Chapter 414: The Great Lord Also Has a Daily Life (1)

As expected, all eyes turned to us as soon as we entered the banquet hall.

Usually, titled nobles are regarded higher than regular nobles, and among titled nobles, those with the rank of count or higher are called high nobles. Lastly, even among counts, their influence varies depending on whether they have a territory and its prestige.

Thus, fourteen great lords entering together was enough to attract the nobles’ attention.

Moreover, among these fourteen were a newly appointed marquis and a minister-designate. Everyone must have realized that this faction was not just a simple social gathering.

If there’s any consolation, it’s that this solid composition seems to intimidate others, as no one approached us, merely looking—

“Since when do you move in groups?”

There was someone. Someone who could approach us, ignoring marquises, minister-designates, and great lords alike.

As a man boasting a larger build than others, the Iron-Blooded Duke parted the nobles and approached.

I felt the great lords behind me flinch. No matter how skilled they were at reading situations and political maneuvering to gain their titles, nomads are still nomads. As warriors, they seemed naturally intimidated seeing an even stronger warrior.

“Father-in-law.”

As I bowed politely to my approaching father-in-law, his expression softened slightly.

He seems satisfied that I called him ‘father-in-law’ instead of the stiff ‘Your Grace’ in front of others. He’s someone who values family affection above all else.

“How dare a young man be later than an old man like me?”

“What are you saying when you’re still so vigorous? Honestly, you’re probably healthier than my father.”

“You sure know how to talk.”

As I countered his grumbling greeting with a compliment, the corners of my father-in-law’s mouth lifted. Very slightly, but definitely lifted.

It’s valuable information from Mar that my father-in-law is secretly concerned about aging. As such, simple compliments like this can have a powerful effect.

“Well. Eloquence is important when moving with others.”

“I naturally improved as I found friends to share friendship with.”

And I naturally gestured towards the northern great lords. Since my father-in-law mentioned the faction members who entered with me, it’s proper for me, as his son-in-law, to introduce the faction members.

A subordinate shouldn’t dare to speak to a superior they’re meeting for the first time without going through an intermediary, especially without official business. Even marquises or counts are strictly subordinates in front of a duke.

“Especially thanks to Marquis Barandiga, I learned the joy of being with friends.”

At this, my father-in-law’s gaze turned to Marquis Barandiga.

“If they’re my son-in-law’s friends, they can’t be strangers. I hope you’ll maintain a good relationship in the future.”

“Of course, Your Grace. I will maintain an unwavering friendship with the Count of Wiridia.”

As my father-in-law extended his hand, Marquis Barandiga grasped it with both hands and bowed at a perfect angle. It was a posture only possible for someone who understood what a duke represents in this empire.

I felt a bit of awe. It’s a bit unfair to Marquis Barandiga to think this, but he probably wouldn’t show such an angle even in front of the Kagan.

The father-in-law position must feel heavier than the Kagan.

Thinking about it, I can understand Marquis Barandiga’s position. The Kagan doesn’t directly touch him and is at war with the empire, while the duke is the father-in-law of his faction leader and can shake him with a single word. If forced to choose between these miraculous options, the latter would naturally be more frightening.

Even I find my superior, the Emperor, more of a bastard than any other being in the world right now. The living Emperor is more of a bastard than the dead Kagan and Dorgon, of course.

“This goes for all of you. My son-in-law may be lacking, but please take care of him.”

Meanwhile, my father-in-law, after shaking hands with Marquis Barandiga, turned his gaze to the other great lords and greeted them.

This is unusual. Although counts are considered high nobles, a duke is someone who can make such counts his vassals. It would be appropriate for a duke’s dignity to exchange words with a marquis at most and then withdraw, but my father-in-law personally addressed the count faction members.

“Y-Yes, it’s an honor, Your Grace.”

Even the great lords who have learned imperial etiquette seemed perplexed by this situation, with only Count Kaitana, the professional sycophant, managing to respond.

However, this isn’t a problem with the other great lords, but rather Count Kaitana being unusual. Even my father-in-law nodded without much reproach when only one person answered.

“Son-in-law.”

“Yes, father-in-law.”

As I bowed my head to my father-in-law who turned back to look at me, he placed his hand on my shoulder and spoke.

“The bravery of the nomads was at a level that only the empire could match. Now that these brave warriors have become your friends, you must maintain this friendship for the sake of the empire.”

Hearing those words, I felt a slight sense of relief. I was wondering what was going on when my father-in-law showed such friendliness by personally exchanging words with the counts, but I could understand everything when he made this direct request at the end.

On the surface, it might look like a beautiful compliment saying, ‘You’ve become friends with nomads we’ve been in conflict with for a long time, so strive for peace.’ But the reality was different.

He needs horses.

My father-in-law just needed horses. It’s clear from his mention of nomad bravery and doing it for the empire.

Well, now that the north has been embraced by the empire, the east is the only region bordering other foreign countries. And my father-in-law is the duke responsible for the east. It’s natural for him to show enthusiasm for securing horses, an important military strategic resource.

This is a public bidding.

That’s why my father-in-law showed off in front of all the nobles. He’s telling them, ‘Remember that the faction leader commanding the northern great lords is my son-in-law, and I intend to value each faction member. If anyone tries to bid for the merchant group before me, I’ll crush them.’

It was too fiery a declaration, but well, it’s for border defense, not personal greed, so who cares? He’s not even asking to sell cheaply, just saying he’ll prioritize purchasing the quantity.

It’s actually good.

Moreover, my father-in-law’s territory is the center of the military industry. This means that with a slight adjustment to the role of the blacksmiths, they can mass-produce not only military supplies but also ordinary industrial products.

If necessary, it’s possible to exchange northern horses for industrial goods instead of money. It wouldn’t be a bad deal from the nomads’ perspective, either.

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

My father-in-law nodded, seemingly satisfied with what was essentially a promise to sell to him first. I too feel my chest swell thinking about the horses that ran across the north now trampling the eastern kingdoms.

Damn bastards, you must have been comfortable when we were tanking the nomads with our bodies.

Now, it’s your turn to roll.

After exchanging greetings with my father-in-law, we only received stares again. Even if someone wanted to approach, my father-in-law had already declared, ‘I’ll kill anyone who tries to outbid me for the merchant group.’ They must be scared of receiving the duke’s attention if they approach us unnecessarily.

Of course, a certain half-elf duke, who isn’t someone even my father-in-law could stop, approached without hesitation. To begin with, as the Magic Tower’s Master, she’s not interested in things like horses.

“You’ll return to the Academy once the banquet is over, right? You don’t know how much I’ve missed you.”

Anyway, unlike with my father-in-law, we moved to a corner briefly separating from the faction members before Beatrix chanted a small spell and whispered. She must have used magic to make our conversation and appearance invisible.

“I missed you too. I would have gone to the Academy every day if I could use teleport.”

Her ears flapped in satisfaction as I embraced her while answering.

This ear flapping, is definitely the Beatrix I know. It’s too stable.

“Hnnng─!”

“Ah, sorry.”

It was so stable that I unconsciously started fiddling with them. Even though I know it’s a sensitive area, I just…

As I tried to remove my hand in embarrassment, Beatrix’s hand grabbed my wrist. It was at a level I could easily shake off with strength, but the gesture was so urgent that I hesitated.

“Y-You can continue.”

At the voice that sounded like it was crawling, I silently caressed her ears. The situation seems a bit strange, but I decided to let it slide since I initiated it.

Yes, this is also a form of skinship. Is there a better way to share affection than the skinship the other person wants?

“Um, baby?”

Just as I was about to start a peculiar self-rationalization, I was able to cut off my thoughts thanks to Beatrix’s voice.

“There’s something I’m curious about, can I ask?”

“Sure. Anything.”

It was an unexpected statement, but I nodded readily. I was wondering if Beatrix had anything to ask me, but considering the northern faction that entered with me, there must be many things to question—

“When do you plan to speak comfortably with Mar?”

“Huh?”

An extremely unexpected question popped out.

Comfortably?

My brain couldn’t understand the question. When will I speak comfortably? Aren’t I already doing that?

I call Mar by a nickname, often hug her while she sits on my lap, lie on her lap, and kiss her forehead or cheek. It’s rare to be this comfortable with someone, isn’t it?

As I blinked blankly with those thoughts, Beatrix let out a small sigh.

“I’m asking when you’re going to start speaking informally to Mar.”

“……”

…

Ah.

It feels like I’ve been hit hard on the back of the head. Why didn’t I notice such an obvious thing until now?

I’ve been using formal speech only with Mar.

It’s certainly strange. It’s not like I use formal speech with all my lovers, nor am I using formal speech with an older lover.

No, even if I were to use formal speech with someone older, Mar is younger than me. It would make more sense to use formal speech with Beatrix.

Did I get too used to it?

I first met Mar about two years ago, introduced by my father-in-law and the duke. So we thoroughly used mutual formal speech when conversing, and that habit has continued until now.

I thought this formal speech was so natural that I couldn’t even think of changing it.

Hah.

I almost sighed in self-loathing. There are cases where couples use formal speech to respect each other, but if that were the case, I should have done it with all six of them. Doing it only with Mar is no different from discrimination.

When the banquet ends, I should apologize first.

“Ah, baby…!”

“Oh.”

But before that, it seems I need to apologize to Beatrix in front of me first.

Her body was trembling, her face flushed red. Her eyes also seemed to be on the verge of tears.

Lost in thoughts about Mar, I ended up seriously caressing her ears.