Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Hans von Choi
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Victoria Adelaide passed away just a few days later.
"Margarete. I have a favor to ask of you."
The Victoria Dowager Empress took her beloved youngest daughter's hand as she spoke.
Her eyes were filled with guilt over breaking a promise with her daughter, yet also held a firm resolve that this was necessary.
"I intend to leave Schloss Friedrichshof and my fortune to Hans as my legacy."
"Pardon? Mother, but..."
"Yes. Originally, it was meant for you, Margarete."
Princess Margarete bowed her head at her mother's deeply apologetic expression.
She couldn't claim it didn't leave her feeling a bit disappointed.
After all, she had wanted to keep Schloss Friedrichshof, a place filled with memories of her mother.
"Will you tell me why?"
That's why she wanted to know.
The reason her mother was telling her this, of all people.
"...I hold Hans in high regard. I believe that boy can surely change Germany for the better. But the chains of race will always block his path like shackles."
Germany was one of Europe's most conservative nations.
There was no place for a yellow-skinned man anywhere in this country.
'Especially the Junkers—they won't leave Hans alone.'
Germany was run by Prussia, and Prussia by the Junkers.
Those inflexible militarists would seize any chance to devour him.
As the Victoria Dowager Empress, she couldn't fully protect him, but she wanted to at least give him the means to defend himself.
"I want to be his strength, Margarete. But with my life nearing its end, all I can give him is this castle and a bit of my fortune."
"Mother..."
"I'm truly sorry, Margarete. But please, heed my wish."
Margarete pondered for a moment but soon nodded.
It was her mother's final request.
Though it left her wanting, she wished to grant it.
'Besides, Hans is the sort who won't squander Mother's legacy.'
"Thank you, Margarete."
"Shall we tell Hans right away, then?"
"No, wait. I'll write a will. Announce it right after my funeral, in front of everyone."
Why go to such lengths?
Princess Margarete tilted her head.
"These things are best given as surprise gifts."
Her mother, Victoria Adelaide, wore a mischievous grin like that of her own uncle—an impish rogue.
And now.
"Hahaha! Congratulations, Hans. Not only do you become rich in an instant, but you even get a castle!"
"Please, don't tease me, Your Majesty."
Edward VII burst into even louder laughter, clearly amused by my reaction.
Meanwhile, I felt queasy from this unexpected "modest gift" from the Victoria Dowager Empress.
"Don't look so burdened, Hans."
"Princess Margarete. Are you truly all right with me inheriting Schloss Friedrichshof?"
I knew it was originally meant for her.
It felt like I'd stolen the legacy from the princess who'd always been kind to me, and it sat poorly with me.
"Don't worry about me. And Hans, you'll cherish that place filled with Mother's memories."
'What am I supposed to do with that massive mansion!'
Germany's heart was always Berlin, or Potsdam where the Kaiser resided.
Moving to distant Schloss Friedrichshof offered me no benefits, at least not yet.
Plus, maintaining a place that size would be a nightmare.
"How about this, then?"
"Your Majesty."
As I racked my brain, the Augusta Empress spoke up.
"Hans is still a minor. So let Princess Margarete manage Schloss Friedrichshof until he comes of age."
Oh. That's a solid idea.
"Your Majesty, but..."
"I beg you, Princess. Managing an estate is still beyond a child like me."
"Thank you, Hans. Then I'll treasure it until you reach adulthood."
Princess Margarete nodded brightly, clearly pleased deep down.
"And the rest of the fortune...?"
"Ah, I'll take that."
The more money, the better.
That's a 21st-century truth.
"Ahem. Congratulations, Hans."
"Your Majesty."
"I never dreamed Mother had prepared such a 'surprise gift'."
Wilhelm II approached with an awkward expression, glancing at his sister, Princess Margarete.
"Margarete. You should've at least told me beforehand."
"Mother insisted you keep it secret from big brother. She said it'd be more fun that way."
"True enough, it was a shock. Whether it was fun, I'm not so sure."
Wilhelm II shook his head helplessly.
Fortunately, he had no intention of complaining about the Dowager Empress leaving me her legacy.
'It was going to Princess Margarete anyway.'
To Wilhelm II, it probably didn't matter who got it.
"Billy. Got nothing for him?"
"Uncle. What do you mean?"
Wilhelm II scowled at Edward VII's out-of-left-field remark.
What's with this potbellied uncle now?
"Hans can be called a lord with his own castle now. Granting him a fitting title is only proper, no?"
"Pardon? A title?"
Wilhelm II looked as stunned as if he'd been bonked on the head with a hammer.
I was just as shocked.
'That 'castle' and the one I'm inheriting are worlds apart!'
"A title? Even so, isn't that too soon?"
The Augusta Empress spoke with a surprised face too.
'Too soon? So you were planning to give me one.'
Fair enough. I live in the palace, after all.
The imperial couple couldn't keep a commoner like me around forever.
"Well, it's a perfect opportunity. Or should I do it?"
"Hans isn't British—why would you step in, Uncle?"
Irked by Edward VII's words, Wilhelm II whipped around to glare at me.
Was he seriously considering it?
"Very well. Then I'll bestow the title of Baron on Hans."
"Your Majesty?!"
I couldn't help raising my voice.
I'd expected something like knighthood at most, not baron? Baron?!
'That's way too grandiose!'
I could already picture the Junkers raging: "What? That chink a baron of the German Empire?"
Was it even safe to accept this?
"Ho, a baron. That's fitting. Now, everyone, pay attention!"
At Edward VII's words, the gazes of the surrounding royals and nobles all turned our way.
Was he seriously dubbing me here?
Strike while the iron's hot, sure—but this was too fast!
"Uncle. Are you serious?"
Wilhelm II wore a troubled look, sharing my thoughts.
But with all eyes on us now...
He couldn't back out.
"Sigh. Someone lend me a sword."
One of the guard officers drew his blade with a puzzled look and offered it to the Kaiser.
He'd faint if he knew what was happening.
"Hans Choi. Kneel."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
I dropped to one knee before Wilhelm II.
Utterly embarrassing, but I couldn't disobey.
The onlookers' faces shifted to every color of surprise once they caught on.
Mostly shock, though.
And as always, Chancellor von Bülow showed the most entertaining reaction from afar...
Mouth agape, completely dumbfounded.
'Sorry, but this isn't on me!'
So please, don't blame me later.
"Hans Choi. Do you swear eternal loyalty to me and the German Empire?"
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"And as a noble of the Empire, do you vow to fulfill your duties?"
"I swear."
"In the name of Wilhelm II, Emperor of the German Empire and King of Prussia, I grant you, Hans Choi, the right to use 'von' and the title of Baron von Kronberg."
Wilhelm II lightly tapped both my shoulders with the sword's flat.
Thus, Hans Choi—the Eastern boy who saved the Kaiser—became Baron Hans von Choi of the German Empire.
"That kid causes a stir just by breathing...!"
Chancellor von Bülow clutched his head and wailed.
Again. Hans Choi had stirred up trouble again.
Or should it be Baron Hans von Choi now?
"That's not the point."
The real issue was that the Kaiser had gone and given Hans a noble title.
At the Dowager Empress's funeral, no less!
"He'd been quiet lately, but he finally dropped a bombshell!"
Not that it was Hans's fault, but von Bülow couldn't help grabbing his neck.
The French incident paled in comparison.
That one had secretly pleased him, truth be told.
Reconciliation between Wilhelm II and the Victoria Dowager Empress?
Palace affairs weren't his concern.
Even when Hans inherited her fortune, von Bülow shrugged it off.
Some rich folk left everything to their pets—what was that?
But this was different.
This was a bombshell that would rock the entire German Empire.
Von Bülow hurried to Wilhelm II to discuss countermeasures.
They needed a plan, and fast.
"Unbelievable. That wretched Asian brat not only gets Mother's fortune but a noble title in the Empire too."
On his way to the Kaiser, von Bülow frowned involuntarily at Princess Charlotte gossiping with noblewomen about Hans.
She'd always badmouthed others, but targeting Hans was the problem.
'By tomorrow, the entire German upper crust will know.'
Was she fanning the flames on purpose? Did she have a brain?
Von Bülow quickened his pace, shoving through the murmuring crowd toward Wilhelm II chatting with his family.
"Your Majesty. A word in private?"
He whispered softly.
The Kaiser nodded as if expecting it and followed silently.
Once secluded, Wilhelm II spoke first, as if defending himself.
"I didn't plan this."
"Your Majesty?"
"Hans didn't want it either. He's probably the first to receive a title with such a reluctant face."
"Sigh. Then why did you?"
The Kaiser scowled at von Bülow's weary sigh.
"Why? That damn fat Edward, of course!"
"Edward VII, Your Majesty?"
"Uncle forced the situation. I had no intention of granting it so soon."
He'd planned to wait until adulthood.
Wilhelm II grumbled on.
"So you were going to anyway."
"Ahem. He's something like my foster son, after all."
"That's beside the point, but..."
Von Bülow wiped sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.
"Your Majesty. The Empire's nobles—especially the Junkers—won't stand for this."
Until now, the Junkers had merely observed Hans.
He had some justification for entering the palace, and he was just a child.
They'd gossiped behind his back, sure.
But now things had changed.
They'd never tolerate a yellow-skinned upstart on their level.
They'd attack without mercy.
"Hmm. But will they really go that far?"
"Your Majesty?"
Wilhelm II's thinking diverged from von Bülow's.
"Sure, they'll gripe endlessly. But this is my decision. I doubt they'll openly defy me."
"True, but..."
Wasn't he underestimating the risk?
That's what von Bülow wanted to say.
"Time will pass, and it'll blow over like always. As long as Hans doesn't stir up more trouble in the meantime."
Von Bülow eyed the confident Kaiser.
'Hans staying quiet?'
He shook his head.
Too late for that.