I Returned As the Governor of the Country That Abandoned Me

1 – Last in the Empire

“Aran Youngsik. Are you leaving tomorrow? To the kingdom of High Iran.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then, who will protect me now?”

“My successor will serve you well.”

The place where I am is the residence of the imperial princess. Although he was appointed as the governor of the kingdom of Hailan, the title begins next week. Perhaps, tomorrow we will depart for the Kingdom of High Iran, and for a week we will have to take over from the former governor.

“Abama is too kind. How can you appoint him as the governor of the kingdom that hurt you?”

Princess of the Empire, Lesain von Prodentea. The symbol of the imperial family, a girl with silver hair, began to grumble.

She knows everything about me and the kingdom of Hailan. So you can grumble like that.

I laughed at the appearance of such a princess. It was a pretty good feeling to have someone who could be so angry for me.

It seems childish to be complaining like this, but he is 18 years old after all, and next year he will be an adult. There is only a 7 year difference between me and me.

“His Majesty bestowed benevolence. Please think of it as a vacation home for a while.”

A vacation home. I said this to the princess, but in reality it wasn’t like that. The emperor is testing me. With the suspicion that I might still have a heart for the kingdom.

“Aran Youngsik! Then, can’t you come to my coming-of-age ceremony next year?”

“Could it be? Whatever happens, I will attend. Oh, and…”

“You mean stop eating Youngsik?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I have the title of Commander of the 3rd Imperial Knight. Please call me the captain of the knights.”

“Eh? No, I do not want. We’ve already been together for three years, should I call you with such a stiff, businesslike title?”

“I am afraid that others will listen.”

After being naturalized in the empire for several years, I was recognized for my ability and was able to rise to the position of captain of the knights who protect the imperial family. Not only that, but undeservedly, from 3 years ago to this position of protecting the children of the imperial family.

It’s been 10 years since I came to the Empire. During this period, I can proudly say that I lived more desperately than anyone else.

“Youngsik.”

“Your Highness, the title Youngshik is…”

“Youngsik.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I gave in to her determined tone. Because her voice was filled with the will to never give up.

“Why did Youngshik choose me? As far as Youngshik’s ability is concerned… Wouldn’t it be strange to go to your older brother or older sisters? I’m just the 5th princess.”

Three princes and five princesses. Among them, she is the 5th princess and the 7th child of the emperor. Practically, there is little chance of her ascending to the throne.

“Isn’t your highness the one who appointed me as a knight?”

Eight years ago from now, when I was appointed as a knight in Jongja, it was this girl who appointed me as a knight at the knight ordination ceremony. At the age of 10 at the time, she must have wanted something like this.

“Eh~ I don’t remember~.”

The girl who had been looking at me all the time during her conversation turned her head and dragged her words down. I know what this action means.

She and I have been together for three years. I know everything from her petty habits to her behavior. It’s rather strange not knowing.

“So, will you marry me next year? Why, as Youngsik said. Come when you become an adult.”

“… “

When her princess was younger than she is now, she once asked me to marry her. She thought it was child’s play at the time, but apparently it wasn’t.

“Your Highness. I am a child of a county family, and those who are more capable and of higher rank than me…”

“So? Were they the youngest knight commanders like Yeongshik?”

“… “

“Did they protect me in the imperial family, where countless scheming was rampant? Did they… Say they would protect me from now on?”

.. To be honest, it was difficult to answer that question. If someone else besides her rises to the position of emperor, she will surely be the target of purges.

That is why most nobles are reluctant to associate with members of the imperial family. Because they do not know when they will become the target of the new emperor.

That is the meaning of that question. One day, when he became a target, he asked if there was anyone who would protect him. Probably not. Because that’s what politics is.

“Youngshik, won’t you protect me too?”

“Even if it takes my life, I will protect Your Highness.”

It can’t be. If one day she becomes the target of her new emperor, I have her confidence that I will give her life to defend her. For you, who first recognized me as a knight.

“So, are you marrying me?”

“Your Highness, the children of other families…”

“Ah! It’s noisy!! Every day, the children of different families say blah blah blah..”

The girl turned her head and continued talking to herself. I wonder if my successor will be able to handle such a tomboy.

Smart-

And then, someone knocked on the princess’s door.

“Your Highness. The Minister of the Armed Forces, Count Gerald von Robertaine has requested an audience.”

“Um… Stop by.”

She glanced at me, confirmed that I nodded her head, and said. Soon after, her visit opens.

When the door opened, a middle-aged man with dark hair entered.

“Your Highness. The Minister of the Military, Gerald von Robertayn, sees the little moon of the Imperial Family.”

“Keep your head up.”

“Hwang Gong Ha.”

At the girl’s gesture, the middle-aged man raised his head. Before long, his gaze reaches me.

“So? What did you come for?”

“I’m sorry, I came here for a personal matter. I heard that my son is here…”

Son. The son he mentioned must be me. Of course, it’s not a family relationship that’s really bloody. When I was naturalized as an empire, there were no children in my father’s family, so I was only registered as an adopted son.

“Is this something I shouldn’t hear?”

“No. I will tell you what I have to say quickly and leave.”

“So be it.”

My father said that and slowly approached me.

“Aran.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, you can do it comfortably.”

The princess gestured and said. It means that you don’t have to be formal.

“..Yes, Father.”

I also feel more comfortable calling my father Father rather than calling him Excellency. I can only thank the princess for her consideration.

“Are you going to stop by my house today?”

“No. The handover of Her Highness’s new escort knight is not over yet, so I’m going to finish it today. I’ll see you tomorrow before leaving for the kingdom.”

“You want to do that. Your mother said she misses you too.”

My stepfather and stepmother, born after coming to the Empire. The two, who had no children in their 40s, were too kind to their suddenly born son. Perhaps, I will never be able to repay this favor for the rest of my life.

“As you may know, this is your chance. Do you know?”

My father looked at the princess and said. I know what my father means.

An opportunity and a test to prove to the Emperor that I am loyal to the Empire. I also have no intention of wasting this opportunity.

“My family depends on you.”

If I show no signs of being loyal to the Empire and stand on the side of the Kingdom, the emperor will immediately give my family a mace. I do not wish for such a future.

A father who acknowledged me as a son without a drop of blood, taught me how to use swordsmanship, and helped me both physically and mentally so that I could become a knight.

When I first met me, my mother shed tears saying she had finally had a son.

I still can’t forget the image of my mother sitting next to me while I was sleeping, holding my hands tightly and praying to God.

[Please let my son grow up healthy.]

How could I betray those two people? My homeland.. So, even if it means destroying the kingdom of Hailan, I will protect you two.

“Yes. I am the son of the Empire.”

My father smiled softly after hearing my decision.

“Governor is the position to manage the kingdom on behalf of the empire. Recognize that the fate of the kingdom is in your hands.”

“I will listen carefully.”

The position I was appointed to, the Governor General, is not a position that is dispatched to the kingdom.

We appreciate if the kingdom acts against the empire, and we can stop it if it implements a policy that is harmful to the empire. In addition, it is possible to arbitrarily punish those who show disrespectful movements toward the empire.

In exchange for acknowledging the royal family, culture, ideology, and values of the kingdom, this is the privilege enjoyed by the empire.

Maybe a king upon kings. That is the position of the governor of the kingdom, to which I was appointed.

“Hey. Aran. When can I see you?”

“Shut up and take over.”

After the face-to-face with my father, I went outside for a while to take over the handover to the knight who was in charge of escorting the successor princess.

The name of the new princess escort knight appointed as my successor is Ellen von Dreamit. He was appointed as a knight along with me, his motive from his days as a knight squire. Although right now, the Knights I belong to are different.

A female knight that is rarely seen among knights. If it were her, she could trust her enough to escort the princess.

“Her Highness the Princess wakes up at 5 am. She should come before then and prepare to escort her.”

“Eh- Aren’t you waking up too early?”

“Right after waking up, His Highness enjoys exercising and taking a morning walk, so don’t be late.”

I tell the princess her schedule, and she diligently writes it down on a piece of paper. In addition to this, the princess’s hobbies and her favorite food.

“So? When are you coming?”

“.. I don’t know.”

Perhaps, the day I set foot in the empire again, will be when the emperor clears his doubts about me. I don’t know how long that will take. 3 Years or 5 years. At worst, until the emperor dies.

In a way, exile. Yes, exile is probably the best metaphor. In reality, he reigns as a king above kings.

“Come to think of it, the Kingdom of Hailan is your homeland, right?”

“I have never had such a motherland.”

“You are laughing. All of your classmates know that you are from the Kingdom of Hailan.”

“… “

“Anyway, just betray the empire. Because this older sister is going to cut your throat herself.”

To say such a thing while smiling brightly. That’s why I can’t get married at this age.

Like that, I continued handing over to him. Surprisingly, because he was cooperative, I was able to finish it early.

Finally, finally tomorrow. The day I return to my homeland after 10 years.

By now, the kingdom should have recognized the information about me. That I was from the Kingdom of High Iran, that I was sold to the Empire during the war against the Empire, and so on.

I’m curious about the look on your face when you heard the information about me. Since I’m from the kingdom, do you think I’ll be lenient with you? Or do you think I will help you get out of the Empire?

You can delusion to your heart’s content. Unfortunately, I am more ruthless than you think.