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The Emperor remained hidden deep within the palace, out of sight even when a civil servant in the empire spread poison in high society or a wave of purges swept through foreign lands. If any other monarch had shown signs of abdication, the country would have been in turmoil. But honestly, in the case of this Emperor, most people would have gladly told him to take a break. It was almost a relief.

The current Emperor had been a workaholic from the beginning of his reign until just a few years ago, and more than a few noble families had been crushed under his hand. Maybe having him live like a hermit would actually be better for the mental health of both the nobles and the civil servants.

Besides, the Emperor needed to step back so the Crown Prince could step up. Your Majesty, please follow in the footsteps of the Wanli Emperor.

“It’s been nearly 300 years since His Majesty received the Mandate of Heaven. In the endless history of the Empire, those 300 years will merely be a small part, and even this moment is just a stepping stone towards the future.”

Of course, it was an empty wish. No matter how much the Emperor gradually handed things over to the Crown Prince, he always personally delivered the closing speech.

“We are the bridge between the legacies of the past and the future generations. Do not forget this, and work in unity towards progress.”

This speech was routine. The Emperor simply repeated his yearly themes of unity and progress.

The nobles, who had heard this speech countless times, listened without much thought. Be united in loyalty to the Emperor and advance for the good of the nation—it was hardly a difficult command. Unless one was outright planning treason, it was as simple as saying ‘Happy New Year.’

“Crown Prince, why don’t you say a few words as well?”

Things took an unexpected turn just when the ceremony seemed like it was going to wrap up smoothly. The Emperor handed the closing remarks over to the Crown Prince at the very end of the New Year’s speech.

A ripple ran through the ranks of the kneeling nobles as they witnessed the old sun fully passing the torch to the new one.

Damn it.

I was caught in that same ripple, too. This was unsettling. Was this really going to be the year of abdication like the ministers had been speculating? If things go south, I might have to leave the Academy and go groveling for mercy.

Unlike the uneasy nobles, the Crown Prince seemed prepared. After bowing to the Emperor, he stepped forward.

“As His Majesty said, we are the bridge connecting the past and the future. We must not take the legacy we’ve received for granted, nor should we focus only on the present—we must look toward the future.”

It wasn’t much different from the Emperor’s own speech. Of course, the Crown Prince couldn’t contradict the Emperor at a time like this. That would have been strange.

In any case, the Emperor likely told him to speak just to give him some presence, not because he wanted him to say anything revolutionary.

“However, there’s no need to rush. A bridge built hastily will collapse, but the one we seek to build is meant to last for a millennia.”

…Was it just me, or did that sound like, ‘I’m going to make you work forever’?

“And so, I will wait. I will wait for those who will serve alongside the imperial family now, and for the treasures who will serve after them in the future.”

The Crown Prince’s gaze briefly landed on me as he said this. That pointed look sent shivers down my spine, and I felt tears welling up.

Wasn’t it too much to say something like that while looking directly at me? He was basically implying that not only I would be worked to the bone, but that my future children would be, too.

You bastard.

No wonder he was so quiet during the luncheon meeting. He was busy sharpening this dagger the whole time.

***

The New Year’s Ball of the Sacred Year 1378 came to an end. Aside from the gloomy prophecy the Crown Prince dropped at the end, it had been a rather decent ceremony.

I did suffer a bit of emotional damage due to the ring, but I decided to think of it as no big deal.

“I will visit your territory soon to pay my respects.”

“Haha, come at your convenience. I will be happy to welcome you.”

Besides, seeing off my in-laws took priority over nursing my minor wounds.

The Iron-Blooded Duke and Marquis Iones had already left, and now Count Flanbell and Baron Artini would soon return to their own territories. These people were hard to gather in one place, and while I wished they could stay longer, they all had their own territories to manage. How could I ask them to stay any longer when they needed to return to their duties?

Besides, just as the Emperor hosted the nobility at the New Year’s Ball, it was also tradition for lords to gather their vassals and hold feasts. I wouldn’t want to tarnish my father-in-laws’ reputations by making them seem like nobles who disregarded such customs.

“I was honestly worried since my only daughter hadn’t returned home for so long, but now I can finally relax.”

Baron Artini, who had become much more comfortable around me since our first meeting, spoke with a warm smile. What he said, however, was more embarrassing.

Louise hadn’t returned home even once ever since she enrolled at the Academy. She stayed at the Academy during the school term, and she stayed at my mansion over the vacation. Come to think of it, she was really quite the model daughter. Maybe not a pink capybara, but more like a fire-element capybara.

“I see that we had the same problem. I didn’t realize we could bond over something like this.”

Count Flanbell, who had been standing nearby, also burst out laughing at Baron Artini’s words. Unfortunately, Irina was just as much of a model daughter as Louise.

“…I apologize. I should have sent them back sooner.”

But I had a large part in why Louise and Irina turned into fire-elemental daughters, so I bowed my head in apology. However, both of my father-in-laws shook their heads.

“They write to us regularly, after all. And honestly, there’s no safer place than next to the Executive Manager.”

“I’m thankful you feel that way.”

Thank goodness. I was really lucky that they saw me as a dependable son-in-law rather than some kidnapper who was holding their precious daughters hostage.

I was finally able to send off all my in-laws after a few more rounds of apologies and thanks. The next time we’d all see each other again would likely be at the wedding.

“Having four sets of in-laws makes seeing them off quite the ordeal.”

“It certainly does.”

Mother, who had been chatting with my mother-in-laws, quietly approached as I finished saying my farewells. The Patriarch had already returned to the Imperial Council for business.

I noticed that she was still smiling when I turned my gaze toward her. It seemed like she had been smiling the entire time during this New Year’s Ball.

Was she always this cheerful?

It felt a bit odd. Mother was usually quiet and reserved, and she wasn’t exactly the bright and lively type. But I guess a son’s marriage was something of a cheat code for a parent’s happiness.

“Are you returning home too, Mother?”

“With your father away, I should return to keep things in order.”

Her answer was straightforward, so I nodded. With the patriarch occupied in the imperial council, it was up to Mother as the lady of the territory to naturally have to return. Even though the head butler was reliable, it was always better for a member of the family to be present to keep everything running smoothly.

…But then again, there was still one member of the family in the territory.

“There’s no need to rush since Erich is there, right?”

“That child isn’t quite up to the task yet.”

At the mention of Erich, Mother gently shook her head. Well, no one was good at running things from the start. I didn’t know anything at first either, and I had to struggle my way through to get where I was now.

But I understood why Mother was drawing that line, so I let it go. It would only cause confusion among the vassals if another son suddenly started meddling in estate affairs when the heir was firmly established.

“Besides, Erich is busy spending time with Sera.”

Wait, what? Maybe it wasn’t about avoiding confusion over the succession after all, but something else entirely?

I quietly averted my gaze after seeing Mother’s smile widen even further. Well, did the reason really matter? The result was still the same in the end.

“Mother is leaving. Everyone, come and say goodbye.”

With that, I gestured to my lovers, who had been keeping a respectful distance. I’m sure that Mother would be even happier if she left with them seeing her off.

As expected, Mother seemed completely overwhelmed with joy when the five of them gathered around to bid her farewell.

So, this is what filial piety looked like… It was a first for me.

***

The New Year’s Ball was already over. In three days, the wedding would take place. I couldn’t understand why time was moving so fast.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want the wedding day to come, but it felt like time was moving even faster than usual. There were times when a single day felt as long as a month, but now everything was flying by.

“I’ve been praying to Enen every day, telling him I couldn’t wait to wear my wedding dress.”

“That’s a sweet prayer. I’m sure Enen is looking forward to seeing you in your dress as much as I am, Miss Christina.”

I awkwardly smiled at her bright, beaming expression.

Praying didn’t exactly make time move faster, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit strange. Maybe she really was suited for a life in the clergy. That would explain why her prayers seemed so effective.

Amazing. A person whose prayers were heard directly by the divine… Wasn’t it a bit of a waste to have someone like that working as a teaching assistant…?

“Are you looking forward to it too, Sir Lafayette?”

The shy, bashful way she fidgeted as she asked the question made me chuckle.

“Of course. If possible, I’d love to see you in it today.”

Well, if the wedding was inevitable, then I might as well enjoy it. Besides, Christina wasn’t a bad match at all.

I never imagined that our relationship would develop like this when we first met, but the more time we spent together, the more I found her easy to talk to and be around. It was much better than being tied into a political marriage with some troublesome noblewoman.

After answering with that thought in mind, Christina’s face flushed even redder, her embarrassment growing. It put me at ease. After dealing with the cutthroat socialite noblewomen, her genuine reaction felt like a breath of fresh air.

“You’re about to be married, and you’re still using formal titles?”

While I was sorting through my mixed feelings, the Minister, who had lent us the mansion, casually entered the room.

“Uncle!”

“Yes, your uncle is here. How have you been?”

Christina cheerfully greeted him, and he smiled warmly—a smile so soft that I feared it might haunt my dreams.

This is crazy.

I still couldn’t get used to it no matter how many times I saw it. It was just shocking that he could even make that kind of expression.

The only smile I’d ever known from the Minister was his sinister grin, the kind he wore right before he tore someone apart.

Of course, I didn’t say this out loud. In Christina’s heart, the Minister was her kind and dependable uncle.

…Kind…

Are all the kind people dead or something?

My head was starting to hurt.