401 – New Sun – 3
In the history of the Kfellofen Empire, there is no case of a new emperor ascending the throne through abdication.
Thanks to this, rumors are spreading that the Royal Household, which is preparing for the abdication ceremony, is even wrapping its head around the abdication precedents of previous empires. The head of the Imperial Household, who must be acting most desperately, must be resentful of the former minister of the palace who resigned.
However, whether the Ministry of Internal Affairs suffers or not has nothing to do with me, the nominee for the Minister of Supervision. If I had belonged to the military, I would have struggled to maintain perfect peace during the abdication ceremony, and if I had belonged purely to the Ministry of Finance, I would have vomited blood to secure the budget for the abdication – but there is no place for the inspection to intervene in this auspicious event.
So I thought it would be okay to live peacefully at the academy and go up to Seukje Island on the day of the abdication ceremony.
“Carl, how do you like this dress?”
It was the arrogance of forgetting for a moment that my happiness circuit always goes astray.
I looked at the robe that Mar showed me with blank eyes. Of course, during this abdication ceremony, it is said that not only the crown prince’s enthronement as emperor, but also the crown prince’s crown daughter’s installation. As the godfather of Hwang Tae-son, it is an unavoidable fate for me to receive attention on the spot.
That’s why I was sorting out the clothes I would wear a few days before it dried. Where did you get the clothes from? To the extent that the president’s room turned into a dressing room.
Yes, it was like this a few days ago. Days for just one outfit.
“This is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Once I overcame my mental fatigue, I finally opened my mouth. To be honest, in my eyes, everything was there, but if I say this, it will end as soon as possible—
“It’s the clothes I showed you earlier.”
“Sorry.”
He quickly lowered his head. Stupidly caught in a bluff.
But even though I lowered my head, I could feel Mar’s gaze. It is to the point of being afraid that the tingling crown might be staring at you with some kind of emotion.
‘Did I lose my mind too much?’
It was definitely an insensitive reaction even when I thought about it. From Marr’s point of view, since her husband will be appearing in front of the Empire’s nobility and subjects, and furthermore, envoys from all over the continent, she must have wanted to make her look as cool as possible. She wants to make the person she loves nice because it’s an act close to her instinct.
It’s clearly a mistake to show the same reaction while knowing that, but there are some excuses. I, who usually only liked to wear the uniform of the Inspector General, could stay sane when I was choosing a set of clothes for several days. I can last for a day, but more than that.
“Anyway, it would be better to take a break and choose.”
After saying that, Marr sat down on her sofa and gently tapped her own knee.
She seemed to know what it meant, so she cautiously approached and lay down on her Marr’s lap.
‘Good.’
I don’t think any pillow could be softer than this.
“I’m sorry. Didn’t it bother you a lot?”
“No. It was rather fun to choose with Maru.”
She hurriedly replied, holding her spirit in a daze. It’s true that she was mentally tired, but it didn’t bother her. She’s making time for Mardo me and she’s like how could she have that kind of heart.
At that reply, he let out a dry laugh and began stroking my hair gently.
“My father and older brother were both bothered when this happened. So you can be honest.”
“…Not bothersome, but a little tiring.”
At her sincere answer, Mardo gave a deep smile as if she was satisfied.
By the way, your father-in-law and older brother were also weak in this situation. I’m glad I’m not being rude.
“To be honest, I felt a little frustrated when I saw my father and older brother wearing them. It would be really cool if I paid a little more attention to it, but I wear anything I usually wear, saying it’s comfortable.”
I almost nodded my head inadvertently. The clothes I always wore were comfortable and nice.
“That’s why I wanted to decorate the sword. It’s probably the same for the sword.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just rolled my eyes, then leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“Sorry for being greedy. Carl is the best in the world no matter what he wears, but I forgot about that.”
“Mar is also the most beautiful.”
When she returned the rather embarrassing compliment, she burst out laughing as if it wasn’t so repulsive.
“Is it single or joint?”
“…Probably jointly…”
At those words, Mar’s laughter grew even louder.
What kind of bizarre situation is this to have to attach the premise that complimenting a lover’s appearance is also common.
It is the day when the Golden Ball is respected.
To put it to shame that he had suffered for several days, he decided to go out wearing the uniform of the inspector general during the abdication ceremony. No matter how much I am the godfather of the future crown princess, my status is still a civil servant.
Besides, when a public official wears extravagant clothes instead of a neat uniform at a national event, especially an event where the imperial family is the main character, it’s kind of like that.
– Gee, I should have made a uniform for the Minister of Inspection in advance. I was so indifferent
“How can a mere nominee wear the minister’s clothes?
He responded calmly to the prince’s provocation as natural as breathing. If it was normal, I would have felt the pain from the depths of my heart, but the soon-to-be emperor was a minister, so even if I teased him, no damage would come.
No, how can a person become an emperor? A role that is ultimately responsible for all affairs of the empire?
‘Ugh.’
Just imagining it gives me goosebumps. I can’t do that.
– As expected, he is humble. It is not enough to say that the minister is a role model for many ministers.
“That’s too much praise, Your Highness.”
The prince hurriedly ended the conversation, as if that thought had entered his eyes without even realizing it.
It seems that he figured out that he would be at a loss if he continued with this topic. Anyway, the eyes are fast.
– If I receive the crown from His Majesty the Father, the grandson of the crown prince will also be installed as the crown princess and at the same time become the Grand Duke of Kavaschleitz. During the installation, Hwang Tae-son should be held by the minister, the godfather.
“It is indeed an honor, Your Highness.”
The prince, who changed the subject like that, mentioned the schedule for the grandson. If the crown prince, who is about to ascend the throne, would contact me, it would of course be about the grandson. Expected
Anyway, Grand Duke Kavasleitz. Although it is a title only in name without a domain, unlike the dazzling title of grand duke, considering that it is a title held by an heir to the throne, it can be said to be a very noble title.
That’s why I had complicated feelings. I am in my early 20s, Imperial Baek, and the crown prince in my late 20s is on the verge of becoming emperor. It would be hard for us to bear the weight of the name, as we rolled as we wished, but the baby who hadn’t even welcomed his first birthday took the name of heir to the throne.
‘It’s a very heavy burden.’
It’s a pity. From the moment you were born as an imperial descendant, becoming the heir to the throne and becoming the emperor was a natural procedure——but the speed was too fast. However, if the appointment of the crown princess was delayed, that would be a problem.
– …I believe that the Minister will be able to protect the Crown Prince.
The prince, who was silent for a while, opened his mouth in a low voice. Please hold and protect the prince who will be crowned as the crown princess in my arms.
However, the crown prince is not simply asking for protection during the appointment ceremony. Because he was worried about the weight that a young prince like me would have to carry, he must be asking to protect the prince, who would have a hard time because of that weight, as his godfather.
“Yes, I will.”
He nodded without hesitation toward the prince. He is praying for longevity every day for ten days to the crown prince, but he has no regrets for the crown prince. Rather, he should be seen as having his own affection and responsibility as a godfather.
I’ve only seen the crown prince a few times, but he will have an overwhelmingly long time to take care of him throughout his life.
***
Preparations for the abdication ceremony proceeded quickly. The former Minister of the Imperial Household, who had resigned, had taken care of some of them, and the Ministry of Finance had been preparing in advance, so it was easy to secure the budget.
As expected, it was right to show signs of abdication in advance. If I had started preparing now, the work might not have been completed until next year.
‘Is this the end now?’
I put down the report that the head of the Imperial Household Department had put down and stood up.
The end is coming. Just vaguely, what I thought was my mission was over now that everything was over is coming true.
‘I did it.’
I approached the window and looked down at the imperial palace. A panoramic view of the vast and majestic imperial palace came into view, and the appearance of the island in the distance came into view.
When I first stood here, the imperial palace and the system were so dull. He was dying quietly without any hope.
But not anymore. Now the Empire can go forward with hope—
“Mmm.”
I let out a little saliva because of the headache that came back. Headaches, which have become more and more frequent as I get older, show no signs of getting better.
‘Hold on.’
I closed my eyes while repeating that to myself. Now it’s really, really final. There is no need to carry on alone anymore, and there is no need to rush forward, so you just have to endure a little bit.
After a little, very little time, you can take off everything and come down. Then this headache will leave me too.
‘…Leave.’
I opened my eyes softly and looked away.
Still looking out the window, but turned it around a bit. Not in front, but in the direction of the National Cemetery. To the place where there is someone who left me too soon.
After staring in that direction for a while, I closed my eyes again. As an emperor, I have no right to dare to long for it. Emperor Eimankar XVI, who is not a human Corvus, dares not deserve it.
No, maybe the human corvus is the same.
‘I’ll see you soon.’
Nevertheless, I had that thought in mind. If it was Corvus who had descended from the throne, if he was a non-emperor, wouldn’t it be okay to go see him?
I dare to think that way.
“Your Majesty.”
In the meantime, the voice of the vice-captain of the Imperial Knights was heard outside the door.
…Yes, it’s not quite over yet. You shouldn’t be weak already.
“Come in.”
I am still—I am the emperor.
He is an emperor who should not harbor personal feelings.