Chapter 427
After Villar left, I found myself absentmindedly fiddling with the pocket watch.
It was a perfectly sized piece, easily fitting into my hand, and it exuded both flashiness and elegance, fitting for a gift from the ruler of the second most powerful nation on the continent. It was evident that considerable thought went into preparing it; the watch itself was essentially a work of art.
Of course, after seeing the emblem of the Robens Royal Family engraved on it, I found the exterior to be the least of my concerns.
‘You know you’ve lived long enough to receive strange gifts.’
I’m not even in my twenties, but here I am. When does an imperial noble get a gift from the King of Armain?
Only high-level diplomats visiting Armain in peaceful times would even dream of receiving a royal gift from the king, and even then, it would typically be silks or jewels. Something engraved with the royal emblem? That’s unthinkable.
Yet, here I was, holding such an item. And not only had I not gone to Armain to receive it, but it was also delivered to me while I sat right here.
‘The power gap really has widened.’
I couldn’t help but grin as I continued to fidget with the pocket watch. There are countless titles referring to Armain: the nation with the second greatest power after the Empire, the kingdom of knights, the Empire’s number one rival country, etc.
What all those lavish titles mean is simple: While it’s nearly impossible for Armain to defeat the Empire, the Empire would suffer significant losses trying to subdue Armain completely.
So, Armain shows both humility and boldness in its diplomacy with the Empire. Yet, here they were, giving a gift bearing the royal emblem to a mere noble. It’s as if they’ve admitted the vast gap between our countries.
‘If they didn’t acknowledge it, it would be stranger.’
Honestly, it was no surprise. With the northern region now part of the Empire, some of the imperial troops defending the northern border had moved east, and the nomads in the north had transitioned to cavalry for the Empire. It wouldn’t take courage to remain rigid in such circumstances; it would be sheer arrogance. At the very least, the king of Armain is a ruler who knows the difference between courage and folly.
‘Well then.’
I tucked the pocket watch away and pulled out my communicator. If the other side acknowledges the hierarchy, it’s a win for the Empire. There’s no need to deploy military force to establish order.
“The Great Emperor’s protection ensures peace in the north, and I can only hope for true peace and order in the east.”
This was something I’d said back when the new emperor had just ascended, having been relegated to a pet project for the emperor and venturing around with him. It was a lamentation that after pouring the Empire’s power into subduing the north, it would be nice if the east remained quiet.
It was an understandable lament. Sure, the conquest of the north could have been swept in easily since the nomads were treated as stateless, but the eastern kingdoms have clear nationalities and borders. Eating away at territory would take eons to sort out, and if they didn’t take territory and withdrew, it wouldn’t be long before they crawled back up again.
In that dilemma, the emperor desired order without war. Just like the king of Armain doesn’t want war, the emperor is inclined toward peaceful resolutions.
– The King of Armain sent a gift?
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
That’s why the emperor smiled at my report. The eastern kingdom, especially the Empire’s number one rival, knows its place? For a newly crowned emperor, that news brings both prestige and practicality.
– It seems the King of Armain was impressed by the minister’s work, as Prince Rutis spoke highly of the minister.
“I merely did my duty.”
– Nothing is more crucial than doing your job right.
After a chuckle, the emperor composed himself and then spoke quietly.
– We should send an envoy to Armain soon.
“Truly wise judgment, Your Majesty.”
I bowed my head and gave a conventional response to the emperor.
However, my answer was not solely ceremonial. As the emperor mentioned, sending an envoy to Armain is indeed necessary. Although Armain hasn’t officially submitted to the Empire by sending an envoy, it has shown signs of submission by reaching out to the emperor’s closest aides. Therefore, the Empire can allow Armain to save face, having partially submitted.
For instance, the peace between the Empire and Armain wouldn’t be because Armain has yielded first— it would be known instead that the Empire extended a hand, which Armain accepted.
‘That’s the kind of consideration we ought to show.’
This way, both sides can save a bit of dignity and not have to bow their heads without hesitation.
Those who only rely on their strength and cause chaos usually face consequences down the line—that’s proven by the likes of Apels in history and Leon in the present.
– By the way, Minister. The King of Armain seems to have a lot of interest in you—perhaps an invitation to Armain?
“I’m afraid I have too many matters to attend to in the Empire.”
I firmly shook my head as the emperor mentioned joining the envoy. Where does this idiot expect to send me abroad when there’s plenty to do at home? Absolutely not!
– Really? That’s unfortunate.
Fortunately, it seemed the emperor was not suggesting it seriously and quickly dropped the matter.
I understood what he was thinking, though. My presence among the envoy could provide pressure on Armain—tell me to just hold my position. While saving face for Armain, I suppose the goal is to extract as many benefits as possible.
But no way. Diplomacy is blatantly not my job, and besides, I’m a groom-to-be ready to walk down the aisle at the start of next year.
‘Send the groom-to-be overseas?’
That kind of dastardly and shameless higher-up won’t ever be forgiven.
After the pocket watch incident, I managed to enjoy a period of calm. The system was putting together a delegation to Armain with the Minister of Foreign Affairs as the head—quite frankly, though, that wasn’t of my concern.
What I needed to worry about wasn’t some distant issue in the system; it was today’s romantic nonsense right in front of me.
“Oppa, I hear you’ve started calling Pene by a nickname? Is that true?”
During club time, I held my tongue at Louise’s cautious question.
It was true. Not long ago, I also began calling Pene “Pene.” After Mar, Tricky, and Erich, this was the fourth nickname I had created.
‘…What to do.’
However, that only meant there were now more nickname holders than non-holders. Those without nicknames had nowhere to complain even if they felt left out.
‘This is tricky.’
It’s a dilemma. Marghetta was Mar, Beatrix was Tricky, Elizaveta was Eri, and Pene was Pene. All of those names work seamlessly for nicknames.
But what about Louise and Irina? Honestly, three syllables already feels short!
Lou and Iri? Sounds like a male name with a beast on the end. How about Zera and Rina? Calling them like that makes them sound like “Lu” and “I” with a stylish twist.
“Oppa?”
“Uh, well… right.”
As I desperately tried to think, Louise urged me to speak, finally forcing me to open my mouth.
At that moment, I noticed a glint of moisture in Louise’s eyes. Guilt twisted in my heart.
‘It’s definitely going to be Eri again.’
The guilt soon morphed into resentment. Clearly, it had to be Eri who brought up the nickname topic during the communication with Louise. This is all Eri’s fault—
‘No.’
I immediately cut off that line of thought. How ugly it was to pass my blame to others.
If there’s any fault, it lies with me for not having made the nicknames in time. Eri was innocent.
“Uh, sorry. I just didn’t know how to shorten it to three syllables.”
After a brief silence, I reluctantly came up with an excuse that made me feel embarrassed. What was even more embarrassing was that it wasn’t just a half-truth; it was the plain truth.
“Oppa.”
“Yeah?”
At that moment, Irina, who had kept quiet until now, softly interjected.
“Since my family calls me Lin, please call me Lin too, oppa.”
“…Uh, sure…”
I found myself nodding in a daze at the unexpected nickname appeal.
Even Louise seemed baffled, suddenly turning her gaze toward Irina.
“You could have just told me if you didn’t know.”
In response to that gaze, Irina blushed slightly and made a quiet objection.
However, her eyes were strangely assertive, as if she held no regrets about her actions.
It was astonishing. The ability to make a swift appeal whenever the opportunity arises. Is that the virtue of a merchant?
“Well, then me too!”
Louise, now the only one without a nickname, began looking around nervously.
“I want one too!”
However, she just flitted her lips without voicing a nickname.
‘Looks like there are none.’
It was a pitiful sight, which made me feel a pang of sympathy. It seemed the third father-in-law and mother-in-law also faced the same dilemma I did. Otherwise, the beloved Louise would never have been left with no nickname at all.
“Uh, Louise?”
In the awkward silence that seemed too thick to swallow, someone finally spoke up.
“It doesn’t have to be that you need a nickname to have a strong bond, right? My parents don’t have nicknames, but they’re still close.”
It was Sara.
Unlike others who already had nicknames and would feel incongruous speaking now, and the members wary of sounding clingy about using a nickname from having been dumped by Louise before—she was the only one who could speak freely.
I was touched. My efforts to advance my relationship with Erich had borne fruit with Sara stepping in. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to explain Sara’s sudden involvement.
“And since Louise has her real name, isn’t that all the more special?”
Unfortunately, kindness and eloquence were two separate matters.
While I appreciated the comforting words, telling a sad child upset about not having a nickname that ‘not having a nickname makes you special’ feels a bit… off.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Watching Louise grow more and more dejected and observing Sara floundering, I quietly shut my eyes.
Sara had just begun her social life this year after spending her entire life in the mansion, so a lack of eloquence was expected. I should be grateful she stepped up to help me.
In the presence of the deflated pink capybara, an impromptu nickname contest came to life.
And after enthusiastic discussions, the nickname “Lu” was born. Thankfully, it was an idea that didn’t originate from someone else’s head but from mine.
What a relief!
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