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Ferdinand von Aegir greeted the day like he does every other day. He got out of bed and ensured it was made before he set out to get ready, as a noble’s room must always be clean and well-kept. He went through his usual morning routine to ensure he was clean and dressed in the finest day wear befitting the scion of House Aegir.
He ate a nutritious breakfast, thanked both the chef and the ones who served him the meal personally, and finally marched up to his father, ready to begin his daily duties.
His father was sitting at the desk in his study and barely looked up at Ferdinand as he entered the room. “Ferdinand, I need to talk to you. Close the door and come over here, would you?”
Ferdinand did as his father asked, then took the seat across from him. “What tasks do you have for me today? What shall I do to prove that I am the perfect noble to succeed you once you step down from being Prime Minister?”
His father looked as if he were about to roll his eyes at Ferdinand’s usual theatrics, but seemed to just barely stop himself from doing so. “There is only one thing you need to do. I hope you are aware that the social season will begin in a little over a month from now.”
Ferdinand smirked. “Naturally! It is my duty as a noble to know when events as important as that are to be happening!”
“Then you know that who you court during that event will have an impact on the future of our house,” Ludwig said. He fixed Ferdinand with a look that he only reserved for he was being truly serious. “I want you to go there and court Princess Edelgard.”
Ferdinand’s expression shifted from confident to confused at that.
The last time he had seen Princess Edelgard was around six years ago. They were both children then, but her father had kept her out of public view since then. Since the horrible news about her siblings’ deaths was released to the entire Adrestian nobility.
Ferdinand felt somber at the thought. He was friends with quite a few of the Hresvelg children, Edelgard included. To hear of their deaths was heartbreaking, to say the least.
Still, he had to focus on the present. And presently, his father wanted him to court a woman that has not been seen in public for six years.
“How will I accomplish that? The Emperor has made it clear that any visits to Lady Edelgard are expressly prohibited.”
“For now, that would be the case. But an ‘informant’ of mine on the servant staff in the palace has told me that His Majesty wishes to introduce his daughter to the public once again during the social season. She will be at the ball that’s being hosted in the palace, then will travel alongside the other nobles to the various territories during the social season.”
His use of "informant" made Ferdinand wince internally. He didn’t think having spies in the Emperor’s palace was behavior befitting a Prime Minister, but he knew better than to voice this complaint.
“So, I am to head to the ball and sweep the princess off of her feet? A simple task! I shall show her that Ferdinand von Aegir is the noblest of nobles! One truly deserving of Her Highness’s hand in marriage!” Ferdinand said. Upon seeing his father’s irritation at his cocky attitude, he decided to ask a question instead. “Is there a particular reason why I am courting Lady Edelgard?”
“Besides the fact that you’ll be marrying the future Emperor,” His father said, almost bored with the conversation now that he has given Ferdinand his mission. “I need Ionius to trust me. He’s been skeptical of my intentions ever since that shitshow in Hrym.”
Ferdinand couldn’t hide his distaste at his father’s cursing, but he also understood that “shitshow” was putting the situation in Hrym lightly. It was such a disaster that the Emperor himself intervened and gave control of the territory to a distant descendent of the Hrym family and his two adopted children since they were the closest living relatives to the original Hryms. An act that left his father fuming for many weeks afterward.
“I understand,” Ferdinand said. “For the sake of our family, I will win Lady Edelgard’s hand.” He said it far more seriously than before.
“Good, now go. Take the rest of the day to ensure you’re ready for the social season. Clothes, cologne, whatever you need. Spare no expensive if you believe it will give you an edge in courting the Princess.” His father turned back to his paperwork and shooed Ferdinand away with a wave of his hand.
Ferdinand left the room, offering a silent promise to do better than his father as Prime Minister. There would be no more Hrym incidents under his guidance, and he will treat his future wife with all the love and care she deserves.