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The New Year’s Ball was a grand event where every noble of the empire gathered before His Majesty the Emperor to reaffirm their loyalty. It was an event more magnificent and resplendent than any other, but equally as heavy and burdensome.

That was why I never had any real desire to attend despite my curiosity about the event. After all, I’d be obliged to go whether I wanted to or not once I inherited the title.

I heard that some people attended willingly to expand their network, but I always imagined myself living quietly on our territory even after becoming a baron. My father understood this, so he never even suggested going to the capital for such an event.

So this is what it’s like.

But I ended up attending the New Year’s Ball this year. It wasn’t because my father pushed me, but because I wanted to. The look of surprise on his face when I suddenly expressed my desire to attend was priceless.

Well, technically, it was Lady Marghetta’s suggestion that swayed me, so maybe it was more of her will than mine?

Whatever, it doesn’t matter.

Whether it was my decision or hers, the fact remained that this was my first time attending the New Year’s Ball. So, I might as well take in the sights while I was here. If I was going to attend, then I might as well make the most of it.

As I was glancing around while thinking that, something cold suddenly touched my cheek.

“Eeek—!”

“Ahaha. Did I scare you?”

Startled, I turned to see Irina standing beside me, smiling mischievously while holding a small glass.

“You must be thirsty. Here, drink this. It’s juice, not wine, so don’t worry.”

Irina handed me the glass she had pressed against my cheek. It was so cold that frost had formed on the surface. Even though it was warm inside, wasn’t pressing something that cold against me in the middle of winter a bit cruel?

“You could’ve handed it over normally.”

“Well, you seemed so distracted.”

I grumbled a bit, but I couldn’t deny her playful laughter. Although I’d never planned to attend this event, I had always been curious. Everything around me was new—new faces and a new place. How could I not be a little distracted?

Besides, this was the imperial palace. Even high-ranking nobles didn’t get to visit unless it was for the New Year’s Ball. So, it was only natural to be fascinated.

“…Was it that obvious?”

“Yeah, totally.”

It was embarrassing to realize that I must’ve looked like a country girl overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all. Well, I did come from the countryside, so I guess that wasn’t too far from the truth.

“I was the same earlier. It’s fine once you get used to it.”

Sensing my slight embarrassment, Irina gave me a reassuring smile and patted my shoulder. She admitted that she’d been just as awestruck when she first arrived, but she felt more at ease now after looking around a bit.

Her kind reassurance only made me feel more self-conscious. After all, my reaction was probably even worse than I thought if she had to comfort me.

“That’s a relief…”

Still, I couldn’t dismiss her kindness, so I pretended to feel better.

…Right. I wasn’t here for sightseeing. I came to show off my connection with oppa and not to have fun.

Deciding to stop gawking at everything, I lowered my gaze and sipped the juice. Just then, Lady Marghetta came up and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s perfectly normal to feel this way on your first visit. I was the same, so don’t worry too much, Lady Louise.”

“Ah, senior.”

“Sorry to interrupt your fun, but may I join you two? It’s getting a bit dull over there.”

I immediately understood why she said it was boring after looking over to where Lady Marghetta had been. The elders of three noble families were huddled together, deep in conversation. Even for someone like her, it wasn’t exactly a crowd she could easily slip into. ?

“Besides, Carl is heading over here, too.”

With a chuckle, Lady Marghetta pointed straight ahead, and both Irina and I quickly turned to look.

That was fast. The Iron-blooded Duke had only just left to fetch oppa, and now he was already back?

In a place this big?

Even though we were indoors, the space was far from cramped. In fact, it was quite large, especially considering that this was where His Majesty gave his New Year’s speech. How did he find someone so quickly in a place this big? Was this some special ability you acquired when you became a duke?

“…It might take a bit longer than we thought.”

Irina, who had just spotted oppa among the crowd, muttered somewhat awkwardly.

I saw him a moment later and couldn’t help but smile awkwardly. Could we even say he was ‘on his way’? It looked more like he’d been caught.

Oppa was trying to navigate the crowd, but it looked more like he was stuck with so many nobles brushing up against him or stopping him for a greeting. Even though the Iron-blooded Duke was by his side, it only seemed to attract more attention rather than shield him from it.

“Well, it can’t be helped. You rarely see Carl at social gatherings like this.”

Lady Marghetta said with a shrug. Despite the inconvenience, she looked more proud than anything, as if seeing oppa at the center of attention was something to boast about.

And honestly, I couldn’t help but feel the same. This was a side of oppa I hadn’t seen before—his true self and not just the club advisor, but as the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office.

Even the high-ranking nobles who rarely bowed their heads lowered them and tried to strike up a conversation with him. He wasn’t that much older than me, and yet he commanded respect and admiration.

He’s amazing…

My heart, which already raced whenever I thought of him, thudded even harder. This was the real him; the noble and not just the gentle, caring oppa I knew.

I already admired him, but seeing this side of him made me fall for him even more. Mother always said that men looked their best when they were immersed in their work, and now I finally understood exactly what she meant.

***Damn it. Can’t these people just let me through?

It felt like I was in some kind of game—was I a pokémon trainer that people rushed over as if we were about to battle every time I made eye contact with one of them? Do I at least get money if I win?

“Oh, it’s been a while! I heard you’ve been promoted to the Commander of the Eastern Forces. The neighboring kingdoms must be trembling because of your commanding presence.”

“I received your gift last time. I’d love to repay the favor, but what do I give to someone as accomplished as Your Grace?”

“I hear your son has been posted at the Imperial Military Headquarters. Even the Invincible Duke seems impressed with his talent.”

However, the nobles stopping me weren’t just anybody; each one of them was a heavy-hitter in the empire. I couldn’t just brush them off or give them half-hearted responses without expecting some serious repercussions.

Even now, I was dealing with the likes of the Eastern Commander and the Chief Justice, not to mention several other influential figures in politics. Worse, these weren’t people I had never met before, so I had to wrack my brain to remember them and carry on these conversations.

But what could I do? To keep my civil service career smooth and peaceful, I needed to avoid making enemies.

After all, no one survives on their own.

I became the Executive Manager at nineteen—a nice title to have. But to be honest, it just meant that I skipped over experience and age, leaving me as the young upstart who outranked others. Even though the Crown Prince’s support got me here, there was no denying that I was seen as a political outsider.

Sure, I could easily crush anyone who dared to raise a fuss, but that was only within the confines of the Prosecutors’ Office. I’d be labeled a lunatic if I started dealing with people from other departments just because they badmouthed me.

That was why I had to keep up appearances. If I were the reckless type who only cared about myself, I’d have been beaten down and abandoned by the Crown Prince a long time ago. He needed a hunting dog that followed his orders, not a rabid dog that barked at anyone and everyone.

…Come to think of it, all this trouble was because of him in the first place.

That bastard.

Not that I was surprised. He had never been much help to my life anyway.

“I’m truly humbled by the Executive Manager’s kindness. I’ll make sure to send a generous gift for the occasion.”

And just like that, a noble slipped in a discreet favor request, sparking a sudden shift in the conversation.

“Thank you for your kind words. Should I start looking forward to it?”

“Of course. I’ll send enough to meet your expectations and more.”

All eyes darted to my hand as soon as the words left his mouth, specifically the ring. If stares could physically affect objects, my hand might have disappeared by now.

It’s begun.

I almost let out a bitter laugh as I felt the weight of those expectant gazes. Up until now, the nobles had been cautiously greeting me, playing a game of polite indifference. But now, they were making their moves.

For these older nobles, discussing the marriage of a much younger nobleman was a delicate subject to bring up first. But once one person breaks the ice, the rest were quick to follow.

“It’s about time the Executive Manager had a partner. It’s undoubtedly a blessing for the empire.”

“Indeed. And that match is none other than the treasure of the Valentis.”

Hearing the word ‘treasure’, the Iron-blooded Duke’s lips twitched ever so slightly.

Others may not have noticed or they pretended not to, but I definitely saw it. That man was secretly pleased with the idea of Marghetta being called a ‘jewel.’

“Congratulations, Your Grace. Where could one find a son-in-law as perfect as the Executive Manager?”

The Duke responded gruffly to the well-timed congratulatory remark.

“Congratulate him, not me. After all, where else would he find a wife like Mar?”

“Haha, that’s true. It seems I was too shortsighted.”

The nobles laughed in agreement at the Iron-blooded Duke’s words, which were brimming with fatherly affection. The Duke’s love for his daughter, especially his youngest, was well-known, so it was only natural that the nobles would respond this way. Any other reaction might have embarrassed the one offering the congratulations.

The key point here was that the Duke didn’t deny the idea of me being his son-in-law. With that, I had now become an officially recognized part of the Valenti family.

“I feel the same way. She’s far too good for me.”

I added a comment of my own, and I saw the corners of the Iron-blooded Duke’s mouth lift even further.

“I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to have found six such people.”

The Duke’s expression didn’t change even though my choice of words was risky.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem bothered by the fact that I had multiple wives. It seemed that he was more than satisfied as long as Marghetta held the title of the first wife.

Well, I suppose it was only fair. After all, he had multiple wives himself. It would be hypocritical to hold me to a different standard.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

His next words, however, caught me completely off guard.

“But remember this: while you may have six wives, to her, you are the only one.”

Then, the crowd on my right began to part, almost like the parting of the Red Sea, along with a familiar voice.

To part a crowd through sheer presence—it could only be another Duke.

“How have you been, baby?”

The sight of the Mage Duchess smiling at me made my lips twitch.

What would happen if I called her Beatrix right here…?