Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Young Gold Duke? (3)

In the end, it had come to this.

"Crown Prince."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I quickly bowed in response to the Emperor's call. I could guess why I was summoned, but I had no choice but to go. This was a situation that required my utmost humility.

"It's hard to get a glimpse of the Crown Prince. You only ever come after I call."

"My apologies, Your Majesty."

His voice was low, but the oppression it carried made me bow even deeper.

The Emperor's comment was not a warm wish for more frequent visits but a criticism of my tardiness.

I should have known better.

I had indeed been too relaxed about the recent developments. I thought that it would take at least two to three years for a new familial faction centered around the Executive Manager to emerge.

Of course, I hadn’t simply decided to sit back and watch for the next two or three years. At the very least, I had planned to start devising countermeasures and report to the Emperor this week.

However, the Mage Duchess had unexpectedly turned the tables.

Who would have thought she’d broadcast it everywhere?

The thought of the mages of the Magic Tower spreading gossip everywhere was almost laughable.

The Mage Duchess had first revealed her unrequited love at the Crown Princess’s birthday party. So, I assumed that she wanted the attendees to spread the word quietly among themselves and not that she would do it herself.

It wasn’t planned, but rather impulsive.

I had misjudged her. I thought the Mage Duchess, of all people, would have meticulously planned it.

But this looked more like the reckless act of someone blinded by love. If this was indeed a planned move, then I would quickly renounce my claim to the throne and live in the wilderness or something. I wasn't confident I could handle such schemes.

Regardless, the Mage Duchess’s impulsive act had caused a major stir in the empire. While the construction of a familial faction was still a long way off, her dramatic actions were already starting to cause the social circles to factor in the future familial powers.

It’s over.

If it had already taken effect, then it was as good as done. Once everyone believed it to be inevitable, then it would become so.

Two or three years left? Nonsense, it ended before two days had passed and before I could even prepare.

"The situation is a significant development for the empire, Crown Prince. Prepare thoroughly for this celebration."

"I will heed your words, Your Majesty."

The unprepared Crown Prince should only comply with the emperor's words to avoid his wrath.

Fortunately, the emperor only showed mild displeasure and did not scold me harshly. Instead, he merely advised me to pay attention to the changes brought about by this incident.

Silence followed, but I didn’t dare to leave first. It would be disrespectful to move without the emperor's permission.

"Krasius is a loyal subject."

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

After a pause, the emperor spoke again.

"Ever since Emperor Amanca received the mandate, Krasius has always stood with the imperial family."

I simply nodded at the emperor's words; this was why he could remain relatively calm about the situation.

Because the target of the Mage Duchess’s affections was a Krasius, a member of one of the imperial noble families.

At least there’s that.

The emperor, to put it mildly, was overly cautious; frankly, he was somewhat paranoid. However, even he harbored less suspicion towards the imperial noble families.

Was it because of his trust in his loyal subjects or three hundred years of reliability? It wasn’t because of those warm, sentimental reasons. It was because the imperial family and the imperial noble families were now inseparably intertwined.

Back when the imperial noble families were first established during the early days of Emperor Amanca’s reign, the empire’s political scene was complex and bizarre.

A patchwork nation.

That was the best way to describe it. It wasn’t a complete whole but a forced union of powers.

Many of the official subjects of the Emperor were actually more like allies, just like how the current dukes and counts were.

Of course, Emperor Amanca’s feat of forcibly uniting these disparate groups and passing on a consolidated legacy was truly praiseworthy.

The era of the Gold Duke was horrifying.

Those memories from decades ago made my head throb.

The number of his wives doubled in the blink of an eye. The moment I came to my senses, the Gold Duke had already married twelve women, effectively increasing the number of noble houses linked to him by twelve.

Thinking back to the political turmoil of that time still made me dizzy. The Gold Duke’s influence rapidly grew to become the most dominant force.

Two is manageable.

While it was unfortunate that they were dukes, it was still only two compared to twelve.

It was something to keep an eye on, but not something to worry about.

***

I summoned Lady Louise and Lady Irina to my office. I felt reluctant to order nobility around, but the urgency of the situation left me no choice.

"...That’s what happened."

When I explained what had happened at the banquet, the two young ladies looked at each other as if they were at a loss for words.

I understood. Even I was scared when the Mage Duchess tried to take Carl away, so how must these two feel after hearing about it? They would probably be more bewildered than angry.

And yet, this conversation was necessary. We were allies, after all. Allies who would stand together beside Carl.

We would all be left helplessly stomping our feet if the Mage Duchess decided to monopolize Carl.

"Um, senior... A-about the Mage Duchess, uh..."

Lady Louise finally spoke, but she stuttered as if she were malfunctioning. It was unbecoming for a lady, but it was understandable.

Unlike me, who was part of a ducal house, Louise was just from a barony. She must’ve felt overwhelmed.

Even Lady Irina, who belonged to a higher nobility, seemed intimidated by the title of 'duke.'

"That’s right. She’s one of only five dukes in the empire."

At this, tears welled up in Louise’s eyes.

"And I’m also from one of the five ducal houses."

Irina’s eyes widened in surprise as I spoke confidently.

"Love does not concern itself with status. Even if it did, I am from a ducal family just like the Mage Duchess. I lack nothing compared to her."

Of course I was lacking. How could a member of a ducal family and a duke be the same?

Still, I spoke with confidence, faking assertiveness and nonchalance.

This isn’t just about me anymore.

If I give in, then these two would also drift into the doomed sea.

They entrusted me with their approval, recognizing me as the first wife and accepting whatever came next.

But to surrender that first to someone else, possibly to someone who might monopolize Carl or be patronizing?

That cannot happen. It would be a betrayal to both Lady Louise and Lady Irina.

And to my love and my convictions.

I won’t let Carl be taken away.

Carl was mine. I won’t back down, not even from a duke.

"So don’t worry. We just need to keep moving forward."

I reached out and firmly grasped the hands of Louise and Irina.

"But since an unexpected competitor showed up, we need to hurry."

At this, the young ladies nodded as if entranced.

I smiled slightly, pleased with their reactions. They already held feelings for Carl. Now that a formidable rival had appeared, these two would also show their hearts to him.

With this, there are now three of us.

Not two, but three. One would still be left even if he grabbed each of our hands with each hand.

Even if she was the Mage Duchess, could she really approach Carl when there were three of /genesisforsaken