Chapter 307
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Ten Years Later (8)
Dinner with my father-in-law and all my wives.
For a table full of so many people, an eerie silence hung in the air.
‘Looks like I said something wrong.’
Then again, Bakal was an awfully distant kingdom.
On top of that, Christina and I had been exchanging letters almost daily, so my wives were on guard against her.
I hadn’t realized these proud, dignified women could be so fiercely jealous.
Especially...
“Bakal? Isn’t it too much for you, the empire’s envoy, to go there yourself?”
Our emperor, Your Majesty.
Not just in the early days of our romance, but even now, she came to my bedchamber every week.
And yet, here she was overreacting even after we’d conceived our fourth child.
Outwardly, she spoke calmly, her radiant golden hair framing her face.
But I knew.
Deep down, she was pouting hard.
“The empire’s guardian, the Grand Master, leaving the country sounds far too risky.”
She wrapped her arms gently around me from behind, her soft, sensual breasts pressing against me as she made her case.
Irina chimed in, seemingly agreeing.
“Exactly. It’d be more fitting to send Prime Minister Damian or Captain Lynn instead.”
As if I had some urgent business keeping me in the capital.
What that business was, I could tell from the sly smile playing beneath her innocent one.
“Bakal’s quite taken with the Black Knights these days.”
Captain Lynn’s Black Knights had become one of the empire’s flagship orders, now handling official diplomacy too.
Especially her refined exterior paired with her warm heart—it left quite an impression.
“I agree. Veil, you need to stay right here in the capital.”
Lydia crossed her arms alone, firm in her stance.
Her once sharp, fierce eyes now brimmed with mature, feminine allure.
“Hoo...”
Mago and Miya nodded along with the imperial family’s words, showing their support.
They used to hold these lofty women in awe.
Now, they chattered together and even schemed up naughty plans as close friends.
*The children’s opinions are clear, Veil. Anything more to say?*
The situation emperor extended his large palm.
Then, he sought my opinion—the most important one.
*If you refuse to go to Bakal, we’ll send Prime Minister Damian to the banquet instead.*
Sending some unrelated prime minister to a party that invited me would be absurd.
He’d catch hell for it later, and so would I.
In the worst case, it could sour relations between our nations.
Christina truly cared for me that much.
“No, that won’t do.”
I recalled a memory from my survival alongside the werewolves.
Calmly, I stood and addressed the empire’s highest figures.
“Christina has come to the capital to see me many times, but I’ve never gone to her.”
I looked to the situation emperor and added,
With serious black eyes unlike my usual self.
“The great king must have quite the grudge built up by now.”
Baron Greta and Leonhardt, ever self-aware, nodded.
It wasn’t just any occasion—it was my father-in-law’s birthday, after all.
“If I refuse the invitation now, it could escalate into an issue between our nations.”
“True enough. His one precious daughter came to the empire without complaint for ten years, but the son-in-law only visits twice a year? That’d leave anyone miffed.”
Baron Greta stared at me, agreeing, and implicitly scolded me for rarely visiting his home too.
I smiled warmly at my father-in-law, as if promising more frequent visits from now on.
“Of course, that won’t happen, but if my trip can settle it, better to nip any future trouble in the bud.”
I placed a hand over my heart.
Then, politely yet confidently, I spoke to my family before me.
“That way, I can keep the promise I made at the wedding: to love you all equally.”
My wives fell silent at my words.
They’d monopolized my love up close for the past ten years, after all.
Now, trying to hold me back felt like meddling in national security—they had nothing left to say.
*Indeed. I only allowed the marriage because of that promise back then.*
Leonhardt drew a deep breath.
Just thinking of that time still made him want to kill me, but his anger had softened lately, thanks to our affectionate kids.
My face still irritated him on sight.
But our fox-eared daughters, inheriting their mothers’ beauty and my easygoing nature, were utterly adorable.
*From now on, we should at least consider a visit every other month.*
The emperor’s father downed his water, his resolve firm.
Then, sternly eyeing me, his three daughters, and the other wives, he declared.
*The envoy’s course is set. Best to send him to Bakal’s banquet this time.*
Though retired, Leonhardt still commanded the people’s utmost respect.
Thus, my wives didn’t challenge him outright.
Instead, unwilling to let me go alone, they sought compromises.
Their love burned as fiercely as ever, as unyielding as my growing strength over the years.
“Then here’s a thought. Let’s make it a diplomatic delegation to celebrate the great king’s birthday.”
Lea sipped her wine and spoke.
Her eyes gleamed sharp as a lioness plotting to pounce on prey.
“If the emperor visits in person to pay respects, Bakal will be deeply moved.”
*Lea, you mean to go yourself...?*
No, the newly pregnant emperor embarking on that long journey?
Leonhardt and the other imperial sisters stared in disbelief.
But Lea ignored them.
She brushed it off casually, as if it were nothing.
“Yes. The great king came here himself once—why shouldn’t I?”
I fixed her with a firm gaze.
“Back then, it was his eldest son, not the king himself. It’s different now that he’s reigning.”
I stared at her, my face full of genuine concern.
Then, softly, I added,
“The road to Bakal is long. I don’t want to tire out my precious Majesty or our child.”
Lea met my wistful gaze.
She hadn’t fully yielded yet.
So, I landed the decisive blow, just for her.
“If you wait for me, I’ll return healthy and regale the two of you with thrilling tales.”
“...”
Only then did Lea exhale shortly.
Unwilling but sensing my resolve, she quietly assented.
“Fine, Veil.”
But.
She wouldn’t let me off that easily.
“When you get back, tell me all the fun details.”
Was it because we were all family now?
Elegantly, she pressed a finger to her full, ripe lips.
“In the bedroom.”
Still only two months along, she formed a ‘2’ with her fingers.
Her sensual smile sent me a clear signal.
The emperor’s bid to join failed.
Next, Irina boldly raised her hand.
“Then I’ll go. Bakal borders our northern territories—it’s under my jurisdiction, right?”
Another easy block for me.
My wives’ power and status had risen considerably, after all.
“No. Aren’t you preparing for the Founding Festival in the north right now, Your Highness?”
I smiled at Irina.
“With the empire’s grandest festival under your watch, you can’t afford to step away.”
*Quite right. For anywhere else, maybe, but the top overseer of her region should stay put.*
Leonhardt nodded matter-of-factly.
Irina’s face fell, adorably crestfallen like a mournful silver wolf.
“Hehe... In that case, no helping it. Guess this body will have to go itself—”
Lydia placed hands on her hips and stood tall alone.
But she couldn’t dodge my sly retort either.
“You’d have it rough too, Lydia. There’s the joint training with Samad’s knights during the banquet, isn’t there?”
A leader who handled knights herself with such skill.
Until I mentioned attending Bakal’s banquet today, she’d been memorizing training manuals alone, deep in preparations.
“Th-that can go to Batsch or Tau!”
“I heard you say you’d oversee it personally so they could focus on duties. Handing it off now would burden them for the remaining time.”
I picked my words precisely, and Lydia clamped her lips, fuming.
She whipped her head away, thoroughly sulky.
Just like ten years ago, at barely twenty.
“You’re far too good with words...!”
Her twin tails bristled, mirroring her mood.
I couldn’t fathom why they all turned so girlish around me, neglecting everything.
With the three princesses checked by my words, the meek cats began slinking onto the counter.
Seizing the moment, Mago and Miya raised hands to join in.
“Then how about I tag along? I’m no knight captain—plenty of leisure for it.”
“Me too. As a commoner, I’ve got good reason to attend as your wife.”
My wives, now voicing opinions confidently before imperial kin.
Come to think of it, they might as well be imperial themselves.
I pondered how to refuse their rugged journey.
But no need—the rebuffed wives blocked them first.
“Lady Miya, you’re pregnant with your second. Even as a knight, does the rough road warrant it?”
“Miss Mago. Bakal still shuns sorcery. I worry you’d be at risk.”
Lydia and Irina punched like a seasoned knight duo.
Emperor Lea delivered the finisher.
“Exactly. You two are key players we can’t spare—please refrain from overseas trips.”
Lea smiled sweetly at them.
But instinctively, I knew.
‘No one’s going if I can’t!’
Her inward pouty jealousy as emperor.
*Then it’s settled. Best for you to go alone to the banquet, Veil.*
“I agree. I’m not keen on my daughter taking that harsh road either.”
“Daddy!!”
Miya cried out to the baron, utterly aggrieved.
But father-in-law shook his head firmly.
“It’s just a week at most. Bear with it a little, Miya.”
“Miyaaaa...”
The black bob-haired knight mumbled dejectedly.
I grinned and comforted her.
“I’ll bring lots of souvenirs. Bakal mountain chocolate for our little Mika too.”
“Come back quick...”
I gazed at my wives with deep apology.
But.
Inside, my heart was soaring.
‘A whole week of freedom—!!’
Nap in the carriage on the way!
Feast at Bakal’s festival!
My mind was already on the road.
*Alright, let’s eat before the dinner gets cold.*
Leonhardt chuckled, raising his glass first.
In response, our family toasted as one.
‘Kuh—today the wine just slides down perfectly...!!’
I gulped down liquor I rarely touched.
Devoured the meat heartily, savoring the rare feast.
But.
I had no idea yet.
After the dinner, sound asleep in the heavenly palace bedroom.
The beasts, fretting over the long trip, came to mark their territory.
Their appetites were voracious, barely enduring the bimonthly gaps.