After such a long time, the Frieden family mansion looked just the same.

The walls were overrun with ivy, the origin of which was a mystery, and by the gate, the servant tasked with guarding the place was dozing off with his head bobbing. So, things were clearly running a bit haphazardly.

I decided not to bother waking the snoozing servant and just slipped inside. He’d end up getting an earful from Sion or one of the other attendants anyway.

With my stuff in hand—mostly books—I was headed to my room.

“Son, is that you?”

“…Yes, Mother.”

I unexpectedly ran into my mother, who was enjoying tea in the garden.

Not the least bit surprised, she took a sip from her cup and, in a calm voice, said, “Let’s see my son’s face after all this time. Don’t sneak in like a thief; sit down for a moment.”

“Yes.”

As I perched on the opposite side of the tea table, she poured a generous helping of black tea into my empty cup.

Then, in her usual soft tone, she began.

“Son.”

“Yes?”

“Where did you learn to be such a scoundrel, leaving just a letter and then returning after over a year?”

“…….”

I had a hunch I was in for quite the lecture.

…

“Haha! My wonderful son, you’ve really let yourself go, huh? Since it looks like my wife has already given you a thorough scolding, I won’t pile on.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Still, it’s good you’re not too late for Eric’s marriage. If a man has his mind set, he can spend ten years learning outside, not just one. Did you pick up anything in the Kingdom of Harren?”

“Yes. A little, I think.”

“That’s enough for me!”

Unlike my mother, my father easily shrugged it off.

Count Frieden himself was such a laid-back guy that he didn’t fuss too much over what his son might be up to. Of course, if I did something truly foolish, he’d scold me for sure.

Instead, we mainly shared some casual chatter about the happenings so far.

“Eric’s  wedding day is finally arriving, huh? Honestly, I thought you’d be the first to get married before him.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you’re both my sons, but let’s face it—Eric doesn’t exactly attract the ladies, does he?”

“Ah.”

Talk about throwing shade at my brother out of nowhere!

“So, Ed, got any good news?”

“What?”

“You didn’t just happen to meet a girl in Harren, did you? This old man wouldn’t mind a foreign daughter-in-law if she makes you happy.”

“Um, I’m really not thinking about marriage right now….”

“Are you planning to live like a monk just because the Church has blessed you? I didn’t say much before since Eric hadn’t tied the knot either, but come on, Ed, you’re a grown man.”

I could feel the subtle hint that it might be time to consider marriage.

But honestly, I’d been too focused on books to entertain thoughts of settling down. I’d never even been in a relationship to begin with!

Sure, it wasn’t exactly an era of romantic love either, but…

Umm, to be completely honest, if I could marry a book, I’d totally go for it.

“If you’re not into some romantic relationship, want to at least attend a matchmaker’s meet? Ever since news about Eric’s marriage broke, proposals for you have been piling up like mountains.”

“What? What does my brother’s marriage have to do with me….”

“Up until now, Eric, the eldest, couldn’t find a partner, so everyone’s been waiting for him to make a move. Aristocrats are always keeping tabs on each other after all. It’s a hassle, this whole tradition thing.”

“Excuse me, but aren’t you an aristocrat too, Father?”

“As soon as Eric has kids, I plan to pass on the Frieden family title. As long as he hands it to my eldest son, that annoying family crest thingy won’t be a worry anymore.”

“Ah, yes.”

I thought, at least a noble is still a noble whether he’s passing on titles or not, but I didn’t add that to the conversation.

This wasn’t exactly the first time my father had grumbled about the nobles.

“Oh, and you better pitch in for your brother’s wedding. It’s not that we’re short on money, but it’s a family tradition to prepare these things together.”

My father tugged at his beard, grunting and mumbling.

It was a bit amusing, considering he just criticized noble customs and then awkwardly switched to his own traditions.

I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

“Phew.”

“You’ll be raking in plenty from royalties anyway, so let’s make it a grand show.”

“I’ve been spending a lot lately…”

I had drained quite a bit of cash to establish a media monopoly in the Kingdom of Harren.

It wasn’t a simple task of just grabbing a few newspapers and printing houses, plus King Nathan did end up assisting me a bit later on.

“Really? Then how about some dishes as a gift?”

“A mansion in the capital, um, or wait, since it’s my brother’s wedding, how about I just get him a nice manor?”

“What?”

“Honestly, I don’t have much money lately…”

“…How much are you actually making?”

“Not sure. I have a load of accounts, so I haven’t counted.”

Excluding the major income sources—royalties from works like The Little Prince, Alice, Sherlock Holmes, and Arsène Lupin, which all went to a welfare foundation…

Then there was Don Quixote, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Conan Saga, The Sorrows of Young Werther, The Count of Monte Cristo, Alice in Wonderland, Hamlet, Pride and Prejudice, Father Brown, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, 15 Boys Adrift, Space Wars, Les Misérables, 1984─.

The money from secondary works, including merchandise and adaptations…

And the patent earnings from various tools developed by the Magic Tower, thanks to ‘Principia,’ which kept flowing in.

Not to mention the funds from the Vatican and support from the imperial court.

Hmmm.

“I could probably buy a small country.”

“Pfft.”

“Every year.”

“Huh?”

If Jesus could earn royalties from the Bible, surely his income would be similar.

It was so absurd that it made me ponder.

I realized I didn’t spend nearly as much as I made.

“Now that I think about it, I could afford to buy an island as a  wedding gift for my brother.”

“…Just get him a normal house.”

“Yes.”

…

“Love covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; love should take precedence over all principles, and everything must be done with love.”

 Weddings in this world weren’t nearly as flashy as I’d thought they’d be.

Of course, as an aristocratic wedding, it was quite extravagant, but the vibe felt so solemn it was more of a religious ceremony. In the capital’s largest church, the couple pledged eternal love, and a priest crowned them with a “Crown of Honor.”

“With this, you two bind yourselves in a vow of everlasting love. You will rely on and unify with each other, serving God together for eternity. Trials will surely come, but love conquers all, so love one another. That’s my message as a disciple of the Savior. Now both of you must navigate hardships using each other and the Savior’s words as your guiding light.”

And with that, once all the rituals were concluded, the priest blessed the couple, finalizing the marriage sacrament.

And then…

The real work of being a “noble” began right after the wedding ceremony.

Guests flooded from the church to a rented banquet hall nearby.

There, my brother and his bride became the center of attention among friends, who were either teasing or cheering them on.

“Congratulations! Eric! You’re finally getting hitched!”

“You’re the last one, huh? Man, I thought you’d be alone forever, but it looks like everyone gets paired up eventually!”

“Ha-ha…it’s true. I thought I’d end up living the solo life. The Friedens rarely see marriage proposals…”

“Isn’t that more about you than the Friedens not receiving any? I heard people lined up in society wanting to meet your sister!”

“What?”

Meanwhile, my father was surrounded by other noble folk and relatives.

“Good grief, what a hassle, honestly.”

“Were you planning to just brush off your kid’s marriage? That’s your problem; you always try to duck responsibility.”

“Seriously, what’s the big deal with being noble…”

“Absolutely a big deal! You’re the representative face of the Frieden family—do it right!”

“Can’t you just be the face instead of me?”

“I’d be fine with that, but it’s your father’s call, right?”

“Sigh….”

The only familiar face in the crowd was my aunt.

“Hello, Auntie.”

“Oh my! My handsome nephew, when did you grow up so much?”

“Ha-ha….”

“Seems like just yesterday you were a baby crying in my arms. Time really flies…”

I remember everything from that baby phase, but I don’t think I ever cried in her arms.

In fact, as a baby, I was more focused on trying to get smiles instead, feeling completely useless and totally bored….

“What’s my nephew up to these days? With that bright mind of yours, I bet everyone is eager to have you around.”

“Oh, you know, just leisurely pursuing my hobbies.”

“In that respect, you take after your brother—and your father.”

“Yes.”

“Then you didn’t prepare anything for your brother’s wedding?”

“Oh, not exactly. Instead, I thought I’d give him a fairy tale book I wrote. Seemed nice to read to any future kids.”

“Hoo, how romantic!”

The mansion that was supposed to be prepared for my brother’s  wedding had been set up by my father in name.

And so, I had my little gift ready too.

“I’m curious about the fairy tale my nephew wrote. Mind if I read it next?”

“Oh, yes.”

I figured even adults would find it quite fun.

After all, Andersen was a fantastic storyteller.