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Chapter 536

Chapter 536

The New Year’s Ball, which was like a storm, has finally come to an end.

To be honest, it was more than just a whirlwind. In just over a week, I received the title of Executive Manager of the Inspectorate, the honor of being a member of the Risiragui Knights, and the shackle of a business trip to a foreign land. Calling it a “storm” feels almost inadequate—it’s more like being hit by a nuclear bomb!

‘It feels like getting a Tsar Bomba instead.’

I scratched my head while looking at the silver seal shaped like a lion. If those first three aspects were ordinary nuclear bombs, then this seal is a Tsar Bomba level piece of work.

It’s a headache. At the time, I graciously accepted it from my father-in-law since he was the one giving it to me, but now that I’ve regained my senses, I realize I’ve gotten my hands on something way too extravagant.

‘This is a national treasure, isn’t it?’

Well, it’s not a national treasure of the Empire, but rather of the Leon Kingdom. It’s a historic treasure that has existed since the inception of the Kingdom of Leon.

How this item ended up in my father-in-law’s hands is anyone’s guess. After all, he was the one who thoroughly plundered the Leon Kingdom 30 years ago, so he probably picked it up as loot while he was at it. After all, among the nobility he wiped out, there was a Duke.

So, what really matters now is that this seal is not in the Empire, but rather in my possession.

‘It wasn’t just a treasure due to its deep history.’

I absentmindedly prodded at the seal with my finger before picking up the document sent by the Head of the Information Department again.

The contents of the document were short and straightforward. Just like the number of Dukes in the Empire is fixed at five, Leon only has one Duke, and that first Duke was the second prince who laid the most illustrious foundations at the founding of the Leon Kingdom. Fearing that his own existence would overshadow his elder brother, that second prince retreated to the outskirts, and in a touching tale, the elder brother bestowed the title of Duke upon him as soon as he ascended the throne.

While a heartwarming story, the problem is that the seal that came with the Duke’s title is this silver lion seal right in front of me. In other words, that seal is a special national treasure associated with the Leon royal family and the dukedom.

‘But Leon’s dukedom is vacant now.’

A sigh escaped my lips without me noticing. Due to the war 30 years ago, the sole ducal family of the Leon Kingdom—the Dinelura family—vanished in a dazzling blaze, and even the seal that symbolized the title was taken as loot by my father-in-law.

As a result, Leon still doesn’t have a Duke. How can one claim the title when the heirs who could make a claim have vanished and the treasure symbolizing the Duke’s authority is also gone? I suspect my father-in-law might have had his eye on the seal to aid his own ambitions. Given that Leon’s dukedom was close to the Empire’s borders, it would have been the first order of business to deal with.

‘What should I do with this?’

As I realized the value of the seal, my mind grew more tangled. While I’m grateful for my father-in-law’s heart for entrusting such a treasure to his son-in-law, this puny son-in-law couldn’t find a fitting way to put it to use.

This is indeed a special national treasure associated with the royal family and the dukedom. However, the royal family that should cherish it is on the verge of collapse, and the former Duke, its previous owner, is already dead. There’s no entity left to negotiate with for the return of the seal in exchange for rights.

‘Should I just establish a new Duke?’

Thinking about it, we are the ones heading to replace a royal family. If that’s the case, establishing a new Duke wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Since we’ll be setting up a puppet anyway, it’s all the same whether it’s one or two.

Fortunately, finding a suitable candidate wouldn’t be difficult. Show this seal to a big guy who knows how to bow to the Empire, and he’ll wag his tail on his own. The seal of Leon’s sole Duke is now in his hands? That’s more than enough justification to lay claim to the vacant dukedom.

It’s like getting a national seal in my hands—just like Honey Water’s treasured position.

‘Not bad.’

While the royal family has to be established through discussions with Armain, using this seal, we can install a Duke according to the will of the Empire. Since it’s a spoils of war secured 30 years ago by the Empire, Armain can’t raise any objections.

Alright. It’s an impromptu idea, but this is the best course of action. Any further contemplation probably won’t bring forth anything more useful than this. Expecting a high-level strategic play from an Inspectorate guy who excels only at beating people down is just unethical.

‘Let’s move past this issue.’

Moreover, right now, what’s more important than a foreign Duke title is…

‘…how to determine the guest list?’

The upcoming wedding with Rizie at the Aitini Baronage will take place soon.

This is far more important than the titular dukedom of an insignificant kingdom on the verge of collapse.

Rizie wants to hold the wedding in the Aitini Baronage, her hometown that she will inherit someday.

When I first heard her request, I was perplexed. As a husband, it’s only natural to want to host a magnificent wedding for my wife’s one and only occasion. Since Mar and Trixie both had extravagant weddings, I thought it was only appropriate for Rizie to have the same.

However, Rizie wasn’t worried about competing with the previous two. Instead, she was concerned about the three who would marry later. She stated she wanted a simple and modest ceremony so that it wouldn’t burden those who would marry after her if she had a grand wedding.

“Isn’t it nice to have a wedding surrounded by the people closest to us in my hometown? I want to be reborn in the place I was born.”

With Rizie’s sweet smile, I ultimately conceded. What can I do if the bride herself desires a smaller wedding?

However, just because the wedding is small doesn’t mean you can slapdash the guest list. On the contrary, since we are going small, we need to select a truly elite guest list.

“I’m getting used to writing invitation letters now that I’ve done three drafts.”

“You’ll need to write three more.”

As I handed the carefully composed invitation draft to the butler, he smiled gently and humored my joke.

But honestly, part of me half-wanted it to be true. If this keeps up, I might just become the Empire’s number one invitation letter expert! When my kids get married, I’ll end up writing their invites too.

“Um, Master?”

“Yes?”

“The third lady seems to want a quiet wedding, but are you sure it’s alright to invite these people?”

I chuckled softly at the butler’s cautious question. Indeed, compared to the size of the wedding, the guests are all prominent figures, so it’s not strange for the butler to be concerned.

“Quiet and humble are different things, you know.”

However, I resolved the issue of quietness through the number of invited guests. If the number of guests dwindles to an awkwardly small size, then it becomes a humble and lacking wedding. I can’t ruin Rizie’s memories like that.

“Besides, it’s awkward to exclude anyone from this list.”

“That’s true.”

Confirming the guest list once again, the butler nodded at my statement.

Since the guests are almost of equal standing, removing one means having to remove them all to maintain balance. If we can’t invite some during the wedding meant for congratulations, it’s better to just turn it into a social gathering of the elite.

The only thing that concerns me is that suddenly my father-in-law could become a hotshot by himself…

‘It’s about time he toughened up!’

I know it sounds a bit harsh, but my father-in-law needs a shock treatment. Although he may have built up some resilience from meeting the first father-in-law and Trixie, they were family and not strangers.

Having a formal father-son relationship with me would mean my father-in-law would be at the center of the social scene, making the title of Baron feel insignificant. Up until now, he’s been keeping a low profile, but going forward, folks will come swarming his territory wanting a piece of the action.

For an ordinary Baron, it would be a terrifying situation. How annoying would it be if a pack of wolves came charging in?

‘It’s time to break out of the ordinary.’

Therefore, my father-in-law must awaken as an extraordinary Baron. Once he gets used to mingling with true heavyweights, he won’t flinch when the wolf pack arrives, and those who seek crumbs will find it hard to even approach.

As I pondered this, I glanced at the guest list on one corner of my desk.

[ The Emperor, the Empress, Wise Duke, Ironblood Duke, Vice Captain, Gold Duke, Duke Idraphen, Duke Iones… ]

‘Now, that’s a prestigious lineup.’

This grandeur will only strengthen my father-in-law. I’m absolutely not going to burn down his estate and make excuses afterward.

Seriously.

*

The start of the New Year had my emotions in a whirlwind. More precisely, I’ve been out of my mind ever since the day our precious Rizie graduated from the Academy.

It’s not like I’m having the classic overprotective parent moment, like worrying about handing my only daughter to a thief. I couldn’t possibly harbor such feelings toward my future son-in-law, who genuinely loves my daughter and can take good care of her.

It’s just hard to believe that the little girl who was always by my side, the bright and cheerful pride of our family and territory, who suffered a painful childhood due to insufficient parents, has grown up and is now starting her own family.

“Darling.”

“My Lady.”

While sitting alone, staring blankly into space, my wife came over and patted my shoulder.

Truly, no one understands a husband’s heart better than his wife. My wife, being Rizie’s mother, knows exactly what I’m feeling—

“Why are you sulking so embarrassingly in front of others? It’s not like Rizie is going away to be sold.”

It wasn’t.

“On days when your child leaves your side is when they inevitably grow up, whether early or late. All parents can do is see them off with a smile.”

Though those were harsh words, I nodded dutifully. But my wife’s hands were slightly trembling as she spoke.

She hadn’t completely sorted out her own feelings but was trying to act calm to comfort me. So, I needed to avoid showing any more hideous traits.

‘It’s time to let go.’

Yes, children eventually leave their parents’ love. I never imagined that Rizie, our family’s heir, would go out into the world, but she’s found a good husband, so there’s no need to feel sad.

Rizie isn’t leaving for a place she can’t return to. She won’t have to live a life devoid of love.

‘Please be happy.’

As I silently prayed for her to be as happy as our shortcomings allow,

‘Make sure to be happy.’

In my prayer, I included a wish for my daughter and her future husband to inherit the happiness we couldn’t provide her.

A few days later, perhaps my prayer was answered, as I received word from my future son-in-law.

– Here’s the list of people who have confirmed their attendance at the wedding.

“…….”

But it seems my prayer got answered a little oddly.

‘The Emperor and… the Empress…?’

If it weren’t for that, there’s no way such a list would appear before my eyes.


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