816 – Buds Under an Old Tree – 6

As a result of the emperor and three ministers putting their heads together, they were able to somehow solve a difficult problem that had no answer.

Trixie’s retirement from Duke Servet has been set for next year. This year, a big event has already occurred where the first father-in-law retired and a new duke was crowned. In this situation, even Trixie, who has reigned for over 100 years, steps down one after another? It is natural that the empire will be in turmoil in many ways, and my brother, who has become a dawn craftsman, will be buried in an instant.

No matter how bitter your brother is about the sudden transfer of the commission, it is too much to confiscate the spotlight and interest. So, the Catovan Dukes will keep the secret and remain silent for a year.

“I will let Lord Majong maintain his position as the lord of the magic tower. It is not only a matter of finding a replacement, but magicians will run riot all over the continent.”

“Yes. I will pass that on to Trixie as well.”

Of course, what was handed down after one year was limited to all titles, including the Duke of Serbet. If you hand over the title of Magic Tower to someone else, it’s obvious that the continent will be burned down.

“Among the vassals of the Duke of Catovan, it would be better to know only the major vassals, such as the head butler and chamberlain. I don’t need to tell you, but you should keep quiet.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I will leave what happened here behind.”

At the emperor’s request for silence, the Minister of the Palace and the Minister of Justice nodded without hesitation.

Neither of them are people who will cause major accidents due to not being able to keep their mouths shut. Since he even swore in front of the emperor, his sense of responsibility his must have increased even more. There is no need to worry about security issues.

“Minister. Who within Crasius knows about this?”

“No one except Soshin and Trixie—”

While speaking confidently, his mouth suddenly stopped.

Now that I think about it, Trixie and I weren’t the only ones discussing succession to the dukedom.

“Minister?”

When I kept my mouth shut, the emperor urged as if he was anxious.

Why did you suddenly stop? As if asking how far information has spread.

“Well, Sosin’s three daughters were together.”

Maria, Cecilia, Cattleya. While watching the triplets playing with Jang-saeng, we discussed the plan with Trixie. It wasn’t something we discussed from afar, but right next to us.

Moreover, perhaps one of the characteristics of elves is their keen hearing, and the triplets had the sharpest hearing among our children. Even if I called him from far away, he would respond quickly, and even if I whispered softly, he would understand me like a ghost. Thanks to this, the only people in our mansion who know about the succession to the dukedom are me, Trixie, and the triplets. If you add one more, there will be a total of six, including Jangsaengi.

“Daughters.”

And in response to my answer, the emperor let out a small sigh.

“They are still young children. I don’t know what it means to be a duke or what it means to pass it on. Also, Sosin and Trixie will take good care of them for a year, so don’t worry.”

“If the Minister says so, I understand.”

Still, when his parents assured him that they would definitely take care of him, the emperor also nodded.

To be honest, I don’t think I’m 100% convinced, but I think I want to believe it will be okay, but I agreed anyway, so that’s it. Even verbal consent is consent.

“Hot.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Why are you doing this?”

The two ministers quickly opened their mouths at the sudden laughter of the emperor.

This is a place to discuss the five pillars of the empire, the Duke Council. Since the emperor, who clearly had a serious and serious expression on his face, burst out laughing in such a situation, the two ministers must have been concerned that the emperor had lost his temper.

“It’s been five years since I came to the throne. But all kinds of things have happened in those five years, and now it’s said that the name Majong is going to step down. It seems like the Emperor has high expectations for me. So , this is surprising. Strange things are probably happening one after another.”

In response to those words, neither I nor the Minister of the Palace of Justice nor the Minister of Justice could say anything.

‘Has it been 5 years now?’

It has been about 5 years since the abdication of the situation. I quickly gave up trying to remember what had happened in the meantime. Unfortunately, there were too many and too flashy to list them one by one.

“Why are you doing this? Make me laugh. It’s a joke meant to make you laugh, but if you become this solemn, it’s embarrassing.”

“Ha, haha. That’s right. It’s clear that the Emperor favors you and looks down on you.”

“What the Minister of the Palace said is correct. Your Majesty’s achievements and majesty will be immortal under the Emperor’s bow.”

The ministers couldn’t help but burst into laughter like the substitute in front of the department head at the ‘don’t ruin the mood, just smile’ that is only heard in legend.

Cruel guy. What crime did the ministers commit to commit such a heinous act?

“Isn’t the Minister smiling?”

“Thinking of the great feats your Majesty will accomplish in the future, I am so moved that I get choked up for a moment…”

When pointed out by the emperor, he reflexively poured out flattery and good words.

Isn’t my share of the splendid 5-year reign more than half of it? I couldn’t laugh in good conscience.

Her husband, who returned victorious, was able to stand proudly in front of his wife.

“It may be impossible to inherit the title her her her, but we can prevent Maria from inheriting her title her her right away.”

Even if it’s only half a victory, a victory is a victory. Even strategically, we can say that we have achieved our goal, so we are more than halfway to 80%.

“They said you can use a system called an agent.”

“Agent?”

Trixie, who was playing with the triplet, tilted her head at my words.

“I heard that Duke Seolgeom once appointed a representative? It is said that the representative played the role of Duke Servet for about 7 years until the heir who would become the 2nd Duke grew up.”

“Ah.”

Trixie’s eyes widened at the detailed explanation.

“That’s right, deputy. I heard that something like that happened. But of course, I thought it was vassals like the chief butler who temporarily led the territory, but you pointed out an agent separately.”

Seeing Trixie mumbling as if she hadn’t even thought about it, the competence of the Minister of Justice stood out once again. The Minister of Justice, who had no connection to the Catovan family, knew of a precedent that even Trixie, a descendant of the Snow Sword Duke, did not know exactly.

That’s also a precedent from about 300 years ago. It’s almost a wonder how he knew

“This year, my brother has become Duke Ulken, so we will skip it and proceed next year.”

“Next year…”

When the specific time was mentioned, Trixie gently closed her eyes.

“Thank you. And I’m sorry. Because of my stubbornness, I made you carry this burden…”

Then he held my hand and slightly bowed his head.

“I am sorry. I persuaded His Majesty because I thought it was necessary.”

I gently placed my lips on Trixie’s forehead.

Even though Trixie made the first opinion, I was the one who thought it was valid and agreed with it. Nevertheless, blaming Trixie is a petty and ugly act.

“Besides, I’m not really a duke, I’m just an assistant manager. I’m just working hard to refine a gift for my daughter for a little while, so I can’t really call it a burden.”

Not even until death, but until Mary grows up.

Of course, she has no intention of passing it on as soon as she turns 17. Our Maria must enter the academy.

She says that, but as soon as she graduates, she has no affection for passing it on. After she finishes her school life, shouldn’t she do what she wants to do? So, I think she will pass it on when she is about 30 years old.

…

‘Isn’t it just for a moment?’

It is difficult to say that 20 to 30 years is a short period of time.

***

She sat in the lonely office and looked blankly at the portrait of the emperor.

“A humble descendant maintained the foundation.”

While looking at the portrait, I inadvertently muttered.

Duke Hablem of the House of Nuren. Duke Ulken of the Barenti duchy. Boyar Duke of the House of Ossiden. Duke of Chenes of the House of Salon. Duke Servet of the Catovan duchy.

In addition to these five titles, the creation of new ducal titles and the holding of ducal titles by people from families other than the five dukes were prevented. I avoided becoming an ugly descendant who couldn’t raise his head in front of the great emperor.

‘Agent.’

However, in return, we had to bring up a precedent with few cases, but didn’t we also create a precedent that didn’t exist? When the operation committee is in jeopardy, it is right to use somewhat older precedents.

‘If I was moving because of greed, I would have cut off my head.’

Eventually, I stood up with a grin on my face.

If the minister had been blinded by greed and wanted the dukedom, he would have gone out of his way to tie the minister up and hit him. What the imperial family and empire need are loyal subjects, not traitorous subjects.

‘If I had been stubborn, I would have felt resentful.’

If they had continued to ask for a commission when I flatly refused, I would have come out strongly. Even if the minister makes a decision for his daughter, if it is a decision that shakes the foundation of the empire, as the emperor, he cannot sit idly by.

However, the minister was neither greedy nor stubborn. He took it upon himself to carry the burden that he had been avoiding for his daughter, and when I tried to protect her foundation for the sake of her daughter, she bowed her head in understanding.

So what should we do? For the sake of the minister who stepped down first, we need to find a way to win both as much as possible. In fact, if Princess Maria, who would become the next Duke of Serbet, were to be overshadowed by Duke Majong and cause problems, it would be a problem that would cause headaches for the emperor of the time.

‘It was better.’

I opened the bottom again and poured in the remaining vodka.

Yes, in some ways it is a good thing. Duke Ma Jong reigned as duke for over 100 years. Thanks to this, he was not only at the forefront of the dukes, but he was equivalent to a duke standing above the dukes. He was a being located somewhere between an emperor and a duke.

It is said that Majonggong Majong is resigning of his own accord. Of course, he will still maintain his position as the Magic Tower Lord, but at least he will step down from his position as duke above duke and serve as a respected elder.

‘Instead of officially recognizing the second-in-command, send down the existing second-in-command.’

It’s a strange situation. Duke Ma Jong, the second-in-command in rank, came down, and the Minister, the de facto second-in-command, ascended to the position of duke, albeit by proxy.

Still, it’s better to have one second-in-command than two. Let’s think of it that way.

“An agent can enjoy minimal authority over his or her actions.”

Then, I suddenly remembered what the Minister of Justice said.

Minimal privileges. It means being treated like a duke, even if it is minimal.

‘I’ll have to think of a good name for a year.’

It is a natural right and obligation for a duke to have a name. If the minister can at least enjoy the authority of a duke, shouldn’t he be given a name?

However, since he is an agent and not an official duke, I will not officially give him a name. They will just secretly reveal the minister’s plans in private. First my family, then my father-in-law, then ministers and advocates. Like this little by little.

‘You can’t stop others from singing.’

Even if the emperor does not make an official proclamation, if all people think so, then that is the correct answer.

A year from now, what will the minister who will become Carl Serbet Crasius of Tyglehen look like? I’m really looking forward to it.