By Zephyria 
Stars twinkled in the pitch-black sky.
Now, more than half of the seats were empty. It was understandable, as they had waited with ample extra time for the knights even after the scheduled time had ended.
Among the spectators, how many were swordsmen who had their sights set on the sword? I hoped they would gain something from enduring such a long journey.
The VIP seats were no different. The balcony, which had initially been filled with my Blood Kin, now only had Ruben, Michael, Asdel, Lucilla, and Uncle remaining, a total of five people.
“Where did everyone go?”
“Well, they’re all of an age where sitting for too long can be difficult. Mom and Dad said they’d go to the townhouse first with the grandparents. They also asked me to tell you they thought it was amazing.”
“My brother and sister also said they wanted to cheer you on until the end, but their eyes and ears couldn’t take it anymore. Still, they said they enjoyed it. They left with Aunt around dinnertime.”
“Haha, I wonder what they could have possibly seen.”
“Exactly. I thought your brother’s right arm had fallen off.”
“My arm?”
“Yeah. Because it was out of sight for so long. No, even when they replayed the recorded footage, I couldn’t figure out how your arm was moving. You were just standing there, and all the knights who charged at you were sent flying. Ugh. It was a miracle no one broke any bones.”
“I made sure not to injure them.”
“Still, it was brutal. Some of them were foaming at the mouth. I even heard a baby crying somewhere in the middle.”
Did someone bring a child to a place like this?
Still, Ruben, being a Sword Master, must have seen more. I turned my gaze to the child. Ruben smiled faintly and intertwined his hand with mine.
“Ruben, how did you see it?”
“Just… I felt like I still had a long way to go. …Was it fun?”
“Yes.”
Ruben’s eyes held a warm ember.
I almost said that Ruben, as an Administrator, didn’t need to train like the Imperial Knights, but I stopped myself. Was there a need to dissuade a child who had decided they wanted to become strong? The stronger one is, the longer they live, and the more they can experience together in this life. I felt nothing but contentment.
Just then, Uncle, who had been standing silently, suddenly extended his right hand towards me. Confused about what to do, I took his hand and shook it lightly. Why a handshake all of a sudden? As I wondered, Uncle stroked my hand as if it were a Golden Toad and let out a deep sigh.
“I watched well. I think I understand a bit more why you said you still have a long way to go.”
“Was it of some help?”
“Hmm… I had an idea, but I’ll tell you if it doesn’t work out.”
“Yes. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Lucilla, who had been slumped beside us, flapped her arms and made a fuss.
“Ah, enough of all that! I’m starving to death, so let’s eat something!”
“Yes? You haven’t eaten yet?”
“If His Majesty the King Consort is starving while working, how can we eat? They’ll be sending off the visitors soon, so we’ll have some free time. I asked them to prepare it late on purpose, so let’s go to my palace. Would Duke Valentia be alright with that?”
“Yes. I would be honored.”
Who would refuse an offer of food? I readily got into the waiting Carriage and headed for Peridot Palace.
All the food served at Lucilla’s palace was oily, salty, and spicy. Chunks of juicy meat filled the table in various kinds. Even the vegetables were either lightly blanched or stir-fried until tender, melting in the mouth without getting caught on the tongue. It seemed Lucilla lived on food like this, reminiscent of Sichuan cuisine.
Thinking about how we often ate less seasoned food at Crystal Palace to suit Ruben’s palate, it seemed the food served at each palace reflected the owner’s taste. I was a little surprised that two children from the same womb could have such different tastes.
Still, most of the food was delicious. It was good enough that even my Blood Kin, who didn’t usually enjoy such rich food, ate without complaint. Considering the complete absence of seafood from the menu, it seemed like a thoughtful spread.
The only one who couldn’t properly eat was Ruben. I picked out a few less spicy dishes for him, but he still picked at his food. I wondered if Lucilla had played some trick again, but seeing Lucilla sighing as she watched Ruben choose his food, it didn’t seem like she had deliberately tried to make him suffer.
Michael no longer glared at me with half-closed eyes when I took care of Ruben. Instead, he kept trying to take care of Rubel himself.
Rubel, having eaten a few dishes Michael had picked out, replied that they were delicious and smiled brightly. However, seeing him secretly rinse his mouth with water, I felt great pity and sadness.
Honestly, Michael has no sense of delicate flavors. I don’t know who he takes after.
“Now you’re acting like Grandfather.”
“…No, no, it’s not like that. I’m just concerned because we’re close. Right, Ruben hyung?”
“Of course. Hael takes such good care of me.”
“I will take care of my wife, so you don’t need to trouble yourself.”
“…”
“Why?”
“No, no. It’s fine… Do as you were doing…”
Lucilla, watching the scene, was about to throw her cutlery again, so I stopped her. Instead, I gave her permission to laugh out loud, and she guffawed until tears streamed down her face. At first, she seemed to be conscious of Uncle, but later, they paid no mind to each other.
After finishing the meal, everyone sat with a cup of tea that suited their taste. The streets were still very congested.
There were so many people that the carriages were lined up on the road and couldn’t move forward. Since both horses and people were suffering, we decided to stay together until dawn, when the carriages could move freely.
Everyone relaxed their tired bodies and chatted leisurely.
“Speaking of which, how many people are attending the Imperial Conference?”
“The registered number is 28,211. Remaining seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.”
“Hmm… Still, compared to the number of nobles in the Empire…”
“Haha, of course, it’s not many. Quite a few nobles don’t have the luxury to take three to four months off for travel. In such cases, they send one representative and their votes are combined.”
“Are there cases where the representative unilaterally withdraws their opinion during the conference?”
“Why wouldn’t there be? It happens quite often. That’s why we verify multiple times whether there were issues with the representative selection. We check if those who didn’t participate actually didn’t support the agenda but were listed by receiving money or valuables, and we also look into the usual conduct of those deeply involved in vested interests.”
This meant that if a representative was appointed, proxy voting was possible.
The names enclosed with the report I received earlier not only empowered the voters but also served the meaning of proxy voting. Those who had already agreed to an agenda would have their votes not added even if they raised their hands again at the conference, as they would undergo a verification process. With the one line I added to Benjamin’s opinion previously, I had already voted.
Other than that, I couldn’t think of any other bills that required a clear yes or no. Regarding same-sex marriage, Ruben had done so much groundwork that I didn’t need to write my name, so I figured I could just raise my hand for the first item and watch the rest.
“If that’s the case, is there any point in raising our hands to count the numbers?”
“There is significance in directly seeing and observing the opinions of those around you in the same place. Of course, one could indicate their approval or disapproval through an Artifact, but important agendas are generally handled in the traditional manner.”
Uncle, who had been listening silently to the conversation, added a word or two of advice.
“Once you become a Duke, leaving your Duchy becomes a significant burden. Therefore, it would be helpful to pre-select and register a proxy to attend the Imperial Conference in the future.”
“Hmm.”
“I used to send a subordinate with the skill of a Sword Master or higher. This is to prevent kidnapping or murder during travel.”
“…Does that happen?”
“It’s not a frequent occurrence, but it has happened twice in the last 30 years. Of course, if caught, they can be punished by national law… Be careful, no matter what.”
“Yes. Thank you for your valuable advice.”
With Uncle present, a serious discussion ensued for a while. The methods of the Imperial Conference and the operation of the Duchy were topics that, no matter how often I heard them, felt unfamiliar. Still, it was pleasant just listening to Ruben and Uncle converse so harmoniously.
❖ ❖ ❖
After returning to Crystal Palace with Ruben, we had a more private conversation.
“I wish we had gotten married first. This conference will be longer than usual, lasting several days, and since you’re not yet married, you can’t sit next to me…”
“Haha, aren’t they voting on same-sex marriage at the conference?”
“Still.”
“The Empress Dowager will also be attending that day, right?”
“Mmm. That seat where we sat today was originally prepared for royalty, so Mother and Lucilla will be there with me. Your seat will be nearby too…”
The VIP seats at the First Arena were set far apart from other seats and could be curtained off. Apart from that one spot, the seats for holders of Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron titles were placed close together, differing only in height and width. This was to emphasize that, for the Imperial Conference, everyone, regardless of their rank, was in the same position, submitting agendas and voting by show of hands.
Ruben, looking dejected, snuggled into my arms and clung to me.
“…It’s really not long now.”
“Yes. It really isn’t.”
I gently stroked the child’s head as he nestled into my embrace. His lustrous hair gave off a delicate scent.
Lately, Ruben had developed a hobby of laying out several bottles of holy oil each morning and choosing one, which meant I received a fresh bouquet of flowers every day.
Though, Ruben is better than flowers.
When I said it was time to sleep, Ruben obediently went to bed. Despite being exhausted all day, he was so particular about not lying down until I offered my arm, which was both pitiable and endearing. I obediently offered my arm, my embrace, and gently covered him with the blanket.
“Sleep well, Mika.”
“Yes. Sleep well, Ruben.”
It was truly a wondrous thing.
When I first met Ruben, could I have ever imagined this moment?
This moment, where I giggle from the tickle of his shallow breaths, yet remain motionless, holding my breath to savor this sweet feeling lest he wake up… this feeling of being immersed in a sweet dream while awake…
I felt a renewed sense of gratitude. For being reborn on this continent, and for surviving the great battle. I drifted off to sleep, offering thanks to an unspecified recipient.