Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: A Father's Voice
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[Yeah. You.]
"I'm doing great. I love it here. Remember how I said I wanted a house on the outskirts of the capital? The mountains, the water, the fresh air—it's exactly what I dreamed of."
[Good to hear.]
"Hmm... Do you drink?"
[No. It doesn't even cross my mind anymore.]
"Great. What about smoking?"
[I don't. You threw it all out.]
"I could get more if I wanted."
[What, no faith in me?]
"Pfft. Just kidding. I believe you...."
[......]
The conversation paused for a moment. Something fluttered in the pit of my stomach....
I wiggled my toes absentmindedly, and I felt Wishit chuckle beside me.
"It's getting chilly, so wrap it up and come inside."
He tapped my shoulder lightly and stepped away.
"Ahem. Who knew I'd have such a useful spirit? I should thank the Crown Prince again later. He seemed more worried about Dad than I was."
[Don't praise the Crown Prince to me.]
"...What's that about?"
[Nothing. I just don't like him.]
"Come on, that's not fair. The Crown Prince is a really good guy."
[......]
Even though I couldn't see his face, I could clearly sense Dad's displeasure.
I shrugged and leaned lightly against the tree.
"Honestly... I've been so busy since I got here that I haven't thought about you much."
[......]
"But hearing your voice after so long... I kinda miss you."
[If you miss me, just say you miss me. What's with 'kinda'?]
"Yeah. I miss you."
[......]
After a brief silence, Dad spoke.
[Me too.]
That strange feeling I'd had earlier was definitely familial love and longing.
I'd felt it before as Juliet Karénine, so it was easy to recognize.
With my killer schedule, I went over a year without seeing Mom, and whenever we finally talked, I'd burst into tears.
"It's weird...."
[What is?]
Even though I'd fully absorbed Rubette's memories and emotions, I was still a completely different being from another world, another life.
And yet... feeling this way toward Dad—a near-stranger I'd known for less than a year...
"Missing you, Dad."
[...? Of course you should. Why's that weird?]
"They said visits start next week. Will you come? It must still be hard for you to go out... especially a long carriage ride...."
[I will. Don't worry.]
"Mm. Okay. I'll be waiting."
[Good.]
"I'll call again."
[Pick up if I call first.]
"Got it."
[Sleep well. Don't skip meals.]
"...Yeah."
With that characteristically curt, fatherly farewell, the conversation ended. Still, I felt a bit down and couldn't leave right away.
I'd thought isolation wasn't a big deal—like I was just on a trip right around the corner....
But realizing I wouldn't see Dad's face for a whole year made it feel so long all of a sudden.
* * *
Imperial Palace.
As soon as the noble council ended, Lark was summoned by the Emperor.
The Empress was there too when he arrived. They must have been having tea time—half-empty cups sat between them.
"Mother's here too."
"Yes, Crown Prince. Your father said he had something urgent to discuss."
The Empress, who had barely eaten or drunk for nearly a month due to the mess Lizbet caused, looked somewhat better.
Still, with an uneasy expression, she rose.
"Talk it out. I'll give you the room."
"Ease up that face, Empress."
"It's my heart, Your Majesty."
She shot back curtly at the Emperor, who looked just like Lark and was trying to hold her back.
As the sighing Emperor watched her go, the Empress paused to grip Lark's hand and whisper quietly.
"Son. That marriage law amendment you proposed—I really think it's a good idea. No matter what your father says, push back and make it happen."
"...I'll try."
Lark replied with a small smile.
Once the Empress left, the Emperor's sharp gaze fixed on the standing Lark.
"Let's hear your thinking."
The Emperor sat with legs crossed, nodding toward the binder on the table.
It was the council secretary's report on today's noble meeting. Lark's proposal on national weddings must have been included.
"After Lizbet's incident, surely Your Majesty felt it too. The imperial family's succession struggles have gone too far, and the siblings' rivalry is severe."
"So? How does that relate to your proposal?"
The Emperor, openly frowning, added,
"Applying monogamy to the Emperor too?"
"There are too many imperial heirs eligible for succession. To end this bloody fight where they turn on each other, we must apply imperial law's monogamy to the Emperor as well—"
"Reduce the number of royals?"
"Yes."
"I don't get it. You're not an idiot, so there must be another reason."
"......"
"Producing as many royals as possible is the Emperor's duty and our Decard ancestors' will. What do you think is the biggest reason we rule the empire stably?"
"The spirits' grace, I suppose."
"Yes. There are countless spirits, but not all are equal—you know that best."
"......"
"Without a contractor of a supreme-grade spirit, you can't uphold the Emperor's dignity or maintain the Decard family's power."
Countless royals. And even more spirits than their numbers—too many to count.
But supreme-grade spirits are rare, countable on one hand. Every Decard Emperor in history was a contractor of a supreme-grade spirit.
"You know why we've had to produce as many heirs as possible despite knowing the succession issues—don't pretend you don't."
He knew. Lark, who'd lived his whole life in the imperial family, couldn't not know.
With only one spouse, there would naturally be few children. The odds of one contracting a supreme-grade spirit are slim.
That's why Decard Emperors took at least five spouses—to maximize heirs.
"I know."
"Then why?"
"...To be honest, Father."
The Emperor flinched at the unfamiliar address—Lark hadn't called him that since he was very young.
"It's deeply personal, and I'm sorry, but taking five concubines feels inconvenient to me."
The Emperor's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Five concubines—"
"No, before that."
The Emperor shot to his feet and approached Lark. He looked genuinely shocked.
"You are the one who will lead the empire."
"......"
"What have I taught you your whole life?"
"...To live a life of sacrifice for the empire."
"Yes. You were born to be Emperor and have a duty to devote yourself to the empire. Personal reasons? Personal inconvenience?"
"......"
"Those have no place in a leader's virtues."
"Didn't Father demand marriage law reforms yourself when you were Crown Prince?"
"That was youthful folly."
Lark looked regretful as he gazed at the Emperor, who cut him off coldly.
"In the end, you took the Empresses and clashed bitterly with Mother too...."
"Lark."
The Emperor gripped Lark's shoulders.
"Diorus Duchess was involved in Lizbet's incident. When I heard you'd pushed for her leniency, I was glad—such a choice suits you, never disappointing me."
"......"
"At this point, no match is better for you than a daughter from that house. That's why I've understood your delays in marriage."
"I didn't help the Duchess for any agenda. I just wanted an innocent person to avoid unjust punishment."
The Emperor's face crumpled completely.
"Is this... really coming from my Crown Prince?"
"......"
"Listen well. You were born perfect, and you must remain perfect until you close your eyes in death. I can't imagine anyone but you on my throne."
Born perfect, remain perfect until death.
Words Lark had heard like brainwashing from the Emperor since his unremembered childhood.
"I saw it in my favorite Empress, sharper than anyone, never defying me."
"......"
"And amazingly, you contracted the earth spirit. Every Emperor famed as a sage in history was Randian's contractor."
"......"
"I could only think heaven sent the perfect Emperor candidate."
"I..."
Lark started to speak, but his mouth shut. The Emperor's grip on his shoulders tightened hard.
"Don't disappoint me. For me, and for this empire you love, reign and sacrifice as the perfect leader your whole life."
"Father, I..."
"Your Majesty."
The Emperor corrected him sharply. Lark hesitated.
The father's face across from him was, as always, consumed by obsession bordering on madness.
Holding the gaze silently, Lark soon bowed his head with a bitter laugh.
"...Yes, Your Majesty."