CH 134

Chapter 134

Why should the Emperor stay only in the Capital’s Castle?

Didn’t the Emperor even have the right to go outside? The worries stemmed from a long time ago, the current Emperor’s father’s grandfather… anyway, it was something that had been bothering him since the distant past.

In fact, the reason why emperors should not leave the Capital was self-evident.

When an army invaded from a foreign country, the absence of a final decision-maker could change the fate of the country. There were also frequent cases when the Emperor was assassinated after leaving the heavily guarded Capital.

Still, wasn’t the Emperor also a person…?!

Sometimes they wanted to get out of the castle even if they had to force it. The present-day Emperor of the Iasa Empire, Oscar, was the same.

‘I’ve been so dedicated to my country, let me go see some friends for a day—!’

Once upon a time, Oscar was such a gentle person.

He was one who mourned the former Empress when she was sentenced to death even after being treated as a means for a long time. However, if his ministers nagged him again and again, everyone would have ended up building anger inside.

Besides, his one and only friend even got a child.

Oscar’s desire to leave the castle and go to play with his friend intensified.

So, when Joshua Reinhardt was over six months old, he went to the Duchy’s territory with both hands heavy. In fact, it wasn’t that the Emperor brought presents in his both hands.

He was the first guest to visit the duchy after Joshua was born. It was because of the custom of taking care of the newborn’s health because it was an era where contagious diseases circulated intermittently.

“It’s nice to see your face after a long time. It’s good that your complexion looks good, too.”

Oscar had tea time with the Duchess in the rose garden of the Duke’s residence.

‘I finally get to see the son of my best friend!’

Oscar was shocked to see the newborn baby sitting in Ian’s arms. He thought the child must be cute, but embarrassment came first. It didn’t matter that the child seemed a little more mature for a six-month-old, thanks to his magical powers.

Why did he still have Ian’s golden eyes?

This was one of the reasons why the former empress tried to kill Ian. The meaning of these pupils, a symbol of the Imperial Family, was quite significant.

Oscar spoke self-deprecatingly.

“When they see this child, the servants will stand up again. ‘Even now, we must keep the Duke’s family in check so that he doesn’t bear ill will! Your Majesty!’ …They will say that.”

“Hoho.”

Laritte laughed, thinking it was a joke, but Oscar was also serious.

“No, Ian’s mother was so distant that it is difficult to call her a relative… how did it come to this?”

Oscar lamented wholeheartedly.

It was not because he was worried that his position would be threatened but because he could clearly expect the ministers to nag.

“Besides, that child knows how to use magic. A feat that only dragons can do!”

That was more of a problem.

There was no one who did not know that one of the honors of the Iasa Imperial Family was the blood of dragons. However, even Oscar had only a knack for ‘distinguishing dragon material,’ but this Young Master even used magic?

“On the day this fact is announced to the world, the ministers will follow me to my bedroom and try to intervene with tears.”

Ian couldn’t help it either.

Well, who wanted to be born that way…

“The publicity that Joshua uses magic is indispensable. I cannot yield.”

If Joshua’s traits were hidden and later revealed, he may be attacked. Even more so, he might be called a monster. Rather, it would be better to relate the dragon’s appearance to the wedding and say, ‘This child is a great child blessed by the dragon!’

“So, Your Majesty, get married and produce an heir. Then, the ministers will be calm as well.”

“Ian, stop. It’s normal for everyone to get married quickly and have children, but not even you… My ears are about to fall off.”

Surprisingly, the only current member of the Imperial Family was Emperor Oscar Iasa. His mother, the former Empress, didn’t just attack Ian in her quest for power. She was not satisfied with all the bloodlines that might pose a threat to the imperial authority.

To Laritte, Oscar seemed really worried.

The officials must be bothering him a lot, weren’t they?

‘Any official, whether in a book or a play, always tells the Emperor to get married… That sounds like a job.’

In fact, even senior ministers couldn’t help it. If, by any chance, the Duke’s family rebelled and succeeded, wouldn’t their heads be cut off as well?

Laritte swallowed the cookie and comforted Oscar.

“Anyway, I’m an illegitimate daughter, so don’t worry too much. It won’t be a threat to the imperial family.”

At those words, both Oscar and Ian hardened. No, why would she put herself down like that just to comfort others…

On the contrary, Oscar came to comfort Laritte.

“Don’t worry about that, Madam. Even if you are an illegitimate daughter, it will not go unnoticed among the nobles.”

When the former Empress was alive, it was worrisome enough. When Ian offered to marry Laritte, even Red, who was loyal, objected to it for a moment.

However, the Reinhardt family, now backed by the Imperial Family, had nothing to desire more.

Its reputation extended to the ends of the sea and was worshiped.. how dare they twist the future master of such a family? It may be announced that they had an accidental death after destroying all the collateral families beyond three generations.

Oscar continued to joke.

“Well… if I feel that the Imperial Family is threatened, please give birth to a daughter and I will send her a marriage proposal, so please consider it.”

When the atmosphere suddenly became chilly, he hurriedly turned his words.

“Come to think of it, Ian doesn’t seem to have a good relationship with his son.”

Oscar’s kind eyes fell on the baby sitting on Ian’s lap.

Joshua, who was over six months old, could sit down now. However, he still struggled to get out of Ian’s lap and into Laritte.

“Uuuhh! Uhh!”

Ian gripped Joshua’s body tightly.

‘Where are you going? Stop bothering Laritte!’

“No, we are on good terms.”

“Why would you tell lies like that? Look at how the Young Master is getting annoyed, haha.”

When Ian kissed the child on the top of his head as if trying to prove that the words were true, Joshua got angry.

“Auuh!”

He was so angry that a nearby vase cracked.

Just in case, he had Joshua use all of his magic before meeting Oscar, but he seemed to have recovered a bit already.

Seeing that, Ian kissed Laritte on the cheek, intending to tease Joshua.

“Aaaauuuhhhhh!”

Needless to say, the child got even more angry. He wiggled his little arms as if to tell Ian not to kiss his mother. Still, everyone knew how weak a little baby’s gestures were and Ian continued to press his hot lips against Laritte’s cheek.

Joshua’s voice grew louder.

While he couldn’t understand, Ian preached to Joshua.

“A person must win his love with his own strength. If you feel unfair, go beyond father first.”

“Oh no, dear friend. Isn’t that too harsh for a son whose father is a sword master?”

Though what was wrong with him watching the couple in front of him? Oscar swallowed his tears and drank the tea.

He was lonely today.

The conversation between the Emperor of the Empire that occupied the entire continent and the Ducal couple was like this…

So many years later

It may be short… but it was also long enough for a crawling baby to stand on his feet and scream, ‘I love you.’ A small foot bobbled across the hallway of the mansion of Duke Reinhardt, which was as clean and splendid as before.

“Mother…!”

A pleasant voice came out of his mouth.

Before anyone knew it, Joshua was so tall that his head reached Laritte’s thighs. Thanks to his rapid growth, he was able to run, albeit clumsily.

Joshua Reinhardt bore a striking resemblance to his mother. His straight silver-haired hair reached below his eyebrows, and his skin was pale. However, it was right to say that his atmosphere was the exact opposite of Laritte’s. It was thanks to Ian’s fierce eyes.

Such a child jumped into her skirt.

“Mother, mother. This, look.”

His fierce eyes turned into angels in front of Laritte.

“….”

There was another person who looked at that pretense and wrinkled his face.

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