, the Executive Manager only hangs out outside. I want to spend my school days with him too~”
Lady Erich clung to Lady Louise while whining. Seeing that made Irina giggle softly, while Duke Marcilio couldn’t help but smile.
It’s really an ideal scene. There’s no jealousy among them, and they’re not turning their backs on each other. Even though there’s still much to learn about one another, the effort they put into trying is a very positive signal.
‘Thank you, Lady Louise.’
I watched Lady Louise buried in Lady Erich’s embrace with gratitude. No matter how well we get along and how much effort we put in, effort alone isn’t enough to resolve everything.
The awkwardness can make it hard to start conversations, leading to unnecessary tension, causing time to pass in vain. This is an unavoidable stage when meeting for the first time. However, thanks to Lady Louise, we’ve been able to skip that awkward phase.
From Lady Louise’s perspective, Irina is a friend, I’m a senior, and Duke Marcilio is a mentor, and even Lady Erich is just an acquaintance from the academy fair. Thanks to Lady Louise connecting us all, the awkwardness faded rather quickly. It seems that even royal and noble charm can gather people together.
“I feel like I can’t breathe. Could you let me go?”
“Okay!~”
As a result, even in a situation where we had no common ground, we reached a stage where we could talk about Lady Louise as our common interest.
The teacher sees her student struggling and scolds the one bothering her. The scene a few days ago would have been unimaginable.
‘This is how we become friends.’
Looking at Lady Erich now hugging Irina instead of Lady Louise, I smiled softly.
There’s no need to rush. We can take our time getting to know each other until we can chat comfortably without Lady Louise.
“Wow, do you exercise separately? You’re surprisingly toned—”
“Ah, sister!”
Amidst it all, Lady Erich admired Irina’s physique while poking her. Irina, suddenly assessed, raised her voice, though she didn’t seem genuinely offended.
I’m sure Irina thinks this is part of becoming closer too. It’s just delightful to see everyone eager to bond.
…It would have been even happier if Duke Marcilio didn’t give me those peculiar looks whenever they called me “sister.”
“Since we’re practically family now, how about we just call each other sister and brother when we’re together?”
At Lady Louise’s suggestion, we decided that in our private gatherings, we would call each other sister and brother, but I still couldn’t muster the courage to call Duke Marcilio “sister.”
Duke Marcilio seemed to understand, as he didn’t push the “sister” title on me and merely sent subtle glances. Every time that happens, I’m torn on how to respond.
‘Sister Beatrix.’
I tried practicing calling Duke Marcilio “sister” in advance, but instinctive rejection made my body shake.
How could I dare? She became a Duke before my father or even my grandfather and great-grandfather!
‘I need to make an effort…’
But I can’t call my family your grace or the Duke.
Alright, let’s try. If I keep at it, there will be a time when it will work out. I believe that.
*
The New Year’s celebration period passed without a hitch, contrary to my worries.
Though I did nearly get crushed by that Gold Duke and his roller coaster of a personality, as long as I’m still breathing, that’s what matters, right? Besides, aside from challenges from the Gold Duke, there was nothing that could penetrate the shield created by my in-laws—how cozy!
And if it feels like I can’t handle the in-laws, I can always slip away to join the Ministry of Finance. People need to have hideouts ready, it seems.
‘…Is this what comfort feels like?’
I suddenly felt a wave of self-doubt. A grand banquet invitation from the Emperor, excited gazes from nobles, the Gold Duke’s announcement of twelve rings, and four pairs of parents meeting at once—all of this felt surprisingly comfortable.
But what can I do? When I think of the worst hell I could experience, this is practically paradise. If I had to face the pleas from the first department or the screams from Duke Marcilio during this New Year’s celebration, it would have been a total disaster.
I’m relieved. Whatever was bound to explode was already dealt with, so I’m fortunate.
‘There won’t be more problems either.’
I glanced over at my in-laws—more accurately, the group of future wives nearby.
Typically, in love triangles, wives plot against each other, but thankfully, I see no signs of that vibe among these five. The fourth department, who is absent, isn’t one to start a power struggle either, so it seems like a miraculous coincidence that all of the wives are mild-mannered.
There might be one spicy minx hiding amongst them, but I’m choosing to think they’re all easy-going.
‘As long as they don’t fight, that’s enough.’
I don’t need them to be best friends from the get-go.
All I hope is that, in a gathering of noble families, we don’t have to hear, “Why are you sharing the same husband as me?” and “Why are you the first?” I mean, if Duke Marcilio goes on a rampage, that celebration could become a farewell party for me!
But it seems like everyone is not just avoiding conflict; they’re actually having a good time, which brings me to tears. It’s like terrible luck finds a way to balance itself out elsewhere.
“I’m still torn between whether to give the congratulatory money all at once or in portions.”
“Just feel free to do what makes you comfortable. What matters is the sentiment, right?”
“That’s even harder to say.”
As I watched Irina escaping the clutches of the first department only to latch onto Lady Louise, the head of the Information Department approached, slinking about.
The Information Department head only gets to take a breather during the New Year’s celebration period. So, he appeared to have a brighter demeanor than usual, though it was still quite gloomy compared to others.
“It’s been a while since we’ve met in person. Have you been well?”
“Well, as long as I’m alive, I’m doing okay. Glad to see the Executive Manager is also doing well.”
I casually greeted him, and his response felt sincere, though it’s really just about surviving without collapse.
“Anyway, sorry for the sudden interruption. I didn’t want to talk business during the New Year’s celebration.”
After a chuckle, the Information Department head quickly composed himself and apologized. Since I was hanging out closer to my in-laws and the Ministry of Finance, my sudden meeting with him wasn’t planned, just a request to briefly meet.
Honestly, like he said, I didn’t want to talk business, but when someone who hates discussing work asks to meet, I felt like I couldn’t turn him down. It’s almost a little scary. What could possibly have happened that made him reach out first…?
“It’s fine. Just being able to rest until now is a blessing.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
With a small exhale, the Information Department head quickly scanned the surroundings and cautiously opened his mouth.
“I have received some information regarding the Fifth Empire. I felt like the Executive Manager should hear it too, so I called you over.”
At that, I subtly nodded.
‘Those bastards.’
But under this calm facade, I was anything but. Excluding the five self-detonating pillars, since the first semester brought us honors, the summer holidays brought the Twilight Cult, and in the second semester, it was the Red Wave.
When they came out one after another like a scripted play, I thought maybe it wouldn’t happen, but lo and behold, here we are in winter break. It’s disturbingly predictable.
‘What’s up with this from the start of the New Year?’
I felt a headache forming. Important events taking place at the start of the New Year isn’t just something within the Empire; it’s the same for Ainter. But while our country is busy with events, strange movements are being detected? And it’s caught the attention of the Empire’s Information Department?
Those weirdos. Even if they’re considered marginal figures in Ainter politics, isn’t their behavior a bit too much of an outsider?
“They’ve been purged. Several key figures from the Fifth Empire have been executed.”
Right, that makes sense. If they’re acting like outsiders from the start of the year, they’re bound to get—
…?
“The one leading the purge is the third prince, Rutis. I thought the Executive Manager should know, so I called you.”
“…What?”
Suddenly, my head began to hurt for a completely different reason.
Who’s purging whom?
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