I Want To Be Your First – R19 - Chapter 73

Coming to that conclusion, Ariel mumbled to herself in a slightly clearer voice.

“Yes. I should return to Pahar first.”

Maybe it was her self-rationalisation, but being apart wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

If they stayed away from each other, their bond might become stronger. While she is recuperating in the South, her illness would also get better faster, and she can quickly take over the things that the lady of the house does.

‘I can’t write or calculate, but with Leo’s and Eva’s help, it’ll work out somehow.’

Even though she was unskilled, she was confident in her diligence. When she takes over all the duties of the lady of the house and receives the key to the ossuary, she’ll send out a formal invitation to the ladies of the South.

As the nobles of the Southern Union did not know her well, it was possible that they would treat her without discrimination, even if she is blind.

A faint smile appeared on Ariel’s lips. She looked at the table with clouded eyes, imagining about the day where she and Berthwald would reunited in Pahar.

‘As soon as the Count arrives, I want to show him the key to the ossuary.’

‘I, too, can do my part as his wife… I want to be able to tell him that proudly.’

As her consciousness was fading, Ariel resolved to do so as she closed her eyes slowly.

‘I should tell him that I’ll be going back down first during dinner later.’

‘Hopefully it wouldn’t make him sad, but I hope it doesn’t make him happy either.’

Her faint consciousness was consumed by the extreme sleepiness that hit her like a tidal wave, before fading deeply into darkness,

Just like that, half a day passed, and late at night. Before Ariel, who had woken up from her sleep, could open her mouth, she received a message from her husband to go down to Pahar.

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Within a platinum brooch. A siren holding scales gleamed faintly through the heavy darkness.

It was the seal that was made by combining the Senate and the Janssel’s emblems. Berthwald rolled the badge in his hand as he glanced out of the window.

A brilliant dawn shone brightly from the horizon, and reached towards the garden, where it was still dusk.

Whether it was morning or night, it was the horizon of time.

It would be great if his mood could lighten like the brightening sky, but that wouldn’t happen easily. He turned his gaze away and left the room where the traces of dusk still remained.

His destination was, of course, Ariel’s room. Just like throughout the week, he would check on his wife’s condition as soon as she woke up.

Ever since Ariel started taking the sedative, her stamina plummeted all of a sudden, and she spent more time sleeping. It was difficult for her to maintain her daily life, let alone their marital relationship. As such, Berthwald and Ariel locked the door to their couple’s bedroom and returned to living in their individual rooms.

“…”

Deeply asleep, Ariel looked peaceful.

Her eyebrows twitched when he ran his finger across her cheek. Berthwald looked down at her calmly and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Her soft skin, along with her scent passed through his lips, and the familiar scent of lavender gently stimulated his sense of smell.

“What kind of dream are you having so zealously?”

He poked her cheek with his index finger. Her face originally looked gentle, but it looked even more so while she was asleep.

‘Really, what are you dreaming of?’

‘Because you said that you can see in your dreams… I hope that I appear in your dreams…’

‘You should use those eyes to look at my dignified face. Then you would be reluctant to part with your husband.’

“Without even knowing to treasure yourself, making me worry every time. It would be a relief if you’d just eat properly, but anyways…”

Whether it was because she didn’t have an appetite, or it was because she didn’t eat properly, she seemed to have become thinner. She spoke less, and spent more time in a daze or mumbling to herself.

Most of the time, she was out like a light, so it was difficult to see her.

‘…Would she become better if she went down to Pahar?’

The mansion in the capital has fewer servants and isn’t as spacious as the one in Pahar. Although the garden was well decorated, it was impossible to be compared with the main mansion at Grand Pahar, which had a vast garden and its position adjacent to the sea and forest.

‘Because she’s Ariel, who loves nature, she’ll definitely be better off staying at Coral House than here.’

‘If she rests well in a good environment, she will get better quickly.’

While he found it regrettable to be apart from her, it was a decision he made as he had no choice.

Berthwald stared at Ariel for a long time, before stepping backwards and left the room as if he had laments.

Today was the day he’ll send Ariel off to Pahar.

He wanted to watch her leave, but there were so many things requiring his attention that he didn’t have the time to bid her farewell. As he didn’t have the time to personally tell her about the news that she was returning to Pahar either, so Wilhelm conveyed it to her on his behalf.

He had no idea what he was so busy with or what he was living for.

“No. This would be for the better.”

As he couldn’t bear to part, he sat on the bed and cuddled with his sleeping wife like that.

If Ariel looked at him with teary eyes while seated on the carriage, he didn’t have the confidence to let her leave. Instead of that, it would be better for him to send her off simply.

Struggling to calm himself, he moved towards the entrance. Wilhelm, who was giving instructions to the servants, saw his master and quickly straightened up.

“You’ve arrived. You’re leaving a little earlier than usual today.”

“It’s the last day of the Assembly, so I have a lot of things that I need to instruct. What about Vion?”

“He went to the garden earlier, so he will soon arrive here.”

Wilhelm opened the front door and politely handed black leather gloves to him. Berthwald held the gloves while deep in thought, before raising his gaze to stare at Wilhelm.

“Wilhelm.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Recall all of the informants you had placed on the elders of the Senate.”

Wilhelm’s eyebrows twitched, and a deep vertical line formed between his brows. It was an order given to Wilhelm, the guild leader of Southville, not Wilhelm the butler.

“Are you saying all of them?”

“Yes. There’s no need to keep them in check anymore. Keep the ones at the imperial family and the grand ducal family… For the time being, focus on running the guild.”

“Very well, do you have any other instructions?”

“…Convey my greetings to my mother.”

Wilhelm narrowed his eyes and gave a smile that didn’t seem like a smile.

“All right. Apparently, she would be coming to the capital soon. If she was told that, she would be very happy.”

“Your jokes are giving me goosebumps.”

Berthwald looked at the butler with a displeased expression, before hurriedly stepping out of the front door. Along with the carriage, Vion arrived at the mansion.

After acknowledging Vion, who was bowing in greeting, Berthwald added another sentence to Wilhelm.

“Please send her off on my behalf properly. Let the maids take good care of her.”

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

The cold expression disappeared, and a faint smile appeared subtly on Wilhelm’s face. Berthwald smiled as if he was looking at a fool and got onto his carriage.

He crossed his arms and kept his gaze fixed on the window. Ariel, the Senate, his family, the North, countless thoughts intertwined and filled his consciousness.

Vion’s voice reciting his schedule went through his ear and dissipated in the air.

Even after he arrived at the Hall of the Legislative Assembly, his thoughts continued. As the afternoon was filled with his consistently impudent attitude of not really listening, Vion, who was assisting from the side, spoke a bitter truth.

“Count, you seemed to be particularly distracted today.”

Currently in the midst of a judge advocate’s meeting, Berthwald turned his gaze at Vion.

Expecting his usual reaction to tell him to do his job right, Vion was instead faced with a Berthwald that remained silent while looking at him with a strange expression.

“Towards Pahar.”

“Yes?”

“My soul is currently going towards Pahar. I should’ve just not cared, and followed along.”

“Are… Are you serious?”

“Have you ever seen me joking while at work?”

“…While you would occasionally do so, isn’t today an important day? Please be more focused.”

Although he had responded seriously, Berthwald let out a strange smile as if it wasn’t important. Vion sighed at his attitude of not wanting to listen and straightened up again.

After the meeting had ended, the judge advocates had all left their seats with joyful expressions. The judge advocates that rushed off all held the right to vote in the form of a feather of a black peacock.

Vion and Berthwald also slowly followed behind the judge advocates. As he walked, the more the crowd grew. The moment they arrived in the Great Hall, the eyes of all the people within the Great Hall turned towards Berthwald.

“The main character has arrived. Count Janssel, have you already prepared a speech?”

An elderly man dressed in a blue robe, the Marquis of Poen, greeted Berthwald with a smile.

Another old man that was standing at the side and watching the proceedings also turned around with a smile. The old man that was balding was dressed in a green robe that was just like the Marquis of Poen.

He brushed against his beard and laughed briefly. He was the eldest of amongst the three consuls, Count Valkest.

“What kind of great speech does he need? After all, the voting in itself was just a formality. It’s not like they’re electing a new consul, isn’t it just a vote about being reappointed for a second term.”

“Hooh, Count Valkest. Even if it’s bothersome, you have to protect the things that have to be protected.”

“There aren’t any suitable talents, and in any case, there isn’t anyone that can sit on the chief consul’s seat except Count Janssel anyways. I’ll leave first as soon as I have voted, so the Marquis can remain and finish up.”

As Count Valkest waved his hand and stepped back to the side of the podium, the Marquis of Poen raised his eyebrows and smiled awkwardly. Berthwald also lightly chuckled with his hands behind his back.

Darang!

As the wind chime resounded, the nobles filling the Great Hall took their seats one by one. There was a black peacock feather that was held by the judge advocates at every seat.

When the chief consul announces his intention to be reappointed, the members of the Senate express their approval and disapproval with their feathers. In the case of approval, the feather is raised up, and if they disapprove, the feather is folded and set aside.

When the number of approvals reaches majority, the chief consul’s term of office is extended without any special procedure.

Berthwald straightened his collar while moving up towards the podium. As their gazes gathered at one spot, a piercing silence filled the Great Hall.

He drew the cross gracefully and pulled up the corner of his lips into a dignified smile. The noble and dignified atmosphere unique to aristocrats combined with his elegant features, further enhancing his character.

Not a moment later, the chief consul’s low proclamation resounded.

“Glory that’s brighter than the sun. While I feel apologetic to those that have been looking forward to a speech, I am here today in order to bid my farewells to the members of the Legislative Assembly, who are the pillars of the Empire.”

At his sudden words that it would be his last speech, the consuls that were seated to the side widened their eyes and looked at Berthwald.

A murmur slowly spreaded from underneath the podium.

Berthwald blinked slowly before speaking in a low voice.

“This chief consul, Berthwald Janssel, is resigning from the post of consul, from this moment onwards.”

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[E/N: teeny tiny reminder for those lost after the snusnu and cringewald arc, Berry’s the chief consul, wears a red robe, wields military might, and is the biggest drama king you’ll ever find in a ropan XD]

[T/N: Love a dramatic ML XD]