EP.18
“That’s right. But what does it have to do with you?”
“Hmm, must I explicitly state that for you to understand?”
Maria’s icy glare was directed at him. Occasionally, whenever I faced that look, I would feel a chill down my spine, yet the middle-aged man nonchalantly stared back at her without a hint of emotion.
No, he was looking at Maria in a very businesslike manner, devoid of any feeling.
Not knowing who he was, I couldn’t grasp the situation at all.
“Who are you?”
“I am Baron Norman von Ulm.”
“Baron?”
Is a mere baron so audacious as to step forward like that?
With a puzzled expression, I glanced at him, and Maria added a phrase.
“Baron Ulm is not a title granted by the Empire.”
“Then?”
“It’s a title that has been passed down since the Etruria Empire era. He is currently holding a Vice Minister Position.”
Goodness.
So, you’re telling me that his family history spans over a millennium? That makes sense. Of course, in a class-based society, status is absolute, but just like in any pre-modern society, there is always some flexibility in everything.
For those intellectuals or some nobles who are deeply enamored with the ideal, if a noble title has been held since the Etruria Empire, the title itself is no small matter.
There was no need to overthink it. If in Korea, an aristocrat (military) received a title during the Three Kingdoms Period and managed to retain their domain and title into the unification wars, later Three Kingdoms, and into Goryeo and Joseon, no one would simply dismiss them as a mere local lord.
Moreover, since this title dates back to a time before the duke, marquis, or count titles were even established in Etruria Empire, one could not simply dismiss a baron.
And if he is a Vice Minister in the current administration, one cannot easily look down upon him unless an Elector himself comes.
“Greetings, Baron Ulm.”
“May I request an introduction?”
Baron Norman von Ulm asked me.
Hmm.
Normally, I would have taken it positively, but this time it felt different. After all, this is a noble family that has survived since the Etruria Empire era. Would a head of such a family residing in the capital truly be unaware of the Brandenburg family?
Of course, our family barely has any ties to the central government, but that may only mean low recognition among lower nobility. For counts or nobles with some influence, it would be a different story.
The very fact that aside from an Elector, he possesses a separate title of Margrave was clear enough. Though it’s my family, we are indeed the most well-suited to become a warlord in times of crisis.
We have no connections to the central politics and no particular attachment to it, and our family base is in the east. While our family’s military strength is indeed weak compared to the Empire, the other lords in the east are essentially our kin.
The eastern part of the Empire could be viewed as a separate country, except for that thin thread called the Brandenburg Electorate.
‘It goes without saying, though, that if a real rebellion occurred, we would be swept away.’
Of course, that’s just talk—our family cannot genuinely challenge the Empire. After all, does the Margrave alone hold military power? The other Electors are not mere decorations.
Even if the Brandenburg Margrave is particularly exceptional, facing two other Elector-Dukes would still be quite the challenge. I have no doubt my father was right.
In any case, this is the standing of our family. For those without a broader national perspective, we may seem insignificant, but for those involved in managing the Empire, we are undeniably important.
Yet, could it be possible that a person supposedly at the pinnacle of survival and adaptability is unaware of the events that have set the social scene ablaze for the past few days?
“May I ask you a question?”
“I believe I have asked first.”
“How is your relationship with Her Majesty the Empress?”
Twitch.
At the sudden question, his eyebrows flickered for a brief moment. I wouldn’t miss that.
“I don’t see why you’re suddenly inquiring about Her Majesty. What does that even have to do with the matter at hand?”
“Well, never mind.”
That was precisely the point. Many would struggle to play off a completely irrelevant question thrown out of the blue.
And this reaction was indeed something that hinted at some significance, regardless of the direction it might lead to.
I already had the grounds to judge which way that direction leaned. Maria’s apparent discomfort and the difference in his tone while addressing me compared to when he spoke to Maria.
Earlier, he had clearly used a tone optimized for poking under one’s skin, yet now, despite his voice being somewhat grating, his tone was polite, almost as if his intent toward me was benign.
That could only mean one thing.
This man is an ally of the Empress.
“In that case, allow me to introduce myself.”
If so, there was no need to unnecessarily expend emotions and engage in a battle of wits with someone who knows who I am.
“My name is Wilhelm von Brandenburg.”
After all, being someone associated with the Empress effectively made him my enemy.
—
Fortunately for Maria, and fortunately for me, there were no rings exchanged in front of Baron Ulm.
However, as both Maria and Baron Ulm felt uncomfortable towards each other, I couldn’t exactly be the only one grinning from ear to ear.
I had my grievances against Baron Ulm too.
“How many times must I say this? You are not a private citizen, Your Highness. Shouldn’t you be seeking a more suitable marital match for the Empire?”
“At least it seems to me that Baron Ulm is not one to judge that.”
In a very dry and sharp tone, Maria shot back at Baron Ulm’s words. Yet the Baron did not take a step back.
“Yes, that’s correct. It’s not my place to judge.”
He looked directly at Maria as he spoke.
“But few are the ones who can choose what decision would be more favorable for the Empire.”
Maria responded to his words with a scoff of derision.
“Oh really? Can you tell me whom you mean?”
“Well, there are many contenders. For instance, a member of the Imperial Family…”
Indeed, it seems this guy is an operative of the Empress. No matter how illustrious a lineage of barons dating back to an ancient empire, it’s clear that such a person will ultimately be treated no better than an earl. While an earl is indeed a significant title and would be regarded highly among the nobility, that’s just within noble circles.
For someone like him, an underling to the Emperor, to meet the Emperor casually is simply out of the question.
And beyond all that, I was certain he wasn’t an ally of the Emperor.
“Is that so? What should we do about this?”
Given Maria’s frequent face time with the Emperor, she was not the kind to shy away from such matters.
“My father also supports the union between me and Sir Wilhelm.”
“…The Emperor?”
What the heck.
That was the first I’d heard of it.
“Why are you so surprised?”
Maria whispered into my ear.
“I mean, when did His Majesty say that? I’ve never heard of such a thing?!”
She looked at me with the expression of someone who just realized they were talking to a complete idiot.
“You were entrusted with matters related to the Empress.”
“And why would that be…?”
Maria blinked at me for a moment.
“Is there a tradition in the Hoenbern family of resolving internal issues with the help of outside forces?”
“Ah.”
Thinking it through, while the situation had escalated, it stemmed from dealing with a succession conflict within the family. The Emperor’s aim to keep the Empress in check was also part of a punitive approach to prevent external interference in resolving family affairs.
The argument that gathering officials is somehow external interference made no sense.
The fact that Electors elect the Emperor signifies this nation is not an absolute monarchy owned wholly by the Habsburg family.
“…I see.”
I felt a bit caught off guard, but I could brush this off. Even if the Emperor lent a hand, it wasn’t like an engagement ceremony was planned; it was merely something that added wheels to Maria’s ongoing plans.
It seemed the Emperor was trying to cater to my needs in a way. If someone with his level of power wanted to tie my hands, he certainly could have. The fact that he didn’t was, in itself, a significant gesture.
Well, this certainly gave me a reason to tackle things more decisively.
“Ahem.”
While Maria and I were whispering to each other, Baron Ulm, who had momentarily been stunned by the mention of the “Emperor,” cleared his throat.
“Even if it were granted by His Imperial Majesty, it’s the same. At the very least, wouldn’t it be wise to confirm which individual you are marrying into?”
“…What did you just say?”
“Is it not true? From the Emperor’s perspective, the union may seem favorable for you both, but wouldn’t there be even better possibilities from the Empire’s standpoint?”
“A marriage with the Hoenbern family, a great noble of the eastern Empire, would be a good choice for the stability of the country!”
“Or perhaps it might be an act of the Emperor linking the Empress to the Brandenburg Elector.”
“Hah.”
Maria sighed as if utterly exasperated.
“Your Highness, can you truly swear that this decision is devoid of any selfish ambitions?”
It seems the Baron took her silence as an inability to argue back. And frankly, he wasn’t wrong.
Excuses could be made in various ways. But the very essence of this situation was clear: Maria’s intense desire to keep me close had sparked this entire endeavor.
Having thought of this, Maria fell silent.
Seemingly delighted by the realization, the Baron turned his arrows of rhetoric toward me.
“Did you say Wilhelm? This applies to you as well. The Brandenburg family is traditionally known for maintaining a distance from the central authority. Yet, suddenly engaging in matters concerning the Imperial Family raises suspicion of needing something.”
“Hmm.”
Maintaining an unassuming demeanor, I allowed him to prattle on.
“I assume you aren’t short on power anymore. Since Electors essentially wield powers akin to that of kings. Perhaps you need support for the relatively underdeveloped East?”
“Yes, there are indeed ongoing development projects in the East.”
As I casually chimed in, he rejoiced at my response.
“In that case, we could introduce you to a young lady who could be even more helpful than Princess Maria in that regard. While their family’s wealth might not compare to the Imperial Family’s, managing their private assets would certainly be more advantageous for extraction in the East.”
Watching the Baron excitedly prattle on, I felt an irritation bubbling up.
Sure, engaging in power struggles and crossing the line among themselves was one thing. Of course, that had only earned them the Emperor’s ire, but that was their own doing.
However, treating another’s life as if it were just a pawn in their game really got under my skin.
Feeling a bit testy, I asked,
“I must ask, Baron, or rather, the one behind you—who do you envision as the husband of Princess Maria?”
“Well, there’s no specific decision, but perhaps the Duke of the Court’s son, or the prince of the Kingdom of Robert, several possibilities in mind, I suppose?”
After hearing that, I turned to Maria. She looked visibly anxious. With trembling eyes, she clutched the hem of my attire and gazed at me.
“Maria, what do you think of that proposal?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she replied,
“I don’t like it.”
“She says she doesn’t like it.”
The Baron’s expression twisted in dismay.
“This is a matter of family. How can personal feelings take precedence over state affairs?”
His arguments seemed rational at first glance. Yes, from the perspective of someone steering the nation, a political marriage could indeed serve as a lubricant for the massive machinery of the state.
“Well…”
However, rationality usually only works according to one’s own mindset.
“Honestly, the benefits you mentioned from the perspective of the Brandenburg Electorate aren’t exactly enticing, so there’s no reason for us to accept such proposals, is there?”
In this world, not everyone benefits from every situation. When someone gains, someone else inevitably loses. And in discussions of rationality, people rarely consider scenarios where they alone suffer a loss. If many benefit evenly, it means that a smaller group must shoulder the deficit.
Thus, if we truly want to discuss rationality, we have to start by examining whether my premise is even correct.
For instance, we should analyze how wealthy the other party is.
“The East has so much money, it’s practically overflowing, so there’s no need to beg anyone for funds.”
The East might be underdeveloped.
Yeah, I couldn’t deny that fact. But what needed clarification was that the East wasn’t impoverished; it was underdeveloped due to a lack of population for infrastructure, as most of the land was claimed by nomads.
Moreover, the recent progress in development projects in the East came not from lack of funds, but from a conclusion that enough population had gathered to support such initiatives.
It’s not like wealthy Jews exist to lend money guilt-free, but instead, there were merchant guilds boasting a surplus of cash. And most of the warriors these merchant guilds hired for protection came from the nomadic peoples of the East.
The connections that allow nobles like Maria to introduce knights stemmed from witnessing this process firsthand.
“I’d say it’s far more beneficial to marry Princess Maria, who we know well and can maintain ties to the Imperial Family, than to marry some unknown noble just for a few coins.”
His expression faltered at my observation.
“You’re contemplating the interests of an entire Empire for the benefit of just one family—”
“I’ve been listening to you ramble on about the Empire’s interests since earlier.”
I interrupted him.
As I spoke, I realized that while he was indeed an operative of the Empress, he was not among her closest aides. If he were truly a close confidant of the Empress, there was no way he wouldn’t know about my recent conversation with her.
And if he did know, he wouldn’t be suggesting I marry another noblewoman.
To sum it up, Baron Ulm was someone with a suitably prestigious family name who held a good reputation, was well-connected, and was affiliated with the Empress’s faction.
But at the same time, he wasn’t a close advisor to the Empress, nor was he of a rank that would allow for a private audience with the Emperor.
So, here’s the crux of the matter.
“The so-called interests of the Empire have nothing to do with the East. Since when did we start discussing the interests of the Empire without considering the Electors first?”
This guy could serve as a prime example of someone who, not targeting the Empress directly, would aim to undermine her subordinates instead.
—
“Hah! I expected some dignity from the son of an Elector, but you’re just incredibly selfish! Don’t blame me if you regret this later. I’ll remember this incident to the end!”
The Baron stormed off in a huff.
Since he was just throwing a tantrum and not truly formidable, I shrugged my shoulders in reply. It seemed he thought he was being looked down upon and stomped off in a childish manner.
“…Hey.”
Maria called to me in a small voice. Unlike before, her tone seemed very timid and reminiscent of her past self.
“If this goes on, you really won’t be able to escape from here. Are you okay with that?”
“Uh?”
“I mean, that person will spread rumors that you and I have a certain relationship, and combined with where you’re staying, you’ll face some ridiculous slander.”
Ah, was that what she meant?
It felt a bit strange that she, who seemed determined to keep me tied down, suddenly worried about me getting caught up in this place. But one thing needed to be clarified before anything else.
“I really don’t care.”
“…What?”
“I said I don’t care. About that stuff.”
Sure, I had indeed been trying to escape the capital up until now. But it wasn’t just because I was concerned about rumors about me.
Honestly, that wasn’t something I was particularly worried about.
Yet, the reason I had stalled in the capital had only one cause.
“It’s only because it’s you that I’m considering all these things.”
It was simply because it was Maria; I didn’t want to harm her image, which made me cautious.
And it wasn’t just because she was a princess, or of noble blood, or because she was a noblewoman.
It was simply that I found joy in seeing her smile instead of the sorrowful expression she wore when we first met.
Seeing those weirdos trying to drag her back to that sad state made me quite irritated.
And to make matters worse, they thought they could belittle me and assume I was being manipulated just because I was allowing Maria to lead a little.
“I’m only accepting this because it’s you, but these fools actually think I’m some pawn!”
It was because of Maria that I obediently played along; it was never the other way around. Maria didn’t have the stronghold over me like that.
Yet, since I was just following Maria’s lead, it seemed they mistook my compliance as an indication that I was bound to her every whim, hence their attempts to wrest control away from her.
“Not knowing isn’t a crime, but to avoid causing offense in the future, you ought to tell me, shouldn’t you?”
The education process might be a bit painful, but that wasn’t my concern.
Saying that, I looked down at Maria. Perhaps because of the earlier conversation with Baron Ulm, she still seemed anxious and was sticking close to me.
In this moment, I realized that while Maria had physically grown over the past two years, she was still very much the same Maria. I gently brushed her hair as I had back then.
“Isn’t that right?”
“Yeah…”
Maria responded softly, her voice barely above a whisper. But her tone had lost that tremor.
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