437 – Putting myself before others – 1
During this New Year’s celebration, it was impossible to stay in one place or hide in a corner. It was quite possible during the time of Inspector General Carl Crasius, but as the faction leader, Count Tyglehen, it was something he had to avoid.
The great lords of the North have gathered under me because they want connections with mainland nobles, a presence in central politics, and a position in social circles. In such a situation, the so-called faction leader is muttering? It is as obvious as fire that the northern faction will explode with brilliant light.
And fortunately, I had quite a few nobles to introduce to my faction members.
“There has been a lot of emptiness due to the vacant position of the Marquis, but now order has been established.”
“I am a poor person who has received undeserved honor from His Majesty Sang-tae. Please give me a lot of advice.”
“hahahaha, don’t worry. I’m not a man so heartless that I’m cold towards someone who is my son-in-law’s close friend.”
The fifth father-in-law, the Marquis Iones, who immediately greeted the Marquis of Barandiga warmly, was one of the nobles I could easily introduce. It’s not unusual for a faction member to form a friendly relationship with the faction leader’s father-in-law.
Even the fifth father-in-law seemed to want to become friendly with the newly born marquis. I don’t know the details, but it seems like there is a subtle factional fight even among the marquis. In fact, it would be even more strange if noblemen of the marquis level would just laugh hahahaha.
‘This year will be enough.’
Anyway, I took a step back and looked at my father-in-law who was getting to know the faction members.
From noble mtl dot com
The Iron Blood Prince, the leader of the Eastern faction and the only border manager at the moment, the Marquis Iones, who is competing for first and second place among the thirteen marquis of the empire, and the Count Flambel, a key figure in the Golden Ball faction, and the splendid prince since becoming my father-in-law. Even Baron Nayard is attracting attention.
Okay, this is enough for now. You need to build your network step by step, but if you suddenly increase your network, you will end up getting confused about who is who. In that case, it is much better to be strangers.
“What are you doing alone?”
“Ah, father-in-law.”
While I was watching the social gathering in a daze, my first father-in-law approached me and spoke to me.
“You are leaving your subordinates to the craftsmen and resting alone. You have already learned how to manipulate others.”
“Wouldn’t it be troublesome if you intervened and only obscured the dignity of your father-in-law?”
“Your mouth is still flashy.”
My father-in-law snorted slightly at the subtle flattery, but fortunately he did not seem offended.
As expected, after becoming a family member, he became calmer quickly. But the thieves who have kicked their precious youngest daughters and the youngest daughter who have taken the youngest daughter are not different. You may hate both, but the latter is probably a love/hate thing in its own way.
“Anyway, you’ve had a lot of trouble. This year’s New Year’s wedding will end with just some matchmaking here and there.”
I just smiled awkwardly at the next words. The matchmaking that my father-in-law just mentioned was about meeting faction members and my father-in-law, but it was also about Ainter and Shati.
After the New Year’s address, Ainter immediately approached the Northern faction and exchanged light greetings with the faction members. He must have already heard what the emperor said, and she had a particularly long conversation with Shati.
Of course, it was a relatively long one, so we only exchanged greetings, and the expressions on the faces of the two people who were getting married were very ordinary, but—if you are an astute noble, you would have already noticed it a long time ago. Those two are a strategically connected couple.
‘There’s no way you wouldn’t know.’
Honestly, this is not a matter of being quick or not. Among the Northern faction members, the Marquis of Barandiga was the only one who brought his daughter with him, and the royal family member who had just received the title of marquis spoke to the daughter of the Marquis of Barandiga. If you have even a speck of intelligence as a noble, you should know what’s going on right away.
That’s why my father-in-law also gave me consolation rather than consolation. If a faction member became the partner for an arranged marriage with a member of the royal family, there is a very high probability that the faction leader would act as an matchmaker.
“My work is done. I must leave the future work to heaven.”
“Is that so? Thank goodness.”
Her father-in-law, who nodded his head calmly, soon opened his mouth in a curt manner.
“Then mind your own marriage now. Don’t just wander around somewhere else.”
“…Of course. Of course it should be so.”
I was taken aback for a moment because the words were so direct, but I quickly came to my senses.
She often told her father-in-law that she would get married once Mar graduated. However, her future son-in-law, who is about to get married, is wasting his time doing other things, let alone preparing for his daughter’s marriage. From her father-in-law’s perspective, it is not surprising that she is upset.
‘How long has it progressed?’
And she quietly shook her head, not at the reprimand but at her own reprimand. Actually, I am not preparing for the wedding myself. I was also in the academy not long ago, so what can I prepare for?
Instead, her mother was preparing with all her might.
– Since it is the first daughter-in-law of the family, it is natural for the hostess to prepare. Don’t worry, leave it to me.
A long time ago, not even knowing when, she had willingly left the wedding preparations to her mother’s loud words. There is nothing particularly strange about the hostess’s justification for hosting her family’s auspicious event.
The only variable was the intervention of the Varenti family, and Mar’s mother also entrusted this marriage to the Crasius family. I heard that she will cover half of the cost of preparation after the work is completed. To be honest, I think she should have paid the full amount instead of half. It is unlikely that the dukedom will pay a thorough Dutch fee in sending their daughter off in marriage.
‘I guess it’s almost over.’
After thinking about it for a while, she quickly came to a conclusion. Her mother was the person who conducted the affairs of her family on behalf of her father, a member of the Imperial Council. As far as her marriage preparations go with her motivation, she should have entered the final stage without difficulty.
Besides, her expression wasn’t bright when she went to the estate not long ago. If she was having trouble preparing, she would look dark or tell me a long time ago.
An emergency light went on in her mother’s smooth wedding preparations.
“Your Majesty, I apologize for telling you, but I was so afraid of your majesty that I could not properly open my ears.”
On the last day of her New Year’s ceremony, she was summoned by the emperor and while they were having a meal together, he heard her say something strange.
That’s why she instinctively denied it. Either what I heard was wrong, or the emperor was joking. She barely opened her mouth with such a glimmer of hope in her mouth.
“Geez, I should have at least said it after the meal was over. I put a burden on the minister for no reason.”
I glanced at the emperor, who was smiling slightly, and silently glanced at the hand holding the knife.
No, let’s calm down. If you throw this away, there is no taking it back.
“I heard that the Minister will be getting married soon, so how about holding it at St. Paronas Cathedral? Since it is an auspicious event for the Crasius and Varenti families, it would be appropriate to do so.”
However, his hands were shaking as he continued to confirm kills without hesitation. Do you think it has to be that level to be worthy?
‘It’s not right.’
It’s far too much, you bastard.
I was left speechless by the unexpected venue rental. Saint Paronas Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Ausien. It is the highest cathedral among all the cathedrals that exist in the empire, and it is a place with tremendous history and authority. How dare the emperor also hold an abdication ceremony there.
Of course, St. Paronas Cathedral is the place where the abdication ceremony was held, not the only place where the abdication ceremony was held. If you look through history, you will find precedents for using it for other reasons.
And one of the precedents is that Emperor Eimanca bestowed the title of Duke to five people who contributed greatly to the founding of the empire.
‘Is this really crazy?’
A wedding held at the place where the emperor and the duke were born. As an honor given to a subject, it is not only an honor, but it is also scary.
“From now on, show off your power and show greed.”
Then, I suddenly remembered what Jeon Seung-gong had said.
Surely Jeon Seung-gong already knew? Was this a warning to prepare your mind because the emperor would do something crazy?
‘Let me tell you in a little more detail.’
For the first time, I harbored a small resentment towards Jeon Seung-gong.
If you had told me in advance, I would have prepared…
***
After the New Year’s wedding, Carl returned to the mansion and lay down on the bed, hugging me.
It was a warm hug, but it was embarrassing at the same time. At first glance, Karl’s expression looked quite complicated, and he didn’t even have the smile or kiss that usually comes with a hug.
It seems like something is happening. He seemed somewhat lethargic after eating with His Majesty the Emperor, but something must have happened then.
‘What’s going on?’
But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t figure out anything. There is no way His Majesty, who trusts Karl, would have said something bad about Karl, and even if he had, he wouldn’t have said it at a meal.
‘…No way.’
Then I remembered that there was a delegation scheduled to head to the Kingdom of Armain soon. What if His Majesty trusts Karl so much that he includes him in the delegation? What if Carl has to leave for another country soon?
When he came to that thought, his hand holding the sword tightened.
‘No.’
That is absolutely not acceptable. She barely manages to get married to Carl, but the groom, Carl, is away for her? Even if you leave today, you can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to return before spring?
I bit my lip as a flood of sadness came over me. He wishes it weren’t so, but once he has his doubts, he continues to lean towards it.
“Hey, Carl.”
“Huh?”
That’s why he mustered up the courage to open his mouth. I hope Carl will relieve my anxiety. I hope Carl doesn’t leave right before the wedding.
“By any chance, something happened, yo?”
But I couldn’t completely drive out the tension, so I ended up stuttering.
“…That…”
It was embarrassing, but it was not noticeable as Carl sighed softly. I wonder if I’m so embarrassed right now that the wedding I’ve been waiting for for so many years has now been postponed.
“Our wedding.”
When the word wedding came out of Karl’s mouth, his heart started pounding.
No way, right? Probably not. It won’t be acting.
‘Please.’
For a moment, my vision became blurry. Before I knew it, tears welled up in my eyes─
“I think it should be posted at St. Paronas Cathedral.”
“…Yes?”
“His Majesty recommended that we hold the wedding in the cathedral. If we hold the wedding there, all kinds of stories will come out, but I am worried that it will be a burden to Mar.”
As soon as I heard those words, I blinked blankly.
So, it wasn’t a matter of postponing the wedding… It was just a matter of changing the venue?
“Mar, Mar?”
In response to the feeling of resentment that followed, I lightly pinched Karl’s back.
‘It doesn’t matter where…’
The location doesn’t really matter. Because if I can marry Karl, I can do it with a smile even if it’s in an ordinary family’s home.
Even the St. Paronas Cathedral is where the great emperor personally crowned the first empress after establishing the empire. It is the best place that symbolizes eternal and noble love.
‘I guess I only thought about it politically.’
Karl probably didn’t know about such romantic elements and only remembered the precedent of the coronation ceremony and the birth of dukes. It’s obvious considering Carl’s personality.
“Isn’t it burdensome as expected? Even now, Your Majesty—”
“I definitely do it there. I don’t like going anywhere else.”
“…Yes.”
I resolutely cut off Karl’s words, which were oblivious.
Until now, it didn’t matter where the location was, but now that it’s like this, it would be unfair if it wasn’t a cathedral.