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However, a dog raised by a top official was more prestigious than a commoner, especially when the owner was the Emperor. In that case, the dog also had a high status.

That was why noble families like the Krasius household were considered good marriage partners in social circles. Since we were closely affiliated with the Emperor, one would often receive unexpected benefits when marrying into a family like ours.

Moreover, if a noble from such a family subtly dropped a name in front of the Emperor like, ‘My in-law is…’ then it was a sure shot to success. No matter how suspicious the Emperor was about someone, he wouldn’t kill someone recommended by his beloved pet.

To sum it up, I was also considered a prime catch in social circles. The proposals have stopped since last year for some reason, but I received quite a few besides Marghetta’s before that.

“Don’t sweat about the small stuff and focus on what needs to be done.”

The Patriarch spoke those words after the Great War. He referred to noble marriages as trivial matters and asked me to work harder for the Emperor.

Thanks to him, I haven’t been concerned about marriage until now, but it was getting harder. While the Patriarch thought that things would naturally sort themselves out if left alone, Mother seemed to be running out of patience.

“Did it come today?”

“Yes, it arrived at lunch.”

I nodded at the butler’s words and checked the letter’s contents. If my mother had sent a letter, then there would probably be no other reason than a marriage proposal.

‘She held out for quite long.’

I’ve been using the Patriarch’s words as a shield, but it seems she’s reached her limit. It was understandable. In a few more years, I would be out of the ideal marriageable age range. Which mother would sit by and watch her eldest son become a bachelor?

The letter began with the usual pleasantries. There were comments about the weather, inquiries about my health, her being proud of my services for the Empire and the Imperial Family, and wishing me to visit the territory more often. Typical things a mother would say to her son.

Unfortunately, our relationship wasn’t as warm as the letter suggested.

“So I’d like you to come to our territory.”

After scanning through the letter, I finally found the main request at the end. She was asking both me and my little brother to not only stay in the Capital and come to visit our territory.

Well, I guess I should show up. If I went to the mansion, I’d probably be bombarded with marriage talks. However, rumors might spread that the Krasius family was crumbling if I didn’t visit them.

Just as I was about to fold the letter, I noticed that there was one more sentence at the bottom.

“I heard you have other guests with you. If they’re okay with it, bring them too.”

‘What…?’

My mind went blank at the unexpected sentence. Bring those idiots along?

‘Damn it.’

They’ve been looking for an opportunity to leave the capital anyway, so they would surely agree.

I stared blankly at the letter for a while until the butler cautiously spoke, pulling me back to reality.

I’m sorry, Marghetta. You’ve done your best to try and prevent the club members from leaving the Capital, but I’m about to break it with my own hands.

***

I got to enjoy dinner in the mansion for the first time in a while instead of the office. I shouldn’t be pleased by such trivial things, but I was.

“With oppa here, it finally feels like we’re in your mansion.”

Louise said with a smile, and her words pierced my heart. Although Louise said it with positive intentions, I couldn’t help but feel that I’ve been neglecting my guests too much.

To make things worse, I had to leave the mansion tomorrow. It wasn’t simply going to work either, but going to another region. Besides, it wasn’t just me, but everyone.

‘Damn it.’

I was given the task of traveling with some high-ranking people as soon as I was released from work. What was wrong with this situation? Was I going to play golf or go on a hike with important people?

Of course, I could just go without telling the members as Mother said.

The problem with that was that the members would be left in a place where I wouldn’t be able to respond in case something happened. If I intended to do that, I wouldn’t have brought them to my mansion in the first place.

After much thought, I cautiously opened my mouth. I was going to tell them anyway, so let’s just say it quickly and get it over with.

“Erich.”

“Yes?”

First, I talked to my family member who absolutely had to come with me.

“Mother asked us to come and visit her at the territory. Let’s go tomorrow.”

Erich’s hands suddenly stopped. He must be perplexed. After all, he was summoned out of the blue while enjoying a peaceful and pleasant life in the Capital with Louise.

He was also probably concerned about his other competitors if he was the only one that had to go elsewhere. But honestly, I don’t think either of them would make any progress even if they were left alone.

“Okay, I’ll prepare.”

Still, the fact that he calmly responded to the summons suggested that he retained some affection or sense of duty towards the family. To think he’d be able to feel affection in such a cold household. He grew up well.

So, I immediately gave him a gift.

‘It’s not just you who’s going. We all are, so don’t worry.’

“Mother also invited the other members of the pastry club.”

At that remark, Erich’s face brightened up again. The other four also showed a positive reaction. Why were they reacting exactly as I expected?

I felt that I would look at them with a pitiful gaze if I left my guard down, so I turned my gaze elsewhere. Unlike the members, there was someone with a dark expression.

“Of course, that includes Mar and Irina.”

Only then did the color return to her face. More people wore their hearts on their sleeves than I thought. Compared to the rest, she was on the cute side, so I let it slide.

“I’m planning to depart tomorrow if everyone’s okay with it.”

“Of course it’s fine.”

Rutis spoke as a representative. Good, that’s a relief.

Even though it was fortunate, I couldn’t help but be angry. It seemed like I’d developed anger management issues these days.

‘Is this how the Minister felt?’

It was a feeling I never wanted to know until the day I died.

It would be great if things had ended with everyone deciding to attend, but I had to report the situation to the territory. Not replying in time was almost similar to ghosting them.

So, I went to my room and contacted the territory as soon as dinner was over.

“Is tomorrow at lunch okay?”

— Yes, that’s enough. We were already preparing.

Seeing the fatigued face of the head butler over the communication crystal made me feel pity for him. I wonder if that’s how other people see me. The head butler was a proud noble and was the second-in-command at the territory, so how could he look so exhausted every day for the past five years?

Apparently, it wasn’t just me who was feeling that way.

— Young Master, are you alright?

“I’m fine.”

— You don’t look well. Are you sure you’re not overworking yourself?

“…”

If the head butler was concerned, then I probably looked like a victim of overworking to others. But when I looked in the mirror, I saw my usual face.

‘Seems like being overworked has become common for me.’

Without realizing it, a fatigued expression became my default face. Four years was a long time.

As I was lost in those bitter thoughts, the butler brought up another topic, perhaps trying to change the mood.

— The lady had missed the Young Master. While Master Erich stayed in the territory until his enrollment at the Academy, you’ve only been staying in the Capital.

“I’ve been too busy to visit. Fortunately, the Patriarch seemed to understand.”

However, I wasn’t particularly interested in the topic, so I answered with a hint of indifference. Mother missed me? I wonder if that’s really the case.

She wasn’t evil or abusive, but she also wasn’t particularly affectionate either. In some ways, she was as neglectful as the Patriarch.

It wouldn’t matter if it was just towards me, who possessed this body. However, she wasn’t particularly affectionate towards Erich either, who was her son in both body and soul.

After noticing my mood, the butler awkwardly smiled and spoke.

— The Young Master will understand her true feelings once you talk with the lady.

“That would be nice.”

Of course, I hadn’t run away from home because I hated my parents but because I was too busy in the Capital. Knowing their true feelings now didn’t seem like it’d make any difference, either.

In the middle of all this, the head butler didn’t say that the Patriarch wanted to see me. He must have thought that it wasn’t very likely, which was very honest of him.

After I informed the butler of my travel plans…

— Are you going to the territory of Count Tailglehen?

There was one more person I had to report to.

— I heard that you just managed to complete all the piled-up tasks today. What a pity.

‘This bastard.’

The Crown Prince, who provoked me as naturally as he breathed, was the last person I had to report to. A flock of royals would leave the Capital, so I should at least tell him where they were going.

— At least you’ll have some free time. Isn’t that fortunate?

= You bastard. Are you taking advantage of my grace and going somewhere else since I said you didn’t have to go to work every day?

“Thanks to that, I could prepare for unexpected events.”

= I don’t like it either, so shut up.

From the Crown Prince’s perspective, it must be both absurd and amusing. He’d generously given me the privilege of not having to come to work every day and stay in the mansion. Yet, despite receiving such a benefit, I was about to leave the capital with the royals voluntarily.

He must be wondering what was wrong with me. I was leaving with the ticking bombs, though, so he probably wouldn’t say anything to stop me.

— If anything happens, feel free to tell me. Even if they’re outside of the Capital, they’re still guests of the Empire.

= I don’t want to miss your struggling expression, so keep me updated.

The Crown Prince ended the call with a final taunt.

What a jerk. Was he really the next Emperor?

Well, he was better than the 2nd Prince, but was he really the best choice?

It was a day filled with sorrow as I thought of the Empire’s bleak future.

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