Chapter: 676
The construction of the Eternal Blue Sky temple on Ziz’s territory was progressing smoothly.
It was a barren wasteland, making the transportation of materials and workers a bit tricky, but if it came down to it, I could teleport stuff a little at a time. If that didn’t cut it, there was always the option of riding on Ziz’s back for transport. It’s her sister’s future home; she’d definitely cooperate with that.
So as I started constructing the temple of the Eternal Blue Sky, I secured a development ban in the nearby area from the Emperor and calmed the kids who were begging to see the giant beasts again—
“Minister. I would like to speak with you as the father of the Crown Princess and your godfather. Could you come to the Imperial Palace for a moment?”
The Emperor’s call came through.
Usually, I’d be cursing under my breath at such summons, but this was a request to meet as a father and godfather, not just the Emperor and a minister. Naturally, I had to oblige.
“Is something wrong with Your Highness?”
I couldn’t help but check on the Crown Princess’s wellbeing, just in case.
She had a blast playing at the mansion yesterday, but kids are fragile. A single hour can lead to serious injuries or illnesses, so I couldn’t rule out the possibility of something happening to her.
“Not at all. If I had to judge, it’s more of a good thing.”
“That’s a relief.”
Hearing the Emperor’s confirmation made me sigh softly.
His vague comment about it being a “good thing” was subjective, so I didn’t place much faith in it, but he’s not the type to lie about his daughter’s health. The fact that the Crown Princess was safe was a reality.
‘What on earth could it be?’
After a moment of relief, confusion washed over me. If the Crown Princess was healthy, there wouldn’t really be a reason for the Emperor to summon me, would there?
“Anyway, please come by before lunch. The Empress will be there too, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, understood.”
The fact that the Empress would also be present increased my intrigue even further. It’s a gathering of the Crown Princess’s direct father, mother, and godfather. I was honestly a bit scared about what sort of matters were about to unfold.
I had been deceived by the Emperor.
“Karl Krasius of the Tyelglehen House, Minister of the Information Department, is here to see you, Your Majesty.”
You bastard, Emperor. You never mentioned there’d be another matter to discuss!
While you might not have stated that there wouldn’t be, if you’d said the Empress would be there and mentioned no one else, I’d naturally think it was just her.
“Please rise. You are here not as a minister but as the godfather of the Crown Princess.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
While I silently cursed the Emperor, I carefully lifted my body from where I had prostrated myself.
Now I was in a position where the father, mother, godfather, and grandfather of the Crown Princess were all gathered in one spot. Talk about a grand lineup!
“I apologize, Minister. His Majesty arrived right after I contacted you, and I couldn’t deliver the message in time.”
In the midst of this, the Emperor expressed his regret with a light smile.
The urge to curse him again was bubbling up, but I held back. The situation was such that even the Emperor couldn’t control it. If the situation wanted to come, even the Emperor wouldn’t be able to stop it.
Yet if they contacted me just after, couldn’t they have sent me a quick message? I mean, usually, they’d send a message without issue.
“It’s no problem, Your Majesty. It’s truly an honor to witness the safety of the Crown Princess in person, so please do not concern yourself.”
I couldn’t just badmouth the Emperor in front of the situation and the Empress. So with the most calm and composed expression I could muster, I bowed my head.
“Indeed, your loyalty to the Imperial Family is as beautiful as ever. Not only do you diligently assist me, but you also lovingly care for the Crown Princess, and now concern yourself with the well-being of the situation as well. You are truly a blessing to this Empire.”
“Too much praise…”
It was strange. Despite the praise, my insides were heating up.
“Your Majesty, the Minister has hurried here at our request, so shouldn’t we expedite the discussion?”
“Ah, right. I got a little carried away, moved by your loyalty.”
Fortunately, the Empress’s timely intervention helped cool the fire rising within me.
Truly, the Empress is the conscience of the Imperial Family. I couldn’t help but wonder just how chaotic the Livnoman Imperial Family would be if it didn’t have her.
“Minister. What I’m about to say is on behalf of the Crown Princess’s godfather and the father of six children.”
Then the Emperor, nodding at the Empress’s request, began speaking with a serious expression.
“Soon, there will be great news for the Imperial Family.”
“Great news, you say?”
I blinked in surprise and turned my gaze toward the Empress.
Looking closer, the Empress’s belly had grown so large that it was safe to say she was about to give birth. In fact, she must have gotten pregnant before I married Erich, so it wasn’t a surprise that she could give birth at any moment.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty. The direct bloodline of Livnoman shall grace the world again, how blessed and joyous this is! It’s an honor to be the first among all the nobles and citizens of the Empire to offer my congratulations.”
So, I bowed and congratulated the Emperor.
On a personal level, it meant an extra family member, and on a public level, it meant the Imperial Family would prosper even more. There was no reason to hold back on the congratulations.
“Indeed, as you said, it is indeed a joyful matter. However, I have a small concern, which is why I called you here.”
Straight into the point, huh? I swallowed nervously.
It was a matter tied to the birth of a new royal. This was no trivial problem. It was definitely something the staff of the Imperial Family had already discussed intensely.
Yet no conclusion had emerged, hence why I was summoned. If I wasn’t worried about what the Emperor’s concern could be, I would’ve been lying—
“If it turns out the second child is a boy… how should we organize the birth celebration banquet?”
…
‘Ah.’
My head began to throb.
The moment I heard the Emperor’s words, a headache and a sigh flooded in. It wasn’t just the absurdity of the Emperor’s thoughtless worries that caused the pain.
Instead, it was a significant issue—a serious, critical problem that made me wonder why it hadn’t hit their minds until now.
‘If the first is a daughter and the second is a son.’
While it wasn’t confirmed the second would be a boy, if I didn’t think about it now and ended up late to decide after the birth, it would be too late. We needed a conclusion, even if we had some leeway.
“He’ll be born soon, making him just three years apart from the Crown Princess.”
“Indeed. It’s not a small gap, but it’s not a huge one either.”
Responding to my statement, the Emperor nodded thoughtfully.
Three years. It’s an ambiguous distance. Too big to be the same age, yet too small to establish a strict hierarchy.
That’s why it’s a headache. What if the second is born a boy? If the Crown Prince is only three years younger than the Crown Princess, he’d be…
‘Just asking for attention.’
Noble eyes would probably turn toward the prince.
Of course, it wouldn’t send up red flags in the Crown Princess’s ascension. Within the history of the Empire, there have been three female Emperors, and if we broaden it to the nobility, it would be even more. Among the five dukes, two of them are women, so no foolish noble would openly challenge a woman’s ascension.
However, just as there was a precedent for a firstborn girl to inherit the legacy, there exist examples of the second-born younger brother inheriting as well. While nobles might not raise objections, they could at least entertain the question, ‘What if the line of succession changes?’
‘It won’t change, but…’
Neither the Emperor nor the Empress would exclude the Crown Princess from the line of succession because she happens to be a girl. Only if the Crown Princess were twisted enough in her character or displayed significant flaws in ability could she ever be dethroned.
Plus, the Crown Princess had been named a Crown Prince the moment she was born—not to mention that was right after conquering the North, at the peak of the Emperor’s authority. They’re not going to allow the succession line to shake now.
Given this, I thought perhaps we could keep the festivities for the second child’s birth more modest, compared to when the Crown Princess was born—
“Since this will be the first royal born after your ascension to the throne, it cannot be overlooked.”
“Precisely, that’s the issue.”
Complicatedly, this soon-to-be-born second child would be the first royal born since the Emperor took the throne. In a way, this child was a symbol of the Emperor’s ascension and prosperity.
Would we neglect the birth of such a child? That would stir up all sorts of rumors.
On the flip side, if we go extravagant, it’s just going to lead nobles to unfounded suspicions.
Then again, if we downplay it, the future Crown Prince might end up feeling slighted…
“…This is tough.”
“It certainly is.”
I finally began to understand the feelings of the bureaucrats embroiled in the Yeongyeong debate.
I suddenly felt like I could empathize with their struggles before the sudden possession took over.
*
I drew a number with colored pencils.
Not long left! Just a little more erasing, and it’ll be done!
“Your Highness, you seem to be in a good mood.”
“Yeah! My little brother will be born soon!”
“Wow, time really flies.”
The head maid smiled, clearly excited as well.
Of course, she’d be thrilled! I’m super excited too!
“Hehe…”
So, I held up my little brother calendar, which is nearly finished!
My little brother calendar made with Tebu! As soon as this number is erased, he’ll be born!
“Little brother! I can’t wait to see you!”
“With you eagerly anticipating like this, your little brother will surely be healthy and wonderful.”
“Right?!”
Her words made me even happier.
Of course, Pedi, Maria, Cecily, Katalea, P-Di, and Alina are all my little brothers too… but they won’t be staying with me like this! This new brother will be staying with me!
A little brother I can play with every day! A little brother I can sleep beside! A little brother who’ll snuggle up in Daddy and Mommy’s arms!
“Hehe…”
I can’t wait to see my little brother!
Once he’s born, I’ll make sure to treat him super well! I’ll take him to Tebu, and let him play with my other siblings… all of them!
Oh, and the puppies and animals will love my little brother too! They definitely will!
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