Chapter 93: The Third Visit to the Royal Palace
This was the third time in my life I’d been to the royal palace. I never imagined I’d be summoned again. This time, I was informed of the reason beforehand.
Apparently, the reason I wasn’t told anything last time was due to His Majesty’s playfulness. It gives me this strange sense of guilt, so I really wish he’d stop. It’s like that tension you feel when you see a police officer, even though you haven’t done anything wrong.
“Amazing…”
“…”
“Abababababa…”
Cornelia let out a sigh of admiration as she gazed at the royal palace’s magnificent buildings and the displayed paintings and vases, while Lily looked bored. Cornelia is quite sensitive, isn’t she? It’s rather amusing to see the difference in their personalities. Bach? Bach was wide-eyed and in a daze.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Even Cornelia and Bach grew quiet as the time for the audience approached. Are they nervous, I wonder?
“You three don’t need to be nervous. I’ll do the talking, okay?”
“Please do, Onii-sama.”
“Mm.”
“P-Please do…”
“Lord Baumgarten, it is time.”
“Alright.”
Summoned by an attendant, we proceeded to the audience chamber. Beyond this large door lay the audience chamber itself.
When the doors opened, they revealed a spacious area. A red carpet ran through the center of the room, and on either side of it, royal guards and nobles were lined up.
“Viscount Baumgarten, entering!”
“Let’s go…”
I whispered to Cornelia, Lily, and Bach, who were lined up behind me, and then took a step forward. My throat was parched from nervousness. This should be my third time, yet I haven’t gotten used to it at all. Even the soft ‘pof pof’ feeling of the carpet underfoot felt somewhat unreliable.
Looking ahead, I saw not only His Majesty the King but also Claudia and Eleonore. Claudia was even smiling and giving me a small wave.
I didn’t wave back; instead, I knelt a short distance from the King.
“Dietfried Baumgarten. Along with Cornelia Baumgarten, Lily Baumgarten, and Bach. We have come as commanded.”
“Mm. Well come, Viscount. First, let me thank you for your devotion. You have driven out the plague afflicting this country, and this time, you have even subjugated the evil dragon that attacked the academy. Countless lives have been saved thanks to you. My own daughters’ lives were also saved. Are the three behind you the ones who subjugated the dragon?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! They are my younger sisters. Lily Baumgarten on the right restrained the dragon, and Cornelia Baumgarten on the left dealt the finishing blow. The last one is Bach. He serves as my attendant.”
“Ho. So they are all exceptional warriors despite their youth. I look forward to their future. I hear you also performed admirably, Lord. Is that body of yours the price for subjugating the dragon?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
My skin tone is a dusky color, rare for people of this country. And my eyes are also different from a normal person’s. Normally, I wouldn’t be surprised if people found it unsettling, but there was no such indication from the King. If anything, I felt a sense of warmth from him.
“That appearance is a mark of honor for subjugating the evil dragon. You should be proud.”
“Yes, Your Majesty! I have no words to express my gratitude.”
I’m glad the King is an understanding person. This should reduce the number of people who openly shun my appearance.
“Your devotion is immeasurable. We wish to reward your dedication. Viscount Baumgarten, from this moment forth, you shall be known as Count Baumgarten.”
“I am most grateful…”
I had been informed beforehand that I would become a Count. It’s not like I won a war, so my territory hasn’t increased. There’s no land to be given to me. So only my rank will rise.
“And one more thing. We grant you permission to claim territory in the east as you see fit.”
“!!”
I wasn’t informed about that. Is this an ad-lib from the King?
The lands to the east of the Baumgarten Territory are not human territory. It’s a demonic region of forests and mountains infested with monsters. To be able to claim that as I see fit…!
If things go well, this is a chance to greatly expand my territory. He probably means, “We can’t give you land, but you can go win it yourself.”
His Majesty sure does some stylish things, doesn’t he?
“I humbly accept!”
“Mm. If you demonstrate the appropriate capabilities, then as promised, We shall give you one of Our daughters in marriage as a reward.”
“Eh!?”
“!!?”
A promise? I haven’t heard anything about that! Eh? What? What’s going on?
I can marry the King’s daughter? Which one is it?!
The three behind me must have been quite surprised too; I heard two sharp intakes of breath from behind.
“You should strive hard. That is all.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty!”
Without even being given time for questions, we left the royal palace.
◇
“Onii-sama! What is this about marriage!?”
“Onii, were you keeping quiet about this?”
“No, it’s the first I’m hearing of it too. Believe me.”
“But His Majesty said something about a promise, didn’t he!?”
“Ah, well…”
Inside the carriage on the way back from the royal palace. I was being pressed by Cornelia and Lily.
“So you do recall something? Come to think of it, you went out of your way to meet with both Clau and El privately, didn’t you?”
“Is that true?”
“No, I really don’t know, I tell you! In the first place, he said ‘the King’s daughter,’ but I don’t even know if I’m supposed to marry Clau or El, okay?”
“Is that really so?”
“Really, I wonder?”
“Please. Believe me…”
Faced with Cornelia’s and Lily’s stern gazes, I could only bow my head repeatedly.