Ch.328Chapter 328 – A Father’s Heart

Karen Lucien Decartro Gelebrio Aurelios, the First Imperial Princess of the Gelebrio Empire, was spending her days in constant busyness.

It would be natural for someone in the position of First Imperial Princess to be busy with affairs of state that she must oversee.

However, her current busy schedule was due to an entirely personal matter.

That matter was wedding preparations.

Normally, wedding preparations would involve both families gathering to discuss the venue and other miscellaneous details, but Karen’s case was quite different.

‘Marquis Pathos Severio has no parents.’

The reason was simple—in this world, Pathos’s parents did not exist.

Since Pathos had no parents to assist with the wedding preparations, naturally, the imperial family had taken charge of the entire process.

If he had been an ordinary person, he might have felt wounded pride at having nothing to prepare for his own wedding, but Pathos was no ordinary person.

“I know little about wedding preparations, so I’ll leave everything entirely to my future father-in-law and mother-in-law.”

After all, how much could someone who had only been in this world for barely three years know about the Empire’s marriage customs?

Pathos was all too aware of his limited understanding of this world.

That’s why he had completely handed over all wedding matters to the imperial family, hoping to avoid any potential complications.

Emperor Decartro IV and the Empress, far from being dismayed by how naturally Pathos had passed the wedding preparations to them, simply accepted it with understanding.

In truth, it would have been troublesome for them if Pathos had interfered with every detail of the wedding preparations.

Emperor Decartro IV was planning to hold an extraordinarily grand and magnificent wedding befitting the Empire’s elevated status. What would happen if Pathos had suggested scaling it down?

Surely the wolves who were just waiting for an opportunity to snap at the Emperor would have pounced.

‘Since my son-in-law has entrusted all wedding preparations to me, I shall give him the largest and most magnificent wedding in history.’

The Emperor was even more pleased with his future son-in-law for entrusting the entire process to them, thus preventing any friction that might arise during preparations.

“Karen. Your wedding will be the largest and most splendid in the history of the Empire.”

Emperor Decartro IV gazed at his eldest daughter, who would soon leave his care.

“The Empire’s finest chefs will prepare the most exquisite dishes using delicacies from across the land, and the Empire’s best orchestra will perform at the banquet and ceremony. Furthermore, the Imperial Knights have voluntarily offered to handle security for the wedding.”

“Father, you needn’t go to such lengths. If it’s too grand and lavish, won’t the people criticize the imperial family for wasting resources?”

“Hahaha. Karen, there’s no need to worry. The Empire is currently enjoying unprecedented prosperity. In this era, no one dares challenge the Empire’s hegemony. Moreover, the Demon Cult, which once posed a threat to the Empire, has been completely eradicated. Your wedding is almost a declaration announcing the beginning of the Empire’s era and that the hero who created this era is one of our own.”

Karen could only quietly nod at her father’s words.

Having been born and raised as a member of the imperial family, where every action could be interpreted as a political move or imperial intent, she understood.

As the First Imperial Princess—the eldest of the imperial family—she had handled matters of state both great and small and participated in governance.

Given her position, she could well imagine that her wedding might become a political performance directed at neighboring countries.

“I understand, Father.”

“Well, don’t worry. In truth, the notion that this symbolizes the dawn of the Empire’s era is merely a pretext to convince people.”

“Pardon?”

The idea that the wedding was merely a pretext rather than a symbol of the Empire’s ascendancy confused her. What, then, was her father’s true intention behind holding such a grand wedding?

Karen couldn’t guess her father’s intentions, which were actually quite simple.

“As a father, I believe the best wedding gift I can give you is a grand and magnificent ceremony where you’ll receive blessings from many people.”

It was fatherly love—paternal affection.

Being both Emperor and father made it difficult to fulfill both roles simultaneously.

Especially around the time of Karen’s birth, he had to work tirelessly to stabilize imperial authority.

After stabilizing the imperial power, their relationship might have grown distant, but fortunately, Karen didn’t seem to mind his past absence.

Perhaps because of this, Karen was the child to whom Emperor Decartro IV felt the strongest attachment among all his children.

And now, as this child was about to leave his care to become someone’s wife, he couldn’t treat this wedding lightly—both as Emperor of the Empire and as a father.

He would summon only the best to create the finest wedding.

Money? The Empire had no shortage of funds. Even the imperial family’s private treasury was more abundant than ever.

The imperial funds used for this grand wedding preparation amounted to only about 2% of the treasury.

Typically, 5% of the treasury would be used for a royal wedding, so the fact that just 2% would create the largest wedding in history indicated just how vast the current imperial treasury was.

“Of course, you know well that the position of Emperor comes with many concerns and responsibilities. Nevertheless, as a father, I want to personally prepare the largest, most splendid, and most beautiful wedding for my daughter.”

“Father…”

Karen clearly remembered her father, Emperor Decartro IV, from previous timelines, how he had struggled to stabilize the Empire.

‘If you’re going to leave, you go first! I am the Emperor! Where should an emperor go if he abandons his country and his people?’

‘Karen… I’m sorry. Because of my inadequacy, this country and its people have fallen into suffering…’

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything for you as a father. Please forgive this unworthy father…’

The images of Emperor Decartro IV heroically dying while facing enemies advancing toward the Empire, and then barely succeeding in a counterattack before dying.

But now, she could escape from those nightmarish memories.

Thanks to whom?

Thanks to Marquis Pathos Severio, who would become her husband.

“Also, upon your marriage, I plan to bestow the new surname Aurelion upon your husband and my son-in-law, Marquis Severio.”

The name Aurelion, newly bestowed upon Pathos, was only permitted when direct imperial lineage established independence.

“Father, does that mean…?”

“Yes. Even after marriage, you will always remain a member of the Aurelios family. Pathos, too, will be a member of our Aurelios family.”

The name Aurelion was not bestowed lightly, even to outstanding heroes, as it could potentially threaten the imperial succession.

But giving Pathos the name Aurelion, despite his heroic status, was possible because they knew with certainty that he had no intention of challenging imperial authority.

After all, he was someone who had initially been reluctant to court the imperial princess because he simply wanted a comfortable and peaceful life.

After her private audience with the Emperor, Karen headed to a room where the imperial tailor was waiting.

“Ohohoho! Your Highness, my sincere congratulations on your marriage! I will create my life’s masterpiece for you! After all, you must shine brighter than anyone else!”

Though the imperial tailor spoke with exuberant laughter, her skills were undeniable.

She approached Karen, took her measurements, and began to modify an existing wedding dress.

Thanks to her liberal use of magic, the wedding dress modifications were completed in just about 30 minutes.

Though Karen had seen many wonders, the imperial tailor’s craftsmanship never ceased to amaze her.

“Ohohoho! The exclusive wedding dress for Your Highness is complete! Please try it on!”

“But, isn’t this too revealing?”

“Oh, what are you saying? You need to show some skin to catch your future husband’s attention! That’s how you’ll have a passionate wedding night.”

Hearing the tailor’s words, Karen imagined her wedding night with Pathos, and before long, her face turned as red as a radish.

Though she had seen and heard many things, including from previous timelines, she had never actually experienced it, which explained her reaction.