840 – Son-in-law is a thousand-year benefactor – 4

My grandmother’s 90th birthday is a big event for the Masalo family, so the ladies wanted Eri to get the attention of the other nobles. Thanks to that, only Eri and I decided to attend the first day of the banquet.

Because it’s more noticeable that Eri alone acts as my partner than that all six of them are Countess of Tileglehen by my side. It goes without saying that one-third is much more than one-sixth.

However, despite the consideration of my wives, Eri never received attention as my sole partner.

‘How did it end up like this?’

I looked at Eri laughing with her grandmother and Ferenc in the distance.

Eri and I suddenly became separated from our family. A miserable separated family, even though we were clearly in the same banquet hall.

I didn’t plan on doing this from the beginning. As the granddaughter-in-law of the hostess of the banquet, and as the son-in-law of the current head of the Masalo family, I planned to visit the banquet hall with Eri. I wanted to greet the nobles who attended the banquet and thank them for coming to such a great place, and that I would not forget the kindness of giving them their precious time.

But the weak father’s plan was quickly shattered when Ferenc showed extreme interest in his great-grandmother, whom he was seeing for the first time.

“Me! Grandma! Value!”

“Our Ferenc is already being filial to this great-grandmother.”

Ferenc, who was held in his grandmother’s arms and whose eyes were shining brightly. His grandmother looked at him with satisfaction and stroked him affectionately.

So what can I do? I can just leave Ferenc in the arms of my grandmother, and I can go around the banquet hall and greet the guests. My mother, Eri, said she couldn’t leave Ferenc and left me.

“Son-in-law. Are you upset?”

As I was looking at the grandmother, granddaughter, and great-grandson with such bitterness, my father-in-law, who was wandering around the banquet hall like me, asked me playfully.

“It’s a bit disappointing, but honestly, if I were to pick a person who’s upset, it’s Eri who’s more upset. Don’t I have a lot of children to take care of at the mansion?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Eri has only one biological child, Ferenc, but I have nine biological children, from Fedi to Yulia. While I was taking care of nine children, I may have unknowingly made my wives sad.

It’s the same for the always cheerful Eri. Eri is also a human, so how could she not feel resentful? It’s just something related to children, so I understood and moved on. This time, the person who has to understand has changed from Eri to me.

“Still, let’s spend some time together as a family in the evening. If not today, I won’t have another chance to spend some quality time with Eri.”

“It might be difficult for the two of us since Ferenc is here. Can I leave it with you for a while?”

“Haha, that’s something I’d rather ask of you. Feel free to leave it to me anytime.”

The father-in-law’s expression brightened rapidly, as if he was enjoying just imagining playing with his youngest grandson.

‘Family is family.’

I felt anew that my grandmother over there, my father-in-law in front of me, and Eri and Ferenc, who were separated from me, were all family members who shared the blood of Masalo.

I didn’t notice this when I looked at them separately, but when I looked at them together, their smiling faces looked strangely similar. Is this the power of bloodlines?

“…Hmm.”

‘huh?’

The expression on the father-in-law’s face, who had been laughing like a friendly neighborhood uncle, quickly hardened.

It’s like wearing new shoes and stepping in muddy water. It’s like going to a convenience store with 1,000 won and seeing that cup ramen costs 1,050 won.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Marquis Iones.”

‘ah.’

However, my doubts were quickly resolved thanks to a voice heard from behind me.

A voice I heard during the Northern Expedition a few years ago, during the New Year’s greetings ceremony every year. Although we don’t meet often and only occasionally exchange greetings, it’s a voice I can never forget because of the other person’s status.

The head of the Marquis Digo family, a rival of the Marquis Masalo family. Marquis Labirje has considerable influence in the western part of the empire.

“It’s been a while. Didn’t we talk through the communication port a few weeks ago?”

A person appeared whom the craftsman had no choice but to treat rudely.

“Communication devices are convenient, but they are not as good as seeing it in person.”

“How dare you say something like that when the King Majong’s husband is in front of you.”

He turned around with a small smile on his face. It would be very rude not to even greet the Marquis when you know he’s behind you.

“Your Excellency, Marquis de Labirje.”

“It’s been a long time, Count Tylglehen. Is this the first time since the New Year’s greetings?”

“Yes. It’s not often that I get to see Your Majesty. But I’m glad to see Your Majesty’s granddaughter sometimes.”

At the mention of Henrietta, the Marquis de Labirget’s face brightened rapidly.

From the perspective of my father-in-law, the Marquis of Labirje is a bittersweet rival, but to me, the Marquis is the maternal grandfather of my friend Pedi. I can’t treat him like my father-in-law.

“Tsk.”

So, I hope you won’t click your tongue as if you’re annoyed. No matter what, it’s a little burdensome to be stuck between you and the Marquis.

“Henrietta was also noticeably happy whenever she came back from playing at the Count’s mansion. She had many worries because she had no friends her age, but thanks to the Count, she was able to relieve her burden. I am truly grateful.”

“You are too kind.”

“You too, don’t ruin the warm atmosphere and lighten your expression. Are you also ticked off by family matters?”

When I turned my head slightly at the words of Marquis Labirje, I could see my father-in-law with a calm expression. It seemed that his unpleasant feelings had been calmed down by the all-purpose word “family.”

It’s definitely an embarrassing situation to be angry about. At a banquet celebrating your own family’s birthday, you react as if you’re treating someone else’s family badly? It’s something that a normal person wouldn’t do.

“Anyway, I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday, Grand Lady. The Masalo family exists today thanks to her wonderful support, even though it will be a bittersweet experience for the next few decades.”

Moreover, Marquis Labirje wished his grandmother a long life and several decades of additional longevity. In this case, it would be right to treat Marquis Labirje as a pure guest, not a rival.

“What can I do? My father had a good wife. I should just accept it as fate.”

Of course, even if you accept them as guests, it seems you can’t give up on subtle provocations and restraints.

“Your Majesty the Duke!”

“Your Majesty the Duke!”

‘huh?’

As the two marquises shook hands and signed a temporary truce, a loud greeting began to be heard from the entrance of the banquet hall.

‘Peacock?’

It was such an unexpected word that I couldn’t help but tilt my head.

A duke? Could it be Tricky? No. The other ladies were supposed to come tomorrow or the day after. Tricky is not the type to break promises and act on her own.

…

‘no way.’

I swallowed without thinking as I instinctively came to a conclusion.

It’s not Tricky, my brother is busy preparing for the Duke’s coronation banquet, and not to mention Jeon Seung-gong, the Golden Duke stays in the territory unless something really special happens.

As I eliminated the five dukes one by one, naturally only one remained. The one I most wanted to disown.

“Hehehe! It’s been a while since you’ve seen each other!?”

‘ah.’

The familiar, loud voice made me close my eyes in deep thought.

That voice full of alcohol is definitely the Wise Duke. The Duke of Chenes, the leader and administrator of the western part of the empire.

‘I forgot the obvious.’

The Masalo family is a powerful family in the western part of the empire. As such, it is only natural that the leader of the west, Hyeonmyeongong, would show up at the Masalo family’s celebration.

The western part of the empire is like the domain of the wise man, and an old man who lived to the age of 90 has appeared in his domain. Even if the wise man is an alcoholic hikikomori, he has no choice but to go. This is a matter of the duke’s authority and leadership.

“Ionaesshu Hujak! Where are you!? I brought you a bunch of presents!”

“Son-in-law, I have a favor to ask.”

“My aunt is noisy, but she is not the type to harm others. Don’t worry and go.”

I quickly cut him off because I thought I knew what he was going to ask me.

I’m sorry, but if one can survive, one should survive. Let’s focus the attention of the wise man on the craftsman, and I’ll sneak in somewhere in between─

“Chajatta!”

‘what.’

No, what is it? You clearly just entered the banquet hall. When did you run all the way here?

“Huh? You even have the Jo-o-ka-rang Labirjae Hujakdo!?”

It was a voice that was incredibly bright, but to me it sounded like the voice of a messenger of death.

A wise man suddenly appears in an unexpected place. How much more terrifying and horrible could there be?

“You have to go to the banquet hall every time! There are a lot of people like this! It’s annoying!”

“Your Majesty, your kind words are truly generous.”

“Hey! That’s not what happens when two people talk like that! It’s the same family that’s connected to me and my nephew, Fujigun!”

He lowered his gaze at Hyunmyeonggong’s words.

Even if it weren’t for me, Hyeonmyeonggong would have attended the banquet, but it sounded like he came because of me.

The banquet atmosphere changed 180 degrees with the appearance of Hyunmyeonggong. It went from a warm and gentle banquet to a noisy and chaotic banquet.

“Madam! Happy birthday! Stay healthy until you reach 100 rice! 110 rice! 120 rice!”

“Oh. Is 130 years too much?”

“Eeeeek! I know you didn’t mean it like that!”

But I guess I should be thankful for this, Hyunmyeonggong was just noisy and didn’t do anything rude. My grandmother just smiled at Hyunmyeonggong’s congratulations.

After all, a person who has lived more than half of his life as a slut, and who has accumulated experience for 90 years, is different in every way. Even though they seem like they would never get along, they somehow manage to have a conversation. The former is able to adjust the line based on his long experience as a slut, and the latter seems to have reached a level where he can smile and talk to anyone.

“Hello, niece and nephew!”

“Hello, aunt! How have you been?”

“Hehehe, it’s me! How are you!”

“Me too! It’s even better when I meet a good person in a good place!”

“My niece and daughter-in-law, you’re so good at talking!”

What about Eri? Let’s move on to the usual Eri.

“Okay~ This time, it’s the cute and generous Perenz─!”

“Your Majesty, this banquet is for this old man, so please do not deprive him of his enjoyment.”

“Huh?”

Anyway, at the moment when the hand of Hyunmyeonggong, who had been exchanging greetings like a typhoon, was about to reach Ferenc, the grandmother who was holding Ferenc politely and firmly stopped his hand.

I’m surprised. You wouldn’t even stop the Duke’s advance for Ferenc’s sake.

“I can’t guarantee how much longer this man will be able to touch this child. So, can you please give in today?”

And all while putting up a shield that cannot be refuted.

“Eww, that’s fatal!”

Even in front of the wise man’s life, he had no answer, so he just threw up his hands and threw up his hands.

Wow, Grandma. The original Eri is different.