Chapter 435: With a Fresh Start (5)

Although I shared an awkward silence with the Emperor, fortunately, he didn’t ask any further questions after hearing it was a gift from the Retired Emperor. He showed a strong will to focus solely on what conversation I had with the Retired Emperor – nothing more, nothing less.

Pure questions and answers, without any hint of subtle jabs or attempts to pass off work. Though I’ve known the Emperor for years, such a normal conversation is truly rare. Or perhaps, it might even be a first.

That’s why, right after leaving the Imperial Palace following my conversation with the Emperor, I unconsciously started petting the rice cake nestled in my arms. Just by holding this little one, the difficulty of conversing with the Emperor plummeted.

A defense totem.

The thought suddenly struck me. This bright and tiny rice cake is the Retired Emperor’s mercy, taking pity on me being grilled by the Emperor. With this little one, I fear nothing.

Let’s be together for life.

I made a promise while looking at the rice cake, which had started licking my face, apparently enjoying the petting.

I’ll make sure our rice cake—no, our little bundle of joy—lives a dog’s life that would make even the well-off envious.

When I returned home with a puppy after leaving early in the morning, my lovers and the servants at the mansion were visibly perplexed. Honestly, I would have been surprised too, so I understand.

Fortunately, the bewilderment that had settled over the mansion quickly dissipated. After all, regardless of how it happened, we now had a cute pet. Unless someone particularly disliked animals or had a dog hair allergy, there was no reason to object.

“You say His Majesty the Retired Emperor bestowed it?”

“Yeah. He said it seemed to like me a lot, so I should take it. Apparently, it’ll live at least 10 years?”

I calmly answered Mar’s question as we watched the bundle of joy proudly roaming the room.

Mar tilted her head, looking even more confused.

“So, was this little one present when you went to see His Majesty the Retired Emperor?”

At those words, I subtly lowered my gaze. I couldn’t bring myself to explain that the Retired Emperor was assembling a Bremen Town Musicians in a corner of the Imperial Palace.

It’s a fact known to everyone who frequents the Imperial Palace, but conversely, it’s a top-secret unknown to those without access. I didn’t have the courage to reveal such a secret myself.

“Sometimes things like horses are presented to the Imperial Family. I guess it came along then.”

Mar seemed to accept my forced explanation with a nod. More accurately, she seemed to let it slide rather than truly accepting it.

Woof—!

Meanwhile, as I turned my head at the sound of the bundle of joy’s cheerful bark, I saw it rolling around on Trixie’s scattered hair on the floor.

Oh no.

I felt my blood run cold. Even if Trixie has a gentle personality, it’s a different matter to have a furry creature playing with her hair. Even dog lovers wouldn’t like a dog slobbering all over their hair, right?

“Fufu, what an energetic little one.”

But Trixie just smiled softly at the bundle of joy. I was worried she might be displeased, but thankfully not.

“By the way, oppa. What’s its name?”

“Huh?”

As the bundle of joy was monopolizing everyone’s attention, all eyes suddenly turned to me at Irina’s casually thrown question.

And only then did I realize. Although I had been calling it ‘bundle of joy’ as a temporary name, we hadn’t given it an official name yet.

A name, huh?

I stroked my chin, deep in thought. Of course, since it was raised by the Retired Emperor, it did have a name he gave it—

“For convenience, I called it Number 3, but since the Minister will be raising it now, you should give it a new name.”

Number 3 is a bit much. Even if the Retired Emperor hadn’t told me to give it a new name, it’s a terrible name that needs changing.

I looked down at the bundle of joy with a bitter feeling. How could a dog’s name be Number 3? The person who was so good at giving titles to dukes, why is he so cold to the dog he raised?

“How about Beatitudo?”

After some consideration, I voiced the official name for the bundle of joy.

Beatitudo, a beautiful word meaning happiness in Latin. It’s a fitting name for a defense totem that helped me get through the conversation with the Emperor smoothly. With this little one, even visits to the Imperial Palace might become enjoyable.

“…How about Titi?”

“Yeah, that’s good.”

Strange. I clearly gave my opinion, but it was naturally ignored.

Seeing this reminded me of the ‘Lou’ nightmare. The name I thought was fine apparently wasn’t great to others.

What’s wrong with Beatitudo?

I quietly closed my eyes in frustration. If they knew the name the Retired Emperor had given, they would have realized mine was angelic in comparison.

If I had to choose between Number 3 and Beatitudo, I would have definitely gone with the latter.

Just a few days after meeting with His Majesty the Emperor, I was summoned again.

Moreover, since it was said to be about the title bestowal he mentioned last time, I hurried my steps. It would be troublesome if I moved sluggishly and was misunderstood as being dissatisfied with receiving a title.

But as soon as I arrived at His Majesty’s office, I heard something other than talk of titles.

“I hear that Marquis Barandiga’s daughter is a talented individual with both bravery and wisdom. As she happens to be around your age, I hope you two might form a good relationship.”

Though he roundaboutly spoke of a ‘good relationship,’ I could immediately tell he was essentially recommending her as a marriage partner.

My fists trembled. If it weren’t for my father, I would have already thrown a punch.

How underhanded.

My teeth ground together. So underhanded and calculated—Father only revealed the real reason he brought me here after we arrived in the capital. He spoke boldly now that I couldn’t return to our territory alone or hide somewhere.

“Calm down. How can someone who’s about to become the wife of a royal show such a fierce expression?”

“Father!”

“My hearing is fine, so speak quietly.”

Father’s nonchalant response made my blood boil even more. Please, just one hit, just one…!

Of all places, where there are so many eyes!

I bit my lip slightly. This is the capital, specifically the mansion of Count Wiridia, no, Tailglehen, who has deep ties with Father. It’s a place the Count offered as lodging for the great northern lords who don’t yet have mansions in the capital.

I can’t cause a scandal of ‘daughter assaulting her father’ in such a place. With all the nobles focused on the capital, if such an incident were to occur, it would bring contempt not just upon Father, but all of us from the North.

“…I told you I have no intention of marrying.”

As I desperately tried to calm myself and speak, Father frowned and shouted instead.

“When did you ever say that! You just listed a bunch of conditions, you never declared you wouldn’t marry!”

“No, if I listed that many conditions, you should have taken the hint! I don’t want to get married!”

At that, Father grabbed the back of his neck with trembling hands and staggered.

It’s a bit of a pitiful reaction, but this time it’s clearly Father’s fault. How could he bring someone who had no intention to the capital and set up a situation where I can’t refuse?

I absolutely won’t do it.

I hate it. I absolutely hate it. I have no interest in men weaker than me, I dislike settled people who won’t share my thoughts even more, and I despise the idea of a royal who’s grown up like a flower in a garden most of all.

“When I received the title of Marquis! How much I cried in front of our ancestors’ graves! I prayed that we had become one of the highest-ranking nobles in the empire, that we could bring glory to our ancestors for generations to come—!”

I could hear Father shouting something, but I ignored it.

Now that we’re in the capital, I probably can’t avoid meeting this so-called royal, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just nod along obediently. I’ll struggle as much as I can to avoid this marriage.

Absolutely!