Chapter 401: A New Sun (3)

In the history of the Kefellofen Empire, there had never been a case of a new emperor ascending through abdication.

As a result, rumors were spreading that the Ministry of the Imperial Household was racking its brains and even digging into the abdication precedents of previous empires while preparing for the abdication ceremony.

The Executive Manager of the Imperial Household, who must be struggling the most, was probably resentful of the former Minister of the Imperial Household for resigning.

But whether the Ministry of the Imperial Household was struggling or not had nothing to do with me, the Minister-designate of the Ministry of Inspection. I would have been working hard to maintain perfect security during the abdication ceremony if I were in the military, and I’d probably be coughing up blood over the budget for the ceremony if I were purely in the Ministry of Finance.

However, there was no place for inspection to interfere with in this auspicious event.

So, I figured I could stay comfortably at the Academy until the day of the ceremony, then quietly head to the capital when the time came.

“Carl, how about this outfit?”

That naive delusion was born from forgetting how my happy fantasies always missed the mark.

I stared blankly at the formal outfit Mar was showing me. As it happened, this abdication ceremony would not only see the Crown Prince’s ascension to Emperor but also the Imperial Grandchild’s investiture as Crown Princess. As the Imperial Heir’s godfather, it was an unavoidable fate that I’d be in the spotlight at that event.

That was why Mar had been selecting clothes for me to wear for the past few days. The president’s office has turned into a dressing room with clothes from who knows where.

Yes, this had been going on for days. All for just one outfit.

“This looks the best out of everything I’ve seen so far.”

Overcoming my mental fatigue, I managed to speak. Honestly, they all looked the same to me, but I thought saying this might end things faster—

“This is the one I showed you earlier.”

“I’m sorry.”

I quickly bowed my head. I’d fallen for the bait like an idiot.

But even with my head bowed, I could feel Mar’s gaze. The tingling on the crown of my head was almost frightening, and I didn’t even want to imagine what emotion was in her eyes.

Was I too out of it?

Certainly, even I think my reaction was too insensitive. From Mar’s perspective, her husband was going to appear before the empire’s nobles and subjects and even diplomatic envoys from across the continent.

She would naturally want to make me look as handsome as possible. After all, the desire to make the person you love look great is almost instinctual.

Knowing this and still reacting like I just did was clearly a mistake, but I had an excuse. How could someone who usually only wore the Prosecutors’ Office’s uniform maintain their sanity while choosing a single outfit for days? I could endure for a day, but beyond that was a bit much.

“I think it might be better to take a break and choose later.”

Saying that, Mar sat on the sofa and lightly patted her lap.

Understanding what she meant, I carefully sat beside her and lay my head on her lap.

This is nice.

No pillow could be softer than this, I think.

“I’m sorry. It was annoying, wasn’t it?”

“Not at all. It was actually enjoyable choosing with you, Mar.”

I hurriedly answered, trying to hold onto my consciousness which was becoming hazy. I was mentally tired, but it wasn’t annoying. How could I harbor such feelings when Mar was taking her time for me?

Hearing my answer, Mar chuckled softly and began gently stroking my hair.

“Father and Brother also found these things annoying when they happened, so you can be honest.”

“…It’s not annoying, but it was a bit tiring.”

Mar smiled deeply, seemingly satisfied with my sincere answer.

Come to think of it, Father-in-law and Brother-in-law were also weak in these situations.

I’m glad I’m not just being a crybaby.

“Actually, seeing what Father and Brother wear sometimes frustrates me. They could look so handsome with just a little effort, but they wear whatever’s comfortable and say it’s what they’re used to.”

I almost nodded automatically. Honestly, I felt the same. Nothing was more comfortable than the clothes you were used to.

“That’s why I wanted to dress up Carl, though it seems you’re the same as them.”

I didn’t know what to say, so my eyes just darted around awkwardly—until Mar leaned down and gently kissed my forehead.

“I’m sorry for being greedy. You look amazing no matter what you wear—I just forgot that for a moment.”

“Mar is also the most beautiful.”

It was a bit embarrassing, but I returned the compliment without hesitation. She burst into laughter, seemingly not disliking it.

“Is that exclusively for me? Or jointly?”

“…I suppose jointly…”

At those words, Mar’s laughter grew even louder.

To think I had to add a ‘jointly’ premise even when complimenting my lover’s appearance. What a bizarre situation this was.

This day made me respect the Gold Duke.

Despite all the trouble from the past few days, I ended up just wearing my standard Prosecutors’ Office’s uniform for the abdication ceremony. Even though I was the godfather of the soon-to-be Crown Princess, my status was still that of a civil servant.

Besides, it would feel strange for a mere civil servant to wear luxurious clothes instead of a proper uniform at a national event, especially one where the imperial family was the focus.

— Tch. I should’ve had someone prepare the Minister of Inspection’s uniform in advance. I was too careless.

“How could a mere designate wear a minister’s clothes? I’m grateful for the thought alone.”

I calmly responded to the Crown Prince’s natural provocation. I might have felt irritated deep down if it were any other time, but there was no point when the guy teasing me was about to become the emperor.

Honestly, how does someone even become emperor, the final decision-maker for every function of the empire? That’d be… terrifying.

Ugh.

Just imagining it gave me goosebumps. I couldn’t do that.

— As expected, you’re humble. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Minister is a role model for all officials.

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

Perhaps my thoughts showed in my eyes without me realizing, as the Crown Prince quickly wrapped up the conversation.

He seems to have realized that continuing this topic would only be to his disadvantage. He was quick-witted, as always.

— When I receive the imperial crown from the Emperor, the Imperial Heir will also be invested as Crown Princess and become the Grand Duchess of Cabaschleitz. During the investiture, the Minister, as her godfather, should hold the Imperial Heir.

“It’s truly an honor, Your Highness.”

He turned the conversation toward the upcoming schedule for the Imperial Heir. I had expected as much—if the soon-to-be Emperor himself was calling me, it was bound to be about her.

Anyway, Grand Duchess of Cabaschleitz. Although it was a title in name only and without actual territory, unlike what its grand name suggested, it was still a title of immense prestige since it was reserved for the heir to the throne.

That was why I felt mixed emotions. I, in my early 20s, was an imperial count, while the Crown Prince in his late 20s was about to become Emperor. We’d both earned our status through hard-earned effort and yet, even we struggled with the weight of those titles.

And now an infant—one who hadn’t even had her first birthday—was going to carry the title of heir to the throne?

That’s such a heavy burden.

It was regrettable. While becoming the heir to the throne and Emperess was a natural process for someone born as an imperial grandchild, the speed was too fast. However, postponing the Crown Princess’s appointment would cause its own problems.

— …I believe the Minister will be able to protect the Imperial Heir.

After a moment of silence, the Crown Prince spoke in a low voice. He was asking me to hold and protect the Imperial Heir, who would be invested as Crown Princess, in my arms.

But the Crown Prince likely didn’t just mean during the investiture ceremony. He probably meant it in a deeper, lifelong sense because he was worried about the weight that the young Imperial Heir would have to bear, just as he had carried his.

He was asking me as her godfather to protect her when she struggled under that weight.

“Yes, I will certainly do so.”

I nodded without hesitation towards the Crown Prince. While I prayed daily for the Crown Prince’s long life, I had no reservations about the Imperial Heir. If anything, I had started to feel a quiet sense of responsibility, maybe even affection, as her godfather.

Although I’d only seen the Imperial Heir a few times, I’d probably spend more of my life with her than I ever expected.

Preparations for the abdication ceremony progressed quickly. The former Minister of the Imperial Household had already handled some things before his resignation, and the Ministry of Finance seemed to have prepared in advance on their end as well, securing the budget smoothly.

It was indeed right to show signs of abdication in advance. If we had started preparing just now, it might have taken until next year to finish everything.

Is this the end now?

I stood up from my seat, putting down the report submitted by the Executive Manager of the Imperial Household.

The end is approaching. What I had only vaguely thought of as the end of all affairs and the end of my mission is becoming a reality.

I’ve done it.

I walked over to the window and looked out over the palace. The vast and majestic view of the palace, and the distant sight of the capital, came into view.

When I first stood in this place, both the palace and the capital were utterly bleak. They were quietly dying without any hope.

But not anymore. Now, the empire can move forward with hope—

“Mmm.”

Another dull throb pulsed behind my eyes, and I let out a faint sigh. The headaches were becoming more frequent with age, and they showed no signs of improving.

Hang in there.

I repeated the words silently to myself and closed my eyes. This is really, truly the last stretch. There’s no more need to shoulder burdens alone or push forward recklessly, so I just need to endure a little longer.

In just a little, very little time, I can put everything down and step away. Then, this headache should leave me too.

…Leave, huh.

I gently opened my eyes and turned my gaze.

Still looking out the window, I shifted slightly to another direction. Not straight ahead, but towards where the National Cemetery is. Towards the place where someone who left my side far too early rests.

After staring in that direction for a long while, I closed my eyes again. As emperor, I have no right to yearn for that place. Corvus the man may long to go, but Amanca XVI, the Emperor of the Empire, does not have that luxury.

No, perhaps even the human Corvus is the same.

I’ll come to see you soon.

Yet, I couldn’t help but harbor such thoughts. Maybe once I step down—once I’m no longer emperor—I’ll finally be allowed to go. To visit, to remember, and to mourn.

I dared to entertain such thoughts.

“Your Majesty.”

Just then, I heard the voice of the Captain of the Imperial Guard from outside the door.

…Right, it’s not completely over yet. I can’t afford to let myself falter now.

“Enter.”

I… I am still the Emperor.

An Emperor who should not harbor personal emotions.