Chapter: 815
The Emperor is also the father of two children. Plus, there’s the Crown Princess who will one day inherit the throne, just like Maria, who is slated to inherit the Duke Servette title.
So it’s no surprise that the Emperor understood the depth of my words—the feelings behind my declaration to accept the title of Duke Servette.
Perhaps that’s why the Emperor’s expression softened a bit. Fathers share the same joys and sorrows, happiness and pain, after all.
“But it’s still not allowed.”
“Huh?”
However, despite his relaxed expression, his voice was firmly set. Had I misread the situation and thought we were on the same page?
“I can certainly understand the Minister’s feelings. I too have a daughter to inherit the heaviest burden on this continent—the throne. How could I not understand?”
“Your Majesty, so that means—”
“That’s exactly why I can’t allow it. Just as the Minister worries about Princess Maria, I cannot leave even a single point of anxiety for the Crown Princess!”
With that said, the Emperor let out a rough sigh and took a hearty swig from the vodka in his hand.
“Dukes have only ever come from five families since the founding of this empire—all to honor the five loyalists who aided the Great Emperor Ainter in establishing the imperial decree.”
In the blink of an eye, he finished the bottle and continued with a more relaxed tone than before.
“Of course, there are the thirteen Marquises, which you are aware of, Minister. But this is limited to the succession of the Marquise titles. Duke titles haven’t popped up frequently in the history of the empire.”
Instantly, I nodded along. Though only the thirteen Marquises could pass their titles to their children, if it remains as a baron, it can be awarded freely. Look at Ainter—he received the Marquise title, after all.
“However, dukes aren’t even close to that. Even an honorary title granted to royalty can’t be passed on to any loyalist who hasn’t achieved significant merit. This is the foundation of the empire that can’t be changed unless the Great Emperor Ainter rises again.”
“Your Majesty, I’m not greedy about becoming the sixth Duke. I’m not coveting the title of Duke as head of the Krasius house. I only wish to temporarily hold the title as the husband of the Katoban family.”
“That’s still unacceptable. The five families only transfer titles between parents and children. No husband has ever received a title from his wife, nor the other way around.”
The Emperor stood up and tore the floorboard next to his desk, revealing two hidden bottles of vodka.
“What you are suggesting is an unprecedented act.”
With that, he handed one bottle to me.
“I, too, cannot create a precedent that might lead to confusion for future generations for the sake of the Crown Princess.”
His unyielding resolve shone through—his eyes said that as much as he cared for his daughter, he also worried for the Crown Princess.
Because of that, I couldn’t say a word. Just as I wanted to take on the duke title for Maria, the Emperor wanted to protect his daughter from this bizarre precedent. It’s crucial to prevent any chance of a duke title straying even momentarily into outsiders’ hands.
My position as the husband of the Katoban family meant little. If I were to divorce Trixie—though I didn’t plan on it—the connection to the Katoban family would vanish. It would be as if an outsider donned the duke title.
I couldn’t confidently say there was nothing for the Emperor to worry about. While I had no intention of changing my mind, who knew what sorts might pop up in the next generation? Nobility is full of schemers and plotters.
‘Maybe persuading him is a lost cause.’
I sighed inwardly. Continuing to argue here would be akin to saying, ‘I don’t care what happens to your daughter.’ It would mean throwing a massive variable into the Crown Princess’s reign, which was simply not humanly right.
The Emperor graciously entertained my desire because he realized it was a choice made for Maria’s sake. He chose persuasion instead of crushing me with his authority.
“I’m truly sorry for causing you worry, Your Majesty.”
I accepted the vodka with both hands and bowed my head.
I felt immense guilt for causing trouble for Trixie, who would one day bear substantial burdens, and for Maria, who would shoulder an even greater load. But this wasn’t a matter I could abide. Continuing to press the issue would be tantamount to crossing the Emperor…
“If only I had pushed harder…”
“Your Majesty?”
“Never mind, it’s nothing.”
With a sigh mixed with frustration, the Emperor approached the communication device on his desk.
“Minister of the Imperial Household, this is me.”
– Long live Your Majesty! It’s the Minister of the Imperial Household—
“Let’s skip the pleasantries. I have an urgent matter, so come to my office along with the Minister of Justice.”
– Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll be there immediately.
Despite the sudden summons, the Minister of the Imperial Household answered without showing any signs of panic.
What shocked me was that he called for both the Minister of the Imperial Household and the Minister of Justice. This could only mean one thing.
“Minister.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Let’s brainstorm for a moment, as fathers with daughters. I hear both the Minister of the Imperial Household and the Minister of Justice have lovely daughters too.”
If we can’t set a strange precedent for the Crown Princess, I intend to rake through the 300-year history of the empire and previous imperial records.
The Emperor’s willingness to make those concessions left me speechless.
The Minister of the Imperial Household and the Minister of Justice soon rushed into the office, exclaiming in disbelief.
“There’s no way.”
“I’m afraid it’s impossible.”
They gave us blunt answers before discussing anything further.
“The title of Duke Servette must belong solely to the Katoban family. Even as the Minister of Justice serves as the Duke’s husband, this isn’t something the Krasius family can allow.”
“Of course, there have been instances where a collateral branch was adopted to inherit a title. However, even that was technically a parent-child succession. The Minister of Justice can’t be the adopted child of His Highness the Marquis, can he?”
They shouted their ‘no’ for much the same reasons we feared from before. It seemed that people’s reasoning rarely strayed from the norm. Or perhaps it’s more directly connected to the sense of duty felt by the citizens of the empire?
“We’re not doubting the Minister’s loyalty and devotion to the imperial family and the empire. But if he sets a precedent, generations to come won’t remember his achievements or loyalty. If something terrible happens and the five families lose their dukes, how could he face the great one in the afterlife?”
Before long, the Minister of Justice dropped to the floor, shouting passionately.
I understood. The Minister of Justice is the one who ultimately manages all the laws and customs of the empire. For someone in charge of that to see any marks on the Duke’s authority? Especially during his term? I could only imagine how much he would want to die from the humiliation.
“If Your Majesty wishes to reward the Minister’s loyalty, please grant him the Marquise title. First the honorary Marquise title, and later elevate the Countess Yuris to a Marquise.”
The Minister of Justice even jumped at the idea of swapping a Duke’s title for a Marquise as his last plea. How desperate must he be to come up with such a suggestion?
“A non-Katoban cannot represent the Duke Servette, even if they can serve in that capacity!”
By now, the Minister of Justice had pressed his forehead to the ground. Was this his way of saying he would never back down…?
“Represent?”
“Did you just say ‘represent’?”
Both the Emperor and I spoke at once.
For a brief moment, I felt a glimmer of a path ahead.
*
It turns out, bringing the Minister of Justice was the right call.
“There’s a precedent for acting as a representative without fully inheriting the title. If the original titleholder cannot fulfill their duties, the representative can take over their rights and obligations.”
“A representative is no different from a butler or a sub-lord, right?”
“Similar, but not quite. A butler and sub-lord are granted authority within their roles, but the representative is an official position in itself. When the titleholder formally designates one, they hold superior command over a butler or sub-lord.”
I sighed inwardly as I listened to the conversation between the Minister of Justice and the Minister of the Imperial Household.
In the midst of what seemed to be a hopeless situation, a glimmer of compromise began to shine through the discussion. There might be a beneficial outcome for both the Crown Princess and Princess Maria.
“If we’re to consider this lucky, there’s a similar case involving the first Duke Servette, known as the Sword Saint Duke. He appointed a representative because his son was too young, as per his posthumous wishes. I believe the representative worked for about seven years until the heir came of age.”
“Was that during the vacancy of the duke title?”
“Indeed. So, it could be possible for the Minister of Justice to act as a representative until Princess Maria inherits the title after His Highness the Marquis steps down…”
The Minister of Justice sighed softly as he said that.
“There’s no need for all that, is there?”
“Sadly, we’ll need to downplay Trixie’s influence somewhat. If Trixie steps back, and I take the forefront, anything would be accepted.”
The Minister of Justice’s resolute answer made the Minister of the Imperial Household lift his forehead.
Seeing that made me feel a pang of guilt. To suddenly summon him and get tied up in such a complex issue—surely the Minister of Justice must have had the worst possible day.
“…The representative will at least gain some authority over that title. If the Minister of Justice becomes the representative, he’ll be treated as a duke, but strictly beneath the five dukes.”
“Of course, I’ll take that into stride.”
“While serving as a representative, the title will temporarily become a middle name. Like Carl Servette Krasius of Tailglehen.”
“There’s no harm in a mere noble holding a middle name, but if it’s customary, I’ll accept.”
“Ha.”
The Minister of Justice looked at the ceiling in disbelief, as if he were questioning if this was truly happening.
Let’s not poke the bear until he gathers his thoughts. Who knows how this might affect the man responsible for maintaining the law?
“Now, the Minister of Justice should also be ranked according to the empire, not the administration.”
Amidst this, the Minister of the Imperial Household, who had kept silent, chuckled to himself.
He was right. The Minister of Justice is the seventh-ranked person within the administration. When entire empire rankings are considered, he’ll be pushed back a bit. But if he becomes the duke representative, he would hold a more official role within the empire’s hierarchy.
He’d even rank above the Minister of the Imperial Household in that case.
‘Is it that the unspoken hierarchy becomes formalized?’
Many have already accepted the Minister as the empire’s second-in-command, but it seemed that would soon manifest as reality.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.