Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Surrender
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So, dinner with the imperial family.
The new Empress Maria and the Crown Prince sat across from us, while Luna and I sat beside them.
Where was the Emperor who invited us? Only his family was here?
Anyway, the new Empress was quite pretty.
She looked about the same age as the Crown Prince sitting next to her.
Subtly... was this some kind of family tree mess?
As I had that thought, the Empress spoke up with an awkward smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Grand Duchess Luna, Sir Aiden."
"A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty Empress Maria."
"A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty Empress Maria."
I hoped time would pass quickly as we exchanged greetings.
Then the Crown Prince gazed at Luna with a sleazy look in his eyes.
"Heh heh, His Majesty seems to have high expectations for the growth of the Grand Duchy. That's why he arranged this gathering."
"Oh? Is that so?"
The Empress nodded with a faint smile.
Young and quite pretty.
From what I'd heard from the Emperor during our drinking session, her alchemy skills weren't bad.
The age gap looked like about twenty years, but...
For an Emperor, that was probably manageable.
-Creak.
At that moment, the door opened, and the Emperor entered.
"Aiden, you got absolutely smashed on liquor last night. How's your body holding up?"
I rolled my eyes, pondering how to respond to the Emperor's friendly tone.
I couldn't slur my words like I did yesterday when I was wasted.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I'm fine now."
"Haha, call me 'brother' casually, Aiden."
What... did he say?
As I was stunned, shock rippled across everyone's faces in the room.
Luna especially...
She just shot me a confused look that screamed, What the hell have you been up to?
I... I don't know either... I really don't remember!
The Emperor sat beside the Empress and spoke.
"The reason I gathered you all today is this. Aiden and I have decided to become sworn brothers. Ferdinand, Maria—greet my little brother."
At the Emperor's words, the Crown Prince and Empress looked embarrassed.
What was it? They seemed reluctant to call me 'uncle' or 'young master' since I was only a few years older than them at most?
"Y-Your... Your Majesty? If I may ask, when did the two of you decide on such a relationship...?"
Luna, gripped by shock, forced a calm expression as she asked the Emperor.
"At yesterday's drinking party. Aiden thinks of me and worries about me more than anyone else—it reminded me of my late youngest brother."
The Emperor spoke with distant eyes, while Luna glared at me in contrast.
-Zap...
"I have brothers, but even now, no one has thought of me like my youngest did... Aiden was the first."
The Emperor's wistful words jogged my memory of last night's drinking.
-"Seeing you reminds me of my deceased brother. You two really look alike."
-"If I remind you of your late brother... from now on, I'll serve Your Majesty as my elder brother."
-"Haha! So straightforward..."
-"Like my youngest. Great! I'll treat you like a brother too. Why not make it official and become sworn brothers? You worry about me just like him."
-"Sounds good! I love it!"
-"So bold! Just like my youngest!"
-"Cheers! Once we drink this, there's no going back!"
-"You got it! I never thought I'd click so well with the empire's greatest power! Brother!"
Ah... I'm screwed.
As I recalled it all,
the Empress and Crown Prince finally looked at me and asked.
"Come to think of it, aren't you from the Eastern Continent?"
"Ferdinand, I've taken Aiden as my sworn younger brother. Mind your manners."
"Ah... Y-yes. Um... Uncle, are you from the Eastern Continent?"
The Eastern Continent. I hear that's where people like me, Easterners, live.
"Yes, that's right."
"Speak casually to Ferdinand too, Aiden. You are truly my brother. Show my son some dignity as his uncle."
The Emperor spoke with a serious face, and
-Pinch.
Luna pinched my thigh.
As I looked at her in pain...
She glared with fierce eyes, as if asking if that was really all there was to it.
"B-but Your Majesty. Then what about young master Aiden's family...?"
The Empress's question made the Emperor look regretful.
"Sadly, he won't be joining the de Savoy family."
Excuse me? If I joined the imperial family, I'd be too burdened to do anything!
"Come on, everyone, say hello."
At the Emperor's urging, the Crown Prince hesitantly spoke.
"I'm Ferdinand de Savoy. Uncle Aiden..."
His awkward, hesitant greeting looked quite laborious.
"Cr... Crown Prince... Ah... Nice to meet you, Ferdinand."
I spoke formally, but the Emperor shot me a look, and I hurriedly switched to casual speech.
Aaah... feels like my lifespan just shortened.
"You too, greet him."
"I'm Maria von Cardel. Young master."
"N-nice... to meet you..."
I gave the Emperor an awkward look as he glared.
"Y-Your... No, brother. Isn't it proper to use formal speech with your sister-in-law?"
The Emperor thought for a moment at my words.
"You're right. Do as you're comfortable."
"Nice to meet you, sister-in-law."
"Ah... Y-yes."
An awkward silence flowed.
"Grand Duchess, Aiden is now my brother. Please take good care of him in the North."
"Of course."
Luna said that while shooting me a side-eye, and I felt like dying.
"By the way, I reviewed the Northern matters. It's hard to finalize the tax rates now, so I'll approve a provisional five-year term. We can finalize the vassal contract adjustments based on tax collection then."
Luna and I brightened at the Emperor's approval.
That meant granting permission now and settling the tax collection details in five years.
"We are grateful for Your Majesty's wisdom."
"Truly grateful, brother."
As Luna and I bowed, the Emperor nodded contentedly.
"As expected, our Aiden has such a sharp mind. And his loyalty to this brother is so high. How could I not love him?"
Time for some flattery service.
"Bro... Brother!"
I gazed at the Emperor with a thrilled expression, feeling self-satisfied at my emotional delivery...
"Aiden...!"
He stood and hugged me.
Heh heh, see? Told you it'd work out.
I shot Luna a triumphant smile, but she looked displeased.
Maybe... because I didn't tell her it'd turn out like this?
But even I hadn't remembered until the Emperor brought it up.
Later, as we ate and discussed Grand Duchy matters,
"By the way, Aiden, didn't you say you have a girlfriend? When's the wedding?"
"Uh... We're not quite ready yet..."
"Let me know when you do. No matter how busy this brother is, I'll attend my little brother's wedding."
The Emperor shone with wistful eyes.
Aaah... stop with those burdensome eyes...
It was incredibly burdensome.
Why did I say such nonsense yesterday...?
If I could honestly grab yesterday's me by the neck and twist, I'd do it a dozen times.
Becoming sworn brothers with the world's top power without fear.
I... just wanted to give him the stamina tonic and bail.
"Dinner's wrapping up. Let's have a drink, brother? Aiden."
"Of course! I'd be offended if you didn't invite me."
I grinned broadly, and the Emperor nodded satisfiedly.
"Dear, we'll head out first."
"Don't drink too much."
The Emperor whispered something in the Empress's ear...
"D-do as you please."
She bowed her head, face flushed.
"Heh heh, Grand Duchess. Mind if I borrow Aiden for a bit?"
"As Your Majesty wishes."
The Emperor nodded at Luna's words.
"Thanks. Aiden, let's grab a drink."
"Yes!"
And so, the Emperor and I went for round two...
The next morning.
"Aiden?"
"Mmm..."
"Aiden, get up."
Luna's calm, settled voice snapped me awake.
"Whoa!"
"Sl-leep well?"
Fierce eyes, upturned lips, and slightly trembling cheeks.
I could feel just how upset Luna was right now.
"I knew Aiden was capable, but... since when were you on brotherly terms with His Majesty? I'm dying to know."
"Haha... well..."
Should I tell her we bonded over raging libidos?
"Heh heh, whatever, that's that..."
Luna's eyes flashed.
"But you didn't tell me anything about it?! Come here!"
"Eek! S-surrender! I surrender!"
Luna roughly pinched my side.
"Ow! B-bone... hit a bone!"
"What bone's in your side? Stop exaggerating!"
"Eeeeek!"
That's when I realized Swordmasters have exceptional pinching strength too.
This must be... the beaten husband?
After the commotion, I told Luna everything that happened with the Emperor.
But she just blinked, as if finding it hard to understand.
Then she pressed her forehead like her head hurt.
"So... you two bonded over that stamina tonic and became sworn brothers?"
"That's what happened! His Majesty was so frustrated because he couldn't even consummate with the Empress."
"Just over that... you become sworn brothers?"
Luna's words showed she didn't get men's hearts.
"Just that? It's huge! Men's pride!"
She shook her head.
"That's men's pride? I don't get it..."
To Luna, who couldn't understand, I explained kindly.
"Think about it. If I became impotent or couldn't get it up, what would you do?"
Luna answered without a second's hesitation.
"I'd still stay by your side. That'd be fine too. I love you yourself."
She said it with pure, unblemished eyes.
Anyone would think she was the epitome of selfless purity...
"What are you saying... You, who squeezes me out every night for one more round..."
"That's different."
Luna replied curtly.
She glanced around and continued.
"Do you know why I like that stuff?"
"Just... 'cause you like it?"
"No, seeing your fully relaxed face and expression makes me want more."
-Smack.
"Hehe... No more secrets from me from now on."
She snuggled into my arms.
Luna pinched my cheek lightly and asked.
"Answer?"
"Pfft... I won't."