BXBX NOVEL Chapter 199
Chapter 199
Selena’s hard work finally paid off.
Despite being a busy graduate student, she managed to carve out a few days to attend the New Year’s ceremony with me.
“I wish the other three could have come too.”
“They said they’ll come next time. It’s only right that all the attention is on Selena now.”
We plan to announce our marriage next year, when I’ll be a senior.
The timing… early summer? We’re thinking of getting married in the spring of the year after next, so that would be the most appropriate time.
That’s why the other three women aren’t with me at this New Year’s ceremony.
There will be other social events, but none as big as this one.
So this is the time to show off my close relationship with Selena.
“Something doesn’t add up. If that’s their reasoning, I’ll be around next year as well.”
“Perhaps they’re concerned that showcasing our relationship after the announcement might make it seem like a marriage of convenience. That’s why they want you to establish the image of the primary spouse now.”
I suggested that perhaps they were thinking that they could comfortably be at my side later on, without having to worry about public perception.
Selena nodded in agreement, saying, ‘Ah, I see.’
And our prediction proved to be correct.
“Hahaha! I saw you briefly last time, but today you’re practically the main character, Young Lord Karl.”
“The main character, you say?”
“And Lady Selena too. Your father couldn’t stop singing your praises during our tea time last time.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency!”
The first to approach us was a Marquis, who was of the same rank as Selena’s father, Marquis Nafplion.
“So this is Karl Adelheit, the young lord our son has been raving about.”
The next person to speak to us was none other than Duke Bernsfall.
To briefly summarize this person, he is one of the three dukes whom even the imperial family cannot easily control.
He is also a major financial supporter of the pension foundation that bears my name.
Above all, he is the person who was instrumental in reforming the Imperial Army into a more efficient and cohesive fighting force.
“Karl Adelheit of the Friedrich County, at your service, Duke Bernstfall.”
“Let’s skip the formalities. Everyone’s relaxed at the New Year’s ceremony.”
Duke Bernstfall glanced at Selena and me and smiled.
“There are many ways to show filial piety to your parents. You can achieve great things, or make a name for yourself. But the best way is to bring home a wonderful son-in-law or a good daughter-in-law.”
Then the Duke quietly bowed his head and muttered, ‘While you’re at it, give the Marquis and the Count a grandchild soon. Our son has been married for a year and there’s no news yet.’
I used to think that high-ranking people lived in a completely different world.
But after meeting the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and now the Duke, I realize that they’re all just people in high positions, not so different from me.
“Anyway, enjoy the New Year’s ceremony. When the invitations are out, send some to the Duchy through my son.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Duke Bernstfall.”
As the Duke walked away, other nobles stealthily approached us.
“Karl! Let’s meet at the balcony later!”
“Don’t run away! I’ll find you if you do!”
Meanwhile, the four ladies, busy with their own engagements and promising to catch up later, were an added delight.
It seems they still haven’t quite mastered the art of noble decorum.
Afterward, Selena and I were swept away in a whirlwind of greetings and conversations with the gathered nobles.
It was as if we were at our wedding announcement rather than the New Year’s ceremony.
“The Emperor is entering.”
If the Emperor hadn’t appeared at the right time, I might have collapsed from exhaustion.
* * *
While the annual New Year’s ceremony should be no different from previous years, this year’s event was entirely different. The reason, of course, was the change in host.
“Long live the Emperor!”
“May Goddess bless the Empire and the Emperor!”
“Long live the Emperor!”
The person being cheered on is none other than my brother-in-law.
The former Emperor, who used to occupy that position, has now stepped down.
And another difference from previous years is…
“Un-cle! Un-cle!”
My niece is diligently moving her lips, determined to say ‘uncle’ before ‘mom’ or ‘dad.’
“Haha. Sorry, brother-in-law. We were going to leave her behind, but she insisted.”
“It’s alright, Your Majesty.”
“Initially, I assumed she wanted to accompany her father. But now I see she must have sensed your presence here somehow.”
Your Majesty, if that’s really true, shouldn’t you be a little worried?
At this rate, I’m worried she’ll look for me first instead of her mom and dad when she grows up.
There’s nothing more joyful than my niece liking her uncle.
Maybe it’s because it’s the first time, but she looks like a beautiful little angel even though she’s not my own child.
However, I can’t help but feel a twinge of unease. After all, I’m still considered an outsider, related only by marriage.
History has shown that those in power have always been most wary of individuals in such a position.
Moreover, my reputation is quite significant, and I have many connections, so it could be a concern.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to push my niece aside and try to become Emperor.
Nor does it mean I’ll make my niece a puppet ruler.
If I ever have such thoughts, I’ll shoot myself in the head.
“I made good use of the gift you gave me, brother-in-law.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Perhaps our Crown Princess will have a sibling soon. Hahaha!”
Forgive me for saying this in front of you, Your Majesty, but objectively speaking, it’s impossible to outshine my sister in, well, certain physical aspects.
That’s why I deliberately gave the Emperor some of the gifts the elves gave me.
Of course, it would be great to have more nieces and nephews, but the biggest reason is that the imperial family needs more direct descendants for the sake of the Empire.
‘It’s not like the infant mortality rate is as high as in the Middle Ages… but you never know.’
“Ah, we’ve been talking amongst ourselves too much. My sister-in-law looks a bit uncomfortable.”
The Emperor calls over to Selena, who has been quietly waiting beside us.
I’m already so close to the imperial family that I don’t feel any discomfort.
But it seems like Selena needs a little more time to get used to it as much as I am.
…Wait? Did he just switch to calling her ‘sister-in-law’?
“Your Majesty, you don’t have to treat me so casually.”
“Hmm? We’re family now. Why would I treat you formally when I can treat you like kin?”
This is something that would shock the previous emperors of the Empire.
There were many who were most afraid of their families and pushed them away from the power struggle.
Moreover, I’m technically the relative by marriage who should be the most worrisome to the heir.
“There you go again, brother-in-law.”
“Your Majesty?”
“I know what you’re worried about. You’re likely concerned about whether you’ll change, whether you’ll turn into one of those stereotypical meddling in-laws.”
Are you saying that you’re keeping me close and comfortable even though you know that?
Those words lingered on the tip of my tongue, but I held them back with superhuman patience.
“To be honest, it might pose a challenge if you were to become like them.”
“Your Majesty! What do you mean by that?!”
“Two Medals of Honor. Numerous other decorations. A true hero of the Empire. Revered as a noble by the Church, and the only living person considered for sainthood. Who could stop such a man if he sought power?”
Brother-in-law! You’re making me sound like a villain!
“But you see, if you were truly that kind of person, you would have attended another social event instead of visiting your fallen comrades. You would have worked for your own future instead of caring for their families. That’s why I can gladly entrust you with the role of uncle to our Crown Princess.”
His words struck a chord deep within me, and I had to fight back the wave of emotion that threatened to overwhelm me.
“More than anything, seeing how much our Crown Princess adores you shows that she trusts you.”
“But, Your Majesty, the Crown Princess isn’t even a year old yet.”
“That’s precisely why it’s important. Children are pure, and they have an instinctive ability to distinguish between good and evil!”
That’s news to me, brother-in-law. Where did you hear that?
Surely there aren’t any YouTube Shorts spreading misinformation in this world.
“Un-cle! Un-cle!”
“Oh dear, it seems that the Crown Princess is about to cry again. Here, take her, brother-in-law.”
When I held my niece again, Lily smiled brightly and touched my cheek.
The Emperor, who was watching with a smile, let out a gasp and called for Selena.
“Come here, sister-in-law. Look here, Crown Princess, our daughter. Say hello. This is your aunt.”
Wow. Aunt of the Crown Princess. And not just one aunt, but four.
For a moment, I wondered what my niece would say to me in the future.
“Baa! Baa-baa!”
“What’s wrong, little one?”
“Crown Princess?”
My niece squirmed in my arms, babbling and waving her arms in apparent displeasure.