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[Translator - Angel Dust]
[Proofreader - Prototype]
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Side Stories 15
"This is quite a predicament. I can't very well stop my brother-in-law from leaving."
The Emperor sighed, holding the Crown Princess, who had just cried herself to sleep.
She hadn't even reached her third birthday yet. He had assumed she wouldn't understand much about the world.
But perhaps due to her intelligence, inherited from the Empress, the Crown Princess already had a vague understanding of many things.
For example, the fact that the war last year took place in the southern part of the Empire.
Or that her uncle had participated in it and sustained minor injuries.
So, when Karl announced his return to the south, the Crown Princess clung to her uncle, refusing to let him go.
He wasn't going to fight. He was going to meet the parents of his future wife.
Karl tried his best to soothe and persuade the Crown Princess, but she wouldn't listen.
She cried in Karl's arms for almost an hour before finally falling asleep from exhaustion.
"I can't bring myself to leave, seeing the Crown Princess like this..."
"I understand. It's not just any trip, it's to meet your future in-laws. As a future son-in-law, it's only natural to pay respects to your parents-in-law."
Go quickly and come back soon. The Crown Princess might be alright for about three days.
The Emperor himself and the Empress would try their best, so Karl just needed to return quickly.
As if receiving a special mission, Karl saluted solemnly.
"Ah, brother-in-law."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"That card game you made. It's quite entertaining."
"...Thank you."
* * *
"It's quite amazing, isn't it? The Crown Princess is only two years old, right?"
"That's right."
"I've heard that other human children at that age only look for their mother and father. But when I said I was going to the south, she thought I was going to fight. And if I fought, I could get hurt. It seems she deduced that much."
Eloise nodded at her husband's words and sighed.
It had been almost a year since the last war with the Kanfras.
Needless to say, the south was now completely part of the Empire.
Those who had caused unnecessary trouble twice had no justification anymore.
Even the elves themselves were sick of the pointless fighting, saying that elf pride and dignity were useless.
All that talk of pride and dignity, and what did it lead to? Betraying the Empire.
The betrayed Empire, enraged, led a large army across the Great Forest.
And what did the Kanfras do? They hid and resisted.
The ones who suffered and were confused in the process were the ordinary elves who didn't care about such ideologies.
Those who didn't look down on others for not being elves, nor did they dislike the Empire.
Those who simply wanted to have a peaceful breakfast with their families.
"Fellow elves! We must all unite and resist the Empire! Only then can we reclaim our rightful place...ack!"
"Damn you Kanfras! My grandfather died because of you!"
"Pride? Dignity? You've trampled on it all! You promised to protect the forest, but because of you warmongers, everything is falling apart!"
The feeling of kinship that had remained, however small, was now gone. If they still defended Luzernes after all this, they were crazy elves.
Those who spouted such nonsense were immediately captured by their fellow elves and had their ears cut off.
They were told to go fight the Empire themselves if they wanted to fight so badly, as they were the ones who caused this mess in the first place.
"Do you think Father will be there this time?"
"Probably? I told him to please stay put at home this time."
"...You know, if you keep saying that, I'll be the one who gets in trouble."
"Not at all. They'll probably be happy that you, an elf who isn't like other elves, brought Karl along."
Father-in-law. Mother-in-law. What kind of parenting did you do...?
Thus, they left the Empire and crossed the Great Forest once again, heading towards the elven territory.
As before, the border no longer existed. The south was now imperial territory.
The area that belonged to Hyzens remained, but it was more like... hmm. What should I call it?
Ah, yes. It could be seen as a kind of autonomous region with guaranteed independence.
The survey results showed that the elves in the south preferred this method.
If they kept dividing the country, there would be those who would spout nonsense.
But if they immediately joined the Empire, the issue of their pride would still remain.
Therefore, this method was the best of the best in the current situation.
"How about asking if they'd like to relocate, Eloise? To the new city they're building?"
"To the new city where humans and elves will live together?"
One of the policies the Empire was implementing was the construction of a new city where imperial citizens and elves would live together.
It was a kind of meeting place to accelerate the harmony between the two races by intermingling.
"Hmm. I'll bring it up, but don't get your hopes up."
"Of course. It's something they need to consider from their perspective."
While chatting like this, we arrived at a place I had visited once before.
I glanced at Eloise beside me, wondering if she was planning to do the same thing again.
"I'm home! Mom, Dad! I brought my husband-to-be, so come out and say hello!"
"..."
Right. Nothing's changed. This is our Eloise, alright.
I don't even expect anything different anymore. It would be weirder if she changed.
"...How can you be the same even after bringing your future husband?"
Finally, the door opened, and my mother-in-law, whom I hadn't seen in a while, greeted us.
I bowed politely and said, ‘It's been a while! Mother-in-law!’ She burst into laughter.
"My. You two don't match at all."
"Pardon?"
"I wonder how someone like her managed to find such a decent man."
"Mom! I can be decent when I want to be!"
"Decent? More like disastrous. A leopard can't change its spots, you know?"
As expected, she's a formidable woman. Eloise is already flustered by her mother's sharp words.
Creak—
"Ah, you've arrived."
"Dad!"
Ah, Dad. This is the first time I'm meeting my father-in-law.
I quickly turned my head, and what greeted me was... uh, well.
"Father-in-law."
"Father-in-law, you say? This feels strange."
"To be honest, I almost called you 'brother'."
He's young. My father-in-law, no exaggeration, looks the same age as Eloise.
My mother-in-law resembled Eloise a lot, so at least there was a mother-daughter vibe.
But the father-in-law only slightly resembled Eloise, so perhaps that's why he felt more like an older brother.
"Hahaha. All you imperials are so cheerful. The ones I met before were the same."
"Is that so?"
"After those Luzernes troublemakers caused that mess, I worked with some people from the Empire. I was worried at first, but it was all a misunderstanding, thankfully."
Come in and have a seat. What kind of hospitality is this, keeping guests standing?
My father-in-law offered me a seat and handed me a cup of tea from the mother-in-law.
"I heard you're married."
"...I apologize."
"Apologize for what? I'm the one who wants to ask. Are you really okay with this, even though you already have a wife? Eloise, our daughter, is not an easy person to handle. If you're not careful..."
"Dad?!"
"If you're not careful, she might try to steal the first wife's position and do something strange."
"Ahahaha..."
It seems parents are different everywhere. They know their daughter too well!
"There's no need for you two to worry."
Of course, it's best to show a more reliable son-in-law image here.
"I will be more devoted to my family to ensure there are no unfortunate incidents."
"If a fine young man like you says so, I won't worry any further."
"I agree."
They're very straightforward. So straightforward that I wonder if this is okay.
"Also, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. I have a question about the wedding."
"Isn't it too early? Is there something to discuss already?"
"Well, it's about the wedding venue."
Selena is from the Empire. So is Lav.
Although Lefia is from Lasker, she left that place, so she's half imperial.
On the other hand, Eloise is still an elf. She belongs to Hyzens.
Her hometown is clearly here in the south, in the quiet forest south of the Great Forest.
"My parents said it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a traditional elven wedding for Eloise."
"Your parents are very kind to suggest that."
Chuckling, my father-in-law shook his head.
"Father-in-law?"
"It's thoughtful of them to consider our traditions. However, I'd prefer not to have any special treatment. Wouldn't it be better for everyone if we followed the standard imperial wedding customs?"
"But if we do that, it might be a bit difficult for you and Mother-in-law to attend."
"It's my daughter's wedding. I'd travel to the ends of the earth for it. That's what parents do."
Once again, my father-in-law's decision was refreshingly straightforward.
Like father, like daughter. Like mother, like daughter. Seeing this, I realize they truly are a family.
"I'll leave our daughter in your care, son-in-law."
"I'll do my best."
Contrary to my expectations that this might take a while, the conversation ended sooner than expected.
In that case, the topic we'd be discussing in the remaining time would be...
"By the way, son-in-law. Do you know about the trouble Eloise caused when she was young?"
"Oh, I don't know about that, Father-in-law."
"Come here. Back then, she was like—"
"Daaaaaad!!!"
As expected, it's time for the embarrassing story reveal!
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[Translator - Angel Dust]
[Proofreader - Prototype]
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