Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

484 – Nearby Wife’s Estate – 3

The road to Servet was more comfortable and stable than the road to Boyar and Chenes. Aside from the symbolism of being a duchy, unlike the two duchies located at the southern and western ends of the empire, Servet is a region right next to the islands. Isn’t it strange that the roads leading to Seoul through the system are narrow and inconvenient?

Wide enough for several carriages to run side by side, neat and tidy with not a single stone in sight, and safe enough so that not even wild animals dare show up. It was an environment where there would be no problem even if you traveled on foot rather than by carriage.

‘I fell asleep again.’

Maybe that’s why I fell asleep and woke up several times in the carriage.

I didn’t really intend to sleep well, but I can’t help it. The road to the system is a work created by dividing the souls of countless civil servants and lords. As I rode the Goo-class carriage on that road, there were no beds like this. Even Rize and Rin, who were engrossed in looking at the scenery, closed their eyes at some point.

“Are you awake?”

“Ah, yes.”

And Trixie was awake alone in the carriage where everyone else was asleep.

It’s embarrassing. If the two of us were still young and asleep, I should have been Trixie’s conversation partner, but instead of talking to her, I ended up being her sleeping partner.

“I’m sorry. You were bored alone, weren’t you?”

“No, it’s okay. It’s been a while since I went from the Academy to Servet, so it was fun to watch.”

At my apology, Trixie smiled and shook her head. I was glad that it seemed sincere and not just an empty remark.

“Ah, we’ll be arriving in Quebec soon, so get ready.”

With those words, Rize and Rin, who were sleeping leaning on each other’s shoulders, were shaken.

I finally arrived at the field trip destination, but I couldn’t let him get off with a half-asleep look on his face.

Kenne. A large city that is the center of the Duchy of Servet and one of the ten greatest cities of the empire.

As it is the closest metropolitan area to the islands, it is a strategic point where all kinds of goods and people gather, but it is also a subtle place that makes people tilt their heads when asked what is unique to Kennes. To be honest, Kenne lacks a bit of personality.

Still, this does not mean that Quelle is an ordinary city, just because it lacks individuality. ‘If it’s in the Empire, it’s in Quebec, and if it’s not in Quebec, it’s not in the Empire.’ Does the saying exist for no reason? It can be said that the prosperity of Cannes is second only to the system.

…Actually, all of the top 10 cities have such words, but the origin of those words is Ken. Anyway, Kenne is great.

“Huh?”

And Rize, who had just woken up and was yawning, looked at the streets of Querne and tilted her head.

“It’s somewhat similar to a system, isn’t it?”

‘Oh.’

I was secretly impressed by Rize’s words. I can’t believe you noticed that even though you only saw it briefly inside the carriage.

“Quennes is a planned city created by the first Duke of Serbet. It was built with reference to the system, so it is bound to be similar to the system.”

Trixie also stroked Rize’s head with a deep smile, probably impressed by Rize’s sharp eyes.

As Trixie said, this Quenne is a new city created in the middle of nowhere. During the period when Qenne was created – that is, during the period when it was the parent branch of Apels – Kpelopen suffered considerable turmoil due to its evolution from a kingdom to an empire, and suffered quite a bit due to excessive population density in the islands.

Quennes was created to relieve that crowding, and that was the sad reason why it became a characterless city. We need to accommodate the population right away, but what is the use of Gaeseong and Nabal?

“If you are familiar with the system, you won’t get lost in Querne, so have fun.”

It was so serious that it seemed like a joke, so I burst out laughing. When I first came to Kennes, I was able to move around comfortably thanks to the system-like structure.

A planned city is certainly comfortable in that respect.

***

While Carl and the kids were unpacking at the hotel they had chosen as their accommodation, I headed to the Duke’s Castle first.

No matter how much I hold the title of instructor dispatched to the academy, I, as a duke, cannot stay at the hotel. How much pain must it be for my employees to notice me?

Furthermore, the time I spend in the system is overwhelmingly longer than the time I spend in the territory. If it’s not a time like this, you can’t be sure when you’ll return to the territory, and you can’t be sure when you’ll meet your vassals. So you have to move a little faster.

Because my time and the time of my vassals are different. What may seem like a short time to me can be close to a lifetime to those children.

“Your Excellency, welcome.”

That’s why I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the vassals welcoming me as soon as I arrived at the Duke’s castle.

The children are working hard to enable me to focus on magic without worrying about anything and to be the head of the Magic Tower. If it weren’t for these kids, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“By the way, Your Excellency, why did you come alone?”

“Uh, huh?”

From noble mtl dot com

While I was alone in my emotions, the head deacon lifted his bent back again and asked in a somewhat cold voice.

If you look closely, it’s not just the head deacon. The other vassals behind the head deacon did not speak, but were giving a slightly stinging look in their eyes.

“We consider it the honor of our lives to serve the Duke of Catovan, Your Excellency.”

He nodded his head blankly at the owner’s words. I know that much. These children’s family is nothing short of a shield that protects the Katoban duchy.

“He is the pillar that supports the Katoban duchy and the vassal who serves His Excellency most closely. That is our pride.”

He knows it too. The fact that these kids follow me is not just a matter of profit, but a matter of honor and pride.

So it’s confusing. Why on earth do kids like that suddenly say things like that?

“As we are, we believe we are fully qualified to greet your Excellency’s wife.”

‘Ah.’

Thanks to the following words of the head deacon, I realized the feelings of the vassals.

These children were excited when they heard the news that the duke’s wife was coming.

“…I’m unpacking at my lodgings. I said I’d come straight to the castle, so don’t be disappointed.”

“Do you mean accommodation?”

“Yes.”

I smiled awkwardly, feeling both strange and embarrassed. I am glad that they are so enthusiastic about my marriage, but I did not expect them to show such excessive enthusiasm. Before I knew it, my marriage had become the wish of my retainers, not just me.

“Why is your Excellency in the dormitory?”

But before I could feel my wonder, embarrassment came over me.

Why are you at the dorm? Well, if you come to have fun, of course you have to start at the accommodation…

“Isn’t it right for you to stay in the dukedom?”

?

“Although the marriage has not yet taken place officially, the entire continent knows that she is your husband. However, your Excellency is living outside the Dukedom’s castle. This is impossible.”

I was at a loss for words for a moment because it was logically correct.

Of course, since Karl came to Servet as an academy inspector, he had justification for staying in the lodgings selected by the academy. But looking at the owner’s expression, he didn’t think saying those words would work.

In that child’s mind, Karl is already my husband and the person who came to my wife’s house. You won’t hear the words academy or inspector general.

“If your Excellency allows, we will personally bring your Excellency to you.”

At the resolute attitude of the head deacon, I glanced at the retainers behind the head deacon.

Naturally, the expressions on the other retainers’ faces were similar to those of the chief deacon.

My side did not exist in my castle.

***

I stared blankly at the ceiling of the carriage. It had been a while since I got off the carriage and I got back on the carriage.

That too, a carriage sent by the Katoban duchy.

‘What is this?’

What is it really?

I touched the back of my neck in embarrassment. After seeing Trixie off on her way to the dukedom, Rize and Rin were helping her unpack. Unlike me, who brought only a few changes of clothes, the two of us brought quite a lot of luggage. It’s right for those who can afford it to help.

But not long after, the communication port began to shine.

– Carl, have you finished unpacking?

“No, not yet. I’ve just started.”

– That’s a good thing.

And then Trixie let out a small sigh and explained the situation, looking a little tired.

It is said that the vassals of the Duke of Catovan strongly insisted that Rize, Rin, and I stay in the duchy. Duke Seolgeom, the founder of the Katoban duchy, treated guests respectfully regardless of his title, but he questioned whether it made sense to have his family stay outside.

When the family founder was suddenly mentioned, Trixie had no choice but to accept the will of the vassals. Thanks to this, as soon as we arrived at the accommodation, a strange scene occurred where we were moved to another accommodation – the Duke’s Castle.

‘I’m fine…’

I took my hand away from massaging the back of my neck and looked at Rize and Rin sitting across from me.

Yes, I am fine. I didn’t know that I would be staying in a castle rather than a hotel, but it wasn’t a big problem. What’s strange about a husband staying at his wife’s house?

I just feel sorry for Rize and Rin who were dragged in with me. This year is the last field trip with my friends. Trixie seemed to be concerned about that as well, so much so that she hesitated when the subject of the Dukedom was brought up.

However, unlike Trixie and I’s feelings of guilt, they didn’t seem to mind much.

“So, this is your third time seeing the Dukedom?”

“Oh, is that so? I saw Ulken and Chenes too, so this is the third time.”

A conversation that seems to regard going to the dukedom as an achievement rather than a sudden variable. Although I didn’t show it outwardly, I breathed a sigh of relief on the inside.

I am just grateful. If I had shown signs of embarrassment, I would have been heartbroken the whole way.

‘It’s the third time.’

By the way, an ordinary count’s daughter and a baron’s daughter became involved with me, and I ended up seeing three of the five castles. Isn’t this truly an achievement in life?

It is a strange feeling to think that I have changed the lives of two people.

As soon as the carriage stopped at the main gate of the dukedom, someone opened the carriage door for them.

And as soon as the door opened, my body froze at the sight I saw.

“Welcome, Your Excellency! The servant of the Katoban Dukedom meets you, Your Excellency!”

“””Meet Your Excellency!”””

A group of vassals bowing towards me, servants and knights showing respect behind them.

Even on the road leading from the main gate to the building, a military band stood solemnly.

“Wow…”

I finally came to my senses after hearing Rin’s low exclamation.

“Wow…”

But when I found Trixie in front of the vassals, I also gasped in amazement.

Trixie was looking at the floor with her face turning red. As if he was resentful of himself for not being able to prevent this disaster.

‘The resentment was deep.’

Not even anyone else but Trixie, who has reigned as a duke for 100 years, can’t stop it. I can see how passionate the vassals’ desire for their husband must have been.

The problem is that that husband is me.