Page 382

0% My life-or-death excuse—no, confession—dragged on far longer than planned. When someone’s desperate, their tongue tends to grow longer.

The fortunate thing was that Mar and Beatrix listened silently to my lengthy explanation. They’d have stopped me immediately if they thought I was making flimsy excuses. The fact that they heard me out was encouraging—it meant they believed me, at least to some degree.

“It was something I could have said through the communication crystal, but I thought it would be better to say it in person since it was an important issue.”

For something I’d hastily come up with, my reasoning sounded entirely plausible. No matter how advanced our communication tools were, conversations at a distance lacked a crucial element: physical closeness.

Imagine hearing your lover had lost an arm in battle, yet being unable to touch him and comfort him directly. Unable to hold that arm reassuringly, or even be held yourself if you burst into tears. You’d be left alone once the call ended, emotionally devastated and with no one there.

Such terrible things shouldn’t happen because of a wound that had already healed completely. When I presented this reasoning, both of them seemed to accept it.

“Of course, there was no way Beatrix wouldn’t find out, but I honestly didn’t think it through. I’m sorry for making you worry even more.”

As I sincerely apologized for believing that Beatrix really wouldn’t know, Beatrix gently shook her head.

“The madness of war can easily cloud anyone’s judgment. I understand.”

“Thank you.”

Her words carried a subtle sting, making me smile bitterly. People joked about military life degrading one’s intelligence, but fighting a war probably took it to a whole new level. Just as Beatrix said, perhaps my reasoning had temporarily gone out the window.

Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, how could I have had the crazy idea that I could escape the Magic Tower Master’s information network?

I’m saved.

And I inwardly sighed in relief. Judging by their reactions, it seemed they’d decided to believe me instead of scolding me endlessly.

I was safe. I’d escaped a scenario where one wrong word would have condemned me to a merciless scolding. It truly was proof that a silver tongue could save your life.

“...But, there won’t be anything like this in the future, right? Carl won’t have to fight another war or hide anything from us?”

Mar’s voice, tinged with lingering anxiety, made me nod quickly. Naturally, this kind of situation would never happen again.

“Of course not. This was a unique case. After all, I’m part of the administration, not the military.”

It wasn’t something I should say after going to war twice as part of the administrative branch, but those situations had involved unusual enemies—Kagan and Dorgon—so it couldn’t be helped.

But now they were both dead, and the North had become imperial territory. There won’t be any more special situations where I need to go to war. And without that, there’d be no need for secrecy or lies, exactly as Mar hoped. Of that, I was certain.

If they wanted me fighting again, they’d have to transfer me officially into the military—something the Crown Prince blocked already.

“Fufu, that’s right. Carl’s an administrative officer.”

Seeing her smile finally return made me feel much lighter. Her laughing face was far more beautiful than a worried or sad one—

“I heard that Father often went to war, even before I was born. I was worried that Carl might end up like that too.”

Ah.

Suddenly, I understood why Mar had been especially anxious at the word ‘going to war.’ Given her family’s history, her concern was entirely justified.

When my first father-in-law was at his peak, it was a time of constant unrest on the eastern border. The chaos that had continued from the past erupted at the end of the previous emperor’s reign and continued into the early years of the current emperor’s reign.

Since that period coincided perfectly with my father-in-law’s prime, he’d ended up bearing the heavy responsibility.

“Thanks to your father’s efforts during that period, people like me don’t have to fight anymore. I should thank him personally sometime.”

“Is that so? So Father was preparing a comfortable future for his son-in-law even before I was born.”

Mar joked playfully, but it was no laughing matter for the eastern kingdoms her father had trampled over. He’d beaten them so thoroughly that the eastern border had remained quiet ever since.

In particular, the Leon Kingdom—once considered a central powerhouse—had never recovered from the Empire’s devastating blows, becoming the sick man of the continent.

“I’ll have to thank father-in-law soon. Thanks to him, I can marry Mar in peace.”

Of course, sympathizing with a country I’d never even visited was less important than complimenting Mar, so I quickly erased it from my mind. Who cared about Leon or Tiger or whatever?

And judging by the way Mar smiled even more deeply at my words, it seemed that father-in-law would hear ‘I love you, Dad’ tonight.

He’d probably be happier with that one phrase than any gift or thanks. Hopefully, he’d recognize all the hidden effort his son-in-law was putting in.

“Come to think of it, it’s almost lun—“

Just before I could complete the sentence ‘It’s lunchtime, so let’s have a meal together,’ the student council room door suddenly flew open with a loud crash.

What the—?

Seriously, who would burst into the Student Council President’s office like that? Not many students or faculty even approached the council rooms, let alone barge into the office where a duke’s daughter was present.

As I turned my gaze while experiencing a different kind of culture shock, I saw a familiar white head.

“Mar! Is the Executive Manager here!?”

Ah, it’s her.

I understood. For her, it was entirely possible.

“Welcome, Eli.”

“Huh? Beatrix unnie?”

Anyway, Elizabeth, who had flung open the door while calling Mar’s name, blinked when she saw Beatrix was here, too.

Surprised? I was surprised, too. Who would have thought they’d be together?

“How mean of you to sit on the Executive Manager’s lap with just the two of you!”

Seeing Elizabeth get angry over something strange warmed my heart. This was definitely the Elizabeth I knew—consistently herself, no matter the situation.

Still, I hadn’t expected her to focus on losing lap privileges rather than greeting her lover, who’d just returned from the battlefield.

“Executive Manager, don’t you have something like a third leg? Quit hiding it and take it out!”

“You crazy girl, what are you saying?!”

And I was startled by Elizabeth naturally saying such crazy things. She probably hadn’t even considered what she just said, but to anyone listening, it sounded downright chilling.

...She really had no filter, huh?

***Thanks to loud protests from the late arrival, the occupants of my lap quickly changed. Elizabeth and Penelia, who had hurried in shortly afterward, became the new owners.

Yes, it was technically my lap, but at this point, I had zero ownership. Anyway, that was how it was.

“Hehe, this feels nice.”

“Then I’m glad you’re happy.”

Elizabeth smiled even more contentedly as I patted her head when she grinned. It was hard to believe this was the same girl who had said something so ridiculous just moments ago.

“I’m so glad you came back in one piece, Executive Manager. If you’d gotten hurt, we couldn’t do things like this!”

“So, my legs are nothing more than chairs to you, huh?”

I chuckled and roughly ruffled her hair.

Looks like Penelia explained things well.

I inwardly sighed with relief.

She seemed perfectly content sitting on my lap rather than grilling me about my injuries, which meant Penelia had likely smoothed things over. Or perhaps Elizabeth herself wasn’t all that concerned to begin with.

Of course, it was beneficial for me either way. I wasn’t sure if I could win if I had to persuade her myself. Arguing with her was like me trying to play chess while she was playing rock-paper-scissors.

“Make sure you let Louise and Irina sit here later during club time.”

Wait a second. Why was she acting generous when it was my lap being offered here?

“Our Elizabeth is so kind. You’re so considerate of others, too.”

“Right? I don’t do this for just anyone, but we’re family!”

So I praised her jokingly, but she just deflected the joke and only accepted the praise. What an amazing mentality. Seeing her living like this would make one think stress didn’t exist for her.

Looking at Elizabeth like that, I turned my gaze to Penelia, and my feelings shifted from admiration to sympathy. One friend was almost too bold, while the other seemed far too reserved.

“...Penelia, you can sit more comfortably.”

“It’s fine. This is already comfortable.”

I was momentarily speechless. I’d said it precisely because she looked uncomfortable, but she seemed oblivious to that fact.

Unlike Elizabeth, who was sitting proudly, Penelia was maintaining a safe distance as if she was sitting on an invisible chair. We’d already hugged and I’d kissed her forehead and cheek many times, so why was she being like this?

Maybe she thinks she’ll crush me or something?

Would it be easier if I sat on her lap instead...?

Suppressing these complicated feelings, I gently pressed Penelia’s shoulder down. She finally sat properly, but everyone here knew she’d soon revert to her awkward invisible-chair posture again.

***Watching the three of them—or rather, the two chatting energetically—I smiled softly.

Though I did feel a little regret at giving up baby’s lap, it was an easy sacrifice when it meant making these younger ones, who were practically my siblings, happy.

Besides, Eli and Penelia would soon have to return to the capital.

I should congratulate him later.

Elizabeth was chattering joyfully, her eyes fixed constantly on baby, while Penelia sat stiffly, her face flushed red after being practically forced onto his lap.

I couldn’t possibly disturb their happiness right now. Although the congratulations were for Carl, bringing it up at this moment would interrupt the pleasant mood.

The Counts of Livnoman.

I recalled yesterday’s events, which had spread throughout the Empire like wildfire. Baby’s closest friends and his former lover had finally been recognized for their sacrifices and awarded the highest possible honor.

That glorious news had spread far and wide—from the capital to the entire empire. Soon enough, it would reach across the whole continent.

Because I made sure of it, and because I instructed the mages to spread it far and wide.

The more it spreads, the happier baby will be.

Of course, I had no intention of showing off to him. It would be troublesome if he thought he owed me a debt.

All I needed to do was quietly applaud him and offer a comforting embrace for all he’d endured. That alone was more than enough.

...Though he looks plenty happy already.

Still, that was no reason to hold back from congratulating him.

After all, happiness grew when shared.