Extra Story 28. [After Story] The Bringars
That evening, the birthday party I had prepared for Serenade was held.
People from the duchy, Serenade’s friends, old comrades, and many others visited the Duke’s residence, bringing gifts.
“Wow! It’s a mountain of presents!”
The gifts were for her mother, but Stella was the one bouncing with excitement.
Since we couldn’t possibly neglect our guests, the banquet hall was filled with food once again… and so, I ate again.
And since I couldn’t just throw away the custom-ordered cake, I ended up eating my third cake of the day.
Lucas watched me with his sharp blue eyes, smiling with almost saintly patience. Somehow, his gaze felt less like that of a knight and more like that of a personal trainer.
As the joyful celebration continued—
And after the party ended and night deepened—Once Stella had dozed off from exhaustion, we tucked her into bed and covered her with a blanket. Then, Serenade and I returned to our bedroom.
After changing into comfortable clothes, we sat across from each other at a small table by the window. As I had asked Elize beforehand, champagne and two glass flutes had been set up for us.
If Lucas caught us drinking before bed, he would definitely scold us again, but on a night like this, how could I not have a drink?
“Sharing a drink alone with my husband… it’s been a while.”
“It has. Ever since Stella was born, we haven’t had many moments like this.”
We filled our glasses and clinked them together lightly.
After taking a sip, Serenade gazed at me with a face slightly flushed from the alcohol.
“Hehe.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“Just looking at you makes me smile.”
“You’re being silly.”
She had held her liquor just fine earlier at the party, but now that we were drinking alone, she quickly started getting tipsy.
“Naangguunnniimm~.”
“You’re cute even when you’re drunk, my dear wife.”
As I chuckled, Serenade gestured to her cheek.
“Oh? I’m the birthday girl today, you know~.”
“Alright, alright.”
I obediently placed a kiss on her cheek.
Somehow, she seemed even happier about that than receiving gold and jewels earlier. She beamed with joy.
‘Damn it, how long is she going to stay this adorable?’
“Serenade.”
“Yes, my love?”
“I have something important to tell you.”
“Are we planning for a second child…?”
“No! Not that!”
I mean, of course, I’d love to have another child.
But considering our struggles with infertility and the fact that Serenade’s health had weakened after giving birth, I wasn’t planning to push for it.
“Serenade.”
Hearing the seriousness in my voice, she blinked and then pressed her cheeks firmly, as if trying to sober up.
Watching her attempt so earnestly, I couldn’t help but smile. Then, I finally spoke.
“I’m going to be Emperor.”
Serenade’s silver eyes widened.
“Father told me himself. We’re beginning the formal preparations for my ascension.”
“…”
“Serenade.”
She must have imagined this possibility before, but now that it was right in front of her, it seemed too surreal.
I smiled and asked playfully,
“Are you ready to become the Empress of Everblack?”
In response—
Serenade quietly reached out and held my hand tightly.
“Do you remember when you proposed to me?”
I smiled softly as she did. Serenade returned the smile.
“I once told you that I wasn’t sure if I deserved to stand by your side. That I didn’t know if someone like me belonged next to someone as extraordinary as you.”
“…”
“But now I understand. No one gives you the right to stand somewhere. What matters is how true I can be to myself. That is the only thing that’s important.”
Holding both of my hands firmly, Serenade nodded with conviction.
“I won’t lie to my heart anymore. No matter where you go in this world, I’ll be by your side.”
“…”
“Because I love you more than anyone in this world.”
I leaned in and kissed my wife.
“I want to be a good Emperor.”
Looking into Serenade’s silver eyes, I continued.
“A good husband. A good father. A good person. And for that, I need you.”
“I’ll do my best as your partner.”
For a while, we simply smiled at each other, saying nothing.
Then, Serenade suddenly blushed slightly, lowering her gaze as she whispered.
“By the way, about that second child…”
“…”
“It is my birthday… Aren’t you going to give me a present?”
I squeezed my eyes shut and then opened them again.
Without a word, I silently stood up, walked over to Serenade, slipped my arms under her waist and thighs—
And lifted her into my arms!
Crack!
“Ack!”
My entire body screamed in protest, weakened from lack of exercise and overindulgence in food and alcohol. Serenade might have been objectively light, but my body was objectively weak…!
‘Still… There’s no way I’m backing down now…!’
I wobbled toward the bed, and Serenade let out a playful squeal, wrapping her arms around my neck.
The night deepened.
The next morning. Early dawn.
When I stepped into the office, Daram was already there, having clocked in before sunrise.
Buried in stacks of paperwork, she was busy scribbling with a pen and stamping documents.
I watched her for a moment before calling out her name.
“Daram.”
Immediately, Daram snapped her head up and growled.
“For the last time, it’s Bodybag! How many times do I have to tell you—huh?”
She suddenly blinked, looking startled.
“You actually called me by my real name?”
“Wait, it wasn’t Daram? It was Bodybag all along? My mistake.”
“Ack! You call me weird names every day, now I’m the one getting confused…!”
I chuckled and stood beside her, picking up one of the documents she was working on.
“How are your three nephews doing? I saw them at the party yesterday, but I was too busy to talk properly.”
“They’re doing well. Maybe because they’ve known me for so long, they listen to my requests quite well.”
My three nephews—Lark’s sons—had all grown into fine young men.
I had kept a close watch on them, always mindful of potential problems, but the three of them had remained well-behaved. There had been forces trying to sway them behind the scenes, but they had rejected every offer and attempt at persuasion.
Of course, there was a rather amusing twist to the story…
“Yesterday, they kept taking turns asking me to dance, over and over again! Ugh, I was actually trying to sneak out of the party to catch up on some unfinished work, but thanks to them, I didn’t get anything done.”
“…”
That’s right.
All three brothers had fallen for Daram.
For the past ten years, she had been looking after them—checking in on them, making sure they had everything they needed, keeping them company. She had grown close to them.
And in doing so, she had completely set their hearts on fire.
Ooh, the fatal woman Daram!
The problem? Daram herself had absolutely no clue about their feelings. Not even a hint.
“After seeing them for so long, they just feel like immature little brothers to me. I need to marry them off quickly…”
“…”
And yet, she’s always telling me, ‘Introduce me to a nice guy, Your Excellency!’
‘Daram, the reason you’re not dating isn’t because you can’t—it’s because your romantic awareness is completely nonexistent…’
Anyway, I cleared my throat, shifting the conversation to the real reason I was here.
Daram blinked at me with her round eyes as I spoke.
“Daram.”
“Yes, Your Excellency?”
“I’m going to be Emperor.”
“Wow, so the day has finally come…”
She didn’t seem surprised at all.
As my aide, she had been preparing for the possibility of me leaving the duchy for the Empire for quite some time.
“I’m starting the formal preparations for the coronation. That means I won’t be able to manage the affairs of the Bringar Duchy anymore.”
“I figured as much.”
“So, I need someone to handle the administration of the duchy. But since my absence might make things difficult when it comes to authority…”
I continued with the decision I had made long ago.
“I’m establishing a Chancellor position, someone who will act as the head of administration.”
Daram nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s a great idea. Have you thought about who will take the position? It should be someone as sharp as you, someone who truly loves the Bringar Duchy.”
“…”
“I can assist them as an aide, but ultimately, they need to understand and care for this land deeply. Should I draft a list of suitable candidates?”
“No need. I already have someone in mind.”
“Oh? Who is it?”
I extended my index finger and pointed forward.
Daram followed the direction of my finger, looking behind her in confusion, then turned back to me.
Seeing that she still didn’t understand, I made it clear.
“You.”
“Huh?”
“You. It’s you.”
There was a brief silence.
Then, Daram shot up from her seat in sheer panic.
“WH-WH-WHAT?! Y-You’re joking, right, Your Excellency?! I’m just an aide!”
“Exactly. Which means you already know every detail about the duchy’s administration inside and out.”
I had thought about this for a long time.
If I left for the Empire, who would be the best person to govern this land?
Not considering background or noble lineage, but purely based on ability—
No matter how I looked at it, the answer was the same.
Daram was the only one truly suited for the role.
“Don’t feel pressured. You’re not becoming a ruler. You’ll be a bureaucrat in charge of managing the duchy’s administration.”
Unlike me, who mostly handled matters from behind a desk, Daram had always been on the move, directly overseeing the affairs of the duchy. She was my eyes, the one who saw every corner of this land firsthand.
She knew the reality of the Bringar Duchy better than anyone.
More importantly, she was trusted and recognized by the people. She had carried my voice across the land and had listened to the voices of the citizens in return.
‘I never planned to simply throw Daram into a high position.’
For now, I would still remain the Duke of Bringar. She would act as my Chancellor, serving as my proxy.
“I… I…”
Daram clenched her fists, her voice trembling.
“I brought war upon this land.”
“The ones who gave the orders were those above you. You were simply a soldier following commands.”
“…”
“Besides, it was your testimony that revealed the truth of the incident. Because of that, the Empire officially apologized to the duchy.”
For the first time in its history, the Empire had admitted fault and offered an official apology for its acts of aggression.
It might still feel like a debt on her conscience, but in reality, it had already been settled.
Daram shook her head, pressing a hand to her chest as she shouted.
“More than that—I’m an elf! I’m not even human!”
“Oh? Well, all the previous Dukes were dragons, you know.”
“That’s…!”
Daram faltered, unable to find a response, and lowered her head.
I simply smiled.
‘The Bringar Duchy has always been a nation built on ideals.’
Just look at Dusk Bringar, the one who passed those ideals down to me.
She had been nothing more than a wandering orphan, yet she was chosen by Day Bringar, the former Duchess, and became her successor.
Though the dragon blood that once symbolized the lineage had long since faded—
As long as the duchy’s founding principle, the courage to not hate, remained, nothing else mattered. Everything else could be learned.
‘…Well, that’s something for the future.’
This would be a test for Daram as well.
Would she remain as Interim Chancellor?
Or would she prove her capability—and her courage to not hate—and become the next Duchess, Day Bringar?
That would depend on her actions as Chancellor moving forward.
“Daram, Chancellor of Bringar.”
I extended my hand to her.
“Can I trust you to take care of this country that I love?”
“…”
After a long silence—
“I will do my best…”
With a trembling voice, Daram took my hand.
“I will do my very best, Your Excellency.”
Finally, a bright smile spread across her still-round cheeks.
“Because I love this country, too.”
We shook hands firmly.
After that, we discussed what needed to be done next.
Since many of my followers—including myself—would be leaving for the Empire, the duchy would need to recruit and integrate new officials.
As Daram compiled a list of necessary positions, she suddenly let out an “Ah!” and spoke up.
“Your Highness, your three nephews are incredibly talented. It might be a good idea to appoint them as administrators.”
“…”
“Of course, don’t worry! I’ll personally make sure they stay in line and don’t develop… other ambitions!”
No, that’s not the other ambition I’m worried about.
The real problem is their feelings for you, but… wow. You really are the ultimate champion of being oblivious, huh?
‘Well, learning to handle emotions like these is part of becoming a true leader.’
I didn’t bother explaining. I simply let out a hearty laugh instead.
She’d figure it out the hard way.
And so, in the years to come—
A ridiculous love triangle (or rather, love square) would unfold in the Bringar Duchy, starring one completely oblivious woman and three lovestruck brothers.
…But that is a story for another time.
–TL Notes–
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