FitzClarence Family
I arrived at my destination, the ho of Earl Bitch.
This place is massive.
The ho I naturally compare this place to is the noble mages mansion. His house had a garden large enough for Christina to comfortably land in. Even so, the ho of Earl Bitch is much larger.
And the quality of the craftsmanship on the manor was equal to any gothic structure I had seen pictures of on Earth.
It reminded of Notre Da or Saint-tienne Cathedral; a place that looked too grand to simply be soones ho. But thats coming from soone like who could never understand the mind of the rich.
I stood in front of the gates for so ti as I admired the regal structure at a distance when a voice called out to from the opposite side.
Two groups of two guards each appeared on either side of the gate and walked up to .
What business do you have at Earl Bitchs manor.
Ah, umm, excuse , my na is Tanaka and I recently beca part of the FitzClarence faction as a baron under the sponsorship of Earl Elizabeth. I wish to properly introduce myself to Earl Bitch.
.
Is it going to be difficult to arrange a eting without an appointnt?
I rembered how Schael changed his attitude towards once he found out I was a baron and made sure to ntion that right off the bat.
Of course, the gatekeeper looked hesitant to believe . I was still dressed in my travellers clothes and looked like anything but a noble. I had originally only planned on visiting Allen, so I saw no reason to look the part of a baron.
But, apparently, introducing myself as a noble was enough to at least get the guard to acquiesce for the ti being.
I see. Ill need to check to confirm what youve told . Please, wait here a mont.
Of course.
The guard I spoke with exchanged a few words with another guard before the other guard headed up to the main building on his own.
I tried to act confident in the hopes that Id be allowed in, but now Im wondering if the Earl wont even want to bother eting with . Allen was supposedly taken I assu to their ho by the Bitchs carriage, but I doubt ntioning his na or my connection to him would an much to these guards.
I might have placed too much hope in my title.
As I was worried about being turned away, a man exited the manor and made his way down to the gate. It wasnt the guard that had left previously; it was a well-dressed middle-aged man that, if I had to guess, Id say is the Earls valet. He told that his Master would et with and instructed to follow him to the manor.
IT was quite a distance from the main gate to the entrance of the manor. The road we walked on was primarily used for carriages, I assud, as it was five or six tres wide. The entire estate made think of an amusent park or so form of public facility rather than a private ho.
Our destination was the drawing room on the first floor.
The noble mages ho and the school dormitory had been designed with functionality in mind while this place clearly had an emphasis on appearance. There were elaborate decorations everywhere I looked, shelves filled with small sculptures, and exquisite paintings and ceramics all through the hallway we entered through.
And the person that decorated his ho so opulently, was sitting in front of .
The head of the Bitch family was seated on a sofa in the centre of the room.
you are Tanaka, correct?
Yes, Im Tanaka.
He had a stern expression on his face.
His chiselled features added to his intimidation factor, but there was a clear resemblance to Sophie-chan. Even in a country of primarily white people, this family would stick out due to their overwhelmingly good looks.
The features that most reminded of Sophie-chan were his deep blue eyes that appeared to be sunken into his head due to his high-bridged nose and protruding brow. He had a thick head of brown hair that was swept back which, again, added to his intimidation factor.
Ta-Tanaka-san.
Its been a while, Allen-san.
Just as I had been inford at the Knights HQ, Allen was here as well.
He sat opposite the Earl with clear surprise on his face after noticing . Apparently, they were discussing sothing before my arrival. Are they acquaintances?
This person has impeccable timing.
Sophie-chans dad said this while looking at .
I wonder if I was the topic of their discussion.
Thats a little worrying.
Im sure youre ti is precious, so I appreciate you taking the ti to et with soone like . I am a simple newcor, but I wished to humbly pay my respects to you and the FitzClarence family by properly introducing myself.
For now, Ill make the first move.
Is that a joke, Baron Tanaka?
Does he think Im being sarcastic?
Then, what does he want to say?
Everything I do is done to honour the na of Viscount FitzClarence. I owe her for everything I have and I only wish to see her continue to rise.
Im not sure what he ant by that, but flattering your boss never fails.
Were both a part of the FitzClarence faction.
Hmm, youre exactly what was described to .
Yes, I suppose I am.
I quietly bowed my head in agreent.
Actually, Earl Bitch, Baron Tanaka is an excellent wizard. His abilities were even acknowledged by Lord Fahren and I saw them first-hand when he fought a dragon.
Hou?
Allen spoke up to support .
I saw Earl Bitchs eyebrows twitch slightly.
Perhaps ntioning the noble mages na was the way to go.
Its rare for that magic maniac to acknowledge anyone. You know, Allen, there are thods of detecting lies.
No, those are the words of Lord Fahren himself.
hou.
Thats the second hou.
Hes staring daggers at .
But he looks angry by default so I cant even tell what hes thinking.
What does Richard have to say about you?
I havent had the privilege of eting Duke FitzClarence yet.
What a ridiculous thing to say. Are you stupid enough to co to before ever eting with the Duke? Or is this the wisdom of Earl FitzClarence?
I was looking for Allen at the Knights headquarters and they told he was headed to your ho.
I understand.
What is it exactly that you understand?
That you know this man has been working under my auspices.
.
Eh, seriously?
Sophie-chans father has been helping Allen advance his position.
When my daughter told that he had a close relationship with Viscount FitzClarence, I thought hed make a good vassal, but I never expected another man to steal her away from him.
.
Uh-oh, Ive stepped onto a land mine.
I now understand why Allen was kidnapped.
And this sa man that stole her away has co to before ever eting with Richard.
A sly smile crept across the face of the Earl.
I dont have much of a choice now.
Ill have to go with the flow.
Ive gone down a new route with no way of turning back.
thats exactly right.
I thought as much.
What am I supposed to do now?
It doesnt look as if the FitzClarence faction is as united as the outside world believes.
If I dont play this right, my noble life will be over before it ever had the chance to begin.
This is good news for you, Allen. Thanks to him, you might just live to see another day.
T-Thank you.
Theres sothing Id wish to report on that note.
And what is that?
If I play this right, I can get Allen to return to the lolibitch, but I need to be careful and consider how my actions will affect all of the powerful people involved here.
Otherwise, my life will the next one taken after Allens.
Viscount FitzClarence is a capricious woman. Her temperant can change day-to-day and she may move on from at any mont; possibly, back to who she was originally interested in. In fact, it was the Viscount that told where Id be able to find Allen today.
But she helped make you a baron.
Allen could be the next baron and, in due ti, could even advance to the position of duke.
Its like Im walking on a tightrope.
Ive never even t Ester-chans father and the power her family holds rises every day. Im going to have to et with him at so point.
Why would you work against the person that helped grant you a position amongst the nobility?
No matter what led to where I am today, I understand that the position I find myself in is only temporary.
What is it that youd wish to accomplish if your position where permanent?
Its hard for to speak my honest feelings to soone with such an intimidating face.
Besides, why would a Count care what the lowest of Barons has to say?
My dreams?
Yes, what would you do with that newfound power?
.
No matter how I think about it, the only thing I dream about is a girl with an intact hyn. Becoming the infololis husband doesnt sound so bad either. But, Im sure if I were to speak my honest feelings, Id be sent straight to prison.
Its nothing special, really. I just wish to be in a position where Id be able to help my friends that are also commoners like Allen here.
Lets hope he accepts the sa vague response that I gave the Manson Group.
However, this is just the first step on a long journey for . Im sorry that Im not able to give you a better answer.
.
Earl Bitch closed his eyes and thought on my words for a mont.
His calm deanour and chiselled features added to the austere elegance that surrounded him. The only thing that could improve his look would be a cigar in his mouth.
it didnt take long for you to show your true colours.
Theres no point in hiding when youre surrounded by allies.
Fu~n.
Earl Bitch snorted at my reply.
Both of you, go ho for today. Ill call for you when I need you.
Allen and I exchanged glances, wondering what we should do before we stood up and left the room.
This is going to beco a huge problem if Im not careful.
Allen, what are we going to do.
We need to talk about this, but that can wait until we get out of here.
I understand.
Our audience with the Earl ca to an end.
A butler and maid guided us out as we left the Bitch residence.
***
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