892 – Dazzling Dawn – 1

The small ball that Pedi shot up disappeared into the sky beyond anyone’s reach.

Fortunately, the Crown Princess’s heart was softened by Pedi’s apology and gift, and she began to love Kran again, and Kran also smiled brightly and was delighted by her cousin’s sincere caress.

The relationship between the next emperor and the next marquis almost fell out, but miraculously, they found their way back to harmony.

‘Still no news.’

And now, three days after Barandi returned from the Marquisate, there has been no further contact from the Emperor.

No, to be exact, there was a contact. It was a joke mixed with harassment asking how it was to see a nephew he hadn’t even seen before.

‘As expected of the Empress.’

I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.

Originally, I was worried because work is not over until it is over, but if it is quiet for three days, it is certain. As promised, the empress did not tell the emperor about the crown princess’s feelings. The fact that the crown princess had somewhat premature feelings for Pedi became a secret known only to me and the empress.

There are three of them if you include the Crown Princess, but honestly, even the Crown Princess doesn’t know exactly how she feels, so it’s right for only the two of them to know.

Anyway, I’m really glad. I was worried that the Emperor would grab me by the back of the neck and issue a summons.

‘The worst has been avoided.’

The shocking news that his precious, lovable, and adorable eldest daughter had fallen in love. And the truth that the other person was the son of his godfather. It was enough to make the emperor’s eyes turn 540 degrees.

It’s embarrassing for me to say this myself, but Nana Erihi’s relationships with women weren’t exactly clean. They got married after making their wives’ hearts quite complicated, so if Pedi is like our brother, there’s a high chance that he’ll make the crown princess cry.

And if even I am thinking like this, how much more so must the Emperor be. He will wail and ask why I have to be the son of that black-haired beast, and why I am trying to go beyond friendship.

‘I understand…’

There is such a thing as empathy in this world, so I can fully understand.

If I were you, I would be confident that I would fall over and grab the back of my neck if I heard that our eldest daughter, Maria, had already fallen in love. If the father of the other person was a bad guy, I would be willing to go find him with a spear.

Thanks to that, the fear and dread of the Emperor has been growing exponentially for three days─no, even now. Have I ever been so justified in fighting that b*stard? At least, this is the first time in my memory.

…

‘You can’t hide it forever.’

The sigh of relief soon turned into a sigh full of sighs.

Thanks to the Empress of Peace and Trust, I was able to survive for the time being, but there is no such thing as an eternal secret in this world. I know this better than anyone, having worked in the Inspectorate and the Inspectorate.

No matter how careful I and the Empress are with my words, information will eventually leak out. The Emperor did not win the crown prince or the emperor position through poker, so he is more perceptive and intelligent than others. It is highly likely that he will spontaneously notice that his daughter has fallen in love.

Just the time spent figuring things out on my own, the time spent taking in information and accepting reality. During that time, I have to find a way to survive. Before I duel with the Emperor and claim the title. Definitely.

“Knife. I’ll go in.”

“Oh, yeah.”

While I was so embarrassed that I was more concerned about my own safety than the future of Pedi and the Crown Princess, Marga opened the door and came in.

As soon as he saw me, he let out a small smile.

“That outfit again? You have so many other outfits.”

I smiled sheepishly at Mar’s subtle remark.

The first thing I wear when I go out somewhere. The uniform I wore when I was the chief inspector general now feels like an extension of my skin.

In fact, since I became the Inspector General, I even received the ministerial uniform, so it’s enough to keep it as a memory, but when it’s time to sink into memories, I force myself to take it out. Rather, it’s because the perception that it’s work clothes has disappeared, so I reach for it without hesitation.

“I guess it’s because it’s comfortable. Besides, other people say that it looks better when I dress like this than when I wear fancy clothes.”

“Who is it?”

“My father did it, the Minister of Finance did it, and the Marquis Barandiga─”

“None of you three dress well.”

I was startled by Mar’s indifferent factual violence and my shoulders shook.

That’s true. My father wears what my mother gives him, the Minister of Finance is no different, and the Marquis of Barandiga is in the transitional stage from nomadic to imperial attire. All three are not people who can give advice on fashion, regardless of their abilities.

“It’s still a long way to go, so I’ll put on whatever I choose.”

“Can’t we just keep going like this…?”

“If you want to be the star of the party, then go ahead. The other guests might cringe when they see the knife, though.”

At those words, he quietly took off his coat.

When a scoundrel walks around with a scoundrel’s knife, it makes onlookers cringe. Unfortunately, for me, this uniform is just like a scoundrel’s knife.

Well, come to think of it, the only inspection I’ve ever conducted as the Inspector General was the inspection of the judiciary. All the inspections that beat up the nobles were done when I was wearing this uniform, so it’s only natural that the nobles would get PTSD when they see my uniform.

‘sorry…’

I put my nicely dressed uniform back into the closet.

If it were a regular event, I would have just worn it and gone regardless of whether others were nervous or not, but this banquet I’m attending is a very important one, so I can’t help it. I can’t force the guests who gathered at the banquet hall into PTSD.

‘He’s a crazy b*stard who makes a fuss about his wife’s family’s birthday.’

Earlier this year, due to the complete retirement of his father-in-law, the new Duke of Wolken, his older brother, took over as the 19th Duke of Wolken, following the 18th Duke of Wolken, the Ironblood Duke, and the Valenti family and the Empire’s celebration.

The banquet that was being prepared to celebrate the slope was finally going to take place. It was a banquet that my wife’s family had been preparing for months for my brother, so going to the banquet wearing the wrong clothes and ruining the mood would be an act that would be so outrageous that it would be absurd to my father-in-law that he would have his spine broken.

“Oh, Carl. During the banquet, would you like Carl to hold Julia? I think I’ll be going around a lot during this banquet.”

“Of course I should. Leave it to me.”

I nodded immediately at Mar’s words.

Even though his last name has changed to Crassius, the fact that Mar is his brother’s younger brother doesn’t change. So, inevitably, Mar will also receive attention from the guests, so I, as his father, have to take good care of Julia, who can’t even crawl yet.

I wonder if it’s right to take a baby who can’t even crawl all the way to Ulken, but what can I do if my brother and sisters-in-law really want to see Julia?

‘Go and turn Valenti upside down.’

I thought of Julia, who was probably fast asleep in bed by now.

Our Julia has black hair, inheriting the blood of Crassius, but her eyes are green, like Mars’. Our Julia is lovely, with plump, white cheeks.

She captivates the members of the Valenti family with her loveliness. Her older brother and sisters-in-law are so captivated by her that they give her money.

When I arrived at the Wolken Castle, my older brother personally welcomed me.

“Marya! Brother-in-law! Come quickly!”

Looking at him smiling heartily with his arms spread wide, it seems like he has completely shaken off the complexities and burdens he felt when he first inherited the title of Duke.

No, maybe it’s not that I’ve let it out, but that I’ve learned to hide it.

“Peddie, come quickly. It was hard to come a long way.”

After a while, I stroked Pedi’s head, which was stuck next to my leg.

Unlike the lively greeting he gave to Mar and me, he gave Pedi a soft and gentle smile, like a grandfather delighted with the arrival of his grandson.

Actually, considering the age difference between Hyungnim and Mar, Pedi is really his grandson. He is like a grandson of his younger sister who is like a daughter. How pretty and cute he will look.

“It wasn’t hard because I came to see my uncle!”

“Huh?”

Anyway, my brother blinked at Pedi’s surprise attack,

“Brother-in-law. It seems like you are taking very good care of your nephew.”

“You are too kind.”

He rummaged through his pockets with the corners of his mouth hanging over his ears.

Great job, our Pedi. You’ve done a great job, just like your dad taught you. You can’t help but laugh when you hear unexpected words from an unexpected child.

“Pedya. This uncle only has gold coins right now─”

“What are you giving the child? Put it back.”

The older brother, who had picked up a handful of gold coins, withdrew his hand at Mar’s request.

It was a bit disappointing. It was a chance to give Pedi the title of ‘Turn the Duke’s Wallet’.

“And Julia also brought me here because she wanted to see her brother, but she only saw Pedi?”

“Julia!”

But seeing my brother’s eyes burning hot at the mention of Julia, it seemed like it wouldn’t be long before he had another opportunity to empty his wallet.

“Huh, he looks exactly like Marrang, except for the black hair. It seems that Valenti’s blood is strong.”

“Boo-?”

“Our Julia. My maternal uncle.”

“Pow!”

It is certain that he is blind even though he has the title of Duke.

Brother, if you had left Julia behind, I might have been really angry…

“But brother-in-law. At this rate, the third child will likely be born with red eyes like Mar. What do you think?”

“It seems like my brother and I get along well.”

“That’s a more satisfying answer than any gift.”

I could see Mar’s hand twitching, but fortunately, since he was holding Julia, Mar’s palm did not hit his brother’s back.

Julia protected the Duke’s happiness and authority at the same time.

***

I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw Pedi and Julia.

To parents, children are precious and cute beings. However, parents have to raise their children with sincerity, so it is difficult for them to be comfortable and loving. They have to shoulder duties that are proportional to their happiness.

On the other hand, nephews and nieces are different. You can love them like your own children, but you are not raising them, so there is no responsibility for them. The way to enjoy endless irresponsible pleasure is to meet nephews and nieces.

‘How can you be so cute?’

How do these kids compare to my children and other nephews who have already lost their cuteness? Aren’t they really cute and adorable?

‘It’s Marga Barenti’s treasure.’

I glanced at Mar without realizing it. Born as the youngest of our siblings, he gave us all kinds of happiness, and now he is showing off his beautiful niece to this older brother. If this isn’t a treasure, then what is?

Although Mar’s surname is Crassius and not Valenti, he is still Valenti’s treasure.

If anyone comes forward to refute this, I will not forgive them in the name of the Duke.