Chapter 42: Greetings to my Mother-in-law

I looked at the young maid in front of me.

She had black eyes and black hair.She looked like a smart but somewhat strict woman.. I see, she is similar to .the young lady.

I restrained my trembling body and voice.

Im pleased to meet you..or thats how we should start, right, mother? I am Zest.

I somehow managed to say these words without my voice going all over the place.

Nice to meet you too, Zest. Haha, are you surprised?

She smiled like she had just succeeded to prank me; in fact, she did succeed

I never thought my mother-in-law would wear a maids uniform..Its natural to feel surprised.

It was an honest answer.

Haha, forgive me, okay? I was also surprised by your actions in the bathroom, you know. Sonia, hold back your killing intent! I already explained you, right?

She hit my master with her folded fan in the head.

Are you all right? It sounded like it might have hurt.

Actually, his Majesty asked me to test you. But dont get angry, okay?

She leaned her head to one side and glared at me with shiny, upturned eyes.. She wanted to charm me, this old..young woman.But shes my mother-in-law after all.

I wont get angry, mother.

I smiled and decided to confront the matter.

It was a trial to test my humanity, to see whether I can be used as a noble and to verify whether I have bad feelings towards the empire, am I right? Mother, are you perhaps the 4thRank Imperial Mage?

The kind smile she showed me until now disappeared completely, with the malicious Frontier Count-like smile taking its place instead.

Well, well, what makes you think that?

Her aura is definitely not that of a maids.

She releases the pressure of being a member of a great noble family.that holdsthe title Frontier Count.

First, you were present during the secret meeting with his Majesty. At that moment, I thought that you were no ordinary maid, that you perhaps had a connection to our talk or something. Next, you appeared in the bathroom too, even though the maids in charge of bath activities are always the same. Moreover, it was very unnatural for a maid to be allowed to take part to a secret meeting with the Emperor.

I paused for a few moments to sip some black tea.

From that point, I decided I must be vigilant, thinking that you were under some sort of a secret mission from the Emperor in order to test me out. From my current position, its really easy to understand the reasons for this test..A man who showed up unexpectedly, and he even achievedspiritification. The Frontier Counts Household is pleased with him, but is heloyalty towards the empire? Can he be used, as a noble? What can we offer him in order to be able to control him?

Haha, I really am a suspicious guy..

Therefore, I had to be tested, right?

I asked with a grin.

Its good you understand your place. And then?

Yes, now that your magical power isnt concealed, I can clearly feel it. You are no ordinary mage, so I thought that you might be an Imperial Mage.However, offering the 1stRank to someone from the Frontier Counts Household means too much political power in the hands of the Frontier Count. Then, what about the 2ndand 3rdRank? This was impossible too, for the first 3 Ranks are supposed to take turns toparticipate in wars, so they would be too cruel to offer a young woman such a seat..In that case

You thought that the 4thRank was the most appropriate answer.

Yes, mother.

We both drank some tea.

I didnt think I was mistaken.

I glanced at my mother-in-law, and saw her face turn red and her eyes filled with fascination.

Whats wrong, are you all right?

Sonia.We cant let go of this child. Hes too cute..Its really worth training him.

Right? I already taught him basic magic. Do you feel like training him too?

..Please stop. Im gonna die.

Being incompetent means sure death, but why is the opposite situation dangerous as well?

His magical powers are strong, so theres no problem here, and he even achievedspiritification. He has enough knowledge to not fall into other nobles traps, and he is a light attribute user..Ah! Hes perfect for being Beas husband! Sonia, Im coming to the wedding too!

I know, Lamia. Its our cute Beas wedding, after all.

Urm, will you please stop?

They grasped each others hands and looked into each others eyes. I took my eyes off the couple and was about to drink some tea.when I realized there was no tea left in my cup.

Ill just go pour some myself.

I already finished my second cup.

My mother-in-law finally decided to leave their own world and started to talk in a rushed manner.

Yes, Zest. I, Lamia, the 4thRank Imperial Mage, recognize you. The test is over and you passed it. You can feel at ease for I will report this to his Majesty.

Thank you, mother.

I sighed. I was in the clear for the moment.

Well, his Majesty was worried, I guess.

A man shows upall of a sudden and becomes a husband in the Frontier Counts Household. He even successfully achievesspiritification.

What if this man is a big idiot who wont adapt to the world of nobles?

Its normal to doubt such an unclear man.

Promoting him without confirming his personality, might affect the Emperor as well.

I can relax now and enjoy the imperial capital, without being forced to leave.

I let out a sigh of relief and ate some sweets.

Yes, they were rather delicious.

However, this will be a problem.Hes too excellent..

What?

I fear so tooIn this case..Right?

They agreed with each other, then frowned.

What is it?

Why are you unsatisfied?

Im too excellent?..

That too is troubling me..

Ah, I see now.

This is indeed troubling.

Is it that, the Frontier Counts Household might attain too much political power?

This should be it.

For that reason, it was made known in the empire and the surrounding countries that I would become the 1stRank Imperial Mage.

However, the Frontier Count will have two Imperial Mages under his control.

The Count is reliable, but the Emperor must keep the power balance in place.

This was the situation.

Thats right.Its bad for the Frontier Counts Household to have four Imperial Mages.

What? Four??

Mother, are they really four?

Did I mishear?

Yes. My father, the Frontier Count, was the former 1stRank, now hes the 2ndRank. Sonia was the former 2ndRank, now hes the 3rd. Yet, there were many complaints addressed against us until now.The Frontier Counts Household has three Imperial Mages under its commandand the likes.

This is troublesome was the expression on my mother-in-laws face when she looked at my master and smiled.

Isnt this a very bad situation?

I will start complaining, you know

And this time, there will be four people. We will monopolize the first four Ranks. This is bad. Will everything be all right?

Mother, I dont think it will be.

After all, you also think this way; thats why you tried to drink tea from an empty cup.

Something like monopolizing the four strongest battle powers

This sure is stressing the Emperor out.

Master was the one to interrupt the silence.

ZestIt might be impossible for you to become Beas husband after all

My master said, his face pained..

I silently stared at him..