Chapter: 704
Bringing the royal family’s celebrations forward is a nuisance.
But for a politician, if the benefits are enough to endure the annoyance, they’ll spring into action willingly.
“The Minister is right. While we should avoid the Barandi Marquis gaining excessive authority, if that authority can be embraced by the royal family, then that changes the story.”
The Emperor, the pinnacle of politicians, eventually nodded at my persuasion.
The preparations for Ainter and Shati’s wedding were already complete. We could hold the wedding anytime, but due to my six consecutive weddings, it was temporarily postponed. Not to mention, there was also the wedding between Erich and Zenobia earlier this year.
Thus, if the Emperor made a decision, and the concerned parties agreed, we could easily advance the wedding date.
“In about 1 or 2 weeks should be fine.”
“Excuse me?”
But I didn’t expect it to be moved up so quickly.
The original wedding date was at least in the summer. Now, a wedding that was a few months away was suddenly pushed up by 1 or 2 weeks.
“Are you sure? Even if preparations are done, it seems a bit too sudden…”
It’s not like I was the one who proposed moving up the wedding, but this adjustment felt extreme. If Ainter and Shati were to curse me behind my back, I’d have no excuse.
“It’s fine. Both of them wanted a quick wedding. If anything, they’ll be happy about it, not reluctant at all.”
The Emperor waved his hand with a calm expression.
Thank goodness. If the parties involved want a quick wedding, then moving it forward shouldn’t be a problem. As long as it’s not a forced marriage, it’s natural to feel excited as the date approaches.
‘They do seem to get along well.’
It was a bit surprising. Although their relationship began as a political arrangement, Ainter and Shati were now truly walking the path of genuine lovers.
Honestly, I didn’t expect them to get this close. Their social standings were vastly different, they had no common upbringing, and even their ethnic backgrounds were different, so I thought there would be quite a bit of conflict. No matter how desperately the Barandi Marquis wished for Shati’s marriage, it would normally be a pretty awkward match.
Yet Ainter’s ability to bring this arrangement to fruition was truly impressive. Back during the pastry club, his dating skills were nothing to write home about, but he clearly sent all his capabilities into the future for his sake.
‘Impressive…’
Truly the expert survivor Ainter. He knew when to be silent and when to step up his dating game.
If that talent carries on to his children, a remarkable collateral lineage that supports the Livnoman direct line will be born.
“By the way, Minister.”
“Yes, your Majesty. What would you like to say?”
“Since it was your suggestion, you should tell Ainter. Coincidentally, he’s set to visit the Barandi Marquisate a few days from now, so wouldn’t it be nice to hear good news before he leaves?”
“Me, directly… speak?”
“Yes. It’s not like you and Ainter are strangers. He will definitely appreciate your help in moving the wedding date up.”
It was an awkward request to refuse, so I nodded absentmindedly.
Isn’t that right? It is a seed I’ve sown, so it seems only fitting for me to reap the harvest.
“Oh, and take the Crown Princess along with you. She mentioned wanting to play with her uncle.”
“Yes, understood.”
The Crown Princess’s residence is conveniently on the way to Ainter’s palace, so I can just pick her up along the way.
Ainter’s residence is located somewhat on the fringes of the royal palace.
In his younger days, the Empress and Marquis Aeshilon’s attention was only on the second prince, leaving Ainter without much regard. After the fall of the second prince, he was afraid to attract the Emperor’s ire, hiding quietly like a mouse. It was a situation where getting caught would mean possible execution, so Ainter also kept his head down in the outskirts.
Of course, while the location was somewhat peripheral, the size and facilities of the palace were more than adequate for direct descendants of the royal family. He merely lived quietly out of sight.
“Uncle! Hello!”
“Greetings, my dear niece.”
Despite living in the farthest corner, Ainter had now come close enough to play with the next Emperor.
It was a heartwarming sight, a testament that the once turbulent Livnoman royal family had now normalized. If only the second prince and the Marquis Aeshilon hadn’t existed, perhaps it would have been like this long ago.
‘Everything bad that happened was because of those bastards.’
If there’s an Apels in the history of the continent, there’s a second prince in the history of the Empire. Just imagining what might have happened if he became Emperor or at least stole the Crown Prince position sends shivers down my spine.
“Oh! Our little niece seems to have grown even taller since the last time I saw her.”
“Right! I’ve been eating well and growing big!”
“Hm, so you’re growing taller rather than wider, huh?”
“Eeeek!”
With Ainter’s teasing, the Crown Princess flailed her arms and whined.
“Uncle! Don’t tease! Mommy said you shouldn’t tease ladies about their weight!”
Her clear and articulate complaints made Ainter and me burst into laughter.
That’s true. Regardless of how young the lady may be, it’s rude to joke about her weight.
“You deserve a good scolding for this, Uncle!”
Finally, the Crown Princess, formerly shaking with indignation, rushed over to me for comfort, pointedly expressing her dissatisfaction to Ainter.
“If I’ve upset His Highness, then that’s only right. How should I punish myself?”
“A flick on the forehead!”
“That’s a bit…”
I involuntarily glanced between my fist and Ainter’s forehead at the Crown Princess’s words.
Am I really supposed to smack that forehead? I can practically see him morphing from Ainter to Inter after that!
“Haha, I apologize, my dear niece. How about I make it up to you with this apology?”
Ainter flinched, seemingly thinking the same thing, and quickly turned on the charm to placate the Crown Princess.
“I don’t know! I don’t like Uncle!”
“Actually, this uncle has prepared candies for you…”
“But you said you were sorry, so don’t give it to me!”
“Indeed, my niece has a big heart. Now that I look closely, you really are growing taller.”
Seeing the Crown Princess puffs up with pride at that compliment and Ainter clapping, I couldn’t help but smile too.
Who would’ve imagined this scene just a few years ago? The Emperor’s child and Ainter playing together like this is probably a miraculous sight no one expected.
“By the way, my lord, what brings you here? I’m happy to see you, but if you, on your break, come to find me, it must be something quite serious.”
While comforting the Crown Princess who had nestled in his arms, Ainter turned his gaze to me.
Indeed, it was only my second time visiting Ainter’s palace. My first visit was shortly after the fall of the second prince, so it wasn’t exactly a pleasant occasion.
“I have something to tell you.”
“Hm? Is it for me?”
At my words, Ainter’s eyes widened as he gazed at the Crown Princess in his arms.
“It’s something His Highness can hear as well.”
“Oh, in that case…”
Nodding, Ainter returned to his smile.
The moment the Crown Princess was briefly set down, it suggested the matter was significant, yet since it was something she could also hear, he likely assessed it as no big deal. So I’m sure the tension quickly dissipated.
“His Highness and the Barandi Marquis’s daughter’s wedding will be advanced.”
“Excuse me?”
However, the smile that Ainter had just regained faded again.
“Uh, there’s been a reason we need to move it up. It’ll be pushed forward by 1 to 2 weeks.”
“Oh, I see.”
Though he was surprised by the sudden adjustment, his expression reformed into something more pleased about the prompt marriage.
“Advancing it by 1 to 2 weeks! It’s fortunate we can hold it when it’s a bit cooler.”
‘Oh.’
It looked like Ainter might have slightly misunderstood, so I subtly rolled my eyes.
When I said it was advanced by 1 or 2 weeks, I meant forward to that date, not just moving it up to 1 or 2 weeks later!
“The lady will be delighted to hear about this too. She tries not to show it, but you can tell she’s been looking forward to the wedding.”
“Um, your Highness…”
“Yes. Please go on.”
“It was mentioned that we would be holding the wedding in 1 to 2 weeks.”
“…Excuse me?”
Ainter’s expression fell slack as if he was in shock.
“W-What? Uncle is getting married?”
Even the young Crown Princess’s eyes widened in surprise.
It’s a bit too over the top for a little kid to understand this situation… and yet somehow the Emperor pulled it off.
‘Seriously, what were they thinking?’
Who in their right mind would move a wedding that was months away to just 1 or 2 weeks later?
*
It felt like a storm had just passed.
“His Highness and the Barandi Marquis’s daughter’s wedding will be advanced.”
“There’s been a reason, so it will be pushed forward by 1 to 2 weeks.”
“We’re getting married in 1 to 2 weeks.”
My head was still swirling from the storm.
1 or 2 weeks? How did we suddenly end up getting married just 1 or 2 weeks from now? What on earth is happening?
‘It’s not that I dislike it…’
When weighing my feelings, it’s closer to the former. Shati and I have both recognized each other as lovers, and believe we are in a relationship akin to marriage. We just hadn’t officially tied the knot yet, but in essence, we might as well be married.
So, if the wedding is brought forward to become official partners, I should be excited about it… but it needs to be at a reasonable pace.
– Your Grace?
“It’s a fine lunch, Shati. Have you eaten?”
– Oh, I was just about to.
Thus, I decided to reach out to Lady Shati.
To check if she could accept this sudden schedule adjustment. If Lady Shati raises any objections, I’ll have to persuade His Majesty otherwise.
– It would be nice to dine with you, but it feels disappointing to be apart.
“Please bear with me a little longer. We will be together all day in just a few days.”
I smiled at Lady Shati’s pouts before putting on a serious face and continuing.
“However, my lady, there’s something urgent I need to tell you.”
– Yes. Please speak.
“When it comes to our wedding…”
The moment I mentioned “wedding,” Lady Shati’s face turned serious.
– H-Have you called it off?
“No, that’s not the case.”
Immediately, Lady Shati’s expression relaxed significantly.
Her cute reaction almost made me laugh again. What sort of face would she make when she finds out it’s been moved up closer instead of delayed?
“It seems the gods are unhappy with us being apart.”
She would probably be surprised yet pleased too.
I hope that’s the case.
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