Ch.301Chapter 301 – Even an Emperor is Powerless as a Father

After officially beginning our relationship, Karen and I parted ways after finishing our meal.

Since our relationship hadn’t been officially announced yet, we decided it would be best not to be seen together to avoid unnecessary gossip.

For safety’s sake, we simply waved goodbye to each other when parting.

Well, whatever the case, I decided to enjoy this situation now. Who was it that said? If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.

But the next morning, an unexpected visitor came to my lodgings.

When I opened the door, two people in full armor bearing the imperial crest stood there.

I knew exactly who they were. Knights of the Imperial Guard who protect the Emperor at close range.

“Marquis Pathos Severio. His Imperial Majesty summons you. Please come with us.”

When the words “His Imperial Majesty” left their lips, I instinctively knew.

The news about Karen and me had reached the Emperor.

I had only one wish: if he was going to kill me, I hoped he would mercifully end it with an aura blade.

I headed to the Imperial Palace in the carriage prepared by the imperial household.

“His Imperial Majesty is waiting. Let’s go in.”

Entering the palace with the two Imperial Knights, I was immediately escorted to the Emperor’s office.

The two knights, apparently having completed their task of bringing me here, turned and walked away.

Following imperial protocol, I straightened my clothes and knocked on the large golden door of the office with its heavy door knocker.

—Knock, knock.

After the heavy, dry sound echoed a couple of times, I heard movement from beyond the door.

“Open the door and enter. I grant you permission.”

Since His Imperial Majesty had granted me permission to enter, I opened the door and went inside.

I had been here before, but the Emperor’s office was truly covered with documents everywhere.

Processing all those documents would certainly require the stamina of at least a Sword Master.

“Ah, you’ve arrived? Please, sit down.”

His Imperial Majesty gestured toward a guest sofa when he saw me arrive.

I sat on the sofa he indicated, and soon the Emperor rose from his desk and sat across from me.

“Well then. What should I call you? Marquis Severio? Or perhaps thief, or even son-in-law?”

His Imperial Majesty flashed a grin, his golden hair flowing like a lion’s mane.

Though he called me a thief, he immediately followed it with “son-in-law,” so it seemed he was just joking.

“I would be grateful for whatever title Your Imperial Majesty finds comfortable.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll simply call you son-in-law.”

This is serious. His Imperial Majesty apparently has no intention of backing down, as he’s decided to call me son-in-law.

“As you might know, every move Karen makes is reported to me.”

That meant the Emperor already knew about my meeting with Karen.

“If it were any other noble brat, I wouldn’t consider handing over my precious daughter, but you’re different. Above all, you’ve worked for the Empire, and more importantly, this.”

The Emperor touched his lion-mane-like abundant hair as he spoke.

“For someone like you, who has given new hope to me when I had none, I would gladly permit your relationship with my daughter. However, there is one concern I have.”

Hmm, this seems to be the main point. I wonder what His Imperial Majesty is worried about?

“Who do you plan to marry first?”

“Marriage…”

Truthfully, I hadn’t thought about it yet. When it was just Lady Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong, we had decided to marry after graduation.

But thinking about it now, I realized who I married first could become an issue.

“It wouldn’t have been a problem when you were planning to marry your two fiancées. You could simply marry them in the order you met them.”

That’s true. If I were to marry the two of them, I would marry Lady Regina first, then Cheon Hyeryeong.

“But Karen is the First Imperial Princess of this country. If the Crown Prince dies or renounces his succession rights, she would become the next Emperor. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Yes, I think I understood what His Imperial Majesty was trying to say.

If I were to postpone marrying Karen and married Lady Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong first, people might say I was disrespecting the imperial family.

Some might even question whether my actions were plotting “treason.”

People’s speculations, exaggerations, and self-serving interpretations always tend to spread rumors that deviate from the truth.

“Of course, I won’t object to whatever decision you make. Keeping your word to the two women you were engaged to first isn’t wrong either. However, as Emperor of this Empire, I cannot ignore the dignity of the imperial family.”

“Then what would you suggest I do, Your Majesty?”

“As the sovereign of this country, and as a father, I hope you will marry Karen first. And truthfully, that would be better for you as well.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

I was curious about what His Imperial Majesty was trying to say.

“According to imperial marriage law, a noble can have up to two official spouses who can inherit succession rights. Any partner beyond those two would be recognized as a concubine, not a legal wife.”

“What?”

That means if I marry Lady Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong, I would have to take Karen as a concubine.

“However, if you marry a member of the imperial family first, the situation changes. Those who marry into the imperial family are not subject to that legal restriction.”

So I need to marry Karen first to be able to take the other two as legal wives?

“And I’ve heard rumors that there are more women who have shown interest in you?”

Wow, the Emperor truly is different. I didn’t expect him to know even this.

“That’s true, though we’re not officially in a relationship yet.”

“I know. If you truly love them and wish to accept them all, I recommend marrying Karen first. That way, you can take all your other women as legal wives. Of course, Karen will always be your First Wife. That won’t change.”

In other words, His Imperial Majesty was implying that as long as his daughter became the First Wife, he wouldn’t particularly mind how many other women I took.

“Would that be acceptable? I’m concerned about what people might say.”

“It’s fine. Karen is like a rolling stone, after all. Why should a rolling stone try to dislodge stones already in place? I have only one request for you.”

His Imperial Majesty rose from his seat, approached me, and gently took my hand.

“Give Karen no less love than the others. That would satisfy me.”

“…I will do my best.”

All I could say was that I would do my best. At times like this, I’m reminded that the Emperor is indeed a father with a daughter.

“That’s why I called for you. Will you accept my proposal?”

“Even if I accept, I would need to discuss this with the two of them.”

“I understand. Go back, talk it over thoroughly, and when you’ve decided, come to the Imperial Palace. I’ll make arrangements so you can enter anytime.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. May you live long and prosper.”

I bowed to His Imperial Majesty and turned to leave.

“Ah, by the way, once the marriage order is decided, you may call me father-in-law from then on.”

“…”

Um, I’ll think about that and get back to you later.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

After completing all my business, I returned to Glesius Academy.

Since I used the teleport station both ways, it didn’t take much time.

“Did you have a good trip? So, did the conversation go well?”

“My lord, did you have a pleasant visit to the capital?”

When I returned home, Lady Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong welcomed me.

“I have something to discuss with both of you.”

I grabbed a chair and sat down near them.

“What is it? Don’t tell me you had a big fight with the Imperial Princess?”

Lady Regina, who knew about my plan, wondered if something had gone wrong.

“No, nothing like that.”

“Wait a moment, my lord. Imperial Princess? Do you mean you have a new woman?”

Cheon Hyeryeong, who didn’t know about this, reacted sensitively to the sudden mention of an Imperial Princess.

“Well, I met with Imperial Princess Karen and had a serious conversation…”

I told Lady Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong about my conversation with Imperial Princess Karen.

At first, Cheon Hyeryeong seemed confused, but as I continued explaining, she appeared to understand the situation.

“So you need to marry Imperial Princess Karen first?”

“I believe so. That’s the only way I can legally take others as official wives without violating the law.”

“This one approves. If my lord becomes the husband of an Imperial Princess, my disciples can hold their heads high wherever they go.”

“I think this is actually better. There are already so many predatory women out there just waiting for an opportunity to get close to you.”

Fortunately, both of them seemed to accept the situation.

“In exchange, make sure to love us all equally without making anyone feel neglected. Understood? After all, we’ll end up spending more time with you than Imperial Princess Karen will.”

“This one agrees. Even if she marries you first, isn’t the true winner the one who remains by your side until the end?”

Well, it seems the problem is solved…?

Lady Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong said they would meet with Karen later to work out the details.

And at noon the next day, as the second month of the new year began:

“Your Imperial Majesty, I have made my decision.”

“Very well. What have you decided?”

I was granted an audience with His Imperial Majesty at the Imperial Palace.