Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 995



995 – The New Century – 2

After being voice phished by the Emperor, I stayed in the mansion for a while.

There was nothing to do, and it was too cold to bother making plans to go out, and Trixie’s retirement and coronation as the Duke’s deputy were proceeding without a hitch in Servette. In this situation, where would I go?

If there was anything to do, it would be to go for a walk with Titi? Actually, even for walks, the kids who had gone to their parents’ house returned to the mansion, so there were fewer things to do.

“I would like to visit Barandiga in person, but unfortunately circumstances do not allow for this.”

However, if you are enjoying the hikikomori life, you must carry out hikikomori-specific tasks. One of those tasks was communicating with the Marquis of Barandiga.

I have informed the nobles of the Dukedom of Servet, my family, and my relatives who will be assisting me in the future, of the news of my coronation as the Duke. After the second meeting of Crassius, I asked my wives to secretly tell their families, so by now my family members must know about my future.

I have already informed those who must know, those who are related by blood, so now it is time to inform the political life community. The only faction I officially lead is the Northern faction, and it would be a bit strange if even the Northern faction members did not know. There is room for misunderstanding that the faction leader treats the faction members and the general nobles the same.

Of course, Barandi couldn’t go to see the Marquis in person as he had told him. He had already greeted the faction members at the New Year’s ceremony, and now he was meeting them again before spring even came? And right after he finished meeting with his relatives?

‘There’s definitely a backstory to that.’

There’s a rumor going around that the Inspector General is up to something big. I was just sharing information, but I’m going to be misunderstood.

It’s a misunderstanding that will naturally be resolved over time, but if it’s a misunderstanding that can be avoided, it’s better to avoid it from the beginning. Thanks to that, we ended up talking through communication channels instead of face-to-face.

– You are very generous. I also regret not being able to see the Count in person, but the benefits of civilization are enough to ease that regret.

“Thank you for saying so.”

And the Marquis Barandiga smiled at my words and answered.

Although the two of them are not in the same place, he said that he has no regrets because he can see their faces and hear their voices. I don’t know if he is being sincere or not, but it doesn’t matter. It means that the Marquis of Barandi is aware that the meeting between me and the Northern Faction is difficult.

– Oh, would it be correct to call you Your Excellency the Duke instead of the Count?

“Haha, not yet. For the time being, please continue to call me Count.”

What is crucial now is not whether it is face-to-face or non-face-to-face.

The situation where the Northern faction leader is on the verge of ascending to the top of the Imperial nobility. This miraculous situation is the only thing that concerns Marquis Barandiga.

‘I guess it’s the place that makes the person.’

Barandi, still smiling, looked at the Marquis in admiration.

The Marquis of Barandiga welcomed my sudden contact with a puzzled expression, and maintained his composure even when I told him directly about Tricky’s retirement and my ascension to the ducal throne.

I stayed in silence for about 10 seconds, but that was enough to maintain my composure. I didn’t scream in terror or faint while standing up.

‘After several years as a marquis, I have become a truly marquis-like person.’

When I first met him, he was just an ordinary chieftain, but he became a nobleman who maintained his composure even after hearing shocking news. As someone who was nominated by Barandi as the Marquis, I am very happy about this.

“Actually, I wanted to tell you a little sooner, but since it has to be confidential, I’m only opening my mouth now.”

– I understand. I’m worried that I might accidentally leak this while drinking, so how much more so must the Count.

As he said that, Marquis Barandiga withdrew his smile and slowly put his face closer to the communication port.

– How much more should I say?

Soon, the Marquis asked directly, just as I had spoken directly.

If this information was given to him as the number two man in the Northern Faction, how much of that information would he be willing to share?

“The High Lords and Marquis Idrafen are enough.”

It was exactly the question I wanted to ask, so I answered without hesitation.

It would be okay if I spoke to the faction members directly. However, I am the leader of the Northern faction, even though I am nominally lower than the Marquis, and now that I am promoted to the position of Acting Duke, the presence of the Marquis Barandi will fade. It would be difficult for the second-in-command of the faction and the only Marquis of the North to lose authority.

So, whenever there is an opportunity like this, Barandi must show off his presence as a Marquis. An image that embraces the members of the faction under the orders of the faction leader. How important and precious a political asset this is.

I also told Ainter, who was living with his wife in the Marquisate of Barandi, about this. He may have already heard about it from the Emperor.

– To the great lords and their sons-in-law… I understand. I will be careful not to leak anything until the event has taken place.

“If Your Majesty the Marquis steps forward, it would be even more reassuring. I ask for your help.”

He ended the conversation with those words.

I’ve already conveyed everything that needed to be conveyed, and the Marquis of Barandi will be busy sharing information with his faction members right away. Holding on to him for too long will only cause trouble for the Marquis.

– Woof!

“Is Titi here?”

As soon as I put down the communication device, Titi poked her head out through the crack in the door.

You came at a good time. If you had come while I was contacting you, I wouldn’t have been able to play with you, but now I can go around Titi and the island.

“You came to me today. What are the kids doing?”

At those words, Titi’s gaze glanced across the hallway.

Faint cries and wailing could be heard from the direction Titi was looking.

“You’re having fun.”

– Woof woof!

I was moved by the familiar cries of Jang-saeng and the wailing of Hyeon-geum that I always heard.

If those guys are raising their voices like that, it means they’re having fun with the kids. If they’re quiet, it means there’s something wrong.

‘Thank you always.’

That’s why I sent a silent thank you. I’ll buy you some snacks while I’m out walking.

Food that is made with the soul of the chef is great, but sometimes you just want street food.

“Then shall we go?”

– Woof!

I walked lightly, listening to the clear cries of Titi.

Let’s take a leisurely walk starting from the western district today.

***

Maria wanders the hallway riding on Junie’s back. Cecilia and Cattleya follow Junie, each holding Mane and Mine in their arms.

It was a sight you would never see in an ordinary city, so I smiled faintly. If you go down to the quiet countryside, you will be able to see children riding cows and carrying rabbits.

‘Who would think this is the middle of the system?’

It is also the residence of the Imperial Count and Minister.

“mom!”

As he recalled the days when this mansion was practically the headquarters of the Ashlon family, Maria, who was on Junie’s back, waved her hand brightly.

“Mom, us too!”

“Us too~”

When Maria waved her hand back, Cecilia and Cattleya waved back as if they couldn’t help it.

‘Whose daughters are they? They’re cute.’

The smile grew even wider at the lovely sight.

I have seen my children every day since they were born and until they turned 5, but I have never gotten used to their cuteness. Every day I see new cuteness, and every day I feel a different kind of loveliness.

“Juni! Let’s go with Mom!”

From noble mtl dot com

– Oh my gosh.

‘this.’

I looked at the children coming towards me and thought for a moment.

Today I was trying to make sure that the retirement and proxy appointment ceremony were well prepared, but when the kids come up to me like that, I can’t refuse.

But if you go to Servet with children, the people will be distracted by the children.

‘Let’s go tomorrow.’

After much deliberation, I decided to postpone my visit to Servette.

I didn’t say in advance that I would visit today, and there wasn’t a problem that warranted my going to inspect. They’re kids who will take care of themselves even without me.

It was just that it felt strange to put down the burden I had carried for 100 years. I was embarrassed that soon I would be called Countess Tylglehen instead of Duke Servette, so I was going to wander around.

So if there is no reason to wander, there is no need to move. These complex and subtle emotions can be sufficiently soothed through children.

“You’ve been riding Junie a lot these days. Is it comfortable?”

“Yeah! The other kids are taking action too, but Junie is comfortable! It’s different!”

“Maja! More comfortable, warmer… Anyway, Joa!”

“Junii~ Joa~”

Junie’s tail began to wag at the praise of the three children.

It’s a strange thing. Although cows are intelligent animals, are they capable of understanding human speech so well? Or are they wiser than other cows because they were given to them as a gift by Behemoth?

“Mom, do you want to ride too?”

“Mom too?”

“Yeah. Junie will like it too!”

– Oh my gosh.

At Maria’s words, Junie looked at me with innocent eyes, as if telling me to trust her and ride.

‘…It’s a little small.’

But despite the children’s expectant eyes and Junie’s plump face, I couldn’t bring myself to get on.

Because Junie is larger than a young calf, but still small compared to an adult cow. It is suitable for children to ride, but it is ambiguous for adults to ride.

Of course, it is growing rapidly as the days go by, but that makes me even more hesitant to ride it. If I ride it and get hurt, there is nothing I would regret more. Getting hurt during the growth period is so fatal.

“Mom, hurry up!”

“Me! Mom and Junie! Report and see!”

“Guni with mom, Guni with mom~”

I felt my ears tremble at the children’s increasingly loud demands.

If you do this, you can’t possibly refuse. If you refuse something they want like this, the children might get upset.

‘It’ll be okay if I adjust the weight.’

I cast a weight-reduction spell inside and climbed onto Junie’s back.

The volume can’t be helped, but the weight can be adjusted. This way, it won’t be too much for Junie─

“Huh? It’s Dad!”

“Dad? Where?”

“Hey, hey, Jeongwon-ae! Titi and Ga-chi are worth it!”

“Then Dad, let’s go for a walk with Titi~”

The children who had been chattering by the window turned their attention to me again.

“Mom! Let’s go play with Dad!”

“Uh, huh?”

“Dad! Let’s go for a walk with Titi! Mom, let’s go for a walk with Juni!”

“Hey, guys?”

Before I could stop them, the kids went down to the first floor.

Junie followed the children without hesitation.

In such an unexpected situation, I couldn’t even think of getting off Junie’s back.

***

I tried to look straight ahead as much as possible and not look to the side.

‘What the heck is going on?’

At the same time, I was busy thinking.

Junie walking next to me. Trixie riding on top of her, her face and ears bright red. And the triplets, Mane, and Mine laughing next to her.

‘What the heck.’

I can’t understand how this scene came to be.

Did Trixie decide to give up a lot of things besides the dukedom?

Otherwise, I can’t understand this situation at all.