Chapter 418: The Great Lord Also Has a Daily Life (5)

The form of address debate launched by Elizabeth ended with the insane cheat keys of species-wide faux pas and denial of three generations’ memories. Opposing those cheat keys would instantly turn me into human garbage.

I can’t handle such a future. Flaunting an ugly personality in front of three lovers – isn’t that something only someone with no future would do?

“‘My lord’ is fine, but it seems too grand to use before marriage. Let’s call each other by name for now.”

“Is that so?”

It seems heaven hadn’t abandoned me, as I managed to secure a brief grace period.

Of course, we could use ‘my lord’. It’s not a non-existent term, given that Beatrix’s mother and grandmother actually used it.

However, that mother is from 100 years ago, and her grandmother was widowed hundreds of years ago. It’s essentially a historical term. It’s extremely awkward coming from Beatrix, who’s conscious of age.

Why is she self-destructing?

It’s almost pitiful. While she’s subtly conscious of age, her words and actions are inadvertently revealing her years of experience.

“Certainly, calling each other by name wouldn’t be bad either.”

Anyway, Beatrix nodded at my suggestion. Seeing her slight smile, it seems she’s satisfied with using names too.

Honestly, whether it’s names or ‘my lord’, it’s better than ‘baby’.

“…Carl.”

“Yes.”

Beatrix, who had called my name softly, lowered her gaze as if embarrassed, but her face was still full of smiles.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile too. Being called by name instead of ‘darling’ made me feel like we were ordinary, equal lovers. It’s not that Beatrix had been treating me as an inferior until now, but ‘darling’ was a bit… I only tolerated it because there wasn’t a suitable alternative.

“Fufu, I feel like I won’t forget today even after hundreds of years.”

“If I’d known you’d be this happy, I would have changed it earlier.”

It was the same thought I had when I started speaking informally to Mar, but if I had known such a small change would bring such great happiness, I would have done it sooner. I didn’t know they’d be this happy just from speaking informally or calling each other by name.

But wasn’t Beatrix calling me ‘baby’ something she brought upon herself? It doesn’t seem like it was particularly my fault—

No, that’s not right.

I hastily shook off the negative thoughts. Even if Beatrix has a share in this situation, it doesn’t mean I’m innocent. And if a lover with no romantic experience was losing their way, it would have been right for me, with more dating experience, to take the lead.

I should reflect. I was too complacent in the present and failed to see the future. Just because there was no discord between us at the moment, I didn’t seek better methods.

“Trixie.”

After a moment’s thought, I called Beatrix by her nickname. Beatrix had never shown dissatisfaction with being called by her name, nor had she shown any signs of wanting to be called by a nickname.

Nevertheless, I deliberately used a nickname. Because this is the better method. Because it’s an expression of affection that can bring us closer as lovers.

“C-Carl?”

And although it was just a three-letter nickname, the effect was clear. Trixie, who had been smiling and flapping her ears, froze in place.

“It would be unfair if only Trixie changed her way of addressing me. I should call you more intimately too.”

Saying that, I approached Trixie step by step.

“Ah, bab—no, Carl? Why suddenly…”

Trixie, already in a state of confusion, seemed to panic even more at my unwavering approach, stumbling over her words and backing away as I got closer.

“Hnngh…”

It’s almost pitiful to see her trembling against the wall after just a short while. How are you going to react if you show this much response just to a nickname?

Of course, I don’t intend to stop at just the nickname.

Now’s the time.

I felt it. This is the opportunity to ride the mood and express affection more actively.

First, I grabbed both shoulders of Trixie, who had nowhere else to retreat. It would be embarrassing if she tried to escape sideways, even though she’s blocked from behind.

“Huh?”

As if noticing something from my actions, Elizabeth’s voice was heard from behind.

Eventually, Trixie too seemed to sense the approaching future, her eyes widening and her ears flapping at light speed. Her darting eyes seemed to be searching for an escape route, but at the same time, they held a subtle expectation.

“I won’t forget today either.”

With those words, I kissed Trixie’s lips.

Ah.

The intense vibration I felt suddenly stopped at some point.

It’s not particularly surprising as I expected it. I shouldn’t get used to this kind of thing.

Trixie, whose hazy eyes had regained their vitality, hurriedly made an excuse.

“S-Sorry. I felt dizzy for a moment…”

While her words spewed an unsightly excuse, her arms remained tightly wrapped around me, showing no intention of letting go.

It’s a strange thing. She suggested ‘my lord’ first but ran away when called by a nickname, and while her mind fainted from the kiss, her body clings to prevent separation. It’s an inconsistent, peculiar pattern, but at this point, it seems like Trixie’s characteristic, making it almost cute.

“Unnie, you were fine just a moment ago.”

However, someone seemed to feel betrayal rather than cuteness, muttering in a somewhat sullen voice.

I think I know who it is without looking back. No, it would be stranger if I didn’t know.

“Looks like everyone but me will get their turn today.”

At those words, I couldn’t suppress my embarrassment. Just moments ago, I had said things like ‘I’ll be with you when we return to the capital,’ but now I was flaunting affection with another lover. From Elizabeth’s perspective, it’s worth seriously considering if this isn’t a double betrayal.

“Eli is confident in her kissing skills too.”

I bit my lip at the follow-up attack. The statement came so suddenly that I almost burst out laughing, separate from my embarrassment.

“Unnie, even though it’s just us, you should speak a bit more indirectly—“

“Mar doesn’t understand the loser’s feelings because she’s the winner! I can swirl my tongue well too!”

“U-Unnie!”

She started causing a scene with the strongest justification that no one could stop. In this situation, it would only make Mar or Trixie look like smug winners if they tried to stop Elizabeth.

As a result, Elizabeth started freestyle swimming on the floor again, and this desperate riot could only be concluded with an agreement to call her Eli instead of Elizabeth along with the specific condition of ‘in public places as well as private ones.’

She’s developed strange habits.

I quietly closed my eyes as I watched Eli stand on two feet, giggling. Perhaps because of her experience of crying and begging on the streets of the capital, she no longer feels shame in throwing tantrums while lying on the floor.

If this is my karma, then so be it…

As soon as class ended, I quietly stood up. Even before, I used to quickly head to the club room after regular classes, but recently, I’ve been packing my things even before class ends. To leave the classroom immediately without any delay.

There’s no need to be so conscious.

I smiled bitterly as I felt the gazes on the back of my head when I opened the classroom door, and the crowd subtly parting as I walked down the corridor.

It’s awkward. This started from the moment I became Ainter, the only Imperial Brother, rather than the 3rd Prince Ainter. Now that I’ve become an Imperial existence rather than a prince, people are afraid to approach me.

It can’t be helped.

Of course, I can understand. The difference between a mere prince who could potentially interfere with the Crown Prince’s succession, and the brother of an already enthroned Emperor. It’s obvious which one has more authority and power. As long as I’m not purged, the latter is more stable and powerful.

And at the abdication ceremony, I wasn’t mixed in with the nobles, but congratulated the new Emperor’s ascension from the platform. This means that His Majesty the Emperor acknowledges my existence and values me.

That’s why since the abdication ceremony, students have been subtly keeping their distance from me. Not because I’m someone not worth associating with, but because they’re afraid of being disrespectful.

…It’ll go back to normal next year, so let’s endure just this year.

I tried to think positively as I walked.

But it’s not an unfounded optimistic guess. For nobles, socializing is like breathing, an instinct. Right now, they’re being cautious as they gauge the distance, but by next year at the latest, they’ll quickly finish their calculations and approach normally.

Crucially, compared to the time when His Majesty the Emperor had just been appointed Crown Prince, when it wouldn’t have been strange if I died at any moment, the current situation is like heaven. After all, they’re avoiding me out of reverence.

“Ainter.”

As I was organizing my thoughts, I heard Erich’s voice from behind and turned around.

Oh.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as soon as I turned. Erich with a wooden sword at his waist, probably just finished with practice, and Sarah sticking close to Erich as always. It’s obvious how this combination came to be.

“Looks like you had practice today too. Good work.”

“Well, it’s natural for a warrior to work hard.”

“Haha, that’s true. But was Sarah at the practice grounds too? You’re coming together quite often.”

“No, we just met on the way.”

I doubt it. It seems more fitting to say that Erich was caught by Sarah, who was lying in wait.

As I looked at them with that feeling, Sarah lowered her gaze shyly, while Erich remained confident as if he truly believed they just met on the way.

As always.

I laughed again. Despite me becoming the Emperor’s brother, club members jokingly using formal speech because they can’t treat the Emperor casually, and finally agreeing to call each other by name comfortably among ourselves—despite all these diverse events in a short time, Erich’s obliviousness remained unchanged.

Should I see this as consistency or lack of progress?

“Well, since we’re going to the same place, it’s possible to meet.”

After watching the always-suffering Sarah, I nodded with effort. Unfortunately, Erich’s love life is not something I can interfere with.

Even though club members subtly or blatantly pushed from the side, Erich firmly stood his ground. Now the only way left is for him to awaken on his own, not through someone else’s help.

“Let’s talk as we walk. It’s been a while since the advisor returned, so we can’t be late.”

“Ah, right, that’s true.”

Erich reacted as if he just realized at my words. Isn’t he being too indifferent about his own brother?

“Now your sister-in-law will be going back too.”

I flinched at those words. The Prosecutors’ Office’s 1st Manager who came to temporarily fill the absent advisor’s position.

…She was incredible.

I briefly recalled the events that occurred while the 1st Manager was serving as the advisor.

Although there were no work-related issues as this was already her second time in this temporary position, the daily eccentricities caused severe mental distress.

“Oh, did you know? There’s a secret passage if you tear off this ceiling!”

******”This statue. If you pull the head, it comes off. I accidentally broke it and secretly reattached it.”***

“If you dig over theeeere in the empty lot, you’ll find real swords the Swordsmanship Club used to use. How do I know? My senior and I hid them because the Swordsmanship Club kids were too noisy!”

…

It was truly severe.