853 – Like the Master, Like the Dog – 4

I’ve been in a dilemma since receiving the Emperor’s call.

One thing that can be taken as consolation is that the Emperor’s request is not the Emperor’s order. If the Emperor had directly said, “I want to see Titi and the pups,” then he would have acted with tears in his eyes, but the Emperor’s request is simply the Emperor guessing the Emperor’s feelings.

So, there is no problem even if I refuse the request. Since the Emperor said it was a difficult request, he would only feel regret if I declined, but he would not feel resentful.

However, the situation is that he is an old man who has worked hard for the empire for about 30 years and is now enjoying a leisurely retirement. He raises animals to pass the time, and the animals he once raised gave birth to babies? This is something that cannot be expressed in words, but it is something that cannot help but draw interest.

‘We must show it morally.’

It would be too much if the reward for 30 years of devotion were to be treated like an old man in the back room who can’t even see a dog. That’s why the next emperor and the current imperial count are showing a little consideration for the situation. If they show this much sincerity, the situation will be satisfied.

In fact, the most certain way is for the situation to go directly to Luciano’s mansion. Then Titi will welcome the situation, and the situation will be able to touch the pups with his hands, not just see them with his eyes.

But if you choose this method, Luciano will definitely die. He will probably die standing up.

‘In the end, we have to solve it somehow through communication.’

I fiddled with the communication port and sighed.

After telling the Emperor that he would think about it, he stood there blankly for several hours, examining Titi.

Titi would just smile brightly and wag her tail at the touch of children. When children played with the rice cakes, Titi would bark gently as if asking if her babies weren’t cute.

From a distance, there is no comedy like this. It is a beautiful scene that unfolds thanks to the firm belief that our children would never harm their own children.

‘The problem is that I can’t fit in there.’

Unfortunately, when I get close, comedy turns to tragedy. The cheerful Titi will start growling again, and instead of showing off her pups, she will try to hide them and protect them with her body.

Of course, if Titi is smart and kind and apologizes, they might let it go, but at least it’s not something you should ask when you’re playing with kids. How awkward would it be for the kids if their dad got down on his knees in front of Titi? It’d just ruin the fun for them.

Even if you apologize, there is no guarantee that you will be forgiven right away. The resentment that almost separated the newborn and the family. How can such resentment be resolved quickly?

‘I can’t help it.’

If so, there is only one way. There is only one way to approach Titi amicably and fulfill the secret desires of the situation.

‘Use someone else’s.’

Instead of me, who finds the situation difficult, and instead of me, who has been designated as Titi’s number one target for caution, someone else is put in charge.

I feel like I’m taking advantage of someone else, but what can I do? It’s better to leave it to someone else than not even trying.

A miraculous scene unfolded in which a subordinate beat up a superior.

“Hey, baba! Hey, he …

No matter how great he is, a mere nobleman has passed on his work to the Crown Princess, the next Emperor. The Emperor would laugh at this, but this was the best I could do. This is a solution that satisfies both the situation and Titi.

“Oh my god! I can’t even open my eyes yet! My father said I’ll have to sleep for ten more nights before I can open them!”

And didn’t the Crown Princess willingly join in on her godfather’s subversive and insubordinate actions?

Fortunately, the relationship between the Crown Princess and the situation is relatively good. The Crown Princess remembers the situation not as an iron-blooded monarch but as a quiet grandfather, and from the situation’s perspective, the Crown Princess is a treasure born as a symbol of the strength of Livnoman and Kpelofen. Furthermore, the situation is no longer the master of the empire and the royal family, so the Crown Princess will not be the next successor, but will be treated as an ordinary granddaughter.

Thanks to this, the Crown Princess continued her broadcast in a lively voice, like a charming granddaughter showing off her talents to her grandfather.

“Huh? Where is the timer? I don’t know! I didn’t see it at all! Are you busy?”

‘ah.’

In the meantime, I ended up sighing at the Crown Princess’s bright answer.

The distance was too far to hear the situation’s voice, but the Crown Princess’s voice was clear enough to be heard, so the general content of the conversation could be understood. It seems that the situation was suspicious of the whereabouts of the godfather who disappeared leaving the Crown Princess behind.

It’s a valid question, but it’s complicated. Now, in the minds of the situation, I’ll be remembered as a godfather who neglected his duties.

“But I’m still with Helen, Pedi, and all my siblings! I’m hanging out with my friends even now! … Huh? Why doesn’t Pedi have any friends…?”

‘What.’

I flinched at the princess’s words and my shoulders trembled.

What the heck. What on earth was the situation that made the question of whether or not you have any friends come out of the Crown Princess’ mouth?

“Are you and your dad friends or not…?”

By the time I heard those words, I was already running towards the Crown Princess.

Titi noticed my intrusion and stood in front of the pups in shock, but I didn’t even have time to understand Titi’s feelings at the moment.

“Your Majesty!”

“Ah, time!”

“Give it to me! I will serve Your Majesty!”

“Ouch! Over here!”

I wonder if it’s appropriate to use the expression “welcome” to refer to someone across the communication channel, but this is not the time to worry about such trivial things.

“Long live Your Majesty! Head of the Crassius family! Member of the Knights of Lysisariune! Count of Tylglehen and Wiridia, and administrator of countless other fiefdoms, I, Karl Crassius of Tylglehen, greet you, Your Majesty!”

– Long time no see, Count.

In response to my urgent greeting, the situation on the other side of the communication port opened its mouth indifferently.

– The Crown Princess said that the Count was away, but he was still by her side. Thanks to the Count, the Crown Princess is not worried at all even though she is away from the palace. I am always grateful to the Count.

“I am truly sorry to hear this, Your Majesty.”

– Also, thanks to the Count’s devoted care, the little dog was able to have puppies. I am satisfied that it was worth trusting the Count and leaving it with him.

“That is also too much for me…”

He answered the question with a bow over and over again. But deep down, he felt a sense of relief.

It seems like he doesn’t really care about the Crown Princess’s comment, “Don’t you have any friends?” In reality, the Emperor and the situation don’t have anyone they can call a friend, but getting beaten up by a granddaughter for facts probably isn’t a very good experience.

– Squeak…

Anyway, as I was struggling to hold onto the communication port, Titi, who had been on alert, relaxed her posture and quietly bit my pants.

It almost brought tears to my eyes because it seemed like he was comforting me and telling me to cheer up.

‘thanks…’

Even the incompetent owner who tried to steal his child was worried. Where did such a gentle and kind boy come from?

Meeting Titi in her current situation was one of the few strokes of luck in my life. It was the second stroke of luck after meeting my current family.

***

The conversation that started with the Crown Princess ended with the Count.

It was an unplanned conversation, but it didn’t matter. As the Crown Princess’ grandfather, I just had to say a few words of respect and express my gratitude to the Count, the Crown Princess’ godfather. I was no longer a monarch who had to deal with the Count.

‘Hey kid.’

After putting the communication device down on the table, he lightly stroked his beard.

I was told that I was raising livestock in a corner of the palace, so the previous lord sent me five puppies. One of them showed great interest in the count, so I entrusted it to him. That one pup grew up quickly and found its mate, and I ended up seeing 14 puppies.

It’s a bit complicated and subtle. It seems like only yesterday that we promised each other that when we see Selenden again, we’ll live peacefully as a commoner couple, and that we’ll learn about farming and livestock for that purpose.

But the puppies I started taking care of with that promise have grown into healthy adults, and one of them even had puppies. The promise I made alone has already been a few years ago.

‘I never thought I’d live this long.’

I looked out into the yard where chickens were pecking at their feed, ducks were passing by, and raccoons were walking.

In fact, my life should have ended long ago. During the thirty years I reigned as emperor, I burned everything I had, and I held on to my soul, which should have disappeared long ago.

Just because of the stubbornness that I couldn’t just collapse like this. Because of the determination that I couldn’t see the empire that I had finally revived collapse again, I held on and held on. Even as my body screamed, I held on until the moment when the crown princess—no, the crown prince’s grandson was born and the crown prince abdicated to him.

After that, all the tension was relieved. I thought I would say my final goodbyes to Selene and go to greet the new one for the first time. But this is what happened.

‘Is it because the tension has been relieved?’

Maybe my screaming body is slowly recovering because I’ve let go of all my burdens. Maybe my mind is clear because I have nothing more to worry about.

If this is the case, the position of emperor may seem like a position where people are killed, but the current emperor and the future emperor will be fine. They don’t need to shed blood and tears like me… No, they don’t need to hide their blood and tears as they advance. They have a powerful empire, loyal subjects, and the nations of the continent that bow their heads.

“Are you and your dad friends or not…?”

Then suddenly the Crown Princess’s words came to mind.

Friend, friend. Is there anyone I can call a friend?

‘At least there is one thing.’

To be exact, they weren’t friends, but more like brother and sister, but wouldn’t it be okay to say they were friends because of the slight age difference?

Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve seen my friend. I heard he’s been living a carefree life since stepping down from his post as Minister of the Imperial Household, so let’s invite him over here and have a drink.

And if we’re going to call Baron Antrach, let’s also call Mayor Ausen. They’ve been my loyal supporters ever since I first became Emperor.

‘Should I thank the Count?’

Thanks to the Count’s good care of the dog I sent him, named Titi, I was able to have a baby. Thanks to that, I was able to have this conversation with the Crown Princess, and the word friend, which had been fading from my mind, came to mind.

I should be grateful that I got to have a drink with Baron Antrach and Mayor Ausen because of this. If it weren’t for this, I’m not sure when I would have met them.

***

“You’re cute because you look like our Titi.”

– Woof!

“If you look closely, it looks like Jenny too.”

– Woof woof!

Titi was panting with joy at my words. I looked at the rice cakes while petting Titi.

It was a success. Finally, Titi and I made peace. The sight of the master constantly bowing down to the situation seemed to have aroused Titi’s sympathy.

Thank you, Situation. For the time being, I will bow in the direction of the palace three times a day.