Chapter 220
Chapter 220
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: Requesting Titles for the Staff
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"It was nothing more than the whining of immature adults."
"That's right."
"If Count Howard stays out of it, things should resolve smoothly. Thank you for your honest answers."
"You've had a tough job."
"Haha, no, not at all."
Sophia, the chief steward, thanked him with a weary expression after hearing the rules and design explanations for children's clothing, then returned to her knight order.
And just a few days later, the iron fist of the law came down swiftly on those involved, sending the handful of people who had brazenly acted out back into the shadows.
The matter wrapped up faster and with less backlash and controversy than expected. The first reason was that there weren't many people involved, and the second was that our atelier, which had first revealed the designs to the world, drew a firm line and made our displeasure clear.
It made sense. Even in my previous life, where society had become somewhat open and accepting of diversity, adults wearing children's clothes drew uncomfortable stares. Doing that here?
Not easy.
The newspapers carrying articles about it, even though it ended quickly with just a few deviants, showed how much it had stirred things up.
What if I'd been dragged into it?
With my prior record for moral indecency, rumors like that could turn into a serious scandal.
It would've escalated beyond immature behavior by women into twisted sexual desires or pedophilia—obvious where that would lead.
"Ugh..."
I rubbed my arms, covered in goosebumps, and tossed the newspaper onto my desk.
Drawing the line quickly had been a real stroke of luck.
_
The children's clothing fiasco had been neatly resolved, but I felt uneasy about lingering on it too long.
I doubted those who had publicly flaunted their tastes would quietly back down, regardless of laws or society.
Sensing they might erupt again soon, I contacted the guild a bit ahead of schedule to negotiate handing over the patterns.
It wasn't much of a negotiation.
Offering them a lifeline during the off-season, the guild happily accepted generous terms for us, stamping approval and agreeing to deliver by mid-June.
Now I could finally relax.
I could understand the worried looks from the staff every time they saw the clothes I was designing.
Having outfits nearby that could explode unpredictably, with no idea how people would react—it was heart-stopping.
With children's clothing business more or less wrapped up, we took a brief maintenance break.
Not much: just adjusting workloads and casually asking foreign dignitaries and acquaintances if they wanted dresses made.
I'd even considered giving the staff a week off for summer vacation and hosting a small gathering with collaborators.
"No thanks."
"Don't do something so weird."
"......"
They all hated the idea.
I'd mustered the courage to suggest it, too.
"Why not? It'll just be people connected to the atelier—no big event."
"The very idea that a gathering with Her Imperial Highness would be 'small' is already doomed."
"The moment you host a party and invite people, rumors will fly. Small-scale, and they'll say you dragged us to some shabby hole; large-scale, and they'll think you're plotting something."
"So we'll just gratefully accept your kind intentions toward us."
"Ah..."
Their reasons were so reasonable that I wasn't hurt at all.
Lately, getting close to Elizabeth made me think of her less as the princess and more as just 'Elizabeth,' so I'd taken her presence too lightly.
"That's a shame..."
Shame, but unavoidable.
Instead, I tried to give our dedicated staff some modest gifts.
[To His Imperial Majesty Frederica, your humble servant, Count William Henry Howard, dares to request an audience.]
Can't give vacation or a feast? Then titles it is.
I might be lowly, but I won't ask for much—just knighthoods...
_
"What on earth did you do to Mother?"
"Why?"
"She dropped everything and ordered you to the palace immediately."
"Oh..."
The audience was granted incredibly quickly.
I'd sent the letter yesterday, and word came through Elizabeth this morning—that speed was only possible if she'd opened it and summoned me on the spot.
"Take care of the atelier for me."
"Sure, come back safe."
Being called so fast was nothing but good for me, so I left the atelier to Elizabeth and headed straight to the palace.
The path to His Majesty was as swift as the letter.
Imperial Knights swarmed the moment I stepped from the carriage, frisked me quickly, dragged me to the audience chamber, shoved me inside like a sack, and slammed the door.
I nearly stumbled but caught my balance, immediately bowing my head and dropping to my knees.
"I see the Sun of the Empire, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor!"
"Hehehe~ You came quickly, Baron Howard."
As I offered my greeting toward the jade throne, His Majesty's somewhat excited voice tickled my ears.
"Raise your head and come closer. I've been fidgeting all over waiting for you—I couldn't bear it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lifting my head and standing, I saw His Majesty's face beaming with more smiles than usual.
"So, what does Elizabeth's cute little puppy have to say that brings you to Us?"
"I dared to request an audience to make a presumptuous plea to Your Majesty."
"A plea?"
One corner of His Majesty's mouth curled up, curiosity lighting his eyes.
The guy who always refused everything suddenly bringing a request—naturally intriguing.
"Speak."
"It may be rude and brazen, but I humbly ask Your Majesty to grant titles to the staff of our atelier."
"Titles to your staff?"
His Majesty raised an eyebrow, furrowing his brow slightly as he stared straight into my eyes.
"Why do you suddenly want that?"
"Without the staff's help, the atelier couldn't have run smoothly. I've become a count in less than a year, but they've received only meager gold for their efforts. It's unfair for me alone to claim all the honor when we worked together."
"Unfair..."
Echoing the last word, His Majesty narrowed his eyes, pondered briefly, then nodded and spoke.
"Indeed, there is unfairness there. So, what exactly do you want?"
"I cannot ignore their hard work, so I boldly ask Your Majesty to grant them at least knighthoods."
"Hmm."
His Majesty frowned slightly at my request, tapping the armrest of the jade throne with his fingers.
"Your thinking is reasonable enough. I agree that their rewards pale compared to the honors bestowed on you."
"Does that mean..."
"However, it would be difficult for Us to grant them rewards directly. It might seem overly generous coming from Us."
"I see..."
The opening sounded positive, raising my hopes, but the refusal left me crestfallen, head dipping slightly.
"Someone other than Us could do it."
"What do you mean if not Your Majesty?"
"Baron Carver's son and Viscount Boen's daughter can receive baronetcies through Elizabeth. As an imperial princess and a duke in her own right, she can grant that much."
"Ah...!"
I finally realized high nobles could grant knighthoods or baronetcies to vassals.
"And for the commoner staff, it should suffice if you grant them knighthoods."
And that now, not just Elizabeth but I too could be called a high noble, albeit at the lowest rung.
"I am in awe of Your Majesty's vast wisdom."
"Don't celebrate yet. You'll need some justification to appoint vassals."
"Give me any command—I'll accomplish it."
"Your boldness is pleasing."
As I bowed my head, showing strong resolve, His Majesty let out a chuckle.
"Then head to the Magic Division at once and seek out the witches."
"What must I do to help the witches?"
"Best to hear that from them. Tell them you're there to assist on your father's and Our orders—they'll explain right away."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall obey."
"Mm."
Kneeling and bowing to receive the command, as I rose, His Majesty added with a satisfied smile.
"If you fulfill the witches' request diligently and perfectly, We shall grant you the authority to appoint knights. Of course, it'll be a tiny order of fewer than ten, but that's enough for now."
"Thank you for so graciously indulging this spoiled noble's whim, Your Majesty."
"Good. Then We shall expect great things, Count Howard."
Offering thanks and rising once more, His Majesty waved his hand dismissively with a faint smile, signaling me to leave.
I bowed deeply in response and turned to step out of the audience chamber.