Chapter 420: Two Titles (1)

The advisor and Irina were sharing a single cookie. After witnessing this amazing sight, I quietly turned my head away.

It’s a heartwarming scene of lovers expressing their affection, but not one for others to openly stare at. That’s why I turned my head without any comment or jeering.

Honestly, it’s a bit shocking. I know about the relationship between the advisor and Irina, but I didn’t expect them to show such affection so casually. If it were simple contact, maybe, but this is a bit…

Is the Empire more open about dating?

For a moment, I even had such a thought. A rational idea that maybe the Empire has a culture that values love between couples more than others’ gazes.

It’s quite a plausible hypothesis. My home country, the United Kingdom of Yuben, and the Empire are at opposite ends of the continent, so there’s quite a distance. It wouldn’t be strange if Yuben and the Empire had different cultures.

I guess not.

However, I had to quickly discard that hypothesis. Louise, who was just bringing new cookies, froze in place, and the temporary advisor teacher, who had been giggling, looked at the cookie in her hand as if pondering something.

Even Lady Marghetta and the Mage Duchess showed similar reactions, meaning the advisor’s behavior is shocking even from an imperial perspective.

So the advisor is the unusual one.

After careful consideration, I came to that conclusion. It’s not that imperials are more open, but that the advisor is unconventional. I almost misunderstood the Empire’s culture.

And if it’s the advisor, I can understand such bold behavior. Having recently risked danger by joining the military campaign, we can think that his longing for his lovers grew during that period. It’s natural for longing for everyday life to grow in times of crisis.

Yes, it’s natural. It’s natural, but…

Why you.

I couldn’t help but look at Erich. Let’s say the advisor’s current bold display of affection is due to the military campaign. But the advisor made lovers and showed affection, albeit subtly, even before the campaign. He acted like a normal person.

But Erich isn’t normal. He’s like a stubborn pine tree, unmoved even when those around him are pushing.

It’s not like they have different blood.

If they were strangers, or if the advisor and Erich had shown very different behaviors, I would have thought Erich was a sad mutant.

But the advisor and Erich are indeed blood brothers. Right after Louise rejected us and showed interest in the advisor, the advisor then showed the same obliviousness as Erich does now. They were clearly blood relatives with the same personality.

Then shouldn’t Erich start making lovers like the advisor? Why is he still acting like the advisor of the past?

How pitiful.

I almost sighed as soon as I saw Sarah sitting next to Erich. While others were surprised by the advisor’s display of affection or quietly turned their gaze away, Sarah was watching the scene as if envious.

Then she glanced at Erich, looked back at the advisor and Irina, and then at Erich again.

It’s pitiful. I can’t think of any other word to describe it.

“Uu, urubunu…”

Amidst all this, I heard Louise’s voice as if she was gritting her teeth and hurriedly looked in that direction. Using the cookies she made to have an intimate moment with someone else? It’s enough to make one’s eyes roll with anger and jealousy—

Ah.

I gently closed my eyes. She wasn’t gritting her teeth, but had a cookie in her mouth.

“It’s unusually cold today.”

I heard Rutis muttering quietly but ignored it.

I felt the same way.

There was a bit of commotion, but the return celebration party ended smoothly.

It’s all well as long as no one’s hurt, right?

I sat on the bed and started rationalizing. Although the other lovers were shocked and the club members turned their gazes away, at least there was no physical damage. Then it can be said to have ended smoothly.

Of course, I admit that I showed too much in front of growing teenagers, but considering what I couldn’t do until now, isn’t this level appropriate?

“Think about what you’ll do for me and Penelia! If it’s half-hearted, I’ll lock you in the basement and won’t let you out!”

As a result, the vacation might be a bit tough, but I decided to humbly accept it as karma I need to bear.

I was worried about what would happen if she refused to go.

I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. Actually, from Eli’s perspective, declaring basement confinement is natural. Rather, I should be grateful that she’s willingly returning to the capital.

Bluntly put, if she had lain down saying she couldn’t go alone because her side was cold, there would have been no way but to coax her. Even if she had caused a scene by calling Penelia from the capital as reinforcement, I couldn’t have said anything.

So I’m just grateful and sorry. She seems to have become a bit of a brat, but her heart still seems big.

…But can the expressions ‘brat’ and ‘big-hearted’ be used for the same person?

Whatever.

Thinking about it, when was Eli ever normal? No matter how unusual or strange,it’s possible if it’s her.

As I convinced myself of this, I took out the communication crystal from my breast pocket. It’s not polite to contact someone late at night, but for someone who’s only free from work at night, it can’t be helped. It’s better to call at night than during work hours.

— Carl?

And it seems that thought was correct, as a response came not long after I made contact.

“I’m sorry for this late hour, Father.”

— No, it’s fine. I just finished work.

As I apologized first, Father shook his head as if it was okay.

Seeing this, I can’t shake off a bitter feeling. Having to work until late even with retirement in sight, just how painful a job is being a council member?

At least it’s fortunate that he’ll be free from this pain once Erich graduates. Erich is young, so he can handle some hardship.

— But what’s the matter? I heard you returned to the Academy today, so shouldn’t you be spending time with your wives instead of contacting your father?

“I spent plenty of time with them. I just arrived at my quarters.”

— There’s no such thing as enough time between spouses. Remember, the more time, the better.

For a moment, I imagined Father being chased out by Mother, but I pushed that thought away. It’s too disrespectful to think that in front of Father who’s giving precious advice.

“I’ll keep that in mind. But since I’ve already contacted you, please indulge me today.”

— Alright, I suppose it can’t be helped. Go ahead and speak.

So I deliberately joked, and Father responded with a faint smile.

“I want to inherit the title.”

At those words, Father’s smile quickly faded.

It’s not that he became stern. He’s just composing himself to address this serious decision I’ve made.

— As I said before, there’s no need to receive the title immediately. The Retired Emperor will allow it until early next year.

“It’s fine. I want to inherit it by the end of this month at the latest.”

— I see.

At my firm answer, Father quietly closed his eyes. He seems to be checking his schedule now that he’s confirmed my resolve.

I feel sorry for dumping this big event of title inheritance on Father who just finished his council work, but I truly want to inherit it by the end of this month at the latest.

It should be done before the wedding.

As Father said, the deadline for title inheritance is early next year. The Retired Emperor will understand this much for the sudden inheritance.

However, I need to marry Mar in early next year. If the title inheritance ceremony overlaps with the wedding timing? Either the inheritance ceremony or the wedding will be overshadowed, but neither event should be.

I don’t intend to postpone the wedding for the title inheritance, so naturally, it’s right to move up the inheritance. Mar is more important than the title.

— …Indeed. It would be better to handle it immediately, if only for the first daughter-in-law.

Eventually, Father seemed to reach the same conclusion as me and nodded.

— We can proceed as early as this weekend. Don’t worry, it won’t go beyond this month at the latest.

“Yes, I understand.”

As long as it’s not late, anytime is fine.

The light from the communication crystal faded after Carl’s farewell.

The inheritance ceremony, huh.

I couldn’t help but smile. Although the title inheritance was already decided by the Retired Emperor’s order, hearing Carl say he wants to inherit it gives me a new feeling.

And I felt a strange emotion that was both relieved yet empty, anxious yet reassured. It’s the moment when the owner of the Krasius family, with 300 years of history, appointed as Imperial Count by Amanca II, changes. The moment when I, still in my 40s, hand over 300 years of history to my son in his 20s.

If I don’t feel relieved after putting down this burden, I’d be emotionless, and if I don’t feel empty after putting it down before death, I’d be irresponsible.

If I’m not anxious about passing the burden to my son who’s only in his 20s, I’d be heartless, and if I’m not reassured because he’s a reliable son, I’d be faithless.

He’ll do well.

That strange emotion gradually tilted towards relief and reassurance. If it’s Carl, if it’s my son, he’ll surely do well.

…Now he’s a double count?

I smiled again. Carl already holds the title of Count of Wiridia. Since the Imperial Count is also classified as a count, Carl has become a big shot holding two count titles while not being a duke or marquis.

It’s truly remarkable. When one becomes a high noble, it’s unusual to hold a title equal to the family’s main title. It’s strange for a duke to hold another dukedom, or a marquis another marquisate.

But Carl did it. Although it’s through the loophole of being an Imperial Count, he’s become a high noble holding a title equal to his main title.

Perhaps the main title could change.

Yes, if the Count of Wiridia title changes to a marquisate, then we might have to change the Krasius family’s main title.

Marquis Krasius.

After muttering this unfamiliar name to myself, I chuckled.

It’s nothing more than a delusion. Carl’s promotion is only likely, not certain. Right now, Carl’s influence might be enough to rival a marquis, but who knows about the future?

Yet, why do I have this intuition that someday Carl will be troubled by this very issue?
**