Quit being a knight and become a mercenary

301 – Maria’s Coronation Ceremony (3)

Once the coronation ceremony was over, the Grand Master announced to us.

“In the next two hours, a grand banquet to commemorate the coronation will be held in the grand banquet room of the imperial palace. Therefore, I hope that the nobles of the Rhine-Palatinate Empire will definitely attend.”

It only takes 30 minutes to walk from the square here to the main banquet room.

So, an hour and a half is empty, so what do you do with the extra time?

If I have 3-4 hours left, I can find an empty room at an inn and take it…

‘Why did you organize the time so vaguely?’

As I was thinking like that, Hilde and Karin came towards me.

“I thought it would take half a day because it was a coronation ceremony, but it ended much shorter than I thought. “In fact, I feel like I’m losing steam.”

It is common sense in this world that the more important an event is, the more grandly it is shown over a longer period of time.

Because by showing such distinction, we are trying to make you aware that those in high positions are different from you ordinary people.

‘It’s funny to think that doing that is how you gain authority.’

“As Karin said, I heard that originally, the succession ceremony for a single noble to take over a title was usually held over half a day. So, the coronation ceremony would normally take place all day long. However, I think Her Majesty Maria thought there was no point in holding such a long ceremony, so she cut everything short.”

Karin frowned at those words.

“The coronation ceremony alone was long because I had to stand and watch for nearly two hours, but it lasted all day? That must have been a bit difficult. “My head hurts just thinking about it.”

“So, I think it would be good for you to have a grateful heart towards Her Majesty Maria, or rather, Her Majesty.”

“Hilde is an exemplary knight even in times like this. “She should be thankful that she cut the coronation short.”

Hilde straightened her back and chest after hearing her words.

“That’s because I am your knight. Loyalty basically means being grateful for even the smallest things and repaying the favor sincerely.”

Karin placed her hand on her forehead and sighed.

She then raised one corner of her mouth and spoke.

“So you’re trying to be the first to have Martin’s child.”

“Why does that come out there?”

“If you listen to it when we are together, you often hear people say things like that. They say they will have a child for the sake of their family.”

I say this because in this world, women usually get into loveless marriages, and the only role they can play is to give birth to ‘children for the family.’

In Hilde’s case, unlike Carin and Lucia, she loves me. Next, she cares about the Viscountess and Count family of Cologne.

So she’s saying she’s having a child for the earl’s family and me.

“Now that the civil war has been resolved, as nobles of the empire, we must create children for all of us.”

Then Karin pulled me towards her with her mischievous smile.

Then she kissed my cheek.

“Then can I do that first?”

“I don’t like that.”

When Karin was trying to stop her from teasing Hilde, she greeted Dalton as if she was happy to see me.

“Oh my, Count Cologne. No, now I will have to call you Your Majesty. This lowly viscount is meeting your majesty. “Seeing your Majesty today feels like warm sunshine in my heart…”

Dalton must be having so much fun making fun of me.

Otherwise, there is no reason to repeat the same pattern two, three, or four times.

‘In times like this, non-reaction is the best.’

“What nonsense are you talking about, boss? “Where does it hurt?”

When I reacted coldly, Dalton clicked his tongue.

“Poisonous guy.”

“What is poisonous? Would you rather get hit by the same move 4 times? “I’m not that kind of idiot, so I’m sorry, Captain.”

At those words Dalton blushed at the subject he had tried to tease, even though he was over fifty years older.

Of course, it will only take less than a minute for these feelings to dissolve between us.

When you don’t have time to worry about such things, a much more efficient way to use your time would be to think about whether the sun will rise in the west today.

As if proving my thoughts right, Dalton’s expression instantly returned to its original state.

“It is done, take this. “I didn’t pick it up on the way, I bought it as a wedding present for you.”

Then Dalton handed me a wooden box.

“Open it, bastard.”

There were several pairs of silver spoons and forks inside.

The nobles of the Rhine-Palatinate Empire had a culture of giving silver tableware to their children after they got married, hoping that they would eat well and live well for generations to come.

Did you hand it to us accordingly?

After getting married, this gentleman also learned how to show such delicate consideration.

“Your child will soon become a father, so give him one when he gives birth. “You must tell me that Uncle Dalton gave it to you.”

I was very grateful, but the more times like this, the more I wanted to play pranks.

“I don’t like it.”

“Oh, that rotten…”

“I’m just kidding, I’ll tell you when the kids understand.”

“Yes, by all means. “Then I’ll just leave.”

As soon as Dalton waved his hand and left this place, other nobles came to where I was and started flattering me.

“Aren’t you the Count of Cologne? It is truly an honor to meet you by chance in a place like this. “After a touching coronation ceremony, I was even able to meet the Count…”

Until the end of the last war, that gentleman was a person who showed a bit of discomfort when I greeted him.

Look at how he flips his palm over as soon as he hears that I will be Maria’s husband.

Isn’t it similar to a working man flattering his boss for his wife and children…?

When I think about it, I even feel sorry for that shameless man.

“Ah, isn’t he Viscount Durum? It feels good to be able to see my viscount, too. How are you doing these days?”

“Yes, I am doing well.”

“Well, the civil war has ended and peace has come to the empire, so there’s no way we can’t survive. “You said something useless.”

Hearing those words, the Viscount shook his head exaggeratedly.

“No. I am truly devastated that the Count is worried about me. Thank you.”

No matter where you go, if you hold power, will there be people around you who will wag their tails like this?

The Viscount said so and handed me a pouch.

“Here is a small gift from me. It’s not a big deal, but please just accept my sincerity.”

There’s no way he gave a bag of gold coins as a bribe, so what on earth could it have been?

I was curious, so I took a peek inside and found that there were a lot of various processed gems inside.

With this much jewelry, you could build a fairly large mansion here in the capital…

You’re already going to such lengths to wag your tail at me.

‘Well, I can’t not get this.’

I would like to refuse like any knight with integrity, but refusing this means that I will turn my back on Viscount Durum for the rest of my life.

I had no idea that such political maneuvering would already take place.

“Thank you. “Why are you bringing all this?”

When I put the jewel pouch in my arms, Viscount Durum waved his hands as if it was not true.

“I wanted to give more, but I am sorry that I can only provide this much since the war has just ended. From now on, I will try to be even more devoted to the Count.”

Now that the civil war is over, politics may be moving in directions I didn’t expect.

I’m going crazy and excited.

I was in a position to receive a bribe, so I just said what I usually say, but why on earth did he take it as if I was threatening him to give more?

But now that the civil war is over, I should not only engage in war but also engage in politics in earnest.

“No. I hope we can get along well in the future. “I will visit you during the banquet.”

Durum smiled brightly, as if he was happy because of the bribe.

“It’s an honor, Count!”

“No, no. “I hope you do well in the future.”

Just like that, Durum bowed his pride and bowed to me several times before leaving.

Karin chuckled when she saw that.

“Power is so scary. “I can’t believe that someone who treated you so coldly in the past can suddenly turn you down like that.”

I think it’s a bit funny.

“But no matter how power flows, I am not in a position to lose my head. So, you don’t have to walk around wagging your tail like that viscount.”

I am the husband of the emperor of an empire, so why not fight politically like a lowly noble?

The country will be completely destroyed, and eventually civil war will break out again.

“That’s a good thing. “I don’t want to see my husband humiliating himself in front of others.”

And at this time, Lucia joined us.

“Sorry for being late, Count.”

“No, you can be late, but why are you late?”

“Because I lost my way…”

There were so many people that you could have gotten lost.

“Now then, let’s go attend the banquet. “You just have to show your face.”