Chapter 214
Chapter 214
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: A Night I Can't Remember
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I did something.
But I had no idea what it was.
If it had been something trivial, that would've been one thing, but this was far from trivial.
I'd been drunk, it involved a woman, and it was serious enough that a noble who could brush off most things without batting an eye had blushed and called it "wonderful."
And yet, I couldn't remember it.
A indescribable terror washed over me, making my jaw tremble.
"Ho... ho, I didn't cross the line, did I...?"
With that, I braced for the worst, ready to hurl myself out the window at any moment.
"No, you didn't."
"Hoo..."
Relief flooded me at her assurance that the line hadn't been crossed.
"Aren't you enjoying this a bit too much? Don't you want to do that kind of thing with me?"
As I sighed in relief and smiled, Elizabeth pouted unhappily and jabbed my side, speaking curtly.
"If someone didn't want to get intimate with you, they'd have to be insane."
"Your words and reactions don't match up at all."
"If I'd crossed the line just now, I'd be dead."
If word of this got out, a truckload of people would come to tear me apart.
And leading the charge would be my mother and Her Highness the Imperial Princess.
I wouldn't even leave a corpse behind.
"You weren't like this when you were drunk. You're acting like a completely different person."
"Maybe it's because my reason flew out the window?"
"Hmph..."
Elizabeth huffed primly, crossing her arms in dissatisfaction.
"You're outrageous. You do something like that to me and can't even remember it... I thought you were finally coming onto me, but I guess I was the fool for getting my hopes up?"
"No, that's not..."
"Not what?"
"......"
I could understand why Elizabeth might feel bad that I couldn't remember, but it wasn't like I was in my right mind—it was drunk me who'd done it, so I felt wronged.
Still, I couldn't just let it slide.
If I did, she'd definitely hold it over me for the next ten years.
I had to do something, but what?
"......"
No, I shouldn't overthink this.
Don't forget—I'd been a 47-year veteran singleton until recently.
Deep analysis wasn't going to help with romance.
So, I decided to act on instinct without complicating things.
"I'm sorry I can't remember."
I apologized first.
"Really? Well, that's a relief..."
Then I leaned in and gently pulled Elizabeth into a hug.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
She didn't push me away, but her voice was thick with surprise.
"Well, since I can't remember, I thought maybe I could overwrite it with a new memory..."
Repay skinship gone wrong with more skinship.
One more time after what I'd already done wouldn't make much difference, and since she said I hadn't crossed the line, it shouldn't be a problem.
Conservative types might point fingers and call it undignified, but who cares? Elizabeth wasn't going to be empress anyway.
A bold kiss would've been ideal, but after drinking and without brushing my teeth, I figured she'd hate it.
Based on my limited romantic knowledge, this seemed like the best option, so I went for the hug—but the reaction wasn't great.
Should I have ignored the smell and just gone for the lips...?
Or maybe prostrated myself on the floor?
"Is this... no good?"
Getting anxious, I peeked at her expression and loosened my arms.
"...Not bad for one of your ideas."
Her response was a bit delayed, but Elizabeth smiled faintly and gently placed her hand on my waist.
"It's lacking, but your effort is commendable, so I'll let it slide this time. Don't think this'll cut it next time."
"Got it..."
With a joyful lilt in her warning tone, she rested her face softly on my shoulder.
As she leaned closer and tilted her head forward, her nape came right up to my face.
Her hair slid aside, releasing a burst of fragrance that seeped into my breath.
"Mm...?"
It wasn't her usual perfume.
But it was a familiar scent I'd smelled somewhere before.
"Sigh..."
I inhaled a couple more times, racking my brain, then realized with a facepalm—it was the exact same smell from the blanket.
"Your scent is really nice..."
"Scent? What are you talking about?"
"The blanket smelled amazing. I thought the palace must use fancy perfume and got curious, but it was yours?"
"......"
"So what scent is thi—Gah...!"
Before I could identify it or fully savor it, Elizabeth's face turned beet red as she shoved me away, her shoulders trembling.
"What's wrong?"
"Get out."
"Huh?"
"Get out now!"
"W-wait... Ow! Ack!"
I got smacked on the back and chased out of the room.
"What the...?"
Dazed and abandoned in the hallway, I stared blankly at the door and muttered to myself.
Was it that night...?
_
Left all alone in the corridor, I trembled at the thought of getting nabbed by a knight and thrown in jail.
"...Young Lord Howard, what in the world are you doing here?"
"Elizabeth kicked me out."
"...?"
Luckily, Sir Rachel found me soon after, so I avoided jail with just a quick questioning from the knights before being released.
I'd stayed put, squatting by the door without moving an inch after being thrown out.
They all stared at me like an idiot—reeking of booze from the palace—but no suspicions, so I was in the clear.
Anyway, after muddling through that stormy day somehow, it would've been great if peace finally arrived, but unfortunately, Elizabeth's birthday still loomed.
Whatever happened would be calmer than the weekend fiasco, but it still added weight to my weary, bored mind.
And sure enough, headaches galore exploded.
"The Empire's Star, Imperial Princess Victoria, enters."
"...?"
Standing side by side with Elizabeth at the banquet hall entrance, everyone stared at me with question marks on their faces. I felt a bit awkward but kept my cool, locking eyes with Elizabeth as I escorted her confidently to the center.
After a few times, it was starting to feel bearable.
And her being an imperial princess rather than crown princess helped a ton.
Since the emperor had drilled etiquette into us nobles half a year ago, those with real power stayed away to avoid misunderstandings.
After facing down gazes that could actually kill me, the small fry's stares barely tickled.
Plus, the real deal was yet to come.
I still had to stage my promotion using Elizabeth's birthday as the backdrop.
"His Imperial Majesty Emperor Frederica, the Empire's Sun, and Her Highness Crown Princess Alexandrine, the Empire's Morning Star, enter!"
"...!"
His Majesty appeared once the banquet had ripened enough for closing remarks.
To avoid misunderstandings, I figured he'd send the chamberlain or the crown princess, but showing up personally with her was a bold, bizarre move.
"The Emperor...!"
"Enough. Today's star is Elizabeth—skip the greetings."
Halting the crowd mid-bow, His Majesty ignored everyone else and strode straight to us with a kindly mother's smile.
"Happy birthday, Elizabeth. This is the first time we've properly celebrated."
"Happy birthday, Elizabeth."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, offering direct blessings with a warm smile.
With the crown princess's following well-wishes piled on, Elizabeth beamed happily, shrinking back shyly in delight.
"Receiving blessings from His Majesty and Her Highness Crown Princess is such an honor I hardly know what to do with myself. This feels like my happiest birthday ever."
"I'm pleased to see you so joyful over such modest wishes."
His Majesty patted her shoulder lightly, openly reveling in her genuine delight.
"Elizabeth, to mark your birthday, is there anything you desire from me?"
"Your Majesty honoring us with your presence is blessing enough—what more could I ask? I'm deeply grateful just for this."
"As your mother, that warms my heart, but letting it end with words alone wouldn't do for a mother... or an emperor."
Elizabeth modestly demurred as expected, and His Majesty fixed his gaze on me, smirking slyly with one corner of his mouth.
"What Elizabeth needs now is a loyal, trustworthy aide. Providing that would be fitting."
Speaking as if a perfect reward had just occurred to him upon seeing me, he approached me standing a step behind her.
"Baron Howard."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I bowed my head and listened intently.
"I am well aware of the loyalty you've shown the imperial princess these past months."
"Your Majesty, it was merely my duty."
"And I know full well your efforts for me and the Empire."
"To have such trifles noticed is an honor."
"Don't sell yourself short. What you've done is beyond the reach of ordinary men."
His Majesty gestured for me to kneel and placed a hand on my head.
I dropped to my knees at once, awaiting his grace.
"Your efforts in actively engaging the nomadic plainsfolk, spreading imperial culture to ease their assimilation. And your decisive aid to the Magic Division in resolving administrative issues."
"......"
That was it? Those were the feats spilling from His Majesty's lips.
The cowboy outfits had gained popularity, but not that fast in two or three months. And the latter was basically hand-fed by the palace—bragging about it felt embarrassing.
Others might buy it, but knowing the truth made me cringe a little.
"For these two merits, I promote you to earl."
"...I am eternally grateful for your grace."
Not one step, but two—a leap I hadn't expected, though given the Empire's nomadic triggers, it wasn't outrageous.
"Furthermore, expecting your faithful service to Imperial Princess Victoria henceforth, I appoint you as her Grand Tutor."
"...?"
The murmurs among the watching nobles swelled at the title "Grand Tutor" from His Majesty's mouth.
It made sense—that position for imperial tutors hadn't been granted to anyone since centuries ago; it was a defunct role.
Too many nobles had abused the "teacher" status to manipulate the emperor or royals, so it was abolished, all demoted to chamberlains. Yet to elevate me, he'd revived it.
"Y-your grace is overwhelming."
I nearly blurted out "Have you lost your mind?" but miraculously held back and expressed thanks.
"Mm, rise."
Satisfied, His Majesty withdrew his hand and bid me stand.
"Now there are no more obstacles. Thanks to you, I'm starting to look forward to this winter."
As I rose with a stunned expression, he watched me with a sly grin, patted my shoulder, and whispered low enough for only me to hear.
"I am honored..."
Without the princess's training method, I'd have vomited from nerves right there, but thankfully, I held it together.
Actually, with these sudden accelerations piling up, it was putting my mind at ease instead.
"Hmm..."
What would be good for Elizabeth's engagement dress...