Chapter 390: Rejoice, the Imperial Grandchild Has Arrived! (4)

I calmed my nerves while sipping the tea Mar had personally brewed for me. The tension about tomorrow’s investiture seemed to dissipate a little.

“Congratulations, Carl. Tomorrow, you’ll become the imperial grandchild’s godfather.”

Unfortunately, just hearing her say it brought all the nerves rushing right back.

“It still feels like an honor far too great for me.”

“But it also means His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince value you highly.”

I shook my head while forcing a smile, but Mar was humming a tune with a face that could be the very definition of beaming.

Does it really make her that happy…?

Apart from my mixed feelings, I couldn’t help but smile. I had planned to keep quiet until the godfather announcement at the investiture, but I gave a little hint to my family and lovers. They were all trustworthy enough not to let anything slip.

And while everyone offered their congratulations, they stopped there. Gossiping about royalty before the Emperor’s official announcement? They know well enough that it would be disrespectful.

Mar, however, was a little different. She didn’t go around talking about it, but she showed the most extreme reaction.

Well, she is the most socially aware among us.

My family wasn’t very interested in socializing. Beatrix was practically indifferent to social ties. Louise and Irina were still naive ladies and didn’t know much, while Elizabeth didn’t care either way; Penelia was just busy congratulating me.

In that miraculous lineup, Mar stood out as the only one who fully grasped what it meant to be ‘the godfather of the likely future empress.’ She understood the political weight of that title immediately—and that was why she was so genuinely happy.

In fact, Mar’s reaction was normal. Being named godfather to an imperial heir was a title of enormous prestige and authority. Any amount of celebration would be justified.

The only real problem was that the godfather himself didn’t want it.

“Eli unnie may be close with Her Highness the Crown Princess, but our family will have a much stronger connection to the imperial household if you become the godfather. That’ll be a huge benefit for our future children too.”

“I suppose so. They wouldn’t mistreat the godfather’s family.”

Hearing Mar speak of our children’s future made it impossible to voice my complaints.

She was right. Becoming the godfather would secure the well-being of any future children we had. Unless we caused some major incident, the blade of purge and suspicion wouldn’t fly towards our children.

Honestly, I was a bit worried. History was full of examples where the children of war heroes or honored nobles were crushed once said parent died or lost their favor.

Even I think this family web is absurd…

It wasn’t for me to say, but I was connected by blood to three ducal families, plus marquis, count, and baron families evenly. I imagine just breathing would be enough to make the imperial family uncomfortable.

So yes, becoming the godfather was a good thing. It was a way to make sure the crown guaranteed my children’s safety. It was a gift—and I’ve decided to see it that way.

Might as well run with this if I was going to be stuck with the role anyway.

The venue for the imperial grandchild’s investiture was decided to be the place where the Emperor gave his New Year’s speech during the New Year’s Ball. I could feel the Emperor’s dedication to give the imperial grandchild legitimacy and authority by any means.

Even the dukes who were enjoying peaceful daily lives in their territories were dragg—no, were attending. Although not all titled nobles were gathering like at the New Year’s Ball, having all five dukes gather was enough to give weight to the investiture. After all, one duke in this Empire was worth more than a dozen counts.

As high-ranking nobles including dukes and high-ranking officials gathered one by one, I also headed to the imperial palace for my own preparations.

“I greet the imperial grandchild. I am Carl Krasius of Wiridia, who will have the honor of becoming Your Highness’s godfather.”

And by preparations, I meant greeting a baby who was barely a week old.

The imperial grandchild, nestled in the Crown Princess’s arms with her eyes closed, slowly opened them at my greeting. Saying she opened them was a stretch as the pupils weren’t even visible in those slitted eyes, but they opened nonetheless.

“It seems the imperial grandchild is pleased to see her godfather.”

“It’s truly an honor.”

Of course, I wasn’t expecting an actual reply, so the Crown Princess smiled softly and spoke on the child’s behalf.

At least she didn’t cry after seeing a stranger—

“Aaah—“

?

What was that?

Who made that sound?

Startled by the unexpected sound, I glanced around—only to see the Crown Princess looking even more surprised, her eyes wide as she peered down at the baby in her arms.

…No way. Was it the baby?

“Is the baby already babbling?”

“I-It seems like it.”

“Aaaah—“

As if to confirm the Crown Princess’s response, the imperial grandchild let out another soft sound. Not quite a word, more like a gentle puff of breath trying to form something. Clearly not speech, but unmistakably a noise she had made.

But could babies really start cooing just a week after being born? Was this just… a thing in this world?

“To think she’s already trying to speak to greet her godfather, how adorable.”

Seeing the Crown Princess gently caress the imperial grandchild’s cheek with eyes full of affection, this seemed to be the norm in this world. Well, in a world with mana and sacred power, babbling was probably nothing. Honestly, I’d just roll with it even if she started crawling today.

Then, of course, the Crown Prince showed up—just in time to hear that his daughter had made her first sound—and immediately got excited. However, the baby didn’t open its mouth again.

Watching the disappointment flood his face made me feel better.

I looked down at the nobles from the podium. It was a familiar sight, but today I was enveloped in a different sense of elation than usual.

Finally.

Finally, this day had come. Unlike me, who carried the stigma of being a distant branch of the family, or my son, the Crown Prince, who bore the mark of illegitimacy, the Empire finally welcomed a child no one could deny. An imperial heir beyond reproach.

I had truly accomplished everything. I finally reached the light after silently walking through endless darkness. I had cast off the man named Corvus and risen as Emperor Amanca XVI, rebuilding the Empire and restoring the prestige of the imperial family.

It was a long road.

Yes, an agonizingly long one. Those decades felt like centuries. Every time I saw the damage inflicted by my foolish predecessors, every time the authority of the crown crumbled, I nearly gave up—but I never did.

…And now, my role is complete. By naming the imperial grandchild today, I will have done everything I set out to do.

“Let all of you hear.”

So I opened my mouth proudly. This is the last order I’ll give as Emperor.

“The house of Livnoman, once prosperous under the name of the Great Emperor, lost its way. We failed to heed the heavens and the will of the people, and the Great Emperor would have grieved at our disgrace.”

The nobles stirred at these words acknowledging the imperial family’s mistakes and incompetence, but I paid them no heed. I, who bore these mistakes and incompetence alone and moved forward, have the right to say such things. I believe my great ancestors would agree.

“But the nobles and people never turned their backs on Livnoman. Thanks to their loyalty, the imperial family rose once more and brought prosperity to this day.”

When the direct line of succession ended, the nobles could have formed a new dynasty. But instead, they found a branch—me. Because of them, the Empire was restored under the name of Livnoman, truly showing that heaven’s mandate is smiling upon us.

“And now, the Great Emperor rejoices again, bestowing a great blessing upon us.”

With those words, I turned. The Crown Princess stepped forward, cradling the imperial grandchild in her arms.

She insisted on carrying the baby herself rather than entrusting it to the maids. But I allowed it because this too shows that the imperial grandchild is loved by the imperial family and that the maternal family, the House of Nuren, will strongly support them.

“By the Great Emperor’s protection, an imperial grandchild has been born. This proves the prosperity of the imperial family, so I will name the imperial grandchild Charlotte, in honor of the first Empress.”

The first Empress, who led prosperity as the Great Emperor’s wife and mistress of the imperial family. It is a name befitting this child.

And from this child shall come a new golden age—an era even greater than mine.

Glory greater than what I’ve achieved…

And even more brilliant glory.

Following the naming, the imperial grandchild received her baptism from Cardinal Lisiuco, head of the Ausen Archdiocese.

As the highest-ranking priest of the Dawn Sect within the Empire, his blessing gave the imperial grandchild not only spiritual legitimacy but religious authority. To deny the authority of a child baptized by the Cardinal is to defy the Cardinal himself—and by extension, the Pope who appointed him.

“—Under Enen’s grace and the Great Emperor’s protection, I appoint the sole imperial grandchild, Charlotte Livnoman, as Imperial Heir.”

And with that declaration, the Emperor formally appointed the Imperial Heir without hesitation—like a man who had nothing left to fear.

“Long live the Empire! Glory to Livnoman!”

“May the Great Emperor protect the Imperial Heir!”

You might expect people to be stunned at the sight of a one-week-old baby being named heir to the throne, but the nobles didn’t even blink. Their cheers erupted instantly. Honestly, this outcome became inevitable the moment the Emperor summoned all five dukes.

No. Considering the Emperor’s imminent abdication, he would have forced it even if the dukes hadn’t attended. That was how superior the Imperial Heir → Crown Princess → Empress route was compared to the Imperial Grandchild → Crown Princess → Empress route.

“May there be light for the Imperial Heir!”

Amidst the endless cheers echoing, the Imperial Heir quietly wriggled in her mother’s arms.

Magic really is amazing.

Seeing that sight, I let out an unconscious sigh of relief.

I mean, a bunch of strangers shouting at the top of their lungs? Any normal baby would burst into tears. And if the Imperial Heir started crying during her own investiture? What a nightmare. The nobles would suddenly become traitors who made the Imperial Heir cry.

So, the mages cast a noise-cancelling spell on the Imperial Heir. But not completely blocking the sound; that would’ve startled her too, but just enough so that even the loudest shouts sounded like background noise.

Is she asleep…?

Judging by how still she was, maybe the spell was too effective. She looked like she’d dozed off even in this commotion.

“The imperial grandchild has become the Imperial Heir amidst the blessings of loyal and capable subjects. This is the Imperial Heir’s fortune.”

Anyway, the Emperor spoke again, his voice calm and steady as the cheers gradually subsided.

“Therefore, I wish to choose one among you who witnessed the Imperial Heir’s baptism to be the Imperial Heir’s godfather.”

At those words as a signal, the Crown Princess approached me.

Then, she carefully handed over the Imperial Heir she was holding.

…Wow.

I felt countless gazes as soon as I held the Imperial Heir. If gazes had physical force, my body would have been torn to shreds.

“I name Count Carl Krasius of Wiridia, Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office, as the Imperial Heir’s godfather.”

The Emperor went on to explain at length why he chose me as godfather, but I honestly couldn’t hear it. It was probably the same for the other nobles.

Who cared why I became the godfather? The fact that I became the godfather was what was important.

“Aaah—“

Meanwhile, the Imperial Heir started babbling again.

Was it just me, or did that little sound feel like she was saying ‘Take good care of me’?