Chapter 102.5: Predicament
Today, like any other day, I was summoned by Claudia and came to the royal palace. Cassandra, who was introduced to me the other day, was guiding me to Claudia’s Detached Palace.
Even from behind, her posture was excellent, and I thought she was a beautiful girl.
“Baumgarten-sama?”
“Hm?”
Usually, she guides me in silence, but today Cassandra turned back and spoke to me.
I wonder if something happened?
“Baumgarten-sama, do you have feelings for the Princess?”
“Princess Claudia…?”
“Um… I apologize. I’ll be direct. Do you love the Princess?”
“L-Love?!”
What came to mind was when Claudia kissed my cheek. For some reason, I felt incredibly embarrassed. My face must be bright red.
“No, um… how should I put it…!”
“I mostly understand. Next question.”
“Next?”
“Baumgarten-sama, what are your thoughts on the current situation of the Count Baumgarten Family?”
“My family’s situation? Is something wrong?”
It’s a bit much for me to say it myself, but aren’t we riding a wave of success?
After all, a baron from a minor noble family is now a Count. It’s safe to say we’ve been promoted to a point everyone envies. Truly smooth sailing. If there’s a problem, it’s that our domain is shabby, but we have plenty of money, so we can just develop it from now on.
Come to think of it, the King said something about giving his daughter if I acquired power befitting a Count, but that was just lip service, right?
If it were true, which one would I want to marry, Eleonore or Claudia?
I…
“Surely you’re not unaware of the problems surrounding the Count Baumgarten Family?”
“Eh?”
Cassandra is looking at me as if she’s seen something unbelievable. Problems surrounding my family? Is there something…?
I thought about it, but nothing came to mind.
But Cassandra says the Count Baumgarten Family has problems.
“It’s embarrassing to say, but until a little while ago, my family was an unknown minor noble house. We’re ignorant of the subtleties of the capital’s nobility. While I’m already embarrassed, could you tell me? What kind of problems does my family have?”
I bowed my head to Cassandra and pleaded. A noble bowing to a servant must be unheard of. But if problems are closing in on my family, on Cornelia and Lily, I’ll do anything to solve them.
“P-Please raise your head. I will tell you everything I know. So, please raise your head quickly. If anyone sees you like this, you’ll be looked down upon!”
“Ah. I’m grateful.”
“Listen, Baumgarten-sama. From now on, you must never bow your head to a servant. It’s not just you personally; it will lead to your house, your family, being looked down upon.”
“Understood…”
I was trying to show sincerity, but it seems the problem is bigger than I thought. It would be fine if only I were looked down upon, but it’s troublesome if Cornelia and Lily are also looked down upon because of me.
“Pardon my rudeness, but I think it would be best if Baumgarten-sama learned the common sense of a noble…”
“Ahaha…”
Cassandra said, sounding somewhat tired. I could only laugh. I mean, a minor noble suddenly became a Count. Where am I supposed to learn the etiquette of a Count…?
“So, what are my family’s problems?”
“Right. To put it simply, it’s jealousy and envy.”
“Jealousy…?”
“Yes. The Count Baumgarten Family has rapidly achieved Promotion to higher peerage. It’s true that there were outstanding achievements worthy of Promotion to higher peerage. However, there are also those who don’t think so.”
“…”
Jealousy from those around us, huh… I hadn’t considered that at all.
“It’s particularly common among baronial and viscountial houses, but they view the Count Baumgarten Family’s rise with bitterness. And other count families are likely wary of the emergence of a new rival. Perhaps even other marquis houses… And then there’s the Margrave Huebner House, which already had its own problems. The Count Baumgarten Family has issues in its relationships with these noble houses.”
At such a young age, she manages the maids serving Claudia. As expected of the general’s granddaughter, Cassandra. She has a lot of information. And she must be smart too. Her explanations are concise and easy to understand.
Even so, my family, which I thought was sailing smoothly, seems to be in a terribly dangerous position.
“And this is the biggest problem, but the Count Baumgarten Family hasn’t formed ties with anyone. They are surrounded by enemies, with no allies.”
“I see…”
We were originally a minor noble family with no connections or ties to other nobles… Other nobles probably don’t even know a noble family like Baumgarten existed.
Someone like that has repeatedly achieved Promotion to higher peerage and is now a Count. However, our power hasn’t changed from when we were barons. We must look like a good target to beat up for stress relief…
“Right now, they’re waiting to see who will make the first move, so it’s not overt, but there are factions planning to attack the Count Baumgarten Family. Also, they’re currently swamped with work, but if the Margrave Huebner House makes a move… You understand now, don’t you?”
“The Margrave Huebner House might take the lead and attack the Count Baumgarten Family…”
“Yes…”
Good grief, no matter what, Margrave Huebner continues to plague Baumgarten.
Besides, I don’t even know who is an enemy and who is an ally.
Completely unaware that things had come to this, if I’d just come to the royal palace for a visit without taking any countermeasures, I can understand why Cassandra would be worried…
“Thank you for telling me. That was a great help.”
“No… Um… If there were someone who could blow away all those problems, would you cherish them?”
“Of course!”
Honestly, I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s a situation where I don’t know who my enemies or allies are, or what the right course of action is. If there’s someone who can help me out of this situation, I’ll cherish that person. That’s a given. I’ll undoubtedly be indebted to them for life.
“In that case, I shall make a move on my end.”
“Eh?”
Cassandra will make a move? Could it be she’ll ask her grandfather, the general, to act?
“That would be a great help. How can I ever thank you…? But Cassandra, why are you doing so much for me?”
Cassandra replied with a gentle smile.
“Everything is for the sake of the Princess.”
◇
Even after that, whenever I met Claudia, I also had more conversations with Cassandra. It seems she really adores Claudia. So much so that I almost feel her affection might be a bit excessive.
She’s probably trying to help me because I’m a favorite of Claudia’s.
I’m truly blessed with good people around me. I felt that I should live with gratitude towards others, without acting all high and mighty just because I’m a Count.
Still, Cassandra is amazing. She’s well-versed not only in matters concerning Claudia but also in noble etiquette, and on top of that, she’s well-informed.
Just the other day…
“Sorry to ask you suddenly, but…”
“Is something the matter?”
“In cases like this, should I normally bring something? You know, like sweets or something.”
“There are no explicit rules, but many people do bring a small gift.”
“I knew it… But even if you say a small gift, I don’t know what I should bring…”
“In that case, how about sweets from Bellemer, a shop in the royal capital? The Princess is particularly fond of them.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The cookies are especially recommended. Also, please, absolutely do not say you heard it from me.”
“? Understood.”
In the end, I gave Claudia the cookies without saying I heard about them from Cassandra, and she was very pleased. Still, why wasn’t I supposed to say I heard it from Cassandra? I think her stock would have risen if I had…
Well, that aside, it’s unbelievable that such a thoughtful granddaughter could come from that typhoon-like old man general.