Chapter 151

I can’t say that I’m feeling particularly good, but like there are things in this world that you really don’t want to do but have to do.

In name, I am a vassal of the Elaline Emperor, so I have an obligation to respond to the Emperor’s summons.

Also, seeing that our Duke Brussels has cunningly bestowed a ducal title upon me without me even sneezing… there is a high possibility that there is a terrifying conspiracy that I never considered.

So, I immediately entrusted all administrative tasks in the territory to my father, the viscount of this domain, and set out on my way to the imperial capital, Elysium.

The people I took with me were Balt, who would serve as my escort, Sub-Noble Laurent, who would handle various administrative negotiations, and… my half-brother Ron von Croilet, my father’s illegitimate son.

I wanted to bring Irina, Ela, and Victoria along, but… I’m currently heading out to defend against the ominous plans of the Emperor and Duke Brussels.

If I were to bring Irina and Ela, especially… Victoria, whose fiancé has yet to be decided, a bunch of fools trying to arrange a political marriage for me would surely come out, so it couldn’t be helped.

Since I still have a long way to go, I thought I might as well try to get some sleep…

Just as I was about to close my eyes, my half-brother sitting across from me spoke up.

“Count… Your Excellency?”

The mention of those words blew away my drowsiness, and I felt a bit irritated.

But anyway, if I sleep here, I won’t be able to sleep at the place we’ll stay tonight, which will only annoy me further, plus there are things I need to discuss with him…

In order for the conversation to be as amicable as possible, I spoke in a relaxed tone.

“Even though you and I have different mothers, aren’t we both children of the same father? Plus, I formally recognized you as an official member of our family a few days ago. So there’s no need to address me like that.”

Well, the only reason I recognized that kid as an official member of our family is not out of pity for him like Hong Gil-dong, who cannot call his father ‘Father’.

It’s more of a way to repay my father for managing Helzman territory under the title of viscount for over fifty years while working hard.

Also, since I do not plan to have a bunch of concubines like the founders of other noble families to create blood-bound vassals, I needed him.

Finally, having observed his ability to perform the role of an inspector under my father for a year while majoring in law at the University of Bologna in Romania, I wanted to give him a new opportunity this time.

Hearing my words, he looked at me with eyes filled with gratitude and said.

“Thank you, brother…”

“Not at all. You’re the only sibling I have, so I should have accepted you into the family sooner. I apologize.”

“No, thanks to you, I’ve been able to put an end to my life of only going to the tavern and playing with courtesans after work. Now, I have the chance to marry proper ladies of the family and live as a respectable noble. All of this is thanks to you, brother.”

If I had not recognized him, he would have likely faced at least a cold reception until my son inherited the title…

So while I understand his gratitude towards me, it felt too burdensome to see him grasp my hand and bow his head.

To escape such a burdensome situation, I released his hand and said.

“I only did what I was supposed to do. By the way, speaking of marriage… do you have any decent young lady in mind?”

At that, he was unable to answer.

“True… Up until now, I haven’t really had the chance to go outside the territory, and since I haven’t even produced a son, those among the vassals who have daughters… probably felt awkward about arranging a proper match. Plus, marrying the daughters of serfs or low-ranking knights would bring trouble to our family. I’m sorry.”

When I expressed my apologies, Ron smiled and replied.

“It’s just that I’ve never been in a relationship; I’m only 21 years old. And since you’re going to find me a good wife anyway… what is there to worry about? You’ll find a way for me, brother.”

In this era, marriage, especially with a primary wife, is almost always politically motivated, so not having any experience in romance isn’t seen as a shortcoming at all.

Nevertheless, saying he has never been in a relationship in a self-deprecating manner likely reflects his consideration for my worries.

I also appreciated that while he followed my suggestion to call him brother comfortably, he was willing to be obedient regarding marriage or whatever under the command of the head of our family.

Because if he were to respond negatively after I insisted on calling him brother, that would imply he does not trust me or is extremely cowardly, making him unreliable as a subordinate.

On the flip side, if he acts too casually but crosses boundaries… yeah, that would definitely confirm him as useless.

“Alright, then let’s get into the main topic. As you know, the Emperor has summoned us this time to grant me the ducal title.”

“Yes, I know.”

“But, as you also know… I have done absolutely nothing in this civil war. In such a situation, receiving the title of duke, of all things… is not a very good phenomenon. Thus, it seems the Emperor intends to bind me strongly under his influence by granting me this title.”

I believe there is a more malicious intent behind this than simply putting a leash on me…

Yet, since I still cannot trust him like I do Balt or Baron Frost and his son, or even my father…

I cannot speak words that might sound like treason against the Emperor. So, I think this is just about right.

However, whether Ron believes that I have laid everything bare for him, he gulped and concentrated as best as he could on what I was saying.

“It seems His Majesty intends to offer me the title of duke with the arrangement of marriage to a collateral royal family at the same time. After that, he will likely command me to serve him as the newly elevated duke of the empire. Of course, as a noble of the empire, it is only right for me to serve the Elaline Empire… but at this moment, I cannot afford to serve the Elaline Empire so eagerly.”

While saying that, I have no intention of serving the Emperor or Duke Brussels, who have not offered me any assistance apart from maintaining my inviolability thus far.

Because if I once serve them, they would make a justification to exploit me as a duke-slave using my goodwill.

There’s a saying: the first time is always the hardest; everything gets easier thereafter.

“Since Emperor Franche and the princes of Romania will not know when they will target you… to fulfill your role as a vassal… you probably couldn’t just serve as the duke of the empire for His Majesty at this time.”

“So I cannot become the duke of the empire. However, I can’t outright refuse this either, or His Majesty will become suspicious… so I intend to push for a marriage to the daughter of Duke Brussels’s concubine. This way, it will be a marriage that properly accepts His Majesty’s intention to deepen our relationship. What do you think?”

Of course, although she is the daughter of a concubine, she is currently the daughter of a duke wielding real power as a regent… she should at least be of the count family line for balance to be maintained.

Therefore, originally, even though our family is thriving, this would technically be an imbalanced marriage since it involves no more than a single member of our family like Ron…

Duke Brussels, who must cooperate with me, will inevitably have to accept my proposal. And in the midst of it, the biggest beneficiary will be Ron.

So Ron looked at me with sparkling eyes and said.

“It’s an honor! Brother!!”

“Yeah, thank you. However, no matter how favorable the situation is for both of us… they wouldn’t possibly give their daughter to someone without any reputation, so you need to go to the capital and participate in all the banquets as my representative and build friendships with the managers and heirs of each family. At the same time, ask them what they think about me becoming a duke.”

At this, Ron looked at me with questioning eyes, but soon shook off all his doubts and nodded in agreement.

After that, with nothing else to do anyway, Ron and I spent our time chatting away in the carriage.

**

After a long month of travel, we arrived at the royal capital and moved directly to the mansion assigned to us.

Although the mansion was located on the outskirts of the imperial capital, Elysium, its size could be exaggeratively described as a small castle.

I unpacked all my luggage and tidied up in that mansion and then immediately went to find Duke Brussels.

As soon as the duke heard I had arrived, he put all his work aside and said with a smile.

“Ah, Duke Croilet. I sincerely congratulate you on becoming a duke. If I had known you would rise this high, I would have sent my only daughter Elizabeth to you as a concubine! But what’s important? Among dukes… please, sit down.”

To that, I responded with a smile.

“Why do you say such things when I’m not planning to become a duke? Your Excellency.”