Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 266

The New Year’s Ball was a grand event where every noble of the empire gathered before His Majesty the Emperor to reaffirm their loyalty. It was an event more magnificent and resplendent than any other, but equally as heavy and burdensome.

That was why I never had any real desire to attend despite my curiosity about the event. After all, I’d be obliged to go whether I wanted to or not once I inherited the title.

I heard that some people attended willingly to expand their network, but I always imagined myself living quietly on our territory even after becoming a baron. My father understood this, so he never even suggested going to the capital for such an event.

So this is what it’s like.

But I ended up attending the New Year’s Ball this year. It wasn’t because my father pushed me, but because I wanted to. The look of surprise on his face when I suddenly expressed my desire to attend was priceless.

Well, technically, it was Lady Marghetta’s suggestion that swayed me, so maybe it was more of her will than mine?

Whatever, it doesn’t matter.

Whether it was my decision or hers, the fact remained that this was my first time attending the New Year’s Ball. So, I might as well take in the sights while I was here. If I was going to attend, then I might as well make the most of it.

As I was glancing around while thinking that, something cold suddenly touched my cheek.

“Eeek—!”

“Ahaha. Did I scare you?”

Startled, I turned to see Irina standing beside me, smiling mischievously while holding a small glass.

“You must be thirsty. Here, drink this. It’s juice, not wine, so don’t worry.”

Irina handed me the glass she had pressed against my cheek. It was so cold that frost had formed on the surface. Even though it was warm inside, wasn’t pressing something that cold against me in the middle of winter a bit cruel?

“You could’ve handed it over normally.”

“Well, you seemed so distracted.”

I grumbled a bit, but I couldn’t deny her playful laughter. Although I’d never planned to attend this event, I had always been curious. Everything around me was new—new faces and a new place. How could I not be a little distracted?

Besides, this was the imperial palace. Even high-ranking nobles didn’t get to visit unless it was for the New Year’s Ball. So, it was only natural to be fascinated.

“...Was it that obvious?”

“Yeah, totally.”

It was embarrassing to realize that I must’ve looked like a country girl overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all. Well, I did come from the countryside, so I guess that wasn’t too far from the truth.

“I was the same earlier. It’s fine once you get used to it.”

Sensing my slight embarrassment, Irina gave me a reassuring smile and patted my shoulder. She admitted that she’d been just as awestruck when she first arrived, but she felt more at ease now after looking around a bit.

Her kind reassurance only made me feel more self-conscious. After all, my reaction was probably even worse than I thought if she had to comfort me.

“That’s a relief...”

Still, I couldn’t dismiss her kindness, so I pretended to feel better.

...Right. I wasn’t here for sightseeing. I came to show off my connection with oppa and not to have fun.

Deciding to stop gawking at everything, I lowered my gaze and sipped the juice. Just then, Lady Marghetta came up and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s perfectly normal to feel this way on your first visit. I was the same, so don’t worry too much, Lady Louise.”

“Ah, senior.”

“Sorry to interrupt your fun, but may I join you two? It’s getting a bit dull over there.”

I immediately understood why she said it was boring after looking over to where Lady Marghetta had been. The elders of three noble families were huddled together, deep in conversation. Even for someone like her, it wasn’t exactly a crowd she could easily slip into. Ŗ

“Besides, Carl is heading over here, too.”

And just like that, a noble slipped in a discreet favor request, sparking a sudden shift in the conversation.

“Thank you for your kind words. Should I start looking forward to it?”

“Of course. I’ll send enough to meet your expectations and more.”

All eyes darted to my hand as soon as the words left his mouth, specifically the ring. If stares could physically affect objects, my hand might have disappeared by now.

It’s begun.

I almost let out a bitter laugh as I felt the weight of those expectant gazes. Up until now, the nobles had been cautiously greeting me, playing a game of polite indifference. But now, they were making their moves.

For these older nobles, discussing the marriage of a much younger nobleman was a delicate subject to bring up first. But once one person breaks the ice, the rest were quick to follow.

“It’s about time the Executive Manager had a partner. It’s undoubtedly a blessing for the empire.”

“Indeed. And that match is none other than the treasure of the Valentis.”

Hearing the word ‘treasure’, the Iron-blooded Duke’s lips twitched ever so slightly.

Others may not have noticed or they pretended not to, but I definitely saw it. That man was secretly pleased with the idea of Marghetta being called a ‘jewel.’

“Congratulations, Your Grace. Where could one find a son-in-law as perfect as the Executive Manager?”

The Duke responded gruffly to the well-timed congratulatory remark.

“Congratulate him, not me. After all, where else would he find a wife like Mar?”

“Haha, that’s true. It seems I was too shortsighted.”

The nobles laughed in agreement at the Iron-blooded Duke’s words, which were brimming with fatherly affection. The Duke’s love for his daughter, especially his youngest, was well-known, so it was only natural that the nobles would respond this way. Any other reaction might have embarrassed the one offering the congratulations.

The key point here was that the Duke didn’t deny the idea of me being his son-in-law. With that, I had now become an officially recognized part of the Valenti family.

“I feel the same way. She’s far too good for me.”

I added a comment of my own, and I saw the corners of the Iron-blooded Duke’s mouth lift even further.

“I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to have found six such people.”

The Duke’s expression didn’t change even though my choice of words was risky.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem bothered by the fact that I had multiple wives. It seemed that he was more than satisfied as long as Marghetta held the title of the first wife.

Well, I suppose it was only fair. After all, he had multiple wives himself. It would be hypocritical to hold me to a different standard.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

His next words, however, caught me completely off guard.

“But remember this: while you may have six wives, to her, you are the only one.”

Then, the crowd on my right began to part, almost like the parting of the Red Sea, along with a familiar voice.

To part a crowd through sheer presence—it could only be another Duke.

“How have you been, baby?”

The sight of the Mage Duchess smiling at me made my lips twitch.

What would happen if I called her Beatrix right here...?