Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 989



989 – Reassemble – 3

The time that Uncle August told me was ‘just come by this time’ was roughly an early lunchtime.

However, our family prepared to go to Count Deast’s house from the morning. After all, it was quite a large family, including my parents, my three siblings, my wife, my sisters-in-law, my children, and my nephews, so the reason was that it would be reassuring for the banquet host to go early and fill the seats.

Besides, whenever my father held a banquet, my uncle August was the first to arrive, aside from my youngest aunt. So my father also wanted to be the first to grace the occasion, so we suddenly had to move early in the morning.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt the need to get some fresh morning air.’

That doesn’t mean I’m dissatisfied with my father’s decision.

Considering that my family is a large family with easily over 20 members, it is better to enter earlier than others rather than later. If 20 or so people suddenly rush in, it can be intimidating to other relatives.

Also, my father is the eldest of seven siblings. Although the person in charge of the banquet is Uncle August, it is a beautiful act to stay by his side to relieve his younger sibling’s tension. I support this, and I have no intention of opposing it.

“Abba. Are we really going alone? Isn’t it worth it?”

Just before leaving the mansion, I let out a chuckle at Pedi’s question.

“Yeah. We decided to only have people gather today. Animal friends can’t come with us.”

The ones that Pedi wants to go with are Titi, Seongsu, Mane, Mine, and Junie. They are our children’s eternal friends and toys, so he wants them to go play together.

But that’s difficult. It’s already going to be a bit crowded since the entire Crassius family is gathering, and talking animals are going to be added to it? And not just ordinary dogs or cats, but a strange combination of horses, deer, sheep, bears, tigers, and more?

I may take you someday, but not today. I have to hold back for a smooth banquet.

“Then what about Lisianne? Lisianne isn’t an animal.”

‘ah.’

I felt suffocated by the logical and philosophical questions.

Yes. If you are to question whether Lisianne is a human or an animal, she is closer to a human. Although she is a being that deviates from a human in many ways, she is definitely not an animal.

Humans are also a type of animal, and there is no need for such a biological scientific discussion. The animals we are talking about here are not scientific animals, but conceptual animals.

“…If we go with only Lisianne, the other kids will be jealous. Then Lisianne will feel very sorry, right? So let’s leave Lisianne behind as well.”

Thanks to that, I was torn between saying ‘Licianne was actually an animal’ vs. ‘making up an excuse to leave Licianne behind’, and I chose the latter.

If I choose the former, I see a future where I will be caught up in the curiosity of a child. It would be better for everyone if I ended up with the latter.

“Okay! I’ll leave Lisianne behind too!”

‘Okay.’

I was relieved to see Pedi nodding as if he finally understood. Fortunately, the latter was accepted.

However, as time passed, I felt ashamed because the only things that seemed to increase were my quick wit and my ability to make excuses. If this was my father’s fate, then it was something that could not be avoided.

“Then, Pedi. Should we go see Grandfather soon?”

“yes!”

As I took Pedi into my arms, Pedi smiled brightly and answered.

Thankfully, Pedi likes his older relatives, including his Uncle August. He only met them once, but they all loved Pedi during that one meeting.

Of course, this was the same for other children besides Pedi. Children who were too young or hadn’t even been born at the time couldn’t help it, but children who remembered the time would have been happy to hear that they were going to see their uncle.

‘If only the children are bright, half the food will be eaten.’

Seven siblings who broke down the walls in their hearts. Children who like adults and laugh brightly.

Now, only the second generation of Crassius, like me and Erich, need to become friends.

My father’s efforts since morning were not in vain.

“I came here at my brother’s invitation. Is there anyone here before us?”

“Your Majesty, you have arrived first!”

“I see.”

The head butler of Count Deast’s house ran to the main gate in a hurry as more than 20 people rushed in from afar. Despite being drenched in a cold sweat, he gave the answer his father wanted.

In the meantime, I was so surprised that I bowed my waist at a perfect right angle to my father’s question. It was such a perfect right angle that I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Your Majesty and your husband have been waiting anxiously! If it’s okay, may I show you around?”

“I was once a lord myself, so I know very well that the butler is busier than anyone else. There’s no need to push yourself too hard, so just tell me where he is.”

“No, Your Majesty! One of the duties of a butler is to guide distinguished guests to the host. How could I neglect my duty just because I am busy?”

“Hmm. Well then.”

My father nodded obediently at the cry that seemed desperate somewhere.

Father will know too. He knows where the butler is looking while showing off his flexibility. He is someone that even the head of the household cannot treat lightly, but he cares about someone more than that.

“That, Your Excellency the Magi─”

“I have come today not as Duke Servette, but as a member of the Crassius family. Please call me Countess.”

“Yes! I will keep that in mind!”

Now, I smiled bitterly as I watched my waist running past 90 degrees and toward 120 degrees.

Trixie told me to call her easy, but no one is really easy. It took my parents quite a while to accept Trixie as a full-fledged daughter-in-law. Not to mention the housekeeper who I’m meeting for the first time today.

However, as Trixie said, this position is not held by the Duke of Servet, but by the wife of the current head of the Crassius family. In terms of the distribution, Trixie is somewhat lower than her elder relatives, so it is a necessary procedure to warn the head steward.

‘The Duke also has a younger brother.’

My gaze involuntarily turned to Mar.

In fact, Mardo is a bloodline that receives worship from everyone wherever he goes. But because there is a current duke (who has been in power for 100 years) right next to him, he has become relatively weak.

‘I guess I should be thankful that I’ll be retiring soon.’

After a few weeks, Tricky will step down from the Duke of Servette completely.

Although the former Duke is not someone that can be ignored, it is more comfortable to be in a former position than in the current one. I believe that when that time comes, the elder relatives will be able to treat Tricky comfortably.

***

We headed to the banquet hall, guided by the butler.

As it turned out, I ended up leading the family. It’s clear that I’m the current head of the Krasius family, but I stepped back, saying that I, as the eldest adult, should step forward in this matter.

I was grateful for the thoughtfulness, but also embarrassed. The other nobles retired while still in active service, so this happened. If I were still the head of the household, there would be no need for Karl to worry about his father, and there would be no need for him to step back while caring for him.

‘I couldn’t help it, since it was His Majesty’s will.’

However, my retirement was the will of His Majesty the Emperor. It was also the will of His Majesty the Emperor to establish a firm foundation and rule. How could I go against such a noble will?

“older brother.”

After enduring such embarrassment, I arrived at the banquet hall and was greeted by August.

Not alone, but with my sister-in-law and children who are presumed to be my nephews and nieces.

‘Is he too mature to be called a child?’

He approached August with the corners of his lips slightly raised.

Since the banquet held at the Karl’s mansion, the only time we’ve seen each other’s faces has been through the communication port. I’m in the central part of the empire, and August is in the eastern part, so it’s difficult to make plans for just the two of us.

Then, when we finally met in person after a long time, we were so happy. We had been waiting for 20 years, but we were happy to meet again after only a few months.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“I’m always doing well. My wife is busier.”

“That’s not something to be proud of.”

After sharing a small hug with August, she turned her gaze to her sister-in-law.

“I bet your sister-in-law has had a really hard time.”

“Don’t mention it. That person only talks like that, but he’s always working hard for his family.”

“Huh, is that so?”

It was the answer I had expected, but I tried my best to act surprised.

I know August’s personality very well. He is definitely not the type to leave everything to his wife and play alone. I just tried to make a joke to relieve some of the tension.

From noble mtl dot com

But these words were not meant to ease August’s tension. At first, he had intended to do so, but his complexion was calmer than expected, so it was not at the level of an older brother stepping up for his grown younger brother.

The people I have to take care of are August and his three nephews behind his sister-in-law. They are the ones who are still at a loss and looking around.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you. My name is Wilhelm, your uncle.”

So I greeted my sister-in-law and approached my nephews.

“Ka, my name is Carolina Deast. It is an honor to meet you, my uncle.”

‘this.’

I smiled bitterly to myself at the answer of the child who seemed to be the eldest of my three nephews.

His nervous expression is evident. His body is stiff and his speech is stern, as if he could collapse if you just prod him.

“Yes. I am honored too.”

So I passed my first niece, Carolina, as quickly as I could. I was afraid I might hyperventilate if I talked to her for too long.

“This is Johan Deast, uncle.”

“My name is Maurice Deast.”

The second and third ones, at least, did not stutter, but they had a motionless posture like new recruits.

It was an expected sight, but it was a little disappointing. How could this be the sight of my uncle and nephew?

‘hmm?’

But the sadness quickly melted away as soon as he looked into the eyes of his two nephews.

A gaze strangely directed behind me, not at me. A mysterious look of respect and fear, admiration and fear mixed together.

‘Ugh.’

I felt happy knowing who was behind me.

It’s a rather strange feeling to have toward a cousin, but it’s not bad if you think of it as affection toward someone you’re meeting for the first time.

***

Sister Carolina stood side by side with brother John and greeted their relatives.

A relative I’m seeing for the first time in my life. A relative I thought I would never see again because I knew a little about my father’s circumstances.

‘and.’

Especially among the nobles my age, I felt like I was going crazy at the appearance of a legendary relative.

That’s the guy. He’s the inspector general and war hero.

‘That’s what it looks like.’

Even though it’s clearly the first time I’m seeing him, his appearance feels strangely familiar.

I guess it’s because we share similar blood.

…

‘What should I say in greeting?’

It’s difficult. The tension is eating away at my body and I can’t move my mouth.

I feel like I might accidentally make a real request.