Chapter: 658
Several months had passed since Rin had given birth to Alina, and now her body had fully recovered. She was able to engage in intense activities without any issues.
As such, the moment Kkamangi arrived at the mansion, Rin, who had been eagerly anticipating this moment, decided to take Kkamangi for a ride.
“This one has so much energy!”
After some trial and error, it became clear that a leisurely trot around the Capital or its surroundings would be out of the question.
The roads of the Capital were wide enough to accommodate multiple carriages side by side, so it wasn’t a big deal for a horse carrying a noble lady to trot leisurely. As long as it didn’t invade the sidewalks or crash into innocent bystanders, they were good to go.
However, as Rin had reported from her initial ride, Kkamangi had an excess of energy. Despite the wide spaces, it was far too dangerous for him to run around the city.
“Then should we head to Wieridia? It’s the only place in my territory where a horse can run freely.”
“Should we really?”
So, after a brief period of contemplation, an unexpected visit to Wieridia was decided. It felt a bit odd to travel all the way from the Capital to the northern territory just for horseback riding, but who would complain when a lord checks in on their territory?
In fact, I had been neglecting the territory under the pretext of trusting the steward. Now, I didn’t want to interfere with how things were done; however, it was a good opportunity to check how the affairs were being managed.
“Oh, let’s take Hayang too.”
“Hayang too?”
“They’re both from the Northern Region. Besides, if we’re going to ride them, we have to go to Wieridia anyway. It’d be better to let them roam free there instead of keeping them cooped up in the stable.”
By this logic, Rin, who had been stroking Kkamangi’s mane, nodded in agreement.
Confining a distinguished horse like Kkamangi, who thrived in the open fields, wouldn’t be right. It would be better for them to run wild in Wieridia, and it’d be a win-win for Rin and the family, able to come for rides whenever they pleased.
“But Hayang just had a foal. Will that be okay?”
“That’s why they need a wide space. Stress isn’t good for pregnancy.”
“Pregnancy…”
Rin’s mouth curved up slightly.
It appears that the thought of giving careful attention to an animal’s pregnancy tugged at her sensitive heartstrings.
Before heading to Wieridia with Rin, I sent a preliminary message to the steward. If the normally quiet lord showed up unexpectedly, it might raise suspicions that I was there to shake things up for my subordinates.
To make it worse, my title as the Executive Manager required me to be especially cautious. I didn’t want to lose the steward to a heart attack while he was diligently getting things done. It was essential I gave a heads-up.
“Welcome, Your Grace! My Lady!”
After notifying them, we moved on to Wieridia, where the steward greeted us with the workers in front of the castle.
‘Nice.’
I shot a warm smile as I observed the young workers behind the steward.
Many of those dedicated to Wieridia were young blood, an indication that there were plenty of passionate and capable individuals working hard. Over time, instead of worrying about experienced workers retiring, there was a good chance that skilled individuals would fill the offices eventually.
Several familiar faces stood among the young workers. Some of the talented individuals I spotted during my time at the Academy were now working for Wieridia.
‘Looks like they’re doing well.’
Seeing the mix of fatigue and passion in their eyes made me smile even wider.
Those guys were extraordinarily loyal due to the recommendation letters I had given them, and they were the promising talents I had closely observed during my three years at the Academy. Though they may flail around due to their current lack of experience, one day, they would definitely make me proud.
“Thank you for welcoming us so warmly, despite our sudden arrival.”
I patted the steward’s shoulder and handed him a pouch.
“It would be a disgrace as a lord to simply pass by while the heroes dedicating their precious time to host us, right? So, you all can just focus on enjoying a meal with your families.”
“Your Grace, welcoming you is more than an important duty and honor as an official of Wieridia—”
“Think of this as a reward for passing my surprise inspection. Those who work hard deserve an equal benefit.”
The steward, visibly overwhelmed, bent forward and accepted the pouch with both hands.
“Thank you for your generosity, Your Grace. I will take full responsibility for distributing this properly.”
“Right. You’ll do just fine as a steward.”
After saying that, I passed by the steward to greet the other workers one by one.
It’s quite rare for a lord to converse alongside front-line officials, yet this was the first time we all gathered here. At the very least, they should know who they were working for.
“I’m Ernst Dole, Chief Servant!”
Among all that, the first official to greet me mentioned a peculiar title.
“Chief Servant?”
That was such a strange title to hear for the first time. The term servant isn’t a rank; it’s more of a role, and there’s a head servant who oversees all the servants.
Of course, there’s typically a second-in-command following the head servant based on skill set, age, experience, and connections but it doesn’t officially recognize a second-in-command as the Chief Servant.
“Yes! I have the honor of overseeing all servants of Wieridia acting in place of the vacant Head Servant—”
“From today onwards, you’ll be the Head Servant.”
I appointed Ernst, who was answering my question enthusiastically, as the Head Servant.
He was probably made up because of that odd position called Chief Servant. The Head Servant must be appointed by the lord, and since it was currently vacant, they created an interim position.
‘Now that I’m thinking about it, I haven’t filled all the roles yet.’
How embarrassing. Although I tackled the pressing fire represented by the steward, I had overlooked filling the rest of the positions as I had dealt with various tasks afterward.
In fact, I momentarily forgot that the steward handles the duties so efficiently that Wieridia needed managing. As a result, I had neglected to fulfill other vacancies along with the Head Servant.
‘If problems had arisen, I would have likely noticed immediately.’
Having everything run smoothly resulted in me overlooking this awkward structure. It’s a surprising yet shameful realization.
…Ah.
“Head Servant.”
“Yes…? Oh, yes!”
The sudden promotion sent the probably dazed Head Servant scrambling to compose himself.
“As the Head Servant, you’ll need to manage the children of noble families, but if the Head Servant is just an ordinary noble, it might come off as unimposing.”
“That’s not true, Your Grace! You’ve given me an excessive position; who would dare deny the majesty you’ve bestowed upon me!”
It was the kind of textbook idealism that made me chuckle.
Even a high-ranking government official appointed by the Emperor might be subtly looked down upon if from a lowly background. Thus, one usually received knightly titles or higher once they climbed up the ranks.
“Steward.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Are all the titles still vacant?”
“Indeed. All titles belonging to the Wieridia County can only be appointed by Your Grace.”
His dignified answer prompted a quick mental calculation.
So, the titles I could give out haven’t changed from what I remembered…
“Ernst Dole. Along with the Head Servant role, I will also grant you the title of Baron of Aiden, so strive further for Wieridia.”
I tossed him a random Baron title. After all, the Barony in Wieridia was pretty much the same everywhere.
*
It felt like someone had smacked the back of my head hard.
The fact that the lord patted my shoulder and even shook my hand didn’t seem to register in my mind.
“It’s been a while for both of you. Have you been well?”
“Yes! Thanks to Your Grace—”
“Yes! We’ve been doing well!”
“Glad to hear.”
My thoughts, which had been awandering, seemed to settle down only when the lord cheered Amelia and Olivia on.
Looking back, those two had met the lord during their time at the Academy. They had even built a connection strong enough to receive a personal recommendation letter from him.
Both talented and passionate, they had caught His Grace’s eye. I figured if anyone among us would rise to glory next after the steward, it would surely be one of those two.
‘Me, a noble with a title?’
I never expected to bask in that second glory. Out of nowhere, I had become a Baron and the Head Servant.
It was hard to believe. While I managed to claim the title of Chief Servant, I would still be just a temp unless the lord appointed someone else to the position.
The Head Servant should ideally come from noble backgrounds, unlike the servants made up of commoners. Hence, it’s common sense that Head Servants are passed down from closely related noble houses or loyal families.
Yet, I— The servants and maidens in Wieridia held no connections to either His Grace or the Krasius family. The only reason I rushed over to Wieridia when I heard they needed someone was simply that.
I hadn’t thought of any arrangements or political maneuvers during that process.
‘Becoming the Chief Servant of the Executive Manager was already… pure luck.’
That too was a huge stroke of fortune. For me, a commoner from a regular noble family, and so distant from the lineage of succession, to end up as the Chief Servant to the Empire’s highest power was far too extravagant.
Though I couldn’t attend to His Grace directly, one day his heir would inherit the title of Count of Wieridia. I envisioned myself serving that individual, believing that bond would secure my family’s future without any worries.
“Ernst Dole! Alongside the title of Head Servant, I bestow upon you the Baron title of Aiden, redouble your efforts for Wieridia!”
Before Ernst Dole became Baron of Aiden, that was certainly the case.
‘What in the world…’
I bit my lip as I tried to suppress the overwhelming emotions welling up inside. I savored the envious and jealous gazes of the other officials directed toward me.
I gained a lifetime of luck. I received a grace that I could never repay in my entire lifetime.
“Oh, you’re the one responsible for the breeding project.”
“Much too kind, but yes!”
“So, what do the specimens look like in your opinion? The ones we brought from the north?”
“Oh, they are magnificent! Better than the wild horses in Wieridia…!”
Thus, while talking with the lord and Amelia, I made a promise.
Though I started from a completely ordinary family with no ties to the Krasius lineage, I vowed to become a shield for the Krasius family.
I would protect the future Count of Wieridia with all my life.
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