Chapter 188: The Birth of a New Ducal House and Margrave House

His Majesty’s speech continued. When His Majesty stated that he would next announce the rewards, the venue fell silent.

“It suddenly became quiet. For Kingdom nobles, a reward from the Royal Family is a great honor. Surely, the number of people trying to cozy up to the Fairchild family, which will become a Ducal house, will increase.”

“Letty, you seem to think of it as other people’s business, but since you’re engaged to the second son of that Fairchild family, you’re involved too.” “No, Will is becoming independent, so it’s not directly related, right?” I wonder about that.

“The Fairchild family achieved unparalleled merit in defeating the massive horde of monsters, a situation that should be called a national crisis. Therefore, I promote the Fairchild family from a Margrave house to a Ducal house.”

The Great Hall buzzed. Father quietly walked forward, proceeded before His Majesty, and knelt. Then, addressed by His Majesty, he stood up.

The influential nobles knew beforehand, so they weren’t surprised, but some Viscounts and Barons opened their eyes wide in astonishment.

It’s not unreasonable. Since the founding of the kingdom, there have only been two Ducal houses, in the North and the South. Yet now, a third Ducal house is being born.

“The Fairchild family headed to provide aid upon receiving my secret order this time. However, we do not know when or where monsters will attack.” We understood that danger well through this incident.

“Making them a Ducal house is also to allow them to head for relief on their own judgment without my order in such times.”

As expected of His Majesty. He vividly demonstrated that our becoming a Ducal house is a benefit to the noble houses that might need rescue.

The expressions of the nobles, who had looked dissatisfied or envious at the mention of a new Ducal house, changed completely.

“Furthermore, this promotion is also something the late Count Waterford advised in his will.” Many were surprised, but the conservative nobles nodded. It seems Count Waterford‘s will had been conveyed to them as well.

“It is custom for a Ducal house to have a blood relationship with the Royal Family. Therefore, my niece, Francois Siltikheim, shall marry Edward Fairchild.” My brother and Francois-san stepped forward before His Majesty, bowed, and stood next to Father.

I only recently heard that the two of them were getting engaged. It is a political marriage for the Margrave family to become a Ducal family, but I hear they were on good terms to begin with. As his brother, I want to bless them.

“Both are currently attending the Royal Academy. Therefore, they shall be engaged now, and marry upon graduation.” Voices blessing the two rose from the nobles in the Great Hall.

“Now, with the Fairchild family’s promotion, the position of Western Margrave becomes vacant. Of course, they will continue to guard against the Sea of Trees even after becoming a Ducal house, but the Sea of Trees is the demon realm with the greatest threat.”

“The Cardiff Earl house has had achievements in subjugating monsters springing from the Sea of Trees in the past, and Scarlett Cardiff was active alongside William Fairchild during the invasion of the massive monster horde this time.”

The venue’s attention gathered on Letty. Letty looked bewildered, but her expression turned proud.

“Therefore, I have decided to promote the Cardiff Earl house to a Margrave house.” Earl Cardiff stepped forward before His Majesty and knelt.

“Since economic power is necessary to maintain a knight order, I shall add a portion of the Waterford Earldom, which has been left without an heir, to his territory.” The Earl expressed his gratitude and stood next to Father.

Letty was holding back tears. There were apparently retainers who didn’t value her pursuing the path of the sword and said she should just marry into a powerful noble family, so it must be deeply moving for her to have her own achievements evaluated and her family home promoted like this.

When I patted Letty‘s shoulder, she nodded silently. Father was wearing a broad smile, happy that his close friend was promoted to Margrave. The promotion of the close Cardiff Earl family is a happy occasion for our family as well.

The Great Hall was in an uproar over the birth of a new Ducal house and a new Margrave house. “Everyone, quiet down. I have two more matters.” At His Majesty’s words, the nobles fell silent.

“One is the Woodpole family. Not flinching before a massive monster horde and standing up for their subjects can be called a model for Kingdom nobles. Therefore, I shall add a portion of the Waterford territory to them as well and make them a Viscount house.”

Looking at Baron Woodpole, he was dumbfounded. It seems he hadn’t heard about this beforehand.

On the other hand, His Majesty was wearing a mischievous smile. I heard from the Prime Minister later that surprising those around him like this is one of His Majesty’s few pleasures.

But I think it’s a good personnel appointment. The Baron is a magnificent person, and since his territory suffered great damage in this attack, I am happy that he is being promoted with an increase in territory.

The Baron stepped forward before His Majesty in a flustered manner and knelt. Then, after being addressed by His Majesty, he thanked him, stood up, and stood next to Earl Cardiff.

” regarding the last matter… The direct lineage of the Waterford Count house has ended with the death of the head and his heir in battle.” The venue went quiet.

“However, it is regrettable to let a Count house that showed courage serving as a model for Kingdom nobles die out. Therefore, a child of the Count’s cousin shall become a Viscount and preserve the Waterford family name.” From a corner of the venue, the new Viscount Waterford stepped forward before His Majesty.

A loud cheer rose from the conservative nobles. It shows that the Count had popularity.

I think His Majesty’s personnel appointment to preserve the Waterford family as a special exception, when it would have been extinguished according to Kingdom law, was skillful.

“Those newly promoted, those entering into marriage, and those receiving titles are all pillars that support our Albion Kingdom.” The nobles gathered in the Great Hall responded to His Majesty’s words with applause and cheers.

Once the ceremony at the Royal Castle ended in this way, a parade began from the large square in the center of the Royal Capital to the Royal Castle. Carriages without covers, like convertibles, were waiting in front of the Royal Castle.

In the lead carriage of the parade rode Father, my brother, Sophie, and the Duke’s daughter Francois, who had become his fiancée. They are the main stars of this parade.

I rode in the next carriage with Letty and Flora. I wasn’t promoted or engaged, but His Majesty said it was the unveiling of the Savior.

In the third carriage rode the Cardiff Margrave couple, and in the carriage behind them rode the Woodpole Viscount couple. And the new Lord Waterford boarded the very last carriage.

The carriage parade leaving the Royal Castle moved slowly toward the large square of the Royal Capital. I am really bad at being on a public stage.

However, I understand that this is a ceremony to unite the hearts of the people to counter the monsters. I waved my hand just like everyone else.