Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

270 – System Selection Groom of the Year – 5

Awkward. It’s as if you’re wearing clothes that don’t fit your body.

A friendly atmosphere, in-laws shaking hands with a smile, and prospective daughters-in-law bowing in greeting. All of this is just unfamiliar. Because it was contrary to my common sense.

‘Is this common sense?’

I looked down blankly at the hand she had shook with Baron Attini. Maybe this atmosphere is normal. It could be an extremely ordinary common sense that I haven’t experienced—even my wife hasn’t.

When I was still only the heir, I rejected my father’s will and married my wife. After that, he ignored even the word to have a relationship with another family and left her wife as his only companion. That’s why my father showed a stiff appearance in the meeting with the Arras family, and after that, my husband and I treated us coldly.

Even if it hadn’t happened in the first place, he was a cold person.

‘There’s no need to pass it on.’

Fortunately, the current meeting, the relationship led by Carl, is different from our husband and wife.

I didn’t force Carl into marriage. No expectations or obligations were imposed. That’s why Carl brought the connection he wanted, and unlike his father’s time, we can celebrate it purely.

The result is what it is today. The meeting was a bit awkward, but harmonious. The daughter-in-law does not notice her parents-in-law and treats them kindly. It’s so obvious, but common sense that my husband and I have never experienced.

‘It’s fortunate.’

She put the wine glass she was holding in her left hand to her mouth. Coincidentally, there was not much left, so I threw it all away.

Yes, I’m glad. I’m glad I didn’t pass on unhappiness to Carl. I’m glad I didn’t give my daughters-in-law the same pain as my wife. So I am willing to endure the awkwardness now. If the clothes don’t fit, wear them until they fit.

“Father. Can I follow you?”

But no matter how much I think about it, I don’t think I can overcome this awkwardness.

“…Yes. Please, Your Excellency.”

“Huh, please feel free to tell me. Which father-in-law would speak highly of her daughter-in-law?”

Gong Ma Jong pours a new bottle of wine with a light smile. He resisted the possibility of laughing at his somewhat inconsiderate appearance.

‘It’s my father.’

It’s not that Ma Jong-gong said anything wrong. It is also correct for the daughter-in-law to call her father, and for her father-in-law to speak poorly of his daughter-in-law.

But, no matter how, this isn’t it. My father and grandfather also treated Ma Jong-gong with respect, but to treat me as a daughter-in-law. Would that make sense If I had met him through my in-laws, it wouldn’t have been awkward.

“We haven’t even been officially married yet, so it’s not the right thing to treat Your Excellency comfortably.”

After a moment of silence, he finally came up with something plausible.

Although the wedding is a fait accompli, it has not yet been formally held, so I will treat it with respect. It’s a reason anyone can understand.

“Is that so? It’s a pity, but I’ll have to put up with it until we get married.”

He broke into a cold sweat at those words. Majonggong is an understandably clear reason, but the period that can be used at the same time is also a clear reason.

Since it hasn’t been officially connected yet, isn’t it that if you’re treating them politely, you should be comfortable with them as soon as you get married? If you insist on being respectful even after marriage, Prince Ma may be offended.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

“Understanding. You said something obvious. How can you say understanding?”

I just chimed in with Ma Jong-gong, who spoke in a warm voice.

‘You have to get used to it.’

And I made a promise to myself. Until Carl makes her marriage to Lord Majong, she tells her to put down her common sense and reason somehow. Let’s get used to talking to the duke’s daughter-in-law who is older.

Fortunately, Carl’s first marriage partner was Princess Marghetta, not Prince Majong. Besides, she said that she had no intention of getting married until Princess Marghetta graduated, so even if she couldn’t, she still had a year left. How fortunate-

…Are you really lucky?

‘The duke’s second wife.’

I feel dizzy. It is also surprising that the duke is not the only wife, but one of several, not even the first. Has there ever been anything like this throughout the history of the continent?

“Princess Marghetta is also a duke, and I am also a duke. The two families are equal, so there is no problem if Princess Marghetta is the first wife.”

But what can I do? Prince Ma proudly proclaimed that the second time would not matter.

I was quite impressed with the expression on the iron blooded worker’s face when he heard that. I’m glad that a strong competitor has announced that he will give up his first wife’s seat, but at the same time, it must have felt like common sense was collapsing. I understand. Probably everyone in this room did.

Definitely both are dukes, but isn’t it clear that dukes are higher than princesses? However, regardless of title, if you look at the family, they are equal…

…

‘It’s none of my business.’

I quickly organized my thoughts. In any case, legal and customary issues are for the judiciary and the Supreme Court to deal with. I believe that they will take care of it and deal with it in the direction Ma Jong-gong wants.

“Sorry for the delay.”

And as soon as he emptied his head, the sword appeared with the iron blood ball.

‘Why now-‘

I hurriedly brushed off the resentment that popped into my head.

What a terrible idea. Carl had been invited by His Majesty the Emperor to attend a luncheon. Even if you think proudly and honorably, it’s not enough, so how can you resent it? Would I have the right to hold grudges against Carl in the first place?

“Baby.”

Still, seeing how quickly Prince Mahjong went to Carl, I couldn’t help but feel a very weak resentment.

“I think I’m being punished.”

“Mrs.”

While the daughters-in-law and in-laws were gathering to Carl one by one, the wife approached me and whispered softly.

“If the in-laws had gathered from the first day, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“…….”

Her mouth fell shut at the words of her glare. Like her wife said, if they had been together from the first day, there would have been no need for Karl to leave the place, and there would be no need for him to deal with Lord Ma alone.

Of course there are excuses. Didn’t Carl also tell her wife to meet her later? So even if I took my time on the first day, it wouldn’t have meant much.

‘Because I said something useless.’

The problem is that on the first day of the New Year’s ceremony, the wife found out that he had endured even though His Highness had invited Carl to go.

What can I do? She couldn’t just leave the restless wife staring at the knife from afar. If I was guilty, it was that I brought up all the topics of conversation in order to appease her wife, and in the process she brought up words that she would have to keep hidden forever.

“When I go back to the territory, I’ll be away for a while.”

Her restlessness disappeared in an instant, and the coldly speaking wife.

Still, appeasement was successful, so I think it’s a very good sacrifice.

***

The meeting ended without much fuss. In the first place, during the New Year’s ceremony, I hung around with my wife’s family, and while I was taken away by the emperor, the family head and her mother seemed to have had enough conversations with my wife’s family.

Gaju only nodded her head with a blunt face as usual, but the smile never left her mother’s face. Not to mention Margeta, whom she had already marked as her daughter-in-law, to the point where she looked with really lovely eyes at Louise and Irina, who she had met once, Section 1, the first time she met her.

It’s only a little awkward to Ma Jong-gong, but he treats me kindly with a smile. I thought that the heart of her mother who married her eldest son was strong.

So the meeting ended without any problems.

Meeting cases only.

“Aren’t you the one who heated up the social scene this year? Finally, I’m meeting you.”

The meeting ceremony is over, but the New Year’s celebration continues. That means I still have to contact countless nobles.

Although he is attached to his wife’s family and refuses to contact other nobles, it is not possible to cut off all nobles. Because there are road-rollers in the Empire that can break through any fence.

“This year. It’s still January, isn’t it?”

“No matter how you look at it, I don’t think there will be news that surpasses you.”

For example, a golden ball that fires daggers casually.

“Still, Inspector General, news like this is always welcome.”

People who are like veterans laughing together.

I don’t know where Hyeonmyeonggong went. He must be drinking whiskey and vodka in a corner.

“I’m glad if the ears of the two of you were even a little enjoyable.”

First of all, I bowed my head to the two dukes.

In the meantime, seeing the contrast between the 12 wives near the Golden Ball and the Jeon Seung-Gong who came alone made me tear up. It’s the same duke, but why are the characters so different?

“For the time being, I think it will continue to be fun, so don’t worry about it.”

“Yes…”

The Golden Ball, who said something that bothered me, smiled and looked at my left hand.

“I’m finally seeing the equipment I’ve only heard about in rumors.”

A piece of art, a strange object. I almost admired the Golden Ball’s discernment that penetrated the identity of this class.

Yes. No matter how you look at it, this is a piece of equipment, isn’t it something that will lead the trend? After all, he has the ability to control the empire’s economy, so he has a good eye—

“Of course, fashion is the law that props lead.”

Good… Good… Fuck…

“That’s too much praise.”

“Still, I’m a little disappointed. If you had an idea like this, you should have told me. I would have split the stakes generously.”

“I didn’t expect it to be this popular.”

I tried to smile and answered the words of the golden ball.

I forgot to buy a coupling, so I made a ring, but where is the crazy bastard who tells the duke it’s an idea?

“Still, Count Flanbell seems to be preparing for business. It’s understandable if you think of it as a gift from the Inspector General to his father-in-law.”

At that, he smiled even more awkwardly. I heard it from Iron Blood Ball, but I feel like going crazy to hear it from Golden Ball too.

If the Golden Ball, not anyone else, mentions it, it must be a business that is really carefully prepared. Even though Count Flan Bell is called the Golden Ball faction, the Golden Ball never remembers the business of each member of his faction.

The business of remembering the golden ball by allocating memory space… I’m so afraid…

“I’m thinking of ordering one too when the business starts. I can finally get all twelve on my fingers.”

“That, yes, congratulations.”

My eyes went to the golden ball’s hand, which burst into laughter as if it were really happy.

A golden ball with 12 wives and 12 rings. Of course, there were rings on all ten fingers, and there were bracelets that claimed to be rings on both wrists.

‘…That’s good.’

I tried to look away from that bracelet, or rather, the ring.

Yeah, a half/g size would fit all 12 of them on your fingers.

I brought peace to the Golden Ball.