LIGHTNOVELONLINE Was it because of the official visit that was essentially like an engagement ceremony?
The Duke Visconti’s mansion was extravagantly decorated, as if it were hosting a festival.
There were trees crafted in the shape of the coats of arms of the Rothschild Baron Clan and the Duke Visconti’s family, and knights donned in formal attire lined up inside the mansion.
It felt like a grand parade, reminiscent of when a division commander visited the army, leaving me utterly speechless.
The duke beside me looked quite pleased, contrary to my feelings.
“I thought it would take another 3-4 years for you to become the son-in-law of our household, yet you’ve already risen to the status of a baron. Truly, congratulations.”
“It is an honor, Your Grace.”
“Becoming a baron is solely due to your own achievements, isn’t it? You have no need to thank me. If anything, I should be the one more appreciative since you have granted me your gratitude.”
Thanks to the naturalization of the Deus Knights, the political power of the Duke Visconti has now slightly surpassed that of the Duke Sforza.
To put it more clearly, the faction of the Duke Visconti, which was closer to the opposition party, has now gained strength equivalent to that of the ruling party.
Having achieved feats that other retainers couldn’t accomplish even when pooling all their efforts, would they dislike me?
“You once forfeited the chance to become a baron for my sake. What would be difficult about offering me one granddaughter? So don’t let the others’ words get you down.”
As the duke said, at occasions like balls, they won’t say it to my face, but behind my back, there are many friends who spitefully talk about the one who struck it rich so suddenly.
It’s only natural that someone who stands out gets criticized, so I accept that.
As long as I continue to handle my current situation well, external gossip won’t shake my standing.
It’s the kind of people who are desperate to maintain their positions who worry about mere ‘rumors.’
Of course, if those rumors accumulate and become slander, then it could drag me down just like General Yi Sun-shin, so I will keep an eye on it.
“That’s why I’ve created an intelligence agency that no one knows about.”
“Thank you. By the way, what kind of person is Erika?”
Upon hearing my question, the duke’s expression turned intrigued.
“In a political marriage, the most important factors are the woman’s appearance and status, but your focus is quite unique.”
Both status and family background are important, and having good looks is the icing on the cake.
However, a marriage isn’t like a fairy tale that ends with ‘so they got married and lived happily ever after.’
Even if this isn’t a marriage I desire, we need to strive to be happy together afterward.
After all, I don’t want to turn marriage into a graveyard for my life.
“Erika is always searching for something new. Like other noble ladies, she has a keen interest in love and enjoys the desserts you create. In other respects, she’s just like other girls.”
“Is that so? Then I should think of something new that Erika would like.”
A broader smile appeared on the duke’s face.
Until now, he seemed to regard me as a competent subordinate rather than family when calling me his grandson-in-law, but now, he just looks at me like a grandfather would.
“Since you are getting married, as a man, you ought to make your wife happy. Isn’t it written in the Scriptures that two become one?”
“So I don’t need to worry about Erika then. I’ll be counting on you.”
The duke patted my shoulder and guided me to the room where his granddaughter was.
Up to this point, it had all been an event open to everyone, so the crowd was immense, but in the room, it was just me and Erika.
Given my low standing, I bowed my head as I would when meeting someone of higher status.
“I am Baron Rothschild. It is an honor to meet you today, my lady.”
It’s amusing to think that those who are already engaged greet each other as if meeting for the first time.
In reality, Erika and I are meeting for the first time in both official and personal terms.
And since we are meeting for the first time, it’s only natural to observe proper etiquette.
“I never expected to be engaged to someone I hadn’t even seen.”
I had anticipated this scenario since I learned I was a noble, but experiencing it firsthand felt strange.
However, when we hold a wedding ceremony, Erika, who will have to leave her home and move into mine, will undeniably be far more anxious than I am.
“Please raise your head, Baron Rothschild. I am to be your wife; what husband speaks to his wife in formal tones?”
When meeting someone outside, even if they are older than me, I can’t begin to call them by their first name without permission.
Let alone if someone of higher social status offers friendship, I must ask if it’s okay to do so three times.
But right now, I must drop all formalities.
“This conversation itself is a set procedure and ceremony.”
Breaking these rules would be akin to embarrassing the duke.
“I’m sorry.”
Having said that, I immediately sat down and gazed at the girl before me.
Her red eyes and hair were impressive, reminiscent of the Duke Visconti.
The duke had said that Erika was pretty, so I didn’t need to worry.
To be honest, I had thought that was just because my father and grandfather were partial to their own daughter (granddaughter) and that maybe she was just quite decent to look at, but actually appeared as an absolute beauty in their eyes.
“The claim that a noble’s legitimate daughter is a beauty is hard to believe…”
Because during arranged marriages, thoughts of selling one’s daughter for a high price lead to distorted perceptions due to misguided parental viewpoints.
Yet, I candidly expressed my impressions.
“You are beautiful and cute.”
Though it was a very short compliment, Erika slightly blushed, her face turning a light pink.
With her status, education, and appearance, she’d receive compliments filled with flowery language at balls.
“You must feel embarrassed to blush in front of me, or you might feel dazzled by my presence, longing to become my captive…”
Comments so cheesy they could warp time and space, sprinkled with words of admiration, would bombard anyone’s ears.
Someone who had never heard such flattery would find it grand, yet…
“Erika has probably heard that thousands, if not tens of thousands, of times.”
Therefore, I thought being straightforward would be better, and it seems my prediction was spot on.
“Thank you. What do you enjoy, Baron? Do you like horseback riding or swordsmanship?”
Although it felt strange for the duke’s lady to be speaking formally while I spoke informally…
Since Erika’s status would now fall to ‘Baroness’ post our engagement.
Etiquette-wise, that makes sense.
Yet, “I find it a bit uncomfortable. Let’s discuss speech patterns later.”
“I enjoy chatting with close friends or cooking.”
“A rather unique hobby, isn’t it? Cooking as a noble?”
After possessing Fabio’s memories, I had lived as the second son of the baron family from a young age.
Thus, unlike my elder brother Albert, who needed to master the skills of a knight, I didn’t have to drill myself with swords, and I kept horsemanship to a minimum since it wasn’t my area of aptitude.
Talking or cooking with people isn’t a hobby that’s exclusively off-limits to ‘men.’
In fact, being good at cooking can significantly boost one’s social reputation when attending hunting events.
“There’s no rule that nobles cannot cook. Being a good cook at a hunting event can be unexpectedly helpful.”
“My grandfather always insists on roasting the game he personally hunted.”
In ancient times, cooking and sharing meat symbolized a chieftain’s authority.
Well, most of that tradition has long since faded away…
Still, it’s generally expected for a ‘noble’ to personally roast and share the game during hunts.
“Nowadays, young folks sometimes have their knights do it instead.”
“So what types of dishes do you usually make?”
“I make sandwiches and soups to take on picnics outside. I’ve tried making bread a few times, but it turned out to be tougher than I thought.”
There was once a day I attempted making baguettes from scratch, expecting to make some from start to finish, and nearly died doing so.
The kneading was so exhausting; I thought my shoulder would give out.
“You seem to take it pretty seriously.”
“Personally, I prefer this hobby over wielding a sword or collecting weapons.”
“Honestly, I don’t really get horseback riding, hunting, or swordsmanship that many gentlemen enjoy. If you said you liked those, I think I would’ve struggled with conversation.”
I sometimes attended balls where nobles boast about their sword techniques, rendering me speechless.
The nobles shine their eyes like otaku and get riled up.
“Oh, this steel is forged in the Duchy of Visconti! It won’t break even when struck on a rock.”
To my ears, that’s all I can hear in clear terms.
“That’s why I have no friends.”
Nobles won’t make friends without shared hobbies.
Upon hearing that, Erika chuckled lightly.
“Then you’ll be able to spend more time with me. Oh, and if you ever have the chance, could you make a dish exclusive to me, Baron?”
…Erika would likely be satisfied with just a decent sandwich.
However, upon hearing that, a new idea popped into my head.
A cooking method that doesn’t exist in this world but would captivate the nobles here.
And so, I chatted briefly with Erika before heading home.
I wanted to prepare for my new venture as soon as possible.