I made my return to the palace.
My wife led a delegation of nobles to greet us upon our arrival. There was even a microphone and a podium set up. Was she planning to give a speech?
"Lord Groom, over here."
Still not entirely sure what was happening, I took my place beside her.
"Everyone! I am immensely proud of the victory you achieved in my Imperial Capital Recapture Operation! Rest your weary bodies today. As for your rewards, they are currently being finalized with the relevant departments! And to the students of the Officer Academy especially... you have much to look forward to."
Smirk.
A mischievous, wicked grin curled her lips.
"Wooooooooh! Hell yeah!"
While the regular soldiers erupted in cheers, our group remained cloaked in a heavy, funeral-like silence. We knew better. We knew that while she gave out status and honor, those gifts always came wrapped in a fresh layer of trouble.
Ren, who was now effectively the No. 2 of Duke House Mistral, and I, the new head of a Marquis House, were particularly pale. I was already in the same boat as her; our destinies were inextricably linked. Ren likely felt the same, having incurred a massive debt to the princess.
Deciding the mood needed a lift, I took the microphone from her to share some actually good news.
"You’re all on leave for a while. I know many of you have families in the capital and are worried about them. Please, go to the shelters and see them."
I flashed a bright smile, and the media—who had materialized out of thin air—immediately began snapping photos.
"Lord Groom, you certainly know how to steal the spotlight..." she whispered.
"All yours," I said, handing the mic back.
"I have already confirmed the safety of your families! As you exit the venue, you will be provided with individual status reports. Please form an orderly line!"
Just as I expected. My wife was a woman of her word; she had done her homework. That kind of thoughtfulness really mattered.
"A special allowance from the Empire will be deposited into your accounts for this operation! Don't go wasting it! Furthermore, an Imperial Capital Recapture Commemorative Party will be held at the palace tomorrow! Attendance is mandatory! Dismissed!"
She kept it brief. As soon as the crowd dispersed, she pulled me into a hug.
"Lord Groom... listen."
"I have a bad feeling about this, but go ahead."
"I’ve moved up three spots in the line of succession. I’m now fourth."
"Explain." I didn't like the sound of that.
"Two of my uncles and one of my brothers were swallowed up by the city when that battleship-type Zork self-destructed."
"...Uh, shouldn't we be holding funerals before the party?"
Funerals were vital. If you didn't handle them with proper decorum, people generally stopped treating you like a human being.
"All three were caught in the blast while trying to flee from the North Spaceport! His Majesty is absolutely livid. He intends to declare that they were executed for treasonous negligence."
I suppose being "executed" was technically better for the family's image than dying as cowards while running away. She probably intended to redirect the public's rage toward the three "executed" traitors. Regardless, rumors always leaked. She would likely leak the truth herself when the timing was right.
"So, does this mean you're basically guaranteed to be the next Emperor?"
"I wouldn't say that just yet... My three older brothers are quite capable. They carry the blood of powerful Duke Houses... which is to say, they aren't children the Emperor had with concubines. They have more legitimacy than I do. By contrast, simply because I am a woman, the high-ranking nobles who know the internal politics view me with suspicion—they see me as nothing more than the Emperor's slave. And they view you the same way, Lord Groom."
"Ahahahaha! Come on, remember. My wife is the number one..."
"Good woman in the universe!!!"
"Then there’s no problem, right?"
Why was she bringing this up now? I already knew the kind of position she was in.
As for these "high-ranking nobles," the term referred to traditional aristocrats who held powerful central government posts. Ren’s family and mine didn't really fit that mold. It wasn't that Ren's house lacked prestige, but "high-ranking" specifically meant the minister class—those in charge of Internal Affairs, Finance, Military Affairs, or Foreign Affairs. There weren't many of them.
Besides, before we even got to government positions, my Marquis House had such massive issues with its local governance that it was automatically disqualified. We were currently in a state where we received subsidies from the Empire instead of paying taxes...
Get it together, Father!
My wife looked stunned for a moment, but then her usual expression returned.
"I see... Yes, Lord Groom, you're right! It is no problem at all!"
"So, what's the deal with this party?"
"Oh, it's just an excuse for the old geezers to hold secret meetings about reconstruction plans. We're just the performing pandas brought in to draw a crowd. We just have to stand there and look charming."
"Understood."
Look charming, huh? In other words, "don't start any fights." I could do that. I'd just focus on the food.
"I’ve ordered the catering to match the appetites of the students. Feel free to eat until you're about to burst."
"I really love that about you, wifey!"
"Gahahaha! Naturally, for I am the greatest woman in the universe!"
After leaving the cleanup to the staff, I went with my wife to an after-party hosted by the students. It was an informal gathering for our comrades where we could wear our own clothes. However, knowing the idiots were likely to start drinking on impulse, I made sure to invite the Imperial Guard veterans to act as guardians.
"Leo... I'm honestly disappointed in you."
One of the muscular boys started complaining to me.
"Shut up, you idiot! The media is camping outside. Don't do anything that makes my wife look bad."
"Damn! If it's for Veronica-chan, I guess I can't argue. Hey, Leo, did you hear? Apparently, once we graduate from the Senior High Division, we're all being given Second Lieutenant status."
"Are you stupid? Think about what that actually means. It means we're skipping the University Course and going straight into the Imperial Guard. Your university life—which you should be spending getting teased by seniors—is being replaced by hellish Imperial Guard training!"
"...Are you serious? Leo, you're the absolute worst."
"Why is this my fault?! Besides, since we already know the guys in the Guard, it might be better than the University Course."
"...Ah, I guess you're right. It won't be much different from how we live now."
"The university probably won't even be holding classes for a while anyway. Besides, we still have to go save everyone's homes."
"Is that because of the promise?"
"I'm the type who keeps his word."
"Well, if you say so! Hey, everyone! Leo says he's definitely keeping his promise!"
The other Idiot Boys roared with excitement.
"Oh! Really?! Thanks, Leo! My parents were okay!"
"My brothers were safe! My parents are still missing, but..."
"You should stay home and rest tomorrow. My house was leveled, but my family made it out!"
Commoners and nobles alike came up to thank me, the class divide forgotten.
"Let's go save everyone else's homes too!"
"Yeah!"
"My Lord Groom certainly has a way with people," my wife noted, happily digging into a jumbo cream parfait.
I was glad I'd kept my promise.