Chapter 24 - Found My Grandson-in-Law Candidate * [Ashfield Castle Falls (Eastern Expeditionary Force Report)]
Super recommend lol
This hits different seeing it again
"Yes. The expedition is over. As expected of the Duke. He finished it much faster than anticipated. Now we just need to finish our preparations. The setup for the experiment is progressing well, I assume?"
"Indeed, Retired Emperor. All venues have been prepared. We've already contacted the Magic Tower and the Holy City, so the necessary personnel will arrive soon. We can begin the experiment immediately upon the Duke's return."
The imperial palace conference room, which had been thick with dust until recently. The place cleaned for the Crown Princess's separation anxiety during the 36-hour incident. There, the Retired Emperor, Emperor, Crown Princess, and ministers gathered, reviewing the eastern expeditionary force's update on the Ark Gallery.
"Hoho. Excellent. It's been ages since things went this smoothly. I truly met a benefactor. Uhahaha!"
The smooth expedition, stable Wave defenses, clues to resolving the empire's food shortage, and even his own health improved. Thanks to all this, Retired Emperor Valerian was in high spirits lately.
The grueling campaign he'd undertaken despite his frail body. That chance encounter during the campaign was solving countless problems.
Emperor Ethelricus and the ministers tilted their heads at the chuckling Retired Emperor. What kind of person had he met to make him this joyful?
The face of the Retired Emperor, usually stern and filled with worries, now bloomed with constant smiles. The palace folk were delighted yet couldn't contain their curiosity.
Only the Crown Princess, who knew the reason, maintained a calm, expressionless demeanor.
Eventually, Emperor Ethelricus, the highest-ranking after Valerian here, took the lead.
"Retired Emperor, will you truly not tell us who you met?"
"Hm? Didn't I say? I made a promise with that young man. Surely you're not asking me to break it?"
"Of course not. But the man who improved Your Majesty's health and provided clues to the food crisis... It sits ill with us to offer no reward."
"Hoho. In short, you want to do something for him, so tell us about him. That's your thinking, right?"
"Indeed, Retired Emperor."
Valerian scratched his head awkwardly before replying.
"Hm... I can't reveal his location, but I can speak to his character. The Crown Princess saw him herself, so dispel the ministers' curiosity."
"Yes, Retired Emperor. I obey."
Suddenly tasked with answering, Eleonora recalled her conversation with Rain, pondered how to give the best impression, and began.
"First, he was an exceedingly polite young man. He seemed unfamiliar with etiquette, yet clearly educated. When I thanked him for healing Your Majesty and called him the empire's hero, he said such titles suit loyal retainers like you all and asked me to withdraw them. From the fertilizer matter, he also seems quite cautious. In summary... Hm, a polite and excellent young man."
"Hoho. Our Crown Princess seems to have a very favorable first impression of him."
"Merely my judgment from meeting him, Retired Emperor."
Perhaps due to the sudden question, Eleonora seemed dissatisfied with her summary, lost in thought.
Seeing this, the Retired Emperor grinned and commanded the ministers.
"I made a promise with this young man. I understand your desire to reward him, but his wish isn't for worldly fame. It wouldn't do to ignore a benefactor's intent. Besides, I have a separate reward in mind, so cease searching for him. This is an order. Understood?"
"We obey, Retired Emperor."
Judging this sufficient, the Retired Emperor ordered dismissal.
"Good. Now check for any deficiencies in experiment prep and finish diligently. Dismissed. Emperor, stay and talk with me."
"Yes, Retired Emperor."
The ministers filed out en masse. With the large-scale experiment, they were being ground down daily.
"Your Majesty, why me separately..?"
"Tch, you fool. No formal titles among family. Call me Father."
"Yes, Father."
Valerian couldn't believe such a pretty granddaughter came from this stoic son. Gazing at his bloodline lacking any warmth, he thought of Rain.
"Son, what's the marriage age for nobles these days?"
"Marriage age? Usually within two years after the coming-of-age ceremony, I recall."
"Two years after... Then our dear granddaughter's marriage is getting tight."
His dear granddaughter's marriage. She'd never met a man, buried in work daily, so Valerian worried endlessly. Couldn't send her to a harsh man, and no satisfactory candidates among the rest.
But then a good one appeared out of nowhere. He'd subtly probed his status and tested his character with childish antics.
Conclusion? This one could take his granddaughter.
"Someone caught Father's eye? What kind of young man shows such ability?"
"Hey now, don't paint your father as narrow-minded. Anyway, if our granddaughter has no one in mind, how about making that young man our grandson-in-law?"
"Pardon? Hm... No one I've noted, so I think it's fine. The Empress... Seraphina would agree."
No one noted. No one occupying his granddaughter's heart. Valerian beamed.
"Then just keep nudging them to bump into each other naturally. Ah, finally some fun work after ages."
"Sigh... Not like how you schemed with me and Seraphina back then? That was hell, even now..."
"It worked out, didn't it? And half those weird schemes were your father-in-law Adrian's doing. Blame him, not me."
"Yes, yes. Understood, Father. I'll relay to Seraphina."
Emperor Ethelricus rose. Valerian closed his eyes, lips curling up, imagining his family growing by two someday.