Chapter 410: I Got a good Scolding

“Listen well, Viscount Van. You may indeed be a child. However, you must understand that you are a vital existence to the kingdom, and a noble who must dedicate himself to it. To fulfill those duties, you must first and foremost prioritize your own safety.”

When His Majesty said that, Aperta also nodded.

“It is exactly as His Majesty says. Viscount Van’s life does not belong to you alone. Speaking of which, my daughter recently gave birth to a baby girl…”

“Silence, Aperta! That matters not right now!”

When Aperta seemed about to bring up something disturbing, His Majesty stood up in anger. Hm? Did he just casually try to marry off his granddaughter to me?

“I have already given a strict warning to Count Panamera as well. The two of you should reflect on this.”

“Eh? Ms. Panamera too?”

At His Majesty’s words, I involuntarily asked back. He glared at me for it, but please forgive me. I thought I might get to see the rare sight of Ms. Panamera feeling down after being lectured by His Majesty.

Just as I was thinking that, Rosso and Panamera walked over from the mansion with perfect timing.

Huh? She has her usual atmosphere.

“Your Majesty, even without getting so angry, I am sure Viscount Van is reflecting enough. He is far wiser than your average noble, you know.”

When Rosso said that with a wry smile, His Majesty crossed his arms and groaned.

“……I know. But this incident truly chilled my blood. Marquis, the same goes for your letter. Could you not have informed me of their safety sooner?”

“I am deeply sorry. I hurried as much as I could, but we had so little time……”

As Rosso spoke his apology with a serious face, Aperta opened his mouth looking exasperated.

“Your Majesty, please refrain from taking your anger out on him. The Marquis acted swiftly.”

“……I know.”

His Majesty snorted in response to Aperta’s reprimand. It seems he didn’t doubt that Rosso had done his best from the very beginning. Seeing that, Aperta lifted the corner of his mouth and narrowed his eyes.

“Marquis Rosso. It would help if you understood just how worried His Majesty was. After all, he departed the royal capital the moment the fast horse arrived, and he hardly opened his mouth until he heard yesterday’s report.”

As Aperta laughed while saying that, His Majesty furrowed his brow.

“Do not say unnecessary things.”

With His Majesty’s brief rebuke, Aperta nodded, keeping his smile.

“Please excuse my rudeness……”

Glancing at Aperta as he took a step back after saying only that, His Majesty turned back to Rosso.

“……I believe I have grasped the situation. As I mentioned earlier, you could have stopped Viscount Van when you heard he was setting out to sea. From now on, see to it that you ensure his safety before allowing him to act.”

“Understood.”

Rosso nodded deeply at His Majesty’s words. Watching this quietly, my eyes suddenly fell on Panamera’s face standing behind Rosso.

She had a serious attitude, like the one she shows on the battlefield, but she didn’t look particularly depressed.

“……Did you get scolded too, Ms. Panamera?”

I asked, lowering my voice slightly. At that, Panamera raised one eyebrow and tilted her head a fraction.

“Somewhat.”

It was just one word, but I felt her voice was lower than her usual tone.

Ooh, the great Ms. Panamera is actually feeling down.

As I was thinking that, Rosso must have noticed. He walked over to me with a wry smile and spoke.

“……Count Panamera says that, but she was reprimanded far more severely than you. Of course, the same goes for me. It was a terribly strict scolding—to the point that we could have faced partial confiscation of our territories or demotion in peerage if we handled it poorly.”

“Eh? That much?”

When I asked back in surprise, Rosso glanced at His Majesty, who was looking displeased with his arms crossed, and answered.

“That is how much His Majesty’s blood ran cold. In other words, Count Panamera is a given, but more than anyone else, he was worried about you, Viscount Van. I want you to remember that.”

“About me?”

“Yes. I have no memory of His Majesty ever caring this much about a vassal. So, I would be grateful if you truly considered your own safety first from now on.”

Saying that, Rosso laughed as if troubled.

“……Well, to be honest, that is exactly what we vassals always think regarding His Majesty. After all, when war breaks out, His Majesty heads right to the front lines, and if he deems it effective, he would even expose himself to the enemy’s eyes. In a way, he might be similar to you, Viscount Van.”

While Rosso was laughing and stating his impressions in a small voice, His Majesty and Aperta appeared right behind him.

“……Marquis? You seem to be discussing something interesting.”

“Lord Rosso. That was a wonderful opinion. Let us firmly make this an agenda in the royal capital and ensure His Majesty never leaves it. That would be the safest course of action, after all.”

“Aperta, you bastard……”

Before I knew it, Aperta had become like a fish in water and began condemning His Majesty. Despite having just been scolded, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the sight.

Is this a comedy sketch?

If they’re a duo, they’d be “His Majesty & The Prime Minister.” If they’re a trio, maybe something like “The Royal Retainers” would work.