23. Preparations for the wedding.
Jillian faithfully kept his promise.
As soon as the meeting ended, he immediately put out a notice to recruit ‘knights’ in Baloch territory and adjacent territories.
And the announcement made just after noon reached the imperial court before the sun had passed the horizon.
***
“The Baloch Territory is recruiting knights?”
The Chamberlain glanced sideways at the Emperor, who was savouring the scent of tea, and checked again with the knights.
“Is this solid information?”
“Yes, Chamberlain.”
“What is the recruitment scale?”
“The specific size was not provided, and it was stated that eligibility to apply was limited to those who had received formal ordination.”
“Only being officially ordained? Didn’t they specify their origins?”
“Yes.”
Anyone can apply for knighthood through an annual exam.
Termina, located in the northern hemisphere, has monsters as well, but it is a neighboring country with a border, and there are two mountain ranges with rugged terrain, so the number of standing troops was unusually high in demand.
If the number of knights is limited to nobles like in neighboring countries, Termina will not be able to meet that number needed.
Therefore, unlike other countries, the knights of Termina did not have an origin restriction on being appointed as a knight.
However, noble families usually preferred knights of ‘noble origin.’
The reason was that the escort of women could not be entrusted to someone who was not a nobleman.
But if it didn’t matter where the knights recruited came from…
It seemed that the knights recruited in the Baloch Territory were knights with real military force, not just for show.
The chamberlain’s gaze glanced at the Emperor enjoying his tea, then fell.
It was peace for the first time in a while.
Knowing that, the chamberlain had no intention of going to the Emperor for anything, but that was not possible in this case.
The chief chamberlain let out a small sigh and waved his hand to move the other servants and maids away.
“Haa.”
Is he going to throw the teacup?
Just when he started walking reluctantly towards the Emperor.
The young servant who had just been sent away came back in a hurry.
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is coming.”
“What?”
Almost at the same time that the chamberlain heard that, the Crown Prince rushed in at a fast pace.
“Greeting your…..”
“What about His Majesty the Emperor?”
The Crown Prince waved his hand half-heartedly and immediately asked about the Emperor’s condition.
“Enjoying your tea time.”
“You don’t need to wait on him, go take care of the people around here first.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The chamberlain bowed deeply at the prince’s words.
And before he could turn and leave the hall, the Crown Prince’s angry voice rang out.
“Your Majesty, did you hear? Baloch is recruiting knights!”
Ah, I servived.
The chamberlain, who was relieved, even waved his hand to clear away all the knights who were standing guard.
Since it was the crown prince who delivered the message, no matter how angry the Emperor was, would he make trouble to the prince?
If one of the knights happen to be nearby and get noticed, only them will get hurt.
“Get out, get out!”
The chamberlain shouted firmly at the hesitating knights.
“Get out quickly! Didn’t you hear me tell you to leave the area!”
“……”
“Hurry!”
As he was struggling to force the knights who were standing still and dragged them out, the chamberlain did not hear the sound of something breaking through the closed door.
***
CRASH!
It was an incredibly harsh sound that could not have been believed to have come from a human head, but neither the person who was hit nor the person who hit him reacted.
“Say it again.”
It was peaceful for the first time in a long while.
One way or another, I solved Baloch’s problem and got rid of Bianca, who had always been a thorn in my side.1That’s the Emperor point of view.
When Izar came to visit after that, my heart was a little less upset for a moment, but it was resolved well.
I was just wondering if I was going to have a truly peaceful day today as usual.
However…
“What is Baloch doing?”
That Baloch!
Eclipse gritted his teeth.
Jeremy, who had been hit by a thrown teacup, had his head broken and was unable to come to his senses.
Eclipse, who was unable to control his agitation, looked at Jeremy, who was desperately suppressing his moans while holding his head.
My heart sank at the sight.
What kind of horrible thing did I do?
I was so surprised again that I almost ran to him.
Sometimes I sigh at how incompetent I am, and sometimes I feel like I should hold on longer and teach him well.2Wow, he knows he is incompetent. Awesome self awareness *\0/*
For a brief moment, I had mixed emotions.
Clicking his tongue, Eclipse got up, walked over to Jeremy, and handed him a handkerchief.
Jeremy seemed to have finally come to his senses after pressing down on his swollen forehead, then he hesitated and opened his mouth again.
“What are you going to do about that?”
“What?”
“Baloch are gathering forces.”
As soon as I came to my senses, I heard the sound of my stomach scratching again.
Ecliffe wanted to throw the teapot for the second time, but he endured the growing tantrum by clenching his fists.
Wasn’t it his fault to suddenly break in and say something like that, which upset people without any hints?3Oh, he is back to the normal. For a second, I believed that he had a consciousness:-|
But I already exploded once, it’s time to watch my mouth.
I can’t lose my senses again.
“Jeremy Termina.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Calm down.”
“Then, call the guard captain right now….”
“Calm down.”
What a hater.
Eclipse muttered audibly and stretched out his body, burying himself deeply in the sofa.
Jeremy, who was standing in front of him, took a deep breath several times, looking like he had a lot to say, but Eclipse held Jeremy there for a long time until he got tired and closed his mouth.
And when Jeremy stopped talking.
Ecliffe opened his mouth.
“Don’t react too sensitively to Baloch’s affairs. Anyway, it’s just Baloch.”
Jeremy’s shoulders shook greatly at the words of the person who reacted most sensitively when it came to Baloch.
“I’m going to contact Bianca now and she’ll be so excited that she won’t know what to do.”
“But…….”
“but?”
“What do we do if we ignore it and they turn out to be have a dirty mind? During Silas’ reign, he never once recruited knights.”
“Jeremy Termina. Did you forget? Bianca is not Jim’s rebirth.”
“I know. But in the prophecy………….”
It was at that moment that Eclipse, who had been frowning at the prolonged conversation, suddenly relaxed.
He, who had always looked pathetic, opened his eyes and smiled for the first time.
“Such a pitiful thing. This is why I am always worried about you.”
My heart, which had been furious after his long time of rest being interrupted, was relieved by the sight of him frightened and struggling.
However, regardless of that, my disdain of the sight of people overreacting even if they were just a little scared did not go away.
At the sight of his bored gaze, Jeremy’s neck turned red and his fists clenched, but Eclipse did not even notice the sight.
This Empire was still his.
Whether he was a person who can handle that or not.
It was none of his business to know the true nature of what he was lacking.
However, Eclipse explained as if he was showing mercy, as if he had lowered him self to calm Jeremy down.
“Don’t worry about the prophecy or Baloch, Jeremy. This Emperor dug Bianca out of the ruins somewhere before giving her away.”
“……!”
Eclipse smiled at Jeremy, who opened his mouth in shock.
“Even if Baloch believes in the prophecy and act upon it. It’s no use. Bianca wasn’t born with that name either.”
“Oh my god.”
Jeremy was astonished to no end, as if he had finally understood Eclipse’s relaxed attitude.
“Want me to tell you one more thing?”
Eclipse seemed to really like Jeremy’s reaction and said in a rather mischievous voice.
“The wedding vows have not yet been submitted to the main shrine. It’s still in this Emperor’s hands. Since they haven’t received official recognition from the temple, those two are still single.”
Well, marrying a ghost who wasn’t even from the royal palace couldn’t happen in the first place.4So, he tormented her since childhood for no reason whatever!!! Oh my, I kill him!!
Eclipse chuckled until tears come out.
***
“Hailey, twenty knights will arrive from each fort within today, so get ready.”
“Even from the Seventh Citadel?”
“There are no exceptions.”
“But the wave…………….”
“In order for me to go out peacefully during the wave, the safety of the main Castle must be confirmed.”
I couldn’t come running to her every time.
Hailey immediately understood the purpose of this incident after hearing the brief sentence at the end.
“We will increase the number of the Duchess’s escorts.”
“We will attach a separate escort for her. For all the guys coming this time, put them on high alert.”
“All right.”
The conversation was short, but this was normal.
Since 20 people were selected from each fortress, there was a lot of work to do.
For each fortress, the personality of the captain and the method of suppressing the wave are different, so placement should take their characteristics into consideration.
However, this was not Jillian’s only command.
“We also need to prepare for the wedding.”
“Yes?”
This time, Hailey ended up questioning the command.
Because…
“You’re already married, right?”
“How would I get married to someone who doesn’t exist in this world?”
Hailey couldn’t answer because she couldn’t keep up with the conversation.
Jillian added a short explanation to Hailey, who was standing blankly.
“He told me to take Bianca Termina as his bride but also said he had erased her from the royal family tree.”
Did he think I’m a fool?
Or was he stupid just enough to mention such a loophole himself?
“So, what happens now? According to the prophecy, Baloch will be free only if Termina is obtained… ”
“Hailey Armor. I didn’t know that something as superficial as prophecy would come out of your mouth.”
“Sorry.”
Hailey immediately realized her mistake.
Although it was said to be out of loyalty, she talked about Balock’s situation of them being restricted in front of her master.
“I made a mistake.”
“I understand. It’s expected.”
But instead of reprimanding, Jillian smiled subtly.
“The prophecy is not important. I was being presumptuous.”
“No, it’s important. It’s important. And I never said it was false.”
Jillian Baloch.
He was a good master.
He playfully comforted Hailey, who was shaking her head in despair.
Hailey bowed her head to Jillian, who was trying to sound cheerful, and muttered an apology.
“Alright then, go prepare for the wedding.”
“When do you expect the ceremony to take place?”
“Well, I guess it will be after the wave ends.”
Hailey calmly nodded at his words.
“The dress needs to be tailored, so next spring would be best.”
“Discuss the date with my wife. When it comes to the wedding, my wife’s opinion will be the most important.”
“Then can I discuss the dress and accessories with her right away?”
“That’s right. If you need anything, let me know.”
It was a moment when they wondered if their conversation would end like that.
Julie, who was heading to Bianca’s bedroom with new sheets, passed by and snuck in.
“By the way, when did you prepare to propose?”
“Prepare?”
“Yes, I heard it’s popular these days to give people rings, bouquets of flowers, mines …etc.”
Ring, bouquet, mine?
Hailey’s eyes narrowed as she heard Jillian repeating Julie’s words.
“Are you sure you just said that?”
“……….”
“Do you hear me?”
Jillian didn’t answer.
Julie thought of something as the silence grew longer.
Why was he preparing for the wedding even though he didn’t even hear a reply to the verbal proposal?
“Doesn’t that sound like an order, rather than a marriage proposal?”
***
TL:
Hello everyone,
Anyone want to say something?
Me first, I think the story is picking up its pace, what do you think?
