Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Visit from the Former Duke
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"Young Master, another letter."
The day after the newspaper spread across the nation, people's reactions began trickling in one by one.
"Who is it this time?"
"It says Count Carlisle and Count Longford."
The main difference from last time was the age of the people showing up—they were considerably older.
Not the fresh, soft-cheeked noble teens and twenty-somethings, but weighty protests rolling in every hour from the dull, gloomy nobles in their forties and fifties.
"Sigh..."
"There are so many, we could use them as kindling."
As I groaned while receiving the letters, Lady Elizabeth—who was cutting fabric nearby—flashed an eye smile and tossed out a joke.
It was only day one, so I could still take it as a joke for now, but if this pace kept up for a few more days, I'd seriously have to consider using them for firewood.
"Should we really use them as kindling?"
"Do that, and you might actually get killed—even the Imperial Knights wouldn't be able to stop it."
"Ugh..."
The one silver lining was that, thanks to the Imperial Knight stationed at the atelier, they left the letters behind and behaved themselves.
The letters were packed purely with denunciations—no flowery rhetoric, just pure, unadulterated criticism. If I'd heard that stuff to my face, I'd have lost my mind for sure.
It was a blessing in disguise.
Still, the upside of these vitriol-filled letters was how similar they all were, making them easy to process.
The contents boiled down to things like:
1. How could you post something so shameless for everyone to see? Are you insane?
2. Aren't you embarrassed for the children?
3. We'll report this to the Church.
4. Various curses.
And that was it.
Reading curses and insults nonstop would wear anyone down mentally, but since they were phrased in such refined, noble fashion, it didn't even feel like I was getting chewed out.
Expressions like "spawn of demons and serpents" were pretty harsh, sure, but since I'm not particularly devout...
The follow-up threats about reporting to the Church were scary, but even if they did, what could the Church really do?
Everything was covered up properly, and it was only posted once—what're you gonna do about it?
Worst case, if the Church got offended, I'd bow my head deep, say "Won't happen again," and stuff their donation box full. They'd give a warning at most and let it slide.
History proved it—that was the textbook way to handle it, the go-to method for nobles caught in affairs or adultery to sweep things under the rug.
"Check the names on these letters and compile a list."
"Yes, sir."
I skimmed through the protest-filled letters and handed the pile off to Emily.
Apology notes could wait until tonight; it was work hours now, so time to grab fabric instead of paper.
Today's plan was to transfer patterns onto the yardage we'd received yesterday, so the faster I got that done, the sooner I could cut the fabric myself or hand it off to someone else.
"Uh, Sir William?"
"Agh..."
The moment my fingers touched the fabric, Lady Rachel poked her head into the workroom and called me.
"Looks like you'll need to come out personally this time."
"Who came to visit?"
"The former Duke Debenshire..."
At this point, my stomach started churning.
This was a guest way too big for me to handle.
I hadn't realized the ripple effect of what I'd done was enough to drag even retirees out of the back room...
"......"
I carefully set down the fabric, ran a hand through my hair, and stood up.
"I'll see him myself, so please bring him inside..."
"Understood."
Looks like cutting and sewing were off the table for today.
Before we get into my conversation with the former Duke Debenshire, indulge me for just a moment with a bit of dull, boring history.
Compared to the empire's vast size, the number of dukes right now is pathetically low. Thirty years ago, there were six dukes with territories and at least ten with the title but no land. Now? Not even half that.
The reason's simple: all the people who could've inherited titles died. They got purged during the imperial succession war, about five years before I was born.
Why bring this up?
Because House Debenshire is one of the rare surviving duke houses from that war that still holds territory. The other one's held by His Highness the Crown Prince, so it's practically the only one left.
And the man here now isn't the current duke—it's the former one. He's an old-timer who passed the title to his son and stepped back from politics long ago, but that doesn't erase his status as the head of the noble faction and ex-duke.
A lion with no teeth is still a lion—someone like me, who never even had teeth to begin with, shouldn't cross paths with him. Ever.
"Heh heh! You take after your parents completely!"
"Haha... I get that a lot."
But reality doesn't care about theory, and right now, that untouchable heavyweight was sitting across from me in the flesh.
"How's your father these days? I heard he's preparing to retire. Must sting to be treated like a backroom geezer at his age."
"He's doing well, actually thrilled at the chance to spend more time with Mother."
"Haha! Back when your parents were young, they were so disgustingly inseparable I cursed them to divorce. Who knew they'd still be hot for each other past their prime? That's your old man for you!"
"...Pardon?"
I couldn't help furrowing my brow as I stared at the former duke. Was it right to casually admit cursing someone's parents in front of their kid?
"Sorry to say it, but you should've seen it yourself. Feeding each other strawberries right in front of everyone—nightmarish. You know how many couples split up because of your parents? Even I got an earful from my wife, comparing me to your father... Hoo... Just thinking about it is awful."
"Ah... I see..."
I had no clue how to react to words that could be praise or sarcasm. On the surface, he looked like a kindly old grandfather rambling nostalgically, but no matter how I sliced it, it felt like he was digging into my guts.
"More importantly, what brings you here today?"
A bit annoyed, I cut straight to the chase—rude, maybe, but whatever.
The former Duke Debenshire slapped his knee with a laugh and launched into a stream of words, playing the fool masterfully.
"Ah! Right, look at me—getting old means my stories wander, forgetting the point and rambling on about nonsense. My apologies."
"Haha, no worries."
"If it's no worry, why not sit quietly and listen? Why interrupt?"
"......"
The warm atmosphere froze in an instant. Both the former Duke Debenshire and I were smiling, but the eyes peeking through our narrowed lids were icy sharp, glaring at each other.
My chest tightened, mouth went dry. I crossed my hands over my stomach to hide my trembling fingertips.
Forcing a calm smile, I responded to the former duke's question—or pressure, really.
"I'd love to hear Your Excellency's tales, but I'm swamped. Can't afford to waste time on chit-chat—please understand."
"Heh heh heh~ Must be 'cause I retired so long ago, lacking tact. Sorry about that."
"No, no. So, can we get to the point now?"
"Sure, if the young buck doesn't wanna hear an old man's stories, can't force it."
Leaning back against the chair in a somewhat slouched posture, chin propped on his right hand, the former Duke Debenshire continued.
"The empire's buzzing about you lately. You know that, right?"
"I've heard bits and pieces. Getting more attention than I deserve."
"Heh heh heh!"
The former Duke Debenshire laughed heartily, slapping his knee again. Then, smirking disdainfully, he flicked a finger toward the door.
"Dragging in Imperial Knights means you know full well—'bits and pieces,' my foot. You knew it'd kick up this much fuss and did it anyway, didn't you?"
"I won't deny it. To grab attention, you do whatever it takes—that's advertising, isn't it?"
"Spot on. But you went too far this time. Even in my house, that ad's split opinions—arguments nonstop."
The smile slowly faded from the former Duke Debenshire's face. The pressure squeezing my body intensified; breathing grew hard. I tugged at my collar for some neck room, furrowed my brow slightly, and replied.
"Regrettable, but clashes like that happen all the time, don't they? My ad might've sparked it, but it'd have happened eventually."
"Fair point—if it were just one ad. But your moves won't end there, will they? Watching your trajectory has been quite entertaining."
"......"
"A no-name kid popping up outta nowhere, picking actions that irk old-timers like us—you expect us to sit idly by?"
The former Duke Debenshire widened his eyes, glaring at me with blazing intensity.
"Listen up, young friend."
Then, in a grave tone, he added softly.
"With His Imperial Majesty backing you, do you think you own the world?"
There are Imperial Knights right outside the door—how's he this bold?
Hard to brush off, my forced smile vanished in a flash. The former Duke Debenshire and I locked eyes in a murderous stare-down.
"......"
Ha, damn it. My stomach's roiling; feels like I'm gonna puke.
Enough with this mind game already—someone get me outta here.