Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 917



917 – Congratulations are congratulations and this is this – 4

It is hard to describe the relationship between the Emperor and the Imperial Count as close as it can be.

Since the founding of the Empire, the Imperial Counts have been the Emperor’s direct vassals and swords, and have served as the final shield protecting the Imperial Family. This has been a tradition since the time of Emperor Aimanka, and the relationship was formalized during the reign of Aimanka II. It is more correct to view it as a community of shared destiny than a simple vassal relationship.

This relationship of living together and dying together was a result of the interests of the ‘Emperor, who was struggling to control the rapidly expanding territory and the number of powerful people that increased proportionally’ and the ‘Nobles who had newly received titles or were promoted and had no supporters’ coinciding with each other right after the founding of the empire─but that’s not the important thing.

‘Even during the reign of the tyrant, the imperial lords protected the imperial family.’

Even during the time of the vicious tyrant line of the Livnoman line, their deep relationship was not severed. Due to this tremendous proof of loyalty, even the suspicious situations seemed to be lenient to the Imperial Counts. As the Imperial Counts were devoted to the Imperial Family, the Imperial Family also mercifully consoled the Imperial Counts.

So, it is not strange for the imperial mistress, the ‘master of the imperial lords’, to descend upon the gathering of the imperial lords. It can prove that the affairs of the imperial lord family are the affairs of the imperial family, and it is an act that raises the prayers of the imperial lords. Isn’t it killing two birds with one stone?

This was a coexistence that was achieved even during the reign of the Emperor. Even the Empress from the House of Ashilon took such good care of the women of the Imperial Household.

The Imperial Counts, who were actually the heads of the families, did not care much about the Empress and were only loyal to the Emperor. But if you think about it, it seems that the situation cared more for the Imperial Counts because of this clear loyalty.

‘It’s been so long that I forgot.’

Anyway, the reason I was momentarily flustered even though the Empress’s descent was natural was simple.

Since the current emperor’s crown prince’s appointment, the empress of the current situation has not been able to engage in any external activities. Since the current emperor’s ascension to the throne, the imperial lords have not held a group meeting, so there was no reason for the empress to come. Since something that has not happened in almost ten years has happened, it is inevitable that she will be agitated.

In a way, this is the first official meeting between the current empress and the imperial lords. I was the one who led that monumental meeting.

‘It’s a totem.’

My identity is becoming more and more clear. Isn’t this the stage where I have to consider myself a totem, even if others deny it?

Well, if it’s Seongkal, then it’s a totem, not a human. How can a person’s name be Seongkal?

“Her Majesty the Empress is a person who welcomes you with sincerity rather than excessive ceremony. I’m not saying you should be careless with your preparations, but if you prepare strictly according to the rules, you have nothing to worry about.”

I calmed my momentary commotion and answered the butler.

Although it was a verbal inquiry asking if I could attend the service, I and the deacon know that it was the same as notifying me that I would attend. Which noble in this world would say something like, “No. You can’t come” when the Empress is coming?

That is why I added that while it is expected that the Empress will come, there is no need to prepare too much. Fortunately, the Empress has a friendly personality for someone from a ducal family, and considering her position as Empress, she is even more generous.

“Is that okay?”

“Yes. Her Majesty the Empress must be coming as a believer because she wants to spend some quality time with the ladies of the Imperial Counts’ family, but it would be difficult to welcome them in an overly formal manner.”

If they come as fellow believers, they can be treated relatively comfortably, but if they are treated with glamor, they should be treated as clear superiors, not believers. The head deacon nodded as if he understood the explanation.

In fact, it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand it. Currently, aside from the Empress’s family, the Duke of Nyren and the Imperial Family, Eri and I are the closest to the Empress. The experts say so, so there’s no need for the butler to show his displeasure by going so far as to subdue her.

“Oh, and Your Majesty.”

As we walked again, the butler continued speaking cautiously.

“If you attend the service, Her Highness the Crown Princess will also come with you.”

My steps stopped for a different reason than before.

***

The Count is said to be holding a service at the Count’s Castle in Teilglen.

‘What is worship?’

After observing the Count up close for several years, I have come to the conclusion that he is not particularly religious. It is a bit ridiculous to worship him on such a topic.

Still, it is natural for a living adult to worship a noble family with whom they maintain friendly relations. It is understandable, even if it is funny.

And it is said that the Empress attends the service conducted by the Count.

‘It is time for the Empress to build friendship with the Imperial Family.’

This is also something that can be tolerated. No, it is something that goes beyond tolerated and should be actively encouraged.

The Imperial Counts are the Emperor’s confidants. I, as the Emperor, can elicit their loyalty, but the hostesses who are active in the social world are different. The battlefield of the social world and the noble ladies is not a space that even I, as the Emperor, can easily control.

However, you cannot neglect contact with the hostesses. The hostess is not called the ‘hostess’ for nothing. She is given that name because she has the same position and authority as the host within the family.

So, it is a welcome thing for the Empress to step into the meeting of the Imperial Counts’ households.

“Empress. What did you just say?”

“I plan to go with the Crown Princess as well. The Crown Princess will be the one to lead the Imperial Counts in the future, and she will be a child who will be able to connect with the heads of the families. So it would be good to see her often from a young age.”

The Empress’s words made his fingertips tremble.

It is not wrong. If our Crown Princess succeeds me and becomes the 18th Eimanka, she should take control of the Imperial Count family as both an empress and a woman. As a noble empress, she should lead the Imperial Count parties and as a woman, she should communicate with the hostesses. Even if there is a state letter, only the Crown Princess, who is also a woman, can…

“Grrrrr…”

“Your Majesty, it is ugly.”

When I thought of the word ‘national letter’, a warm emotion welled up from the depths of my heart.

I know. I know I look ugly.

But what should I do with my insides boiling with anger when I combine the words ‘the future of the crown princess, the imperial family, count, and state letter’?

‘I thought it had calmed down a little.’

While the count was fleeing to the Catholic Church and receiving canonization, I thought my anger had subsided while I was at my wife’s house, avoiding the crowds that had gathered in front of the count’s mansion. I thought I had overreacted out of fear that the young crown princess might leave my embrace.

No. I was thoroughly rationally angry. It doesn’t matter whether rationality and anger can coexist.

It is clear that the Crown Princess’s head is getting hot again at the thought of her contacting the Count again and that she might meet Pedi.

“your majesty.”

“Speak, Empress.”

“It has been quite some time since the Crown Princess saw her siblings. Up until now, I was able to console her by saying that the Count went on a trip with his family, but now I can’t stop him.”

A sigh escaped me at the Empress’s words.

My anger temporarily subsided while the Count was away, but it also meant that the Crown Princess was unable to visit the Count’s mansion.

Fortunately, the kind and gentle Crown Princess agreed to the Empress’s advice. Soon, the Count would return, and when she heard that she could play with her younger siblings, including Pedi, she quietly played with the Prince and Princess in the palace.

But as the Empress said, it has reached its limit. It has reached a point where it is no longer possible to keep the Crown Princess tied to the palace.

“Your Majesty. Are you okay with enduring the Crown Princess’s resentment and hatred?”

“That, that.”

“Even if you were prepared for that, what would you gain by doing so?”

I ended up bowing my head in response to a point that I absolutely could not refute.

I hate this situation. I hate this situation so much that I have to send the Crown Princess to a dangerous place.

“…Empress. I will also join you in the service─”

“your majesty.”

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

He gave up when he saw the Empress smiling but firmly shaking her head.

‘Your Majesty.’

After a while, I prayed to the Great Emperor in my heart.

Your Majesty, the founder of a great empire. I ask you, Your Majesty, since my opponent is the saint of Enen.

Please protect your words. Please protect our daughter who will lead the empire in the future.

Please be safe in many ways.

***

The current mistresses or grand ladies of the Imperial Counts’ families gathered one by one at the Count’s Castle of Tylglehen.

“Welcome. Thank you for taking the time to visit us.”

And as the current Count of Tilglehen, he personally greeted the guests who came to visit.

Although I am a noble of title, the guests coming now are the wives or mothers of nobles of the same rank as me. It is a bit burdensome to sit comfortably and greet them. In the first place, I am also the youngest line among the Imperial Counts.

‘I should have called Erich too.’

For a moment, a thought crossed my mind. Erich is the one who builds friendships with the Imperial Counts in the Imperial Diet, so why didn’t I just let Erich handle the service? I’ll just worship. It seems like a pretty good idea.

Okay. Next time something like this happens, let’s call Erich first. If you’re representing your brother, it’s only right that you do this kind of thing as well, of course.

“What a precious visit. I have come to hear your precious words.”

“Haha, I guess I should pray harder for my wife.”

Meanwhile, the wife of the Morgoa family smiled at my hospitality and nodded secretly.

From noble mtl dot com

It’s embarrassing. It would be better if the nobles who have no ties at all behaved like this, but the Imperial Hundred Family members tend to interact with each other. Even I, a socialite and a fantasy Pokémon, have become acquainted with the main figures of the Imperial Hundred Family.

Until a few years ago, I would have had to bow my head first, but now people are showing me respect beyond mutual respect. I think I will never get used to it even after my whole life.

‘ah.’

After letting the wife of the ignorant family inside, he stared blankly into space, then saw a familiar doll and closed his eyes in deep thought.

A mother and daughter with splendid silver hair. The mother and daughter walk hand in hand. A considerable number of maids follow them.

‘You came.’

To be honest, a guest whom the Emperor had hoped would be stopped ended up coming.

‘Incompetent guy.’

I can understand the Empress coming. It’s an event for the Imperial Family, so who would say anything about the Empress coming?

But you could have prevented the Crown Princess from coming. As a father, you could have played hard with your daughter.

‘Incompetent father.’

The father of these ten siblings was disappointed in the father of the three siblings.