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I staked my resignation on it. I vowed that I would act as a protective barrier around my in-laws during this New Year’s Ball and would become a living totem, holding the family together.

If I failed to keep that vow, the feeling of eyes boring into the back of my head would be the least of my problems. I’d likely be bombarded with a barrage of questions until my eardrums felt like they were going to burst.

Honestly, I was a bit scared to look back. I could surely handle a punch or two, but taking multiple blows to the gut in a short span of time was a different story.

That was exactly the situation now. Here I was, attending my first official event since getting into a relationship. But I didn’t have just one partner—there were six.

Two of them came from ducal families, and one was a duke herself. Even the most indifferent sage would be giving me a standing ovation. It was no wonder I was being bombarded by stares.

Still, I could handle it if it stopped there. Marriages among the nobility were standard practice, after all. The fact that the Mage Duchess herself was marrying someone as young as me might be surprising to them, but the concept of marriage itself wasn’t shocking. It was a lot of attention, but not something entirely out of the ordinary.

“Wait, she’s Her Grace’s disciple? That young lady?”

“Unbelievable. Her Grace has always offered advice here and there, but she’s never taken on a formal disciple.”

“Exactly. Even the past Tower Masters never had the privilege of being taught by her. This is huge.”

However, the appearance of the Mage Duchess’s disciple was a whole different issue. No matter how you spun it, this was an event that shouldn’t have happened. The reaction from the nobles, after hearing the Mage Duchess’s declaration, spoke volumes.

Despite countless pleas from other Tower Masters over the years, the Mage Duchess never took on a disciple. And now there was one out of the blue? This was the kind of news that would make any mage gasp, not just in the empire but anywhere in the world.

Naturally, the nobles who had been keeping their distance started stirring. It was no surprise considering the potential political ripple effects of someone being named the Mage Duchess’s disciple. And it wasn’t just any disciple—she was the only disciple. That made it even more powerful.

“We haven’t had the chance to meet before, but now we’re family.”

“Oh, um, yes…”

“Once you have time, come visit the tower. I’ll teach you properly as your teacher.”

Even in the middle of all this, the Mage Duchess gently patted Louise on the head while speaking in a soft tone. It was almost funny how a simple comment like that could send the nobles spiraling into chaos in real-time.

Of course, I didn’t stop it. Although Louise was now the center of excessive attention with her new title as ‘the Mage Duchess’s only disciple,’ this was something she had to bear considering her original status. It was still much better than being seen as a lesser-ranking lover.

“Congratulations, Louise. A future Tower Master is standing right before us.”

I gave Louise a reassuring smile. Of everyone here, she was probably the most overwhelmed. She could use some guidance on how to handle this.

“Th-thank you!”

With my words snapping her back to reality, Louise quickly bowed to the Mage Duchess, expressing her gratitude. And just like that, their unofficial mentorship from nine years ago was formalized.

It was truly a joyous occasion…

***That was the story I explained to the 1st Manager, who had joined us late.

“So, that’s why I’m here too?”

“Yep. It’s not like you had anywhere else to be, anyway.”

“Well, that’s true.”

As the 1st Manager nodded, I added with a smirk.

“If you don’t want to stay, feel free to wander around. But you’ll probably get stopped every three steps.”

“Ugh, I really don’t want to go through that again.”

Seeing the 1st Manager shiver at the thought made me chuckle. Even Marquis Iones, who had been listening to Iron-blooded Duke explain things, wore a strained smile. It looked like he’d had his fair share of dealing with this kind of annoyance. �

Unlike my in-laws, who had already formed a tight group, Marquis Iones had business to discuss with other marquises, so he was left on his own. Since he was apart from us, he became an easy target for the other nobles, who swarmed him relentlessly.

It wasn’t until he rejoined our group that he learned the reason why. From his and the 1st Manager’s perspective, not knowing why they were being bombarded must’ve been frustrating enough to bring tears to their eyes.

“Just stick close to us. Don’t go wandering off somewhere strange.”

I patted the 1st Manager’s shoulder, who had clearly been overwhelmed by the situation. Then, she pouted and muttered in response.

“We had communication crystals… You could’ve warned me ahead of time.”

“Sorry, it slipped my mind.”

I wrapped an arm around her waist as I spoke, and her pout melted away into a lighthearted giggle.

Honestly, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference even if I had warned them. But it was always better to face things knowing what was coming, so I should’ve given them a heads-up. That was my mistake.

“Well, I suppose I’ll have to forgive you this time! You should be thankful!”

“Thank you. Our Elizabeth sure has a big heart.”

Luckily, my sincere apology seemed to have smoothed things over with the 1st Manager.

Honesty really was the best policy. Add a little physical affection and it was the ultimate combo.

***Maintaining good relations among the imperial families was crucial. As vassals directly under the Emperor, imperial families operated differently from regular nobles. From the beginning, they were designed to act as both swords and shields to protect the Emperor’s power, often standing against the rest of the nobility.

Because of this somewhat aggressive origin, it had always been difficult for imperial families to mingle comfortably with other noble families. That was why maintaining strong bonds between the imperial families themselves was so vital. They’d find themselves isolated if they couldn’t get along with each other.

So, it was no surprise that the ladies of each house had their own separate meeting while the heads of the families gathered with the Crown Prince.

“I’m always so envious of your family. I’d wish for nothing more if my son were even half as diligent as the Executive Manager.”

“You flatter me, really.”

“Oh, nonsense. False modesty can be a poison, you know.”

“Indeed. My child only recently started helping with our territory, and you’d think he was being tortured.”

When mothers gathered, it was inevitable that the conversation would turn to their children. And when there was a particularly outstanding child among them, it was only natural that they became the topic of conversation.

I felt a surge of pride. I couldn’t help but feel an indescribable joy every time these women, who lacked nothing, looked at me with a mix of envy and mild jealousy every time they praised Carl.

Yes, he truly was a remarkable child. He had turned into someone who could stand tall among his peers despite growing up under an inexperienced mother like me and without getting the proper love and attention he deserved. Not just among those his age, but among all titled nobles.

“Fufu, is that so?”

So, I simply smiled when the ladies showered me with praise. If I had been more hands-on in raising Carl, then perhaps I would’ve subtly boasted about my stellar parenting. I might’ve basked in their admiration.

But how could I? With what right could I claim credit for the path that child, who grew up almost entirely on his own, had walked? All I could do was smile.

“But, my lady, are you sure it’s alright not to check on him?”

In the midst of our long conversation about our children, one lady’s comment brought everyone’s attention back to me.

Though the question seemed a bit out of the blue, everyone knew what it meant. She was asking if it was really okay for me to be here while Carl was spending time with his lovers and in-laws.

“Yes. Carl has been so busy with the academy that he hasn’t had much time to relax. He hasn’t had many chances to see his lovers in the capital, either. I think it’s best if they have some time alone together.”

“My, how thoughtful of you.”

The lady replied and left it at that. It wasn’t a question meant to dismiss me but was more out of genuine curiosity.

I smiled back at her and subtly glanced in Carl’s direction.

…Some time alone.

Truth be told, I wanted to go. I wanted to share that intimate time with Carl and Billy. I wanted to meet his lovers, the women who would become my daughters-in-law. I also wanted to connect with the families we would be joining through marriage.

However, I held back, remembering what Carl said before the New Year’s Ball.

— It’ll probably be quite hectic for the first couple of days. Meeting everyone during that chaos would be tiring for you, so wouldn’t it be better to wait until things calm down?

How could I refuse him when he asked so sincerely? Besides, he wasn’t wrong. It made sense.

During the early part of the New Year’s Ball, Billy wouldn’t be able to move freely either because of the meetings between the imperial families. It would be strange to meet our in-laws without the Patriarch of the family present. So, it made more sense to wait until things settled down and Billie was finished with his obligations, just as Carl said.

— I wanted to plan things out gradually, but everything happened so quickly. I hope this isn’t too exhausting for you both.

“Don’t worry about it, dear. Who would complain about meeting their future daughters-in-law?”

Seeing Carl smile awkwardly, embarrassed by the whole situation, made it even more impossible to say no.

A son proudly introducing his lovers and who worried that his busy schedule might exhaust his parents. How could I not feel joy? How could I possibly say no?

— Thank you. I’ll make sure to talk to my in-laws ahead of time.

“Of course, do what makes you comfortable.”

— Oh, and I’ll visit separately after the New Year’s Ball. There are a lot of people, including Mar, who want to have a meal with their mother-in-law.

I found myself smiling for a long time after the communication ended, my hand still resting on the device. The conversation I had with Carl felt like something any mother and son might have, and that made me incredibly happy.

Just a few more days.

I reminded myself, recalling those warm feelings from before.

Yes, just for a few more days. Like Carl said, things would quiet down in two, or maybe three days at most.

***And three days later, just as the chaos had finally started to subside, word came that His Majesty the Emperor had invited Carl to lunch.

…

Just one more day.

I placed a trembling hand over my chest while breathing deeply.

I was afraid that I might start nurturing the seeds of rebellion deep within if I didn’t calm myself down.