Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

955 – The Era of Mass Distribution – 5

The count and the crown princess headed to Her Majesty’s residence.

It was a truly strange combination. If the Crown Princess had gone to see His Majesty alone, people would have thought that she was just a granddaughter playing with her grandfather, and if the Count had gone to see His Majesty alone, people would have thought that something important had happened.

Of course, it is not normal to ignore the Emperor and go to His Majesty the Emperor, but wouldn’t it be more sensible for the Count and His Majesty the Emperor to meet alone rather than the combination of the Count, the Crown Princess, and His Majesty the Emperor?

‘Have you been summoned by His Majesty?’

Thanks to that, I even had that thought. I wondered if His Majesty had personally summoned the Count and the Crown Princess.

However, His Majesty does not act in secret when something is needed. He respects my authority as Emperor and head of the Livnoman family, and carries out all his actions with my knowledge.

In that situation, something happened that I didn’t know about? It would be more correct to see it as the count’s arbitrary decision rather than His Majesty’s decision.

‘What’s going on?’

That’s why it’s confusing. The Count spews out all sorts of things to me, but he’s not crazy enough to do that to His Majesty. Rather, if he ever gets to see His Majesty, he’ll come running to me and beg for help.

And yet the Count decided to meet His Majesty, and he brought the Crown Princess with him.

‘I can’t figure it out at all.’

So, he told the Count to come to his office right away when he finished his business.

“I, Titi, have been feeling down lately, so I have come to see Your Majesty, despite my rudeness, to show you Titi’s siblings.”

I ended up hearing an answer that was beyond my imagination.

The guy who grumbles and comes when I call him says that he went to see His Majesty on his own. The surprising answer is that the reason is for his pet dog.

It was such an unexpected remark that I couldn’t open my mouth for a while. It was probably something that even His Majesty, let alone me, could not have guessed.

‘Has the Count aged too?’

I barely regained my senses.

As people grow older, they tend to make somewhat boring jokes. Although the Count is still young, not even thirty, he has experienced the hardships of an old man. Apart from his physical age, his mental age must be considerable.

“count.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“There are only Jim and the Count here, so you may tell me the truth. Why have you come to see His Majesty?”

Although he tried to soothe him gently, the count quietly lowered his head.

No, really? That’s really the reason? The reason you volunteered to meet His Majesty was because of your pet dog?

Former Minister of the Imperial Household, or even more broadly, Mayor of Ausen, is that the reason why I am afraid to even say hello to that person?

“Hot.”

I burst out laughing reflexively.

“Hahahahahaha!”

I knew that the Count was quite different from ordinary nobles, but I didn’t know that he would engage in such an antics, so I burst out laughing.

Which noble in this world would go to see the former monarch who stepped down for the sake of his pet dog? Which noble would treat the royal family so comfortably?

If I had not known the count’s character, I would have thought of him as a traitor who despised the imperial family. If the relationship between the count and the imperial family had been even a little loose, I would have thought of him as a traitor who was proud of the imperial family’s favor.

If the Count had not been known for his dedication and achievements to the royal family and the empire, I would have simply thought he was crazy.

‘This is true.’

But the count has character, connections with the royal family, devotion and achievements. It is a difficult antics to understand, but we can accept it and laugh about it.

…To be honest, it’s hard to understand, but I can still accept it. If I don’t understand the Count, who will?

“Does Your Majesty know the situation?”

“His Majesty the King welcomed my sudden visit with open arms, but did not say a word.”

“I see.”

Fortunately, I seem to be the only one who knows this truth.

Perhaps His Majesty respected and trusted the Count, so he didn’t say anything. The Count had his own reasons, and he thought so as the Crown Princess’ godfather.

Actually, that thought was for the pet dog, not the crown princess.

‘If this is loyalty, then is it loyalty?’

Let’s think positively. The Count’s pet dog, Titi, is a child that was given to him by His Majesty the Emperor himself. To do your best for that child means that you cherish His Majesty’s gift in a special way.

Let’s just think about it that way. That way we can understand this ridiculous situation a little bit.

“Count. So where is Titi?”

“I am heading to the residence of the Crown Princess together with you. Do not worry, Her Majesty the Empress’s chief maid is with you.”

At those words, laughter broke out again.

The Crown Princess loves the Count’s pets, including Titi. In other words, caring for Titi goes beyond respect for His Majesty and is a consideration for the Crown Princess.

The count is truly a loyal subject, satisfying both His Majesty and the future Emperor and Crown Princess at the same time while serving the Empire.

“Then there’s no need to go back in a hurry. While I’m here, why don’t I have a cup of tea before I go?”

Now, if I can satisfy you, I will become a wonderful loyal subject who has satisfied three generations.

“Your Majesty, you said tea, so why are you teasing the floor─”

“This is the difference in the Kingdom of Lucien. An emperor standing on the continent must be able to respect the cultural differences of each country. The Count should also keep this in mind.”

“Yes, Your Majesty…”

I gave the count a bottle of the evergreen tea I had been saving.

The urgent work was finally over and we were just catching our breath. There was plenty of time to have a light chat over a bottle of wine.

“More than that, Count. How did Titi die? I don’t think you were neglecting her.”

“Recently, two of Titi’s puppies have become independent.”

“Oh, was that why? It sure was killing me.”

It was a very reasonable reason, so I immediately accepted it. I would also be sad if our Carolus and Caroline were to become independent outside the palace.

‘Hey kid.’

By the way, Titi has already given birth to her offspring and has become independent, but I don’t know when the children Your Majesty is raising will reproduce. Since there are siblings, do they not see each other as mates?

Well, fortunately, all four of them are young, so they will find mates when the time comes. If necessary, I can give His Majesty the new dogs as a gift.

“I’m thinking of letting 10 more become independent in the future. I’m worried that Titi might question my convictions.”

Meanwhile, the Count was sighing earnestly, fiddling with the bottle of vodka.

It’s a sight that makes you laugh even if you try to understand it. Does it make sense for a noble who holds the real power in the empire to be anxious about a pet dog?

While he wants to share this delightful sight with other nobles, he also wants to keep it hidden for the sake of the imperial authority.

I don’t know what to do with these complicated feelings.

***

As time went by, our children began to leave.

One went to the white man in the distance. One went to the big man who often comes to the master’s house. And one went to the master’s parents, and one went to the master’s younger brother. Four of them have already left me and Jenny.

I’m sad. I thought they would be with me and Jenny for the rest of our lives! I thought we would live together forever, but they’re leaving, so I’m sad!

But it’s not that sad. They’ve all gone to good places. The white man, the big man, and the owner’s family are all good people! I believe they’ll be doing well there too!

– Woof!

So I comforted Jenny who was lying down.

Don’t worry, Jenny! Everyone will eat well, sleep well, and play well! Just like I was separated from my siblings, but I was doing well at the master’s house!

– Squeak…

Jenny’s tail barely started to wag at my comfort.

My heart hurts. This is just pretending to be okay. It’s trying to pretend to be okay because I’m comforting you!

What should I do? What should I do? Should I ask the owner to go and meet the pups? The one that went to the white person will be difficult, but the other pups are close by, so I think I can meet them.

But that’s not good. Every time I go to see her, it’ll only make things harder for Jenny. Because if I go to see her every time I’m hurt, my heart will never get better.

“Titi! Jenny, are you still crying?”

– Woof!

While I was wondering what to do, Jenny’s favorite little guy came out. And he was holding Jenny’s favorite meat!

Welcome! Thank you for coming! Jenny’s heart will be more at ease if she eats something delicious!

“Jenny! Eat this! The chef prepared something delicious!”

Jenny also came closer to the little person and put meat in her mouth.

Eat a lot, Jenny! You need to eat a lot to gain strength, and you need to have strength to feel good!

“Eat Titi too! This is Titi’s!”

– Woof!

He took a bite of the meat at the little man’s words and pushed it towards Jenny.

Jenny should eat before me! But if I don’t eat at all, Jenny will worry! I have to eat at least one bite!

“Don’t cry, Titi or Jenny. I’m sad that the kids are leaving too, but everyone is doing well! That’s what dad said!”

– Woof woof!

– Ugh…

Jenny and I both answered that right away.

Yes! I’m sure they’ll all be fine! Our master said so too, so I’m sure! The people who took them were all good people─

“And if Titi and Jenny cheer up, there will be more annoying kids! If the annoying kids leave, there will be more!”

– Huh?

This time I tilted my head.

Baby, make it again? If it disappears, make a new one?

I never thought about it. I already have fourteen kids, so I was happy just spending time with them, so I didn’t think about it at all.

‘young!’

Little man’s words! Sounds good!

That’s right! When the pups leave us, we just have to have new ones! Someday, they will leave us too, but as long as our pups grow, we’re satisfied with that!

Master, you’ve had many little masters! Jenny and I can have many more too!

– Woof!

– Woof woof!

Jenny also wagged her tail faster.

I think we feel the same way!

***

Titi’s expression became strange after visiting Luciano’s mansion.

A subtle expression that seems tired yet happy. I wonder what kind of expression that is.

“What happened?”

At my words, Titi just panted.

It wasn’t until a few days later that I realized that this meant that they had had an exchange of words between the couple.