Chapter: 599
The end-of-year worship for the next Messiah and the following New Year’s Ball were just around the corner.
Due to consecutive major events, the high-ranking nobles had lost even the topics for conversation with each other. Meeting once in a while is fine, but if you keep bumping into the same people for days on end, there’s really nothing left to say.
“Have you eaten?”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
“If I may ask, what did you have…”
“We had the same as you.”
Thanks to that, conversations like this were buzzing around the banquet hall. Normally, it’d be a rare treat to meet, so chat would be essential, but since important deals or promises had been wrapped up ages ago during the worship, all that was left were casual greetings or recent updates. And those updates had all been exchanged on the very first day of the New Year Ball.
It was quite the strange occurrence. Usually, the New Year’s Ball is a chance for the Emperor to announce the year’s national plans and further inspire the loyalty of the nobles. Nobles would engage in factional struggles and reorganize their positions.
Yet this year’s New Year’s Ball turned out to be the most tranquil and peaceful one since the Empire’s founding.
‘Wow, the next Messiah really is something.’
All of this was thanks to the little ball launched by the next Messiah. As the Son of God, he gifted peace to the Empire.
“Son-in-law, what are you thinking so deeply about?”
While sipping champagne and scanning the banquet hall, the fifth father-in-law (Jin) Count Iones struck a conversation.
“I was just pondering if we’ve ever had such a peaceful New Year’s Ball lately.”
“Haha, looks like you were thinking the same thing. It’s been a stormy few years, hasn’t it?”
His laughter boomed as he patted my shoulder.
“Last year marked the formal launch of the Information Department and the appointment of new members to the Risiragui Knights, right?”
“Just thinking about it makes me dizzy again.”
Once again, Count Iones erupted into laughter. He probably thought I was just joking.
Of course, I didn’t argue with the smiling Count, who looked genuinely pleased. From the perspective of a father marrying off his daughter, how could my potential father-in-law not view me positively? I had no intention of breaking that image.
‘He must feel like a lifetime of regret has been lifted off his shoulders.’
Looking at Count Iones, whose face was flushed, probably from downing a few bottles, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Unlike the third and fourth fathers-in-law, who only began calling me “son-in-law” after I’d officially married, Count Iones had started calling me son-in-law not long ago. As if he thought I would run away if he didn’t acknowledge me that way.
Ever since the fall of the Aesileon family, competing against the Count’s family and enjoying prosperous territories, he had really been missing the misery of having a daughter get married. No one would question why he’s so keen on treating me like family already.
‘If I were in his shoes, I’d be giddy too.’
While others might think he was being a bit much, those who spent years working alongside Eri could easily empathize with his emotions.
Given Eri’s personality, if a chance like this is denied, there wouldn’t be another. The Count knew that all too well and must have been feeling quite urgent. If this marriage fell through, he might just start laughing and crying at the same time.
Especially since Eri was thankfully bringing home a partner in her twenties just shy of thirty, and not just any partner—someone she genuinely liked! How could the Count not want to grasp onto that with everything he had?
“Speaking of which, Count…”
“What is it, son-in-law? Is there anything you need?”
He looked ready to toss down even a deed. I awkwardly smiled. I’d heard Eri already owned two baronies under her name; anything more would be too much.
“I’ve noticed Eri’s not around. Do you happen to know where she is?”
I quickly got to the point. Eri had been by my side just an hour ago, but suddenly seemed to have vanished.
“Ah, it looks like only you care about our daughter.”
At my question, the Count nodded approvingly, wearing an amused expression.
He was so thoroughly smitten that I couldn’t find the right moment to speak at all. After all, I never expected to see a father-in-law looking so infatuated—almost like a lovestruck teen!
“Eri was called by Her Majesty the Empress and has stepped away for a short while. She should be back before dinner.”
I nodded in understanding at his reply.
From the Empress’s perspective, it was more than just a wedding for her junior’s impending marriage. It’s not unusual for the bride and groom to have time together before the wedding.
‘Alone time.’
I should’ve been used to it by now, but I still experienced cognitive dissonance with the thought of Eri and the Empress being close friends.
The Duke’s family and the Count’s family, silver hair and white hair. It might seem fine if you just looked at their backgrounds or appearances, but if you considered what lay beneath…
‘But since she’s also close with Pei-ne, I guess it isn’t that strange?’
What was even more surprising than the friendship with the Empress was the friendship between Eri and Pei-ne. They shared almost no common ground aside from being humans!
So, I quickly shook off that thought. In just a short while, she’d be officially my wife, and saying, “How come you’re friends with the Empress?” would be in poor taste. If she had formed a friendship with someone so unexpected, I wouldn’t find it strange at all. Eri’s charm and sociability should instead be commended.
Moreover, speaking of oddities, it would be weirder if I, a Count’s heir, had become friends with commoners.
*
Since Senior Aria was looking for me, I trudged my way to the Empress’s palace.
When I arrived, I was led to a private room where only the Senior, the Crown Princess, and the maidens and knights who were supposed to guard the Empress were absent.
“Did you arrive?”
Only the Senior was in the room.
“Can I go out? It feels rather empty just the two of us.”
With no one around, I felt free to speak comfortably. Thankfully, she allowed for some casual speech in such a private setting.
“Or maybe call in Her Highness the Crown Princess? It’d feel more lively with three of us.”
“Absolutely not. You should only be looking at nice things at your age.”
Her stern refusal left me feeling a bit peculiar. So, am I the “not nice thing” then?
That stung a bit. No matter how you slice it, I was the closest junior she’s got. She might not see me as a real younger brother, but still, near sibling status!
“Don’t think weird thoughts and take a seat.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Naturally, I didn’t voice any complaints. If I started going on about honorary this and honorary that, I could practically see the Senior slapping me right in the gut.
“What are you drinking?”
“Oh, I’ll have red wine.”
“Here’s champagne.”
“Why’d you even ask then?”
I pouted at her for handing me the champagne bottle. If you’re just going to give it away, why even ask?
“There’s no opener—”
Before I could voice my concerns about the total lack of an opener or glass, I spotted the Senior sitting down empty-handed.
What’s going on? Why isn’t she grabbing anything for herself?
“Senior, have you stopped drinking?”
I inquired in shock at the unbelievable sight.
The Hablem Duchy, where the Count of Nuren resides, is far to the north of the Empire. It’s not as cold as the recently integrated northern territories, but winters there can be pretty brisk. As such, the Senior always drank plenty during the cold months to stay warm, a practice that persisted into the present. She would even sip alcoholic beverages during meals.
Yet here she was, tossing me the drink while neglecting her own. The last time I remembered her giving up drinking was when the Crown Princess got pregnant…?
“…No way.”
Looking at her in disbelief, she responded with a grin while stroking her belly.
“I’m having a second child. Sucks to be you, dear junior, since you’re still not even married.”
At her announcement, I was left utterly speechless, my gaze fixed on her stomach.
This is bizarre. The age gap between us isn’t that vast, so why does it feel like she’s already got two kids while I’m still single?
‘Good thing I’m getting married soon.’
And I genuinely meant it. If marriage was a long way off or I hadn’t even come out to the Empress yet, I would’ve been heartbroken. Knowing that made it clear why the Senior would be bragging about her pregnancy to me.
“If you’re diligent, our second can be the same age as your kid.”
“Diligent?”
That was a bit too strange for me, prompting a smirk to creep up on my face.
If I were a typical couple, I would need to exert effort to have children. But our Minister—my potential husband—is a different story altogether.
“I bet I’ll have a kid within ten days of my wedding!”
Heck, my fiancé has gotten all four of his wives pregnant already. Whether I try or not, pregnancy is practically baked in.
Troublingly enough, the last date didn’t go as planned; it ended in a flop at the movies. But that short timeframe was rather unexpected anyway. There’s plenty of time after the wedding, so it’s all good.
“Can’t deny it,” I said.
The Senior, who was well aware of her own prowess, nodded in agreement.
“I’m glad the Minister has lots of children. It means that my Charlotte will have plenty of friends to grow up with.”
“Is it a pact with my unborn children?”
I protested against her audacious scheme to make my yet-to-be-conceived children friends with her daughters. Friends are supposed to reciprocate feelings, right?
“If it’s my daughter, your kids will quickly take her as a younger sibling.”
“I can’t argue with that…”
Nodding my head ruefully in agreement, I thought, “Sorry, future kids. Your mom is an awful failure, succumbing to the power of the Empress.”
After that, I went on to sip my wine while chatting with the Senior about various topics. It’s different to talk face-to-face than just messaging each other occasionally.
“Eri.”
“Yes?”
“Thanks.”
Upon hearing that, I gently set the wine bottle down on the table and looked over at the Senior.
What? Am I already intoxicated? I feel like I just heard something strange.
“Are your eyes lacking focus or something?”
I felt relieved at her following statement, picking the wine bottle back up.
So it was a matter of my ears not deceiving me. She really did say thanks.
‘So… really? Why?’
Just why…?
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