Chapter: 689
As soon as the New Year’s Ball wrapped up, I headed straight to the Northern region where Jiz’s nest is located.
Thankfully, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ainter side didn’t contest Jiz’s escapade, but these matters tend to stack up behind the scenes. When all those little grievances pile up, even a friendly atmosphere between the two countries can quickly turn sour.
“–What? A river?”
Meanwhile, Jiz, who was napping next to some pillars by the temple, tilted his head at my words and replied as if wronged.
“—I didn’t cross that river! Anyway, the Empire and the North are way bigger. Why in the world would I bother crossing a river to see a small country?”
His earnest reaction caught me off guard.
Jiz’s crossing had been corroborated by both ministers. Surely, he wouldn’t joke with me over something like this; he must have crossed the river.
But when I looked at Jiz, I started to wonder if maybe the two of them were just mistaken. His response was way too genuine to be acting. I mean, the Jiz I know doesn’t have the cunning to fool me.
‘No way.’
Eventually, with a sliver of doubt, I pulled out the map I had stashed in my pocket.
“Where exactly did you go? Point it out precisely.”
Unfolding the map in front of Jiz, I indicated the territory of the Leon Kingdom.
Originally, I brought this map to clarify the river’s location and prevent a repeat incident, but if I guessed right, I’d need it for a different purpose.
“—Here!”
“Oh.”
Upon seeing the area Jiz pointed at with his wings, I couldn’t help but sigh.
He definitely hadn’t crossed the river. He nudged sharply north nearby, then swiftly veered west, returning effortlessly to the Empire.
“This isn’t the river I was talking about.”
“—Huh? This wasn’t it?”
However, the river Jiz didn’t cross wasn’t the one I had mentioned; it was a completely different one.
It wasn’t the Givroya River, which marks the border between the Empire and Ainter, but a river much further north.
‘What the heck?’
I let out a chuckle at the comically absurd reason behind this ruckus.
Still, it makes sense. From high up, the Givroya River might look just like any other river. There aren’t any signs posted for birds flying above—only those stuck to the ground for humans to see.
And migratory birds flying across the continent probably don’t realize which river or mountain they are passing over. If we think of Jiz as a migratory bird, it isn’t that strange after all.
It’s just that the bird is the size of a frigate.
“…Did I make a big mistake?”
As I silently chuckled, Jiz awkwardly lowered himself and shuffled nervously.
He indeed made a mistake, but it wasn’t worth scolding or reprimanding. We could simply issue a formal apology to Ainter and promise not to let it happen again.
“Let’s study geography together for a while.”
“—Yes…”
Instead, it seems I need to inject some geography basics into Jiz’s brain.
Even if he flies far away, he’ll eventually return to his nest. If I teach him properly, he won’t mess up again. At least, that’s what I hope.
“By the way, isn’t it strange for a bird to fly across borders? Since I have clear affiliations, I should be fine doing so. They say if you have a nominal affiliation, crossing borders is less of a hassle.”
“Affiliations are why you returned without getting shot down. You seriously wanna mix it up with humans?”
At my firm words, Jiz’s wings drooped.
But it’s not wrong. There’s still no concept of airspace on the continent, and it’s perfectly normal for an aristocrat’s pet bird to frolic in another kingdom’s skies. The size of the bird is the only real concern.
‘I should probably hash out a treaty soon.’
Inlands and territorial waters can be traversed with the permission of the owning nation. As for the skies, a simple courtesy should suffice.
Honestly, they could do whatever they wanted without asking for permission, but if the Empire acquires a reputation as an international bully, that would be quite the dilemma. So, we should at least pretend to be considerate.
And having a bird fly without a word of warning into its own territory? That’s a terrifying show of strength, nothing short of intimidation. Think of it as laying the groundwork for future impacts.
‘Alright.’
After Erich’s wedding, I’ll casually ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs to help set up a treaty.
If I suggest lending Jiz whenever they feel like stepping on some international toes, I bet they’ll be more than willing to oblige.
*
It’s been a while since I participated in a wedding as a guest rather than the main event. Maybe since the information officer’s wedding?
‘This is my first family wedding since I was born.’
And considering my entire life before and after the possession, it’s also the first time attending a family marriage. Maybe that’s why a warm feeling welled up inside me.
No, it might actually be Erich’s marriage that’s moving me. Stupidly oblivious as he is, he’s found a wife. If I’d heard this a few years ago, I would’ve been pounding the ground in despair. All the hardships of my academy days led to this miracle.
“I never thought you’d be the first one to get married among the club members.”
“Why bring that up on such a happy day?”
“Because it’s a happy day! If it were a frustrating situation, I’d be grabbing you by the collar instead.”
With half-joking, half-serious encouragement, Erich gave an awkward smile.
But honestly, it is surprising. If anyone was going to get married among the club members, I thought it would be the royal or noble birth who’d tie the knot first. Who would’ve guessed that a mere noble like Erich would sprint straight towards marriage like this?
Of course, having childhood friends like Zenobia and Sera gave him a head start, but conversely, it’s baffling that he barely scraped into first place despite all those advantages.
‘Such a remarkable idiot.’
Be sure to introduce yourself as Baron Hardiner, not as part of the Krasius family. You’re a disgrace and a weakling among us Krasius.
“Anyway, congratulations. Don’t worry about the guests. They’re just looking at the back of your head. Just spend the time clapping and listening to the applause.”
“I don’t think it’ll be that easy.”
Seeing Erich still stiff with anxiety made me chuckle.
It was already three years ago, so I can’t say for sure, but I bet I was just as nervous before my wedding with Mar. Of course, thanks to Enen’s blessing, my nerves were obliterated.
‘Should I cast a spell of courage or something?’
It’s all in the past for me, but Erich is right on the verge of getting married. I should try to offer him advice so that he can enjoy a ceremony full of laughter instead of stress.
So, after a moment of consideration, I leaned close to Erich’s ear.
“Most of the guests are here just to create connections with us. Even if you suddenly start doing headstands, they’ll praise you anyway, so don’t worry about it.”
“Ah.”
The moment I whispered that, Erich’s face shifted to one of realization.
As soon as he recognized that these were not just his guests but the Baron Hardiner’s guests, he quickly eased his tension. This kid might really be turning into a proper noble.
*
Following my brother’s lead, a stream of guests began to filter into the wedding hall.
People from the same imperial count family, fellow nobles from the council, commoners from the local assembly who I occasionally see, and bureaucrats from the administration that I encounter now and then.
And then some nobles whose names and faces I had to think hard to remember.
“Most of the guests are here just to create connections with us. Even if you suddenly start doing headstands, they’ll praise you anyway, so don’t worry about it.”
My brother was right. Aside from family and close work colleagues, most of the guests were here not just to congratulate the marriage but to extend their social networks. So, of course, they would make the effort to attend the wedding, even if we didn’t know each other well.
Thanks to that, I felt more at ease. After two years in the assembly, my heart isn’t weak enough to be jittery over simple socializing.
“Son-in-law. I’m here.”
“Oh, Father-in-law!”
While gently greeting guests with calm spirits and a soft expression, I suddenly found myself standing before Geork Uncle, who had now graduated to the title of Father-in-law.
“Our son-in-law looks even better dressed up! If you’re going to take my daughter away, you better meet this standard!”
With a hearty laugh, my father-in-law gave my back a strong pat.
Honestly, it hurt. My father-in-law is strong enough to give any foe a run for their money. No matter how much I train, I won’t be standing upright after that kind of blow.
“I’ve been waiting for this day so long. My daughter has shown interest in you, but you and your father-in-law have been so indifferent about it. My insides have been turning daily!”
“I’m… truly sorry.”
“Forget about it. Regardless of how it went down, the results are good. Plus, since my daughter wanted you to realize your feelings first before I stepped in, it was a wise choice in hindsight.”
Nodding with apparent satisfaction, my father-in-law hugged me tightly.
“Just in case, if anyone thinks they can look down on you just because you’re a baron, let them know. I’ll handle it before your brother can even step in.”
“Ah, yes… thank you.”
And then he delivered that chilly reassurance and sauntered away.
I was lucky not to have experienced that process of being slightly resented by my father-in-law, unlike my brother.
With my mind settled—whether it was from being encouraged or from that tumultuous embrace—I managed to keep a smile through the entire wedding ceremony.
In fact, I noticed my sister standing beside me, looking even more jittery than I was. Did I get so busy comforting myself that I ignored my sister?
“Sister.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“From now on, I’ll call you Vía. I’ll save the ‘sister’ titles for now.”
As I said that and held her hand, I could feel the slight tremor stop.
Suppressing tension with a different emotion. Thankfully, it seemed to work.
“Now we’re no longer sister and brother but equal partners. It’s a bit cowardly for just you to call me by my name.”
“…I could have called you that earlier, you know.”
Her soft protest made me grin awkwardly.
In truth, I had called her Vía before, but the title “sister” had stuck. I had been using it for so long that it felt odd to switch.
Still, it would be strange to keep using it after getting married. Seems like it draws a line, implying she’s older than me.
“I’ll work extra hard to make up for the time I missed, so forgive me.”
“Alright. I’ll give you special trust.”
Both of us exchanged smiles, looking at each other warmly.
It might not be the most memorable wedding, but it was definitely a heartwarming and fulfilling one.
—At least, that was my thought until…
‘What the heck is that?’
A giant eagle suddenly appeared overhead at the wedding hall, showering petals everywhere.
‘It’s gotta be that bastard…’
With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes, already knowing who the culprit was.
*
Watching the flower rain pouring in the middle of winter made me visibly pleased.
Erich, too, seemed to lose himself in thought while gazing up at the sky before softly closing his eyes. It was apparent he was touched by his brother’s surprise.
“Let’s do this for Sera’s wedding too,”
I promised myself, watching the continuous flower petals drift down. It wouldn’t be fair for some to be surprised while others are left out. We definitely need Jiz for Sera’s wedding too.
After all, a summer flower rain would also be quite beautiful.
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