Chapter 438: Me Before Others  (2)

With the bride-to-be Mar’s approval, the wedding venue was confirmed. How could the groom refuse when the bride is in favor?

In truth, holding the wedding at the cathedral was an unavoidable fate from the moment the Emperor mentioned it, but I never expected Mar to support it too. I thought she’d feel burdened or show reluctance like me.

What should I do?

After barely soothing Mar, who seemed a bit upset, and sending her off, I fiddled with my communication crystal for a long while.

Yes, it’s a burdensome venue, but I can endure it for Mar’s sake. I don’t know what the Emperor was thinking when he offered the cathedral, but he’s always been far from common sense, so I’ll just accept it.

But changing the wedding venue to St. Paronas Cathedral renders Mother’s efforts futile. If the venue changes, doesn’t that mean we need to prepare anew to match the place? I can’t muster the courage to deliver this unfortunate news to Mother.

She’ll be disappointed.

I sighed without realizing it. I know that Mother feels guilty towards Erich and me. Even if I deliberately turned a blind eye before, from the moment I acknowledged my family as family, I couldn’t help but notice.

That’s why I hesitated. I know how enthusiastically Mother has been preparing for my wedding, how happy she was to be able to do something for her son.

— Carl?

But after much deliberation, I made the call. At least telling her now would be better than right before the wedding.

“I’m sorry for contacting you suddenly. There’s something urgent I need to tell you.”

— What is there for a son to apologize for when contacting his mother? You can speak comfortably.

Seeing Mother’s gentle smile, the triangle in my heart spun even faster.

You bastard Emperor. You’ve shattered our mother’s dreams and hopes.

— Oh, is this about the wedding preparations? Don’t worry, everything’s progressing without any problems.

Her words, brimming with pride even through the communication crystal, made my hand holding it tremble. Should I run to the Emperor now and beg him to take it back?

“Um, Mother, about that.”

Of course, the one I should beg isn’t the Emperor, but Mother.

“I’m truly sorry, but our wedding venue… has been changed to somewhere else.”

With those words, I squeezed my eyes shut.

I just can’t find the courage to see Mother’s expression.

My heart felt like it stopped at Carl’s sudden words. I wondered if he had made separate wedding preparations because he didn’t trust me enough.

If that were true, nothing could be more miserable. I thought I was finally getting closer to Carl, but that happiness would have been just my delusion.

“I… I see.”

But I managed to speak while barely suppressing the heat rising in my eyes.

It can’t be a delusion. Surely Carl and I have grown closer, and are still growing closer. Thanks to my son who forgave this unworthy mother, we’re regaining the semblance of a normal family.

Moreover, if Carl didn’t trust me, he wouldn’t have entrusted me with the wedding preparations in the first place. He wouldn’t be bowing his head with such an apologetic face now.

There must be some circumstances.

Yes, that must be it.

And thinking that way made me feel ashamed. Unlike Carl, who forgave the past and moved forward, I, who received forgiveness, was still trapped in the past. I was jumping to negative conclusions, assuming Carl would hate and avoid me.

“Could you tell me where it’s been decided? I’d like to at least take a look at where my son will be married.”

I spoke with a slight smile. Considering all the effort Laura and I put in, it’s a bit disappointing, but Carl is the one getting married. If Carl urgently chose this place, it must be the best venue. It’s not for me to interfere—

— It’s St. Paronas Cathedral.

“…Pardon?”

An unexpected name came out.

St. Paronas Cathedral?

I quickly searched my memories. Are there multiple places named St. Paronas Cathedral? Was the name St. Paronas used somewhere other than the cathedral of the Ausen Archdiocese in the capital?

— His Majesty the Emperor personally recommended it. It was too gracious an offer to refuse.

But the following words ended my brief escape from reality. If His Majesty the Emperor personally recommended it, and Carl used the word ‘gracious,’ it must be that St. Paronas Cathedral.

— And since we’re suddenly changing the venue, the Imperial Family said they would actively support us.

For a moment, my mind went blank. I knew Carl was trusted by His Majesty the Emperor, but I never imagined to this extent. Holding a noble’s wedding at St. Paronas Cathedral is unprecedented.

“That’s wonderful. It will be an unforgettable memory for a lifetime.”

So I could speak with genuine sincerity. Now, the fact that my efforts have gone to waste doesn’t matter at all.

What do my efforts matter when my son can receive such immense glory and honor? What could be more important than getting married in the glorious place where emperors who led the empire were crowned, in the beautiful place where the Great Emperor placed the crown on the first Empress?

— Um, Mother, you must have worked so hard. Will you be alright?

I smiled again at Carl’s cautious inquiry. How warm-hearted he is, worrying about his mother’s efforts rather than the glory he’s about to receive.

“I worked hard because I wanted you to have a splendid wedding with everyone’s blessings. You’re going to have a wedding beyond what my efforts could achieve, so of course I’m fine with it.”

— …Thank you.

After that, we finished our conversation by asking about each other’s recent situations. Carl seemed a bit embarrassed and tried to end the call quickly, and I didn’t want to hold him back either.

— Oh my, my in-law? What brings you to call at this hour?

Instead, I quickly shared this joyous news with my in-law.

Naturally, she was overjoyed too. Even for the Valenti family, having their daughter marry at St. Paronas Cathedral is an honor.

The rumors spread quickly. Of course, with wedding preparations taking place in the most noble cathedral in the empire, let alone the capital, it would be stranger if rumors didn’t spread.

And as the rumors spread, my communication crystal lit up or vibrated fervently.

Damn it.

I stared blankly at the communication crystal that had fallen off the desk from all the vibrating. I wish it had broken in the fall, but the device made by Duke Majong wouldn’t break from mere fall damage.

This is driving me crazy.

I quietly picked up the fallen—yet still vibrating—communication crystal. I’d like nothing more than to chuck this thing in the trash and disappear.

But that’s impossible. We’re long past the stage where I could run away or hide.

This situation is definitely big.

I sighed involuntarily. No matter how positively I try to think about it, this incident has caused an enormous ripple effect. Of course, has there ever been anything done to me by the Imperial Family that didn’t have a significant impact? But this is overwhelming even considering that past.

The youngest Executive Manager? Records like youngest or oldest are bound to be broken eventually. I may have significantly advanced that record, but it’s not an incomprehensible issue.

Minister of a new Ministry? Every department has its beginning, and it’s natural for the first minister to be an expert in that field. Considering my position as Head of the Inspection Department, regardless of my age, becoming the minister designate was natural.

Godfather to the Imperial Princess? Someone had to become the godfather. It just happened to be me by chance.

But this time is different. No matter how much I try to rationalize it, there’s no way to say, ‘Well, these things happen.’

“Since when does a subject get married in the cathedral?”

I couldn’t help but mutter in disbelief. It’s so outrageous that people are even speculating whether the Emperor is trying to take a royal consort. Considering the Emperor and Empress’s devoted love, the chance of him taking a consort is close to 0%, but it’s still more likely than it being someone else’s wedding.

That’s how much St. Paronas Cathedral is a space for the Imperial Family. It’s a place where one couldn’t even imagine a mere noble’s wedding taking place.

— Congratulations, Carl. I knew His Majesty trusted you, but even I didn’t expect to this extent.

I sighed again, recalling the Invincible Duke’s congratulations from a few hours ago.

Even the Invincible Duke didn’t know my wedding venue would be the cathedral. So how surprised must the other nobles be?

At least I don’t have to go to work.

So I felt genuinely relieved. If I had to go to work, I’d probably be stopped for interviews every three steps. Even random encounters would be horrific at that rate—

Knock knock—

“Carl, it’s me.”

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

I flinched at the sudden knock but immediately responded upon hearing Mar’s voice.

Mar peeked her head through the slowly opening door, her face somehow flushed.

“Carl. We have an esteemed guest, could you come greet them with me?”

“A guest?”

I tilted my head at her words. If Mar calls them an esteemed guest, of course I’d greet them, but why did Mar need to come tell me herself? Where’s the butler?

Noticing my confusion, Mar continued with a broad smile.

“Her Majesty the Empress has sent the Imperial tailor. They say they’ll personally make what we’ll wear for the wedding.”

“Oh…”

Indeed, a dress made by the Imperial tailor would be something even Mar, a duke’s daughter, would be thrilled about.

Their skill is undoubtedly the best on the continent, and being exclusively employed by the Imperial Family, they’re a precious figure that even ducal families can’t hire.

“Alright, let’s go. They must be busy, we can’t keep them waiting.”

I put my arm around Mar’s waist as we started walking. Though I’m still burning up inside, I can’t show a dying expression in front of Mar’s happy smile.

Besides, it’s not that I dislike the marriage itself, just St. Paronas Cathedral. It would be troublesome if Mar misunderstood.