Chapter 431
Upon arriving at the territory, as always, my mother and the retainers were waiting. Even during my days as the heir, they’d greeted me at the main gate, but now I was not just the heir but a Count of the Empire and a Grand Duke. For my retainers, it felt like a duty to welcome me, even if it meant they were on the verge of collapsing from overwork.
Of course, I felt guilty seeing them out here when they could be handling their business. But if I told them they didn’t need to come out, they’d likely freak out, thinking, “Is that new Count testing our loyalty already?”
So, what could I do? I just had to quickly exchange greetings and head into the castle.
“I’m back, Mother.”
“Welcome home, dear.”
As I approached my mother and embraced her lightly, she hugged me back and spoke gently.
“Erich is here too.”
“Ah, yes.”
Then, my mother carefully hugged Erich, who was standing behind me. Though his movements were a bit stiff, that hug must have taken great courage for my mother. Erich understood that too, so he accepted the hug without resistance.
What a heartwarming scene. Just as the Emperor accepted Ainter as part of the royal family, our family was slowly opening up and acknowledging each other. Now, if only Erich and Father could become friends, everything would be perfect.
“I’m sorry. You finally came home, but it’s just the two of us.”
The real issue was that Father, who ought to be close, was absent.
“Apparently, he’s busy with work. But he said he’ll be back by dinner, so don’t worry.”
“It’s okay. It’s natural for a minister to be busy.”
At my words, Erich, who had just escaped my mother’s embrace, wore a bittersweet expression. Just one more year and he would be that busy minister himself.
However, there’s no need to worry too much. Father may be busy, but it’s not as overwhelming as Erich imagines.
– It’s likely to be late. The Chairman is creating quite a fuss, so I’ll need to address it a little.
A few days ago, I had heard the truth directly from my father. He wasn’t away from work; he had just taken a long trip for fishing like last time.
In a way, it makes him seem like a madman prioritizing fishing over family, but it didn’t really concern me.
– It was pathetic to see him flare up, saying, “I’m still a Count, why did you all get titles first?” He’s the one who plans to step down after finishing his term in office anyway.
Father, too, sighed out of irritation as he was dragged along. It was obvious he didn’t want to go, but an old friend was throwing a fit, forcing him.
“Well, since the Chairman considers your father a close friend—”
– I’ve never had a friend like that.
In the midst of it all, my father’s blunt reply made me bite my lips in a hurry. Seeing a usually serious person answer with a sense of humor made it hard not to laugh.
Fortunately, I held back my laughter. It would be terribly disrespectful for a son to laugh at his father’s serious situation.
‘This time, I need to avoid getting caught.’
I watched my mother approach her romantic interests while secretly wishing for my father’s luck. I hoped this time, my mother wouldn’t go chasing him away.
But it’s strange. Father has a track record of deceiving my mother multiple times. In fact, the last time, he got caught and was scolded by her!
And yet, Mother believed him when he said he was busy. It seemed like she meant it, not just as a courtesy.
‘Is it trust between spouses?’
Thinking this brought a sense of wonder. After being married for over twenty years, no matter what the outcome, it might just be about trusting and supporting each other for now.
Actually, it felt more like confidence that she could turn him in whenever she wanted, rather than pure trust.
“Finally, graduation! Now we can finally be in the same family.”
“I’m excited to share the same surname with you, Mother.”
After thinking like that, I felt a chill run down my spine as I glanced over at my mother and Mar, smiling as they chatted. If Mar were to become a hostess following all of Mother’s teachings—would I end up living a life where I can’t even lie without getting caught and chased away?
‘That would be horrifying.’
In that moment, I instinctively thought of Wiriya as a potential refuge if Mar were to chase me away. At least I could hide there in the outskirts territory.
Of course, Father had told me about a secret fishing spot to use in emergencies, but honestly, with no fishing experience, it didn’t sound appealing at all.
‘Your Majesty’s kindness…’
That’s why I pictured the scene where I must be feeding the Count right now. If he hadn’t given me Wiriya, my only refuge would have been that fishing lake.
It’s truly a grand favor. Starting today, I’ll bow three times daily toward the palace.
Later that evening, when Father returned, he got caught by Mother again.
Unlike last time, he had neatly organized his shoes to try to commit the perfect crime, but the fishing line marks left on his fingers gave him away.
I wondered if it was impressive how Father always left traces behind or if it was more impressive how Mother seemed to pick up on even the smallest details.
“Does your brother also like fishing?”
Watching my in-laws bickering—or rather, seeing Mother being unilaterally reprimanded—Rizie cautiously asked.
“No, I’ve never done it.”
I answered with dignity. It wasn’t a lie, so I felt justified.
Before my reincarnation, I never had the chance to get into such an expensive hobby as fishing, and afterward, I simply lost interest.
“If you ever want to fish, come to our territory. The eels are plentiful.”
“…Sure.”
I responded a moment too late.
I was surprised. At this point, I expected her to say, “Please don’t start fishing, brother.” But, well…
*
Not long after returning to the palace, I was summoned by the Emperor.
For a moment, I worried if I’d done something to get caught, but I quickly reassured myself. There’s no way the Emperor was going to target me anymore. Unless I was plotting a rebellion, there was no chance he’d want me out.
And as long as I’m sane, I’d never dare to dream of rebellion, so I could say my future was peaceful.
“Now it’s time for you to receive a title.”
Before the Emperor’s words, I had been thinking that way.
“A title, Your Majesty?”
I forced myself to speak while controlling my surprise. It would have been rude to stay silent when the Emperor himself mentioned a title.
“Yes. You’re the Emperor’s brother now. And eventually, you’ll become an uncle to the Emperor. If you don’t have any title, the nobles will look down on you.”
I thought of the usual terms of title, but I kept that thought to myself. It would be foolish to bring up past disputes when the Emperor was approaching me favorably.
At the same time, I felt a cold sweat break out. Just the other day, I teased Erich about becoming a Baron. And now, I was being given a title? The ridicule and responsibilities would be several times worse. Being a titled noble who is also a member of the Imperial family doesn’t seem like a path to a peaceful life.
If I wished for a comfortable and quiet life, it would be better to avoid a title. However, I couldn’t refuse this disguised order that came from being a member of the royal family.
‘Don’t raise suspicion for no reason.’
The Emperor’s children, except for the Crown Prince or Princess, do not receive any titles. If something tragic were to happen and another of the children were to become the heir, they maintain that status until then.
In other words, a title-less royal means they are closely tied to the throne. Now that a new Emperor has ascended, if his brother were to refuse a title, it would imply that he still clings to the throne.
That’s not allowed. After finally escaping the life of danger, I won’t walk back into hell.
“I am eternally grateful for Your Majesty’s grace. I will forever dedicate myself to the royal family and the Empire.”
Quickly calculating, I bowed my head. If I were to receive a title anyway, it was better to accept it willingly.
“…Very well. I’ll look forward to it.”
After a brief silence, the Emperor answered in a low voice.
It was strange. For some reason, I felt like that short response held a lot of emotions.
“The title will be granted as the customary Baron after your promotion to Marquis. It will formally be awarded during the New Year’s celebration, so remember that.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
But he quickly returned to his previous tone. It was as if my feelings were just an illusion.
“Also—”
Just as the Emperor was about to add something, he suddenly closed his mouth.
“No, I’ll tell you later.”
His interruption made me flinch. That was definitely related to how I would be treated, and to postpone it made me feel a deep, unsettling anxiety and worry.
Naturally, I didn’t let that show. If the Emperor said he would explain later, it must have been for a good reason.
*
After sending Ainter away, I let out a small sigh. I still had a lot to think about regarding Ainter.
Of course, I’m not regretting acknowledging Ainter as part of the imperial family. That worry was long resolved thanks to the manager of the Information Department. I was merely contemplating how much title and power to bestow upon Ainter.
‘Following the customs would be smooth, but…’
I continued pondering while stroking my chin. For the Emperor’s siblings, it is customary to grant them the title of Marquis. Since it’s only a marquisate and not a succession, only the principal is recognized as a noble.
Yes, it’s a glory that only the principal is permitted to have. Unless the Emperor seals that marquisate with a title of count, it’s common for the marquis, who was once a member of imperial family, to marry into another noble family, thus passing titles to their children. The situation master would also have such a marquis as an ancestor.
That’s why I’ve been contemplating thus far. Should Ainter receive a Count title of succession too? Or…
‘Should I marry him off to another Marquess family?’
Honestly, marrying him off would be much smoother than bestowing a rare Count title. From the perspective of the marquess family, having imperial blood mingled would not make them neglect Ainter. Perhaps they’d even give their daughter some honorary title.
That way, Ainter could pass a title on to his children. Although for high-ranking nobles, it does depend greatly on luck—just having a title is already a blessing.
‘…I think marrying into Barandi might be good.’
Suddenly, the thought of Baron Barandi crossed my mind.
A noble who would be happy to mix their blood with imperial lineage and give Ainter a reasonable title when he marries their daughter? That’s exactly Baron Barandi. Conveniently, Baron Barandi only has daughters as children too.
“Barandi…”
The word that had been swirling in my head slipped out loud.
The new nobility of the north with authority needing bolstering; who also happens to be a faction member of the Information Department, making them quite reliable.
‘Seems decent enough.’
Definitely worth considering.
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