The Sudden Palace Visit (1)
Hold on. But why is Father suddenly sending me to the palace?
I had been so focused on remembering the plot elements from the novel that I almost missed the obvious question I should have asked. I tried to open my mouth to point it out, but Father was one step ahead.
“Hey you! You mean you still didn’t know the Empress had ascended to the throne?! What?”
Father looked down at me with wide eyes, his expression full of accusation. How could someone not know something this important?
“I’ve been so busy handling the barony’s affairs that I haven’t had time to keep up with outside news.”
Back then I used to tremble and behave myself around that big, boisterous guy. Not anymore.
I had survived twenty-seven years in my previous life and was now turning eighteen here. In total, I was almost the same age as Father.
“Tsk tsk. A man like you should know even the most basic things.”
Nedville Barony was a ten-day carriage ride from the Eckhart Empire’s capital, Deleson. It took even longer for news and trends from the capital to reach us.
But there was another reason I knew so little. Even if I had no idea what was happening outside the barony, I could still live.
Right now, however, was not the time for arguments. First, I had to figure out what the heck was going on.
“Hmm. Well, hearing that makes me realize I was at fault.”
I feigned understanding and quickly changed the subject.
“His Majesty has been on the throne for half a year already, you little rascal!”
While scolding me, Father’s lips curved up in a strangely satisfied smile. This was the first time I had gotten one over him in a long time.
Most barony work fell to me, so the scolding usually came from me. Mother had always taken my side because she couldn’t stand Father’s laziness.
This was the perfect moment for me to adopt the right attitude.
“Yes, Father. I really was on the verge of never knowing.”
I played along just right.
Father’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
Well, if he said he had no such intention, I would be lying.
“Hah tsk tsk. A kid who hasn’t even grown whiskers yet trying to mock an adult.”
“So why am I suddenly supposed to go to the palace?”
Before I could say anything else, I quickly shifted the topic again. Father stared at my face for a moment, then pulled a sheet of paper from the drawer and placed it on the table.
“Read this.”
He gestured with his chin. I snatched the paper and read the top line.
Recruitment Announcement
What on earth was being recruited? I scanned the contents with growing suspicion.
The Imperial Family of the Eckhart Empire is recruiting young people to serve the realm.
Eligibility: Males and females eighteen years of age or older holding the rank of baron or higher. Must have experience with administrative work. Must possess proper education. Applications will be accepted until [date]. Empress Cecilia Campbell Eckhart’s full name and the Imperial Seal.
How had this notice even reached our remote rural territory?
“I’m not just wandering around outside doing nothing.”
Father’s shoulders puffed up proudly. At that moment, a wild thought flashed through my mind.
“Father. You don’t mean to say…?”
Father grinned and pulled out another sheet from the drawer. The moment I saw it, I realized the “maybe” had been the real answer.
Second son of Baron Herald Nedville, Luke Nedville, has been selected as the final candidate. Present yourself at the palace by 9:00 AM on February 15 of the Imperial Year 375.
February 15th… only two weeks left!
I stared at Father in sheer horror. He burst out laughing at my reaction.
“Hahaha! Aren’t you happy!”
“Why did you submit the application without even telling me?!” I shouted, but Father was still overjoyed. Watching him only gave me a pounding headache, so I pressed my hand to my forehead.
In short, this was how it had happened: Father had somehow obtained the recruitment notice. He had read it and immediately submitted my application without consulting me. The application had been accepted.
Even if that already made me look incompetent, the real problem was waiting.
Right now the Emperor of the Eckhart Empire was Cecilia Campbell Eckhart. As I mentioned earlier, she was a tyrant who would drag the empire down the path of ruin.
In other words, if I went along with this, I would be working under that tyrant!
‘If I’m careless, I might not even have a neck left…’
The thought sent chills racing down my spine.
“Luke.”
Father suddenly straightened up with a stern expression. He walked over to me.
“A man like you is content to live out your days in this tiny barony?”
“Eh?”
I answered in a daze. Father sighed deeply and shook his head.
“I used to be the lord of this small place, but back in the day…”
“You swept across the northern Hermoa Kingdom at the tip of the Arsenia Continent, the southern Sergel Kingdom, and the seas around the world, hunting down pirates, right?”
“Son, listen to your father.”
Father’s face darkened with displeasure, but he had no choice. If I left him talking for over half an hour, I would be in trouble. Besides, I respected my father. Thanks to the deeds that earned him the title and this fine estate, I could live well.
Actually, he had been offered a count’s title too, but he refused. He didn’t want to join the court.
“Anyway, this is what I’m trying to say: A man born into this world, dream big!”
“So you mean I should leave the barony and gain experience somewhere else?”
“Exactly! You’ve understood perfectly!”
Father laughed heartily again.
Well, thinking about it, Father’s words weren’t wrong. Living in Nedville wasn’t bad, but it was good to get some experience away from home while still young.
The problem was that the current Empress was Cecilia. How could I work under that tyrant…?
“Father. I have one request for my life.”
“No.”
“I haven’t even said what it is yet.”
“You’re trying to get out of it, aren’t you?”
“…”
He was right. I had no choice but to give in.
“Once something is decided, it cannot be changed. The Empress personally chose and selected you. Do you think you can just ignore that on a whim?”
Damn it… I had never seen this plot point in the novel. With no escape route, my future suddenly seemed very dark. Father, of course, had no idea what was burning inside me.
“Why are you worrying so much, son? If you bump into things and learn, you’ll manage somehow.”
He patted my shoulder.
“And if you gain recognition in the imperial court, it will be an even greater honor for our family. Think of your family. At least make it a proper effort. Besides, we can’t send Hans to the palace, can we?”
“Well… that’s true…”
I answered half-heartedly, but Father was already drunk with joy.
“Therefore, today is a celebration party!”
“Ah, yes…”
I had a good idea how a cow being led to the slaughter felt.
* * *
The news that I was about to leave for the palace spread through the family in an instant. Naturally, the source was Father’s big mouth.
“Oh my, Luke. You really got a job at the palace?”
At first Mother looked doubtful, but once Father showed her the final selection notice, she was as happy as if it were her own achievement.
“You’ve finally raised our family’s prestige!”
My older brother Hans said something similar to Father,
“Oppa, then buy me some new dresses and jewelry from the capital!”
Cyril was already planning his future kimchi-soju drinking sessions.
“No. We need to find you a good husband too.”
Mother downed her kimchi-soju in one go as well.
The only way for our family to survive was to settle somewhere other than the Eckhart Empire. We had to avoid the disaster that would hit when the empire fell.
Even so, I couldn’t say any of that out loud. Everyone would call me crazy and shun me.
‘If I hadn’t been reincarnated, I might have been genuinely happy if I hadn’t known the future…’
That evening, the dining room was filled with a feast I rarely saw. Beef steaks, various seafood dishes only possible in this remote corner of the empire, stews, and more. Father even brought out the wine he treasured most.
“Everyone, stand up.”
Father rose with his wine glass in hand, and the rest of us followed.
“To Luke and the glory of our family!”
“To the glory!”
Everyone laughed and clinked glasses. I was smiling, but it wasn’t a happy smile.
With the dark future staring me in the face, where was a human being supposed to find happiness? The food I usually enjoyed tasted like ash going down or not going down at all.
Right after dinner, Father turned to Mother.
“Dear, if we keep this happy news to ourselves, won’t the villagers be disappointed?”
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
Brother and Cyril agreed it would be best to let the villagers know.
“Luke, don’t you think we should share this joy together?”
I sighed inwardly. Now they were all on the same side and asking me?
“Yes. I agree.”
I forced a smile and answered.
“You little rascal, you need to be happier!”
“Luke, I’m really happy just that you’re going to work at the palace.”
This was the first time I felt so suffocated about not being able to tell my parents the truth about the novel.