Chapter 232
Chapter 232
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: A Plain Hat and Uneasy Eyes
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Before beginning the day's routine, in the early morning after washing his face, the emperor sat before the vanity, receiving the ministrations of maids arranging his hair under the Marchioness of Shannon's directions. He let out a thoughtful hum while intently examining the hat placed on the vanity.
"Hmm..."
"Marchioness of Shannon."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Isn't it too plain for something the church praised so highly? I thought those old fogeys were showering it with acclaim because it was something extraordinary..."
"It's precisely because it's understated that those stuffy types liked it. Isn't that just how they are?"
"That's why they're losing popularity."
"Your Majesty."
A sharp gaze from the Marchioness of Shannon pierced the emperor as he sneered and criticized the church.
The emperor glanced sidelong at the marchioness and awkwardly averted his eyes with a sullen expression.
"I suppose I shouldn't say that?"
"Yes."
"It's not exactly wrong, though. I just can't understand it."
"Even in private conversation, who knows where it might leak out."
"Fine, fine, I get it."
The emperor furrowed his brow as if he couldn't agree with the marchioness's words, but since he didn't want to endure a long lecture from her first thing in the morning, he nodded and shut his mouth.
The emperor then reached out and lifted the hat from the vanity, causing the veil laid beneath it to cascade down gracefully.
"Marchioness, why don't you try it on? It might look different on someone else."
"Is it all right for me to wear it?"
"Are you daring to defy my command?"
"Using the emperor's possession is itself something worthy of the word 'dare,' Your Majesty."
"You're too wordy. Enough chatter—just put it on."
"Sigh... Very well."
The marchioness let out a deep sigh and shook her head slightly as she stepped closer to the emperor.
"Bend at the waist."
"I can put on a hat myself..."
"Tsk."
"......"
Reluctantly bending at the waist and lowering her head to the emperor's eye level, the marchioness watched as the emperor smiled in satisfaction and placed the hat on her head.
"Oh ho..."
The emperor stared piercingly at the marchioness's face, faintly obscured by the veil, and murmured in admiration.
"How does it look? Does it please Your Majesty?"
"When I get a bit older, this will be very useful. It hides wrinkles perfectly."
"......"
"Heh... The noble ladies will love it. You look at least ten years younger."
At the emperor's words, who had long passed his prime, the marchioness harbored murderous intent toward her liege for a brief moment. But the emperor, unable to read her expression properly due to the veil, continued his oblivious praise.
"That's enough of that."
Cutting off the emperor's words with a frosty tone, the marchioness straightened her back, removed the hat, and smoothed her hair.
As traitorous thoughts began to creep in, the marchioness quelled them with her vast, sea-like magnanimity and forgave the emperor for the thirty-second time this year alone.
"Since both the church and Your Majesty approve of it, it seems Count Howard has truly captured people's hearts."
"Indeed, he doesn't seem like the type with bad instincts."
Smiling contentedly and agreeing with the marchioness, the emperor took back the hat, fiddled with the veil, and lifted one corner of his mouth.
"Marchioness of Shannon, couldn't we add this hat to the emperor's ceremonial attire from now on? Just make the fabric a bit thicker."
"That might be fine for private matters, but if the emperor covers his face even in public, the people and nobles will suspect it's a false emperor."
"Tch, what a shame. I liked that it could hide my 'I'm bored to death' expression."
"You don't hide it anyway."
"I thought you'd stop nagging by now, but since you keep at it, maybe not."
"Please reform at this point."
"No can do."
Flashing a mischievous grin and shooting the marchioness a glance, the emperor crossed his legs, leaned forward slightly, and rested his chin on his hand.
"With this incident, the grudge with the church is resolved too. There's nothing left to block him now."
"It may be coincidence, but to create such a perfect pretext for the church's concession—it's no exaggeration to call the luck of a successful man miraculous."
"For a mere earl's household to have its young heir catch the eye of the emperor and princess at such a young age is already in the realm of miracles."
The emperor nodded lightly, then raised his eyes slightly, released his chin from his hand, and met the marchioness's gaze directly.
"Marchioness, how many noble young ladies and lords were at the count's atelier just now?"
"The heir of Baron Wharton, the heir of Baron Carver, and the young lady of Viscount Boyn—three in total."
"One more this year. Does that mean more commoners too?"
"Yes, one more, making six. Six."
"I see..."
Trailing off, the emperor closed his eyes and crossed his arms, organizing his thoughts.
"He's handled things better than expected, so it might be good to raise the reward a notch higher than originally planned?"
"He's already received plenty of rewards. Is there really need to elevate it further?"
"Wouldn't it be too modest for a count praised by the church to have only knights as retainers?"
"But the count is still young..."
"I was emperor at his age."
"Your Majesty's case is something of an exception, isn't it?"
"What exception? In any case, seizing that position through ability makes it equal, doesn't it? Unlike me, the count has seen less blood, though."
"How can Your Majesty say such..."
At the emperor's self-deprecating remark bordering on masochism, the marchioness trembled her eyelids and bit her lip.
"For appearances' sake, giving him three baronies should be fine."
"For the three noble heirs, perhaps knight baronies..."
"At his age, I..."
"Ah, understood. Do as Your Majesty wishes."
"About time."
At the marchioness's surrender, the emperor shifted his gaze to the vanity and wore an arrogant smile.
"What would be a good name for the titles..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The commendation from the church.
When I first heard the bishop's explanation and read it in writing, my initial thought was that it seemed easier than His Majesty's nagging.
I knew the schedule in advance, what to do and where, even what I'd receive—what could be hard about it?
So I spent the two weeks leading up leisurely, thinking I'd just collect it lightly and head home.
"Pleased to meet you, brother."
"Ah, haha, the honor is mine, Cardinal Gregory."
"Haha, no need for titles. Just call me Cardinal."
"Ah, haha... How could I?"
But when the actual event arrived, things were a bit different.
"I've heard your name before, brother. Aren't you the most famous person in the imperial capital these days?"
"I'm not that famous. Just got a bit lucky."
"Isn't luck itself a grace from the Lord?"
"True. Thanks to His providence, I got through tough moments smoothly."
"Ho ho, that's fortunate."
Facing the cardinal face-to-face wasn't bad at all.
His benevolent aura and relaxed demeanor, befitting a high-ranking cleric, put my mind at ease.
"......"
The problem was that, being in a church, the people's gazes felt awfully heavy.
Usually, facing His Majesty makes me feel like I might die because of him.
Not knowing when he might do something unpredictable, and a slip of the tongue ending my life—the tension twists my guts.
The nobles watching might glare jealously no matter who steps up, but I've endured that multiple times now and adapted.
But here, people weren't looking with envy or jealousy—they were focusing on me with sparkling eyes.
Of course, churches have all sorts, so plenty stared indifferently or sullenly, but those were seated in the back.
The front rows were fervent believers or deacons and priests serving the church.
With all those literally sparkling gazes physically concentrated, my skin prickled.
"You must have mixed feelings, but thank you for accepting this occasion."
"It's all in the past, isn't it? We both did our parts—best to let it pass."
"That's why such magnanimity is remarkable and hard for ordinary folk. Isn't that why the Lord preached it repeatedly?"
"Ha, haha, yes."
I felt like Swiss cheese riddled with holes from the stares; I wanted to grab the award and get down quick, but the cardinal dragged on.
"I'd love to chat more, but taking up your time too long wouldn't do."
"Haha, what problem could there be?"
"I'm grateful you think that way."
Fortunately, he read my frozen expression and wrapped up appropriately, gesturing lightly to the deacon beside him.
"We'll present the award swiftly and conclude with congratulations."
"Yes."
The deacon approached cautiously at the signal, handed over a Bible and crucifix to the cardinal, and stepped back.
"A modest gift bearing only my blessing— I hope you'll receive it kindly."
His utterly un-self-aware humility nearly cracked my facade.
"If this is modest, there's nothing noble left in the world."
"Under the Lord, all are equal, so it's only natural."
Just the standard cleric mindset.
"Right."
Feeling a bit more at ease, I accepted the Bible and crucifix from the cardinal.
The hefty weight made my hand feel like it might get carpal tunnel if I held it long.
"It's an honor."
"I hope you'll continue to walk in accord with doctrine henceforth."
"Haha... I can't even promise to try, empty words or not."
"Oh my..."
We both laughed awkwardly and shook hands lightly.
"Ha, haha..."
Even after receiving the cardinal's praise, I still wondered if this was right.
What am I supposed to do with the atelier from now on...