喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 160

I had a strange dream last night…

“Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Next year, the long-awaited imperial grandchild will be born.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

The imperial treasure, awaited by His Majesty perhaps even more than by me.

May the child grow strong and healthy, quickly finding comfort in the arms of parents and grandparents.

It’s a relief that Karl… my brother-in-law, prayed in the Holy See for the safe birth of the imperial grandchild.

Goddess even granted a miracle, so She must have heard the prayers my brother-in-law offered.

“Let’s take a walk.”

After a meeting that lasted over two hours, His Majesty quietly called me to the rear garden.

I thought he wanted to discuss various matters from the meeting, but…

“When the imperial grandchild is born, it’s time for the Crown Prince to prepare.”

“…Your Majesty?”

He suddenly mentioned the word ‘prepare’ and smiled.

“I mean it’s time for you to take the throne.”

“Your Majesty! Such an undeserved honor you bestow upon me!”

I hurriedly tried to kneel, but His Majesty stopped me.

“I’ve been on the throne for over thirty years. That’s long enough, don’t you think?”

“Preposterous, Your Majesty. During your reign, the empire has flourished. In contrast, I still have much to learn and improve upon. Therefore—”

“I’m not saying I’ll hand it over immediately, Crown Prince. I’m simply saying, let’s prepare.”

“But…”

“When the Imperial grandchild begins to walk and talk, it will be time to bestow the title of Crown Prince or Crown Princess upon them. And this old man yearns for rest.”

I vaguely understood His Majesty’s words.

He meant to pass the throne while his mind was still sharp.

It’s not entirely unprecedented.

Looking back at the empire’s history, there have been quite a few emperors who abdicated.

From the empire’s perspective, it would also be less chaotic for a former emperor to pass away than for the current emperor to do so.

“However, Your Majesty, I still…”

“Learning is a lifelong journey. Even I, after ascending to the throne, learned every day. I learned from the past, from my officials, and sometimes even from the people of the empire.”

That’s what being an emperor is. The immense power held in one hand comes with equally heavy responsibilities in the other.

It’s a life filled with burdens and anxieties.

Therefore, I wish to offer you some advice—it’s best to make your decision sooner rather than later.

His Majesty said that, patted my shoulder, and told me he would be on his way.

If it weren’t for the news from the Imperial Palace, I might have stood there pondering for a long time.

“Your Highness! There you are.”

“What is it?”

“You need to go to the Imperial Palace right away. Her Highness the Crown Princess…”

Upon hearing those words, I pushed past the attendant and started running towards the Imperial Palace.

In hindsight, it was a foolish act. I should have listened to what had happened first.

In front of all the palace staff, the Crown Prince of the empire was seen panting and running.

It was a bonus that the attendants and even the knights were shouting, ‘Your Highness! Please calm down!’

At that moment, I had only one thought—that no harm had come to my wife.

Rika, I prayed that she was alright. And that our child was safe as well.

“My wife! Rika!”

As I entered the Imperial Palace, gasping for air, the attendants and maids greeted me with surprise.

That’s when I knew. Thankfully, it wasn’t what I had feared.

If something had truly happened, they wouldn’t be so calm.

“Your Highness.”

As I went to the rear garden of the Imperial Palace, I saw my wife gently smiling and stroking her belly.

It had certainly grown much larger than before.

In the early stages, I wondered if she was truly carrying a child, but now it was evident.

“I heard you were looking for me. Is something the matter, my dear?”

“Well, I just felt the baby kick.”

“Oh?”

“I felt it faintly before, but this time it was a big, definite movement. As if the baby was reassuring me that it’s growing well.”

Mesmerized by her words, I approached Rika. Then, kneeling down, I carefully placed my hand on her belly and put my ear to it.

“…I can’t hear or feel anything.”

“Perhaps the baby was startled by its father’s sudden arrival. Just wait a little.”

I stayed still, just as Rika suggested.

There was no guarantee that our child would respond immediately just because I was waiting. It could remain quiet for hours.

But even so, I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

I wanted to feel what Rika, my wife, had felt. I wanted to confirm that our child was growing well.

“…Ah!”

“Ah.”

Both my wife and I let out a gasp simultaneously.

“Just now.”

“Yes, my dear. The baby answered again. It said it’s doing well, so don’t worry.”

“…Ha. Haha. Hahaha!”

Some fathers aren’t fortunate enough to experience their child’s movements even a few times due to various circumstances.

I am truly fortunate. I, as a person, married the woman I love and now have this precious fruit of our love.

“My dear, if it’s possible…”

“I’ll contact your brother right away, my dear.”

My wife smiled brightly at my response. She, too, would want to share this joyful news with her brother first.

* * *

“…So that’s why you called me.”

“Indeed, brother-in-law.”

The Crown Prince… My brother-in-law smiles at me… and I feel a lump in my throat.

Seriously, though. Wouldn’t it be nice to tell me the reason beforehand? Do you know how worried I was, thinking something had happened to my sister and my niece or nephew? Huh??

My thoughts must have shown on my face. The Crown Prince suddenly let out an awkward laugh and started patting my back.

“Hahaha. I apologize, brother-in-law. But to be honest, I felt the same way. When I heard the urgent summons from the Imperial Palace, my first thoughts were negative. I was so startled that I broke out in a cold sweat.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Right. It can’t be helped. A household with an expectant mother is always filled with tension.

Especially if that expectant mother is the Crown Princess of the empire, and the child is the future emperor!

“Anyway, go on. Your sister is waiting. She wanted to tell you the news first, before anyone else.”

“Yes, Your… High… Wait a moment.”

“Brother-in-law?”

“Her Highness the Crown Princess… Surely she hasn’t informed your parents of the news yet?”

“Oh, um.”

Only then did I notice the Crown Prince’s look of realization and embarrassment.

Even though my sister called for me first, as her husband, it would have been better if he had suggested, ‘How about we inform your parents-in-law first?’

It seems our Crown Prince, my brother-in-law, was so overjoyed that he got a bit carried away.

“Well, brother-in-law.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll convey the news to my family.”

“Would you do that?”

“I’ll make sure they don’t feel left out.”

This is the first time my sister is having a child, and the first time for the Crown Prince as well. So let’s be understanding.

Everyone is bound to be overwhelmed, so it wouldn’t be right to criticize them for not being composed. That would make me a real jerk.

Anyway, after chatting with the Crown Prince, we had just entered the rear garden of the Imperial Palace when…

“Ah!”

My sister, who was sitting there, suddenly placed her hand on her belly and let out an overly loud gasp.

Startled, both the Crown Prince and I, along with the maids nearby, rushed to her side in alarm.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“My dear? What’s wrong? Is something…”

“Ah, no. I’m fine. Really, I’m fine.”

Are you sure you’re okay, sis? That sounded almost like a scream?!

As everyone wore worried expressions, Sister Rika waved her hand and smiled.

“I’m truly fine, Your Highness. It’s just that the baby moved so strongly… Ah!”

“My dear?”

“It’s happening again. This is strange. It’s the first time the baby has been this active.”

Confusion filled my sister’s face.

Just how forcefully did my niece or nephew move to startle my sister, of all people?

“Perhaps the baby is excited to see its uncle. Hahaha!”

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince laughed, placing a hand on my shoulder.

He seemed to think it was a good thing as long as there was nothing wrong with my sister’s health and it was just a strong kick.

“Ah, right. Karl, come here for a moment.”

“Your Highness? What can I do for you…?”

“Karl.”

“…Sorry, sis. So, why?”

As I approached, my sister, who had been rummaging through something, suddenly held something out to me.

“This is…”

“Your new formal attire for the New Year’s ceremony.”

“But why do you have it?”

“I wanted to see it so badly. I wanted to see how handsome you’d look in it.”

Saying this, my sister unfolded the uniform and held it up for me to see.

Well, first of all, I like the all-black design. Now that’s what I call a uniform.

What I’ve worn so far has been nothing more than military attire masquerading as a uniform!

I hated the digital camo from my past life, and I hate the brown and green color scheme of the empire!

“What do you think, Karl?”

“It looks good. It’ll be nice to wear for the New Year’s ceremony.”

“Would you like to try it on here? Just the top.”

“Here?”

There’s no reason not to. I took the uniform top from my sister and put it on.

As expected, all-black is the way to go. It would be even better if it weren’t for the medals haphazardly pinned to the chest.

“Ooh. You look quite dashing, brother-in-law.”

“You look amazing, Karl! Truly stunning!”

I must be the only person in the world to be praised by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess just for trying on a uniform.

It’s a bit embarrassing, like being treated like a child, but if my sister likes it, I’m happy…

“Oh my.”

“Sis?”

“Ahaha. Our baby seems to think its uncle looks handsome too. It’s kicking up a storm.”

My niece or nephew has good taste! That’s great. I wouldn’t want to be the uncle ignored by my own niece or nephew!