838 – Son-in-law is a thousand-year benefactor – 2

A birthday is a precious day whose meaning never fades no matter how many times it is celebrated. The day a life is born into the world, the day to celebrate the birth of life. How can such a day be neglected?

Of course, no matter how precious a day is, if you continue to experience it, its symbolism will fade a little, just a little. Unlike children’s birthdays, which are celebrated with great fanfare, the birthdays of adults in the country are passed over with just a little applause and words of encouragement.

But as the saying goes, opposites attract. Even adults who have celebrated dozens of birthdays start to change when they reach a certain age. Just as we celebrate the birthdays of children, we also celebrate the birthdays of older adults.

‘Happy… 90th… Birthday… to Victoria Masalo…’

That is why I wrote the words on the ceremonial sword blade with sincerity. An elder who deserves to be celebrated more than a child’s birthday. If that elder is from the wife’s side, then not only sincerity but also soul must be put into it.

Originally, human lifespan is not something that humans can achieve, but something that God gives. The lifespan that God gives is usually around 70 to 80. Even this is based on the assumption that one has lived healthily, and in fact, people are said to have lived well even if they are over 70.

But 90 years old? Not 70 or 80, but 90? And the main character isn’t even a knight or a wizard?

‘Age itself is a status.’

If a commoner survives to the age of 90, he will receive gifts from the emperor and be invited to a celebratory banquet hosted by the lord or local official who rules over his residence.

In such a situation, the protagonist who has reached the age of 90 is not a commoner, but the mother of the Marquis? It is no longer a family event, but an empire event. Because all the families directly or indirectly connected to the Masalo family will react. And there must be more than one or two families connected to the Marquis.

“…Is this really okay?”

He looked at the ceremonial sword and clicked his tongue slightly.

I wrote a proverb on the sword because Eri said it would be okay if it was a sword, but is it really the right thing to give to a 90-year-old person? Wouldn’t it be better to give them a soft gift like jewelry or clothing instead of something sinister like a sword?

It’s creepy. Giving something sharp to an old person. It feels like a provocation, like, ‘You’ve lived a long life, so it’s okay if your lifeline is cut off now, right?’

‘Eri will take care of it.’

After thinking about it for a while, I let out a deep sigh.

Yes, since it was a gift that Eri requested, Eri would take care of it if any problems arise. Besides, it’s unlikely that Eri, who is secretly weak towards her family, would give a strange gift to her grandmother.

I don’t know, but I can’t understand it. A sword would be a suitable gift for Eri’s grandmother. Let’s trust Eri, the granddaughter of the Masalo family.

Only three people, me, Eri, and Ferenc, decided to go to the Marquisate of Iones.

The whole family was planning to go to the wedding of one of the in-laws, but the wives started gossiping among themselves and this is what came out of it.

“We would like to congratulate you in person, but it is right that only Eri, the head of the Masalo family, should receive attention. If the other wives are present, the attention that Eri should receive will be diverted.”

“That’s true.”

Even since the reason for the absence was consideration for Eri, it was difficult to recommend it any further.

It is a banquet held at the Masalo family estate for the elders of the Masalo family. Naturally, families connected to the Masalo family will attend, and the attention will be focused on the Masalo members. In such a situation, if other women besides Eri attend, attention will be divided like Mar Mal.

Of course, since there are six wives, it is natural that the attention is divided into six equal parts, but this event is not an event hosted by the Crassius family or the Empire, but an event hosted by Marsallo. So it is right to focus the attention on Marsallo.

“I don’t mind going together.”

“No. This is the place where the Lady sees her granddaughter and great-grandchild. It would be difficult if we got involved.”

At Eri’s small complaint, Maru smiled faintly and continued speaking.

“You haven’t seen Ferenc yet, have you, Madam? It’s a shame he couldn’t come to your sister’s wedding either. Think of him as a substitute and enjoy it. Just like your wedding, where you are the main character, so you can be the main character at this birthday party too.”

At those words, Eri pouts, then smiles and nods.

“Then I’ll just enjoy it for one day! The banquet doesn’t end after just one day, so you’ll come the second day?”

“yes?”

“The wedding is only one day, so let’s enjoy the banquet for only one day! Grandma will be happy if there are lots of guests!”

Then Mar’s eyes turned to me, as if asking how I should react to this.

“Does that sound like a good idea?”

And since Eri was rarely right, I immediately supported her opinion.

It’s a banquet to celebrate the 90th birthday of the late Marquis. It’s not something that can be held in one day, so it’s going to last at least five days. In that case, it would be a good idea for Eri to attract the attention of the guests on the first day, and for the ladies to come around with them after that.

“Well, is that okay?”

“Actually, it’s standard for the whole family to participate in such events. If only Eri and Ferenc show up, the lady might misunderstand.”

There was a misunderstanding that her granddaughter and great-grandson were being ostracized within the Crassius family. It was a bit much for someone of her age to worry about such things.

“Valenti will soon be holding a banquet to celebrate the Duke’s coronation, but it would be strange if Mar were to go there alone. That’s what it is.”

“ah.”

When I asked Mardo if he would attend the banquet held at the Valenti Palace alone, he seemed to understand and sighed.

I couldn’t help but laugh at that sight. As a first wife, it’s great to be considerate of other wives. However, you’re only concerned about the other person and not taking care of yourself. How ironic.

“Besides, I heard that the Lady was very worried about Eri. Now, I have to show her that we are on good terms so that she doesn’t worry.”

It was questionable whether the granddaughter would ever be able to get married, but she gave birth to a child and got along well with other wives.

I can’t think of a better birthday present than this.

***

When my mother, who was neither a knight nor a magician, reached the age of 70, I breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, my mother seemed to be an ordinary, healthy person.

When my mother reached the age of 80, I prayed to Enen to thank him for giving me so much time.

Since then, as my mother’s age approached 81, 82, and 83, I felt both happy and anxious. Because I didn’t know when she would return to heaven. Because I didn’t know when she would leave us.

No, my mother told herself that she would live to be 100, but reason coldly exclaimed. Considering my mother’s age, it wouldn’t be strange if she closed her eyes tomorrow.

‘So ten years have passed.’

As I spent my time trembling with anxiety, my mother, who was 80 years old, suddenly turned 90.

At this point, a vague sense of anticipation rose up rather than anxiety. If this were my mother, wouldn’t she really reach 100? Or maybe even reach that age?

“I will never close my eyes until I see my great-grandchild get married.”

Or maybe it was because of his mother’s greedy determination that he endured.

In the past, even Eri’s marriage couldn’t be guaranteed. From then on, my mother would call for my great-grandchild’s marriage, not Eri’s. It was a promise that we would joke with our family, saying, “I guess my mother is immortal.”

Thinking back now, it was fortunate. If my mother had set Eri’s marriage as her goal, it would have been dangerous. Those who lose their goal tend to lose their passion quickly.

‘Should I ask Ferenc to marry me late?’

As a grandfather, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the thought, which was so ugly.

That’s not possible. It’s strange for a grandfather to block his grandson’s future, and if my mother finds out that I asked for something like that, she’ll scold me severely.

So let’s leave Ferenz’s marriage to Ferenz. Who knows. When that time comes, Mother’s promise might change to ‘I will never close my eyes until I see Ferenz have a child.’

“Your Majesty, Miss Elizabeth has arrived.”

‘oh.’

The timing was perfect, and the corners of my mouth went up. I was thinking about Ferenc when Elizabeth came.

“Butler. That child is a noblewoman, so how can you call her ‘young lady’? Tell her that Countess Tylglehen has arrived.”

But I tried hard to control my emotions.

How can you still call a married child a young lady? Since you have the wonderful title of Countess of Tailglengen, I will call Eri Countess until the moment I die.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I will be more careful in the future.”

The butler seemed to understand my firm stance and answered while bowing deeply.

“Count Teilglegen, Countess Teilglegen, and Ferenc Youngsik have arrived.”

The butler spoke as if it was a guest from another family, not the daughter of the family. I nodded at the butler and turned my gaze out the window.

I definitely saw a familiar figure at the gate. I can’t forget that white hair and black hair.

“Are there only three of you?”

“Other people say they will visit on the second day of the banquet.”

“Right.”

The corners of my mouth began to twitch again at my son-in-law’s consideration.

He is a son-in-law who tries to treat his wives fairly. It is said that such a son-in-law brought Eriman with him to a gathering of other nobles. This must be the son-in-law’s heart for the Masalo family.

Of course, it’s only for one day, not the entire banquet, but even just for that one day, where else? Even if it’s just for one day, our Eri can show off being alone with her son-in-law.

No. Not just the two of them, but three of them, including Ferenc. They look like a cozy parent and child.

‘…hmm?’

As I was slowly going down to the first floor and preparing to welcome my son-in-law, I saw a very familiar figure running toward the front door.

‘mother?’

She’s my mother.

My mother used to say that it was hard to even stand when you get old. But now she was running as fast as she could to the front door.

‘What is this?’

For a moment, I felt like my mind had gone blank.

How can you run that fast at that age? It seems faster than I can run at full speed.

‘Is it the power of the great-grandson?’

Otherwise, this miracle cannot be explained.