Chapter 159

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 159

The festival was over, and somehow, I managed to survive the onslaught of final exams.

Now, all that was left was to enjoy a week or so of leisure before winter break.

And after that, another year would come to an end, and a new one would begin.

‘Of course, there will be more going on during this winter break than last summer.’

The news I’ve been hearing lately isn’t ordinary.

First, the Empire and the Holy See have decided to jointly issue a commemorative coin, with a limited distribution to a select few starting from the New Year’s ceremony.

I hear it’s Cardinals or higher in the Holy See, and Marquises or Counts in the Empire.

Of course, among the commoners, those who have received the Medal of Honor or certain other medals will be personally visited by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to receive the commemorative coin.

Damn it. My face is going to be plastered everywhere. It’s my fault for not stopping them.

At least the original image is objectively decent. If they had put an ugly mug on it, it would have been a permanent embarrassment for generations to come.

Or maybe the people who sculpted my face for the coin did some kind of Photoshop-like touch-up.

Thank you, Mom and Dad. Thank you so much for giving birth to this handsome son of yours.

If I had heard that the face on the commemorative coin looked different from my real face, I might have dug myself a hole and crawled into it.

“Karl! There you are. What are you doing all by yourself?”

“We’ve been looking for you, and you didn’t even answer. You bad boy.”

The reason I didn’t answer is that I didn’t want to.

It wasn’t Selena, Lav, Eloise, or Lefia calling me, it was you four! Do I have to answer every time you call?! I’m not obligated to.

“Congratulations, guys.”

“What? Out of the blue.”

“Are you feeling weak, Karl?”

“Cut the crap. You’re finally graduating.”

That’s right. This damn quartet is finally graduating.

Last semester, they didn’t have enough scores to graduate. So, with the twisted logic that they were already a year behind, they decided to just repeat the year and enjoy themselves.

Anyway, these guys, who’ve stuck around until the 5th year of the academy, will finally graduate.

“What’s up, Karl? You don’t look sad at all that we’re graduating.” NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

“Why would I be sad? It’s not like we’ll never see each other again, or that we’re planning to avoid each other.”

“I know, but you seem too cheerful about it.”

“Hey, how about we repeat the year? We can spend the whole year messing with Karl. What do you think?”

Yeah, I’m not falling for that. And I’m the heir to a Count’s family, so don’t you think I’d know the rumors going around?

“Stop lying. I heard you all have all sorts of plans for next year. One of you is going on a tour of the territory, another is visiting somewhere else. And the mass exodus of your family vassals suggests they’re preparing for a new heir, right?”

“...Did you plant a spy in our families or something?”

“Yeah, how do you know all this stuff?”

Well, I asked your family heads when I met them, and they told me everything.

They even asked me to get along with their sons and maintain a good relationship with their families.

...Hahaha. Seriously, it’s quite absurd when I think about it.

Our Friedrich County, the Adelheit family, is said to be the top among the Empire’s Counties.

Plus, my sister became the Crown Princess and will eventually be Empress, so our blood ties with the Imperial family will solidify our position even further.

But that’s one thing, and above us, there are still the Duke families, Marquis families, and the Archduke’s family.

“Whoa. If you misuse even a single penny, they’ll send you straight to Goddess.”

The Imperial Treasury is scary indeed. Even the Ministry of War doesn’t have any actual military forces under its command, but the Treasury is the only one with such a subordinate organization.

Well, it makes sense, since taxes are a crucial matter.

Even in my past life, wasn’t the Secret Service of the United States initially created for tax purposes?

“And then—”

“Student Karl! Student Karl, ah! There you are!”

What? What’s going on? I was enjoying listening to the stories of these four guys.

The new teaching assistant, who had taken over from Marcus, was running towards us from afar.

“Student Karl! Right now! Prepare to enter the Imperial Palace immediately!”

“...Huh? Right now, sir?”

There were several matters that required me to visit the Imperial Palace.

The problem was, it was scheduled for tomorrow, not today. And even then, it was for the afternoon. Why the sudden change?

“It’s an urgent matter! The Imperial Palace has sent someone to find you!”

“The Imperial Palace?”

The Imperial Palace, the residence of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess—my brother-in-law and sister. They’ve sent an urgent message, requesting my presence.

‘Could it be...?’

A sudden, ominous thought flashes through my mind.

My sister is pregnant. Of course, it’s still a long way until my nephew or niece is born.

But if it’s an urgent matter at this time, and they’re looking for me at the Imperial Palace...

“I’ll get ready right away!”

* * *

“Y-Your Highness! Huff, huff!”

My heart felt like it was about to burst. I had become the crazy guy running through the palace, but I couldn’t help it.

As soon as I entered the Imperial Palace, I pushed past knights and servants alike, sprinting towards the garden.

“Brother-in-law, you’ve arrived?”

“Your Highness! You said there was an urgent matter—”

“Hmm? Ah, yes. There is. Of course there is. Follow me quickly.”

I hurried after the Crown Prince.

Could my sister be unwell? Did something happen to my niece or nephew?

Oh, Goddess! This can’t be happening! I prayed so hard...

“Actually, just this morning, Vee finally felt the baby kick!”

[TL/N: He calls Rika ‘Vee’ ]

[PR/N: So Rikata(OG name), Rika(Nickname), Vee(Only called by the Crown Prince)]

[TL/N: Yep]

“...Huh?”

“Our little one made its presence known this morning with a little kick! Bea felt it for the first time, and as soon as it happened, she wanted to tell you!”

“...Ah.”

Phew...

...Damn it! Sis! Brother-in-law! You just took ten years off my life!

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]