Chapter: 841
Aside from my maternal uncle and grandparents, there seems to be no one capable of reining in the Wise Duke.
A walking storm who couldn’t even be controlled by the legendary reviver of the era. Trixie, the living legend, becomes my wife and magically drops the formalities as she refers to herself as an aunt-in-law. How could anyone hope to manage someone like that?
Yet today, I witnessed a miracle. I instinctively recognized that a presence other than my uncle and grandparents was managing to fend off the Wise Duke’s relentless advances.
“Can’t you just understand once? I can’t see Ferentz often!”
“Don’t you think there’ll be plenty of chances in the next few decades? I can’t guarantee I’ll have even a few days left.”
“Seriously, that’s so unfair!”
The Wise Duke was fidgeting, while Eri’s grandmother calmly shook her head. It was truly a marvelous sight, leaving me speechless.
The power of age is indeed astonishing. She managed to endure even during the flamboyant sword dances of the past and survived the hard times under Livnoman’s late ruler. It was as if she was proving that the strong are those who can outlast.
If anything, it suggests that only someone as aged as the 90-year-old Countess could stand against the Wise Duke, but that’s not what matters now. The key takeaway is simply that a rival has emerged to oppose the Wise Duke.
‘That’s why Masalo is vying for the top spots among the marquises.’
Feeling a sudden well of tears rise, I bit my lip to hold them back.
Could it be the Masalo family, a heavyweight in the West following the Salron Dukedom? Always managing to stay ahead in the competition with Marquis Digo? It’s all because of my grandmother. The great hero who upheld the family since the days of the former Marquis Iones is still standing firm in front of a duke.
This also meant that to withstand the Wise Duke, one needed to be at least a 90-year-old marquess. But the important thing isn’t that minor detail; it’s the fact that we finally have someone to counter the Wise Duke.
“Joka! You better let Auntie have her fun! I want to touch Ferentz too!”
“This banquet is meant for the lady of the house after all. While I am indeed Ferentz’s father, you are also his great-grandmother. So let’s just give it a rest today.”
“No way! You’re betraying me!”
Betrayal? We were never on the same team to begin with.
I almost spat out that retort, but managed to hold back. If I said that, I might have had to face the Wise Duke’s genuine, drunken sorrow.
“Well then, Joka! Once we’re back, I’ll come over to your place! Then I can touch Ferentz along with the others!”
“Huh?”
I flinched at the unexpected catastrophe looming ahead.
Why is this conclusion turning in that direction? Shouldn’t any dissatisfaction stemming from the Masalo family be resolved within Masalo itself? Why bring it all to Krasious?
“Ferentz will be there too!?”
“Yep!”
However, it was too late to refuse; Ferentz was already being swept up in it all.
Incredibly, the Wise Duke seems to have garnered quite a bit of popularity among our kids. To the adults, he’s a notorious drunk, but to the children, he’s just another fun adult who knows how to play.
It’s a pity that some of his own kids seem a little embarrassed by him. What a sad situation.
Because of the attention-seeking Wise Duke, Eri and I also found ourselves in the spotlight.
I had planned to strut around the banquet with Eri by dinner, flaunting our presence, but I ended up showcasing it in a whole different way than intended.
‘As long as the results are good, that’s what matters!’
So I decided to think positively and settled my mind.
Yes, no matter which path I take, as long as I reach the destination, it’s valid. I made a show of Eri being my only partner, allowing our family to shine together in front of the nobles.
Even though it was unexpected to include the Wise Duke in the family count, I successfully planted the perception that “the Tileglehen couple is still brimming with affection.” That was enough.
“Minister, Minister.”
“Hmm?”
“I think it’s about time we rest in the room?”
At that remark, I glanced over at the terrace where the once rosy sky had turned dark.
“Right. It’s time to put him to bed.”
For adults, the night of celebrations is a time to keep having fun, but we have our precious little Ferentz. It wouldn’t be right to keep holding him late into the night.
Kids may have boundless energy compared to adults, but that applies only when the sun is up and they’re playing. Once the sun sets, and if they’re not playing, they’ll just end up tired. For Ferentz’s health and energetic tomorrow, it’s time to get some sleep.
“Grandma.”
So I approached Eri’s grandmother, who was still holding Ferentz.
“It’s getting a bit late—”
“Of course, the child needs to sleep now.”
Before she even finished her sentence, she promptly transferred Ferentz into my arms.
I was taken aback but quickly accepted it. In terms of parenting experience, Grandma must have more than I do. She certainly knows the issues I’m concerned about.
“He’s been dozing off since earlier. He’ll sleep much better laid down in bed.”
“I’m so sorry. I should have put him down earlier.”
“Sorry? Nonsense. I enjoyed spending this time with my great-grandson.”
With a gentle smile, Grandma softly stroked Ferentz’s head.
Despite having spent a few hours right beside his great-great-grandma, Ferentz barely opened his eyes. He indeed looks sleepy now. If it were a usual day, he would’ve been smiling and flailing his arms about.
“We’ve prepared the room furthest from the banquet hall, so you can settle him in there. There’s even a small room inside for easy care.”
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
“Thank your father-in-law. This old lady can barely remember what’s inside the castle. He did all the preparations.”
That sounded so silly I couldn’t help but chuckle. Although Grandma claimed her memories had faded due to age, her memory was still sharper than anyone else’s.
She quickly recognized the nobles who came to pay their respects and even threw some compliments regarding their family relationships and statuses. If her memory is poor, then whose wouldn’t be intact?
“Well, I’ll excuse myself first then.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”
With Grandma seeing me off, I slipped away from the banquet.
Thank goodness, I’d greeted everyone, and with the Wise Duke roaming the hall causing chaos, no one noticed the three of us slipping out.
Thank you, Wise Duke. Like a true master of drinks, you’re ensuring nobody pays attention but still keeping everything lively. When it comes to everyday life, you’re a bit of a burden.
“Dad, I’m sleepy.”
“Yeah, you’ll be sleeping soon. Just hang tight a little longer because we need to change your clothes first.”
“Uugh…”
I gently patted Ferentz’s back, who was already whining about sleeping.
Our little Ferentz, just hold on a little longer. If you fall asleep now, you’ll end up in bed with these clothes on. Sleeping in your outing clothes would be so uncomfortable.
“Looks like you’re quite tired, huh? Haven’t yawned this much before?”
“Because there were so many unfamiliar adults. It’s only natural to feel tired. Plus, we’re in a place we’ve never been before.”
“True. A strange environment probably made you more nervous than usual.”
Eri, pinching Ferentz’s cheeks in a playful manner, nodded as if agreeing.
But is it really appropriate for a parent to be playfully pinching their sleeping child’s face?
“My lord! My lady!”
“Hmm? Head Maid?”
While I pondered the appropriateness of cheek-pinching, the head maid approached.
“I’ll take care of the young master. You two should get some rest.”
“It’s fine! He looks like he’ll fall asleep any moment anyway; we can handle this!”
“We can’t guarantee when he’ll wake up. Plus, you two are precious guests to us, so please leave it to us.”
As the head maid bowed deeply, Eri began to hesitate and ponder.
“…Alright, just for today, I’ll trouble you!”
“Yes, my lady. We’ll do our utmost to ensure you can sleep soundly.”
Of course, as the head maid of the Masalo family, she was a precious acquaintance from Eri’s childhood. She was definitely someone I could trust, so Eri nodded in agreement shortly after.
“Well then, my lord. Please hand him over.”
“Thank you. Ferentz isn’t shy, so he won’t cause any trouble.”
“If he takes after you, then naturally.”
A faint smile spread across the head maid’s face. It seemed my words brought back memories of Eri’s childhood.
—
Taking advantage of the lull around my mother, I sneaked a little closer.
“Mother, it seems everything went according to plan.”
Upon hearing that, my mother nodded with satisfaction while holding her champagne glass.
I found myself smiling, feeling like I was looking at my mother back in her younger days. The former Lady Marquess was always plotting just like this. While Dad focused on external affairs, Mom secretly managed everything internally.
“Next year, we might get to greet a new little one.”
However, I never expected the schemes from those younger days would be aimed at my daughter and son-in-law.
“That’s quite greedy. You just saw your youngest great-grandchild today, and already you want another one?”
“Seeing such a cute child makes me want another even more.”
It was hard to argue against her logic, so I scratched my beard awkwardly.
“Besides, even if we start preparing now, it’ll still be next year. Who knows if I’ll even be around by then—”
“Please don’t say such things, especially on your birthday. It makes the hearts of those listening uneasy.”
“I’m fine, really.”
After having lived for ten years, perhaps it’s time to stop worrying about perpetually being around.
“In any case, you’re taking good care of our little one, right?”
“The head maid is looking after him, so you can rest easy. Our kids also grew up under the head maid’s care.”
“In that case, it sounds like it’s just you and Eri and your son-in-law left alone.”
“We’ve placed a lot of things in the room.”
Mom’s smile deepened.
“Honestly, I’d like to lock the door from the outside…”
“Oh dear, that wouldn’t do any good. If the continent’s best swordmaster decides to act, this castle would split in half, you know.”
Although my words suggested it would be pointless, I felt a twinge of regret. If only my son-in-law were a tad weaker, I could have locked the door before Mom could mention it.
‘They can’t come out before having a second child.’
Mom’s ambitions. My ambitions. The ambitions of the Masalo family.
To make the most of Eri and her husband’s visit to the Masalo estate, as they make an adorably cute little second child. That was the plan as I temporarily entrusted Ferentz to the head maid and pushed Eri and her husband into a thoroughly prepared room.
Inside, I left food to boost their mood, fragrances and candles to set the atmosphere, and a simple tub for cleaning up. I was sure they would both be satisfied.
‘Since this room is the farthest from the banquet hall, no one should disturb them.’
So here’s hoping they have a lovely night.
Above all else, as a gift for my mother’s 90th birthday, I hope they create something beautiful.
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