Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: The Day Before the Imperial Princess's Birthday
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The day before Her Highness the Imperial Princess's birthday.
"William, I'm really sorry, but for Her Highness the Imperial Princess's birthday this time, you'll have to go alone."
"Pardon?"
It was like a bolt from the blue to me, who had finished all preparations and was leisurely awaiting tomorrow.
"Edward passed out after reading this letter, so it looks like I have to rush back to the estate with him."
"......"
Letter, fainting, estate.
One horrifying scenario flashed through my mind, and I accepted the letter from Father with a frozen expression.
"Gulp..."
I swallowed hard and carefully unfolded the letter folded in half with trembling hands.
[Wilhelmina had a difficult first birth and bled a bit, but the baby came out healthy, and she finished the delivery just fine. Ashley didn't cry much and was so calm—she takes after Wilhelmina completely. We'll be ready to greet you with bright faces, so don't worry.]
"?"
A perfectly ordinary letter saying my sister-in-law had given birth safely without any issues.
If anything, it was news that should have made him grin like a fool on drugs, not faint.
After all, my brother was the type to be over the moon at the news that his wife and child were safe.
"Uh... so why exactly did Brother faint?"
"That idiot Edward only read the first line."
"Sigh..."
"Haa..."
My father and I let out heavy sighs in unison, running our hands through our hair.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly pathetic toward my brother.
"Is it really okay to give Brother a title?"
"He's fine as long as it doesn't involve the little lady... and besides, it's too late to take it back now."
"Tch..."
I could only hope Sister-in-law stayed healthier than Brother and lived a full day longer.
"I can't go to the estate, can I?"
"Then wouldn't Her Highness the Imperial Princess follow you there? Helen wouldn't let that slide."
"Yeah, no way."
Dropping a high noble on someone who just gave birth would be outright torture.
"I'll handle Her Highness the Imperial Princess's birthday just fine, so Father, please take good care of Brother and Sister-in-law."
Regrettable as it was, I accepted the reality of heading to the Imperial Palace alone.
Compared to the chaos on Founding Day, this was nothing short of a fairy tale.
"Thanks, William."
"If you need baby clothes, just let me know."
"Will do."
Father gave a bittersweet smile of thanks and rose from his seat to leave the room.
"......"
His shoulders slumped ever so slightly.
Father was turning fifty in just a couple days, and he'd suffered so much because of his two worthless sons.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Her Highness the Imperial Princess's birthday celebration—unlike His Majesty's disruptive antics under the guise of a birthday—was a textbook event: simple greetings, various performances, then a banquet.
Of course, since Her Highness disliked ostentation, it was kept concise to only the essentials. But as the 'Emperor's Imperial Princess,' it was never a light occasion, so even a streamlined version demanded the full day from morning till midnight.
"Young Master, it's time to get ready."
"Urgh..."
Thus, preparations began in the early dawn, two hours before sunrise.
The event proper started at 10 a.m., but since it was inside the Imperial Palace, passing the gates by 8 a.m. was necessary to complete inspections on time.
"Nngh..."
"Get up already. We don't have time to dawdle."
Forcing my groggy body up two hours earlier than usual, I spotted Emily already fully prepared, her cherry-blossom pink dress skirt fluttering as she bustled about.
She must have woken at least thirty minutes before me, yet why was she so full of energy?
"Emily, how do you always wake up earlier than me? And more importantly, why are you so lively...?"
"We always keep one maid awake at night for errands, so that person wakes the others. Unlike you, Young Master, I go to bed early. I was asleep by 9 p.m. last night—what time did you go to bed?"
"Just after midnight..."
"Good grief, we're doomed... How can you sleep your usual hours when you need to rise early?"
Emily's eyes flashed wide at 'midnight,' and she lightly patted her chest.
"Oh dear~ Better wash up quick to shake off the sleep~"
I'd asked the wrong question—now I'd get a lecture without even breaking even—so I pretended otherwise and sat on the edge of the bed.
"......"
I immediately splashed water from the basin beside the bed over my face, tidying up my grubby overnight appearance.
"Is breakfast and clothes ready?"
"... Breakfast is sandwiches for the carriage, and your outfit's laid out in the dressing room, ready to wear."
I finished washing quickly, dried my face with the nearby towel, and stood, speaking before Emily could say more.
She looked like she had plenty to say, but knowing better than anyone how busy we were, she answered dutifully with a pout and opened the dressing room door.
"Thanks."
I thanked her and, unbuttoning my nightshirt one by one, stepped into the dressing room.
"Hoo..."
A chill seeped into my body.
Better change quickly and hurry to the Imperial Palace...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "William Henry Howard, Baron Howard. One maid escort. Also proxy for Count Hume and his heir... Yes, identity confirmed. We'll inspect the gift for Her Highness the Imperial Princess and deliver it directly to the audience chamber, so please proceed inside."
"Mm, good work."
After full preparations, we arrived at the Imperial Palace.
Beating the crowds, by the time they arrived, I'd cleared inspection and, with a light word of encouragement to the Imperial Knight, followed his guidance out of the inspection room.
"You're early."
"Oh, hey."
Emerging, Princess Elizabeth greeted me, flanked by Sera and Sir Rachel.
I waved back, trotting up to check her complexion as I spoke.
"Wait long?"
"I came down just now after hearing you'd passed the palace gates."
"Good? Not too early?"
"No, perfect timing—before it got boring."
"Phew."
No empty politeness there, so I smiled softly and stood beside her.
Close enough our arms brushed; I shifted my left arm slightly away from my body, and she naturally slipped her hand into the gap, linking arms.
"But you're alone? Where's Count Hume?"
Arms linked but bodies apart at a perfect distance, she glanced around, faintly furrowing her brow as she asked.
"A little trouble came up, so he and Brother went back to the estate."
"Trouble?"
At 'trouble,' Elizabeth's face stiffened, her eyes flashing with alarm—just like mine yesterday.
Of course; mention trouble in our family at this time, and everyone thinks of Sister-in-law first.
I chuckled and shook my head.
"Sister-in-law's fine. It was really minor—no big deal."
"Ah, oh, good..."
Dispelling her misunderstanding, her pale face relaxed as she lightly placed her trembling hand on her chest.
Gently stroking the necklace atop her red velvet dress to calm her startled heart, she looked drowsy for a moment, then suddenly frowned and tilted her head.
"William, but why did both the family head and heir head to the estate...?"
"They said it was a difficult birth, though it ended well. Seems Brother couldn't get over it."
"The heir, fine, but why the Count? I still don't get both going to the estate...?"
"That's what made Brother faint."
"......"
For an instant, the focus vanished from Elizabeth's eyes.
"Well, loving his wife is a good thing..."
"Better than being indifferent...?"
"At least his wife and child will be happy."
"Yeah... that makes it okay."
Brother's reaction was over the top, but Elizabeth and I forcibly rationalized it for our mental health.
We shook our heads in unison, banishing thoughts of him.
"Ha- so you're representing House Hume at today's event?"
"Yeah, a bit burdensome."
"Hehe~ Then Emily and I will have to help you out today?"
"Nah, planning to hole up quietly in a corner."
I intended to stay low until the evening banquet—no mischief, especially with Brother already causing a stir. Any more, and Father's health wouldn't hold.
"Even if you want to, you can't."
"Huh? Why?"
"You're presenting the gift to Her Highness the Imperial Princess on behalf of House Hume—and you're first up."
"Eek, disaster..."
I pressed my forehead, squeezing my eyes shut.
Forgot it was Father's role...
My plan to slip by quietly crumbled from the start.
"Didn't know?"
"Nope..."
"Hehe~ Without me, you'd have stayed clueless and made a fool of yourself?"
"True... what now?"
"What do you mean? Act confident like before. You're not one to be rude."
"Fair."
"Heh, then we're good."
Chuckling, she lightly patted my arm and straightened up, gazing ahead.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
We stepped forward with our right feet in sync, heading to the audience chamber.