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Mother, how have you been? Your ever-devoted son had committed an unbelievable act of disrespect by missing the arranged meeting for my marriage. You must’ve been so happy to hear that your son, who had been dragging his feet at the edge of marriageable age, was finally tying the knot. But instead, I brought you this mess. My apologies.

But no matter how much I thought about it, none of this was my fault.

“The chef has prepared a special meal today. I hope it suits your taste.”

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

How could I possibly refuse when someone as high up as the Emperor invited me for a meal?

Naturally, no excuse would be enough if the Emperor invited me. Unless I already had plans with the Pope, of course, but that was never going to happen. So instead of attending the arranged marriage meeting, I had no choice but to rush over like a dog and bow my head.

“Relax. This gathering is to celebrate the efforts of the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager.”

Seeing how stiff I was from the sudden imperial summons, the Emperor waved his hand and told me to be at ease. Relax, he said. Could he relax if he were in my position?

Of course, I had to smile even if I was in the depths of hell once the Emperor told me to relax. Honestly, this place felt like home. The food even tasted like a home-cooked meal… it was so comfortable that I might just ascend to heaven…

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll do that.”

At my teary-eyed response, the Emperor nodded and took a bite of his bread. Following his lead, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess also started their meal.

I think I might choke. But the only saving grace was that this really was just a meal to show their appreciation. If it had been for interrogation or orders, I wouldn’t just be choking; I might have died on the spot.

Why couldn’t they just give me a bonus?

I chewed my salad in silence, mentally suppressing my rebellious thoughts. Appreciation could easily be shown through a pile of gold coins, not these formal dinners. I wish these higher-ups would understand that.

For a noble, dining with the Emperor was the kind of achievement they’d boast about in their résumé with a 30-point font, but once was more than enough. Being dragged into these meals repeatedly was just depressing.

“Executive Manager, how is your life at the Academy? Is there any discomfort?”

Shit.

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I quickly swallowed my salad. He told me to relax. Since when was talking about work over a meal considered relaxing?

But from this workaholic Emperor’s perspective, this kind of conversation probably didn’t even count as work. That was highly likely.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolence, the Academy is running smoothly. How could there be any discomfort?”

“I am well aware of your efforts. It can’t be easy for you with the 3rd prince and esteemed guests staying there.”

I almost blurted out, ‘If you know that, then why not send them somewhere else?’ for a moment, but I held it in.

“I am particularly concerned about the guests. They may not be familiar with life in the Empire and might struggle on their own.”

“Please do not worry, Your Majesty. I will make sure that they are treated with the utmost care.”

“Your words are reassuring. See to it that you take good care of them, along with the 3rd prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With that, the Emperor fell silent again. On the surface, he sounded like a warm host concerned about his guests, but—

He’s still the same.

Beneath that, I could sense the Emperor’s old habit of suspicion.

‘They’re not familiar with life in the Empire and might struggle on their own’? That was just a polite way of saying, ‘I’m worried these royals might snoop around for imperial secrets.’ As if they weren’t already difficult enough to handle, they now had the cover of being ‘students’ to legally stay in the Empire., which clearly annoyed the Emperor. ?

So, in his roundabout way, he was telling me to keep an eye on them, just as he’d done before and would continue to do.

Honestly, that’s probably the right call.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him. Sure, I’d accused him of being suspicious, but his concerns were valid from a political standpoint. Wouldn’t anyone react the same way if foreign royals suddenly enrolled at the Empire’s Academy?

However, he was mistaken. These people didn’t care about secrets or anything grand like that. They were just carefree people who came here for fun. The Emperor’s only mistake was trying to understand these eccentric types with the mind of a rational person and trying to make sense of behavior that simply defied logic.

Of course, I had no intention of telling him the truth. I’d get my head cracked open if I were to say, ‘They’re only interested in their romantic escapades, and they’re just wandering around aimlessly now that they’ve all been dumped.’ He’d probably suspect I was bribed to speak kindly about them. Honestly, I’d think the same if I were in his shoes.

Yeah, it’d be better to keep quiet. While it was unfortunate that the Emperor was nursing such pointless suspicions, at least he’d asked me and Ainter to look after the guests together. After the New Year’s speech, this was yet another sign that the Emperor had officially acknowledged Ainter as part of the imperial family. I should take that as a positive.

“Fufu, the Emperor clearly trusts you, Executive Manager.”

Just as I was about to cut into my steak, the Crown Princess spoke up.

This time, my heart didn’t race like before. The Crown Princess was known for strictly avoiding political remarks and rarely interfering with matters of state. Out of everyone at this table, she was by far the most gentle and easygoing person.

“The thought of your family flourishing brings me great joy.”

“You’re too kind, Your Highness.”

My hand trembled for a moment. Hearing, ‘You’ve got plenty of lovers, so I’m sure you’ll have lots of kids,’ said to my face was dizzying.

Was she really the easy-going one here…? Actually, yes. Compared to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, she was practically an angel.

“My husband and I also plan to share a love that rivals yours.”

The Crown Princess smiled warmly, but I had no reply. It was wonderful that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were in love, but why was she telling me this?

She smiled even more at my silence and lifted her left hand.

…

?

What the hell?

The moment I saw her left hand—or more specifically, her ring finger—my eyes widened in shock.

“I had it made as soon as I heard the rumors. A ring symbolizing unity. Isn’t it such a romantic item?”

Her voice was soft, but her words were anything but. This shouldn’t exist. Yet there it was, a half-ring proudly placed on the Crown Princess’s finger.

Of course, it wasn’t shocking that the Crown Princess would know about the rings. She was close with the 1st Manager and the Mage Duchess also wore one, so it wasn’t surprising she’d come across it. However, copying it was a different matter entirely.

I glanced at the Crown Prince with trembling eyes, and he casually showed me his left hand. Naturally, he was wearing a half-ring as well.

Damn it.

I felt like I was losing my mind. Had I inadvertently poisoned the entire imperial social scene…?

I barely managed to finish my meal, suppressing the urge to bite my tongue in frustration. I didn’t even have an idea of what I was eating halfway through.

“Many noblewomen are already showing interest. And the young ladies, too.”

“I… see.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a trend by the end of the year.”

My guilt grew with every word the Crown Princess spoke. It seemed that my careless actions had unleashed a scandal that would forever stain the empire’s social circles.

Soon, everyone would be wearing these half-rings. Who would dare resist a trend led by the Crown Princess, a duke, and a duke’s daughter?

***“Count Flanbell is already preparing for it, too.”

“Is that so?”

When I confessed my guilt to the Iron-blooded Duke, his reply was just as bitter.

One of my fathers-in-law had already jumped on the trend. He even decided to do that after seeing me wearing the ring. This was truly the result of my own careless actions.

“Congratulations. It’s rare to see someone your age lead a social trend like this.”

The Iron-blooded Duke’s casual comment left me speechless. I couldn’t tell whether he was serious or mocking me, and the uncertainty was dizzying.

If anyone other than him had said it, I wouldn’t have doubted that it was a mockery.

“Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The Iron-blooded Duke, who had been standing beside me, lightly tapped my back and began walking ahead.

Originally, the arranged marriage meeting (involving five families) was almost canceled due to the Emperor’s summons. Fortunately, the Iron-blooded Duke took charge and made sure it went ahead in my absence. Since it was only a luncheon and not an all-day event, the parents meeting in advance wasn’t such a bad thing.

Thanks to that, I was immediately grabbed by the Duke as soon as the luncheon ended. I was mentally exhausted from the series of events, but I had to endure it. At least I avoided the disgrace of missing the meeting altogether.

“…”

“Your Grace, is there something on your mind…?”

I cautiously asked after feeling the weight of his gaze as we moved to a private room he had arranged. Did something bother him?

“I was just wondering how two composed and dignified people could raise a child like you.”

I awkwardly laughed at his blunt reply. There was no good way to argue with that. After all, it wasn’t like being their child automatically made me like them—what was inside was something else entirely.

…But then again, Erich wasn’t exactly the most composed either, was he? If I had to choose between lively and composed, he definitely leaned towards the former.

What happened to his personality?

With black hair from the Krasius family and blue eyes from our mother, Erich clearly had strong family traits. But his personality? It was nowhere near either of them. Did something go wrong in the genetic delivery?

Still, the family would have felt far too gloomy if Erich had been stern and quiet. Maybe it was a good thing something went wrong.

“And didn’t I tell you to call me ‘father-in-law’ in private?”

Just as I was sighing in relief, the Iron-blooded Duke gruffly reminded me.

Right, he had. But the title didn’t feel natural to me yet, so I kept slipping up and addressing him as ‘Your Grace.’

“I’m sorry, father-in-law.”

“Good enough.”

The Duke snorted, then continued walking in silence.

***The meeting between the families, which had been on the verge of collapsing due to the Emperor’s summons, was fortunately saved by the Iron-blooded Duke’s leadership and proceeded without delay.

I felt my heart swell with happiness as people began to gather in the private room the Duke had arranged. It felt like I was experiencing all the happiness I’d missed up until now all at once.

Carl’s companions.

Before me stood children, smiling softly or nervously introducing themselves… and one person in particular. Someone who would walk beside that child who had always been alone.

My in-laws.

As I shook hands with Billy and exchanged bows with others, I saw the faces of people who would become the new family of the child who had never truly known familial love.

I felt happy. So happy. I couldn’t believe Carl had found such precious relationships and that I had the chance to greet them all.

But—

There are so many.

Too many. I never expected to meet five daughters-in-law and four sets of in-laws in one sitting.

And apparently, there was still one more daughter-in-law, who couldn’t attend due to her work with the Special Service Agency.

…It’s fine as long as he’s happy.

Despite the strangeness of the situation, I quickly shook off the thought.

If Carl was happy, then that was all that mattered. If this was what he wanted, then I’d smile and welcome as many of them as needed.

Six shouldn’t be a problem.

After all, the Gold Duke met twelve. Six should be child’s play in comparison.

Of course, the Gold Duke met them one by one over time and not all at once, but I chose not to dwell on that fact.