Chapter 422: Two Titles (3)

After choosing the title Erich would inherit, there wasn’t much else to do. The succession ceremony was being prepared in the territory, so Erich and I, who were just receiving titles, only needed to wait patiently.

If there was anything to do, it would be waving to the vassals and subjects after the succession, but that’s something I could handle without any preparation.

“Oppa, here you go.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Thanks to this, I could enjoy peaceful days until we heard from Father.

Days spent eating cookies made by Louise, eating cookies, and eating more cookies.

They’re getting longer.

Looking at the pile of cookies, I carefully picked one up. Since ‘that’ incident, the once round cookies have been evolving into stick shapes. To be specific, they’ve become long enough for two people to bite each end.

She even coated them in chocolate. They look just like those stick snacks from my past life.

I guess people think alike.

Well, both Lotte and Louise start with ‘L’. Maybe there’s some connection there.

I absent-mindedly put the cookie—or rather, the stick snack—in my mouth. Louise gently bit the other end, her eyes smiling.

This too is my karma. I’ve unleashed a poison on the Empire’s confectionery world.

Was it too stimulating?

I nibbled on the stick snack, feeling a belated regret. After I countered Irina’s soul-filled ‘Aahn’ with a cookie kiss, Louise seemed to awaken and started mass-producing these stick snacks.

Of course, I understand. From Louise’s perspective, I shared love with someone else using the cookies she made with affection. Even if that someone was a friend, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t jealous. I was too insensitive…

“I enjoyed it, oppa.”

“…Yeah, me too.”

The stick snack disappeared into our mouths, and Louise smiled brightly.

I managed to form a smile in this bizarre situation. I’ve taught something strange to this pure girl who would have been happy with a normal kiss.

I’m a sinner. Not content with starting the vicious trend of splitting and wearing rings, now I’ve introduced kissing with snacks in between—

“Ah, wait a moment. There’s something on your hand.”

Louise, still smiling, naturally took my hand and licked the chocolate off my finger with her tongue.

Though her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she didn’t stop.

I feel like I’m losing my mind.

The night before the weekend.

— I’ll send a mage tomorrow. Where should I send them?

“Erich and I will be in front of the main building, so please send them there.”

— In front of the main building. Understood.

As expected, Father only speaks when he’s certain. His words about possibly handling it this weekend have actually come true.

It’s surprising. I was hoping to finish quickly, but it was only a few days ago that I brought up receiving the title. And they’ve already finished the preparations? Did he work the vassals to the bone?

Or maybe they had finished most of the preparations after being urged to retire by the Retired Emperor. It’s entirely possible, given that Father said he’d prepare according to my schedule.

— Plan to inherit the County of Tailglehen after Erich’s succession ceremony for the Barony of Hardiner.

I nodded at this obvious statement. If we held the main event of the county succession first, it might overshadow Erich becoming a titled noble. Regardless of whether we welcome Erich receiving a title or not, we can’t let a family celebration be overshadowed.

With such considerate father and brother, Erich is truly blessed. I hope he appreciates his good fortune.

— Ah, after the succession ceremony, go to the Imperial Palace. For other title successions, a letter of greeting would suffice, but for an Imperial Count, you must swear loyalty again before His Majesty the Emperor.

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

Though it’s the first I’ve heard of this, I understood as it makes sense.

An Imperial Count is a direct vassal of the Emperor. If someone else inherits such a direct vassal’s title and only sends a letter without greeting the Emperor in person? Others might question the relationship between the Emperor and the Imperial Count.

Especially when the Emperor is newly enthroned, and the Imperial Count is the godfather of the Imperial Princess, we need to be even more careful. In fact, I should go even if told not to.

What a pain.

I almost sighed. I had just returned to the academy after getting away from the Emperor’s side, and now I have to go back before him.

But what can I do? If I’m upset about it, I should have inherited the title before the Retired Emperor retired.

Damn it.

The thought of entering the Imperial Palace makes me dizzy. I should have moved a little faster.

I nodded while looking at the report submitted by the head butler. No matter how many times I check, it’s flawless.

We can proceed with this.

I sighed as I stamped the family seal Billy had entrusted to me.

Though Billy was staying in the territory as much as possible for his son’s title inheritance, it was inevitable that he spent more time in the capital as a council member. As a result, the head butler and I were preparing for the succession ceremony more than Billy was.

Fortunately, we’d been preparing steadily since Billy’s retirement was confirmed, so we weren’t pressed for time. If we’d started preparing only when Carl declared he’d accept the succession, we wouldn’t have been ready until next year.

This must be the last time.

I couldn’t help but smile at the pile of documents on the desk. It wasn’t difficult, as it was for my child. I just felt a mix of emptiness and relief, realizing this was my last task as the lady of House Krasius.

Once Carl becomes the Count of Tailglehen and marries next year, I won’t be the lady of House Krasius anymore. Of course, I’m only 40, and considering the time needed for the first daughter-in-law to adjust, I’ll probably act as the lady for a while longer. But officially, I’ll just be a retired figure of the previous generation.

Previous generation, huh.

I burst out laughing when I saw Laura organizing other documents in the corner. If I’m from the previous generation, so is Laura.

“Nia? What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing.”

I shook my head at Laura, who had turned to look at me.

I couldn’t say it. I couldn’t bring myself to say that we’re both getting old and need to step aside. If I did, Laura would predictably fly into a rage as usual.

She’d make a fuss about how we’re still in our prime 40s, and how others still see her as in her 20s. I wonder who these ‘others’ are.

Objectively speaking, both Laura and I do look younger than our age. But that’s true for all nobles who take care of their appearance. It’d be harder to find a noble who doesn’t look young for their age.

“How silly.”

Thankfully, Laura didn’t press further.

Is she that happy?

She even started humming a little tune and moving documents with a light step. This was impossible unless something really good had happened.

But I understand. My feelings probably aren’t much different from Laura’s.

There must be progress since they’re living together.

I couldn’t stop smiling. We finally confirmed that there’s been progress in Erich and Sarah’s relationship.

Yes, there’s definitely progress. Otherwise, Erich wouldn’t have chosen the Barony of Hardiner among all the available titles. He must have decided with Sarah in mind.

Knowing this, Laura was happily helping with the work. Sarah’s yearning one-sided love had finally seen the light.

As soon as the weekend morning arrived, I waited for Carl and Erich in front of the castle gates. I’d already finished all my tasks, so there was no problem being outside. I just wanted to see the children as soon as possible.

“…Wife, I understand how you feel, but the mage hasn’t even left yet.”

I barely heard Billy’s words beside me. What’s important isn’t when the children arrive. It’s the excitement of waiting for them.

That excitement is the key to starting the day happily, but Billy doesn’t understand that.

“The weather’s chilly. Wouldn’t it be better to wait inside?”

“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

I appreciated Billy’s suggestion but firmly shook my head. Though I might not be as hardy as Billy or the children, I’m still an adult who takes care of her health. I won’t fall ill from a bit of wind.

Besides, how disappointed would the children be if they were greeted by servants instead of their parents because we left our post? I’ve already committed many sins against those children, I can’t add another—

“Then at least wear this.”

Billy’s coat was draped over my shoulders.

I smiled gently at the warm black coat.

“Thank you.”

Billy just nodded in response.

I personally picked up Erich and arrived at the territory, just in case he tried to run away or go AWOL. What other brother would personally pick up his little brother to ensure he gets a title? Be grateful for life.

“Is it even possible to become a titled noble in your teens…”

I ignored Erich’s bitter muttering.

We have teenage Imperial Counts and department heads, so a teenage baron is nothing. Trixie became a duke at the human equivalent of 4 years old.

Huh?

Anyway, I patted Erich’s muttering shoulder and turned my gaze to the main gate, where I saw a somewhat unexpected sight.

Father standing without a coat despite the near-winter weather, and Mother smiling while wearing a very familiar black coat.

…Hmm.

Did we come too early?

This is awkward. It feels like we’ve interrupted a couple’s intimate moment.

We should’ve come a day later.

Then maybe House Krasius might have had a new youngest child.

But I pushed aside the regretful feelings and moved forward. We can’t restore the atmosphere we’ve already broken. It’s better for both of them if we quickly finish our business and leave.

“We’re here.”

So, I greeted them with the mindset of a son visiting for the holidays.

Let’s hit and run, just like the vacation.