Chapter 17
The vassals stared at Lucero with trembling eyes, as if they couldn’t believe what they had just heard.
“Your Grace… surely that day isn’t—”
“It can’t possibly be the young lady’s birthday, can it?”
“Haha… perhaps we misheard—”
“Yes. My daughter’s birthday. Do you have a complaint?”
Lucero smiled faintly, as if inviting them to speak up if they dared.
“Haha, a complaint? Since it was decided by Your Grace, who would dare object?”
“Exactly! What fool would dare? If there were such a person, his head would’ve been—”
“Your Grace, this is unfair— mmph!”
“Haha, Baron Kesha must not be feeling well. Your Grace, you must be busy, so perhaps you should be on your way.”
The vassals wiped sweat from their foreheads as they carefully watched Lucero’s expression.
Seemingly pleased with their attitude, Lucero spoke in a mild tone.
“Very well. Report to His Majesty that it will be January 19.”
With that, Lucero calmly left the conference room.
Bang.
As soon as the door shut, Baron Kesha slapped Baron Blendy’s hand away and burst out,
“Tch! Are you all in your right minds?”
“Baron Kesha, do you have three lives? When His Grace smiles like that, it means he’ll remember exactly who spoke. Who would dare object openly?”
“That’s right! Baron Kesha, if you oppose him here, you’ll end up in paperwork hell again like last time! I still remember it vividly! Every time we thought we were done, His Grace handed us more documents and told us to keep going!”
“Exactly! Thinking about drowning in endless piles of paperwork before finally going home… ugh.”
“And do you know what my son said when I finally got home? ‘Mister, who are you?’ He said that to me! My own child didn’t recognize my face!”
As the vassals vented in agitated voices, Baron Kesha clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk. No wonder His Grace looks down on us! Just wait. I won’t back down so easily.”
Baron Kesha’s eyes flashed as he clenched his fist.
‘Yawn, I’m sleepy.’
Was I getting drowsy? After lunch, I couldn’t stop yawning.
By the time I finished eating in Dana’s arms, it was already afternoon.
“Miss has eaten well, so shall we take a nap?”
Noticing my condition, Dana suggested it gently.
‘Should I?’
“Babies are supposed to eat and then nap.”
Come to think of it, she was right. I’m a baby, so it’s fine if I nap, right?
“Uu! (Okay, I’ll sleep!)”
“Yes, I’ll lay you in the cradle.”
Dana placed me in the cradle and began singing a lullaby. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard someone call out—
“Miss!”
“Kyaa! (You startled me!)”
I turned toward the voice. It was Molly.
“Molly! Can’t you see the young lady is about to nap?”
“Oh, I’m sorry! I ran over because there’s important news… I forgot it was her nap time.”
‘Important news?’
My sleepiness vanished instantly.
“Molly, what is it?”
Dana asked while patting me gently. Molly replied in an excited tone.
“It’s finally been decided! The date for the Granato banquet!”
“Is it certain this time? It’s been changed five times already.”
“Yes, it’s certain! This time, the Duke himself decided.”
At the mention of Lucero deciding personally, Dana’s face brightened.
“Really? If His Grace decided… could it be the young lady’s birthday?”
‘Huh? My birthday?’
I tilted my head.
‘It shouldn’t be… it should be eldest brother’s birthday…?’
Curious, I grabbed the edge of the cradle and pulled myself up. Molly met my eyes.
“Oh my, Miss! Aren’t you going to nap?”
“U! (No!)”
The banquet news had fully woken me up.
“That won’t do, Miss. Babies need their naps.”
“Si-u! (I don’t want to!)”
“But still…”
Dana looked worried, but there was no helping it.
‘I’m completely awake already….’
If I were still drowsy it would be different, but now I was wide awake.
“Alright, I’ll take you out again.”
“U. (Okay.)”
Dana sighed and lifted me from the cradle. Sensing the mood, Molly quickly spoke to lighten the atmosphere.
“It seems the young lady already sensed it!”
“Mmu? (Sensed what?)”
“Just like Dana said, the Granato banquet will be held on your birthday!”
Molly shook a rattle excitedly.
“At last, it’s time to present our young lady to the world!”
Dana’s face lit up as well.
“Oh my, that’s wonderful news! You’re happy too, aren’t you, Miss?”
‘Wait… my birthday?’
“Congratulations, Miss!”
Molly and Dana congratulated me.
“?”
‘What did I just hear?’
This isn’t a joke, right?
My heart felt unsettled.
‘Originally, it was supposed to be held on January 10… but now it’s set for my birthday?’
I could hardly believe it, but judging by their expressions, they weren’t lying.
‘Did things change because I was born?’
Come to think of it, they hadn’t anticipated the variable called “me.”
‘What should I do from now on?’
Maybe because this wasn’t the future I knew, a vague anxiety crept in.
‘Is it okay to be happy about this?’
I couldn’t rejoice wholeheartedly. It felt as if I had taken an opportunity that should have gone to Iello.
It was a strange feeling.
‘But… I’m a member of the Granato family too.’
In a way, it made sense. I’m a direct descendant as well.
‘Right. What could possibly happen?’
Once should be fine.
‘It’s my first birthday, so it’s probably just this once!’
My thoughts gradually settled.
‘Yes. It’ll probably pass quietly like any other celebration. Nothing will happen, right?’
Having reached that conclusion, I smiled brightly, feeling happy. The Granato banquet didn’t seem like a big deal.
But at that time, I didn’t know.
That news of my birthday would spread beyond the Empire—and even to foreign nations.
The Diamante Imperial Palace.
In the imperial lobby, shimmering with brilliant gold, a man stood waiting.
“This place hasn’t changed at all.”
Lucero muttered as he looked around the palace interior, as if lost in memories.
Just then—
“It has been a long time, Duke Lucero.”
A man approached and greeted him respectfully.
“Yes. It has been a while, Chief Chamberlain. Has everything been well?”
Lucero greeted him warmly.
“There is always something happening. The Imperial Palace is like that.”
The chief chamberlain smiled gently.
“I suppose that’s true. I came to see His Majesty today.”
“Yes, Sir Plio informed us. I will announce your arrival.”
After speaking, the chief chamberlain entered the audience chamber.
“Your Majesty, Duke Lucero Rune Granato requests an audience!”
“Let him enter.”
With the Emperor’s permission, Lucero stepped inside.
Seated at the head was a man with lustrous golden hair and deep violet eyes, resting his chin on his hand.
“I greet the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor.”
Lucero bowed formally.
“Raise your head, Duke.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With permission granted, Lucero lifted his head and met Emperor Louis’s gaze.
“Well then, Duke. What brings you here?”
“I have come regarding the banquet, Your Majesty.”
At the mention of the banquet, Louis looked puzzled.
“The banquet? Was it not already set for January 19?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“You insisted on it repeatedly six months ago. Why have you come again?”
Lucero answered honestly.
“Today, I came to deceive the vassals, Your Majesty.”
“To deceive them? What do you mean?”
“They were so insistent on their own opinions that I simply played along.”
Louis looked incredulous.
“Duke, did you just use me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Louis’s pupils shook.
“For such a trivial reason… you came to see me?”
“Yes.”
“At least… make an excuse, Duke.”
“How could I dare lie before Your Majesty?”
Louis shook his head.
“You’re as bold as ever.”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”
Though Louis found him audacious, he couldn’t truly dislike him. After all, Lucero was his only cousin.
“Very well. That’s good to hear. Duke, are the children growing well?”
The Emperor asked casually.
“Yes. They are growing very well, Your Majesty.”
At that, the Emperor’s expression softened.
“It feels like just yesterday they were babies… and now you’re the father of three.”
Lucero frowned slightly.
“Your Majesty, this is a formal setting.”
“What of it? We’re cousins.”
“Even so, there are eyes watching.”
“Hah, how cold. When you were little, I changed your diapers.”
“Yes, yes. Your Majesty personally carried me on your back.”
“Your aunt brought you every time she visited the palace.”
“Yes, I’m well aware. You always looked after me.”
“Of course. You were my only cousin.”
“I am no longer a child, so please stop treating me like one, Your Majesty.”
“In my eyes, you still are.”
“Your Majesty!”
Lucero complained irritably.
The chief chamberlain nearby stiffened at his disrespect, but the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
“Haha, very well. I’ll stop. Since you’re here, shall I grant you a favor?”
“A favor?”
At that word, Lucero’s eyes sharpened.
“Any favor, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, if it’s reasonable.”
“Then please promise you will grant it.”
“Let me hear it first—”
“You must grant it, Your Majesty.”
Lucero pressed firmly. Louis swallowed.
“Fine. Speak. If it’s reasonable, I’ll grant it.”
With permission given, Lucero opened his mouth.
