686 – How Dare You Compare – 3

Erich’s value went beyond that of an aristocrat or representative of a member of parliament. Although it was not his intention, he built a network that transcended national borders during his three years at the academy.

And are you still maintaining communication with that network? This means that Erich is a tremendous source of information at the continental level.

– I heard Laterl is getting married soon?

“…What?”

In fact, Erich calmly shared information that was unknown not only to the imperial social circles but also to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Later is marriage, what do you mean? If you look at the saying ‘soon’, it means that it will happen next year at the latest.

‘Suddenly?’

It’s embarrassing. Later is one of the only two princes of the United Kingdom of Juven. Although he is not the crown prince, he is not a status that can be treated lightly.

Therefore, if Laterer is planning to get married, it is right that a large-scale selection of fiancés, flashy advertisements, and grand wedding preparations are made, but the countries of the continent, including the empire, did not discover the anomaly of the United Kingdom of Juven.

If so, it’s probably one of three. Either Erich is mistaken, Juven is planning to cover it up, or they are simply planning to hold a small wedding.

– It’s hard for me to believe it, but I heard it from Tanian a while ago.

However, Erich’s additional testimony eliminated the first possibility.

Regardless of Tanian’s behavior her at the Academy, there is no statement as trustworthy as that of the next saint. Moreover, it is said that a pilgrimage group from the Holy Church also entered Juven, so they must have heard about the marriage directly from Later.

‘It’s not like they’re covering it up intentionally.’

Eventually, I also erased the second possibility from my mind. If Laterer’s wedding is to be kept a complete secret, Tanian will not know, and there is no reason to keep it that secret in the first place. In fact, the cost of keeping the secret will be more than the cost of the wedding.

In other words, Laterer wants a small wedding…

“Who is the opponent?”

– My name is Rachel, and I am a nobleman who is one year younger than later. How many times have you seen her brother at the academy?

“Ah, Rachel.”

She was able to immediately recall her memory after hearing that she had seen it at the academy.

Rachel Sorta. A noble of the United Kingdom of Juven and Laterer’s childhood friend who is one year younger than him. Although her personal abilities are not particularly overwhelming or her family’s authority she is high, she is a loyal servant and close friend who flew to a foreign country to assist La Terre.

Right. She is Laterer’s marriage partner.

“It doesn’t seem like a political strategy.”

Thanks to this, she was able to understand the situation right away. If the two get married, it is highly likely that it will be mutual will rather than political arrangements.

Of course, an arranged marriage for a noble is a highly advanced task that is prepared from childhood. It brings a man and a woman together, builds intimacy over a long period of time, and naturally leads to a smooth marriage and a decent family. Laterer and Rachel could also be childhood friends created that way.

However, objectively speaking, the Sorta family is not a family worthy of an arranged marriage with the royal family. I guess they just hung around together and developed a bond, which led to marriage. So, the wedding will be held suddenly and on a small scale.

– Well, I heard that Laterer proposed first. It’s probably not political strategy.

I nodded at Erich’s words. As expected, it was a voluntary marriage, not a political one.

“So there are only three people getting married next year?”

I burst into laughter without realizing it. When I was a student at the academy, all of the guys who boasted of being ruthless became new grooms about to get married.

Erich, who is currently beyond the communications zone, is planning to get married once in the first half of next year and once in the second half of the year, and Ainter is also planning to get married sometime next year. Who would have known that later would also be added here.

– I know. Isn’t this because your brother has been suppressing someone else’s marriage?

“What are you doing?”

The swear word came out right away without going through my head. It is unacceptable for suppressed words to come out of the mouth of Erich, who is not someone else.

First of all, I admit that he suppressed Ainter’s marriage. In fact, Ainter and Shati’s wedding was being somewhat adjusted so as not to overlap with my wedding relay, so their wedding was confirmed thanks to my wedding being over.

But not Erich. This b*stard wouldn’t have gotten engaged, let alone gotten married, if it weren’t for me. No, it wouldn’t even have been a trivial romantic relationship. How much I pushed Sera and Zenobia for that guy’s love life.

“You would have married later than Teresa if I had not been there.”

– No, no matter what, that’s…

Erich, who was about to retort, quietly shut his mouth. It seems like the last remaining conscience in that guy’s heart is working fiercely.

Yes, of course it should be like that if you are a human being. If I had made a mistake, a real estate rich person with a marquisate in another country could have lived single until his forties or fifties.

“Maybe it’s because Laterer is a royal, so she’s better than you. She even got married on her own, even though no one would have helped her.”

– That’s right…

Seeing Erich nodding his head somewhat dejectedly made her feel calm.

It is the older brother’s duty and destiny to discipline his younger brother and maintain a superior-subordinate relationship ─

-My brother and his sisters-in-law confessed to him first, so I guess royalty is better than nobles.

“What?”

I felt like I was out of breath due to the unexpected fastball to the solar plexus.

That’s right. If I think about it, it was a case where I stayed still and the other person moved first.

“…”

– …

Fatal blows dealt to each other. Thanks to this, there was an awkward silence between me and Erich,

“Do you have anything in mind as a congratulatory gift?”

-Wouldn’t fur be okay? Northern fur is of better quality than other furs.

“It’s okay. It would also be good for ornamental purposes.”

I naturally moved on to another topic as if nothing had happened.

Nothing happened to us. I just decided to think that way.

The advanced information brought by Erich was delivered directly to the emperor.

Looking at what Laterer said to Tanian, he probably meant that he didn’t mind if rumors spread. The royal family is not a simple race that does not know the impact of their words.

Unfortunately, the ’77 season was simple and catastrophic, but isn’t it ’81, not ’77? 4 years is enough time to become grade A even after retirement.

– Marriage?

Anyway, the emperor’s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing the news of the marriage of a royal from another country.

The United Kingdom of Juven is not a weak country on the border. It is the third-largest power on the continent, following the Empire and Armain, and is a country that can leap to greater heights if it transforms into a single system rather than a federation system. If it’s a situation like that for a kingdom, the empire can’t just pass by.

It is a marriage between two princes who are not even distantly related to the collateral royal family or the right to succeed to the throne. Even in the empire, it is appropriate to send a sincere congratulatory message.

– I managed to come across such information.

“The next saint has just entered Juven. My younger brother has been in contact with the next saint from time to time, and the timing just happened to coincide.”

– I think your brother should send this to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not the Congress.

I inadvertently nodded at the emperor’s words.

Erich doesn’t have diplomatic skills, but he has diplomatic connections that more than make up for it. Erich said harshly to Lyutis, Laterer, and Tanian, ‘We have an envoy going, so please be careful.’ If you just say this, the imperial diplomats’ lives will become much easier.

When you think about it this way, you really are a talented person specializing in diplomacy. If I had had one more adult brother, Erich would have joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

-Hmm.

While feeling sad that Erich’s talent was being neglected, the Emperor stroked his chin as if he was thinking about something.

– When I think about it, it was a shame to limit the abilities of merit to the National Assembly.

“Yes?”

Then, an unusual topic emerged.

– It would be good to give the authority not only to check the administration but also to cooperate and advise. The knowledge and expertise of credit can help the administration, and conversely, seeing the administration in action can provide flexibility in enacting legislation.

“Your Majesty. The Imperial Assembly has recently gone through upheaval, so if any further changes are made, there will be great confusion. I understand your Majesty’s intentions, but you will hold off for the time being…”

– That’s right too. The minister is right.

Fortunately, the emperor’s terrible ambitions were able to be stopped early.

Work cooperation and advisors. At best, the reward of setting up the Common People’s Center almost went into the trash can in an instant.

– We will discuss the committee organization later.

This is crazy. Have you decided on a name yet?

‘Committee…’

Without realizing it, I imagined Erich weeping as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Seeing how I can imagine it so clearly, it seems like it’s a confirmed future that I can’t stop.

-Do you think she will get married sometime next year?

“Oh, yes. I don’t know the exact season, but I’m sure it’s next year.”

– Too bad. It would be perfect if Baron Hardiner was included in the congratulatory envoy, since he will be on vacation next year.

Those words sent a shiver down my spine. If the timing had been a little off, Erich would have gone all the way to Juven, located on the other side of the continent.

This is a disaster on a different level from the one that occurred when I was deployed to Leon while on vacation. Leon at least has a border, and there are only a few countries you have to pass through to get from the empire to Juven.

– It’s truly unfortunate…

I quietly lowered my eyes at the sight of the emperor slightly clicking his tongue.

It seemed like if we made eye contact for no reason, he would say something absurd to persuade Erich.

***

After moving the communication sphere where the minister’s face disappeared to the corner of the desk, he sighed softly and rolled his head.

‘No matter how much I think about it, there is no one better than Baron Hardiner.’

The younger brother of the minister, a powerful figure in the empire. A member of the Crasius family who served the imperial family for 300 years. Acting member of the House of Lords. And at the academy, a nobleman who became acquainted with the royal family of another country and the next saint.

This is at the level of forcing Enen and the Great Emperor to send Baron Hardiner. How can I turn a blind eye when such personnel are appearing before my eyes?

But it cannot be forced. There is a record of sending the minister, who was already enjoying his honeymoon, to Leon, but sending his younger brother to Juven may turn the minister’s eyes upside down.

‘Should I send Ainter?’

Eventually, the second-place candidate, Ainter, came to mind. In fact, unlike Baron Hardiner who plans to get married as soon as the new year, Ainter will not get married until summer. If Prince Later of the United Kingdom of Juven proceeds with her marriage in the first half of the year, she can send Ainter as her congratulatory delegation to her.

However, since Ainter is already busy going back and forth between the islands and the north, she sends Ainter to Juven.

‘It’s complicated.’

It’s a really good card, and it’s a really easy-to-use line, and it’s sealed side by side. It is truly a pity.

‘…I guess I should at least make a deal.’

If all goes well, let’s make a deal with Baron Hardiner.

The honeymoon period will be extended, and the royal family will fully support the honeymoon expenses. Why not choose Juven as the honeymoon location? How about going to Juven as an individual rather than as a delegation?

It doesn’t seem like it will really work, but let’s get it out there. Even if you reject it, you get your money’s worth, and if you accept it, you get your money’s worth.