Page 389 of Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy

0% Corvus Amanca Livnoman of Kefellofen, commonly known as Amanca XVI. He was the current Emperor of the Kefellofen Empire and a legendary wise ruler who led the empire back to prosperity when it was on the brink of collapse.

Some nobles revered him so much that they even proposed bestowing upon him the title of Great Emperor, an honor previously granted only to Amanca the First. Others suggested changing future emperors’ middle names from Amanca to Corvus to honor his unmatched legacy. Truly, his status was beyond words.

However, even this Emperor had a fatal weakness: he was Kefellofen’s first emperor from a branch line rather than the direct lineage.

Granted, a distant branch at that.

Honestly, the current Emperor was too far removed from the throne. His identity as a noble was probably stronger than his identity as a member of the imperial family.

However, through relentless political struggles among the direct royal family, high infant mortality due to strong medicine but weak healthcare, and low birthrates within the imperial household, the direct lineage of Livnoman spectacularly self-destructed to the point where the current Emperor, a mere count, ascended to the throne.

The Emperor, who had been on the throne for decades with this legitimacy issue, wanted at least his successor to be a legitimate heir. But sadly, his legitimate heir was the 2nd Prince, who looked like he was picked up from under a bridge.

It’s still absurd when I think about it. How on earth did such a bastard come from the Emperor?

The Crown Prince should have been the legitimate heir.

Thanks to this, the imperial family faced the unprecedented situation of lacking legitimacy for two generations in a row. The Emperor suppressed his rising curses and purged the 2nd Prince’s faction, but—as of today, the imperial family had found light, escaping from its chronic weakness.

By Enen’s grace and the Great Emperor’s blessing, a noble heir has been born to the Imperial House. Let all those who serve the Empire rejoice in the birth of the legitimate descendant of Livnoman.

I reread the group message from my communication crystal.

The first child of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had been born while the emperor was still alive. Gender didn’t matter in Kefellofen, where an Empress had already once ascended the throne. All that mattered was being the firstborn.

The emperor would undoubtedly soon name this child as the Imperial Heir, cementing their legitimacy. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, this grandchild would become Crown Prince or Crown Princess. It was the perfect succession plan that nobody could contest.

So a day like this has come.

I felt like crying. Setting aside the fact that the Crown Prince, a man who’d seemed utterly incapable of human feelings, now had a child, an ultimate legitimate heir had been born to the imperial family that was embroiled in succession disputes just a few years ago.

As a civil servant who’d endured that painful chaos, I couldn’t help but feel emotional.

...Looks like my future might actually be peaceful.

This was the desperate hope of a civil servant who hoped that no major incidents would occur during their tenure—whether it was in my pre-possession world or this one.

***By dawn the next day, the Academy announced a three-day closure to celebrate the imperial heir’s birth. It meant students would pause their studies to share the empire’s joy.

Moreover, the Emperor was so pleased with the birth of the imperial grandchild that not only the Academy students but also administrative civil servants received a three-day holiday order. Indeed, His Majesty the Emperor was wise and merciful.

Yes. Truly wise and merciful, but...

“What gift should we present to the imperial grandchild?”

“Just send silk. She’ll grow quickly, so she’ll be changing outfits often anyway.”

“That’s true.”

While Civil Servant Carl got a vacation, Count Carl of Wiridia was working normally.

Damn it.

I felt like crying for a different reason than yesterday. With everyone—myself and my lovers included—on holiday, it should have been the perfect time for dates. But as a titled noble and heir to an imperial count, I couldn’t ignore the birth of the imperial grandchild.

So here I was, first thing in the morning, back in the capital urgently discussing gifts for the new heir with the Minister.

“Oh, since they said she’s a beautiful daughter resembling Her Highness the Crown Princess, we should go with blue silk. House Nuren always favored blue attire.”

“At least the color choice is clear, then.”

I felt a bit relieved now that the broad category of silk and the specific category of color blue had been decided. The biggest issue with gifts was always deciding what to give—once the decision was made, it was easy.

Resembles the Crown Princess, huh?

And at the Minister’s words, I recalled the Imperial Military Headquarters I saw on the way to the Ministry of Finance’s building. No wonder they were setting off fireworks from the morning. The Invincible Duke seemed ecstatic about the birth of a granddaughter who resembled his daughter.

In truth, there was much to celebrate. Publicly, the imperial family gained greater stability; personally, it was the birth of his cute granddaughter.

“She will become the fourth empress of the empire, then.”

“That’s right.”

The Minister nodded and agreed with my words. Ever since Amanca the Great until now, Kefellofen had already crowned three empresses. With so many precedents, no noble would dare utter nonsense like, ‘How can a woman inherit the throne?’

To begin with, two of the current five Dukes were women. Objecting to female succession in these times would be no different from social suicide.

“Well, for the gift, blue silk and maybe a small tiara to go with—“

Just as I was about to wrap up the discussion, the communication crystal in my pocket suddenly vibrated.

I felt a twinge of unease. It could simply be an ordinary work message or even something personal, but the timing was suspiciously ominous.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

After quickly apologizing, I checked the new message—and immediately had to stop myself from squeezing my eyes shut.

Come to the Crown Prince’s Palace. I have something to discuss with the Executive Manager.

That bastard. He just had a daughter—shouldn’t he be busy shedding tears of joy or something? Why is he dragging his poor subordinate into this?

***If heaven truly existed, it must feel something like this.

“Crown Princess. See how our little one has all her tiny fingers?”

At those words, the Crown Princess smiled softly and gazed lovingly at our daughter, who lay asleep beside her on the bed, gently wriggling as she dreamed.

She’s an angel. An angel who took off her wings and nestled in our arms. There’s no other way to explain that cuteness and elegance.

“Don’t be so noisy.”

While I was lost in the bliss of fatherhood, the Emperor’s quiet, stern voice snapped me back to reality. I had been so absorbed by my daughter that I momentarily forgot his presence.

“What will you do if you wake the child?”

But looking closely, his gaze also couldn’t leave our daughter. Though his expression was as cold as ever, his words weren’t about preserving my dignity but rather genuine concern that the baby might wake up.

“I apologize, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

He only nodded slightly at my formal apology, eyes still focused on the same spot.

Seeing this, the Crown Princess smiled even more deeply. If it were just us, she might have even laughed. Even the Minister of the Imperial Household, who came with the Emperor, had a smiling face. This child’s birth was truly a blessing for the imperial family and the empire.

Knock knock—

Amidst this, a soft knock was heard at the door.

My heart skipped a beat. It was a gentle sound, but what if it disturbed our sleeping angel? It would tear my heart apart if she started crying after waking up.

“Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Highness the Crown Prince. It’s the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office.”

I instinctively turned to look at my father when I heard the Captain of the Imperial Guard’s announcement.

I did summon the Executive Manager, but I thought he would come after the Emperor left. I never intended for them to meet face-to-face like this.

“Let him in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor seemed surprised by the Executive Manager’s visit and glanced at the door but quickly nodded, allowing him to enter.

“Crown Prince. Did you call for him?”

“Yes, Father. I had some matters to discuss.”

“I see.”

After a moment of silence, the Emperor spoke again.

“It would be truly reassuring if the Executive Manager became the imperial grandchild’s godfather.”

I couldn’t help but bow my head at these words that seemed to see right through me.

Indeed, it seems impossible for me to even touch the Emperor’s toes during his lifetime.

***I almost moonwalked right back out as soon as I entered the room.

What the hell?

Seeing the Crown Prince and Crown Princess was obviously expected, but I never anticipated the Emperor and the Minister of the Imperial Household to be present as well. Facing the ruler of the Empire and the top-ranking civil servant at the same time? What a terrifying combination.

“Your Majesty the Emperor—“

“That’s enough. The imperial grandchild is sleeping, so you may skip it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor shook his head and declined as I hastily tried to greet him.

I wondered if greeting the Emperor was a procedure that could be skipped, but I understood since the imperial grandchild was sleeping. The precious sleep of the imperial grandchild must be more important than the greetings he’d heard countless times in his life.

“Are you here at the Crown Prince’s summons?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“In that case, don’t mind me. The Crown Prince shall discuss with you what the Imperial family wishes to convey.”

“...Understood, Your Majesty.”

Those words made my blood run cold, but I managed to calmly reply.

Ignoring the Emperor standing right in front of me was difficult enough, but the phrasing ‘what the Imperial family wishes to convey’ made it even worse. It clearly wasn’t just a personal request from the Crown Prince—it was something formally decided by the imperial family.

What’s going on?

I quickly racked my brain. Given the location and timing, it obviously had something to do with the newborn princess, but was there really anything to discuss with me specifically?

If they were planning to introduce me to the child with the words ‘This is the slave you’ll command,’ then I was seriously ready to cry. But oddly enough, that was the most plausible scenario at the moment. Seriously, what was going on?

“Welcome, Executive Manager. Seeing you here on such a joyous day makes it even better.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

Since I couldn’t think of anything, I just bowed my head for now.

“Haha, flattery? Considering all you’ve done for the imperial family, no praise could be enough.”

I bowed my head even lower. Damn it, why was this guy building up the conversation like this?

“Especially for a loyal subject who will become the imperial grandchild’s godfather.”

“...Pardon?”

The statement was so unexpected that I blurted out the question without thinking.

What did he just say?

Godfather?

Unless the Crown Prince had gone completely off the rails and was talking about me becoming some mafia boss, he obviously meant the religious and ceremonial position of godfather.

Me?

A godfather was a guardian appointed in case something happened to the biological parents. Considering the status of the Dawn Sect in this world, it was an even more significant role than in the world before my possession.

Why?

But why on earth did it have to be me...?

Seeing the Crown Prince’s smiling face only increased my confusion.

Now that I looked around, everyone else was smiling or had a calm expression, too.

What is it?

Could someone please give me an explanation that makes sense? What the hell is happening right now?