The day after the rumors of my becoming a Baron spread, my father came rushing in, panting.
As soon as he saw me, he hugged me so tightly I could barely catch my breath.
“Fabio! I can’t believe you are a Baron! This father of yours just can’t wrap his head around it!”
When I declared I would become a merchant, he was so solemn, serious, and strict that this sudden outburst of joy was honestly hard to get used to.
Still, unlike other nobles, he had always done his best to care for me since I was young.
“He probably only knew how to be strict with his children like the old fathers of the past.”
It must have been necessary to keep things in line.
“Isn’t all of this the blessing of Deus and the kindness of His Majesty? Didn’t you teach me well, Father?”
“What have I taught you? All of this is your own ability.”
The achievements I currently enjoy are purely the result of my own efforts.
However, the initial support to open my cafe and the reason why various hostile factions couldn’t just mess with me were all thanks to my father “taking care” of things behind the scenes.
Thinking of such a father, I’m doing my best for the Medici Baron Clan.
“Family ties are unbreakable, and I’ve gained so much because of you, Father.”
“And to think you’re marrying the granddaughter of Duke Visconti? I was really worried about your delay in marriage. I was thinking that if it went on any longer, I might have to take matters into my own hands and find a matchmaker myself.”
In the noble families, all formal marriages are supposed to be decided by the head of the family.
Since I became a Young Baron, I’ve gained my independence, so my father had respected that and stayed silent until now.
However, after turning 24, a woman is practically on the verge of being a spinster, and a man starts to stick the label of “bachelor” on himself, becoming the subject of gossip.
“Who would enjoy hearing that their beloved son is called a bachelor?”
But looking at how things are going, if my father starts playing matchmaker, I bet I’d be receiving “kind warnings” from suspicious folks sent by the duke.
Politely worded but the kind of advice where the next time I don’t listen, I’ll end up eating pasta through my nose.
“I’ve been too busy to think about marriage, but your kindness is overwhelming, my lord.”
“You’ll do well, Fabio.”
“Thank you, Father.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, my father stood up to leave.
“If I had my way, I’d love to sit and chat more, but nobles who want to see me and Albert are flocking to our house like clouds. I really must be going.”
Even though I’m legally independent from the Medici Baron Clan, the blood ties remain unbreakable.
So, if my brother Albert gets closer to my father, he thinks it’s an indirect way to get closer to me.
As he was about to leave, my father let out a sigh.
“Fabio.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Your brother is a person who falls endlessly short in comparison to you. In ten or twenty years, you might be a Viscount or Earl, but he’ll remain a Baron.”
To an outsider, it might not seem too difficult for a noble family to retain its lineage.
But in reality, as all company presidents know, safeguarding the family business until it’s handed over to the heir is as delicate and challenging as walking on thin ice.
If you step out of line at a social event, it might not lead to ruin, but you could easily be ostracized, pushing the family toward the brink.
If they get backed into a corner, merchants start seizing debts and appropriating rights related to the territory.
As a result, there are many families that are functionally defunct, with merely their titles remaining.
The reason they’ve survived is quite simple.
“With a title, they can maintain control of the territory and collect taxes to pay off debts.”
Thus, merely maintaining the family in its current state is a significant achievement.
Breaking through the ceiling above is a miracle in itself.
I, who am creating such miracles, am drawing the attention of nobles.
“Take care of your brother. A talented person like you might not understand, but…”
My father smiled like someone who has found enlightenment.
“In this world, there are people who feel discouraged, despair, and give up when they see others doing better than them. Some even completely fall apart. But your brother is not that incompetent.”
While others are busy gaining practical experience until their mid-thirties just to get their titles, my brother received the Baron title in his mid-twenties and manages it well without issue.
That’s already enough to place him among the top 10% of nobles.
“After all, he’s still family.”
Honestly, I’m not a fan of Albert, but I think I’ll help him if I can change my mind.
Putting aside personal feelings, it would only make sense to be called a “frivolous noble” among the nobles if I were to succeed alone.
In our empire, when one family member succeeds significantly, it’s customary to support relatives up to sixth cousins.
“Other countries are likely the same.”
“Yes, Father.”
My father listened to my words and went straight outside.
When he first entered, he had a light and lively step, but now he walked dejectedly.
This is all Albert’s fault.
“Ugh, my head hurts. Should I just take a break today?”
There are still plenty of nobles who want to see me, but after the duke suggested giving me a few days off since Fabio must be struggling, no visitors have come.
As for work, I’ve set up a system robust enough that even if I take a week off without notice, there will be no problem.
“That’s the benefit of having slow communication without the internet.”
That’s why noble folks in this era can actually spend over ten hours a day on “social gatherings” without falling behind on their work.
“Chris here. I have an important matter, could you spare a moment?”
… I’d like to take a break today unless it’s something super important.
I feel dizzy as if I’ve been hit in the head with a hammer because of the duke.
“If it’s not super urgent, I’d like a little rest today.”
Hearing that, Chris hesitated before speaking.
“It’s a personal matter, and I can only discuss it with the Young Baron, no, with you, Baron.”
“Come on in.”
“Yes, Baron.”
Chris opened the door and smoothly took a seat.
According to etiquette, sitting down before being invited is rude, but we’re not so formal that we need to nitpick over such trivialities.
In fact, in social circles, there’s talk of when these two will start dating.
I often take Chris and Chloe out on dates to Café Medici to enjoy desserts like parfait.
“Thanks to this, rumors are spreading that Chris and I are together.”
“First of all, congratulations on your elevation to Baron. I always thought you’d make it big, but I never imagined you’d rise to Baron at just 23, all through your own efforts. Honestly, I couldn’t have imagined it.”
Even the most exceptional people usually dedicate nearly a lifetime to raising their titles.
But I’ve risen from a mere “noble young lord” to knight, Young Baron, and now Baron—all through hard work, surpassing the usual pace.
“On top of that, marrying the duke’s daughter? When I heard the news, I doubted my ears several times, thinking I must have heard wrong. Congratulations.”
Chris conveyed her congratulations in a manner that didn’t breach any decorum.
Those who don’t know her well would think she’s genuinely happy for me…
“Objectively speaking, she’s probably holding back on jealousy since she has no reason to feel otherwise.”
If it were Chloe, upon hearing this news, she’d likely squeeze every bit of happiness out of me today to the last drop.
She’d probably say something like,
“I’m so happy to see you succeed, but I’m still the woman you love the most. Always will be.”
And she’d insist on having my child before the official fiancée arrives.
As a high-ranking executive of the Medici Guild, she’s usually excellent at managing her emotions, but if you look closely, you can see her biting her lips.
“So, what’s the important matter?”
Chris took a deep breath and replied.
“Baron Viola’s family has proposed marriage to me.”
“Now that I’m a Baron, it seems all sorts of people are lining up to propose. What a hassle.”
“While they belong to the nobility, the previous Young Baron committed a serious offense, so they’re basically left with just the title. Even though they’re Young Barons, their living standards seem to be on par with ordinary craftsmen.”
I can tell without needing to be told.
They’re planning to gain connections through financial help from the Modica Clan to restore their family.
And even if rumors circulate in high society about Chris and me dating…
“Anyone who knows realizes that we merely have a close friendship.”
That’s just how things are in the “getting-to-know-each-other” stage.
“…I think it’s about time I consider marriage like you, Baron. Today, I’m officially 20 years old.”
“Right.”
“So I won’t hide it any longer, I don’t want to remain an old maid.”
Chris took a breath after saying that.
“It’s sickening to think of being used by men who only want my wealth or connections without any love involved. The thought of losing my purity and raising their child without love makes me want to puke.”
Just imagining it is indeed a bit revolting.
“I hesitated about having feelings for a man that Chloe likes, but I’ve decided to be honest with my feelings.”
Chris looked at me with determination.
“I love you, Baron.”
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