595 – Saints and Children – 1

The emperor, who had ruled alone for the first time in a long time, looked haggard than before.

But I didn’t ask what was going on. Emperor—Furthermore, it is not the duty of a subject to inquire into the private life of the imperial family.

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

“No.”

“That’s it.”

An emperor who wants to protect his pride and privacy, and a subject who lives up to that desire. Indeed, the conversation of an ideal warlord requires only three words.

“Soon there will be joy in the imperial family.”

“Didn’t you just say you had nothing to say?”

“As a noble of the empire, how could I pretend not to know the great joy of the imperial family?”

At my words, the emperor clicked his tongue briefly and leaned forward as if lying down on his chair.

Okay, I’m not praying into your private life. It was just a congratulations in advance for an auspicious event that would take place in about 10 months. If you have kids, shouldn’t you have become a father of multiple children a long time ago like me?

“I wonder what it would have been like if Jim had walked the unmanned path like the minister.”

The emperor looked up at the ceiling blankly and muttered in a faint voice.

“With some modest achievements, there wouldn’t have been much difference from now.”

“Huh, does this mean that no matter how hard I try, I’m still there?”

I gently shook my head at those words. Ainter showed significant achievements even though he had only recently learned the sword in earnest, and even the second prince, who was currently experiencing hellfire in the afterlife, knew how to use the sword quite well. Looking at these two examples, it is highly likely that the emperor also had a talent for martial arts.

Of course, unlike the emperor, Ainter and the second prince also had Aesilon blood, but honestly, the blood of the imperial family probably played a stronger role than the blood of a single noble family. Moreover, isn’t it because the Livnoman family was born with strong bones that the emperor who led the ragtag empire did not die from overwork?

Nevertheless, the reason why the emperor cannot defeat the empress is simple.

“Isn’t the Empress the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Nuren?”

“That’s right.”

Even the emperor was convinced by the logically perfect advice.

It is true that only Livno is a strong family with a talent for radish. However, objectively speaking, the blood of Nuren, who shook the battlefield, is more ferocious and powerful than that of Livnoman, who reigned as monarch. So, if the emperor and empress fight, the emperor has no choice but to lose.

…But thinking about it like that makes me look forward to the future of the Crown Princess. If you are a combination of Livnoman and Nuren, what kind of child will you grow up to be?

“I will grow up healthier than my father.”

The emperor must have thought the same thing as me, and he smiled and adjusted his posture.

“But being healthy and rotting teeth are two different issues, so the minister should be mindful.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

And then, in a subtle gesture, he lowered his head. He was caught by the Empress while smuggling chocolate with the Crown Princess, and after that, he dreamed of smuggling it in several times and was caught on the spot, which also caught the Emperor’s attention.

Of course, the Emperor would like to feed the Crown Princess as much chocolate as she wants. However, the initiative to raise children already belongs to the Empress. That’s why she stops her godfather from deviating and gives him a warning.

‘Ugly guy.’

Because of my karma, I bowed my head obediently, but I was also a little upset.

The Empress wouldn’t know, but that guy is half worried about the Empress Dowager’s dental health and half jealous of her godfather doing what she can’t do. It is by no means a warning with pure intentions.

But he did not express his distress. As I just thought, my karma is correct.

“Oh, Minister.”

“Please give me your name.”

“Jim and the minister will sit in the front row during the year-end service.”

“…Yes?”

A worship service that marks the end of the year. They were also told to sit in the front row at a service led by the next saint and attended by even the emperor.

I couldn’t understand it – I frowned, thinking it was not something I could understand. If you sit in a place like that, it’s obvious that all kinds of eyes will be on you.

“I frowned. Then, were you planning on having the next saint’s acquaintance and blessed person sit in the back?”

He made a calm expression in response to the emperor’s factual violence.

That’s right. Then, wearing a title and sitting in the back is not a conscience-stricken idea.

However, reason and emotion always operate separately. Even if your head understands it, your heart cannot accept it.

‘I want to live a life where I’m not famous and spend a lot of money…’

It’s not a life where you’re famous and don’t have time to spend money.

The year-end service is just around the corner.

– It’s been a while, brother.

Suddenly, I received a call from Tanian.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. How have you been?”

Because of the three years of academy life, I flinched as soon as I saw Tanian’s face her, but I quickly regained my composure because I no longer need to be afraid.

And Tanian is a great totem that has blessed our children. We can gladly welcome even a sudden contact.

– Of course. Thanks to the various conveniences provided by the empire, I am making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land without any inconvenience.

“That’s a good thing.”

– Recently, I also met Hyeongyeonggong, who is your maternal aunt. He said he was an acquaintance of her nephew and gave him an extravagant amount of hospitality.

“Ah, yes…”

I smiled awkwardly at the sudden conversation about Hyeong Hyeong-gong.

It’s undeserved hospitality. Due to Tanian’s personality her her, there is a high possibility that it was a comment of her humility her her her, but on the other hand, considering her wise personality her her, we cannot ignore the possibility that she was offering crazy hospitality that was truly excessive and undeserved.

-Ah, not only Hyeonhyeon-gong, but also her husband and the So-duke were there to welcome us. I was touched that a priest whom I had only seen a few times treated like a friend.

“Didn’t the Little Duke share with you unforgettable memories? He will probably welcome you happily even after decades have passed.”

– Haha, it’s a pleasure just to hear it.

The conversation continued with an appropriate response to Tanian, who burst into laughter.

I’m sure he didn’t contact you simply to talk about his current situation, but judging from the way the conversation progressed through small talk, it doesn’t seem like a topic to bring up easily. In that case, it would be wise to wait until Tanian decides to speak.

– …Brother?

“Yes, you say it.”

After talking for several minutes, Tanian opened his mouth with a somewhat awkward expression.

– I heard that since I went there, an auspicious person has come to visit the family. Congratulations even though it is belated.

“It is thanks to my brother’s visit. I was able to enjoy great joy thanks to the grace of the Lord.”

A faint smile passed across Tanian’s face her, who felt awkward at my words.

– So, if you don’t mind, please come with your joy at the year-end service. I will give you my blessing this time too.

“It’s an honor for me. Thank you every time.”

Rather, since it was something I wanted to ask for, I accepted it without hesitation.

If you had offered me a blessing, I would have refused. Even if you are an acquaintance, receiving undeserved gifts one after another can turn into debt.

However, I cannot refuse it if it is a blessing not for me but for my cute and precious sister and her son. If it’s a debt for my family, I can pay it back.

‘You hesitated to say that.’

Eventually, I thought I knew why Tani Ahn was spinning his words of her, so I raised the corner of my mouth.

The child born after Tanian’s visit was Rize’s son. As Tanian, who once had a crush on Rize, it must have been difficult to ask her to bring her back. I know, Rize knows, and everyone knows that Tanian has sorted out her feelings for Rize and remained good friends, but isn’t it a different matter to ask her to bring her her first love’s child?

‘The last time I came to the mansion, I just left.’

That must have been Tanian’s own consideration. Consideration for pregnant women who are sensitive to external and internal changes so that they do not feel awkward when looking at themselves.

“My mother and Lise will be happy too.”

Then Tanian also smiled softly.

Although he lacks a lot of tact, he definitely has a good heart. Someday, he too will have to meet a good partner.

Her mother smiled brightly when she heard that the next saint would be giving her blessing.

“Our youngest. Thanks to her brother’s friend, she can grow up healthy.”

“Aww- woo-“

When I spoke to Teresa, who was lying on the bed, stroking her cheek, she babbled as if answering.

My mother and I both smiled at that sight. A more effective way than treating what hurts is not getting sick in the first place. Although the holy law is not omnipotent against illness, with the blessing of the next saint, there is absolutely no need to contract any minor illness. Maybe you wouldn’t even sneeze if you rolled around in the snow in the middle of winter?

“But if it’s the blessing of the next saint, shouldn’t I repay him accordingly? The service is almost here, so I think we should hurry up and get ready…”

“Don’t worry, I’m preparing. Shouldn’t the head of the house do these things?”

Actually, it’s a lie. I didn’t prepare anything, but I was worried that her mother would panic.

Moreover, Thanian did not expect anything in return for his blessing. If he was someone who would reciprocate obediently, when he gave his blessing to my children, he would have already sent them back with both hands full of gifts.

“I cannot bless everyone because my body is one, but it is my duty as a priest to spread the Lord’s protection. I cannot do my duty for granted and receive a reward in return.”

“With obligations, there are also rights -“

“Is there a more certain right than being a future saint?”

And they even use the logic that if you refute it, you will become a heretic, so how can you repay them? Even though paganism was recognized through the Council, ‘He is a saint, and material reward is the best.’ You can’t say that.

“Awww-“

I carefully picked up Teresa, who blinked and reached out her hand toward me.

Since we can’t give them material compensation, let’s give them lots of hugs with their cute youngest son, Friedrich. What cannot be filled with material things can be filled with mental happiness.

I do everything I can to prevent my children from being in the hands of other people, but if it’s Tanian, I’m willing to give them special permission.

‘If you make a pilgrimage to an orphanage, you probably don’t hate children.’

Also, even for people who like children, it is rare for them to have a bad personality.

Aside from his mischievous looks her, Tanian is also a good-natured and gentle type, so you can leave the children in charge with peace of mind.

Just for about a minute.