Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Baron Howard
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Seriously, this was the most epic birthday celebration I'd ever been to.
The speeches always drag on past their scheduled time according to tradition, fumbling to an end only after someone reins them in. But you can't exactly give the side-eye to foreign royalty or the Pope's representative to wrap it up quicker.
Even His Majesty the Emperor was wearing a bored expression, yet he listened quietly, so the marathon of speeches had already stretched over two and a half hours.
Strictly speaking, the first two were fine.
Up until Countess Tigris, representing the beastkin, and the archduke from the neighboring duchy gave their addresses, things moved along briskly enough.
The Tigris family was famous for keeping speeches under a minute, so that was expected. The archduke was refreshingly straightforward too and didn't ramble on.
But then the prince from the neighboring kingdom took up about forty minutes.
"Under the grace of our Father God, may the Empire..."
And now, the cardinal up on the podium was turning his speech into a full-blown worship service, droning on for nearly an hour and a half, putting everyone into a critical state.
That cardinal wasn't usually this vicious with his speeches.
For some reason, this year he seemed determined to purify the Empire or something, gritting his teeth and reeling off prayers and blessings to drag out the time.
During his prayers and words, he kept glancing at the VIP seats by the podium. Could this be because of me?
Sure enough, ever since Countess Tigris made a scene, the looks directed my way hadn't been kind.
I thought it'd blown over quietly, but realizing the guy next to her was William—the one with all the recent complaints—must've hardened her resolve.
"Hngh..."
In this haze where my mind was drifting to dreamland, I forced my heavy eyelids open, suppressing what must've been my hundredth yawn through sheer willpower.
My jaw felt like it might dislocate, and my joints ached from the strain.
"...?"
As I secretly wiped away the tears pooling in my eyes and pinched my thigh to stay awake, something soft suddenly slipped between the fingers of my right hand.
Glancing down with just my eyes, I saw Elizabeth's hand interlaced with mine, her fingers gently tickling the back of my hand.
What...?
Lifting my gaze slightly, Elizabeth was smiling softly, her eyes fixed on the podium.
"...Why are you doing this?"
"You looked sleepy. It'd be embarrassing for both of us if you got in trouble because of it."
"Still, this is a bit..."
"So you hate it? The princess herself is waking you up."
"It's overwhelming."
"Be quiet."
I was too honest, and Elizabeth furrowed her brow, squeezing my hand hard, like she was wringing juice from it.
"......"
Her grip was stronger than I expected.
It actually hurt a little.
But thanks to it, I was wide awake.
About 0.8 Emily levels of performance.
Handy to exploit sometimes.
"Amen."
- Clap clap clap!
As I sat there dazed, kneading her hand, the prayer ended with that word, and thunderous applause erupted.
I'd been wondering how to let go naturally when this perfect excuse arose, so we released hands smoothly and joined in the clapping.
"...And now, may the infinite grace of the Lord be upon the Emperor of the Empire, Frederica."
The cardinal ignored the applause begging him to stop and wasn't so bad a guy after all—he wrapped up his speech with a reluctant expression and stepped down from the podium.
"Next, the sun of the Empire, mother of the imperial subjects, guardian of all the Empire's autonomous territories and protector of the beastkin..."
"Ah..."
No sooner had the trial of time and sanity ended than the imperial chamberlain reappeared, reciting His Majesty the Emperor's excruciatingly long list of titles, long enough to give you a headache.
"...Her Majesty Emperor Frederica shall now deliver her address."
The imperial chamberlain finished the nearly minute-long titles and gestured toward the seats opposite the VIP section, where His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Imperial Consort sat.
His Majesty rose from his seat with an impassive expression, swept his gaze over the square, and ascended the podium with dignified steps.
- Tap tap
"Beloved subjects of the Empire, loyal vassals who govern the Empire with me, and noble guests from afar who safeguard the continent alongside the Empire—I thank you first for celebrating the day of my birth."
Finally, the event's grand finale arrived: the moment to watch what bombshell statement His Majesty would drop this year, threshing the nobles' minds.
"Enough with the tedious, headache-inducing formalities—straight to the point: I bestow the Duchy of Cornwall upon my firstborn child and the Empire's first princess, Alexandrine, appointing her as Crown Princess. And next year, the imperial family will welcome a new member. It would be wonderful if this were a new child between the Imperial Consort and myself, but regrettably, it is not. The Crown Princess's long-vacant seat beside her will be filled."
Juicy news poured out from the start.
Two issues the nobles had been begging for years to resolve were handled swiftly and casually, almost anticlimactically.
Just days ago, His Majesty had been weighing between the two princesses, yet here he was dropping this bombshell—nobles were bewildered but pleased that things had resolved properly.
It was only natural; anyone dissatisfied with Princess Alexandrine's crown princess status was still rotting in the knight order's prison.
"The crown princess position shall endure eternally, unless the Crown Princess incurs a fatal disqualification. My second daughter, Victoria, shall faithfully serve the Emperor of the Empire as a royal and vassal."
His Majesty paused briefly to gauge the nobles' reactions, then added a warning for any potential malcontents before turning his head slightly toward the VIP seats.
"Honorary Knight William Henry Howard, ascend the podium."
True to form this year, someone was summoned.
Whoever this William guy was, he had my sympathies...
"Huh? Me?"
I pointed at myself in bewilderment, glancing around.
Elizabeth, beaming beside me, gestured toward the podium.
"Yes, His Majesty just called for you, William. What are you waiting for?"
"Me? He really called for me?"
"Is there another Honorary Knight William?"
"Uh...?"
My mind went blank.
Frozen, unsure how to react, the imperial chamberlain approached the VIP seats, pointed right at me, and beckoned.
"You there, up to the podium quickly."
"Ah, yes, sir."
With no time to gather my thoughts, I stood on shaky legs and stumbled toward the podium.
Tension surged, my legs trembling uncontrollably.
Managing not to trip despite the anxiety, I reached the podium and stood diagonally behind and to the left of His Majesty, awaiting his words.
"What are you doing? Come to my side."
"S-Sorry!"
His Majesty lightly scolded me for standing too far off and pointed right next to him.
As I cautiously stepped forward to stand beside him, my view opened up—the entire square's eyes on me and His Majesty.
"Gulp..."
The world spun dizzily.
I'd been uneasy since hearing I was invited as a VIP, and sure enough...
"Ha, stay calm. You'd think someone was about to eat you alive."
"Ha, haha..."
Suppressing the urge to hurl, His Majesty chuckled softly—low enough for only me to hear—and encouraged me.
"This is a very good thing for you, so don't worry too much."
He patted my shoulder lightly, flashed a sly smile, and leaned toward the microphone.
Right—I'd already been to prison once. His Majesty wouldn't publicly execute me again.
He had his ruthless side, but he kept his word like a blade.
"Here stands Sir William, honorary knight of the Imperial Knights and my loyal vassal, who has recently led efforts in harmony between beastkin and humans, commoners and nobles through diverse activities.
He employs beastkin without prejudice in his own business, engages in lively trade with beastkin enterprises, fosters unity between nobles and commoners without conflict, and has achieved various successes on this foundation.
Furthermore, Sir William and his staff served as the bridge enabling cooperation between witches and mages, who were like water and oil. Recently, he has actively interacted with the Tigris countess and count, bridging ties with the autonomous district's beastkin as well."
"Your Majesty...?"
Unable to hide my shock, I stared wide-eyed at him.
This wasn't the kind of story worth dragging out in front of an audience during his own birthday event...
"Sir William exemplifies—better than anyone—the harmony transcending race and class, fairness and flexibility prioritizing ability over appearance, which I have repeatedly emphasized since ascending the throne.
Thus, I have summoned Sir William here to commend his efforts."
"...!"
I'd prayed it wouldn't happen, but at the word "commend" from His Majesty's lips, I paled and shook my head slightly.
Commendation.
Or, praise and reward from a superior.
I didn't hate receiving praise or rewards from high places.
But this wasn't pure recognition for my deeds.
This was a commendation to blatantly showcase the behaviors His Majesty desired: "If you want to impress me, act like this child." It was using me as a tool.
A poisoned chalice, ninety percent political motive.
Not a gift I wanted, but the giver was the Emperor.
"Heh heh..."
Glancing at my trembling, ashen face, His Majesty grinned and turned fully toward me.
Like pronouncing a death sentence, he extended his hand forward and proclaimed loudly.
"Honorary Knight William Henry Howard, kneel and hear my command!"
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
I reflexively bowed my head slightly and knelt.
As I kept my eyes rolling while head lowered, in the corner of my vision, the imperial chamberlain approached carrying something.
"...!"
A flag and a fist-sized rectangular wooden block.
Realizing what it was, I shuddered and began to tremble.
"I bestow upon William Henry Howard the title of baron. This title grants no fief but is heritable by his children, and he shall be named Baron Howard after his own name."
As His Majesty's words ended, the chamberlain arrived at his side.
His Majesty took the items from the chamberlain and bellowed again.
"William Henry Howard, raise your head and receive the crest and seal from me."
"I am at a loss for words at Your Majesty's glorious grace..."
After the formal reply, I felt the soft velvet and rough wood in my hands.
As my hands shook feeling their weight, His Majesty—smiling softly—raised his hand high toward the audience and declared.
"All, celebrate the birth of a new noble!"
- Clap clap clap!
Applause erupted from the crowd.
I stood, clutching the crest and seal to my chest, my lips twitching in an awkward smile.
My status had risen, but so had the number of people who'd look at me unkindly from now on. Darkness clouded my vision.