LIGHTNOVELONLINE The old man in front of me grinned as he looked at me.
“Now that a promising young guy like you says he needs this old man’s help, I’ve split my busy schedule to come here.”
Well, you retired last year, and now there’s nothing for you to do but sit in your creaky chair at home and sip tea.
I know that, which is why I invited you.
Indeed, the noble class of legal robes, especially those who have worked in the palace, are the most full of themselves.
I realized that rumor was spot on.
“They say the more one serves a high-ranking individual, the more they tend to show off.”
Considering I need help right now, I should just lower my head appropriately.
After all, this gentleman is actually a high-ranking person as well.
“I beg your pardon for being so rude as to summon you, Your Excellency.”
His title is Baron of Legal Robes, and his position was former Chief Attendant.
In terms of the Three Kingdoms, think of him as something like the Ten Attendants.
However, unlike the eunuchs of the late Han Dynasty who monopolized all power, the Toscan Empire operates under the Emperor and the nobles.
I don’t have the kind of power to drop even a sparrow.
“Still, being a former Chief Attendant puts you at the level of a former Vice Minister.”
“I understand your situation well; preparing for the wedding with the Noble Lady Erika cannot be easy.”
Normally, I would have been busy scrambling to prepare everything, if not bent over backward.
When marrying into a family of a higher rank, even the slightest mistake can lead to a massive political backlash.
“That Albert fellow didn’t spend all his family’s money for nothing when marrying the Noble Lady Farnese.”
Yet, the Duke said, “Don’t worry about my problems; we’ll prepare everything ourselves,” so I was just to come when called and do as directed.
If that hadn’t been the case, I would have left the business dealings to Chris and Sebastian and focused solely on the wedding preparations.
“Nevertheless, don’t worry. Who am I? Baron Matteo De Conte, Chief Attendant directly under His Majesty, will take care of everything. Who knows the etiquette better than me in our empire?”
Nobles spend their entire lives studying etiquette and applying it in real life.
However, etiquette is like one’s nose and ears—difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s appropriate, and we don’t really know what’s right.
Many cases just boil down to folks avoiding significant mistakes that would be considered extreme rudeness.
For important ceremonies where mistakes must be avoided, like weddings, inheritance ceremonies, or funerals, it’s common to consult an “etiquette expert.”
“Supposedly, this is a great money-making scheme for those of the noble robes.”
Of course, right now, I don’t need to care about such things.
“I called you here for a different reason, not just to see you, Chief Attendant.”
Baron De Conte squinted his eyes and tilted his head.
He must be wondering what could possibly be more important than a wedding with a Duke’s daughter.
“I want to create a restaurant where not only nobles but also commoners can enjoy the food and atmosphere of a noble banquet.”
Baron De Conte furrowed his brows like a frown and began tapping his knee with his finger.
He probably thought I was calling him for something as monumental as a wedding with a Duke’s daughter.
The idea of common folk being able to taste the food nobles eat must have disgusted him.
Still, it seems like he can’t afford to turn down the Rothschild Baron Clan…
He appeared to be mulling over how to decline my offer without severing our relationship.
“Insisting on it here would be a foolish thing to do.”
“I want to consult on the minimal etiquette that commoners can understand—the furniture arrangement that won’t make them envy the noble family’s mansion, the selection of dishes, the music, and everything else.”
Baron De Conte seemingly responded with genuine astonishment to my words.
“I’ve heard the Rothschild Baron has a mindset unfettered by biases; I now understand why. Giving commoners a chance to experience the elegant lifestyle of nobles is indeed a brilliant idea.”
“Thank you, Chief Attendant.”
While I said thank you, I wasn’t oblivious to the underlying meaning of those words.
Considering he suddenly used honorifics and increased the distance between us, it felt close to an insult within limits.
To put it plainly, it meant:
“Because he rose to Baron in less than three years, he has no proper understanding of noble culture, hence he can entertain such vulgar thoughts.”
Good gracious, is that why the priests these days keep lamenting about the end of days?
What will happen when lowly commoners start looking down on us?!
To someone who knows all this, it’s aggravating.
“It’s natural for him to react that way.”
In Japan, they twist their bodies in all sorts of lewd ways just to preserve their traditional attire, kimono.
However, if someone were to modify hanbok in a way that highlights even a bit of sexual appeal, they’d throw a fit.
Especially when the person in front of me embodies etiquette itself.
Breaking tradition is like threatening one’s own livelihood.
“Being of advanced age, my mind is somewhat stuck, so I doubt I can keep up with such brilliant ideas. Perhaps you should look for someone else.”
If I truly lacked the ability, I would have come up with a substitute immediately.
However, not suggesting even a replacement means he’s openly expressing that he won’t take my words seriously…
“There’s always a way to persuade such a person.”
“For a consulting fee of 500 gold coins.”
Baron De Conte, who was about to get up, halted and looked at me in shock after hearing my words.
Then he looked at me as if displeased before responding.
“Baron Rothschild, I’ve served as Chief Attendant at court, but you’ve made a fool of me! You think you can buy me off with that?”
There’s an old saying: the opposite of goodwill is not enmity but indifference.
Thus, if there’s any form of sentiment towards me, it can be turned into goodwill depending on how one acts.
I’ve crossed the first hurdle.
“For a consulting fee of 700 gold coins, paid upfront.”
700 gold coins are a considerable sum that can buy a fairly large mansion in Florence and furnish it as well.
It’s also what a lowly baron would earn after a year.
Noblemen of legal robes always find money hard to come by, and given he’s retired, it’s bound to be tempting.
As for me, I have so much money that spending thousands of gold coins wouldn’t impact my finances, but that doesn’t mean 700 gold coins is chump change.
However, the knowledge and promotional value I could gain from receiving his consultation is worth multiple times that amount.
“If I set up restaurants in cities other than Florence, they’d fill up in no time.”
At first, it would just be a restaurant, later shifting to catering services or even a restaurant rental service.
Besides, my purpose for running these restaurants goes beyond simply making money from its revenue.
Baron De Conte’s brows began to quiver.
“So you were trying to buy me off.”
No, if you really dislike money, just storm out of here.
But he’s so honest about his desires.
It seems just 30 seconds ago, he was getting up to leave, but here he is inevitably obeying his instincts.
Bending his knees, he sits back down again.
Indeed, the saying about thinking when things aren’t going well is the truth.
“With cash and a red slap, nothing is impossible.”
“Very well, I’ll cover the entire cost of your grandson’s wedding. Just send me the bill.”
Nobles of legal robes hold relatively simple ceremonies compared to lords with territories.
The main reason? Simply because they lack the funds.
Even so, a wedding for the eldest son inheriting the family would still cost at least 1,000 gold coins.
Baron De Conte began to ponder with a groan upon hearing my words.
He must be battling with his finances and pride.
I decided not to rush him and grant him as much time to think as he needed.
“… Really?”
Seeing his tone change once again confirmed he was leaning this way.
“You know very well about our family’s finances by reputation, right?”
Taking into account everything we earn unofficially, we’ve approached the realm of a magnate in terms of net income.
However, that unofficial part is so significant that it feels like our corporate value is undervalued.
“Actually, we have four grandsons, but they don’t have a suitable place to go…”
Getting a job referral for employment is, in fact, a great thing.
To help my grandsons in their work-life balance, you’d be a partner with me.
“There will soon be an open recruitment at the Medici Association. If you apply there, I can ensure a suitable placement for you.”
I wouldn’t immediately assign them work; I’d work them to the bone with studies for a few years before placing them in practical jobs.
“But regarding money… shouldn’t it be given after the deal is finalized?”
Baron De Conte grabbed my hand firmly.
“Do you think I, who have reached the position of Third Chief Attendant, could fail at such a trivial task? Once we proceed, I shall ensure other nobles cannot nitpick the etiquette.”
See? Money talks.
And so, I was the first to open the restaurant Rothschild in Florence.