Chapter 441
The meeting with the Executive Manager of the Imperial Household ended swiftly. Of course, when I say “discussion,” it was mainly about the arrangement and quality of decorations, so I just demanded they make everything fancier and more luxurious. After all, the budget is covered by the Emperor.
When else would I get a chance to take advantage of the Emperor’s money like this? I mean, I’m the one who snatched this wedding away from the family in the first place. I trust they’re fully prepared for this level of expenditure.
“Is it over already?”
“Yes. It was just a few simple questions, so I finished quickly.”
Upon my rapid return, my mother welcomed me, looking a bit surprised. Honestly, I thought the Executive Manager would have a lot to discuss, so I presumed it would take longer. Who would have guessed it would just be a quick chat?
‘Huh?’
After reporting back to my mother, I turned my gaze and caught sight of Marghetta, who was grinning for some reason.
That’s strange. Marghetta smiles often in front of me and is quite friendly with my mother, but she usually avoids making silly faces like that in order to maintain her dignity as a lady. Why is she making such expressions when it’s just her and my mother together?
While I’m glad to see the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law getting along, this is just… odd.
“Are you happy because I’m not around? That’d make me a little sad.”
“W-What? No way! It’s just that your mother said some nice things!”
I tossed out a lighthearted joke, and Marghetta hurriedly shook her head. She seemed a bit panicked, as if her mind had wandered elsewhere.
Moreover, even as she shook her head, her face was still lit up with a smile.
‘What’s going on here?’
At this point, I genuinely became curious. What on earth did my mother say to get her so giddy?
“This… is a gift from your mother.”
As if sensing the confusion in my eyes, Marghetta cautiously stretched out her left hand.
‘A ring?’
I noticed a silver ring confidently adorning her pinky finger.
The ring itself looked pretty ordinary. Sure, it exuded a luxurious atmosphere fitting for the wife of a Count, courtesy of my mother, but it didn’t have any special decorations or gemstones.
Instead, where a gemstone would typically be, there was a small emblem engraved.
‘An emblem ring, huh?’
As soon as I saw that emblem, all my questions were instantly answered. I recognized that symbol back from when I joined the Krasius family. It was the emblem of the lady of the house that appeared on documents my mother personally signed.
‘It makes sense to be happy about this.’
I couldn’t help but chuckle. The soon-to-be bride receiving the family’s emblem ring from her mother-in-law? That meant she was officially recognized as a member of the family and the first daughter-in-law. In aristocratic terms, that’s more valuable than the wedding dress she’ll wear at the ceremony.
“You’ve received something precious.”
“Y-Yes! I want to cherish it forever, but I also want to pass it down to my future daughter-in-law someday.”
After saying that, Marghetta glanced towards my mother and smiled again.
As the son caught in between, I couldn’t have been happier to see such a close relationship forming.
Now, about that Emperor… he really should review the definition of “going to work.”
Going to work isn’t just about sitting at your desk and processing paperwork. Showing up to meet your boss also counts as going to work. This is a universal truth, one that even a hundred million subjects of the Empire would agree with.
“Welcome, Executive Manager.”
But I couldn’t bring up my grievances in front of the Emperor. What a bummer it would be if I complained only to have my month-long vacation revoked. If he says “jump,” then I’ve got to jump.
Honestly, he isn’t the type to be petty enough to take back what he gave, but I can’t let my guard down. He’s the kind of guy who likes to summon you back to the palace unexpectedly even though he gave you a vacation.
“Every time I see you, you look brighter. Is it because you’re about to get married?”
‘You bastard.’
The instant I nearly snapped back, “I’d be doing even better if you hadn’t summoned me,” I swallowed my words. I mean, it’s odd to say “every time I see you” to someone on vacation.
“…Yes. I suppose the excitement of starting a family is showing on my face.”
“I get that. I felt the same way when I married the Empress.”
Hearing those words from the Emperor himself felt oddly strange. The marriage between the Emperor and Empress wasn’t just about starting a family; it was a moment that changed the entire destiny of the Empire.
I can only assume the Emperor had other reasons to be excited besides the joy of marriage—like the thrill of staying alive, for instance, or the joy of birthing a second son, you know, stuff like that.
‘Well, his luck with women is definitely strong.’
No one in the world probably has worse luck with women than me. Still, a guy like the Emperor is in the top 0.1%. He must have gotten enough fortune when it comes to wives to balance out the bad luck his little brother has had.
Yeah, honestly, if my brother is the second prince, at least he should have better luck with women! If I were born the first prince, I’d have to eliminate the second prince and drag him straight to hell with me.
“By the way, I envy you, Minister. You’re going to feel that excitement five more times, aren’t you?”
“It’s such an overwhelming happiness that I’m actually a bit scared.”
Despite my overwhelming thoughts, I calmly nodded at the Emperor’s teasing remark.
In the past, the idea of having six wives and six wedding ceremonies would have sent me into a tailspin. Just managing Mar and Trixie alone had me tangled in chaos as I dealt with confession relays and halved rings, and it was rough on my mental state.
But now it’s different. I have six people who genuinely love me, and getting married to all six is something I look forward to. If someone starts teasing me about having six wives, I’ll just take it as a compliment.
“There’s no such thing as excessive happiness in this world. Good fortune returns to those who act, so it seems to be a fitting happiness, doesn’t it?”
The Emperor smiled faintly at my response.
Surprisingly, I didn’t expect him to offer a normal consolation or encouragement. Perhaps with the New Year, he’s evolved—at least a little bit.
“Anyway, take a seat. Oh, by the way, have you decided who will officiate?”
“I asked the Vice Captain, and he readily agreed.”
“Oh, then that’s too bad. If you hadn’t found someone yet, I was going to volunteer myself.”
Now that I think about it, his evolution was a bit gloomy.
Even if it’s a joke, there are some things you just don’t say, and making that kind of creepy joke isn’t something you should be throwing around casually.
“If something happens to the Vice Captain and he needs to send someone in a hurry, he should let me know. I was planning to attend as a guest anyway, so officiating would be no problem.”
…Is that a joke?
*
As much as I didn’t want to call the Executive Manager, I found myself doing just that. Given that I’d given him a month-long vacation myself, I really didn’t want to bother him, especially with the wedding coming up.
Just like how you remember those who helped you in tough times, those who bother you during a major life event remain in your memory for a long time. If I couldn’t be the former, I’d at least try to avoid being the latter.
Still… I had to call him.
“The Robens Royal Family and the Ostia Royal Family sent gifts. They said it’s to congratulate your marriage.”
I had to summon him for something important. It’s not like I could let the Emperor take gifts sent from royal families for himself.
“The Robens Royal Family and the Ostia Royal Family, you say?”
Upon hearing my words, the Executive Manager tilted his head. His reaction was less about being surprised that those two royal families sent gifts and more about questioning my phrasing.
“I confirmed that the gifts were sent by Prince Rutis and Prince Lather. It seems you’ve developed some good ties while spending two years together.”
After hearing the Executive Manager’s reply, I realized he had a slight misunderstanding.
“Executive Manager. I’ll say it again; the gifts were sent from the royal families.”
“…”
At my words, the Executive Manager frowned slightly and soon went stiff. Only then did he seem to grasp the meaning behind what I said.
The gifts that just arrived at the palace were sent under the name of the “royal family,” not “the princes.” It was a representative of the royal family who sent the gifts in the name of their house.
And, of course, there’s no need to mention who the representatives were from the Robens and Ostia Royal Families.
‘The King of Armain and the King of the United Kingdom of Yuben.’
Fortunately, the Pope didn’t send a gift. I’m not sure if I should be grateful for that, but it is what it is.
“It seems the two princes had good things to say about you. I heard the delegation that arrived in Armain has been conducting negotiations in good spirits.”
“The Great Emperor’s kindness shines through.”
After a brief moment of silence, the Executive Manager finally spoke.
Huh. This isn’t just due to the Great Emperor’s kindness; it seems to involve someone with considerable influence as well.
‘This is the easiest diplomacy I’ve ever experienced.’
I couldn’t help but grin as I watched the confused expression on the Executive Manager’s face. The “good atmosphere” the delegation reported was better than he realized.
The King of Armain had already sent a goodwill gift to the Executive Manager while he was at the Academy. Thus, it wasn’t a hard decision for him to send gifts congratulating the Executive Manager’s marriage, and he even skillfully handled the situation during negotiations by mentioning the Executive Manager’s name.
– As long as we uphold the dignity of Armain… we can expect at least 30 years of bowing before the majesty of your Emperor.
You can see how desperate the Minister of Foreign Affairs on-site was to say such things.
To bow before majesty—how attractive that idea is. For Armain to acknowledge the Empire’s superiority and lower their heads for a solid thirty years, and without a war, no less.
‘This is a perfect situation.’
Even the Divine Emperor couldn’t completely subjugate Armain. Although he had broken their forces during the war against the Eastern Kingdoms, it was only a mutual avoidance of further conflict, not a clear establishment of superiority.
It was the Executive Manager who had been absent from the negotiations leading the way in establishing that hierarchy. What a commendable subordinate he is.
‘I didn’t think he’d surpass that individual in achievements.’
I certainly didn’t expect something like that to be established so soon after his ascension.
“Also, I briefly checked the gifts that were sent to you, and they were quite splendid. I think you’ll be satisfied with them.”
I said with a knowing smile, hinting it was time for him to return. I had conveyed what I needed to, and now it was time to let him go. There’s no need to hold on to the official on vacation any longer.
“I’ll have the attendants send the gifts to your residence shortly. Ah, did you prefer residence or territory?”
“…Residence is fine, Your Majesty.”
“Alright, then I’ll make sure of that.”
It’s a little disappointing. I was going to ask how he wanted to differentiate between Taillglehen and Yuben.
A short while after the Executive Manager left, I received word from the Empress.
– The Executive Manager went to meet Charlotte. She was also happy to see her godfather.
“Oh, is that so? That’s quite the good fortune for the Empire.”
That was sincere. Even in the midst of all the madness caused by the gifts from the two Kings, he still found time to visit her—
– However, Your Majesty. The Executive Manager made some peculiar comments.
?
– I heard that you told the Executive Manager that he’d be feeling that excitement of getting married several more times and that you envied him.
‘Ah.’
At the slightly chillier tone from the Empress, I suddenly stiffened.
– … Do you wish for a new flutter in your heart, Your Majesty?
My hands trembled. The Executive Manager didn’t go to visit the Empress to check in on Charlotte.
‘Did he… actually say that?’
He was moving to stab a dagger right into my heart while we were both wracked with disbelief.
What a sneaky bastard. Coming from a family that has been straightforward in loyalty for generations, how did he become like this?
– Your Majesty?
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
Suppressing my flustered feelings, I quickly spoke up.
If I didn’t navigate this crisis correctly, I’d be stuck spending time alone in the Sun Palace for a while.
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