Chapter 7

Became a Face Genius Dad in the Game - Chapter 7 (7/109)

Funeral (2)

There is a peculiarly shaped fief in the empire.

A long, snake-like fief that spans from the snowy mountains in the north to the plains in the west and the sea in the south.

If this type of fief is attacked from the outside, it can only be cut in half.

The supply lines, which are the lifelines of war, would be severed.

It is a form of fief that is extremely disadvantageous to defend, which is why everyone avoids it.

However, owning such a fief is also a symbol of immense confidence.

The confidence that no one would dare to touch them.

It is a confidence so arrogant that when the name of the fief is confirmed, everyone nods in understanding.

It can't be helped.

It is one of the five families in the empire with the blood of dragons, the Mausoleum family.

The Marquis of Mausoleum.

In the lord's castle where the owners of this vast fief reside, a funeral is currently taking place.

"Ah, Lady Ishtar. You have come as well."

"Lord Donavan. It has been a long time."

True to the Mausoleum family's reputation for both infamy and influence, numerous distinguished guests were in attendance.

They had come directly from the capital of the empire to this place.

"His Excellency, the Marquis Ishtar, does not seem to be here."

"Due to his busy schedule, I am representing the family."

Among the guests was the Marquis Ishtar's daughter.

As soon as she arrived at the funeral hall, men quickly gathered around her.

"Miss Ishtar. I heard you declined my sister's tea party last time. She was quite upset about it."

"Ahaha. Miss Ishtar is not interested in such social gatherings."

"By the way, Miss. I heard you recently reached a new level."

"Indeed, Miss Ishtar. It seems the empire will soon have its youngest Swordmaster."

Miss Ishtar, Irena Ishtar, responded to the flood of words with only a smile, not a word.

It was a polite smile, as responding would be too troublesome, but as a knight, she had to maintain her etiquette.

"Ah..."

That alone made the eyes of the men surrounding her momentarily dazed.

The reason Irena Ishtar drew so much attention was not only because she was from a marquis family and unmarried, but also because of her beauty.

In the empire, those with outstanding beauty are either half-elves or have dragon blood.

The Marquis Ishtar family is the latter, a family with the bloodline of the Radiant Dragon Istar, who is said to have ascended to godhood.

"Miss Ishtar is truly dazzling no matter when I see her."

One of her ardent admirers muttered absentmindedly.

Her snow-white hair and mysterious purple eyes, as he said, gave a sense of holiness beyond mere beauty just by looking at them.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Irena merely replied softly.

For her, comments on her appearance were no different from the greetings she had heard all her life.

"Miss, are you going to participate in the hunting tournament that will be held soon?"

One of the knights hesitated before speaking.

Since Irena is a knight, he thought she might be interested in hunting.

"Ah..."

Irena had a slightly awkward expression.

As a knight, she was not afraid of blood, but hunting innocent animals for mere entertainment did not suit her nature.

While she was pondering how to respond, a voice came to her rescue.

"Deputy. What are you doing?"

"Ah, Commander."

It was Cain, the commander of the Radiant Knights, the group to which she belonged.

Cain glanced at the men surrounding Irena and nodded at her.

"The ceremony will start soon. Go and take your seat."

"Yes, Commander."

Irena left without hesitation, following Cain.

The knights left behind sighed in disappointment and then slowly made their way to the place where the ceremony was to be held.

"Thank you for saving me, Commander."

Irena's words were met with Cain's silent nod as he continued walking.

The funeral was held in the garden of the Mausoleum lord's castle, near the family cemetery.

It was a simple setup with chairs arranged around the late marquis's coffin, and after the ceremony, the coffin was to be immediately placed in the family cemetery.

About ten minutes after Irena and Cain took their seats, someone ascended the platform next to the coffin and began the ceremony.

"Thank you to all the distinguished guests who have come from afar. I am Alfred, the head butler of the Mausoleum family. As you know, the Mausoleum family..."

The old butler skillfully recited the family's brief history and the late marquis's achievements.

Cain muttered curiously.

"I've never seen a butler, not a priest, conduct a funeral."

"The Mausoleum family does not believe in the church."

Cain nodded slightly at Irena's words.

The butler, who had just finished reciting the late marquis's last achievement, cleared his throat and spoke again.

"Then, before we hear the tributes from the distinguished guests, let the blood relatives take their seats first."

Everyone turned to look behind them.

A series of figures were walking from the direction of the lord's castle.

They were pale-skinned people with black hair and black clothing.

They looked like vampires walking under the bright sunlight. They were the Mausoleum family.

People's gazes naturally focused on Seymour, who was at the front.

The young man who would soon inherit the marquis title.

"Ah?"

"Ho..."

A few fashion enthusiasts were the first to exclaim in admiration, narrowing their eyes.

It was due to Seymour's unique attire.

Seymour was wearing a black suit.

The jacket accentuated his broad shoulders, and the waistcoat emphasized his lean waist.

A white shirt that contrasted with his black hair.

Most notably, a thin tie hanging around his neck, with a gold pin matching his eye color, caught everyone's attention.

"What is that?"

"A tie style I've never seen before."

The more fashion-savvy individuals could not stop admiring Seymour's attire.

Despite the only decorations being the tie pin, buttons, and cuffs, the elegant atmosphere was undeniable.

It was hard not to be envious.

"Is this the latest fashion in the Mausoleum fief?"

"I should visit a tailor in the fief before returning to the capital."

"I'll go with you."

Those who were already lost in the fashion world.

Even those who were not interested in fashion were equally surprised.

They were more surprised by the child in Seymour's arms.

"Who is that child?"

"Wasn't the current Mausoleum family a trio of siblings? Could this be Seymour's child?"

However, the murmurs ceased when the child, who had buried his head in Seymour's chest, turned his head.

Snow-white hair and golden eyes.

Plump cheeks full of cuteness, and short fingers tightly gripping Seymour's clothes.

And the fashion, a miniature version of Seymour's attire.

"How adorable..."

"Truly charming..."

The child was so adorable that everyone momentarily forgot they were at a funeral.

In the suddenly light-hearted atmosphere of the funeral hall, only Irena remained composed.

"..."

Irena's eyes were fixed on Lucius, unable to look away.

* * *

After the funeral, many people approached me.

"Seymour. Do you remember me? I once visited the mansion to meet the late marquis."

"Knight. Or should I call you Marquis now? I am Baron Voltair, who governs a nearby fief."

They were people trying to make an impression on me, the future marquis.

"By the way, who is this child?"

"The child is very cute. Hahaha. He must take after his father."

Many people were curious about Lucius's identity and asked directly or subtly.

"Excuse me, I need a moment alone."

"Oh, we were inconsiderate."

I dismissed the people before Lucius could start complaining and let out a dragon roar.

Actually, I found it difficult to answer the guests' questions.

'Is Lucius my daughter?'

It was a strange feeling, hard to say yes or no.

I sighed softly and looked at Lucius in my arms.

"Yawn."

Lucius yawned widely with his small mouth.

I gently wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes and held him tightly.

At that moment,

"Lord Mausoleum."

Another voice called out.

I turned my head, intending to politely dismiss the person, but was distracted by the white hair in front of me.

It was Irena Ishtar.

I stared at her for a moment.

As with all those with dragon blood, she had a truly stunning beauty.

"Marquis?"

When I didn't respond, Irena called out again.

Realizing I had missed the chance to dismiss her, I cleared my throat.

"Ah, sorry. I haven't officially received the title of marquis yet."

"You're already addressing me informally."

Did we originally use formal speech? It was a miscalculation on my part, as I only knew the situation a year later.

"Well, becoming a marquis is a foregone conclusion."

I decided to be shameless about it.

After all, we were destined to be enemies.

'The family standing opposite the Mausoleum family. Among them, the one standing opposite Seymour.'

Irena Ishtar.

Unlike Seymour, who dies in the main story, she is a strong supporter of the protagonist and can be recruited as an ally after Seymour's death.

She plays a crucial role in the protagonist's efforts to defeat Seymour.

'One of the characters I need to be as cautious about as the protagonist.'

She is also one of the characters I cannot avoid if I am to live as a noble in the empire.

The Mausoleum and Ishtar families are entangled in various conflicts.

"..."

Irena silently looked at Lucius. Lucius also noticed her gaze and turned to look at her.

Irena seemed to have figured out Lucius's identity, perhaps due to the dragon blood in her veins or her keen senses.

"..."

Irena looked up at me.

Her eyes were filled with deep suspicion and disdain, unhidden.

I smiled bitterly.

'Given the relationship and history between the two families, it's not surprising that she would look at me like this...'

Being given such a look by a beautiful woman is itself a mental blow.

I shrugged.

"Why?"

"..."

Irena's eyes widened slightly at my reaction, which was not what she expected.

'Seymour and Irena are sworn enemies.'

If things had gone according to the original story, Seymour would have growled at Irena in this situation.

Irena looked at me curiously for a moment, then shook her head and got to the point.

"Where did you bring this child from?"

"Huh? I don't understand what you mean."

"He's not your child, is he?"

"Well, everyone keeps saying how much they look like father and daughter."

I tried to play it off, and Irena's eyes narrowed.

But she also knew that this was not the place to continue such a conversation.

Irena clicked her tongue and turned away. But her head suddenly jerked back.

"Ugh?"

Someone had pulled her hair.

Irena, who had involuntarily made a strange sound, covered her mouth and turned to look at me with a red face, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

I was equally surprised.

Looking down, I saw Lucius holding Irena's hair tightly.

Lucius, who was playing with the white hair in his hand, looked up.

"Ma?"

Lucius tilted his head and asked.

Irena seemed not to understand, but I, who had heard similar questions before, understood.

'Mom...?'

A thought crossed my mind.

The golden eyes of the Mausoleum family.

The white hair of the Ishtar family.

The two dragons who were active a thousand years ago and the child who was sealed for a thousand years.

'Could it be?'

But I could only shake my head at the hypothesis that arose in my heart.

After all, the Radiant Dragon Istar was the dragon who killed the Void Dragon Mausoleum and ascended to godhood.