Chapter: 657
Three days passed since the official launch of the Nobility Chamber and Commoner Chamber.
So, it had already been six days since the Emperor started playing around with the Crown Princess.
– “Minister, do you have some time?”
And on the sixth day around lunchtime, the Emperor reached out, looking haggard.
I flinched at the pitiable yet peculiar sight, feeling like I was witnessing a drunken ex texting “Are you awake?” to their ex in a moment of weak sentimentality.
“Thanks to His Majesty’s grace and mercy, I’m enjoying quality time with my family.”
However, despite the touch of melancholy, my response was firm.
When the Emperor asks if I have time, it’s highly likely he’s about to work me into the ground. Given the situation, he must have failed at managing the Crown Princess and now needs me to step in.
So, I deftly declined by referencing His Majesty’s grace. My downtime? That was you bringing up the idea of playing with the Crown Princess first! Even the Emperor shouldn’t overstep boundaries like snatching back what he handed out so generously.
– “That’s quite fortunate, I guess…”
The Emperor nodded grimly, knowing full well the implications.
‘Who asked for you to call for ten days straight anyway?’
Honestly, negotiating ten days of freedom in exchange for just two days of work is quite the unbalanced trade. Five days of freedom would have felt fair enough!
But such thoughts held no real significance. The Emperor made the first offer, and I accepted it. No matter how burdensome it is for him, I have no obligation to terminate the deal early.
Moreover, the Emperor was keeping up with his end of the bargain admirably. He’s pulling off quite the feat by engaging the Crown Princess in the palace, where activities are utterly lacking. How could I refrain from praise? If I were to grant him clemency in this situation, it would amount to insulting a father who’s doing his job well.
‘Hang in there.’
I sent a silent cheer and encouragement to the Emperor in my heart.
Shattering my expectations after lasting just three days, he persevered for six! He’ll surely survive the remaining four days.
– “Daeboo Moksoori!”
Lost in thought, a very familiar voice called from the comm channel.
– “Daeboo! Daeboo!”
Suddenly, a youthful face popped into view, much to the Emperor’s surprise.
It was the Crown Princess.
– “Daeboo! I miss you! Why aren’t you playing with me!?”
“Uh, Your Highness?”
I watched her eyes fill with tears upon seeing my face.
I was blindsided by this unexpected emotional display. Not playing with her? That sounded like something one might say if they were to be accused of parental neglect!
“Your Highness, I apologize, but I’m currently unprepared to welcome you due to small circumstances. However, I’ll be able to play together again in a few days—”
– “No! Daeboo! Daemo! Pedi! Sibling! Doggie! I miss you!”
I attempted to console the Crown Princess, but naturally, it didn’t work. Once a child shows tears, calming them down is a Herculean challenge.
Besides, our mansion has plenty of people eager to see the Crown Princess. Though the two behind her may be more beastly than human.
“Sadly, while I can’t play, Your Majesty is here with you, isn’t he?”
– “Appa is busy and can’t play!”
– “Ugh…”
The Emperor inhaled sadly at the Crown Princess’s blunt outburst.
I understand. No matter the heart of a father, the responsibilities of the Emperor remain. He can’t physically indulge the Crown Princess as much as she might like while he’s busy handling Emperor business.
It’s a dilemma. Ignoring the Emperor’s subtle request is one thing, but how to comfort the tears and sorrows of the Crown Princess?
– “Did I… do something wrong? Is that why Daeboo can’t meet?”
But before I could ponder long, the Crown Princess dropped a bombshell that made her head spin.
“Ah, no, Your Highness! You’ve always been a good child!”
– “Right! Our Crown Princess is not bad at all!”
Thanks to that, both the Emperor and I were shocked into action.
She thinks she’s being punished for something naughty? That’s such a heart-wrenching thought for anyone to bear. Such words shouldn’t be uttered by a little one.
– “Actually, Daabu was planning a surprise visit for you! I was keeping it a secret to surprise you, but it seems the cat’s out of the bag now!”
“Really?”
In the midst of it, the Emperor casually threw me under the bus.
What the heck? When did I plan to visit?
– “Friends—Jja!”
“Looks like I’ve been caught. In fact, I was preparing your favorite chocolate as well.”
But seeing that glimmer of hope in her teary eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to utter a string of curse words at the Emperor.
Damn it. How low can one go by holding the Crown Princess hostage like this?
– “Then can I see my siblings and the animals too?”
“Of course! We’ll take everyone along.”
– “Wow!”
Finally smiling again, the Crown Princess flapped her arms with joy.
– “Crown Princess, Daeboo will be there soon, so get ready. You need to wash your hands and change your clothes too, you know!”
– “Okay! I’ll get ready!”
With that, the Crown Princess’s face disappeared from the comm channel, and the sound of her scurrying away echoed joyously.
And, of course, silence filled the space where she once stood.
– “…Minister.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty?”
– “Though I was playing with the Crown Princess, I didn’t know you held such affectionate feelings toward her to think of coming to the palace.”
I glanced silently at the Emperor’s face, wondering at the sheer audacity of his pathetic excuses.
He still claims he’s entertaining the Crown Princess, meaning he had no lies to concern himself with, right?
‘Damn it.’
It was a tear-jerking excuse for an Emperor’s standards, but I had no desire to refute it.
If I contradicted him incorrectly, I feared I’d end up prompting both the Emperor and the Crown Princess to show up at my mansion with, “Well, as long as you’re here, right?”
The words “I’m simply spending time with her” didn’t specify where they would be doing so.
‘That scumbag…’
The pun was infuriating, but holding my tongue was the choice I made.
This was simply just the image of a father unable to win against his children.
Eventually, starting from the day after the Emperor threw me under the bus, the Crown Princess’s visits to the mansion resumed.
Sure, I could admit that ten days was far too long. After five days of joyous freedom, I ought to be content with what I got.
“Daeboo’s home! It’s so soft and cozy!”
And indeed, after a long while, the Crown Princess returned to our mansion and plopped down on the mat-covered hallway, giggling happily.
Despite the bittersweet emotions of cutting short my downtime, I couldn’t help but feel my heart soften at the sight of the Crown Princess laughing. I couldn’t sulk alone when my lovely niece doted so much on her uncle.
“Your Highness, if you stay lying there too long, it’ll get dirty—”
“Is this okay?”
Before I could finish speaking, the Crown Princess lifted off the ground, floating about 15 cm in the air.
“Wow, you’ve risen higher than before! Congratulations!”
It was a remarkable feat, rising a whole 5 cm more! Applause naturally followed. She’s been practicing her flying out of sight, which surely contributed to her increased altitude.
No matter what, the sight of a child flying in mid-air always amazed me. Who gets to see a child soaring through the air by mere centimeters?
“I’ll go to Pedi like this!”
The Crown Princess shrugged her shoulders at my applause, soaring down the hallway before I could even say a word to stop her.
I hope the passing staff won’t be too shocked by the flying Crown Princess.
*
Recently, I’ve been joking around with acquaintances I meet.
As the council members were chosen among governors and mayors, I’d quip that had it not been for Wieridia being a direct royal territory, I might have been elected as well.
The response was always a chuckle. Whether someone like me, a regional chief governor from the outskirts, would pique the Emperor’s attention was questionable, and even if I got elected, I doubted I’d enjoy the comfortable and happy life I currently have.
‘Council positions can’t be passed down.’
But the title of Viscount I received can be inherited. Even the territory accompanying the viscountcy exists.
Of course, being a member of the council selected by the Emperor is an honor that surpasses comparison. The difference between a mere viscount and a council member is monumental.
But what does that have to do with me? The years I’d planned to wrap up as a local governor have melted away, with my meager benefits only securing me a humble mansion and a bit of living expenses for my retirement. I’ve been given the title, but I hardly feel worthy of being called a noble.
And yet here I am, not just becoming a noble but inheriting a peerage.
Then, I met a master who believed in me wholeheartedly, granting me the position of steward. It’s a bond that defines itself as more valuable than any title.
‘If I had become a council member, I’d be just one out of a hundred, but I’m the one and only Kisele Viscount with the confidence of His Grace.’
So, whenever I hear talk about council members, I reflect on that.
I am His Grace’s one and only Kisele Viscount, managing the Wieridia County. The trust given to me by Count His Grace is an extraordinary parcel of weight upon my shoulders.
“This little one is newly born?”
“Yes, the baby was born two days ago.”
I work tirelessly to repay that trust.
Currently, I’m concocting a plan to breed wild horses that have naturally flowed into Wieridia with existing stock to create superior breeds. Though this is not an effort to be completed in just a year or two, I’ve never once taken it lightly. Connecting the healthiest mares with wild stallions and setting up optimal conditions for any that become pregnant.
Thanks to those efforts, we’re starting to see a trickle of foals born from the wild and our existing horses. The numbers are small for now, but one day, they will surely multiply exponentially.
“Already showing potential, huh?”
I stroked my beard with a satisfied gaze at the foal.
Just two days old, yet its eyes were sparkling, and the coat looked sleek—it certainly didn’t seem ordinary. In time, it would be galloping across the meadow with vigor.
“You’ve truly worked hard, Lady Amelia.”
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to your teachings, Steward.”
At my encouragement, Lady Amelia bowed her head politely.
She really is a well-mannered child. Since she is the practical workhorse behind this breeding project, the healthy foals arriving are entirely attributed to her capabilities. Still, she gives me credit, albeit ceremonially.
‘She is worth noticing by His Grace.’
She was a fresh graduate who received a recommendation from His Grace and came straight to Wieridia.
Initially, I worried whether it was wise to entrust such an immense task to someone as green as her, but now I feel foolish for having once thought that way.
“I’ll take a look around by myself, so you can return. Lady Olivia will be waiting for you.”
“But how can I leave you alone…”
“Not at all.”
“…Thank you for your consideration, Steward.”
This time, Lady Amelia bowed until her waist and quickly withdrew. The mention of her sister waiting made her steps hasten.
‘Such rare family affection.’
It gives me warmth each time I see it. She lost her parents at a young age and has essentially taken on the role of caretaker for her youngest sibling, resulting in a visibly devoted bond.
Moreover, both sisters are diligent and capable. With more experience, they would make a solid pillar for Wieridia.
‘I hope they flourish, allowing me to step back without concerns.’
A blend of satisfaction and bitterness washed over me.
Thinking of the immense trust placed in me by His Grace, one would need a lifetime of dedication to repay it. However, one cannot control lifespan—having spent decades as a governor, I know my days as steward won’t last forever.
Thus, I fervently wish for those young ones and the other budding bureaucrats to develop splendidly.
‘…Huh?’
As I was absorbed in my thoughts, a light buzzed from the comm device nestled in my pocket.
“Kisele Viscount, are you—”
– “It’s me.”
“Y-Your Grace!”
It was a call from Count His Grace.
– “Sorry to contact you suddenly. Were you busy?”
“Not at all. Whatever your need, it is of utmost importance.”
– “I appreciate that sentiment.”
The Count’s gentle smile was evident through the device as he stroked his chin and continued plainly.
– “I wanted to inform you that I’ll be visiting Wieridia after a long time. So, I thought I should reach out beforehand.”
At those words, my mind began to race.
As soon as I return to the castle, I’ll set about preparing for the banquet.
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