Chapter 66: Promotion to Higher Peerage
“I wonder how things ended up like this…”
Before my eyes was a grand, enormous door. Apparently, the King is beyond this door.
Why am I in the Royal Palace? I thought I’d never have anything to do with a place like this in my entire life.
When I woke up this morning, I was brought here without any explanation. I don’t even know what for. Could it be that Huebner made his move? But I had those high-ranking nobles put in a word for me under the guise of treatment. Could he really act so quickly?
I don’t get it…
While I was pondering, it seemed to be my turn. A Royal Guard slowly opened the large doors.
“Presenting Baron Baumgarten!”
If possible, I’d rather not go in…
However, I couldn’t very well say that. I walked across the red carpet. Nobles lined both sides of the carpet, and at its far end, on a raised platform, sat a middle-aged man on an ornate throne. That must be the King of this country.
I stopped about ten meters before the King and knelt.
“Baron Baumgarten, I have come as commanded.”
“Mm. Well come, Baron. You must have been surprised by this sudden summons, yes? Today, I have joyous news for you. Rejoice, Baron. From this moment forth, you are a Viscount of this country.”
“Huh? A Viscount…?”
I know it’s rude to speak without permission. However, those unexpected words made me ask back reflexively.
Incidentally, questioning the King’s words is also rude.
However, perhaps because I’m still a child who hasn’t graduated from the academy, the King and the surrounding nobles seem to be looking on with indulgent smiles, overlooking my lapse.
Still, I should probably apologize just in case.
“My apologies for my rudeness.”
“It is fine. This is a joyous occasion. Let us overlook it, shall we not, Viscount Baumgarten?”
Really? Am I really a Viscount? Normally, one can’t become a Viscount without some sort of achievement, and a pretty significant one at that. It feels like I’m being set up for some kind of prank.
“You are surprised, are you not? It is understandable. However, you have saved the lives of many of our country’s dignitaries, have you not? That act is a noble deed worthy of reward.”
Looking closely, among the nobles lined up on either side, there were some familiar faces. Nobles I had treated.
“And you also saved my daughter. As Claudia’s parent, I am grateful to you.”
I see. Claudia was a member of the royal family permitted to use the Kesting name. In that case, her parent would indeed be the King.
It seems that, without my knowledge, I had earned the gratitude of people at the very heart of the country.
“Therefore, I shall reward your efforts with a Promotion to Higher Peerage. From this moment, you may call yourself Viscount Baumgarten.”
“I am most grateful…”
I was surprised, but I’ll take what I’m given. Well, it’s not like my territory will increase just because I’ve become a Viscount, so nothing much really changes.
“By the way, Viscount, it seems you have feelings for my daughter, do you not?”
Huh?
Feelings? You mean, like, I’m in love with her? Me? With the King’s daughter? Who said such a thing? I don’t know anything about it!
“To wed my daughter, it seems your achievements are still somewhat lacking. You should strive harder. I have high expectations.”
“Yes!”
Which daughter, I wonder? Claudia or Eleonore?
With such thoughts, I left the Royal Palace.
◇
“Onii-sama!”
“Dee!”
When I returned to the mansion from the Royal Palace, Cornelia and Lily rushed to hug me at the entrance. It seems they had been waiting for my return.
They both looked up at me with worried expressions. After all, a minor noble like me, with no connection to the Royal Palace, had suddenly been summoned there. It’s no wonder they were worried.
“I made you both worry, didn’t I? I was also wondering what was going on when I was suddenly summoned to the Royal Palace, but it ended successfully. Let’s go inside for now.”
“Onii-sama, ‘successfully’?”
As soon as we entered the living room, Cornelia immediately asked her question.
“It seems that, as of today, I’m a Viscount.”
“Oh my!”
“A Viscount?”
Cornelia placed a hand over her mouth in surprise, while Lily tilted her head.
“A Viscount is one of the noble ranks. It’s one rank above Baron. Since I was a Baron until now, it means my rank has gone up by one.”
“Congratulations, Onii-sama!”
“Congrats, Dee.”
“Thank you, both of you. That’s right. I received a lot of congratulatory money. Let’s have a feast tonight.”
Seriously, the amount of congratulatory money I received was extraordinary. I heard that, separate from the celebration money for my Promotion to Higher Peerage to Viscount, the nobles I’ve treated up until now apparently wrapped up treatment fees under the guise of congratulatory gifts. The Church probably can’t complain about this.
Now then, what should I do with this money?
First, renovating the mansion in the Baumgarten Territory. That dilapidated house is just too awful.
Next, I’ll buy some clothes for Cornelia and Lily. I haven’t had the means to let them dress fashionably until now, but money is meant to be used at times like these. It might be good to ask Benno for shop recommendations and take them there.
Then, I’ll need a carriage too. To live as a noble in this Royal Capital, there are many situations where a carriage is necessary. Will I have enough money?
“Feast, looking forward to it.”
“Yes, Lily.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too.”
While making various calculations in the back of my mind, I found myself soothed by Cornelia’s and Lily’s smiles.