I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess - Chapter 266



266 – Side Story – Looking Back on 10 Years (1)

Hildeck, the capital of the empire, was unusually busy today.

Soldiers rushed out to surround the city’s streets, and residents also came out in front of their homes and pretended to wait for something.

It wasn’t just this place that was so busy.

At the same time, in the imperial palace, Edgar, who had changed into his uniform for the first time in a while, was looking into the mirror.

When he frowned slightly at the rather tight clothes, the women guarding him were shocked and immediately came back with other clothes.

The situation had been repeating itself in a similar way for about an hour already.

‘I can’t choose clothes for this.’

As Edgar watched the scene, he smiled bitterly and eventually chose the clothes he wore last.

There is no such thing as perfect clothes in the world, and there are bound to be a few flaws in each piece.

Nevertheless, if he showed even the slightest sign of not liking something, he would immediately change his clothes, so choosing one of them was a task.

“It suits you well. “There you are.”

The previous emperor, Bartheus, who had come in and watched this scene quietly, spoke quietly.

Edgar suddenly turned his head when he heard a familiar voice.

Then he bowed towards Bartheus and handed him an apple.

“Your Majesty the Emperor… ! Sorry. I didn’t even know you were coming…”

“Don’t be difficult. Now he is just an old man who has retired to the back room after handing over his position to her son to her to her.”

Bartheus was grateful to Edgar, who was still having a hard time with him.

If he had been revered as a great hero of the empire at a young age and had achieved a status equivalent to that of the royal family, he would have been arrogant.

Nevertheless, the fact that he considers not only the current emperor Robert, but also the previous emperor and empress difficult, means that he still has some humility left.

“Fortunately, preparations seemed to be going well outside. Now all you have to do is finish preparing.”

“I have to finish it quickly, it’s a big deal.”

Even though the words were not specifically meant to encourage him, when Edgar expressed his disapproval, Bartheus quickly picked them up.

“Hmm. I didn’t mean to tell you to hurry. “What need is so urgent on this wonderful day?”

It was the day when light returned to the empire, or more precisely, to the imperial family.

It was exactly 10 years ago today.

Bartheus’ heart still trembled just thinking about that day.

So much so that he could believe if someone woke him up right now and told him that the past 10 years were just a happy dream.

What happened that day cannot be expressed with just the word miracle.

It is the peace and light of new prosperity brought by this man in front of her.

How could you criticize a man like that just for being a little behind schedule?

At that point, even if you are old and senile, you will be criticized.

“Ed, preparations are complete… “Your Majesty the Former Emperor?”

I was just about to change my clothes and get ready.

Ariel carefully opened her door and stuck her head inside her.

Then her eyes met Bartheus’s and she hurried inside and greeted him politely.

She didn’t look like she was having a hard time like Edgar, and she just seemed to be polite as a subject.

“Um, you’re being rude. Grandee. It looks like he came to look after her husband.”

“Yes. Rather, what does His Majesty the late Emperor think about this… ? … ?”

“I just wanted to chat for a moment. As I get older, I find myself looking for people to talk to all day long.”

A smile spread on the lips of the two people at the remark, which was full of self-deprecation, uncharacteristic of a previous emperor.

As I got older, Yulken also used to say things with similar nuances, and it made me think that they were friends and that they were becoming similar.

“Ariel. “How about this outfit?”

Eventually, Edgar showed Ariel her own appearance and positioned her for her final examination.

Ariel, who was observing the scene closely, nodded with great satisfaction.

“Does it suit you well? “Isn’t it a bit tight?”

“I heard this is the only size of clothes available right now.”

“I think it’ll be okay as long as it’s not difficult to move. “The clothes are pretty.”

“Then that’s it.”

Just as Ariel always asks Edgar when choosing her clothes her her her, it has become a routine for Edgar to ask Ariel first when asking about her her clothes her her her.

In the first place, there is no one in particular who wants to look good except for each other.

Moreover, there is a saying that the prettier clothes are in the eyes of the opposite s*x, the better they look.

After completing the final review, Edgar adjusted his clothes with satisfaction and took a step forward.

“Grandee. You seem to be getting younger and younger. “If you have a secret, won’t you tell me and her wife?”

While walking down the hallway, Bartheus suddenly opened his mouth.

She didn’t specifically mean to flirt with the subject without even knowing she was getting older, but she just asked because she was surprised that Ariel’s beauty didn’t change her.

Edgar’s face didn’t change that much, but compared to Ariel’s, it was quite severe.

It’s safe to say that she still retains almost the same appearance as she did in her 20s.

“Well. I think it’s probably due to the influence of mana that arose as I entered the state of an archmage.”

“Hmm, it didn’t apply to us.”

Not just a wizard, but a great wizard.

It is a title that only the wise men of the Magic Tower can have.

Currently, the number of people holding the title of Grand Wizard in the Empire is barely more than ten, including the five great sages of the Magic Tower, Minette of the Robeheim family, and wizards distributed throughout the world, such as Ariel.

It’s a far, far field to step into just because you want to prevent your face from aging.

Bartheus decided to just go on with his life and be satisfied with where he is.

“Oh, you’re here!”

As we reached the end of the hallway, a man came out from the right and smiled happily.

Geldrik Eifertz.

He was the man in charge of overseeing the event that Edgar and Ariel would participate in today.

“I came to inform you that the preparations outside have been completed. It looks like you two are ready.”

After seeing Edgar and Ariel’s behavior, Geldrik nodded and led them out.

At this point, Bartheus thought he should go to the visitor’s location, so he said hello and moved on to another place.

By now, his entire family, except his son, would be ready and waiting for him.

“Then we’ll see you later. Cheer up.”

Of course, without forgetting a brief cheer.

*

Prior to the event, a comprehensive speech was given at a gathering of Hill Deck residents.

The person who gave that speech was none other than the current emperor, Robert Helvenier.

With sweat pouring down his head, he was reliving in front of the residents the glory of this day that he had regained after 10 years.

“… That’s why we praised them as heroes! I, Robert Helvenier, not as an emperor, but as a citizen living in this country! Today, we would like to commemorate their achievements again in defeating evil enemies and opening the way for coexistence with foreign nations, ushering in a new era of prosperity!”

“Waaa!”

As soon as Robert’s speech was over, wild cheers rang out around him.

There are only two people in this country who can receive such enthusiastic response even though they are not members of the royal family.

However, since they rarely show themselves to the outside world, the residents of Hildeck have been looking forward to this day.

“Is the great hero really coming?”

“Your Majesty said it a moment ago!”

A great hero is a title granted only to Edgar.

Originally, this title was scheduled to be given along with Ariel, but it was only possible because she declined it, handing over all of her merits to Edgar.

“I am a great hero, but I want to engrave in my eyes the noble appearance of His Highness the Archduke, even just once.”

“That’s what I said. Because he is someone who rarely appears in public places.”

Normally, when you become this famous, you would want to show up to the outside world and enjoy the popularity.

The two rarely appear outside of essential events, as if they have no interest in such things.

Especially, even if the imperial family invites them, they literally just go there.

So, from the perspective of the residents of Hildeck, they were anxious to see when they would see them again, and their long-cherished wish has finally come true.

“The carriage is coming!”

Eventually, someone’s shout drew the attention of the residents filling the square and other streets to one place.

Approaching at the end is a huge carriage decorated with gold and jewels.

When the faces of her men and women on board came into view, she cheered, almost screaming, regardless of age or gender.

“His Majesty the Grand Duke! This is my first time seeing you in person!”

“The expression ‘really good-looking man and good-looking woman’ is perfect. How did those two people meet?”

“It’s truly a match made in heaven. Could it be that God had no choice but to watch over those two and connect them?”

“Giggle, that makes sense.”

There were cheers and praise for the two people everywhere.

Some people tried to cross the line guarded by soldiers and invade the road, but they were quickly overpowered and dragged to one side.

On the way, several women gazed at Edgar’s appearance with a blushing face.

From noble mtl dot come

“How can you be so majestic, Great Hero? If only I could hold you in those arms just once…”

“If you go somewhere and say something like that, you’ll be in big trouble!” “My neck will disappear right away?”

“That’s right. Everyone in the world knows how much His Majesty the Grand Duke cares for his wife.”

Even though Ariel rarely appears in public, she loves her for her husband and she has long been famous.

What’s worse is that when she wrote a love letter to Edgar expressing her adoration, there was a sweet horse floating around the river the next day.

Whether this is actually the case or not is something that only you know.

On the other hand, the two people who entered the road after receiving truly excellent treatment were in a very sad mood.

Even though Amman has achieved many achievements, it seems like it is too much.

In the first place, the carriage they are riding in now was something that only the royal family was allowed to ride during big events.

“I can’t get used to this treatment no matter how many years go by.”

“I know. But aren’t you proud when you think of it as the result of your own accomplishment?”

“That’s right. “I just sometimes wonder if I really deserve this much respect.”

It wasn’t something I did for anyone in particular.

I was protecting those close to me and reaching out to those a little further away, but at some point I looked around and saw that I was crawling out of a fire pit with quite a few people in my arms.

Edgar never thought of himself as a hero.

I just thought that even though he wasn’t a hero, everyone was just calling a man a hero because he tried to save as many people as possible.

Sigh.

Ariel carefully squeezed Edgar’s hand and smiled.

“There’s no need to think hard. I think you just need to remind yourself that the path you took was not in vain.”

“Is that so?”

Edgar smiled awkwardly and scratched his cheek.

I probably won’t get used to the support and response from so many people until the day I die.

But still, I thought I could be a little proud of the fact that I tried to save as many people as I could on that day 10 years ago.

“Wave at people a little bit. “Everyone calls you.”

“… Shall we do it together?”

“I’m done. Besides, in times like this, shouldn’t the Great Hero himself step forward?”

When Ariel chuckled, mentioning the title that had been thrust upon him, Edgar stood up with a bitter smile.

The cheers, louder than before, poured out like thunder, and somehow I felt a little lighter in my heart.