Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 997



997 – The New Century – 4

Perhaps because they were the people who actually led the Duke’s army, the preparations of the vassals were perfect without a single thing to criticize.

To be honest, I thought there would be a few minor adjustments, but there weren’t even those. It was so literally perfect that Nana Trixie just nodded at Count Sicilla’s report.

If the retirement ceremony and the coronation ceremony of the Duke’s deputy fail, it is not because of the lack of the vassals, but because of my mistake. If I set the stage for this and they can’t accept it, it is pure incompetence.

“You probably didn’t have much time to prepare, but you prepared so well. I feel like I owe you a great debt even before I became the Duke’s deputy.”

“It is our vassals’ blessing and mission to serve the Duke of Katoban and the Duchy of Servet! All we need is a word of thanks for your hard work, so please do not think of it as a debt!”

“It must have been thanks to that sense of mission and pride that Trixie’s rule lasted for 100 years. I will never forget the loyalty of my vassals, and I will whisper this to my children every day.”

A declaration that he will tell the triplets who are biting and sucking the deceased, “The deceased uncle and aunt were really nice.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty!”

At that declaration, the count of Sicilla’s face became even more deeply moved and joyful.

It’s a strange feeling. Of course, she was bright-eyed when Tricky and I congratulated her, but she brightened up even more when you mentioned the triplets.

‘How thirsty for a successor must they be.’

However, I could only smile bitterly at the attitude that was understandable enough.

The Katoban family has not had a new life for about 120 years since the birth of Tricky. Many of the vassals of the Katoban family passed away without ever seeing Tricky get married, let alone give birth to children.

So, you would have expected that Count Sicilla would follow in the same footsteps as his ancestors, but three princesses who resembled their lord were born? His affection and loyalty towards the triplets must be extraordinary.

‘Isn’t this what Maria did when she became a duke?’

It must have been so bad that I even had that thought.

By the time Maria ascends to the throne as a duke, Count Sicilla will be an old man in his 70s or 80s. Even in an empire that treats its civil servants harshly, this is a point of no debate, but given Count Sicilla’s passion, he may endure to serve Maria.

A butler who walks around with a cane for smooth movement rather than using magic. It’s heartbreaking to even imagine.

‘Let’s make sure he retires.’

I soon resolved to myself that for the sake of the peaceful later years of the Count of Sicilla and for the sake of our Maria’s reputation, I would retire the Count of Sicilla.

It’s not a particularly difficult task. Just before I step down from my position as Duke’s deputy, I’ll replace my retainers and Count Sicilla will also retire.

“Your Majesty?”

“Ah, um. Since I’m here, I’d like to see the other vassals. Could you show me around?”

“Of course. I’m sure everyone will be happy to see you both.”

He gave the Count of Sicilla, who questioned the sudden silence, the most plausible excuse he could.

It’s a bit awkward to say, “I was wondering when it would be a good time to retire you” to the passionate butler. It sounds like a monarch preparing for a purge.

It’s just a future plan to respect the elderly. It’s better to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

Just before attending the second Crassius meeting, Pedi made a grand escape.

Even as an adult, Mar’s fashion adjustments were difficult to endure. Dozens of clothes were put on and taken off, and hundreds of accessories were put on and taken off, a long time. It was too harsh for Pedi, who was only 6 years old, to endure, so she ended up escaping.

And then that harsh, eon-long time came back to me.

“Karl. Would you like to try this on this time?”

“Isn’t that what you were wearing earlier?”

“No, this is lighter.”

At those words, Marga silently accepted the coat he handed her.

Pale…? It looks to me like it was the same color as the clothes I wore earlier. No matter how I look at it, it’s the same color.

‘It really looks like there’s a drawing board attached to the eye.’

Thanks to that, the hypothesis that I had been harboring on my own has raised its head again. The hypothesis that Mar has a drawing board attached to his eye and is able to distinguish RGB.

If not, this situation cannot be explained. Mar’s subtle color differentiation is a unique feat that even the servants cannot do. First of all, even the master craftsman would be astonished when he sees Mar’s feat.

No. It’s more likely that he suffered from RGB distinction before me. Who would have cared what Mar’s last name was Valenti?

“Eeeeeeeeeee.”

Anyway, as he put on his coat obediently, Mar’s brow furrowed slightly.

Mar’s troubled appearance is pretty, but today, I’m scared. What I want is not Mar’s troubled appearance, but Mar’s nodding appearance.

“This isn’t very good either.”

I quietly took off my coat at the expected but complicated declaration.

I want to say that you can wear anything you want. I want to say that any clothes that Marga gives you are fine.

But I couldn’t. The clothes I’m choosing now are for Trixie’s retirement party. I can’t wear just anything on my wife’s special day. If it’s just for me, I’m willing to ignore what other people say, but I don’t want to ruin Trixie’s event because of me.

And crucially, it is not the husband’s duty to ignore Mar’s sincerity and passion.

‘How could I refuse with such shame?’

No one knows better than Mar how much she has worked hard for me and Trixie. Wasn’t it Mar who, right after receiving the bombshell of the Emperor’s personal emblem, diligently embroidered a gift for me on my birthday?

After a long and arduous process, I finally managed to make a handkerchief with my own personal emblem, even while my family was deciding what to wear to Trixie’s retirement party.

‘A person who is just playing around can’t take out his complaints on someone who is working hard.’

If you are a jobless husband, it is your duty to do whatever your wife says. Even if you are tired, you should persevere.

Even though this endless fashion show is entering its fourth hour.

If this continues, the sun will rise.

“Should we try a gray color scheme this time?”

‘ah.’

My shoulders trembled at the calm voice and the unsettling content.

It took four hours just to wear black, so how much longer would it take if new colors were added?

I’m so scared I feel like crying.

***

While I was working, I took a quick look out the window.

It was still winter and the temperature was low, but the sky was still blue and clear. Is it because there was a god named Sky among the gods who favored the count?

‘He is the perfect talent for outdoor events.’

I couldn’t help but laugh when I thought of the gods who were intertwined with the count.

The sun god, the sky god, and the plant god. If the count wants to be outdoors, the warm sun will shine on him, the blue sky will welcome him, and the fragrant plants will embrace him. How enviable this is.

That’s why the retirement ceremony of the Magonggong is held on such a beautiful day. It wouldn’t be strange if it snowed because it was winter, but on a day like this, there wasn’t even a cloud in sight, let alone snow.

‘Should we start going?’

I stood up from my seat, staring blankly at the sky.

It is the day that marks the end of a loyal subject who has been the pillar of the empire for 100 years. Of course, the only thing that Magong-gong is stepping down from is the title of Duke of Servet, so he will continue to hold the title of Lord of the Tower, but the end of a 100-year duke is by no means light.

Moreover, the fact that the empire was able to remain an empire even during the era of the terrible tyrant was largely due to the role of the Magong Duke. The national power derived from the overwhelming territory and production capacity, and the talent pool that could be secured thanks to the enormous population were also important─ but if the Magong Duke had not been there, the situation would have been even more serious.

‘Truly a benefactor of the empire.’

A pillar that maintained the empire until the emergence of the outstanding monarch known as His Majesty the Emperor. It is no exaggeration to say that the imperial family and the empire owe a debt to Duke Ma.

Maybe that’s why. I attended the banquet to celebrate the ascension of Duke Yeomyeong as the new Duke of Wolken, but strangely, my heart was pounding when I attended Duke Majong’s retirement ceremony. An indescribable tension gripped my chest.

‘All sorts of things have been happening since the beginning of the reign.’

I suppressed my tension and put on my coat, but then I burst into laughter again.

How long has it been since I ascended the throne that Duke Wolken has been replaced, and now even Duke Servet has been replaced? Even my father-in-law, Duke Hablem, is eagerly eyeing retirement from his position as deputy commander, so he could suddenly declare that he will step down from his title.

It is an incredible situation where three dukes were replaced in less than 10 years since his accession to the throne. When historians look back in the future, they will think that I encouraged the dukes to retire from behind the scenes.

‘I wish there had been more.’

If you really misunderstand like that, it is extremely unfair. I am someone who hopes that Iron Blood Lord, Demon Lord, and Master Jang will continue to work hard for the empire.

However, when a talented person steps down, a new talent appears to fill the void, so the regret and resentment were not that great.

The Iron Blood Lord’s position was filled by the Dawn Lord, and the Demon Lord’s position was filled by…

“Ugh.”

I bit my lip in a hurry.

The count who will fill the position of the Magonggong. When I thought of this sentence, the corners of my mouth shook like crazy.

I still can’t believe it. Who would have guessed that the Count would become the Duke of Servette’s deputy? Who would have imagined that the Count would have a higher calling than the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

First of all, I couldn’t do it. And because it was something I had never expected, I was even more happy and excited.

‘I wonder what kind of expression he’ll make.’

Before I knew it, the faint tension in my chest had disappeared without a trace.

Today’s event is known only as the grand announcement of the Duke of Magong, so most nobles are unaware of the Duke of Magong’s retirement. The Count must act as the ‘representative’ of the vacant Duke of Servette in front of these people.

Thanks to this, I can’t stop laughing. I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of expressions the nobles will have when the Count becomes the Duke of Servette’s agent, and what kind of expression the Count will have when he rises above everyone else.

‘I’ve already decided on a name, so just hurry up and become the proxy.’

I was reminded of the Count of Jungil, who was dressed in a tattered attire, with a bug-bitten expression on his face.

Even though he is a proxy and not a formal duke, he is still a duke. I have also decided on a name for the new Duke of Servette, so hurry up and become the proxy.