Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Discharge Day and Father's Investiture
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One day, two days.
Throughout that time, Erich threw himself diligently into his treatments and recovery.
'Now I get why Uncle went so far out of his way to torment Erich.'
The treatment method that Grandfather had hounded the priests into developing was just too effective. Uncle must have been terrified that Erich would make a full recovery.
After the final intensive treatment, Erich perked up noticeably within just a few days.
He breezed through the exercises I taught him, and his appetite shot up in no time.
With at least seven or eight hours of sound sleep every day, he grew a little taller even while cooped up in the hospital.
And finally, today!
'The day Erich gets discharged—and Dad receives his Rommel barony!'
With the celebrations piling up, the servants in charge of the annex were bustling about from early morning.
"The ring! Where's the young lady's ring? The seal ring His Grace bestowed!"
"I saw it by the desk earlier?"
"Where's the cloak? He has to wear that one today!"
Betty and Laura dashed around me in a frenzy.
"Found the seal ring!"
"The cloak too! It was draped over the bed—I forgot about it!"
Laura grabbed my hand and slipped the solid gold seal ring onto my finger.
It was the ring Grandfather had personally fitted for me, saying I'd need it often now that I was officially a lady of House Rommel.
And with it, the cloak embroidered with the Kalenberg ducal family's golden lion emblem on a glossy black field.
Betty tied the cloak's clasp securely so it wouldn't come loose.
'The Rommel barony is traditionally given to the North's heir apparent.'
Before inheriting the duchy, it was customary to gain experience governing the nearby Rommel lands for a few years.
Handing that position to Dad...
'Maybe this is Grandfather's punishment for Uncle over the Manfred professor incident?'
'And at the same time, a reward for Dad's achievements.'
I giggled without even bothering to cover my mouth.
The maids watching me burst into delighted laughter too, clearly in high spirits.
In the cheerful atmosphere, we finished our preparations and headed to the hall for the investiture ceremony. I took a seat in the front row.
"Hey, Ella."
"Yeah."
Erich, who had arrived first, scooped me up and settled me in the chair, even straightening my cloak train.
He looked just like Mom, but his actions were a carbon copy of Dad's—especially this gentle side.
"Came straight here right after discharge?"
"Can't be late on a day like this."
His thoroughness reminded me a bit of Grandfather too?
"Listen up. After the investiture today, we'll head straight to the territory. It's been under a steward for so long, there's a mountain of work piled up."
"Yeah."
"Dietrich, you'll inherit the barony after Father, so learn as much as you can and—"
"Huh? Me?"
Dietrich, who had been listening, gaped at him like an idiot.
Erich shook his head at the sight of Dietrich.
He averted his eyes as if he'd seen something he shouldn't, then looked at me in a desperate grasp for hope—only for me to gape right back at him just like Dietrich.
"Huh? Me too?"
Erich finally confronted the true nature of his spud-and-sweet-potato siblings and covered his face with both hands.
A faint, whimpering groan leaked from his lips.
Until now, with everything going on, he hadn't had a chance to properly grasp just how... limited Dietrich and I were.
The shock must have been huge—he couldn't lift his head for a good while.
'That's geniuses for you.'
Even after Professor Seller's grueling "education" of abuse and overwork ended, Erich still held firm at the top of his class.
Sleeping the same as everyone else, exercising twice as much, spending most of his time in the hospital—how did he still ace every exam with just the bare-minimum assignments? I couldn't wrap my head around it.
So it was only natural that Erich couldn't understand us either.
"...You're still young, so I'll help Father for the time being."
Dietrich tilted his head slyly toward the resigned Erich.
"Why don't you just take it yourself?"
"What?"
"The barony, I mean. I hate paperwork and admin stuff. Just hearing about it tires me out."
Erich frowned at Dietrich's shrug.
"Don't talk nonsense. Someone who can't even manifest Divine Grace inheriting the title? Impossible."
"So what? Smart people should handle that stuff. You're the eldest son anyway. Governing skill doesn't depend on Grace strength."
Despite Erich's cool reprimand, it bounced right off Dietrich.
Realizing Dietrich was serious, Erich looked flustered and turned to me.
Did he think since the second son refused, it was my turn next?
No way for me either.
"I want Eri to take it too. Admin class puts me straight to sleep..."
"That was a sight."
"Shut up. Didi was drooling too."
"Hey, you promised to keep that secret!"
Responsibility like a title? Hard pass.
I figure my calling as the youngest daughter of nobility is to snag some inheritance, blow it on fun, live happily, and kick the bucket.
After watching Grandfather drown in work up close, why would I ever aim for a title?
He was always busy as it was.
His schedule was packed so tight I thought it couldn't get worse—then came the tournament after the friendly matches. Pure hell.
'Barely two or three hours of sleep a day, four at most?'
And that for the entire month of the grand tournament!
'No wonder even tough-as-nails Grandfather nearly herniated a disc.'
Grandfather was still tall and built like a prime knight.
Even he struggled with the demands of being the North's duke.
Today's title for Dad was just a countship, but...
Last time, he said he was gunning for the ducal heir spot too—so his successor would eventually take the duchy.
'A life of nothing but work, no time for workouts? No thanks!'
Sitting all day leads to muscle loss!
Erich pressed his forehead watching Dietrich and me compete over who could doze off more in class.
His brows furrowed deeply, head probably throbbing.
"We'll talk about this later. Once you're older."
Older or not, I doubt our minds'll change.
But I didn't argue.
Grandfather and the Northern elders entered, and the investiture began.
Dad, today's star, slowly walked into the packed hall.
In his pitch-black uniform adorned with countless military medals, golden lion cloak draped over— he looked like a war god incarnate.
Someone gulped at his overwhelming presence and refined beauty that no amount of intimidation could hide.
'He's my dad, but man, he looks extra handsome today.'
Dad strode the red carpet to Grandfather and slowly knelt.
I watched Grandfather tap Dad's shoulder with the sword, eyes unblinking.
"Govern your lands with benevolence, mercy, and justice."
I didn't want to miss a second of this glorious moment filling the hall with our family's pride.
Time crawled by, etching the unforgettable scene into my soul.
Dad glanced up at Grandfather, then replied in a crisp, steady voice.
"Yes, Father."
The golden lion cloak suited him perfectly as he turned his gaze to us three siblings sitting side by side.
His cool eyes softened warmly.
Now Dad wasn't just the duke's eldest son—he was Count Rommel, owner of one of the North's prime territories!
And I wasn't just some young lady—I was a count's daughter!
The ceremony wrapped up under the radiant sunlight streaming through the stained glass.
"Dad!"
The moment it ended, I bolted toward him.
Dad spread his arms to catch me.
But before I reached him, someone snatched me up mid-stride.
Wha—?