Chapter 434
Thanks to Baron Tannian’s enthusiastic cooperation, the discussions for the marriage between Ainter and the Baroness of Barandi—Shati—progressed rapidly.
“The Emperor said that during the New Year’s celebration, His Highness Ainter will be sent over to our faction. It’s an excuse to build camaraderie with the new nobility, so it will go smoothly.”
– I’ve also told Shati it’s just a social engagement. If I mention marriage, she’ll just hide like a turtle…
Although discussions are being conducted thoroughly without the parties’ consent, this world still lives and breathes with a social hierarchy. This means political marriages are more common than romantic ones, so it’s not particularly strange for marriage discussions to happen behind the couple’s backs.
Of course, political marriages involve people living together, so it’s usually better to connect those who’ve known each other from an early age. If they’re going to be a couple, it’s nice if they’re friends, right? But since both Ainter and Shati are now adults, it’s more efficient to create a situation or justification for their marriage rather than trying to make them friends.
‘Is this really my idea?’
As I finished what felt like the umpteenth round of discussion, I glanced up at the ceiling. Surely, someone who had six lovers autonomously isn’t about to suggest something like this.
Especially since I’m now trying to play matchmaker for someone who was just in unrequited love until last year.
‘What a trashy move.’
Thinking of that made a heavy sense of self-loathing creep in. Me? The guy who had just gotten over a crush a year ago, now trying to connect him with another woman? Especially when the one who crumbled that crush is the one sending me to do it?
Objectively, it’s a pretty pathetic thing to do, but there’s no turning back now. After all, I’ve already accepted that sweet one-month vacation.
‘…Ainter will probably like it, right?’
I tried to keep the gears of my happy thoughts turning. Since Ainter is royalty, he will likely marry according to the will of the royal family, particularly the Emperor. If a political marriage is happening anyway, then it’s good to have a formidable family backing them up.
And the Barandi family is a perfect match. Sure, being new nobility is a minor setback, but the title of Baron easily overshadows such trivial issues. Plus, since the Barandi family has only one child, Shati, Ainter’s kids could hold the title of Baron.
It’s a great match. As someone who understands the importance of political marriage, Ainter would surely accept it.
He will have to.
‘Please.’
It absolutely must be so. If Ainter refuses vehemently, I’ll be in trouble, and so will the Emperor. Not to mention the Baron.
So if Ainter can simply get married without fuss, I might consider gifting him a three-stroke sword coupon as a congratulatory gift.
While I waited for the New Year’s celebration, enjoying the vacation granted by the Emperor, a sudden call from the situation came in.
Even if the call is initiated through someone else, my heart would drop, but a direct call from the situation? That’s exponentially more terrifying. The lingering drowsiness from the morning flew away in an instant.
However, with the sleepiness gone, my mind started racing.
‘Is this about Ainter?’
I quickly deduced the reason for the situation’s call and calmed my nerves. Ainter’s marriage is an issue that concerns the youngest’s marriage and the introduction of the last daughter-in-law. No matter how much the situation has retreated from duties, there’s no way he wouldn’t care about this. Whether out of fatherly love or political interest, it was unavoidable.
Because of that, I skipped breakfast and headed straight for the imperial palace. The situation may have requested me to come when it’s convenient, but going during a truly convenient time would be beyond clueless.
‘What is this?’
But in my rush, I forgot something obvious.
The creatures that roam the palace are essentially pets of the situation. This meant there would be all kinds of animals in the space that the situation filled.
– Woof! Woof!
– Kiiing, kiiiing!
As soon as I stepped into the situation’s residence in the palace’s outskirts, five little fluffballs rushed at me.
What a dilemma. These little guys were tiny enough to pick up with one hand, darting around my feet made it hard not to step on them, but trying to push them away with force felt like it’d break something.
What the heck do I do? In a way, it’s a more solid sealing method than some normal spell.
“Everyone, come over here. Don’t you see the guest is in trouble?”
At that low, resonant voice, the puppies—no, dogs that were surrounding my feet—quickly scampered toward the source of the voice.
I hoped they’d scatter, but the rapid retreat was a bit disappointing. I was just a temporarily exciting moment for you, huh?
“Showing an embarrassing scene to the Minister. These little ones are usually quite friendly with people, so a new face like the Minister must have been exciting for them.”
As I blankly watched the four puppies that left my side, I lifted my gaze to see the situation, who was holding a small bundle with a deadpan expression.
“It’s truly an honor to be welcomed by a life touched by Your Majesty’s hand.”
Instinctively, I mixed in some flattery as I quickly started to prostrate myself—
– Woof!
…I tried to, but the yelping from right beside me froze me in place.
Now that I think about it, why are there only four dogs near the situation? Didn’t we start with five?
“Looks like that little one really likes the Minister.”
At those words, I cautiously looked down at my feet.
One lone, bright yellow puppy was panting happily, wagging its tail.
“Let’s head inside first. We can’t leave you out here when it’s so cold.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Without thinking, I quickly followed the situation as he turned toward the building. Luckily, the only one lingering around my feet was just the one little pup, so walking wasn’t a problem.
But as we neared the building, the situation scattered something from the bundle he carried, and suddenly three chickens appeared, pecking at whatever he had thrown.
‘What the hell?’
What was that? Was that chicken feed? But why on earth is he keeping chickens? It’s no wonder they’d escape to the palace like this.
As I brooded over my complicated feelings while watching the chicken trio, I turned my gaze back to the situation’s retreating back.
He was always a person one couldn’t decode, even during his reign as Emperor, and now he’s inscrutable for a whole different reason.
*
In the morning, news arrived that the situation had summoned the Minister. This was the first time the situation met with an active official since the abdication ceremony.
‘That was quick.’
Even if he was technically retired, he was still the father of our brother. I had already informed the Minister that he was leading Ainter’s marriage.
Because of that, it seems the situation wants to hear directly from the officials how the marriage of his last remaining child is going. Even when he behaved coldly toward his children, he always showed deep interest when it comes to marriage.
‘Marriage, huh.’
I sipped my tea and gazed out the window, and suddenly, the day I first revealed the marriage to the Emperor came back to me.
That was the only time I saw that usually icy and stiff man seem genuinely surprised. Anyone would be shocked if the First Crown Prince, on the brink of death, suddenly brought home a noble bride. Yet to see that man shocked was something I never expected.
Of course, that was just a faint, fleeting emotion.
‘Will he be surprised this time too?’
The corners of my mouth lifted slightly. I can’t help but wonder how he will react to the fact that I, who once targeted Ainter’s life, picked a Baron’s family for his marriage. And the Baron’s family is part of the Minister’s faction, so it’s not like I can walk away from it either. Will he rejoice in the reconciliation of his brothers, shake his head at the Emperor’s emotional actions, or feel indifferent?
There’s no way I would actually ask him about it. It’s a question I should just bury in my own thoughts.
Still, I hope he thinks positively of it. Since it’s the first time since becoming the head of Livnoman that I made a decision regarding a royal matter.
“Your Majesty, it’s the Inspection Minister.”
‘He’s here.’
As I continued sipping tea while appreciating the scenery outside, I heard the announcement that the Minister had arrived.
Originally, I had planned not to meet with the Minister, but if he met with the situation privately, then things could change. I need to know what he discussed with him and how the situation reacted.
“Let him in.”
With that, the door swung open carefully—
– Woof!
?
An unfamiliar sound caused me to turn my head instinctively.
And there, I saw the Minister wearing an expression mixed with confusion and liberation, cradling a yellow puppy that was turning its head this way and that.
‘What is happening?’
My mind blanked for a moment. Meeting animals outside the Sun Palace is something I’ve grown accustomed to. Just yesterday, I saw a chicken ride atop a black horse. I even get excited about what kind of animal I might meet next.
But I never expected to see an animal inside the building. No matter how exciting it is, this is not the kind of situation I was hoping for.
“Long live the Emperor! I, Cal Krasius of the House of Krasius—”
– Woof! Woof!
“…report to the esteemed sun of the Empire.”
“….”
Regardless of the Minister’s greeting, I was left speechless.
*
It’s chilly. Even though I’m bowing my head, I can feel the Emperor’s gaze weighing down on me.
And as if in relation to that gaze, the little pup in my arms began to squirm restlessly.
Please just sit still. If I set you down and you start running around, it’ll be my responsibility.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What, pray tell, do you have in your arms?”
At the Emperor’s voice, I couldn’t utter a word in response, genuinely puzzled myself. I had no idea why I was holding this dog.
But somehow, I found the courage to respond. It would be disloyal not to answer the Emperor’s question.
“Your Majesty, it seems this little one has taken a liking to me… and I was told to take him home and raise him.”
Despite my words brimming with confidence, unfortunately, the Emperor shut his mouth again.
‘Damn it.’
Suddenly, I found myself resenting the Emperor. Here I am, summoned while taking this little creature back, and now this nonsense has happened.
Having received the Emperor’s call, there was no way I could go back home and return to the palace again. And who would I trust to leave this little creature with? The Vice Captain of the Imperial Knights outside the door already waved his hands in rejection.
“…What a cute little thing.”
“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I’m not even sure what I’m thanking him for, but I just replied that way.
Then, for a while, only the sound of the little pup whimpering sadly echoed in the room.
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