The guy opposing my baronship kept confidently speaking up.
“Men should get married and establish a family to be considered adults. But right now, the Young Baron de Medici is still unmarried, isn’t he? Up until now, he may have accomplished so much that even a child would have been granted a title.”
You might think this is nonsense, but in a pre-modern society, no matter how old you were, if you weren’t married, the village wouldn’t recognize you as an adult.
Even during village meetings, a 15-year-old who was married could join, while a 30-year-old man who wasn’t married would be excluded.
This is because having the responsibility of a household was deemed essential for becoming an adult legally and as a person.
“The burdens of a Young Baron and a Baron are different.”
The most obvious difference comes during wartime when enemies invade your territory.
Young Barons must gather soldiers from nobles above the rank of Baron when a war breaks out.
On the other hand, Barons may have to summon all nearby soldiers to fight if an enemy invades.
They are expected to take on the role of commander in battle.
“The weight of responsibilities beyond that differs.”
“Your Majesty, I don’t intend to belittle the accomplishments of the Young Baron. However, getting married first seems to be the priority.”
As I closely observed the face of the one saying that…
He was a legal aristocrat belonging to the Sforza Duke faction.
He was likely trying to hinder the balance of power with the Visconti Duke’s influence, ensuring that the scale doesn’t tip dangerously.
Opposing without drawing the Emperor’s ire is quite an art.
I thought he must be practicing some mystic dance at home every day.
“But why is the Emperor smiling?”
“Deputy Minister of Justice makes a valid point. While the accomplishments of Young Baron de Medici are commendable, we cannot disregard the traditions passed down through the ages.”
Why does the Deputy Minister of Justice appear so cheerful despite opposing?
And I could be mistaken, but it seemed like the Emperor was licked his lips while looking at me.
This is unacceptable; after this, I need to see a doctor and make sure I get the proper care.
And I’ll have to refrain from intense exercises at night.
“Chloe might dislike it, but I need to live long.”
“Alright then, overseeing the marriages of the nobility is my duty. I’ll select a suitable young lady for the marriage, and after the wedding, I’ll confer the title. Yes, while rewarding accomplishments is important, upholding precedents also holds significant value.”
Upon hearing those words, the Deputy Minister of Justice clenched his fist in excitement.
That guy, he’s currently delaying the title grant to discuss with the Duke.
Becoming a Baron may be a bit delayed, but this is truly unavoidable.
I wish he would restrain himself in belittling others.
As one climbs up the social ladder, it’s natural to encounter many envious individuals.
“I shall postpone the granting of the title for now.”
The Emperor said this, but I could already foresee what would happen next.
The Deputy Minister of Justice would report directly to the Duke.
As soon as the Duke hears this, while agreeing to the marriage, he would probably suggest restraining from elevating the Medici Baron family’s status just to maintain their honor.
Then the Visconti Duke and Sforza Duke would likely engage in a quarrel…
“This situation may just drag on aimlessly.”
When the arrangements started to take shape, the Visconti Duke spoke up.
“I share the Deputy Minister’s sentiment. As stated, a title carries responsibilities, and to bear those responsibilities, one must naturally become an ‘adult.'”
Today, I felt an intense desire to return home.
I wanted to seek out Chloe, who must be waiting in my room studying, and spoil her as much as I could.
I was that anxious and worried.
Whenever that person wears such an expression, it generally tends to bring good fortune my way.
Yet they usually come with a shockingly dreadful outcome.
What in the cosmos could the likes of Cthulhu or the gods of the outer universe be scheming this time?
“My granddaughter, Erika, just turned 15. Although she hasn’t undergone her coming-of-age ceremony, she is certainly of marrying age.”
The Emperor’s expression, once filled with smiles, quickly turned cold.
He didn’t show visible hostility toward the Duke, but…
“Does that brat dare lay a hand on my treasured Fabio?”
That kind of nuance was clearly reflected in his gaze.
No, I’m not your possession, I’m just employee A.
I’m not a product on display in a shop, so why is this happening?
As the object he had placed his saliva on suddenly found itself in danger of being snatched away, the Emperor, startled, questioned,
“Isn’t it that Erika and our Medici Baron family aren’t of mutual standing? At the very least, she should be marrying a Count.”
As the Emperor stated, the daughters of noble houses, especially the legitimate ones, typically marry Counts unless there are glaring issues.
If the Duke personally puts forth efforts, it’s entirely plausible to elevate her to marrying a direct descendant of a foreign royal family or the Empress of the Empire.
“Moreover, isn’t a Duke’s status essentially akin to being related to the Emperor?”
Isn’t that a rather unreasonable proposition?
“I’ve watched Fabio from the time he was merely the second son of a baron family, no, even before he received the title of Baron.”
Thinking back, it’s been over three years since I became acquainted with the Duke.
“He discovered the eastern herb, seaweed, boldly tackled issues of military supplies without fearing the loss of everything, and took care of Your Majesty’s soldiers. Plus, he recently solved an issue with gunpowder that had plagued the Empire for a lifetime. So I can’t help but feel embarrassed about myself when I see this lad.”
Duke, do you harbor some grudge against me?
Why are you persistently trying to marry me off against my will?
Moreover, those compliments genuinely give me chills just hearing them.
Under different nobility, it would be fine, but now that the Duke has said this, rejecting the son-in-law would result in…
“It would bring much sorrow.”
“And he is indeed a remarkable young man. Even after rising to Baron at such a young age, he shows no sign of arrogance. I’ve heard he treats his maid as if she were family.”
The Emperor’s expression began to change in real time.
Just moments ago, he had displayed a look of frustration.
Now it seems his eyes were about to pop out, wide open in disbelief.
“Right now, Fabio only lacks a title. Everything else—capability, character—are perfect. As a grandfather, I wish to find the best groom for my granddaughter’s happiness, Your Majesty.”
For a Duke, even an Emperor cannot carelessly act against them without the justification of ‘treason.’
Why? Because under the Duke are multiple Marquesses and Counts, and beneath them are dozens of Baron families.
If the Emperor were to suppress them on meaningless pretexts, rebellion could arise.
Our Toscan Empire, the Lion Kingdom, and the Grand Duchy of Milania all began with Dukes seeking independence in their historical roots.
And even aside from that, the situation looks quite favorable.
The Duke presents himself as someone caring for his granddaughter’s happiness, visibly willing to ‘sacrifice’ for the sake of marrying her off, suggesting a benevolent character.
Unless the Emperor had previously spoken of a marriage for a princess, this is a pile of justifications that he cannot refute.
“Alfred also expressed that he finds Fabio’s character and ability fitting enough to give his daughter away. So how about we confer a title to Fabio and arrange the wedding as soon as possible?”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor nodded.
“Let’s proceed with that. But Duke, will you truly be alright with this? After all, Fabio is only just a Baron now.”
“Only three years ago, he shifted from being the second son of a Baron family to officially receiving his Baron title. When judging a person, shouldn’t one assess their potential rather than their status or wealth?”
What kind of democracy talk is this from the ultimate aristocrats?
“If that is the Duke’s intention, I shall comply. I will bestow the Baron title upon Fabio de Medici. Furthermore, his title granting ceremony will take place following his marriage to Erika de Visconti, the granddaughter of the Visconti Duke.”
The Emperor sighed deeply and declared the session closed.
I simply couldn’t accept this absurd situation.
Even when I sent the Young Duke Alfred my way, it was merely absurdity.
What kind of madness is this?
I had wished for upward mobility, but is Deus holding a monkey’s paw or something?
You intend to marry the Young Duke’s daughter to a mere Baron?
Though the law of the Empire says it’s possible, this is an unprecedented occurrence.
The Duke kept tapping my shoulder as if my soul had vacated.
“Are you dazed from sheer joy? I’ve called you for over five minutes, and you haven’t replied.”
“My apologies, Your Grace.”
The Duke showered me with praises about how much he cherishes me for nearly an hour.
Yet in my dazed mind, none of it registered.
The Duke himself seemed like he wasn’t expecting me to take those praises seriously…
“Knowing full well that I’m out of my mind, he seems overly aware of the gazes around us.”
And finally, he whispered,
“Our granddaughter is prettier than your maid. This is just an objective fact.”
Nobody in this world dislikes money or beautiful women.
Perhaps that’s why my mind returned to clarity for a moment.
“Last year, the Young Duke Alfred took Erika to the Lion Kingdom, and the second prince suddenly proposed to her, I heard.”
…… This could become a diplomatic issue if handled poorly.
Just how beautiful must she be for the second prince to do that?
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