—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The long, drawn-out ceremony finally came to an end.
It had been a tedious and nerve-wracking experience for Rudrick, but the nobles who remained for the following banquet were buzzing with conversation.
“This appointment ceremony was surprisingly short. I almost thought the Palace Master rushed through it.”
“You were just a babe in arms during the last ceremony.”
“My mother told me it would be excruciatingly long, so I came prepared.”
The nobles were surprised by how quickly the ceremony ended.
Typically, events hosted by the Imperial family were filled with pointless formalities, but this appointment ceremony was unusually brief.
Of course, despite its short duration, the political implications were significant, as Eileen had alluded to when she called it a “coronation.”
But those implications were hidden beneath the surface.
At least for now, everyone was enjoying the exquisite food and lively conversation, the focus solely on the recent appointment ceremony.
And Rudrick, the star of the show, was no exception.
He was finally able to relax and enjoy the company of his family.
A few nobles were openly staring at him with interest, but most of them refrained from interrupting his family time, allowing him to focus on the food and conversation.
“So now our son has a higher title than his own mother. Remember to act accordingly.”
“…Act accordingly?”
“There are many ears listening, especially in the Imperial Palace. Behave in a manner befitting your position.”
Countess Weiss offered her advice as she sliced her steak.
Her words carried the wisdom of a noble who had managed the Weiss County for decades, albeit a small one.
Until recently, Rudrick had been merely Lorenzo’s disciple, without an official title.
But now, he was officially the Court Mage.
The Empire wasn’t foolish enough to provide funding and grant him the equivalent of a marquisate for nothing.
Countess Weiss was well aware of that.
“If someone overhears you speaking carelessly, they will undoubtedly twist your words. It’s best to avoid giving them any ammunition.”
“…You’re right.”
“And remember, even though I am your mother, you are now the Court Mage of the Esgelant Empire, and I am merely the Countess of Weiss. Our relationship has changed.”
“You’re not going to start speaking formally to me, are you?”
“Didn’t I just tell you to avoid giving people something to gossip about? There’s no need to attract unnecessary attention.”
“I can’t imagine you speaking formally to me…”
Rudrick cringed at the thought.
Serilla chimed in,
“Mother is right.”
“But you can’t order me around, Serilla.”
“Why not? I follow your orders when I’m on guard duty at the palace.”
Serilla tilted her head in confusion.
Rudrick frowned and asked,
“So if I tell you to give me a shoulder massage because I’m tired, you’ll do it? That’s not something you ask a knight on duty.”
“…Well, you’re right, but…”
Serilla pondered for a moment.
Her younger brother had grown up so much in the past ten years.
While siblings often had a contentious relationship, things were different when there was a significant age gap.
When Serilla first came to the capital to attend the academy, Rudrick was just a little boy who had been sulking.
Now, he was a handsome young man who had countless admirers among her peers.
She would gladly give him a shoulder massage if he asked.
The problem was, she felt a strange flutter in her heart whenever she was near him.
‘…Get a grip, you idiot. He’s your brother.’
She shook her head, trying to banish those thoughts, and quickly added,
“Anyway, you’re my superior now. I have to follow your orders. That’s how the chain of command works.”
“But we’re family…”
“Fine, I’ll give you a summoning artifact so you can call me whenever you’re tired.”
“No thanks.”
Serilla chuckled, finding Rudrick’s reluctance endearing.
She couldn’t help but feel proud of her little brother, who she had practically raised herself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It was a heartwarming family scene.
A few nobles were curious about their conversation, but most of them refrained from eavesdropping, respecting their privacy.
However, there were a few pairs of eyes that couldn’t help but focus on their table.
“…I’m jealous. I want to chat with Rudrick too.”
“Keep it down, will you? Do you want to barge in on their family time? Get a grip.”
“I know, I know. But a woman can dream, can’t she? Do you always have to be so harsh on your superior?”
“No man would be interested in a woman who lacks tact.”
Lassiel, despite her high status as the Commanding Admiral, was stuck at the VIP table with her adjutant, Crow, drinking wine.
She was a powerful figure in the Empire, but she had no political connections in the capital, making her an outsider in these social gatherings.
There were nobles who tried to curry favor with her, but she had dismissed them all, stating that she was just a soldier.
As a result, only Lassiel and Crow were sitting at the large table.
Lassiel sighed dramatically.
“Adjutant, what is love?”
“Are you drunk already?”
“No, not yet… I just… I’ve been thinking about some things lately.”
“Like what?”
Ignoring Crow’s unenthusiastic response, Lassiel spoke in a serious tone.
“I have a wish. I told Rudrick about it, remember? When he came to my villa.”
“You mean… sailing on a leisurely cruise with him and enjoying the ocean view?”
“Yes, that’s it. And my wish came true.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“Ever since then… I just… I enjoy simply being in his presence. I can’t get enough of him.”
“You’re drunk.”
Crow clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Lassiel ignored her and took a sip of her wine, her eyes fixed on Rudrick.
She had initially thought his proposition was absurd, but if love was an addiction, she was already hopelessly hooked.
She was content with simply watching him from afar.
Just looking at him sent a thrill through her heart, making her tingle from head to toe.
If this wasn’t love, what was?
“…So… I agreed to it.”
“Agreed to what?”
“You know… Being in his presence makes me happy, so imagine how wonderful it would be to live with him. People always say newlyweds are blissfully happy.”
“…Huh?”
Crow’s eyes widened in surprise.
She was about to raise her voice, but she remembered where they were and lowered it quickly.
“You… agreed? Did he propose? Wait, did he actually propose first?”
“Well…”
Lassiel paused, wondering if it was accurate to say she had been proposed to.
It wasn’t a typical marriage proposal, but it was a proposal nonetheless.
Technically, Rudrick hadn’t even proposed directly.
Lassiel had heard about it from Eileen and had readily agreed.
After considering the sequence of events, Lassiel nodded.
“I guess you could say I was proposed to. I don’t know when the wedding will be, though.”
“So… it actually worked…?”
“Adjutant, what are you talking about?”
“…The advice I gave you. It was just something I learned in theory.”
Crow muttered, dumbfounded.
Crow had shared her love advice with Lassiel.
Ironically, Crow, who was over thirty, was still single.
Even considering her dangerous occupation as a sailor, and a navy officer at that, she was quite late in getting married.
By the standards of this world, she was practically an old maid.
Crow scratched her sun-kissed skin and said,
“I honestly thought it was nonsense, but it actually worked, huh.”
Lassiel chuckled, as if she had expected this.
“I knew it. That’s why I didn’t use any of your advice. If it actually worked, you wouldn’t be single at your age, Adjutant.”
“…”
Crow didn’t reply and simply took a sip of her wine.
She was envious.
Her ditzy superior, whom she had considered a comrade, had already secured a marriage proposal.
She wondered if she would still be envious if she knew that the groom was being shared five ways.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
