888 – The Happiness of a Marquis – 3

There is a unique tradition in the North that a newborn child is not allowed to have contact with outsiders until he has chosen his first partner and horse.

It is not known how this tradition began, but it is not a tradition of child abuse, so it is probably like that. Perhaps it was created in ancient times when infant mortality rates were high, so it was a tradition created to prevent children from coming into contact with germs brought by outsiders.

Although they may not have known the concept of germs at the time, it is possible that they came to the conclusion that ‘if you come into contact with outsiders when you are just born, you will die often.’ After all, the people of old lacked knowledge, not wisdom.

Anyway, because of that tradition, no one was able to see the noble child who was the Emperor’s nephew and the Crown Princess’ cousin. However, today, after a long silence, Pedi and I finally got to meet Kran. This meant that Kran’s partner had been decided.

“It sounds grand because of the word ‘choose’, but it is only to the extent of selecting the strongest foal among those born around the same time as the child. Instead, formally, three candidates are selected, and the foal that the child pets first is chosen as the steed.”

Marquis Barandiga, who added that his own horse was the offspring of that first horse, burst into laughter while holding Kran in his arms.

Indeed. I wondered if choosing a partner was some sort of religious ritual or some kind of unique superstition, but it was surprisingly ordinary. In that case, it would be possible to choose a mate less than a week after birth.

“Ah- woo-!”

– Purururung!

“How is it? The candidates are chosen by the adults, but ultimately, it is the children who make the choice, so the bond is special. In fact, nomads tend to love and cherish their first horse more than any other famous horse.”

“That’s right. You can get a famous horse whenever you get the chance, but you only get one first horse in your life.”

“Haha, the Count is right.”

Krann, who was waving his arms while Barandi was held in the arms of the Marquis, and the calf wagging its tail at Krann.

Looking at that scene, I remembered the horses that were dying every time I went to the front. The horses I rode on would fall down one by one before I could even communicate with them. It was because of the Khagan’s men who were aiming for the horses, saying that it would be difficult to deal with me, so let’s first make them fall off.

While my words were wasted and wasted like consumables, the nomads were able to increase their communication with their horses in this way. I feel somewhat aggrieved, but also envious.

‘It’s communication.’

As I glanced at Kran, I saw a small doll tucked under his armpit.

One of our Pedi’s animal collections. Coincidentally, it’s a horse-shaped doll, the nomad’s partner.

‘Coincidences like this do happen.’

Pedi still doesn’t know the relationship between nomads and horses. No, he doesn’t understand the concept of nomads. However, it was a very appropriate gift for a gift chosen by Pedi, so he couldn’t help but laugh.

Since he was given a doll as a gift for choosing his first horse, wouldn’t the bond between Krann and his horse be the best of its time? If Krann enters the Imperial Academy, he might become a rider who shines at the top of the equestrian competition like Rin.

“dismissal!”

Later, while watching Krann’s small hand caressing the calf’s head, a soldier guarding the stable came running in a hurry.

“What’s going on? Since we have an important guest here, I would have told you to take care of it yourself if it wasn’t urgent.”

“I just got a call from the head of the household. Her Majesty the Empress and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess have arrived!”

Contrary to the Marquis’s displeased reaction, it was a very urgent matter. It was so urgent that the Marquis had to move as if he was running.

“Pedya, let’s go too. My sister is here.”

“yes!”

We also walked behind the quickly disappearing Marquis. If the Empress and the Crown Princess were here, we couldn’t just sit still.

Meanwhile, the calf that had been separated from its owner cried sadly, but became quiet again thanks to the carrot that Pedi put in its mouth.

‘Where did you find that?’

I am increasingly surprised by Pedi’s actions. He took the doll without even knowing it, and now he is even looking for a carrot in the stable he came to for the first time.

This dad is a little scared because it seems like our son is turning into an optimized intelligence talent. I want our son to be a rich unemployed person.

If possible, become a freeloader with a solid academic background.

Ainter, who had become one with the livestock upon the visit of the Empress and Crown Princess, also hurriedly returned.

“Hello, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“It’s been a while, Marquis Idrafen. I was worried about staying in the North instead of the palace, but fortunately, it seems like you’re doing well.”

Ainter, wearing a straw hat and holding a long wooden stick. Anyone who saw him would recognize him as a great shepherd, so the empress opened her eyes wide and smiled as she greeted him.

“Wow! Samchon! Harabuji Katae!”

The Crown Princess also liked the sight of Ainter and her eyes sparkled.

‘Grandpa.’

However, the reason I like it is somewhat mysterious. I like it because it resembles the situation of people engrossed in farming and livestock in a corner of the palace.

Suddenly, the secret online situation of Dudukri was revealed. It is a fact that everyone already knows, but most nobles still don’t know─

‘ah.’

I couldn’t help but admire the expression on the Marquis’ face, who seemed to be looking at the Empress and the Crown Princess, but was also subtly looking into space, and at the same time seemed to be half-conscious.

As soon as the secret information about the situation came out, I blocked my own sight and hearing. Even though I was in-laws with the situation, I did not dare to approach the situation’s secret hobby.

It’s a great attitude. If he had become the brother-in-law of the situation and the father-in-law of the emperor, he would have been proud, but he is showing off his perfect worldly skills better than anyone else. It is a stark contrast to the Mo family, which was demoted from a marquis to a count.

“Harabuji wears that hat often! I want one too!”

However, even the Marquis’ perfect and desperate worldly wisdom could not withstand the naive princess’s fierce attacks.

Unless you physically block your eyes and ears, if you keep hearing voices, you will eventually be able to hear them. As the Crown Princess continues to speak, the Marquis cannot make excuses like, “I was thinking of something else for a moment and couldn’t hear you.”

It is truly a pity. Is this how the Marquis’ ambition to simply live a peaceful and quiet life comes to an end?

“Your Excellency the Marquis.”

“…Yes, Count.”

So, I approached the Marquis and quietly opened my mouth.

“His Majesty the Emperor has been raising various animals since he abdicated. It is almost like His Majesty’s only hobby, so if your brother-in-law the Marquis sends you some excellent livestock, he will be very pleased.”

If it’s an inevitable wave, then ride it. If you can’t ignore the hobby of the situation, then evolve into a supply route that helps the hobby.

In fact, there will be more beasts available in the North than those available in the mainland of the Empire. There is also a high probability that they will be stronger. Therefore, if the only Marquis in the North, Barandi, decides to collect beasts, he may be able to prepare a tribute that will satisfy the situation.

“The Count is right. We must prepare as soon as possible.”

The Marquis also seemed to understand my consideration and advice, and nodded his head gravely in response.

It’s a good thing you gave up quickly. I was worried that you might have stubbornly pretended not to hear.

“Samchon! Little brother! Where is your little brother!?”

And as soon as the agreement between me and the Marquis was concluded, the Crown Princess came looking for Krann with a lively voice.

“Here he is, Your Majesty. This child is Your Majesty’s cousin, Kran.”

The Marquis, who was holding Krann, approached the Crown Princess carefully and knelt down so that the Crown Princess could easily see and touch Krann.

“Wow!”

Thanks to that consideration, a smile spread across the crown princess’s face.

This is a younger sibling I haven’t seen in months. He is not even the younger sibling of the palace or my family, but a younger sibling born in a new place called the north. How special and special a younger sibling this must be to the Crown Princess.

“Boo?”

Of course, the Crown Princess is a cousin that Kran has never seen before. If someone he sees for the first time looks at him with discomfort, he might cry as a child, but

“Bye!”

Surprisingly, Krann smiled brightly and reached out to the princess. It seemed that he instinctively recognized the person who liked him.

‘It looks good.’

It was such a heartwarming sight that I couldn’t help but smile. The first meeting between the future emperor and the future marquis was so beautiful that it was hard to describe it in words.

And if the first meeting was good, then if this relationship continues, Margrave Gurt will remain a loyal supporter and shield of the Imperial Family. This is a happy thing for the Crown Princess’ godfather and a noble of the Empire.

“Huh?”

However, something unexpected suddenly happened.

“When the time comes, when the time comes.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Go ahead.”

“What does Kran have? Isn’t that a Pedi doll?”

Those words made my shoulders tremble in surprise.

I was so touched by Pedi’s kindness in giving me his doll, and for a moment, I forgot about Kran, who was holding the doll so dearly, knowing Pedi’s sincerity.

‘They were after the crown princess too.’

Pedi’s stuffed animal collection was a treasure coveted by not only our children but also the Crown Princess.

‘What should I do?’

I felt my eyes tremble.

The Crown Princess suddenly saw with her own eyes that the treasure she coveted was in someone else’s hands, and that her eldest brother, Pedi, had betrayed her, not betrayed her. It is not surprising that this disaster caused the Crown Princess to feel anger, resentment, and humiliation.

“Yeah! I got it as a gift!”

‘this.’

I tried to kill time by making excuses, but unfortunately, Pedi’s mouth was faster.

Our sweet and lovely Pedi. He is such an innocent child who cannot lie. Our father loves Pedi like that.

But if you can’t lie, there’s also the method of keeping silent… I didn’t want to tell you this in a place like this, but please be aware of it from now on…

“Pedi, Peddi doll.”

The princess’s small body began to tremble at Pedi’s answer.

“I wanted it too… but they didn’t give it to me…”

Before I knew it, tears began to well up in my eyes.

It seems like this is a total mess. My instincts are telling me that this time, the Crown Princess Torajin will never be easily appeased.

“Boo?”

Only Krann, who didn’t know English, tilted his head and watched his cousin’s strange symptoms.

The doll is still hugged tightly.