525 – It’s Different From Back Then

I was momentarily conflicted by the beast-like appearance of the minister who knew neither favor nor debt, but now I can’t give up. We’ve already talked to Mar and her family, and they all said it would be a good idea and supported it.

And even though I think about it, I am reluctant to ask someone else than the minister for this favor. No matter how much a person has the humanity of a beast, it would be difficult to not be that person.

…Thinking about it this way makes me hesitate even more. Not the heart of a beast, but humanity.

‘It’s done.’

Let’s stop thinking. It’s not like I didn’t know that the minister’s personality was brilliant.

“It’s not strange, so sit back and listen. It’s not like the two of you will come and go back alone.”

“Would you believe it?”

My mouth fell silent for a moment at the direct question.

What if I am suddenly invited to a meal by the minister, and the minister looks like he has something to say? Even if the minister said it wasn’t strange, he simply said, ‘Oh, I see.’ Shall we move on?

‘That’s not true.’

I was convinced. It would definitely be like that if it were me─

“But, I guess a newlywed wouldn’t say something strange in front of his wife.”

The minister, who had been beaten mentally with harsh facts, smiled and crossed his arms.

Damn old man. In the end, you say you will listen but you tease me.

***

From the moment I suddenly received an invitation to a meal, I assumed there was something to ask.

That guy is the guy who shouted that you lose your appetite when you pretend to be your boss. So, even when I was at the Ministry of Finance building, I usually ate alone, but you’re inviting me to your precious mansion where your newborn baby is? That doesn’t make sense. I’ve been looking at that b*stard for too long to believe that it was just an ordinary invitation without any reason.

However, I only guessed that there was something, and it was difficult to reason beyond that.

‘It’s not your level to ask me for anything.’

Just because he’s below me doesn’t mean he’s not in the weight class I would dare to ask for. There is no need to feel sorry for me because he is equal to or better than me.

Honestly, if that guy needs something, it’s enough to get it on his own or by mobilizing his various connections his. Even though I am the Minister of Finance, my name is not nobler than that of a duke.

‘What is it?’

What on earth? What kind of favor did you set up this place to ask?

At this point, I feel quite anxious. Isn’t he the guy who has been grabbing my back from time to time since his days at the Inspection Department? Now that that guy has become a minister (appointed candidate) like me, I am afraid of how he will go beyond common sense and commit terrible things.

Of course, if you ask me if I’ll take you as a subordinate again, I’ll say no. There is nothing more shameless than taking something and returning it.

“That’s it.”

Carl, who was scratching the back of his head at my gaze, cleared his throat slightly and continued speaking.

“Pedi will be baptized soon, but isn’t it a bit weird to be baptized without a godfather? So, I’m trying to choose a godfather for Peddie…”

It was very annoying to see him turning his gaze here and there as if he was embarrassed. I’m not the kind of person who cares about what others think or has a normal conscience, so what can I do now?

“Would you please be Peddie’s godfather?”

“…Huh?”

But my body froze at the words that followed. It certainly wasn’t something that even that guy would be proud to say.

“No, honestly, the only person I can ask this for is Your Excellency. I am already the godfather of your granddaughter, and if you are going to entrust the loan to a family member, there is no need to be the godfather, and Your Excellency is close in age. It’s also appropriate─”

Perhaps sensing my silence as a sign of rejection, Carl continued his speech in gibberish.

Sorry, I can’t hear you well. No matter how much I open my mouth right after detonating a bomb like that, I wonder if it will be heard properly.

“Carl. What is it that you are asking for?”

“Oh, yes. Sorry.”

I couldn’t even see the Countess mistreating Karl with a smile. Normally, she would have laughed at me for not being able to move in front of her wife.

Confusing. That guy calling me his godfather, and realizing that he has a child,

“Please, Your Excellency. There is no one I can trust except you.”

That guy bows his head and asks me a favor. Everything.

“Can you leave it to me? You might regret it.”

I finally came to my senses and spoke casually. Can you entrust me, who has been exchanging all sorts of insults with you, as the godfather of your first child? Can you trust me?

“Honestly, I don’t have the personality to be a good influence on a child.”

“I know that well. “I am a child who grew up under negative influences.”

This guy isn’t saying a word during this time.

“Still, I’m leaving it to you because you’re such an excellent person. The person I know is a person who does his duty even if he’s a bit rough.”

I was actually embarrassed to see him say something embarrassing without even changing his expression. You’re doing all your duties. Have you been working with someone else than me?

“So, I trust that you will fulfill your duty this time as well. You promised.”

However, those words felt like I had been hit hard in the back.

A promise, a promise.

‘Did you remember?’

I thought it was just a memory that only this old guy remembers.

“Baby, it’s different from the promise I remember.”

I suppressed my emotions and burst into laughter.

“No one can say anything except me and your Excellency.”

And I really burst out laughing at the crazy answer.

Yeah, you damn b*stard. If you say that, you should listen.

“Tell me when the baptism date is set.”

Because that was the promise.

On the way back to the mansion with my wife.

“Madam.”

“Yes, please say so.”

“There’s a place I’d like to stop by for a moment. Would you like to go back first?”

At those words, the wife looked at me and smiled slightly.

“It’s okay if I’m a little late today.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She turned around and gave the woman a small hug, showing her consideration for not asking anything. She thought it would be funny to let the two of them go alone, but she felt like she would regret it if she didn’t go see them now.

Damn you. Even if a man is immature, isn’t it said that things change when he gets married and has children? But why doesn’t that sly and shameless guy change even after having a child?

“You should have seen that guy’s tail too.”

She muttered that in front of the tombstone she arrived at alone.

Gerard, Oliver, Drake, Walter, Idrid, Hecate. Contrary to what Carl said, these guys I had to let go because they couldn’t fulfill their duties. The guys who left before me, the arrogant elder.

“So, I trust that you will fulfill your duty this time as well. You promised.”

And the guys who shared the promise that Carl talked about.

“You’re still saying strange things. You’re suddenly bringing up past promises.”

I laughed as I shook the leaves off the tombstone.

The time of the Northern War is still vivid as if it happened yesterday. When they realized that Carl and Hecate had become lovers, they said that they should get married as soon as the war is over, that three children would be enough, and that the wedding food should be prepared extravagantly. There was all kinds of teasing and congratulations.

“I am the godfather of my first child.”

In the meantime, I also helped out.

“No, that’s a bit much. Is there anything that will make you lose your personality?”

“Baby. The Count himself said he would lend you a loan, but are you refusing it?”

“If it is my first child, he will be the next Imperial Baek. Is the Count the Great Prince?”

At first, Carl resisted violently, but the more he resisted, the happier there were five things nearby.

“My direct superior and godfather? Man, I can’t stand that.”

“If it were me, I would ask you to do it even if it meant creating a child that you don’t have.”

“Chief. “If I have children, can I ask you to be a godfather?”

“You hold hands with a woman and then talk to her.”

“Fuck.”

As the mood gradually shifted to ‘The godfather of my first child is absolutely the manager,’ Karl was visibly embarrassed. Even Hecate secretly liked me so I couldn’t resist.

“Instead, please make those b*stards’ first children your godson or goddaughter!”

“It’s ugly, you b*stard.”

His final struggle was to impose group conditions as if he could not die alone.

Anyway, that was it. I heard that two of my direct subordinates were getting married, so I tried to be the godfather of their children, and since I don’t have any affection for just one, I tried to be the godfather to the others when they had children as well. In fact, it was a promise that disappeared when everyone except Carl died.

Yes, it must have been a promise that disappeared. It was a promise that remained as a distant memory.

‘I thought I was the only one who remembered now.’

She smoothed Hecate’s tombstone with her hands that brushed away the fallen leaves.

He was a man who went half-crazy after Hecate died, and is now a man who has finally found new love. He didn’t know that he would still remember the promise he made to reminisce about the past. I didn’t even know I would mention it first.

But he began to share his promise from then again. Even though it may be different from the first promise, even if there are no people who shared the promise.

‘We just need to remember again.’

Anyway, it’s my subordinate’s child.

Because it’s Carl’s child.

“If you see it, congratulate me. This is how I live.”

I carefully raised my head and looked at the sky. I’m talking to those guys out there somewhere, so you should at least raise your head.

‘Hmm.’

However, soon after, he bowed his head again.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I’m embarrassed to cry more.

***

“Hey, Carl.”

“Huh?”

“What is that promise you mentioned earlier?”

“Oh, that.”

He slightly smiled at Mar, who was asking while holding Pedi in his arms

“The Minister first suggested it a few years ago. He would be my godfather when I have my first child. I mentioned it first because he seemed to have forgotten.”

“It was a very heavy promise.”

“Really? I guess my memory has gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.”

I giggled and gently touched Pedi’s cheek.

As Mar said, the promise was a heavy one. It was a promise made at a gathering of eight counts.

There were eight of them, including me, the Imperial White, the Minister, who was an ordinary count, and that guy, Count Livnoman. Looking at it now, it is a truly spectacular lineup.

“Well, since I noticed it right away when I said it was a promise, I guess I haven’t completely forgotten it.”

“Hehe, maybe you pretended not to notice because you were embarrassed?”

At that moment, the hand that was touching the pedi stopped.

‘Are you embarrassed…?’

No matter what Marr says, it is difficult to agree with that.

That guy is embarrassed in front of me. Isn’t it comparable to the probability of someone crying out of their minds on the street somewhere?

‘Damn.’

I suddenly feel anxious. Could it be that you really forgot? Then was I the only one who was sincere?

Thinking like that made me extremely sad.