266 – System Selection Groom of the Year – 1
New Year Celebration Ceremony. A place where all the titled nobility of the Empire gather before the Emperor and swear allegiance once again. It is grander and splendid than any other event, but it is also a heavy and burdensome seat.
So, although I was curious about the New Year’s celebration, I never wanted to attend. After all, if you inherit the title, you have to go even if you don’t want to go there.
I heard that sometimes there are people who participate voluntarily to expand their personal connections, but even if I become a baron, I just wanted to live comfortably in the estate, so I stayed quiet. My father also understood my feelings, so he didn’t even ask me to come to Jedo.
‘It’s a place like this.’
But this year, I attended the New Year’s celebration. Not with my father’s advice, but with my own will. How surprised my father was when I suddenly said that I wanted to go with him.
No, to be precise, the decision was made after listening to the princess’s words, so should I say it’s the princess’s will?
‘How are you?’
Whether it’s my will or the princess’s will, the result of coming to the New Year’s ceremony for the first time does not change. So now let’s take a look around. If he comes, it’s right that he enjoys it to the fullest.
While I was rolling my eyes here and there thinking about that, something cold suddenly touched my cheek.
“Hey!”
“Aha, are you surprised?”
Shivering, I turned around and saw Irina holding a small glass and smiling.
“You must be thirsty, but drink. I brought you juice, not alcohol, so don’t be burdened.”
Irina handed over the cup supposedly placed on my cheek. It is so cold that it seems that the surface of the glass is even frosted. No matter how warm it is indoors, it’s too much to bring something like that in the middle of winter.
“You can give it normally.”
“I think I’m too distracted.”
She said a little resentful, but she couldn’t bear to deny Irina’s answer with a grin. It was a place she had never intended to come to, but her curiosity was still there. If you turn your eyes, everything you see for the first time, a place you come to for the first time, how can you not be distracted?
It’s not even another place, it’s the imperial palace. The imperial palace that even quite a few aristocrats do not dare to come unless it is for the New Year’s celebration. It’s natural to be curious.
“…Is it that obvious?”
“Yes, very much.”
However, it is embarrassing to look like a ‘girl from the countryside and everything is amazing’ in the eyes of others. Especially since he really came from the countryside.
“I did the same thing earlier. It’s okay because I watched it first.”
She must have read her slightly sullen mind, so Irina smiled lightly and patted my shoulder. She said she was curious and looked around a while ago. She’s used to it now, so it’s okay.
She was sad, but the warm consolation made her even more embarrassed. If you think differently, it means that my appearance was fatal enough to have to comfort you like that.
“I’m glad…”
Still, she couldn’t ignore Irina’s sincerity, so she pretended to be relieved.
…Yes, what caliber is it? I’m here to show her relationship with my brother, not to play.
If looking around is too obvious, don’t look at anything. As I sipped her juice with such determination and fixed my gaze on her, the princess of hers came up to me and placed her hand on her shoulder.
“You can do that when you first come. I did too, so don’t worry too much, Lady Louise.”
“Ah, senior.”
“I’m sorry while you two are hanging out, but please put me in too. It’s boring being over there.”
She seemed to understand why she said she was bored when she looked at the princess’s side. A picture of the adults of three families huddled together. It’s not a composition that even a princess can wear with a light heart.
“That’s why Carl is coming here too.”
At the words of the princess who smiled and pointed to the front, both Irina and I hurriedly looked away.
It’s fast. Iron-blooded workers just left to bring you brother, did you already find and return?
‘It’s not even a small place.’
Although it is indoors, it is by no means a small space. Rather, it belongs to the wide side as it is the place where His Majesty the Emperor gave his New Year’s address. Is it an ability that comes from being a duke to find people so quickly in a place like that?
“…I think it will take a while?”
Irina, who found her brother in the crowd, muttered a little bit nervously.
Belatedly, I also laughed awkwardly when I found my brother. Is it okay to express that it is coming? I think the expression caught is correct.
Brothers making contact with various nobles while passing through the crowds, nobles approaching to say hello to such a brother. Although there was an iron-blooded ball next to it, it was rather a reason for the nobles to approach, not a shield to stop it.
“It can’t be helped. Carl doesn’t get to be seen in society unless he’s like this.”
The princess shrugged her shoulders with pride rather than regret on her face. As if he was proud that his older brother stood at the center of the nobility.
And so am I. It’s because I’m seeing a different side of my brother, a real side that I haven’t seen. My older brother, who is not the adviser of the club, but the head of the inspection department.
A person who is the first to talk to and bow down even to high-ranking nobles who have nothing to envy, a person who is a few years older than me and is respected by others.
‘Wonderful…’
Even just looking at his older brother made his pounding heart beat even more. That’s a real big brother. Not a kind and kind brother, but an aristocratic brother.
I already fell for you, but I think I will fall for you one more time. My mother said that a man who is passionate about his work is cool, so that’s what he meant.
***
Ah, sitpal. Please let’s go
It’s not some kind of Pokemon trainer, it’s just that it jumps at you as soon as you make eye contact. Will you give me money if I fight and win?
“Oh, it’s been a while. I heard that you have been promoted to commander of the Eastern District Army. The kingdoms will not be able to raise their heads at the dignity of your Excellency.”
“I received what you sent me the other day. I would like to repay you, but the Supreme Court Justice is a person who lacks nothing, so I really don’t know what to give.”
“I heard that your son works at the General Headquarters. He’s such a clever friend that even His Excellency Seonggong should keep an eye on him.”
However, if there is a noble enough to talk to me, each one is a nobleman. If you carelessly ignore it or treat it carelessly, the future will twist your whole body because of the aftermath.
Just now. An incumbent magnate like the commander of the district army and the Supreme Court judge. And don’t only the great aristocrats who can raise their voices in the political world talk to them? It’s not even the nobles I’m seeing for the first time, but it’s also a headache to continue the conversation by squeezing memories.
But what can I do? For a smooth and peaceful life as a civil servant, you shouldn’t make enemies.
‘It’s not like a person can live alone.’
A talented person who became a manager at the age of 19. It’s nice to hear, but to be honest, I’m a kid who ignores age and experience and stands above others. No matter how much the crown prince had his will, it cannot be denied that he is a heretic in the political world as well as the administration.
I can wipe out those with dissatisfaction if they make noise, but that is limited to the Inspection Department that I can manage. If you deal with bureaucrats from other departments just because you curse at yourself, you’re just an idiot.
So you should only show your good side. If I had been a maggapa living for my own taste, I would have been beaten up and lost to the crown prince a long time ago. What the prince needs is a hound that hunts according to his words, not a mad dog that barks at everyone.
…Thinking about it, in the end, this hardship is also because of the crown prince.
‘Bastard.’
You bastard that doesn’t help you in life. It’s not particularly surprising.
“It’s embarrassing to receive the consideration of the Inspector General.
And when an aristocrat secretly accepted the request, a keyword that would change the atmosphere suddenly popped up.
“Thank you. This, can I expect a little bit?”
“Of course. I’ll make sure to spend it several times to my satisfaction.”
As soon as he said that, his gaze quickly focused on Ban(G). To the extent that if the gaze had physical force, the hand would have disappeared.
‘It started.’
A bitter smile almost came out of those hot eyes. The aristocrats, who had only been saying hello because they were playing a game of notice, started the engine in earnest.
Anyway, from the viewpoint of the elderly noblemen who even possess titles, isn’t ‘marriage of a son of an aristocrat much younger than them’ an ambiguous topic to bring up first. But another noble mentioned it first? Then it is reasonable to be willing to participate.
“It’s time for the director of the inspection department to have a mate soon. He’s the king of the empire.”
“By the way. Even that pair is Varenti’s treasure.”
The iron-blooded man’s lips twitched at the words that would be vehemently embarrassing if anyone heard them.
Even if the other person didn’t see it, no, even if I pretended not to see it, I saw it… I secretly like that man, Marghetta, who is said to be a treasure.
“Your Excellency, congratulations. Where would you find a son-in-law like the director of the inspection department?”
To the well-timed congratulations, the Iron-Blooded Worker replied bluntly.
“Congratulations to this guy. Where can I find a wife like Marr?”
“hahahaha, so is he. My thoughts were short.”
At the words of his love for his daughter, the nobles around him laughed and agreed. Since he is an iron-blooded soldier who is famous for his family love and love for the youngest, it is natural for him to react like that. Rather, if there had been a different reaction, the noble who congratulated him would have been taken aback.
The important thing is that I didn’t deny that I was a son-in-law. Now, I am part of the Varenti officially recognized by Sangvis.
“I feel the same way. She’s an undeserved wife for me.”
I could see the corner of Sang-Blooded’s mouth go up even more as he quietly added his words.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to have met six such people.”
Even though the words sounded like he was biting a candle, the corners of the iron-blooded man’s mouth did not change.
I’m glad. You don’t care if you have multiple real wives. Although Marghetta is the first to suffer, she seems to be infinitely benevolent when guaranteed.
Okay. He himself has several wives, so being harsh on only me would be too much.
“I’m glad you said that.”
Then, my body froze at the answer that came back very naturally.
“Whoops, but know this. I’m one of six to baby, but baby is only one to me.”
With a very familiar voice, the crowd on the right began to part.
To create the miracle of Moses with his presence is, after all, a duke.
“Baby. How are you?”
As soon as he saw Jonggong Ma smiling, his mouth twitched.
What will happen if I say Beatrix here…?