264 – New Year’s Celebration – 4
The steps are heavy. You become aware of your in-breath and out-breath and begin to rest. Even the position of the tongue makes you think about where to put it. Horrible. Why did Enen give you such an ordeal?
It was a happy time until a few hours ago. She was able to meet her precious daughter after a long time, and even attended the New Year’s ceremony together. She is able to go with her daughter to an event that she would not have been able to recommend because at the age of a young teenager, it could be boring and heavy.
How can it be fun? Although participation has a purpose other than spending time with family, it is only a minor matter. No, I can’t even call it a problem. If the purpose is her daughter’s love, she can gladly respond. The only remaining daughter said that he would love her, but what could he not do as a father?
I didn’t know that I would have such hardships as soon as I started.
“It’s the first time I’ve entered with another family. It’s a different feeling.”
“Yes, yes. Me too.”
I tried my best not to look at the side, but I couldn’t ignore it when the duke opened his mouth.
I still feel dizzy. You are an iron-blooded person. Walking side by side with one of the Dukes. Isn’t that too harsh a punishment for a mediocre baron?
‘Is it fortunate though?’
I thought of Louise, who was following with his wife from behind. It was an unexpected punishment from my point of view, but considering Louise’s point of view, it was fortunate. It meant that the relationship between Louise and the princess was so good that the iron-blooded worker pretended to know the baron family.
To be honest, I was very worried. When Louise put on the ring and smiled happily, she was happy as well, but to the point that she seriously contemplated whether to stop it after hearing that the person she had in mind was the head of the inspection department. No matter how much I live in the territory, I know at least the news of the social circle. The youngest daughter of Iron Blood and the man that Prince Ma Jong fell in love with. A miracle man with two dukes on either side. And how surprised she was when she said that Louise would be in the middle.
If it’s rather disregard, it’s a good ending if Louise’s love is frustrated through that disregard. In the worst case, the two dukes might express their anger, saying that the baron’s daughter dared to get involved. Not only does love fail, but Louise’s future is also bleak.
“It’s okay. My older brother has already accepted my heart. Seniors have also supported me.”
However, when I saw the face that I truly fell in love with, I couldn’t stop it. After Hilda left a long way because of her inexperienced parents, wasn’t it Louise who secretly drew a line in her relationships with people? Louise is finally erasing that line, so what shame can she stop?
No matter what the hell happened, the youngest daughter of the Iron Blood Ball is said to be on good terms with Louise to the point of cheering her on.
‘As long as Louise likes it, I don’t care.’
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Louis’s happiness, princess’s support. Then it’s harder to come up with reasons to object. In the first place, Louise, who had built a wall in her heart, was willing to tolerate the person she truly loved even if she was a commoner.
…I never thought of a case where a problem arises because the status is too high, not below. Originally, aristocratic marriages tended to be between those of a somewhat similar level.
“Here they come. I think they found us.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
The Iron Blood Ball looked around and fixed his gaze on one spot to see if he had found anything. I instinctively answered without knowing who the iron-blooded worker had found—
‘Oh my God.’
My body froze as soon as I saw the young man in a black robe and the five people following him one after another.
I’ve never seen them in person, but with that appearance and that composition, it’s pretty obvious what kind of people they are.
***
As expected, the people who entered with Sang-Blood Ball were the Naiad family. The blond man who was suddenly punished for walking side by side with the duke was Louise’s father, Baron Artini.
“His Excellency is too kind. Wearing it next to him would put a lot of pressure on the baron.”
My eyes naturally went to the words of the minister next to me as if he was muttering regretfully.
‘What a conscience.’
The words “Is that what you’re going to say?” Lingered in my mouth. It’s too much to have a duke next to you, but isn’t it too much to have Treasury Department executives rushing behind the inspector general?
I was definitely going to say hello by myself, but without fail, this old figure party came pouring in like an RPG party. There is no demon king, so why are you walking around like this? Please turn off everyone
“Sorry to say hello now. I should have contacted you earlier.”
“hahahaha, no. Aren’t you busy doing national affairs?”
Anyway, Baron Atini, surrounded by the duke on his side and the Treasury officers in front, has trembling pupils and a pulsating heart. Unlike Count Flanbell, who had resistance to high-ranking nobles, Baron Attini was an ordinary local lord.
How can I hold on to that figure? Soon he said that His Majesty the Emperor would come and greet him again, and he moderately parted ways. Seeing as the Baron quickly nodded at that, he must have wanted to escape. Of course, Sang-blooded people didn’t have to talk for a long time, probably because they had eaten and slept together at Ulken a while ago.
‘It’s not just one day anyway.’
The New Year’s celebration does not end after one or two days. At most, titled nobles gathered from all over the empire, but isn’t it strange to ask them to go back as soon as they arrive?
There is a lot of time to say goodbye. After the emperor’s New Year’s address, the schedule after that is actually banquet, banquet, banquet, banquet, banquet.
“Why don’t you go with me?”
While watching the bizarre combination of duke + baron that is so far away, the minister sneakily opened his mouth.
“It’s okay. Having the director of the inspection department next to the duke would attract attention.”
It was a remark that casually sent his men to death, so he quickly shook his head.
And if I’m in that position now, it’s like I’m interfering with family time. I don’t know if it’s a skinny ride, Louise is meeting his family after a long time, so I need to give him time to enjoy himself. It’s not like I don’t have a chance to see it now.
“I see. The baron will die if his eyes are drawn any further.”
I nodded at those words.
I don’t know what kind of person the current baron is in the original because Louise only saw the part where he was a little kid, but at least the baron in the past was an ordinary, easy-going, caring father and lord, as if drawn in a painting. He’s not competent, but he’s not greedy either. If that tendency continues to this day, the baron will die.
It makes my hands tremble even though the only son-in-law is the head of the inspection department. I want to live a peaceful life because I am not greedy, but I am unintentionally involved with power?
I know the pain and sadness well. Aren’t I also experiencing it in real time?
‘…Can I say hello?’
I wonder if the baron will avoid me even after the New Year’s speech.
Aristocrats scattered throughout the open area of the Imperial Palace gathered in one place. Because the emperor’s New Year’s speech begins soon.
It is said that the heavenly emperor himself greets those below him. Then the lower ones should take care of themselves and gather in front of the emperor, and they dare not make the emperor wait or wander around.
“It’s more splendid than last year.”
“Last year was frugal. Originally, this is normal.”
More open areas than last year, decorations you didn’t see before, and more articles than last time.
I asked the minister because at a glance I could see that he had put more effort into it than last year, but the answer came back saying that it was not that he had put in more effort, but that he was getting it back.
“Now I’m showing off that I’ve completely shaken off the scars of war and strife.”
The added words inadvertently reminded me of Dorgon, who boasts a crazy presence in the north, but I pushed it beyond his memory.
It is true that the Empire is regaining its pre-war capabilities, apart from the existence of that bastard. No, rather, I have to show off like this so the nobles won’t think about Dorgon’s existence. Even if they reappear, they will have faith that the Empire will easily overcome them.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Every money thing has a reason. If you can buy authority and dignity with money, it’s a business that makes more money…
As I stared blankly toward the platform where the emperor would come out, the door opened and the minister of the palace came out first. I’ll start now
“Aristocrats who follow the Mandate of Heaven, kneel!”
The minister of the palace who appeared before the emperor took out something like a scroll from his bosom and shouted in a loud voice. It was difficult to think of an old man.
Anyway, the nobles knelt down and bowed their heads in unison at the cry of the Minister of the Imperial Household. In this situation, the only one who would not kneel would be a traitor.
“The descendant of Eimanka the Great, who received the protection of Enen and established the Mandate of Heaven, the owner of Livnoman who protects the Mandate of Heaven, and the only legitimate and only emperor of Kfelopen! King Tiraf, Groten, Ratia, Prunian, King of Galan! Duke of Itiruna, Hanten, Nigal, Raum, Reneu! Marquess of Crota, Phelen, Liciuta, Pulu, Urehn, Nichenova, Norman, Palenbahn, Neusten! Nasa, Letharon, Count of Siran, Granoe, and Winius! Lord of Dova, Kandalen, Fedun, Wiridia, Camorra, Trepole, Ver, Izuna, and Noden! Owner of countless other territories, patron of the Imperial Academy, and knights. The owner of the field, an ally of a different race—”
After confirming that the nobles were on their knees, the minister of the palace quickly recited the emperor’s title. In fact, I wonder if it’s okay to just be called ‘Emperor Emperor’, but I can’t help it because the titles and positions that I wear are a way to show off my overwhelming superiority over other nobles.
Besides, it’s a tradition that has been going on since the time of Aimanka the Great, so it can’t be changed, and it’s not a tradition that’s so damaging that it’s unreasonable to change it…
‘…Did it decrease?’
But something is strange. Compared to last year, the minister of the Ministry of the Interior is shorter.
What is it? Didn’t you hear that the titles were abolished? But there’s no way I’ll skip some titles and call them now.
‘Ah.’
I realized it belatedly. If the emperor’s title has decreased, the reason is obvious.
‘It was right on time.’
I handed it over to the crown prince.
Once I realized that fact, I suddenly felt at ease. It couldn’t be more comfortable to think that the youngster’s work has increased.
Ugh, that would be nice. Since I was appointed and the estates were piled up, my wallet would never run dry.
Even if I inherit it, it’s only about one imperial hundred and a few barons.
Ah! I’m so jealous!
this old people really like tebaggging