Chapter 98. Chris' Heart (1)

The day after rumors spread that I would become a baron, my father came running breathlessly in the afternoon.

As soon as he saw me, my father hugged me so tightly I almost couldn't breathe.

"Fabio! I can't believe you're becoming a baron, this father simply can't believe it!"

Honestly, it's hard to adapt to seeing this person who was so solemn, serious, and strict when I said I'd become a merchant turn into such a doting parent.

Still, unlike other nobles, he was someone who tried his best to cherish me since I was young.

'He just only knew how to be deliberately strict to his child like fathers of old.'

There would have been a need to build walls too.

"Isn't this all thanks to Deus's protection, His Majesty's grace, and father's good teachings?"

"What did this father teach you so well? It's all your ability."

It can be said that my current activities are results achieved purely by my own power.

However, the reason why he provided support funds when I first said I'd open a cafe, and why various hostile forces couldn't carelessly touch me.

It's all because father 'handled' things for me in places I couldn't see.

That's why I'm pouring money into the Medici baron family, thinking of such a father.

'You can't cut off family ties, and I gained a lot thanks to father.'

"And marriage with Duke Visconti's granddaughter? I was so worried because your marriage was delayed. I was concerned that if it went past next year, I'd have to arrange a match myself."

Originally, all marriages of 'official wife' children in noble families are decided by the head of the family.

Because I became independent when I received my viscount title, father respected that and hadn't said anything until now.

But after age 24, women are almost at the end of being old maids, and men start getting labeled as old bachelors and become subjects of gossip.

'He can't help but want to intervene. Who would like their beloved son being cursed as an old bachelor?'

But seeing how things have flowed now, if father goes around trying to arrange a match, he'll probably receive a 'kind warning letter' from suspicious people sent by the Duke.

It would be advice that's kind in words only, but if you don't listen next time you'll end up eating pasta through your nose.

"I was too busy with work to think about marriage, but His Grace seems to have taken care of me too generously."

"You'll do well, Fabio."

"Thank you, father."

Father exchanged very brief greetings and stood up from his seat.

"I'd like to chat at length before leaving, but nobles wanting to see me and Albert are flocking to our house like clouds now. I think I should go now."

Although I've legally become independent from the Medici baron family.

Even if I've left the family register, blood ties continue.

So they probably think they can get closer to me indirectly by becoming close with my older brother Albert and father.

As he was standing up to leave, father sighed.

"Fabio."

"Yes, father."

"Your brother is infinitely lacking compared to you. In 10, 20 years, you'll probably be a viscount or count. But your brother will remain a baron."

At a glance, it might not seem that difficult for nobles to protect their family.

But in fact, as all company chairmen experience, defending the family until passing it on to a successor is an anxious and difficult task like walking on thin ice.

It's common to be ostracized and have the family pushed to the edge of a cliff, if not complete ruin, just from getting on the wrong side at social gatherings.

When pushed to the edge of a cliff, merchants collect debts and take away some or all rights related to territories.

Because of that, there are not a few families with only titles remaining, practically no different from being exterminated.

The reason these families haven't had their lineages cut off is very simple.

'Titles need to be maintained to take full authority over territory management, collect taxes and repay debts.'

Therefore, just maintaining the family in its current state is amazing.

Breaking through the ceiling above and rising from there is actually like a miracle.

That's why I, who's writing miracles, am getting attention from nobles.

"Embrace your brother. You might not understand well, being so excellent..."

Father smiled like someone who had attained enlightenment.

"In this world, there are people who get frustrated, despair, and give up seeing someone better than themselves. Some guys completely break down. But your brother isn't that incompetent."

Others barely inherit titles and manage territories after gaining practical experience until their mid-30s.

Our brother inherited the baron title in his mid-20s and is doing well without any problems.

This level would be in the top 10% of nobles.

"Anyway, he's your family."

Honestly, I don't like Albert, but I'm thinking of helping if I change my mind.

Setting aside personal feelings, just advancing alone is also behavior deserving to be called a family-ruining child among nobles.

When one family member greatly succeeds, it's our empire's tradition to feed up to eighth cousins.

'It'll be the same in other countries.'

"Yes, father."

Hearing my words, father immediately went outside.

When he first came in, his footsteps were light and brisk, but now his footsteps are deflated.

This is all because of that Albert bastard.

"Hah, I have a headache. Should I just rest today?"

There are still lots of nobles flocking wanting to meet me.

Thanks to the Duke saying Fabio must be tired after he put his daughter in my sleeve, so let's let him rest for a few days, there are no visitors.

As for work, I've set up systems so that even if I, the top manager, take a week off without notice, things will run without much problem.

'It's possible thanks to slow communication speeds because there's no internet.'

That's why nobles in this era can have 'social gatherings' for up to 10 hours a day and work doesn't get backed up.

"It's Christina. I have important business, could you spare a moment?"

...... I want to rest today unless it's very important business.

I'm dizzy like I've been hit on the head with a hammer because of the Duke.

"I'd like to rest today if it's not very urgent."

Hearing those words, Chris hesitated and said:

"It's a personal matter, and you're the only one I can talk to about this, Viscount, no, Baron."

"Come in."

"Yes, Baron."

Chris opened the door, came in, and naturally sat in a chair.

Originally according to etiquette, it's rude behavior to sit before I say you can sit, but our relationship isn't so distant as to quibble over each little thing like that.

Rather, in social circles we're so close that people ask when those two will start dating.

Even now, I often go on dates eating desserts like parfaits at Cafe Medici with Chris and Chloe.

'Thanks to this, false rumors also spread that Chris and I have that kind of relationship.'

"First, I sincerely congratulate you on your promotion to baron. I thought you would become great, but I honestly couldn't imagine you would rise to baron by your own power at 23. I couldn't even imagine it."

No matter how excellent a person is, usually it takes almost a lifetime of grinding to raise your own title.

But I've risen from a mere 'noble young master' to knight, viscount, and baron through effort alone, so I've transcended normal speed.

"And marriage with a duke family's young lady. Even after hearing the news, I doubted my ears several times wondering if I heard wrong. I sincerely congratulate you."

Chris offered congratulations to me in a posture not at all against etiquette.

People who don't know her well would think she's sincerely congratulating...

'Objectively speaking, she has no right to be jealous, so she's trying hard to endure.'

If it were Chloe, she would wring me out like a rag today after hearing this news.

She would probably say something like this:

'I'm happy you're advancing, but I'm the woman you love most, young master. From now on too.'

Then she would pester me saying she'll have my child before the official wife comes.

Befitting an executive of the Medici Trading Company, she's usually very skilled at controlling her emotions, but looking closely, I can see her biting her lips tightly.

"So what business did you come for?"

Chris took a breath and answered:

"The Viole Viscount family has proposed marriage to me."

"You must be having a hard time with all sorts of people rushing to marry you since I became a baron."

"They're nobility of the robe, but due to the previous viscount committing a major wrongdoing, they're in a state with only the title remaining in reality. Though they're viscounts, their living standard is that of ordinary craftsmen."

I can understand without being told.

These guys are thinking of obtaining the Modina family's wealth and my connections for rebuilding their family.

And although rumors spread in social circles that Chris and I are dating...

'People who know, know that in reality we're just close friends.'

That's how all these almost-relationships are.

"...... I think it's about time for me to start thinking about marriage like you, Baron. I'm exactly 20 years old as of today."

"That's right."

"So I won't hide it anymore, I don't want to become an old maid."

Chris said that and took a breath.

"Just thinking about falling into the arms of other men who only want my wealth and connections with you makes me sick. Losing my virginity and raising the child of a man who doesn't love me, and who I don't love either, makes me want to vomit."

Imagining it, that's certainly a bit disgusting.

"I was a bit reluctant to like the man Chloe likes. But I'm just going to be honest with my feelings."

Chris looked at me with determined eyes and said:

"I love you, Baron."