Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Honorary Knight
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"Enough with the bowing. Raise your head now. I don't have a habit of conversing with the back of someone's head."
"Yes, thank you."
At His Majesty the Emperor's words, I popped my head up like a mole in a whack-a-mole game.
His Majesty looked at me and smirked, one corner of his mouth curling up.
"Ha— The imperial palace is crawling with sly foxes, making it so dull. But a chick like you shows up, and it's refreshing. Your brother, on the other hand, is like a laid-back cow— no fun at all."
Speaking in a gentle tone, His Majesty sauntered leisurely to the jade throne, plopped down, propped his chin on his right hand, and gazed down at me.
"Is Helen doing well?"
"Mother and Father are both doing fine."
"Doing fine?"
His Majesty widened his eyes in disbelief.
"I leave you abandoned in the capital, and they frolic happily back in the territory? These irreverent fools are truly outrageous."
His Majesty frowned in annoyance, glancing out the window as he grumbled.
"I should appoint them as my maids sometime."
"Your Majesty, I must decline. I have no desire to see Count Hume rolling on the floor in the audience chamber."
"Wouldn't that be amusing?"
"If separate chambers are acceptable, then by all means."
"That would be... problematic."
The Chief Chamberlain startled, his eyes bulging in horror as he vehemently opposed His Majesty's words.
His Majesty, who had started with a laugh, adopted a sullen expression at the Chamberlain's genuine disgust and nodded.
"We'll deal with Count Hume and his wife's insolence later. Let's continue discussing the clothes made by this young one."
"That would be best."
His Majesty's gaze shifted from the Chamberlain back to me.
A languid yet weighty stare that began to fill me with tension.
"I am pleased with both the new uniforms and undergarments you created."
"Thank you for your kind approval."
"However, the issue lies in undergarment production. Without you and Mage Heini, no one can replicate them identically. If we can't resolve this, we can't adopt the undergarments. Do you have any solutions?"
"The undergarments can be made flawlessly by anyone who can sew, as long as we solve the hook and eye production problem. But since it's not my area of expertise, I'd need to consult Mage Heini."
"Hm... Understood."
His Majesty nodded slowly and glanced at the attendant.
"Prepare the item I mentioned before."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At His Majesty's command, the attendant bowed and exited the audience chamber.
Watching him go, His Majesty dropped the hand propping his chin, straightened his back, and fixed me with a sharp gaze.
"I shall issue a command to you."
"Yes, please command me."
I knelt and bowed my head.
"William Henry Howard, I shall adopt your proposed improvements as is. From this day forth, the Imperial Knights' uniforms for the female knights shall be replaced with those you designed, and the undergarments shall also be issued as per your design."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The production issue for the knights' undergarments shall be handled entirely by you, who knows it best, ensuring supply."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Furthermore, Young Lord William, in recognition of your contributions to improving the Imperial Knights' conditions, I hereby appoint you as an Honorary Knight of the Imperial Knights."
"...!?"
I nearly jerked my head up in shock at the utterly unexpected declaration.
An Honorary Knight was, as the name implied, a position with no special privileges, responsibilities, or granted lands—just a title.
But it wasn't mere empty flattery.
Being named an Honorary Knight of the Imperial Knights meant His Majesty the Emperor had taken notice of you.
It inherently granted invisible authority and power.
It was absolutely not something to give a 17-year-old unemployed heir with no succession rights.
Accepting this would guarantee utter chaos, and I could already envision myself suffering at its epicenter.
"Are you serious...?"
Interrupting His Majesty's decree was blasphemous, but unable to comprehend, I voiced my doubt in a trembling voice.
"Indeed, I appoint you as an Honorary Knight."
"Even so..."
"Is there a problem?"
I couldn't say, 'This doesn't seem right.'
His Majesty's cold tone, the hardening atmosphere, the prickling on my crown, the sudden tightness in my chest—it all told me I mustn't speak further.
"Hoo..."
I clamped my mouth shut, exhaled deeply, shook my head slightly, and spoke.
"No, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful for your grace."
"Good."
With His Majesty's satisfied reply came the sound of someone rising.
"Hand me the sword."
"Here it is, Your Majesty."
The voices of the attendant and His Majesty were followed by approaching footsteps.
"......"
Swallowing hard as the footsteps neared, His Majesty's boots entered my view.
"Second son of Count Hume, William Henry Howard."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The sheathed sword tapped my shoulder.
"Mother of the tens of millions of imperial subjects and rightful ruler of the empire, Helena grants you the duties and rights of a knight. In my name, I dub thee knight."
"William Henry Howard swears unwavering loyalty as His Majesty's faithful knight."
Reciting the oath as I remembered it after His Majesty's line, the sword tapped my left and right shoulders.
"Sir William shall bear the sword I bestow upon you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Still facing the floor, I raised both hands above my head as if supporting the heavens.
The sword was gently placed upon them.
"I am eternally grateful for your grace!"
"Mm. Raise your head."
As I lifted my gaze, His Majesty's eyes looking down met mine.
Meeting my eyes, he grinned, leaned forward slightly, patted my shoulder, and said,
"I look forward to your future endeavors."
"Yes... Your Majesty."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Your Majesty, isn't Honorary Knight too much?"
After everyone except the attendant had left the audience chamber, I looked at the Emperor with a worried tone.
The Emperor gazed at me impassively and nodded slowly.
"It is excessive."
"Then why?"
"It's time for some change."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes boredly toward the audience chamber entrance.
"It's about time fresh young blood stirred among the nobles. I'd appreciate if those old foxes took the hint and stepped aside... but their greedy asses are too heavy. So, I'm planting a little seed."
"He's not incompetent, but he's still lacking in many ways. Is that alright?"
"I don't expect much from him."
The Emperor smirked slyly.
"Just have him bustle about energetically with my backing and irritate those thick-headed old timers. That'll suffice."
"Isn't that the hardest part?"
"Do you think he can't?"
"I'm worried he'll do it too well."
I was even more concerned after seeing the outfit Frederick's son had brought today.
It risked offending the Church if mishandled.
It suited the Emperor's tastes perfectly, but crossed too many lines.
"Ideally, the young ones would see William and grow bolder themselves."
"Your dreams are too grand."
"Dreams are meant to be big."
The Emperor chuckled happily, meeting my eyes.
"As Count Hume's son, he'll manage splendidly."
"Haa..."
I sighed deeply, rubbing my temple with my left hand.
I could vividly picture Count Hume and his wife exploding in rage.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ My uneasy premonition proved correct. Once rumors spread that I had received the title of Honorary Knight from His Majesty the Emperor, the capital erupted in an uproar.
"William, wh-what is this? And what are all these letters?"
"I have no idea."
It started with my bewildered brother, bombarded by nobles' letters and questions,
[William, what on earth are you doing in the capital?]
my mother's frantic letter with its scrawled handwriting,
[Deep interest in Sir William...]
and invitations to tea from unknown ladies.
Every noble in the empire had their eyes on me.
Hole up at home, and letters rained down endlessly in a hellish barrage. Step outside, and nobles pretending to pass by clung like glue.
The unwanted life of a superstar derailed my plans to head south after work, forcing me to deal with these persistent nobles.
For someone starved for solitude and desperately craving indifference, this situation was utterly exhausting.
Every outing drew stares; at home, endless visitors drained my energy, leaving body and soul in ruins.
At this rate, I'd really die, so I opted for a temporary escape.
To a place no ordinary noble would dare approach.
"That's how it happened."
"I see... I understand the situation."
Heini, who had greeted me with a puzzled expression, nodded reluctantly after hearing me out, her face a mix of reluctance and sympathy.
She furrowed her brow slightly, tilted her head, and asked in a voice full of doubt,
"But why me, of all people?"
I smiled awkwardly and explained.
"Well... I don't have anyone I could call a friend."
"Oh... my."
Heini looked at me like a pitiful stray animal.
"Since it's an order from His Majesty, may I impose on you for a few days?"
"Well... it's humble quarters, but do as you like."
"Thank you..."