110 – Episode 109
Arrival at Hams Port and then take a carriage to Wynne.
“Your brother-in-law’s Grand Duchy has a very different atmosphere from Roman’s, doesn’t it?”
Compared to the Roman Empire, which has many richly decorated buildings made of marble, the buildings of the Grand Duchy are unattractive.
In the Grand Duchy, buildings other than churches are mainly made of wood or cement and the exterior is not decorated, so the plaster is visible as is.
“Right? Roman is a city with a long history, right? “The Grand Duchy has been established for less than 500 years at most?”
Joey nods his head at what I say and looks at Theodora.
“But sister. So she becomes the Grand Duchess while her older sister is the Emperor?”
At those words, Theodora nods her head, looking at my face.
“I guess so?”
“I’m not saying it would be so, Grand Duchess.”
Here, the most senior title is officially written first, and subsequent titles are omitted.
Officially, Theodora holds the title of emperor and several kingdoms, duchies, and counties, and because she is my wife, she also serves as the grand duchess of the grand duchy.
“Is that so?”
The laws on titles and positions here are complicated, so the elders of the family usually inform their successors, so Theodora may not know.
As Theodora nodded her head slightly at her words, her mother-in-law looked at her and said.
“Oh my… Terra, don’t you know much about titles yet?”
My mother-in-law nodded slightly at those words.
“I see. “Because women don’t usually receive this kind of education.”
Because it’s so complicated.
There are quite a few cases where it is so complicated that it is absurd.
In fact, in the past, wars often broke out because of titles, titles, and positions.
Someone has a certain title, but the title is inherited only through male inheritance, so there are a variety of reasons, such as claiming that the original title owner’s maternal grandchildren cannot inherit the title, or some titles even include passing rivers. As a result, a war broke out.
War broke out so frequently that the Imperial Diet even made a law stating that war can only be waged with the permission of the Imperial Diet.
And this is not the end, it is still in progress.
Although there were attempts by the Imperial Council to prevent territory wars, there were quite a few cases in which wars were started first and allowed later for various reasons and excuses.
There are also examples where each side claims that the other started the war first…
Anyway, it is not easy to learn because the titles, titles, and areas are so complex.
“It would be better to learn it now. “Your father also had a hard time because of the title law.”
Theodora asked with a surprised expression.
“Your father?”
“That’s right. This is because the laws and customs applicable to each region are different. A lot of things happen that are difficult to understand. Not only that, the emperor must remain neutral on the surface, but he cannot avoid intervention.”
I nod my head at those words.
The position of emperor is a position that carries with it many rights and responsibilities.
Unlike me and Theodora, the former emperor, who maintained a stable power, also had a hard time. It seems that the future ahead of me and Theodora is not bright.
While we were talking…
-Squeak.
The carriage finally stopped.
-Knock knock!
[Arrived. Your majesty.]
We heard a voice calling us across the door, and as soon as the carriage door opened, the purple carpet on the floor caught our eye.
I give my hand to Theodora, who is about to get off the carriage first.
Her hand is placed directly on top of mine.
“We sincerely welcome the visit of His Majesty the Emperor!”
Soldiers and officials inspected at the Grand Duke’s palace.
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And…
Mary, whom I haven’t seen in a long time, is standing in the very center of them.
She, wearing a red and black dress, smiles softly as she looks at me and Theodora.
“Princess Mary. “I am truly grateful for your hospitality.”
Once Mary and Theodora’s greetings were over.
“Oppa. Long time no see?”
I say this as I look at my younger sister, who smiles a little more maturely at me.
“I feel like I’ve become a bit more adult since we haven’t seen each other?”
I used to feel like a child and I still feel like a child now, but what can I say?
I feel like I have become an adult.
“Of course. “I too will soon become an adult.”
I nod my head at those words.
“Yes, you are an adult now.”
Mary will soon turn 20.
As I remember her appearance when she was first born, I feel like time has passed quickly.
“What are you talking about as if you lived your whole life?”
I smile and say to Mary, who speaks bluntly as if she is dissatisfied with her appearance.
“I just remembered the old days. Ah… Would you please take Theodora and the imperial family with me?”
I continue as I see Mary and Theodora making puzzled looks at my words.
“I want to say hello to my mother.”
Within. After seeing the two people nod as if they understood what I said, I headed to the mausoleum in the Grand Duke’s Palace.
***
The Ryan family mausoleum is located in the basement of the Grand Duke’s Palace.
Everyone with the last name Ryan is buried here, unless there are special cases.
A round building made of pure white marble.
It is an ideal building with a large bronze dome on top.
Once inside, pass the statue of Pippin Ryan, the founder of the Ryan family, and go down the stairs in the center.
-Growling…
Continue down to the basement by following the torches placed here and there.
How far did it go?
Arrive at the last floor and follow the passage in the very center.
Let’s walk along the path where the light of the torch softly shines through the darkness here and there…
I soon see a piece of white marble and stop there.
I make the sign of the cross while looking at the statue of a woman who looks to be in her 30s and two baby angels standing next to her.
She closes her eyes, seeing that her mother’s grave, which she visits after a long time, is no different from the memory of her last visit.
Mother… I am here.
It’s been quite a while, right?
Are you living comfortably there with your brothers?
I am living a hard life, busy with work every day.
While she was not here, she became a grand duke and got married, as her mother said.
I’m telling you in advance because you may be wondering who my wife is.
Don’t be surprised…
My wife is the emperor of the empire.
Thanks to her, she is busy day after day, running an empire that she doesn’t even know about.
My kind and wise mother is there because of me, so it is not that difficult to think that I am living to wash away my karma.
No, actually, it is very difficult.
The capital of the empire is colder than you think.
Everyone only cares about their own interests and has no interest in the well-being of the empire and its people.
hahahaha… I feel like I’m complaining to my mother when I say this, so I’ll just end it here.
Ah! And now Mary is getting married soon.
You may not know this, but she is now marrying her dear friend Agrippa.
I can feel her emotions rising again at the thought of that childish boy of hers getting married.
I think the nephew born between them will probably become the next grand duke.
It would be terrible if her nephew took over Mary’s ugly and simple hair…
I believe in Agrippa’s head that there will be at least a head.
-Trud…
That time when I was reminiscing and telling her mother about recent events.
The sound of someone’s footsteps is heard.
Look. When I was reaching my mother. Judging from what he has shown, it looks like he is not a nobleman.
Thinking of that, I smile and turn around.
“Mary, the people of the imperial family are well… Huh? Theodora? What’s the matter?”
I definitely thought Mary would come. When did Theodora change her clothes? She feels puzzled because she is wearing a black dress and holding a large bouquet of flowers in both her hands.
“I also want to say hello to my mother.”
“Okay… Come here.”
At my words, Theodora moves in her stride and places flowers on her mother’s altar and stands next to me.
She sees that she is standing next to me and she soon speaks with her lips, not her heart.
“Mother. “This is my wife, whom I told you about a moment ago.”
When she saw Theodora saying that, she bowed her head and said.
“My name is Theodora Augusta. Mother.”
I say this with pride as I look at her like that.
“Mom, aren’t you so pretty? “She is reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the empire.”
As she says that, she looks at her mother’s statue.
“I am busy, but somehow I am doing well. My mother gets along well with older brothers Rohan and Roden. “I’ll just leave.”
There is a little more I want to say, but…
Then there will be no end.
Now that Theodora has come, she has decided to cut down on her words.
“Honey, may I also say hello to your mother?”
At those words, I nod her head.
“Mother. Forgive your daughter-in-law for not giving her greetings until several months after her marriage.”
Theodora’s words begin like that.
“Actually, the start of our married life was not that good. When he first proposed to me. “They took my family hostage and threatened me.”
Huh…?
I never expected him to say this so blatantly in front of his mother, so I feel like I got hit on the head with a hammer.
“But now I have fallen in love with him and we live happily every day and get along well.”
If the next words hadn’t come out, I might have covered her mouth.
“After seeing my mother like this, I am thankful that he is handsome and resembles my mother. “If he looked like Valorant, he would be ugly.”
Seeing Theodora speaking with a slight smile brings a smile to my face.
“He is an upright person who is sincere and has a strong sense of responsibility. “I sincerely respect my mother, who raised and disciplined me to become that kind of person.”
Theodora continues by saying that.
“If we have a child in the future, I will raise him to be a great son like his mother.”
After that, she said some nonsense to her mother.
How am I doing in Roman? That is, if you even bring up trivial matters.
“At that time. “It broke my heart to see him cry.”
I shake my head and say to her as she brings up the story of the last time she cried after drinking.
“Theodora… stop… stop and let’s go up now.”
She tells my words to her mother.
“Look. You feel so embarrassed when I tell you that I cried, right? “Isn’t it cute, Mom?”
I say those words with a sense of shame.
“Mother. It’s been a while since I came to the Grand Duke’s Palace, so I’ll come again next time. “Please rest well.”
Let’s say that and take Theodora’s hand…
“Oh… Wait a minute. “There are things I haven’t done yet.”
I sigh at her words.
“No… What else are you going to do?”
At my words, Theodora took out flowers one by one that were beautifully placed on her altar…
He places it on the altar of Rohan and Roden.
“My uncles, I couldn’t say hello to him because he kept making me fuss, but I am his wife. “I will come back to say hello later.”
Theodora said that and then she looked at me and smiled brightly.
“Ha… But. “When did you prepare the flowers?”
Theodora speaks as if she were interrogating me.
“Of course, this is my first time meeting my mother. I need to bring flowers. But didn’t you prepare flowers?”
Hearing those words, I shyly scratch my head and say.
“Ugh… I forgot.”
“Ugh… Idiot. “I heard you’re always indifferent at times like this.”
I had nothing to say to that, so I shook my head, and she grabbed my arm and crossed her arms.
“But what kind of person was your mother?”
I answer her question and walk out of the mausoleum.