#112
Enrique, holding Bayan tightly wrapped to keep him warm, headed straight for the garden. Although spring was approaching, the wind was still cold.
As he slowly walked while holding Bayan, those they encountered paid their respects but couldn’t easily take their eyes off Bayan. Enrique proudly thought it was because Bayan was fatally cute.
“I wonder when your father will suddenly appear again,” Enrique muttered as he walked with Bayan.
From Monta to the capital of Ruben… and then from the capital back to Shamier after finishing the post-war cleanup. Even if he hurried, it would take at least a few months.
Although he knew it was unavoidable, he was extremely displeased. Their married life was set for 4 years. Even if they were together the whole time, they’d still regret parting, but they couldn’t even be properly together for the given 4 years.
Perhaps it was fortunate that they hadn’t had a second child yet.
If Enrique were pregnant with a second child to inherit Ruben… The emperor would likely have appointed Anture as crown prince immediately upon his return this time. Once appointed crown prince, it would be almost impossible to leave Ruben and stay in Shamier. So they would probably postpone the appointment until Enrique gave birth to the second child. In that case, Anture would become crown prince right after Enrique returned to Ruben with their second child.
‘Don’t you regret it?’
Suddenly, Julian’s question from long ago echoed in his ears.
Enrique stopped walking and buried his nose in Bayan’s fair cheek. The baby’s scent, which warmed his heart just by smelling it, filled Enrique’s heart. Babies were such small, fragile, cute, and lovable beings.
Like Bayan, the second child he would eventually have would probably be this small and lovable. But Enrique would have to send that child to Ruben with Anture. It was his own decision, not anyone’s coercion or recommendation.
‘So… don’t you regret the sacrifice you have to make?’
He couldn’t remember exactly how he had answered Julian’s question. He only remembered being very confident. If asked the same question now, he probably wouldn’t be able to answer as confidently.
Enrique, who had stopped for a moment holding Bayan with vacant eyes, started walking again. It was a path already begun, and he couldn’t stop. If so, there was only one choice. Just to move forward…
After resting for a full day with Bayan upon his return, Enrique soon became busy.
The post-war cleanup was truly not easy. First, he had to allocate condolence money to the bereaved families of the fallen and manage the operation of treatment centers for the injured. Restoration support and compensation were also provided to the border territories that had fought a war to repel the Monta army.
The biggest task was dealing with the Monta territory that would be incorporated into Shamier.
The territories that had surrendered were relatively less problematic. This was because maintaining their territory and titles was a precondition for their surrender. For them, only the name of the country, the recipient of taxes, and the king they served had changed. The problem was the seven territories that had resisted and been conquered, and the capital of Monta. Those who had achieved merit in this war, and those who hadn’t, were all eyeing these spoils with bloodshot eyes. It was truly a hot potato.
Naturally, the top meritorious subject in this war was the crown prince, Enrique. Following him were Duke Duvain, who had been the deputy commander, and Viscount Jares, who had effectively led and commanded the cavalry. In addition, fair compensation had to be made to the many nobles and soldiers who had participated in the war.
Except for Enrique, the war heroes were still staying in Monta for the cleanup. So Enrique, as the commander-in-chief, had to step up and represent their interests. Enrique dealt with and faced the ministers and nobles who were eyeing profits with bloodshot eyes. That profit struggle continued tediously for a while with neither side giving an inch.
Enrique didn’t particularly find this fierce struggle wearisome or tiring. This was a fight and battle that Enrique would have to wage throughout his life. Enrique, who would someday inherit the throne, had to engage in such tense tug-of-war with the nobles for a lifetime. Enrique considered this a kind of study and practice to develop political sense. His father occasionally advised and helped Enrique.
After nearly three months of long confrontation, the merits and rewards for those who had achieved results were finally decided. First, the capital of Monta was attributed to the Shamier royal family. Besides that, the richest port city became Duke Duvain’s territory, and the next wealthiest territory went to Viscount Jares. The other conquered territories were split into several pieces and granted to nobles or knights who had achieved great merits.
The Shamier royal family became extremely wealthy through this war. This was because all the finances of Monta, a maritime trade powerhouse, were attributed to the royal family. The Shamier royal family paid very generous compensation to the bereaved families and the injured during the war.
With a great victory in the war, doubled national territory, and ample war compensation being released, the people were very pleased. Especially the merchants who filled the middle class of Shamier were busy packing to leave for Monta’s port cities to pioneer maritime trade. The whole country was bustling with excitement.
The King of Shamier ordered a grand festival to declare the end of the war and celebrate the victory. The entire capital became busy preparing for the festival. A parade organized by the royal family was even scheduled to coincide with the spring season when warm winds blow and flowers bloom in full. Inns throughout the capital were bursting at the seams as people living near the capital came up to enjoy the festival. Even before the festival officially began, the city was already in a festive mood.
“The whole capital is in an uproar. Even the slightly larger streets are all decorated with flowers, so the roads are like flower beds.”
Julian said in a slightly excited voice. Enrique looked at Julian’s large belly as he sat askew in the armchair. It was about time when breathing became laborious and movement difficult due to the heavy body. But Julian’s personality hadn’t gone anywhere. He was busy attending celebratory parties all over the capital with his swollen belly and shopping for new clothes and accessories to wear at the banquet.
“If you’re pregnant, act like it and stay put in your room,” Enrique clicked his tongue and said.
“That’s rich coming from someone who went to the battlefield while pregnant and almost died giving birth during combat,” Julian said jokingly. Since there was nothing wrong with his words, Enrique didn’t particularly refute. But anyway, he was the partner of Viscount Jares, who was busy working for the country. Moreover, as he was also Enrique’s close friend, it was true that he was anxious about something happening to Julian and the baby.
“Anyway, since you seem to have finished shopping roughly, stay with me until the banquet,” Enrique reluctantly put a leash on Julian. He felt he needed to keep him close to feel at ease.
“By the way… what will you do when your husband returns? Will you stay in the capital, or do you plan to go live in the new territory?” Enrique asked after taking a sip of tea.
Viscount Jares was granted a territory with the second largest port city in Monta. It was a prosperous and wealthy city, not bad for Julian, who liked to enjoy himself, to live in.
“I’m not going,” Julian said flatly, as if there was nothing to think about. Enrique slightly raised one eyebrow. These days, it was a big trend among Shamier nobles who had lived in inland areas to buy villas in Monta’s coastal cities. There was a romance about daily life by the sea. But it was somewhat unexpected that he would stay in the capital despite getting an entire city.
“Both my husband and I like living in the capital. No matter how prosperous a place is, it won’t be as good as our Shamier capital. I absolutely can’t live such a boring life,” Julian said, sipping milk with honey. His words were so like him that Enrique nodded.
Indeed, Viscount Jares had also lived in the capital, entrusting everything to the estate manager despite having a separate territory. The Jares family itself had long been central nobility staying in the capital. Leaving for the territory would inevitably distance them from central power. It was a good choice for them.
“Then you’ll have to be apart from your husband for a while longer,” Enrique said, looking at Julian’s belly, which was nearing full term.
Duke Duvain and Viscount Jares had briefly returned to the capital to attend the victory banquet. However, a commander was needed to manage the Monta fleet, now the Shamier navy. That role fell to Viscount Jares.
For those who surrendered, only their nationality changed while maintaining everything else, but their sentiment as Monta people wouldn’t change easily. It wasn’t an easy task to prevent and manage the Monta ships that refused to surrender and drifted into the open sea… now referred to as pirates. Viscount Jares would probably have to pour a considerable amount of time into that.
“It’s only until we find a suitable successor. Besides, if they leave me alone too much… Hmph. Do you think I’m the type to just sit around waiting? They won’t be able to stay there long, if only out of anxiety,” Julian said confidently. Enrique chuckled, finding it so ridiculous.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
