Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 146

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 146

“So, since my brother is lower in rank, he offended Great-Aunt, right? In cases like this, the most honorable thing to offer is red or gold. But gold is the color of the Imperial Family, so no one but His Majesty can use it carelessly. That leaves red. If she were a woman like me, jewels like Garnet or Ruby would work fine, but for a man, it’s typically prey he’s hunted himself….”
“Eh? Prey? Does that mean he has to spill blood or something?”
The Emperor’s face, which had hoped to simply bring some common object lying around and wrap up the matter easily, crumpled like a steamed bun.
“Well, after hearing Great-Aunt’s words, I looked through books out of curiosity. If you win the Hunting Competition held in summer, you receive various prizes, but the Red Hawk Tail Feather is given, right? So if he offers that, there’s apparently a custom where superiors acknowledge that he’s restored his honor.”
The Emperor glanced at the Chief Chamberlain, who nodded in confirmation. Not a lie. It’s all listed in the books compiling Imperial customs.
The Emperor could have easily reinstated Brian to the Imperial Palace as things stood. After all, he’d apologized publicly, and Valentina had forgiven him, however informally.
But the Emperor himself had stated he wouldn’t reinstate Brian while Valentina remained in the Palace. He wanted to make it so that Valentina would step forward and insist, “I’ve let go of my anger. Bring Brian back.”
Yet his pride wouldn’t allow him to summon Valentina directly and ask, “What can I do to earn your formal forgiveness?” So he’d expected to test the waters with an easier target—but it seemed…..
Was this why the Emperor sent a gift using Queen Cleo as an excuse?
I could almost hear the gears turning in the Emperor’s mind.
What if Brian didn’t win? What if Lisianthus or Raymond entered and won instead? What if he started the whole thing only to do someone else a favor? The “changed” Brian was clearly not much use in a hunt. But then I’d noticed he hadn’t yet shown the Emperor his hunting skill….
I became a good daughter and carefully opened my mouth to ease the Emperor’s worry.
“Um, Your Majesty. I have something I’m worried about….”
“Hmm? Worried? What troubles you?”
“I’ve imposed so much trouble on the Castrain Family while holding the Dedication Ceremony in the Southern Region….”
The Emperor clicked his tongue watching me hem and haw.
“Hmm, well, I heard things spiraled beyond your control, but you did your best in many ways, didn’t you? Besides, the Dedication Ceremony is genuinely Imperial business, so it’s only natural that you help as a noble of the Empire. It’s no burden.”
“Yes. But Magic Beasts attacked, and people were very anxious about it all. Actually, I overheard Illian mention that if they held the Northern Dedication Ceremony early, it would put people’s minds at ease.”
“But isn’t that only supposed to be held in winter? If we move it up this time, what about next time?”
“I can go again. Since the commotion at the Southern ceremony seems to be my fault, I’d be happy to put in a little extra effort to reassure people. I heard there’s no real problem with adjusting the timing slightly or holding two consecutive ceremonies in a short span.”
“Is that so?”
The Emperor’s initial response was lukewarm, but in the next moment, as if something occurred to him, he fell into thought.
The Dedication Ceremony held in the Northern Region every winter is an event the Castrain Family considers supremely important.
In other words, Raymond and Lisianthus, whom the Emperor views as hunting rivals, have a very high chance of attending that gathering.
My original plan, as I’d told Raymond, was to complete my debut season in the Capital, then depart the Imperial Palace with Valentina and Elaine. But if this happened, there’d be no clear reason for the Emperor to grant permission for something that benefited the Castrain Family—advancing the Northern Dedication Ceremony. And I had no idea which tactics Queen Cleo might employ.
The confusion among the Empire’s people? The safety of the Castrain Family’s Northern Barrier, which might be affected by whatever had gone wrong in the South?
If he actually cared about such things, he wouldn’t be sitting here favoring that damned Emperor, whose brain seemed stuffed with dry straw like Brian.
“Hmm, Titania. The Young Duke of the Castrain Family seems to hold you in quite high regard lately.”
“Ever since I happened to rescue his youngest daughter, yes, that’s true.”
“You just returned from the Southern Region—aren’t you tired?”
“Oh, that fatigue’s long gone! And I’m even holding my debut season on top of it all.”
I kept my voice bright throughout, as though I didn’t understand what the Emperor was probing at.
“I see. The south is distant from here, but the north is even farther. Have you given any thought to when and how you’ll go?”
“Ah yes! When Valentina leaves the Imperial Palace, she’ll be traveling with Elaine, right? I was thinking I’d go down with them to see them off, then head north separately. Why do you ask?”
“Well, that’s a fine plan, but…. Don’t you need some intimate time with your betrothed?”
I opened my eyes wide.
Right—I understood the scheme to drive the proud sons of the Castrain Family from the Capital and open a Hunting Competition to rig it so Brian won. I understood the thinking that since I’d brought up wanting to go, he’d send me off without much resistance. But using the excuse of “spend alone time with your betrothed” now…..
“Eh? With Raymond? I’d really love to, but….”
“Yes. This time things grew complicated and he came along anyway. In a few years you’ll marry regardless—visiting the Castrain lands early seems like a sound idea. Don’t you agree?”
“But Raymond must be very busy…?”
“Busy or not, his betrothed is going far north to handle important business. And it’s his own Family’s most important affair at that. He’d hardly abandon you. If he’s too busy, well…. He can have Lisianthus escort you instead.”
“Your Majesty! You’re not planning to throw me alone with that man, are you?!”
Remembering the Rose Palace fire incident, I let out a sharp cry, and the Emperor made a soothing gesture. Whether Raymond went or Lisianthus went, I would be leaving. And given that the Castrain sons didn’t interact much with other noble families normally, there was virtually no chance they’d bother entering a Hunting Competition where Brian was expected to compete. He seemed to have calculated all this in that short moment.
“No, no. He’ll be family before long anyway. You two traveled together this time anyway, didn’t you? You’re a proper lady now that you’ve debuted, so just overlook such foolishness from that simpleton. You wanted to go anyway, didn’t you?”
“Well, yes, but….”
“Why drag it out when it’s a good thing? The weather’s decent in high summer—just go and come back quickly.”
“…But still, this is my debut season, and I….”
No matter how badly the Emperor wanted to ship Titania off to the Castrain lands and seal it with “This betrothal absolutely stands,” I had to inwardly grimace at this absurd plan to send a freshly debuted girl so far away.
This man really deserves to have everything he’s done come back to haunt him.
“Valentina would be your chaperone, so someone must accompany you on such a journey. But she’s getting on in years, and her health isn’t what it was. How could she follow you to such a cold land?”
“….”
To me, making no effort to hide my gloom, the Emperor spoke in a soothing tone.
“Yes. Must you mind propriety only this year? When you return, I’ll hold the grand ball you desire. Whatever else you want, I’ll grant it all.”
“Then, Your Majesty….”
I smiled shyly and spoke what I truly wanted. The Emperor’s eyes widened slightly.

* * *

“Are you insane?”
Pan, whom I’d successfully contacted through Hecate’s Tavern, looked at me with a dark expression. He seemed physically fine—apparently the Air Cushion I’d created with wind had worked well that time. Then again, a mage of his caliber should be able to save himself from any predicament.
I whistled low and took in the surroundings. The Underground Tavern, used as one of the meeting points for Hecate’s Tavern contacts in the Capital, was reasonably cozy and empty. We’d arranged to meet in a separated room anyway. I shrugged watching Pan pound the table with his fists in frustration.
“You push me away like that and then contact me like this?! What?!”
“Let’s go on a long business trip together. See your disciple. Look for that object. Find a treatment method.”
“My disciple?! You want to see Rasper? Heh, really. Listen, Princess. The story I heard then was surprising, and yes, I can believe this “God’s Contractor” thing. But if you think I’m some servant summoned at the snap of a God’s Contractor’s fingers, you’re in for a shock. I only came out today because someone stuck a Dagger at my bedside while I slept….”
“Yep.”
If left alone, Pan would spend all day hammering at me like a woodpecker. I took the pouch Debbie handed me and tossed it onto the table.
Thunk. Tap.
Clatter clatter clatter.
Pan’s eyes bulged.
“They’re all Gold Coins.”
Golden coins spilled from the pouch and tumbled across the table.
Clink clink clink.
Pan hastily caught a Gold Coin that was falling under the table. Looking at the glimmering gold, I spoke.
“So what were you saying a moment ago?”
“…That we need to work out the detailed contract terms more carefully! Hiring a mage as talented as me requires proper compensation!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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