814 – Buds Under an Old Tree – 4

As always, I was playing with the triplets who were biting and sucking Jangsaeng. A disaster has come that my humble mind cannot accept.

“Trixie. “What did you just say?”

And then he asked with a trembling voice the protagonist who brought disaster.

Meanwhile, the last person of reason was the one who smiled as much as possible and spoke in a low voice as if he was joking. Because we can’t give off a serious mood in front of our children.

“That’s…”

Trixie glanced at my question, then slowly lowered her gaze.

“I asked what it would be like to succeed the Duke of Servet.”

However, unlike her discerning eyes, Trixie’s mouth her was cruel.

A word came out that I desperately hoped I had misheard. I said something I hoped was a joke.

‘Is it a dream?’

Thanks to this, I immediately started escaping reality.

Okay, this is probably a dream and not reality. Recently, there was a major event where the Duke changed, so my mind may be subconsciously dreaming about the Duke.

It’s a terrible dream. It’s enough to experience the duke change event in real life, so how can you make it happen in a dream as well? Also, a bizarre dream about Duke Servet replacing Trixie with me.

‘I don’t know if I’m a traditionalist.’

Duke Jeon Seung-gong declares that he is handing over the Duke of Operations in order to focus on his duties as deputy commander of the Imperial Army? That is a very likely event. Duke Jeonseung’s successor, Prince Ewald, is a prepared successor like his older brother who became a duke this time.

But not me. He is not even a successor, let alone a prepared successor. The only connection between me and the Catovan family is that my last name begins with ‘ㅋ’.

‘What did I do wrong?’

Soon, reasonable doubts began to arise. Couldn’t it be that I did something unfortunate to Trixie without knowing it, and that she is retaliating for it?

Did you forget Trixie’s birthday? No, Trixie’s birthday is in February. Rather than passing it by, I am preparing for the birthday party with a pounding heart.

Am I feeling sad because I’ve been somewhat neglectful of the triplets? No, not that either. I know that I play hard with my children, and my wife also knows this.

So you didn’t contact Trixie’s maternal grandmother? That’s not it either. I said hello to my maternal grandmother as soon as the new year came.

‘I don’t have one?’

I tried my best, but I didn’t do anything wrong. My behavior is perfect in theory. He played an excellent role as a husband, father, and son-in-law without any flaws.

“…Why?”

So I asked directly. Why are you saying such mean things? What crime have I committed that makes you say such terrible things as succession to the throne?

It is difficult to maintain composition because these words give me goosebumps just thinking about them. The title of Imperial Baek is also heavy, so how can one bear the title of Duke? It’s an enormous burden that we don’t even dare to dream of.

To begin with, there are no nobles in this empire who would dream of becoming a duke. Dreaming of becoming a duke when you are not one of the five dukes is treason against the empire.

“I don’t want to hand this burden over to someone else. I feel like I want to carry it for a hundred or a thousand years.”

After saying that, Trixie looked at Maria, who was sitting down next to me and fiddling with Jangsaengi.

Then a smile appeared on Trixie’s lips. As if you feel happy just by looking at it.

“But you can’t do that. “Someday you have to give this burden to our Maria.”

“Ugh?”

When she heard her own name, Maria turned her head towards us.

“Maria. Come to mommy.”

“Wow!”

Maria got up from her seat and toddled over to Trixie’s arms.

Thanks to this, Jangsaeng regained her freedom, but Cecilia, who was next to her, snatched her away and became her doll of her. This is not new.

“Someday, our Maria will become a duke too.”

“I guess so. It’s inevitable that she will pass on what was her parents’ to her children.”

I felt uncomfortable seeing Trixie looking bitter.

Some people may ask whether it would be good to inherit the position of the king of all people, whether it is a duke, or whether there is any reason to dislike it.

However, I know well the true appearance of those Dukes. The dukes of the empire are not just those who reign and rule, but those who lead and take responsibility. Even Hyunhyeong-gong, who seems to be just living his life, has an incalculable burden on his shoulders.

A warrior who manages a million imperial troops. An iron-blooded ball whose very existence was a deterrent to war. He is a golden ball that paralyzes the empire’s economy if he rests even a little. Duke Hyeonjae, responsible for the empire’s food security and management of different races. Duke Ma Jong, responsible for the defense of the metropolitan area and the imperial magic world. None of the five dukes are light.

‘It’s too big a burden for a small child to carry.’

Maria smiled brightly as she was held in Trixie’s arms. When she saw Maria like that, she felt bitter.

Of course, by the time Maria becomes a duke, she cannot be said to be a small child. Trixie said she plans to pass on the title while she’s alive, so she could become a duke in a few decades rather than a hundred years.

‘That’s the problem.’

Decades. In addition to the hundred years that Trixie has already been in power, we must also include the decades in which Maria has to grow up. In other families, Trixie would rule alone for a period of time where the duke would change several times.

And Maria must inherit the presence and achievements that Trixie has alone. She must overcome the entrenched perception that ‘the Duke of Servette is the Duke of Ma.’

‘That’s why.’

Gradually, instead of fear, confusion began to fill my heart.

The reason why Trixie made the heinous request of succeeding to the dukedom. The purpose was to lessen the burden that Maria would bear. Rather than taking over the dukedom from Trixie right away, it would be better for her to take it one step at a time.

The atmosphere of the family and territory is determined depending on who the head of the family is and who the lord is. If an experienced master lasts a long time, all his vassals become accustomed to him. Instead of strict rules, the owner’s inclinations or customs are followed, and the old customs set by the owner are maintained over time.

When the owner who controlled the family and territory steps down and a new owner takes power—the traces of the previous owner block the new owner. In the name of tradition and custom. In the name of the will of our ancestors. The name will grow stronger in proportion to the previous owner’s reign and achievements.

“The next operation will be difficult.”

When I spoke with an effortful smile, Trixie lowered her head as if she was being ignored.

“I’m sorry. I held on too long…”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” There’s nothing wrong with elf blood flowing.”

This isn’t Trixie’s fault. How can longevity due to racial differences be a sin?

‘Someone has to step up.’

I sighed inwardly. The more we consider the situation, the more someone between Trixie and Maria should step in as a relief pitcher.

Otherwise, Maria will face unprecedented handover difficulty in the history of the continent. No monarch or noble on the continent has ruled for more than a hundred years.

And unfortunately, the only one who can comfortably adjust to Trixie’s tracks is me, her her her equal husband her. The only person who can make it easier for Maria to inherit is me, her father.

“Trixie.”

“Ugh… Say it.”

“Hold your head up. Trixie didn’t do anything wrong?”

I smiled and held Trixie in my arms.

“Abba! It’s frustrating!”

“Ah.”

To be exact, I tried to hug him but failed. Because Maria, who was in Trixie’s arms her her, was almost pushed back and forth.

“Anyway, I know what you’re feeling. Maria’s future is at stake, so I would have thought the same way if it were me.”

“Do you understand?”

“Because I’m Maria’s father too.”

When I gently smiled and stroked Maria, she smiled brightly and came into my arms.

This innocent child is suffering from being crushed on the Duke. It is a terrible disaster that we cannot even imagine. I’d rather suffer.

“But is it possible for me to take over?”

“Uh, huh?”

“I am not from the Catovan family. It is not unheard of for a son-in-law to inherit a title or for a husband to receive a title from his wife, but is not the succession strictly between parents and children?”

Trixie silently nodded to my valid question.

A duke is an aristocrat above nobility, a permanent pinnacle guaranteed by the imperial family. No matter how customs exist among nobles, whether they can be applied to ducal families is a separate issue. If the dukedom succession law gets messed up, it would be troublesome for the imperial family.

“Actually, I’m not sure either. So, if it’s okay with you, I was going to tell your majesty.”

This too was a valid answer. It is right to first gather opinions among those who will be giving the title and then inquire with the emperor who will give final approval.

If I had suddenly asked the emperor about succession to the title without gathering opinions, I would have cried. Because of the sadness that Trixie tried to assassinate me.

***

I looked at the vodka she was holding in her hand.

Finally, I took a look at the spectacle before my eyes. Vodka again. Once again a minister.

“Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you drunk by any chance?”

It’s clear that I drank, but why is he so drunk?

I was truly puzzled. Are you intoxicated by the scent of vodka wafting through the office? Was the minister that bad at drinking?

“If you’re drunk, don’t make a fuss here and go to the mansion. If the minister gets drunk and swings his arm wrong, my luggage will be in danger.”

If I just touch the Minister’s fist, I will die before His Majesty Sang-do. A crazy situation will arise where the Crown Princess becomes the youngest emperor in history and the Crown Princess ascends the throne as the youngest emperor, or when Her Majesty steps down from the throne and ascends the throne again.

“I’m sorry, but my convictions are intact.”

“You’re fine, but you said that?”

That’s just amazing. Is the minister’s sober mind no different from that of a drunk person?

In some ways, he has a subtle resemblance to Hyeon Myeong-gong. Duke Hyeonjae is drunk because he drinks all the time, and the minister is drunk even when he doesn’t drink.

“Minister. It’s good to be born a man and have ambition, but it’s difficult to go beyond the rank of duke. If you aim for the rank of marquess, you can rise as high as you can during your lifetime.”

However, he suppressed his surprise for a moment and comforted the minister with sincerity.

I don’t know why the minister, who had no desire for territory or titles in the first place, would say something like this. If he had asked for an earldom, he would have given him one and treated him well.

But he’s a duke. How can a person who knows everything say something like that?

“I will bring you a map of the territories under the direct control of the imperial family, so you can freely choose the county territory you want. So don’t talk about dukedom or anything like that—”

“Your Majesty. Isn’t it unusual for her husband to be given the title of wife?”

“Huh.”

A sigh came naturally.

This guy is serious. I’m sincerely asking if I can inherit the Duke of Serbet.

“…Why?”

That’s why I also asked with sincerity. Why does this guy, who avoids me when I try to give him something, covet the title of Duke?

“I want to lighten the burden that Sosin’s daughter must bear, even if only a little.”

“Want to lighten your load?”

The minister’s answer made me furrow my brow.

Since we are discussing a minister who has one or two daughters and the Duke of Servet, he is probably referring to her eldest daughter, Maria. In other words, the reason the minister covets the dukedom is to choose for Princess Maria, who will become a duke in the future.

‘Hmm.’

When I put the imperial family in the shoes of Duke Ma and Princess Maria, a cold sweat broke out.

What if His Majesty had been on the throne for 100 years instead of 30? What would happen if the person who reigned as a great monarch for 100 years steps down and I become emperor?

The eyes of the empire’s nobles and subjects, as well as the entire continent, will be focused on me. Every little thing I do will be compared to His Majesty. If I’m going to do something, I’ll bring in the customs from His Majesty’s time

And it is a custom that has been built up not for 10 or 20 years, but for a whopping 100 years. In fact, it is safe to say that it is a history.

‘Crazy.’

Even though it was just a family, the curse rose to the top of my lungs.

No human being can bear that kind of weight.