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Historically, the empire had always been the heart of the continent, and in its heart was the capital. The capital represented not just the continent of its time but also served as proof of Heaven’s mandate. Today’s capital, Ausen, was a city where the lights never dimmed, remaining a shining symbol of prosperity and glory.

Even the usually quiet district of noble residences warmed up, preparing to welcome back their long-absent owners.

“Meeting the Executive Manager as soon as I arrive in the capital is a pleasant surprise.”

Just like now.

“I’m glad I could bring you joy, my lord.”

I respectfully bowed my head to Marquis Iones, whose face practically radiated happiness. He seemed to be even more pleased after seeing my gesture.

So this is how we meet.

It was an awkward situation—meeting my future father-in-law in my lover’s house. However, calling this a surprise attack by the Marquis would be a stretch.

While the 1st Manager often used this mansion as if it were her own house, the true owner was still the Marquis. It wasn’t unusual for him to visit his own home.

The issue was that this meeting wasn’t planned. The 1st Manager hadn’t mentioned anything, so I assumed we’d meet later and not today of all days.

What a sneaky move.

I glanced at the 1st Manager, who awkwardly avoided my gaze. I wondered what was going on when she insisted that we have lunch at her mansion, but now I see that it was all for this surprise.

Her evasive behavior made it obvious. She must have known that the Marquis was coming, but she kept her mouth shut because she was afraid that I would refuse her invitation if I knew he was coming. In the first place, the 1st Manager was the type of person who would have made a scene and given the Marquis an earful if our lunch date was interrupted.

Honestly, it wouldn’t have bothered me either way.

I looked at the 1st Manager with a hint of pity. Meeting the Marquis a bit earlier than expected wasn’t a big deal, especially since we’d see each other at the New Year’s Ball anyway. It wasn’t like the Marquis harbored any ill feelings toward me, unlike the Iron-Blooded Duke; if anything, we were quite amicable.

In private, I was his daughter’s superior. In public, I was the civil servant who thoroughly dismantled the Asilon family, which had been a long-time rival of the Iones family. Naturally, the Marquis would see me in a favorable light after his family benefited from the downfall of their rival.

“So, how does it feel to finally meet your future son-in-law?”

The 1st Manager, who had been silent until now, slyly linked arms with me and spoke up. From the Marquis’s perspective, it must’ve been disconcerting to see his precious daughter so affectionate with some scoundrel, but his expression remained warm.

No, it was more than that—he looked as if a lifelong dream had just come true.

“Indeed. Seeing my daughter finally find her match makes me so happy that it brings tears to my eyes.”

His heartfelt words left me and even the 1st Manager momentarily speechless.

It was a short statement, but it was packed with all the anxiety and heartache the Marquis must have endured. Even a cold-hearted soldier would be moved to tears after hearing those words.

And it was also understandable. I was already at the tail end of the marriageable age at 21, so imagine how much more anxious the Marquis must have been about his daughter. I bet he started worrying when she turned 20, and by now, he might have been tearing his hair out due to anxiety.

On top of that, his daughter worked in the Prosecutors’ Office, a job that likely made him afraid that she’d never marry. Perhaps he had even resigned himself to the possibility that she might remain forever single.

“I worried so much when she didn’t find a partner, but it was worth it if all that time was just preparation to meet you, Executive Manager.”

But now, the Marquis seemed to have let go of all that anxiety and despair. Even though his daughter had spent many years without a partner, he seemed to think it was all worth it if it meant securing an SSR-grade husband in the end.

“Thank you, Executive Manager. I’m truly grateful you didn’t forget my request.”

“Pardon?”

The Marquis, overcome with emotion, grasped my hand with trembling fingers. However, his words took me by surprise.

A request? I had hardly ever met the Marquis, let alone received any requests from him. The only thing he had ever asked me was to look after his daughter—

…?

No way.

Was his request back then to take care of her not as her superior, but as a man?

“Though I’ve lived a life without much to regret, the one thing that has always weighed on my heart is my daughter.”

Luckily or unluckily, the Marquis didn’t pay attention to my puzzled reaction and instead continued to speak from a father’s perspective. It seemed that despite his noble status, prosperous family, and children who had grown up well, his one concern was his daughter, who hadn’t yet found a partner.

Even the 1st Manager lowered her gaze, unsure how to respond to the Marquis’s tearful confession. It was clear that she had a soft spot for her family. She would have brushed it off if anyone else had said that, insisting that everyone was responsible for their own life.

“It’s a pity she won’t be your first wife, but I trust you’ll treat her well.”

“I’ll do my best to live up to your trust.”

Hearing my words, the Marquis gave me a warm smile and patted my hand several times.

This felt strange. Encountering this gentler father-in-law after dealing with the fiery temper of the Iron-Blooded Duke was rather disorienting…

And there are two more.

I nearly closed my eyes at the thought of my other fathers-in-law. One was a baron whom I had never met, while the other was a count who almost lost his entire family because of me.

This New Year’s Ball was going to be intense.

***I returned with my hands full thanks to the Marquis, who couldn’t bear to send me off empty-handed. Though the gifts were small in size, their value was heavy. Perhaps it was because the Marquis’s family was one of the top families in the empire, but who would just casually hand over land deeds over a meal?

The Iron-Blooded Duke had stuffed my wallet full with the dowry, so I was starting to wonder if nobles these days expressed their feelings through real estate. This trend was a little scary. I’d probably be cleaned out of everything I had saved once my own children got married.

“Isn’t it a relief that you’re a beloved son-in-law?”

“Given my position, it does make me a bit self-conscious.”

I replied playfully to Marghetta, who spoke with a smile.

Still, there was some truth in my words. As the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office, I had received many ‘friendship fees’ from various nobles, but those were usually delivered through convoluted channels. It was rare for me to receive anything so directly, so it almost felt like I had accepted something I shouldn’t have.

It was a good thing that I had the experience of receiving the dowry from the Iron-Blooded Duke. If I hadn’t, I might have refused the Marquis’s goodwill out of sheer pressure.

“Fufu, you’ll have to get used to it. In-laws always want to dote on a dependable son-in-law.”

It almost sounded like she was saying, ‘You’d better brace yourself now that you have four in-laws.’

…But she wasn’t wrong. As long as it wasn’t outright corruption, it was common for family members to exchange favors. When something came up, the first people anyone would think of were their family, and when you acquired something good, you would naturally want to share it with them—something like that.

“Yes, I suppose so. After all, I’m a noble first before I’m a civil servant.”

Not a civil servant who followed orders mechanically, but a noble who shifted alliances depending on the interests of my family and territory.

I couldn’t really shed my title as a civil servant—or maybe I didn’t want to—but being a noble was something I was born into. With the Krasius name attached to me, I needed to get used to how nobles handled their marriages.

“I’m sure Carl will get used to it in no time.”

“Thank you for the kind words.”

I smiled at Marghetta’s words and glanced around the room.

It was just a simple meal, with servants discreetly standing by in case there was anything we needed. However, something was different: Louise and Irina, who were supposed to join us for the meal, were absent. Without them, the atmosphere definitely felt strange.

But it couldn’t be helped. Louise’s father, Baron Artini, and Irina’s father, Count Flanbell, had come to the capital. As fathers, how could they not be hurt if their daughters didn’t stop by to greet them when they were nearby? Besides, neither Louise nor Irina was cold-hearted enough to ignore their family.

“Are you feeling lonely already?”

Noticing my gaze, Marghetta let out a small laugh and asked. I guess my stare was a bit too obvious. How embarrassing.

“Well, of course. It feels strange when even a familiar object goes missing, let alone a person.”

I didn’t see any point in denying it, so I answered honestly. After all, we were talking about people who weren’t just an acquaintance, but lovers with whom I had exchanged rings with. Denying it would be even stranger.

“Make sure to say that at the New Year’s Ball. They’ll both love it.”

“If I forget to, then Marghetta can say it for me.”

Marghetta still laughed even though it was a rather dull joke. It only went to show that it wasn’t the joke but the person telling it that mattered.

The New Year’s Ball, huh.

My thoughts drifted to the upcoming New Year’s Ball while watching Marghetta. Louise and Irina weren’t just going home to see their families—they were also planning to attend the New Year’s Ball.

It’s not exactly a fun event, though.

Having attended the ball before, I wanted to talk them out of it. Sure, it might be grand and magnificent with all the nobility gathered and the Emperor making an appearance, but it wasn’t something young ladies would enjoy.

It was no wonder that the children of nobility who came to the capital with their families often held separate gatherings. If they wanted to have fun, then I would recommend going to one of those parties instead.

However, Marghetta had been quite insistent about attending the New Year’s Ball.

“The fact that the Mage Duchess and I are associated with you is bound to spread rumors, whether we do anything or not. The same goes for you and your subordinates since you’re civil servants who operate in the capital.”

“But Louise and Irina are still at the Academy, so the rumors about them are more limited. Of course, the news will spread if the students inform their families, but it won’t be as impactful as seeing them in person.”

“So this is an opportunity—a chance to proudly display your connections in front of the assembled nobility.”

A few days ago during dinner, Marghetta had made a compelling argument for attending. Her words were so convincing that Louise and Irina listened as if enchanted by her words.

She wasn’t wrong. And to be honest, given that Naird was a relatively modest barony and that Yorun was more focused on the northern regions than central politics, neither family wielded much influence in high society. Simply staying at the Academy wouldn’t effectively convey their deep relations with me.

“To do this perfectly, it would be best for us to attend not only the New Year’s Ball but also the gatherings hosted by the young nobles…”

“…I’ll think about it. Let’s get through the New Year’s Ball first.”

With that kind of reasoning, what argument could I make? It was basically a warning: ‘If those two don’t attend the New Year’s Ball, you’ll have no choice but to go to the young nobles’ gatherings.’

“Don’t worry too much. While I’m not as experienced as you, I have attended the ball before. I’ll do my best to help.”

Marghetta had also added, announcing her intent to participate and leaving me no room to argue.

This New Year’s Ball was really shaping up to be something…