Chapter 436
The New Year’s Ball was the first grand event held after the new Emperor ascended, right as the Empire’s territory had rapidly expanded.
This time, the scale and grandeur of the event were inconceivable compared to last year. Despite the budget taking a hit due to the recent abdication ceremony and coronation banquet, if the New Year’s event was modest, the phrase “frugal ruler” would quickly be replaced with “poor finances.” Some budgets are simply untouchable in this world.
“Has the Minister of the Executive Department arrived yet? You’ve come early; you must be quite diligent now that you’ve risen to such a high place.”
However, I couldn’t care less about the Emperor’s reputation or the Empire’s budget. The only thing on my mind was dealing with the flashy provocateur right in front of me.
“Isn’t it the case that the Minister of Finance arrived even before me? You must not be sleeping much.”
Although I quietly added that perhaps it was due to his old age, the Minister’s smile didn’t flicker in the slightest.
I knew the truth. No matter what I said, the Minister wouldn’t be fazed. In this situation, he was in a position to unilaterally deal out blows.
‘No matter what I say, I’ll just be the punchline.’
I gazed at the Minister and the department heads behind him with a bitter feeling. Normally, I should be among that crowd, but now I was cut off. I could no longer blend in with them.
Behind me stood the Northern faction members like totems. As long as these faction members were around, I couldn’t sit as a mere Minister of Finance under the Minister; I had to stand in the social hall as the leader of the Great Lords. As a faction leader, mixing with another group wasn’t an option.
Of course, I shouldn’t choose the option of joining the Finance Ministry either, as showing a close relationship with a specific faction would only evoke jealousy from the other nobles.
“It’s been a while, Marquis. I regretted not being able to greet you properly before, but it’s truly wonderful to see you again.”
“I’ve heard your duties have been quite tough, so I’m aware of your hardships. It would have been appropriate for me to seek you out first given my lack of obligations.”
In the midst of this, the Minister shared warm greetings with Baron Barandi, who was standing behind me.
The Minister was thanking the Baron, who had given me the burden of leadership. The Baron also likely held some favor for the Minister, who was in charge of the Empire’s budget. As a result, despite their formal relationship, a surprisingly friendly atmosphere emerged.
‘I have no allies here.’
I felt teary-eyed. No one pitied me, the one burdened with the immense duty and responsibility of being a faction leader.
Many were cautious and intimidated by the strength that having a faction granted me. There were lifelong enemies who would laugh at my rise from an individual to a position of responsibility.
Yet not a single person comforted or encouraged me. It was incredibly pathetic.
But it seems humans aren’t meant to die in loneliness.
“Standing over subordinates as an official is different from standing ahead as a noble.”
Instead of someone avoiding or mocking me, someone appeared who understood and empathized with my pain.
“Leading nobles isn’t an easy task, as you know well, Carl. Unlike officials with clear vertical relationships, nobles are a mix tangled in interests and bloodlines. No matter how high one’s title, commanding them all with just a title is unrealistic.”
“That’s a valid point.”
As the Northern faction members conversed, I repeatedly nodded towards the Duke of Vitalis, who was giving me solid advice from the corner.
Of course, the Duke, who held the overwhelming position of a Duke, could lead nobles coercively. However, a leader who advances by considering the interests of faction members is entirely different. The latter naturally receives active support and cheers from the faction members.
“I understand that you’re reluctant to take on such roles, Carl. It’s undeniable that you took on the northern region to minimize confusion in the political realm.”
I nearly nodded absentmindedly again. I should answer with a firm denial as a subordinate, but his words were so accurate that I simply couldn’t.
A brief awkward silence followed, but the Duke chuckled as if he understood.
“Since you’ve taken on this burden first, Your Majesty should actively embrace the Northern faction. I’ll cooperate as much as possible; don’t bear it alone; if it becomes too hard, let me know.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I will remember that.”
His words made me smile slightly. While I can’t abolish the faction itself, he was offering encouragement and comfort by assuring he would assist me.
Moreover, knowing that support came from the Emperor’s father-in-law and the leader of the Northern faction, I felt justified in asking for help should times get tough.
“Oh, and as your life’s senior, I have some advice to share.”
“I’m all ears.”
A wave of emotion washed over me from the depth of my heart. After hearing such warm encouragement, getting advice too? The Duke’s character truly shines.
“From now on, flaunt your power and show your ambition.”
“…What?”
That caught me off guard. I was left with a completely blank expression after hearing such unexpected words.
But it couldn’t be helped. If he suggested I avoid power and curb my greed, I’d accept it; instead, he was asking for the opposite. What noble ever gives such advice to another noble? Anyone listening might mistake it for a ploy to eliminate political opponents.
And with my reaction showing, the Duke simply smiled again and patted me on the shoulder.
“As a minister, you’re perfect, Carl. You wield power without personal gain and show sincere diligence; surely, you have gained great trust from the royal family.”
Perhaps it’s accurate if you call it great trust, but I see it as more like a heavy shackle.
“However, as a faction leader, you need to show another side. Your faction members need to see that their faction leader is strong and to understand what the leader prefers for them to feel secure.”
His following words muddled my thoughts. Does that mean as a faction leader, I should show off a more extravagant front?
“It may be a virtue for an individual to be frugal, but it’s problematic if the leader is quiet. Though you may not understand it now, one day you’ll comprehend.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“It’s needless to say, but your performance as a faction leader will also be understood by His Majesty; don’t worry.”
While I still found it difficult to grasp, I merely nodded. Given that it was advice from someone who’d lived as a Duke for decades, it surely wouldn’t be without value.
‘Flaunting power.’
It feels too distant from my actual life and is a complicated concept for someone new to the noble life.
‘Not as an individual, but as a faction leader.’
Reiterating the Duke’s words in my mind, I engraved them into my memory. Holding on to that advice couldn’t hurt.
After joining the Duke, I avoided contacting other nobles. The integration of the Northern faction and the Northern faction members made for a busy atmosphere. If any other faction joined, the population density would skyrocket.
Thus, I postponed meeting my in-laws and waited patiently for the Emperor’s New Year address to begin.
“All nobles following the Divine Mandate, kneel!”
Upon hearing the call of the royal court officer announcing the Emperor’s entry from the podium, I quietly bowed my head. It seemed they had filled the vacant position of the Minister of the Imperial Household with the royal court officer.
Well, it makes sense. A royal court officer is certainly qualified for a ministerial role. Even during the time when the second prince was in power, he was kind to the Emperor’s previous position as the first prince, and after the first prince became the Crown Prince, he joined the Crown Prince faction immediately. He’s capable, has good character, and rides the line well.
“Blessed by Enen, the descendant of Great Emperor Amanca, the glorious and righteous Emperor! Master of Livnoman and the legitimate and only Emperor of Krasius! Khan of the Great Plains and King of Tiraf, Groten, Latia, Frunian, Garlan! Duke of Itiruna, Hanten, Naigal, Raum, and Reneu—”
As the Emperor’s massive list of titles continued without pause, I felt myself smirking. Unlike last year, when the titles were shared with the then-prince, now the Emperor had no one to share them with. The staggering difference in number of titles compared to last year was practically embarrassing.
‘I owe my survival to you.’
I mean that genuinely. The titles on my business card, like Executive Minister and Count of Yuris, suddenly felt trivial as I looked at the Emperor, causing an involuntary grin to creep onto my face.
The Emperor exemplifies the traits of a wise ruler. If a ruler can provide comfort to their troubled subjects, what else could one call them if not a wise king?
“Lift your heads.”
After the parade of titles describing the Emperor concluded, at the Emperor’s command, all gathered nobles lifted their heads.
The subsequent New Year speech was honestly forgettable. It didn’t seem all that important, either.
*
Last year’s New Year’s Ball was carried out in nervousness, but perhaps due to the string of events, I felt surprisingly uninhibited this time. I just silently hoped it would end without any fuss.
Suddenly, I pondered if this was the perspective the situation had held. In this position of peak status, my pride was far overshadowed by the many responsibilities I had to consider.
“With the arrival of the new year, the royal family will strive even harder, granting the title of Marquis to Your Highness, Ainter Livnoman, and making him a pillar of the royal family and the Empire. This is a title of singular dignity, but the treatment will be no different from ordinary marquises.”
However, I forced those emotions down and proceeded with the New Year speech. I smoothly announced the royal family’s position and awarded Ainter the title.
Naturally, there were no signs of unrest. It’s not particularly extraordinary for a royal sibling to receive a title of singular dignity.
‘That young lady will be Baron Barandi’s daughter.’
As I casually scanned the nobles beneath the podium, I spotted a young lady near the Minister of Finance.
Though her expression was somewhat sharp, as a nomad, I expected a sun-worn visage, only to find unexpectedly pale skin contrasting with the royal family’s golden hair, and a silver mane.
‘A silver-haired girl.’
I almost burst into laughter. Having married the silver-haired Empress, it seemed Ainter was set to wed a silver-haired lady as well. It appears our family has a strong connection to silver-haired individuals.
…Come to think of it, my mother had silver hair too. Was this a taste inherited from the situation?
‘Her expression isn’t bad…’
Since I was already taking a closer look, I noted her neutral expression. She didn’t seem to have any obvious dissatisfaction or signs of fear. At least not outwardly.
This either meant the Minister perfectly executed my orders and the baron’s daughter had agreed to the marriage, or even if she had grievances, she wasn’t the type to express them outright.
Of course, I didn’t care about either. The former would be ideal, but being aware of the arranged nature of the marriage meant I had to brace myself for the latter.
‘Well done.’
Thus, I regarded the Minister with a sense of satisfaction. In any case, the Minister had successfully executed a crucial duty for the royal family.
‘We need to take care of the happiness of those involved too.’
Since the Minister worked hard for the royal family, it’s only right for the royal family to work for him.
Surely, it would be wise to lend the St. Paronas Cathedral for the Minister’s wedding venue.
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