I Reincarnated As the Third Son of a Count’s Family, Only To Find a Series of Funerals

44 – Afterward.

“I never knew you would be like this, huh?! You madman!!!!”

“That’s right! Did I teach you to whip the princes?! Huh?! When did I tell you to do that?!!”

“Everyone… just calm down for a moment…”

“Do you, Miss Satria, think this is something we should calm down about?!?!”

“Well, I was shocked too, but… I’ve always known to some extent what kind of person Count Alcott is…”

Why are you reacting like that, Satria? I’m really 100% normal, I swear.

I fluttered around like a gas-filled doll at a gas station, contemplating here and there.

‘Am I messed up?’

Whipping the princes is not really a big deal. I can guarantee that if the princes can get rid of Godmilla, they can wet themselves a hundred times more.

The problem lies in apologizing to Godmilla.

Actually, I never planned on going this far. Keeping Godmilla alive and using her as a restraint was part of the plan, but making the two princes apologize to Godmilla was quite an impulsive action.

‘But I couldn’t forgive what the two princes did using Princess Celenor.’

Doris Yang was right. I did something stupid because I listened to unnecessary gossip. Of course, I’m really glad things were resolved and peace has come to the kingdom…

The problem is, how will the two princes think of me?

I’ve said this from the moment I first met the princes, but even if they’re crazy, it’s not wise to appear unfavorable to them, especially since Christopher is not just the 3rd or 4th son but the eldest. The one who will inherit the kingdom.

Of course, nothing will happen now thanks to the King or Duke, but what will happen in a few decades?

‘Oh, surely the two princes won’t really hate me just because of that.’ I thought, but since these people are not exactly normal, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

And that’s not all. Will the King view me favorably as well? I feel like I’m doing too much, me.

It’s unlikely they’ll really do that, but if His Majesty sees me as a threat to his children’s status, he might kill me.

Bang!

“Uh, m-master, His Majesty is looking for the Viscount…”

“What?!”

“What did you say?!”

With Lena’s knock and words, everyone in the room, including me, turned pale.

“L-Lord. Let’s just run away. Right?”

“No… Surely, you won’t do anything. Don’t make a scene for no reason… Agh!”

Whack! Thud! Whack!

“What! Now! You dare talk back!”

“Ah! Help! Oh! My ribs!”

“You still deserve more beating!”

I was knocked down by a level of power punches I hadn’t felt before from Master Nirsela…

Seeing me lying on the ground, Master Nirsela turned his head to look at the Grandfather.

“Lord. Did you hear me? We need to run away quickly… Lord?”

As Master Nirsela didn’t finish his sentence, I raised my head, wondering what was going on.

When I looked up, I saw that the Master was sweating and exceedingly perplexed. What is it?

The question was soon answered when he looked at the Grandfather.

“For His Majesty, I’ve been loyal for decades…”

“Lord..?”

“I’ve ended up rebelling because of my grandson… but I can’t let Lia’s only son die…”

“Lord?! Get a hold of yourself!”

Snap!

“What’s going on… What was I trying to do..?!”

Nisera Teacher drew his sword from his waist and slapped the old grandfather who was spouting nonsense. Luckily, both seemed to regain their senses.

Satrisha watched our commotion with great disdain.

“Really! Why do you act so foolishly?!”

“Foolishly…”

“No, Your Grace. Of course, our Marquis has… engaged in some crazy antics, but in the end, he brings peace to the royal family, doesn’t he? Why would you even think of chastising such a Marquis?”

“Well, still…”

“Enough with your nonsense. Marquis, quickly check your appearance! You can’t meet His Majesty looking like that, right?”

“Y-yes.”

While feeling Satrisha’s frustration, I nervously tried to fix the button that had come undone due to the wind shaking my collar. But I couldn’t manage it well.

Sensing my struggle, Satrisha approached and helped me fasten the button.

“Ugh, are you really that scared? You didn’t even flinch during much scarier situations before…”

“Oh, no. I’m not scared. How will His M-Majesty react to me?”

“You really seem scared. Well then, give me your hand.”

“Huh? Oh, here…”

Swish, swish, swish, swish.

Satrisha drew a diamond-shaped pattern on my hand with her finger. It was the symbol of the Changseong sect.

“What are you doing?”

“Just try it. Doesn’t it feel more calming? My mom used to do this when I was little and scared at night.”

Surprisingly, it had a strange effect. I still had some anxiety, but it seemed to have decreased significantly.

“…You’re right. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Now go, His Majesty is waiting. Hurry.”

Pushed by Satrisha’s back, I was propelled out of the room.

But even the old grandfather followed suit.

“Wait a minute. This old man will go with you too, just in case.”

“Why? What for?”

“Just in case, you never know. Even if things don’t go well, His Majesty won’t do anything to you because of me.”

I was convinced somehow. Yeah, no matter what, how could His Majesty deal with his immediate second-in-command within the kingdom?

“Alright, let’s go then.”

“Yes.”

So, with that, my grandfather and I made our way to the reception room where His Majesty resided.

“Listen carefully. If His Majesty seems even slightly displeased, don’t hesitate or question, just bow your head. Understood?”

“Yes, understood.”

Phew. I let out a sigh of relief.

We waited for the palace guards standing in front of the reception room to open the door.

And shortly after…

“Count Lurein and Viscount Silverwood are entering!”

With the grand sound of bells, the doors to the reception room opened.

“Hmm. This is unexpected…”

Inside the reception room, His Majesty sat on the throne, surrounded by princes standing solemnly. It was a reception room I had been to several times before, but this time it felt overwhelming, unlike anything I had experienced before.

As we entered the reception room, His Majesty spoke with a puzzled voice.

“Count Lurein…? I only called for Viscount Silverwood, why did you come along?”

“hahahaha… I heard about my grandson causing trouble for the princes and princesses…”

“Oh, that’s what it is?”

“Indeed… The count did something a bit… well, inappropriate yesterday.”

Thud!

My grandfather and I immediately kneeled down as soon as Prince Christopher finished speaking.

And we prostrated ourselves, begging.

“Your Majesty, please have mercy and spare this wretched child who is the only remaining child of your beloved daughter…”

“I apologize sincerely; I will never show any disrespect towards the princes again. Please spare him.”

His Majesty and the princes seemed taken aback by our sudden actions.

“No, no, truly. This is too much fuss over a trivial matter. Please rise.”

“Yes?”

“I mean, I do not really mind what happened yesterday.”

Christopher personally helped me up and spoke.

“Though it is true that we were embarrassed because of the count’s actions. But ultimately, thanks to the count, everything has worked out well, hasn’t it?”

“Your Majesty…”

“And apologizing to us on behalf of the count… that was a good thing, I must say.”

I was taken aback by His Majesty’s words and looked up at Prince Christopher, who had an expression as if he had realized something.

“Thanks to that, I gained the courage to apologize to the bereaved families. Before, I had made promises, but I was somewhat… afraid and unsure of myself. But after apologizing to Godmilla, I feel like I can move forward. I now have a sense of how to approach the bereaved families and act in front of them. And… thanks to the count apologizing to Godmilla, I was able to sincerely apologize to Selenor for ‘that incident’ as well.”

“If you truly think so, Your Majesty, then you will be able to overcome the various hardships that arise while fulfilling your promise.”

“hahahaha… Thank you.”

The other princes seemed to agree wholeheartedly with Christopher’s words.

As I felt a sense of inexplicable pride in my heart, His Majesty spoke.

“Marquis Lurein. You probably already know, but my greatest concern in my life has always been my children.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am well aware of how much you have worried and fretted over your children’s well-being.”

“However, your grandson, Viscount Silverwood, resolved this matter in just a few days. Now I feel as if I am at peace, as if I am in Changsung’s embrace.”

Indeed, His Majesty truly seemed at ease. It was as though he had just relieved himself after a long wait.

“To be honest, I had some suspicions about the viscount.”

“Pardon?”

“Why? Because I heard that he had secret conversations with my sons. I thought that he was colluding with them to drive out Godmilla. And even if Godmilla had acted impolitely towards you, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to do so.”

I vaguely held certain assumptions, but hearing it from the person himself was frightening. It made me realize once again that there was nowhere in this palace beyond His Majesty’s reach.

The princes also seemed slightly taken aback by His Majesty’s words.

“However, although the viscount did indeed drive out Godmilla from the palace, contrary to my expectations that he would actively accuse and antagonize her at the banquet, he actually helped reconcile me and my children sincerely. He also facilitated a somewhat satisfactory conclusion between us and Godmilla.”

His Majesty stood up from his throne and walked towards me.

He then firmly grasped both of my hands and spoke.

“I can’t even fathom how many people have been saved because of you. Not only the royal family and the palace servants, but also the families of unjustly deceased palace scholars, and even Godmilla.”

It felt a bit like self-praise, but it was true that many people in this kingdom were saved thanks to me. Imagine if Christopher had become king just as he was before I came to the palace. Well, just the thought alone is terrifying.

“For all that you have done for me, I cannot possibly reward you enough, even if I stake the honor of the king. Courtiers!”

Several attendants entered with large boxes along with the courtiers.

And when the attendants opened the lids of the boxes, the dazzling light nearly blinded me.

“These are all Lemurian gold coins. There should be around 5,800 of them.”

I felt dizzy upon hearing the amount. 5,800 Lemurian gold coins would be worth approximately 58 billion Korean won in my previous life. In this era, that amount is truly substantial. You could even tile an entire territory with luxurious castles and still have plenty left over.

“But this is not the end. Here, take this.”

His Majesty handed me something hefty like a seal.

“What is this, Your Majesty?”

“It’s a ‘proof’ stamped with the seal of our royal family.”

“This, what…!”

Great-grandfather was astonished when he saw the seal. What on earth could it be?

“No matter where you go within this kingdom, as long as you have this, your convenience will be taken care of to the fullest extent.”

“Your Majesty, Hwang Kong has arrived! Your Highness!”

According to what I heard from my grandfather later, the effect of this seal is not just a matter of “convenience.” The true meaning of this seal is that it grants the holder full authority over the king’s power. It is a seal that the king originally issued to a trusted courtier to handle something in place of the king himself.

Of course, you cannot actually act as the king. You’ll go too far and lose everything. However, with this seal, you are exempt from taxes wherever you go within the kingdom. In addition, you receive generous treatment from influential people throughout the country, and you are granted the right to judge all incidents in the kingdom. Whatever you do will be considered the law (within reasonable limits of the existing laws of the kingdom).

Especially when the country is in chaos due to external invasion, this seal shines. If there is no specific command from the king, the person who holds this seal has the authority to command the kingdom’s army on their own. Whoever holds this seal, whether they’re a Duke or a Marquis, must put forth their own army if they wish. While such occasions are rare.

Anyway, both me and my grandfather were out of our minds with gratitude for Your Majesty’s gift, when suddenly Your Majesty gave me another present.

“And this is my last gift for the Marquis.”

“This is…?”

“It’s a certificate of ownership for Westburn. This should be enough compensation for you, Marquis.”

Westburn! Come to think of it, Your Majesty occupied Westburn. And you’re giving this to me?

To me, this was the most important and valuable gift compared to anything else before. Westburn is a place with alum mines, which can generate profits worth about 580 million won in no time. When I think that the reason Westburn was able to jump like that until Your Majesty destroyed it was because of this alum mine, it really means a lot.

Of course, these lands which they had previously invaded weren’t included, but that was not an issue. If you suddenly tried to eat such a large territory, you could easily damage the nation disastrously. Anyway, what matters most is the alum mine.

I couldn’t control my overflowing emotions towards Your Majesty’s kindly given gifts, so tears flowed down unchecked as I bowed deeply in great gratitude.

Pahat!

“You shall be known as an upright subject of our kingdom for life!”

“Y-yes, Your Majesty! I humbly pledge my allegiance to Your Majesty!”

“Uh, yeah. That looks like a very difficult posture you’re taking.”

It seemed that Your Majesty was greatly shocked by my new-fashioned etiquettes. The Duke also felt the same way.

Ah, don’t you know? This is a bow performed in the East as extreme respect to the other party…

But then I suddenly had a question.

“Your Majesty, where is the Princess, by any chance? She doesn’t seem to be here…”

“Oh, Selhenor? That child is now…”

**

“Teacher, are you leaving?”

“Princess…”

Outside the castle gate, Godmilla stood with a humble bag. Considering the money she earned working as a palace tutor, she looked quite pitiful. Not only did she unjustly acquire things through the crime she committed, but she was also even fined heavily for rightfully earned money.

“Teacher, I…I’m here…”

“You don’t have to say anything more.”

“Teacher…”

“Everything is my fault.”

Godmilla cut off Selhenor’s words as if she already knew them.

“It’s my fault that I was kicked out of being a tutor, and that I became penniless…everything was my fault.”

Stepping slowly,

Gordmira approached Selenor. She raised her hand and brought it to Selenor’s eyes, gently wiping away the dried tears.

“From the beginning… it was not your fault, Your Highness. I just assumed that you were neglecting me.”

“Teacher… but…”

“I am not worthy of receiving Your Highness’s tears. So… please do not cry.”

“Sniff… if… it weren’t for my brothers…”

“There are no ‘ifs’ in this world.”

Gordmira spoke firmly.

“If I may give you one final lesson, do not dwell on the past. Your Highness has only progress to look forward to now. Instead of continuing to regret and get stuck in the past, use the past as a foundation to move forward towards the future. Value the ‘relationship’ of the present, rather than dwelling on ‘what if’ scenarios. I believe someone as intelligent as you will understand.”

“‘Relationship’…”

“It shouldn’t turn out like that ‘fairy tale’ book, right? Although you seem like a good person.”

“Huh? H-How did you know about that..?”

“You wear it every day, how would I not know.”

Gordmira momentarily embraced the confused Selenor tightly.

“So… forget about someone like me, a ‘witch’… and don’t come looking for me…”

“Teacher…”

The two cried in each other’s arms for a long time, until they had rid themselves of the remaining guilt.

And so, the eventful and turbulent few days came to an end.